From her free-spirited mother, Sunny Goodwin learned the value of peace, love, and Jerry Garcia. The inheritance from the father she never knew? That’s a little more complicated…Sunny never expected to find herself owning a centuries old silk mill in the shadow of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains . . . or becoming a half-sister to a ten-year-old named Bailey. Once the shock subsides, she … shock subsides, she plans to cash in and head back home. But the overgrown greenhouse she finds on the property calls out to the gardener in her, and she senses Bailey’s need for nurturing too…
And someone else is making it hard for Sunny to leave: Sawyer Hartwell, an Iraq War hero who wants to make the old mill a creative hub for the artisans of Blue Hollow Falls . . . and wants Sunny to share his vision, and his life. But sexy as this ex-soldier may be, she’s not sure she’s ready to give love a chance…
“We all know where there’s Donna Kauffman, there’s a rollicking, sexy read chock‑full of charm and sparkle. Kauffman’s characters are adorably human and so very magnetic.” —USAToday.com
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I loved this book! It was such a cute story and the characters…I fell in love with all of them!
Giving this 4.5 stars. Disclaimer that I did luckily win this book on an author sponsored contest but I am not allowing that to influence my review.
This book tells of four people brought together by an inheritance but who choose to become a family. The story is mainly about Sunny Goodwin, a horticulturist, and Sawyer Hartwell, a retired Army sergeant but Bailey Sutton, Sunny’s half-sister, and Addie Pearl, Bailey’s and Sawyer’s foster parent play important roles in making the group of individuals a cohesive unit. The inheritance is a dilapidated mill which Sawyer, Addie and the community of Blue Hollow Falls are trying to convert into a center for local artists.
This is not a fast paced book, like one of Addie’s weaving project, it is meticulously interwoven so that you not only get the history of the main characters but a clear picture of the Hollow and its denizens (really looking forward to Seth’s story). I like the fact that Ms. Kauffman is careful about details i.e. Sawyer hopes to start a microbrewery but the author doesn’t have everyone drinking his beer–it is explained that because of the season and work Sawyer is doing he hasn’t had time. Logical but a lesser author would have somehow compromised to bring that in. There is humor, sorrow and a lot of truth i.e. like Sawyer’s romantic declaration that he fell in love with Sunny’s snore. The only flaw I see, and am sure others don’t view it that way, is that Sunny and Sawyer seem to think too much alike.
I really enjoyed this book and how thy main characters had to open themselves and listen to the universe.
Review copied from Goodreads.
Absolutely loved it, especially the wonderful characters!
Cannot wait to read more!!!
What an excellent beginning to a brand new series. When Sunny comes into an unexpected inheritance not to mention a 10 year old half-sister she isn’t quite sure what to do. The old mill that she inherited also comes with other share holders who are already on the road to turning it into something great. Her father’s ex-wife and his adopted son Sawyer complicate things for Sunny in an a way she never bargained for. She has to decide does she want to be a part of it all or does she want to just let it go. I loved the fast moving story line and how well it all flowed together. The characters were well developed and the emotional connections they had felt real. It was such a charming read and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
A young woman inherits an old silk mill in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and discovers she has a sibling, a younger sister. While she is happy working at the Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C., the beauty and enchantment of the mountains, a budding romance, and finally one more unexpected surprise inspire her in new ways. I did not think this book was great, but I selected it for its setting, for the botanic theme, and because I had no idea silk had ever been spun in the US. This inspired me to do a little research and yes, indeed, Virginia actually had more than one silk mill. A little history lesson.
I very much enjoyed Blue Hollow Falls, a very good book with a different premise and some interesting twists and turns. I cared about the characters and how the various situations worked out for them. Highly recommended!
My FIRST impression of Blue Hollow Falls was not a favourable one. The first chapter started off slow and in my opinion it was unnecessarily descriptive. I kept getting lost in the description and had to back track and re-read things a second time just so it would stick.
BUT as I started reading the second chapter, things smoothly slid into place and the story picked up. It’s a sweet romance, that isn’t full of strong emotions and passion. The story is pretty tame but it is well written and the characters are engaging. I laughed out loud a few times too. Overall, first impression aside… I liked this story, I liked the characters and I thought it was an enjoyable read.
Loved it
Wow! What a wonderful story about friendship, love and family set in the beautiful small town of Blue Hollow Falls. After reading this heart warming story, I want to move to Blue Hollow Falls myself. I loved the development of Sunny and Sawyer’s relationship. It was oh so sweet and cute. There were some sexy times but overall their relationship was more of a realistic and sweet journey for a romance novel. Throw in a cute kid, some well-meaning but meddling friends and you have a really fun love story to read. But, there is a small tissue warning. I was tearing up all over the place while reading this book. There were a lot of moments that really touched my heart. This just goes to show that Donna Kauffman is such a wonderful writer. I enjoyed my time here in Blue Hollow Falls so much and can’t wait to see what else this new series has to offer.
* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader copy of this book *
I loved this book!
Enjoyed reading this book. Good story.
It was a wonderful, heartwarming book. Another great story from Donna Kauffman!
This was a very good book. Historical romance is my usual genre of books but this one caught my eye, I’m glad it did. I loved reading about the old mill but the greenhouse really caught my fancy. The romance was very sweet and really kept ;my interest. Baily was a real asset to the story. great book.
Easy reading, interesting,witty
The first book in a new series is a hit. The characters drew me in. Once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down. Can’t wait for the next one.
Did you ever read a book and never want it to end and then you reallllllly wanted to continue reading about other characters in the story? If so, it is my opinion that Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman will be the next “gotta read” book on your list. I read an excerpt on a blog that was so descriptive that it sucked me right into the story…and then I remembered that it was just a small taste of what was to come. I was also fortunate to win an early copy of the book and couldn’t wait to tell others about it.
I really won’t do the story justice so let me tell you a bit about the characters: First, we have Sunny – her name is Sunshine Meadow Aquarius Morrison Goodwin; now you know why she is known as Sunny! – and the story begins as she receives an inheritance from a father she never knew. Her mother has just recently died and to say she was a free spirit (hello? Look at Sunny’s name!) would be an understatement. Ms. Kauffman wrote an amazing character as Sunny is strong, flawed, growing, and much more all rolled into one. Next is Sawyer Hartwell – who is this guy? Is he Sunny’s ‘kin’; is he some random stranger; what? What he IS is an Iraq War Hero, part of the new cobbled ‘family’ that Sunny inherits from her never-known father and is drop-dead gorgeous! He truly is an alpha but with the right mix of humility and a little bit of broken-ness. One of the first things that I read, that made me laugh, was: “He was, in a word, gorgeous. …. And me with no fan.” And Addie Pearl – Addison Pearl Whitaker – is a hoot. Bailey is a ten year old half-sister (never before known to Sunny) who has been in foster care for a very long time. Not anymore, as Addie Pearl has decreed! Bailey is not only adorable but she is wise beyond her years and has the adults always looking around for an adult that is hidden in a Bailey-suit. And Seth; ah Seth! I’ll describe him as an irascible sidekick to Sawyer but he really is a true friend to all. As this is the first book in the series, I am hoping we’ll get stories all about these folks. Truly great characters that will keep you reading long past the time you need to stop for the day.
This is Sunny’s and Sawyer’s story. What a great balance of these characters in their relationship beginnings! Sawyer is an alpha but uses his military leadership experience to temper any jerk tendencies (as I like to call ‘em) with heart and love. Sunny is also strong in that she sticks to her decisions and works thru her issues but is willing to listen and open her heart and mind to this new group of people who will become more and more important to her as time goes by.
The story is rich in its descriptions, with details so sharp that my allergies were kicking up just reading about the meadows and fields of flowers. I really can’t say enough about this book but you will have to read the story for yourself. I laughed, I sniffled, I laughed again, and sometimes I cheered. I also cannot wait to read more about these folks and Blue Hollow Falls. I highly recommend this book.