Come Home to Deep River

Hope Dawson dreamed of grand adventures and going to college, but when her grandfather unexpectedly dies, leaving her to run the local pub and care for her mother, Hope accepts her fate.

Then a blast from the past blows into Deep River in the form of one sinfully hot Silas Quinn. But he’s not here for a reunion, he has news that could destroy the sleepy little Alaskan town.

Silas doesn’t want the responsibility of owning a town, much less taking time away from his new business to deliver news he knows is going to be poorly received. Not to mention the fact that he’s bound to see Hope again- his best friend and the woman he’s never forgotten.

This was an enjoyable read by a new-to-me author. Her descriptions of The Happy Moose (the bar) and Deep River’s citizens brought the town to life for me. There are past wounds that need healed before Hope and Silas can have a chance to see where their attraction might lead, as well as the complication of oil being found under the town and how it creates rifts among the people.

This is lining up to be a good series!

Poignant, lyrical second-chance romance

A tragedy brings Silas home after more than a decade, but he’s determined to protect his heart by not staying any longer than necessary. Finding himself face to face with Hope – the only woman he’s ever loved – is harder to bear than losing his best friend and inheriting the town that has been in Caleb’s family for over a hundred years.

I love the world-building in this story – Deep River is everything a small, remote town should be, with amazing characters and histories so intertwined that belonging is a real, tangible thing. I adored the way the author tore down all the walls, exposing both Silas’s and Hope’s inner hearts and all their insecurities and misconceptions that have kept them from finding their happiness. It’s a wonderfully deep sociology study and I loved every bit of it.

The romance gets a solid HEA, but the story of what Caleb’s death really brings to the town is only partially solved in this book. I highly recommend reading all three books in this series for the full story about the crisis they face and the spirit that pulls them all together.

An engaging new series set in the wilds of Alaska. Hope and Si will warm your heart even as you watch them heal each other. Perfect for fans of Megan Crane’s Alaska Force series, with fewer bullets flying.

‘Come Home to Deep River‘ begins the ‘Alaskan Homecoming‘ series by introducing a tiny, bitty town in Alaska that has traditionally been populated by misfits, those who don’t fit anywhere else and are quite content in this town that is actually owned. But things are about to change in Deep River as Silas returns home after more than a decade with news that will change some lives, perhaps pit neighbor against a best friend – and revisit a friendship that has the chance to turn into so much more if he and Hope allow it to.

In many ways ‘Come Home to Deep River‘ is a second chance to get it right romance between Hope and Silas – trouble is, that pesky past and decisions that were made are going to give them a rocky start to their romance. There is oil under the town. Good news. Bad news. For not everyone wants the same thing for themselves or the town at large. But there is freedom as well in that underground liquid gold, something that Hope had given up ever experiencing. Feeling trapped by her inheritance of the local hangout and the care of her mother, Hope gave up her dreams once. Now she may have to make a choice between a dream and the future she really wants.

I enjoyed Hope and Silas’ story. There is world building, I expected that yet the story moved slowly for me. There were so many times that I wanted just a bit more… and that held me back from loving this one. Yet, the parts that I missed finding in this first story, I may find in the next as the series grows. So, yes, I enjoyed this one and I’ll wait to see what comes next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Come Home to Deep River was an excellent read featuring a childhood friends to lovers romance set in a charming small town.

After the death of his best friend, Silas Quinn finds himself co-owner of his home town Deep River, Alaska. And as one of the new owners, it’s up to Silas to inform the townspeople that an oil reserve has been found beneath the town. With that much money on the line, people quickly turn on each other with some people wanting the payout and others wanting to save the town they call home. For Hope Dawson, it’s the chance at the life she could never have. But with Silas’s return to town, leaving means she misses out on the one person she’s always wanted.

Silas left Deep River years ago thinking he would never come back. It was interesting watching Silas struggle with readjusting to life in Deep River and watching his opinion on leaving again slowly shift. A large part of the reason for the shift is his becoming reconnected to Hope, but I liked that she wasn’t the entire reason. Hopes circumstances in life meant she was unlikely to ever leave Deep River. With her grandfather dying and leaving her to run his bar to her mother being unable to care for herself, Hope has deep ties keeping her at home. With the possibility of finally being able to leave though, Hope has a hard time dealing with what it would mean for her to be able to start over. Watching Hope wrestle with her entire world turning upside down was hard to watch as she genuinely doesn’t know how to take something for herself for the first time in her life.

When Silas and Hope reconnect, their relationship gets off to a rocky start. Hope harbors resentment for the fact Silas never once contacted her after he left town despite the fact they were best friends. But for Silas, believing Hope would never feel for him the way he did her, he stayed away trying to put Hope out of his mind. Both Silas and Hope are wary to trust one another again, so I liked the way they slowly resumed their friendship, rebuilding that trust. The attraction between the two builds quickly and I loved when the dynamics in their relationship changed. Their chemistry is wonderful and once they finally give into their attraction, the scenes are quite steamy. Ultimately I liked the way the author dealt with their opposing views on staying/leaving and it was nice the way they worked everything out.

The plot of what will happen to the town after the oil news is made public was an interesting one. The potential for a great deal of money is a tempting offer for a lot of the residents and I was curious how the main characters would try to convince people to stick with the town instead. Overall I liked the way the storyline was handled and I thought the solution was a creative one. I’m definitely curious to see how the decision plays out throughout the rest of the series.

Overall Come Home to Deep River was a very enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to the release of book two in the series, Deep River Promise, next year. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a great small town romance.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

I have been a fan of Jackie Ashenden’s books ever since I read her 9 Circles series. She is a very talented writer and Come Home to Deep River is a good example why. Her books very in heat and intensity and this Alaska Homecoming series is definitely one of her lighter stories. Yes there is depth to the story but much less angst then some of her other books. Silas hasn’t been back to Deep River since he joined the military with his friend Caleb. Now its been a dozen years and Caleb has passed away and handed over ownership of the town to Silas and their other two friends much to their surprise. So Silas returns to settle the matter with the town and in doing so he needs to reconnect with the girl that he and Caleb left behind. Hope always wanted to leave Deep River and explore the world but life had other plans for her. To say that she isn’t pleased to see Silas after not hearing from him in a dozen years is apparent to everyone including Silas. They have to work together though because Silas doesn’t plan on staying and Hope is an integral part of his plans for the town. They also have more issues and that involves that Caleb discovered that there is oil reserves under Deep River. Oil means money and money usually brings good and bad to people. Add to all of this the deep attraction between Silas and Hope that has been simmering for years and neither one is sure what to do about it! I really enjoyed this small quirky town and I love a good second chance as well! Come Home to Deep River was told from dual POV and I am looking forward to reading more about its residents and their future!

Come Home to Deep River by Jackie Ashenden is the First book in the Alaska Homecoming Series. This is the story of Hope Dawson and Silas Quinn. Hope, Cal and Silas at one time were young friends in their small town of Deep River, Alaska, but Cal joined the military and Silas was right behind him in joining. This left Hope in that small town, although she had dreams of getting away too but she ended up staying to help her family. Now in their present day, Silas is back with news that the town has a oil reserve around it and that he has inherited from Cal. Hope really just wanted Silas for her forever happiness…will this be their second chance at love? Enjoyed this book and this author’s writing.

This is my first story from this author and it didn’t disappoint. I love ones that revolve around interesting, unique communities as this one does so beautifully. Eek I hear Alaska calling my name. Haha.

Hope and Silas are childhood friends who haven’t seen each other in years. Hard decisions had been made years before causing Silas to leave and Hope to stay in their unique back country Alaskan town.

Silas returns after the death of their close friend who was part of their triad childhood friendship. The passing of said friend leads for all kinds of drama. The town running and ownership come into question after the discovery of oil. Hurt feelings, unrequited love definitely plays a role in this story.

This was a sweet afternoon read with the right amount of angst. I am looking forward to possible future storylines coming from Deep River. Hope and Silas have a beautiful resolution but we still have many questions about the future of this town. Wink

Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO

COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER is the first instalment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult ALASKA HOMECOMING erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of Deep River, Alaska. This is former US soldier and pilot Silas Quinn, and bar owner Hope Dawson’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Hope and Silas) COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER follows the rebuilding friendship and relationship between former US soldier and pilot Silas Quinn, and bar owner Hope Dawson. Thirteen years earlier Silas Quinn, along with his best friend Caleb West, swore never to return to Deep River but with Caleb’s death came the ownership of the town of Deep River, owned by the West family for close to one hundred years, now passed on to our hero, and his friends Damon and Zeke. Silas’ return to Deep River brought with it too many memories of a time long ago including the rejection of the woman that stole his heart. Enter bar owner Hope Dawson and the woman with whom Silas is still in love. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Hope and Silas, and the potential fall-out as the town of Deep River sits on a field of oil, a field that the Big Oil companies are hoping to own.

Silas Quinn left Deep River, Alaska a broken man-with the death of his mother, his father fell deep into a years long drunken stupor, and his eventual demise forced Silas to face the an awful truth. With only one reason to remain in Deep River, Hope’s rejection of our hero pushed Silas over the edge, swearing never to return to the land he once loved. With Damon and Zeke, Silas owned and operated a business in Juneau, business from which Damon is currently trying to let go. Hope Dawson once believed she was in love with Silas’ best friend but his rejection was heart breaking and pained. Having remained in Deep River to keep an eye on her mother, Hope had always wondered about moving on and out of the town she continues to call home.

The relationship between Hope and Silas is one of second chances, of a sorts, between former friends whose unrequited love for one another has never been acknowledged. Thirteen years hardened Hope’s heart to the man with whom she would fall in love but thirteen years also brought memories from a time long ago The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to many of the townies of Deep River Alaska including Hope’s mother Angela, bartender Axel ; ferry operator Kevin Anderson; general store owner Malcolm Cooper; tourism operator Sandy; mayor Astrid James; and wannabe luxury motel owner Mike Flint. We are also introduced to Silas’ partner Damon.

COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; power, money and greed and control. The fast paced premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic, colorful and charismatic.

Jackie Ashenden is a new author to me. I’ve never read her before. I always love trying new authors and small-town romances are some of my favorites. So finding someone new is always a thrill for me.

What really drew me to the book was the fact that it’s set in Alaska. The idea of small-town Alaska is something I’m into right now. It might be because of the heatwave we’ve been dealing with so thinking of cooler weather is a draw but I also think it’s because you don’t have a ton of romance there. More so now but it’s still not a state we hit often.

There is many things I really liked about this new series by Ashenden. The characters you meet are intriguing enough that you’ll want some of their stories and the town seems nice if not a little small even for a small-town romance. I also wish that a few more people were introduced so that you got a better picture of the town too.

I liked both Hope and Silas. I understood why both of them couldn’t wait to leave the town they grew up in and I also understood why Hope couldn’t.

You’ll enjoy how they come together and figure out how they feel about each other. It’s slow going but a good build-up. One that leaves you feels complete.

I did like this story and would like to try more of this author and see if by the second book I can get into this town more.