Brady Collins is juggling full-time fatherhood with the booming auto repair business he runs out of his barn. His ex-wife’s sudden death has shaken him, but the devastating news that follows leaves him reeling: Sam is not his biological son. When Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents decide they want custody of the child, Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. Brady’s attorney tips him off … tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: the stability of an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiancée.
Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and she’s finally been offered her dream job–in Atlanta. Unfortunately, her arrangement with Brady requires her presence in Copper Creek, and she is faced with missing the chance of a lifetime or standing in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.
Both Hope and Brady would give their lives for beautiful Sam. But can they give their trust to one another? With this new novel in the Blue Ridge Romance series, Honeysuckle Dreams shines light on the complicated and beautiful angles of love.
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LOVED this book!! But then I love every Denise Hunter book! As an author, people ask me who I read, and Denise is in my TOP FIVE authors I recommend.
Such a sweet and heartwarming story of marriage of convenience and finding true love. Got totally swept up in this story and couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to jump into the next one.
Like the sweet smell of honeysuckle, this is a sweet inspirational romance. Brady Collins and Hope Daniels have grown up together in Copper Creek. Brady and Hope have a long friendship together and Brady’s sister Zoe is Hope’s best friend. Hope is also one of the friends and family who help out the divorced and now widowed Brady by babysitting his son Sam. Then a life hiccup happens and his ex-wife’s parents begin a custody battle with Brady for Sam. Could a pretend engagement with Hope work in helping Brady keep Sam? Easy to read and a good feeling story about how faith and love conquer all.
There is nothing better than a book that sweeps you up and puts you smack dab in the center of the story. The author knows how to capture characters with real problems and let them unfold with emotions. I loved the characters so much that I was hoping someone would turn the book into a movie.
It’s not everyday you hear about a single father but Brady is an example of not running away but stepping up to his responsibilities. He is so kind and loves his son Sam with all his heart. I loved reading about the interaction between father and son. Brady knows what it is like to be abandoned by parents and will do everything he can to make Sam feel loved and wanted.
His best friend Hope is smart, pretty and smitten with Sam. I liked how she helped Brady out by watching Sam when needed. She has a great career on the radio with hopes of one day getting the job of her dreams. Hope has carried around a fear of losing people she loves since the loss of someone special some years back. I think that holds her back from being in a serious relationship.
When there is a chance that Brady could lose custody of Sam he asks Hope for help. I was quite surprised at what he wanted them to do, but I admired him for wanting to keep Sam. The story is filled with surprises and keeps readers glued to their seats. It’s a love story like none I’ve ever read. How far would you go to help a friend? Fear plays a big part in the story and I liked how the author used faith examples to help the character work through fear. Both Brady and Hope deal with abandonment issues and it causes distance between them. Can they work through their problems and give Sam a safe and loving home? Don’t miss the discussion questions at the back of the book. They are good questions that make you examine your life and increase your faith.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.
What a refreshing contemporary love story that starts out with friendship and develops without the characters realizing it. This is the second book in the series but also works as a stand-alone. Brady and Hope are such relatable characters with real fears and that have left them scarred. Can they find healing through trusting God and taking chances with their hearts or will fear win this battle? That is why you want to read this to find out. Brady’s son Sam is the icing on the cake in this novel, as he captures your heart. I love that his happiness is the main focus of the adults that love him. This book deals with the difficult subjects of panic attacks, anxiety, and death in a thoughtful and compassionate way. Denise Hunter has a gift of telling a story with truth and reality instead of all fluff. It will leave you in tears at times, as it touches on how we put up walls and hurt the people we care about the most. I cannot wait for book three releasing in November. You don’t want to miss this series.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
In Denise Hunter’s latest novel, Honeysuckle Dreams, Brady Collins is the handsome, loving, and attentive single father of baby Sam. Hope Daniels is the best friend you’d love to have. Loyal and true, and always looking for a way to help someone in need.
When Brady’s custody of Sam is called into question, he and Hope work as a team to give baby Sam the best possible arrangement. What could be better than two best friends forming a lifelong commitment to raise this sweet child? Maybe the offer of Hope’s dream job in a big city?
This story has everything that I love about a contemporary Christian romance novel. Survival after tragedy, conflict of desires, relatable characters, and of course, romance. There were several faith conversations and dedication to Christian ideals also.
Overall, I loved this story and highly recommend it! I will give this story a 5 out of 5! This is one of Denise Hunter’s best and I can’t wait for the final book in the series (about handsome Pastor Jack!!!) to come out in November!
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
This sweet romance was a joy to read. The characters were likable, the setting beautiful, and the plot not only entertaining but deeply moving. I kept trying to predict the story but Denise kept taking me in different directions, something I appreciate when reading. I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes a heartwarming and wholesome love story.
Even though I finished this book, the author went on my “Don’t Read” list fairly early on in this book. I went into it knowing it would be about like a Hallmark movie. Sure enough, the lead male’s lawyer spots an engagement ring on the baby-sitter’s finger & assumes the two are engaged. The lawyer tells lead male this will help him in his custody battle for the son he has just learned isn’t his biological child. So he decides to lie to the court. Where the author lost me was when she had this character pray before court that God would help him win by lying to the court. I continued reading hoping that somehow it would dawn on him how wrong this was. But no, it never happened. I could go on and list the other issues I have with this so-called Christian fiction, but I have decided instead to remove this author’s books from future reading. I guess I’m just an old prude, but I have some standards when I choose a book from a Christian author and a Christian publishing house (I’m looking at you, Thomas Nelson—this is strike two). If Hallmark fake engagement/arranged marriage is your trope & you don’t care how inconsistent the Christian message is, then you might enjoy this book. I did not.
OH!MY!WORD! Brady Collins and Hope Daniels story is a beautiful example of sacrificial love. Each have trauma in their history that distorts their present and future. I enjoyed watching their journey from brokenness to healing.
Recommend to those who enjoy inspirational, contemporary romance.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I loved this book! Even more so than the first one in the series! Hope and Brady are a dream.
5 things from Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter
1) Brady and Hope arrange a marriage of convenience to get custody of Brady’s son, who, turns out, isn’t his son at all.
2)Panic Attacks
3) A radio jock, A fancy car mechanic, a court case, and volatile grandparents
4)Hope wants a family but not love, and Brady wants someone for once to choose him.
5) Coping Skills. What a joke. This didn’t feel like coping. It felt as though [Hope] was fighting for her life and losing. And she was already dreading the next attack. There’d be another one coming, she knew.
This is my favorite book by Denise Hunter. I love a good marriage of convenience story! Denise handles mental health issues with grace and understanding.
This second book in the series kicked it up a notch with lots of things going on at once! It’s my fave so far, but I can’t wait to read book 3 in this series!
This is a contemporary “marriage of convenience” story…and I loved it!
Hope and Brady have been friends for a long time and have only thought of each other as such…until Brady finds out he could lose custody of his young son. An assumption is made, not corrected, and this leads to the two friends marrying. Brady needs a mother for his son, Sam and Hope is looking for a family of her own. They believe they can fulfill a need for each other. But, as in all relationships, difficulties arise. Brady’s wife lied to him, divorced him, and then died. Hope’s high school sweetheart died suddenly. They’re both hurting and scared. They have to figure out how to trust each other.
I really enjoyed this story! The friendly banter between Hope & Brady, the love they both have for Sam, the romance that forms between them, it’s a fun story that’s well written! I liked seeing the characters grow and lean on God for their needs. Well done Denise Hunter! Looking forward to On Magnolia Lane!!
Brady is adjusting to being a single dad after his ex-wife passes away. Hope who is his best friends with his sister is helping take care of Sam . During this time his ex in-laws drop a bomb that Sam is not his son. Sam’s mom targeted him because she knew he was a good catch and would take care of them. Even if Sam is not his son they are in for a fight because he doesn’t care about being the biological father. In his heart is the father. Hope and Brady decide to get married after his lawyer tells him it will help his case. During this time they find they are falling in love but, neither will admit it. They are both focused on Sam. Brady’s mom shows up and it nearly cost him Sam. She has a bad past with drugs and has never taken care of him. His Aunt and Grandparents raised him and his has no respect for his mom. She finally shows her true colors and is only there to get whatever she can. Sam’s dad has been through so much from early childhood and now his adulthood has been affected by women who only care about themselves. Now he has a wife and son who love him and a happy future to look forward to.
Typical of Denise Hunter, riveting fromfro t to back
Loved this book…didn’t want to put it down!!! Highly recommend this book. Kept me wanting to read just one more chapter to make sure things would go the way I’d hoped. Excellent author…makes you love some characters and detest others. Great read!!
Great story. Love the writing style. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
I love a good romance yet so many are too predictable and easy. I have yet to be disappointed by this author and will continue to look for her titles.
Great characters with believable life dilemmas. Characters are vulnerable yet strong. Enjoyable read!
This book seemed as though it could be real. It was interesting enough to keep my interest all the way through. Good characters