It’s Cliffside Bay and beyond in this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romantic adventure from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson.Stone Hickman is the last of a dying breed. The former Marine believes in integrity, service to his country, a hard day’s work, and taking care of his loved ones. When he meets the clever Pepper Griffin, their obvious attraction has him ready to count the … the stunning beauty among the people that he cares for. But Pepper doesn’t share the instant connection. In fact, she wants nothing to do with him. And for honest, straightforward Stone, not knowing why only makes the rejection worse.
Pepper Griffin is the epitome of scrappy. For years she’s struggled to make acting her career without any help at all from her famous father. While she’s still accepting meager roles with little screen time, her best friend has steadily risen to the height of fame. To make matters worse, that very same friend is happily in love, newly engaged, and wants poor Pepper, whose love life is as sad and pathetic as her last film role, to serve as her maid-of-honor while Pepper’s enemy, Stone Hickman, is sure to be the groom’s best man.
Though Pepper despises the best man, she loves the bride-to-be more. To keep the peace, Pepper willingly includes Stone in the wedding planning process. When the unlikely pair find themselves stranded in a snowstorm while searching for the perfect venue, they’ll have to work together to survive the chill even if that means thawing Pepper’s heart.
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Damaging life experiences will often bring feelings of insecurity to one’s life. How these feelings are addressed is an individual choice that each person makes. Pepper and Stone have each experienced hurtful and destructive actions in their lives which left them often guarded. Together they were able to help each other overcome real life obstacles that they had continually struggled with. Tess Thompson chose the perfect title, “Healed”, for her most recent novel. Love, respect, trust and honesty are so important throughout life and Pepper and Stone’s story is a perfect example of how this is done. Love definitely conquers all! Thank you to the author/publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and freely given.
Another wonderful contemporary love story from Tess Thompson. Superbly written with enough humor and an edge to keep things from being too sweet….This tale follows Pepper and Stone from Cliffisde Bay to a crazy blizzard in the Pacific NW, to NYC where their love both begins and is challenged. There’s so much to love about this series, from the beautiful settings, the recurring cast of characters we know and already love, and the new ones who wander in and become a part of the crew. It’s a series about family, love, friendship, and what really matters in life…And if you want to test your waterproof mascara, the last paragraph should do the trick
I received an ARC at my request and these are my own thoughts. I enjoyed Healed and found it to be an easy read. I loved the intertwining of characters from other books as it felt like I was catching up with old friends, and the development of Stone and Pepper as individuals and a couple. Another 5 star read by Tess Thompson.
Reading Healed is like attending a family reunion, all your favorite people are here to catch you up on their lives and introduce you to new people and places in their town.
Healed is the 7th book in the Cliffside bay series and while it can be read as a stand-alone, I promise you that you will binge read the whole series
Pepper and Stone are explosive together and just what each other needs to be healed!
I loved this book. Once again Tess Thompson has caught us all with a story that made me laugh and cry. She has created a town and people that I would like to live in and be friends with. The characters are well developed and believable. They touch your hearts in a good way. Well done Ms. Thompson. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down except to sleep.
I would like to thank the author and editor for the opportunity to read an early copy with only a hope that I would write a review.
When picking up a Tess Thompson book I know I am going to experience well developed characters that pull you into their hearts and tell you their story, twists and turns that will take your breath away or leave you crying, and trip back to Cliffside Bay to visit old and new friends that will stay with you long after you have finished that book.
Healed brings you into the lives of Stone, a partner at Wolf Enterprises, and Pepper, an aspiring actress looking for her big break. Both individuals have pasts that they would like to leave behind and memories they would like to erase. Can a trip to Emerson Pass help these two break down their walls and open their hearts?
I absolutely loved Stone and Peppers story. I found there were times I was laughing out loud and other moments when I was bawling my eyes out. I was completely captivated by their story and the twists and turns along the way. I was so sad for their story to end but I am so excited for my next trip to Cliffside Bay!
Cliffside Bay might be a fictitious setting, but it seems so real to me!
I love every visit to Cliffside Bay and getting to know the residents. Tess has a way of writing friendships that truly shows how connected these friends are, and makes the reader a part of the story.
Pepper and Stone don’t really get along, but their friends Lisa and Rafael are getting married and as the Best Man and Maid of Honor they are helping the happy couple plan the big day.
Both Pepper and Stone have trauma from their past that they keep close to the vest. As the wedding planning gets underway, these two find themselves sharing their complex pasts and seeing the other in a new light.
I loved this installment and can’t wait for more.
I did receive an ARC, but all thoughts in this review are my own. Thank you Author Tess Thompson for this opportunity to read and review your Novel… Healed is book #7 in this series… every one of them are delightful to read and so far I’ve had my favorites, this one will be my second favorite… while I throughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end, it’s not without a few things I did not care for and I’ll get to that later… The Story of Stone and Pepper has surprised me on exactly how much I really like it.. the plot and conflict is really good, I loved the adventures they took.. and how they came together… I’m impressed with the creativity in this one.. I love the nicknames they have for each other and the conclusion is one of the best ones yet.. I was pulled in by the magic between these two, it’s was mesmerizing… I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a beautiful love story… While Author Thompson writes wonderful stories, ALL of them has the main females as having serious trauma, I don’t know why and the last two Novels didn’t sit well with me on who caused these traumas….disturbing… The part about what the Preacher said was interesting to say the least… and I happen to love Lavender….
Just finished my ARC and Tess never ceases to amaze me. There is a LOT of healing in this story. Forgiveness is such a wonderful thing too! The banter between Pepper and Stone had me giggling from the beginning and oh wait until you meet the pastor. Every time I think these stories can’t get better, surprise surprise!!
As always grateful to the author and publisher for allowing this fan to read another ARC by Tess Thompson. I don’t know what I am going to do when this series is over, I love all of these characters so much. You knew Stone & Pepper were inevitable but what a great story ! Such heartfelt warmth and love throughout this book, it is what the world needs right now. Don’t you think ? If you want to escape and just enjoy yourself with a good book I highly recommend you start with book # 1 and work your way through the series. Another wonderful book put out by the tremendously talented Tess Thompson.
This is such a wonderful series. Healed: Stone & Pepper is a sweet story of true love, some laughs, a bit of tragedy, friends and family.
Stone is a great guy. Maybe my favorite of the Cliffside Bay men. He’s a gentle giant of an ex marine who loves completely. He comes from a horrible childhood and overcame so much to get where he is now. He never takes things for granted and knows what he wants.
Pepper came from a very good childhood but had a terrible tragedy to happen. It was so sad to that this happened. It made me cry so hard. Life can deal us blows that we certainly don’t deserve, but finding that special someone can help. Pepper is such a sweet young woman who thought she would never have what her best friends have. She didn’t think she deserved much and seems like she didn’t expect much. But she found the kind of love that will last a lifetime. True, complete, honest love.
This is such a good series. Every book has a story that will life you up and make you believe.
The trip to the mountain to check out a site for a wedding was so good. The preacher made me laugh until I had tears.
The Hickman children all suffered so much. They overcame nothing short of poverty to make a life. Great choices and wonderful friends. This book made me have all the feels again. In parts I cried so hard then would read the next chapter and laugh like a nut. Tess Thompson has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are there. Like you are part of the story. The characters are your friends and you root for them. You want to know them.
Quote from this book that I loved: “Do you know something, Stone Hickman: I no longer feel broken.” She placed her hand over his. “I think you’ve healed me.”
Healed is the perfect name for this awesome book…
I can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you Tess Thompson for this ARC in exchange for my complete and honest opinion. I loved it from start to finish.
A big 5 star book for sure and a high recommendation to everyone. Fall in love with Stone and Pepper.
Unicorns and rainbows cancel ALL canned peas!!! I was actually sad when this one ended! Thank you for another great story!
Oh my! I love the Cliffside Bay series! Healed is my new favorite one. This was the best one! I love Pepper. Her name says it all and Stone.. so patient and the way he views life I’m so glad these characters get a chance at love. This book was amazing! And y’all that Pastor I was laughing so hard! Thanks for writing this book Tess! You outdo yourself each time!