From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series! When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood … childhood event she’d thought was long past.
A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.
Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.
There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?
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Autumn Skies demonstrates why I keep returning to Bluebell Inn! The siblings are all settling into their lives and it is wonderful to see Molly and Levi blossoming. Now, it’s Grace’s turn and I was not disappointed with her story. Grace is determined to stay in Bluebell and continue running her outfitters business. Wyatt needs a respite and some closure. Their stories are more intertwined than they realize, and I loved the chemistry that draws them together. A richly satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
Warm Fuzzies! That is what Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter brought out in me… the warm fuzzies. Oh my goodness this was such a fulfilling book. It had a several great love stories, a twist that could have only been brought about by the good Lord and just that small hometown feel. I could go on and on.
Grace is one of the inn keepers at Bluebell Inn along with her brother and sister. Wyatt is an extended stay guest. Maybe you can guess the general direction of this story. I’m not telling you much more than that. You’ll have to find out for yourself. I loved the characters. They were people you would want to know and spend some time with. They were easy to relate to.
The good news? This is the last part of a three part series and it did really well as a stand alone book. The first two books were picked up by Hallmark and are now movies. We can only assume this one will also be a movie. You know what they say. Read the book first!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
What a great story! The Bluebell Inn has quite a history and I think you will enjoy learning about it and the people that are involved. The characters are strong folks who all bring something different to the table. I loved getting to know them. Grace and Wyatt are who we get to spend the most time with. They are both dealing with a lot of guilt. Can they help each other to work through their feelings? Get comfortable and enjoy Grace, Wyatt, Molly, Adam, Levi and Mia as they live their lives. I can’t wait to hang with them again. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
I think this book may be my favorite of this series. I really loved it- from beginning to end. The characters and the story progression felt natural and moved forward at a great pace. I was so invested in this story the whole way through.
Wyatt and Grace are two characters that are easy to like and easy to root for. I enjoyed them together and apart. Wyatt is cautious and conflicted and his story is more complex. His search for closure brings him close to Grace who struggles with some of her own demons. The emotions were real and even though I don’t personally struggle with the same things Wyatt and Grace did, I connected with the way the characters were feeling. That’s exactly what I want as a reader.
I’ve loved this Bluebell Inn series but again, this story was my favorite. It was nice to see Grace’s sister and brother in this book too, keeping with the family connections present in each book. I loved how all their stories came to a feel good resolution. It was so well done. I think this book could stand alone but I would really recommend reading this series in order. These three siblings play a prominent role in each book and their stories progress in each even though each book focuses on one particular person.
Content: mild peril, mild violence, kissing. Christian fiction.
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
A delightful, inspirational, feel-good, pick-me-up, and let-me-escape novel, a story that will wrap you up in all the feels and the beautiful autumn scenery of western North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains.
I have not read the previous two novels in the series, and while I realize it would have enriched my reading experience, it didn’t hinder me from enjoying this charming tale of young adults finding their destinies. I have had the pleasure to live in those mountains for several years and the sceneries the author painted with her words were vivid, a picture like, and true to nature.
Grace Bennett is a young woman, only 21 years old, yet she knows what she wants to do with her life, her future well planned ahead of her. Grace seemed to have the need to prove herself, her ability to run her business, and as an adult to her siblings. At first, she seemed a bit immature but she grew on me as the story unfolded.
Secret Service agent Wyatt Jennings is the quiet, serious type. He is at the crossroads with his career, and he believes that facing his childhood nightmare will give him the peace of mind (and sleep) he has been looking for.
The attraction between Grace and Wyatt is adorable and sweet, yet complicated as they live very different kinds of lifestyles. The hiking and camping scenes as Grace and Wyatt get to know each other were charming and entertaining, with a touch of danger giving the tale a little spice. The plot twist that they stumble on took me by surprise,
bring up deep emotions and severe trauma from their past.
I liked how especially Wyatt was grounded in his faith in God, seeking guidance and trusting in God to give him direction in his life. While the protagonists and their loved ones are assumed to be Christians, and faith is referenced a few times as they ponder about their lives and futures, the story avoids any kind of preaching or directly talking about Christianity.
In this very unpredictable world, I love to escape into the romance novels that in a charmingly sure-fire way, with great anticipation takes my mind to a sort of a happy place where love wins, faith is grounded, families grow, and people find their serendipity, cause there are few things as appealing than two people falling in love, finding their soulmates, their true north. Denise Hunter is a talented storyteller who balances the ingredients of the stories just so that you come to the end of the book with a happy, satisfied sigh.
A captivating and heartening, heartwarming and enjoyable – just all-around pleasing and satisfying tale of life and love
~ Four Spoons
Wow! I loved this story. Grace and Wyatt have an instant connection. They are both broken and looking for closure and I think that makes their bind even stronger. There were some intense times, some heartbreaking times, but also swoony times. I loved the connection and draw they had and that it wasn’t all physical. They really connected on many levels. I read the first book in this series and enjoyed that Molly still had a part in this book. However, I haven’t read Levi’s book, but didn’t feel like I was missing out on parts of Grace’s story. So even though it’s a series, I think this book could be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary early copy from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest review.
Such a good book! I wondered what the author would do with the youngest sister’s story. It was gripping! And the way it wove together with the hero’s was compelling and tragic. A sweet romance that made it hard to walk away from the pages.
Romance, clean, contemporary, Christian; Series, but stand alone read
Grace and Wyatt’s story was the perfect ending to this series. Strong characters, emotions, and events that are so well described you can feel the emotions, angst, and the romance so strongly. So well done. Grace’s past, and her hopeful present come together along with bits from her other siblings that make this perfect as the latest installment in this series.
Wyatt was such a great conflicted hero. His present and past, both catching up with him, and his story line being the introduction to the story was a perfect start to this novel. The other characters introduced from his past made me so curious!! Totally hoping for a spin-off for his good friend! (side note there). The chemistry that was the turning point for Wyatt, was such a moment. He and Grace were so perfect together, their fall so well done.
Seeing Levi’s HEA with Mia, even though those scenes were brief, and also Molly and Adam’s moments were definitely sweet moments in this novel as well.
I’ve read most of what D.H. has written. This is by far one of her best of her body of work in terms of how the story flows, the characterizations, the emotions, and the way she builds the plot and pulls all the elements of the story together. Truly a beautifully crafted novel that was satisfying in so many ways.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
Autumn Skies
By Denise Hunter
Book 3 in the Bluebell Inn Romance series
Rating: 4.5/5
Release date: October 20, 2020
She does it again! It was such an enjoyable experience going back to the Bluebell Inn and hanging out with the Bennett siblings again. I’ve read the previous two books in the series and highly recommend them. However, this book can be read as a standalone.
21-year-old Grace Bennett is ready strike out on her own and expand her business. After helping her siblings start and run a successful inn, the time has come to sell. Grace’s outdoor adventures rental and guide business needs its own location. Focused on her career, Grace doesn’t know what hit her when new guest, Wyatt Jennings, walks in the door to check-in. His gaze is intense but he’s also a bit mysterious since he doesn’t know how long he’ll stay. When Grace offers to help guide him in hiking around the area, two hearts begin their journey of falling in love. Can these two very different people find healing from their tragic pasts? What happens when Wyatt reveals who he is to Grace?
I loved this story so much. It was easy to read and empathize with the main characters. I felt all the panic and terror that occurs with PTSD. Mental health problems are very real and I love when authors can address them in a manner that is non-stigmatizing. The main characters had to fight their way back to health. They had to embrace their insecurities and fears and find resolution for their feelings.
Although this is a Christian romance, it was not at all preachy. Although there’s faith woven throughout and a couple church scenes, I would categorize this book more as inspirational.
And I’m not ashamed to say I might have a crush on Wyatt. (Sigh). 😉
Highly recommend if you enjoy contemporary romance in a beautiful setting.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Somethings are beyond our own understanding and I felt like that was very present in this story. It was a very powerful read and I found it hard to put this book down. Grace and Wyatt both are faced with something in there past that leaves them with more questions than answers and because of that the author keeps you guessing and leaves you wondering what is going to happen next. I love the relationship between Levi, Molly and Grace its such a typical sibling relationship but at the end of the day when they need each other they are there for each other. I liked how the author didn’t make either of the main characters victims but both fighters. Over all this book is a good clean read and was so worth the read. If you are following this series this book will allow you to catch up with others in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Autumn Skies is the third book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series, and its actually the first book that I have read by this author. I found it to be a heartwarming story of lost and love, Wyatt comes to town to try to come to terms with something that happened in his past while Grace has so much going on in her life that she is beginning to have panic attacks. What follows is a beautiful love story, that I would highly recommend to others.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and am under no obligation to leave a favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.
When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.
A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.
Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.
There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?
A great conclusion to A Blue Bell Inn Romance. Each book can be read independently but it would be helpful to read them in order to get the back story of the siblings. Wyatt is trying to bring closure to the death of his mother that happened years ago. He was a child when it happened and was there when she was killed. He thinks it’s fault since he didn’t do anything to stop it. Grace and Wyatt try to find the spot it happened at. Grace has secrets of her own. Unbeknown to her, her secret is connected to Wyatts.
There’s no great mystery in the book. But it is a good clean romance with a tad of mystery thrown in. This is a great cozy read and I recommend it.
I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
This is my first book by Denise and will not be my last. This is the end to a series but I was able to read it fine without knowing the other stories. The series is about three siblings after their parents are killed. Grace is the youngest and had the hardest time. She is very independent young woman now.
She has started her own business, an Outfitting Company for the many tourist that come to the area to bike, hike and boat on the lake. With her brother and sister, they have finished what their parents had plans to do. Remodel the Inn and get it up and running with a profit. Now they all have things they have put on hold for four years. Her brother Levi and his actress wife Mia plan to move to CA.
Her sister Molly and her writer husband Adam have plans to move to Italy and open an Inn there.
Grace hopes to find a place for her Outfitting company so she can keep busy with the loneliness she knows will come when her siblings are gone.
Grace has been fighting survivor’s guilt for years from something that happen when she was only 7.
Wyatt Jennings is a secret service agent that was sent on a mandatory leave after being shot in the line of duty. The shooting opened old nightmares from a tragic event in his childhood.
He has come to Bluebell to try and put an end to the ghosts and quilt of his past.
When he sees that his family’s old house has been turned in to an Inn he stops for a room.
Which is where is life is about to change like he never thought. This is where he meets Grace.
Both Grace and Wyatt feel a connection to each other. As they spend time together the attraction
grows between them. With both trying to find peace from the secrets of the past.
This is such a good book once you start reading it you just can’t put it down. I read it in one setting .I just couldn’t stop till the end. There is so much sadness, but joy too and the romance !! Oh, my any woman would like to meet a guy like Wyatt. These two have so much to find out about each other. I hope you get a copy and find out how it ends. The characters are great, the romance is off the wall (clean no big sex scenes). I loved it from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
“And maybe it was time to get down to the real question at hand: Why was she so fascinated with him?” Grace
Denise Hunter’s Autumn Skies is a romance story that is filled with adventure, some suspense, faith, and sweet romance. Wyatt and Grace are extremely likable characters who fight their own demons from the past and realize they can change their futures. Denise Hunter has a way of drawing you into her story and makes sure you settle down and feel at home. I enjoyed my time in North Carolina at the Bluebell Inn.
Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is the third and final book in her Bluebell Inn series. It is a stand alone book, but characters from the other two books are pleasantly featured and we receive updates on their lives. It was a great final book in the series that wrapped everything up in a satisfying way.
**I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.**
Loved being back in Bluebell! This was a fantastic conclusion to a wonderful series. I loved the setting of this series and all of the characters. I am sad to see the series end but look forward to whatever Denise Hunter has for us next.
Grace is the youngest of the Bennett siblings. She is strong and independent and knows what she wants in life. But she is struggling to get past the survivor’s guilt that is causing her to have panic attacks.
Wyatt comes to the Bluebell Inn and is searching for answers to a tragedy that happened when he was a child. He and Grace are immediately drawn to each other, and she helps him find the answers he is looking for. But they find so much more.
The author added a bit of mystery to Grace and Wyatt’s story that will keep you anxiously turning the page to find out what happens. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. You will not be disappointed!
**I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.**
This is book three in the Bluebell Inn series, and I must say that I will miss this fictional place as well as the fictional people. Having the trilogy end with the season of autumn leaves the reader with a cozy feeling.
Grace Bennett may be the baby of the family, but she is more grown up than her siblings give her credit for. Yet it takes awhile for Wyatt to see that she is able to handle some of the tragedy that he has seen during his lifetime as well as during his career as a secret service agent. But soon he learns that she has a secret of her own – an incident that has continued to scar her. This book is about going back to face darker moments to find healing. What I appreciated is that only did the characters seek God, they also sought help. Sometimes we do need human beings to counsel us into seeing ourselves and God more clearly.
The relationship between Grace and Wyatt was enjoyable to watch. Because Grace is an outfitter, her explorations of the Blue Ridge area are a treat for the reader. Both of their points of view of life are provided for the reader, and I enjoyed that.
What else I enjoyed about this book is the fact that older sister, Molly and her husband, Adam, whom the readers meet in book 1 (Lake Season) are also a key part of this book. Levi and Mia from book two, Carolina Breeze, really only play a minor role. But since they were all a part of the trilogy, having them be a part of the ending book was fitting.
There are a few things that could be triggers for certain readers that are addressed in various ways in the book: kidnapping, murder, assault. potential PTSD. But let me reassure you: this is only a minor part of the storyline. This is not a suspense book. And some of the things I thought might happen did not. Overall this is a sweet story. I do recommend this book and the whole series. Definitely start with book one, then two, then three. While enough background is provided to make this a stand-alone title, this book will be enjoyed more as a part of the whole.
A big thank you to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for letting me preview read this book. (Actually they let me preview read all three books in this series – that was fantastic!) I do enjoy Denise Hunter’s books, and all opinions are my own.
This book was freeing in every aspect. The seeking of answers, release of guilt and finding herself.
You were thrown into vortex of emotions, of letting go.
This story wasn’t just about the beauty, the roots of the Bluebell Inn and falling in love. It‘s about so much more! So many things happen and in the end there are 3 happy couples and their happily ever after. What more could man want?
The plot took you in so many directions not just the mountains but also to places where your heart was breaking but also put back together.
Wyatt and Grace were like made for one another. You could feel the understanding of the other one, kind of speaking without words.
What happens when they finally find what are they looking for? Do they go back to their old lives or….
Get this book peeps! I highly recommend it.
From start to finish, this final book in the Bluebell Inn series didn’t disappoint. Much like the whole series, Autumn Skies was excellent from the first page to the last. From character development to plot twists and emotional depth, Denise Hunter’s writing style and strength of storytelling keeps me engaged and enjoying her novels. I always want to know more about her characters! I’m sad to see this series end, but what a great ending it was!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
4.25/5
This was the final in a sweet trilogy centering around 3 siblings who own a b&b in NC and how they each find their own HEA. This one and the first were my faves, but they’re all good.
Grace, the youngest, meets Wyatt (a Secret Service agent) when he takes some R&R to seek closure from a traumatic childhood event. Grace also suffers survivor’s guilt from a childhood incident. They connect almost immediately and are so endearing to watch as they come to know each other, eventually share their stories and help the other heal.
If you’re looking for a feel good “clean” romance series with a bit of spiritual overtones, this is a good one.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Autumn Skies brings to a conclusion the Bluebell Inn Romance series by Denise Hunter, and what a pleasurable conclusion it was. I’ve enjoyed the characters in this series so much, and it was such fun to have them continue in this story. Grace Bennett and Wyatt Jennings are both so endearing, lovable, and realistic that I connected with them quickly and completely. They each had past traumas to overcome and heal from, and the journey wasn’t easy, but I admired their perseverance and grit.
This can be read as a stand alone book, but it’s much more enjoyable to read the series in order, so you can get the back stories of the other characters. Hunter is a master at creating colorful, interesting characters and fascinating stories. She is one of my favorite authors.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.