Riley Callahan has plans to finally reveal his secret feelings for his best friend (who just happens to be his brother’s ex). But tragedy strikes and derails his plans. Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, … Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.
But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.
Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.
As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?
- Full-length Contemporary Romance
- Includes Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
- Part of the Summer Harbor series
- Book One: Falling Like Snowflakes
- Book Two: The Goodbye Bride
- Book Three: Just a Kiss
more
If I could give this book ten stars, I would. Not only does it stand on its own as a perfect romance, but it also ties together the whole A+ Summer Harbor series. Even though this book is a few years old now, it’s still finding its way to the favorites bookshelf for new fans who want an inspiring story about love surviving hardship. Paige is one of my favorite heroines. She’s strong, independent, and caring. But her devotion leaves her vulnerable, so it’s a good thing she has her best friend Riley at her side. Seriously, Riley….my book crush forever and always. Brave, devoted, flirty, and a little moody. Sigh… It also has the BEST KISS! But I won’t go into that or we’ll be here forever! Check it out for yourself!
This is the book that made me fall in love with Denise Hunter’s writing. A wonderful, heart-felt story, with characters you’ll love.
More good reading from Denise Hunter!
I finally finally got to finish Denise Hunter’s Summer Harbor series. Happy sigh. This third installment and conclusion of the series is heart-wrenching, emotional, yet so satisfying with a happily-ever-after for all the Callahans, including Aunt Trudy.
Riley returns from Afghanistan as an amputee and deals with a lot of emotional and physical trauma. Paige finally sees him as a man and not just her best friend, even as Riley tries to hide his long-held love for her. Riley’s older brothers Beau and Zac play integral roles in this book, as do their wives/fiancées Eden and Lucy. This book can definitely be read as a a stand alone but reading the entire series will give deeper and richer context to who all the Callahans and their loved ones are.
I really enjoyed the segway from Denise Hunter’s last Chapel Springs series (Married Til Monday) where the Callahan men were introduced as Abby’s cousins and I really enjoyed how Noah and his cast of characters from Copper Creek, GA from the newest Blue Ridge series are introduced in this book through Riley’s journey.
Keep ‘em coming, Denise Hunter!
If you enjoy well-written contemporary romance with an excellent plot, memorable characters, and faith lessons, you will absolutely adore this book.
This is the third and final book in the Summer Harbor trilogy. It’s a touching and emotional story of friendship to love, of trusting self and others, of moving forward despite fears of rejection or failure, of forgiveness. I loved the characters Riley and Paige, catching up with Beau and Eden, and Zac and Lucy. An added bonus was watching Aunt Trudy and Sheriff Colton as past secrets and hurts were revealed. I hated to say good-bye to the Callahans, but found this a satisfying and delightful end to the series.
This was a perfect ending to the series. Not that everything was absolutely perfect, but it was the perfect ending. I enjoyed the other female main characters in the series, but Paige was my favorite. I’m glad that I was able to read about Riley in earlier books, because his character was understandably frustrating at times.
I received this book from the Fiction Guild for an honest review. I love Denise’s book and this is another one that was hard to put down. Second chances, when you care for someone for so long and don’t tell them you realize that you make mistakes, you have Riley who has been good friends with Paige until she comes home from camp at 16 and see her a girl and not as just a friend. You help her with the loss of her father and finding out her mom is not her mom and then see her date one of your older brothers. You don’t tell her you care for her and join the Marines and get injured. Paige loves Riley but she doesn’t really do anything about it. The both of do find there way to each other and also help him heal from his injuries and loss of part of limb to find there way to true love
I read all of Denise Hunter’s books. She’s a wonderful author.
Loved this book
Don’t like reads when major things happen to characters in story. Just my preference. I loved the book good read. I would have enjoyed it more if character hadn’t lost his leg. Maybe something could have happened that could have mended in time.
Not the first in the series but stands on its own. Enjoyable story. I like happy endings as compared to cliff hangers etc.
Definitely not your run-of-the mill romance.
Even though you could read this as a stand alone it is the last book in a wonderful series. I highly recommend that you read all three books, you won’t be disappointed.
I loved this story. The characters drew you into the story.
I’ve really enjoyed reading the Summer Harbor books. The connections between the Callahan brother’s and the shared history between the characters made it really easy for me to fall back into their lives. This time, Riley Callahan gets his story. After enlisting in the military in order to escape unhappiness at home, he’s back in Summer Harbor with an amputated leg and a broken spirit. His longtime best friend Paige is unsure how to handle the changes in Riley, but she knows she wants to be there for him, while he just wants to be able to ignore his feelings for Paige.
I’ve come to expect sweet, romantic stories, grounded in realistic events from Denise Hunter, and I have to admit, I enjoy them for the escape they provide, as well as the endearing family dynamics that take place throughout the story. This one even has some closure for a couple of secondary characters, so that added an extra layer of satisfaction to the ending.
I appreciate how there is no plot twist that comes from left field just to amp up the action. There are some surprises, yes, but they flow well in the story and add to it, rather than distract. Of course, there is a little bit of stubbornness on Riley’s part, but it doesn’t feel too off, considering everything that he’s been through prior to the story’s beginning.
Solid romantic contemporary – I look forward to reading more from Denise Hunter soon!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, which I chose to review – the thoughts expressed here are my own.