A small-town doctor, a woman determined to find answers, and the power of family. Will the truth finally bring peace to these troubled hearts?Dr. Jake Duncan is a busy man—what with being the local doctor, a member of the rescue squad, a volunteer with the GiddyUp Kids program, and most importantly, raising his young hearing-impaired son, there’s not much time for anything else. Especially not an … anything else. Especially not an event planner who comes to town looking to stir up trouble for one of the few men he considers a close friend, retired pro bull rider, Chad Andrews.
Hard-charging Gemma Watson is shocked to discover the identity of her biological father on accident. She’s determined to pay Chad Andrews a visit but it’s not a social call, more of a piece-of-her-mind call. But when Brody, her excitable golden retriever, gets into a bit of trouble and it’s 911 to the rescue, her plans change.
To get closer to Chad, and smooth ruffled feathers of the handsome Dr. Jake, Gemma offers to organize a fundraiser event for the rescue squad, and he can’t say no. In fact, when it comes to Gemma, Jake is finding it impossible to stop her from getting her way. And he might just love her all the more for it…
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This book is the second story in the collection of Holidays in Hallbrook. All of the stories center around the town of Hallbrook so the characters appear throughout the collection.
This story is the developing relationship of an adult daughter with her biological father. It brings out so many of the emotions that people feel when they discover a biological parent was there all the time but never seen or known by the child. The author has done a wonderful job portraying the raw, angry feelings and how they change as a relationship forms.
The story also involves the handsome doctor and his young hearing-impaired son which adds the romance! It is definitely a book to read!
I like the parts of the story better than others. Most of the characters were very well developed while I felt Gemma was a little shallow… but probably within reason of her circumstance.
I loved the relationship between Jake, Kyle and Tom… truly Kyle is a lucky child even without a mom, though he longs for one. Parts of this story pulls at the heartstrings.
Gemma learns the past isn’t always as It seems and also how to forgive others. Sometimes those who love us most can unintentionally hurt us the most.
The narration was well done.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Wow.
A bunch of honorable people are keeping secrets because “it’s not my story to tell.”
And the everyone is protecting someone.
It’s not until Gemma starts piecing things together that she realizes how seriously she’s misjudged people and/or situations.
Throw in barricaded hearts, a dad trying to protect his sweet little boy and you get a great story from beginning to end.
Love & Family by Elsie Davis is the second novel in Holidays in Hallbrook series. Gemma Watson is shocked when she comes upon a photo album at her mother’s house that gives her the identity of her father. Chad Andrews was a pro bull rider and a star on the rodeo circuit until he retired and lives in Hallbrook near where Gemma grew up. Gemma needs some answers and travels to Hallbrook to confront Chad. Unfortunately, Gemma’s dog, Brody ends up stuck in a ravine and so does Chad. Dr. Jake Duncan, the local doctor, is on the rescue squad that comes to rescue Chad and Brody. He is also a volunteer for GiddyUp Kids program and a single father. Jake does not appreciate it when the rescue squad is called out to save a dog and the risk is caused to Chad’s health. He is further distressed when he sees his son, Kyle taken with Gemma and Brody. Gemma learns the rescue squad needs money for necessary equipment and training, so she decides to put her event planner skills to the test by hosting a fundraiser in two weeks. To pull off the event, Gemma needs Jake’s assistance. What does the future hold for the event planner and the doctor? I enjoyed reading Love & Family. It is a realistic story where we get to see different perspectives (from Gemma and Jake plus Gemma’s mother and Chad’s). I thought the story was well-written with steady pacing. There is humor, romance, faith, and heartbreaking situations. Chad and Jake’s father, Tom are humorous with their matchmaking attempts. Jake’s son, Kyle is adorable and a little sweetie. Gemma was courageous in going to her father’s house to find out what happened. I am glad that she was willing to keep an open mind and heart. Gemma’s dog, Brody enhanced the story. I enjoy it when animals are included in stories. There is Brody plus horses in Love & Family. It was great to return to Hallbrook in Love & Family. It was a pleasure to read this uplifting story.
Another interesting, fun story in this series. There is so much action and drama in this story that you just can’t wait to see what happens next.
The Books are full of laugh out loud moments, great mystery and a bit of romance.
I received this book free and this is an honest and voluntary review.
Absolutely love this story! Great storyline, amazing, loveable characters, real life issues dealing with families.
Small town people, nosey yet caring and supportive. Grab a copy, get to know Gemma and her various skills. Jake with his medical knowledge, Kyle and his unconditional love, the parents of Jake and Gemma, Brody the loveable 4 legged character, the rescue squad, the nosey old ladies and more with the residents of Hallbrook.
Love & Family was a delight to read. I enjoyed Gemma’s journey as she discovered who her father is and Jake’s progress to learning that he does not have to be alone. Ms. Davis writes heart warming, thoughtful stories about characters I can relate to. This book is perfectly named and I highly recommend it.
Loved the storyline and characters very much. They were so relatable and I could see myself living in a town like this and having these people as friends and family.
This storyline could be anyone’s life and I’m sure I would have those same upset feelings of finding the dad that wasnt involved in your life. Our pets can always help to change what is happening and the outcome as well. As in this story her dog helped change her feelings on how to handle her approach to this man.
I would definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy a story that makes them smile, laugh and enjoy new discoveries. Grab your copy today.
GEmma has never met her Dad. But when her stepfather dies she discover an album with pictures from Chad Andrews, a famous bull rider. When she goes to Hallbrock to confront him, little she knows that she will find her father and also love and family on her own. A sweet story about love and forgiveness.
Elsie Davis’ story, Love and Family, shows that all is not as it seems. Before we can make a judgement we need all the facts. Gemma always wanted a dad and assumed hers to be deadbeat, Jake having part of the story assumed Gemma to be a bad daughter, Chad and Amy made what they assumed was the right decision for their unborn child, all were missing some of the facts. I loved this story of understanding and love.
Gemma grew up without a father in her life. She accidentally finds a scrapbook that leads her to her father. Filled with anger she confronts Chad and finds the path to forgiveness. Jake is a single dad who will do anything to protect his four-year-old son Kyle. Jake takes an instant dislike of Gemma and wants to keep her away from Kyle. A sweet story of love and forgiveness.
This is a very heartwarming story. It is very well written and full of emotions. You will fall in love with little Kyle, he is precious! This book was a joy to read. I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
A perfect title for a perfect book about love and family. Amy Watson was a perfect character who never knew her father. This book realistically showed Amy arriving on her father’s doorstep and showed how brave and courageous she was. I enjoyed watching her try to have an open mind and heart as she took on this new adventure not knowing what would happen when she met him.
I liked how realistic the story was and how it showed their were two sides to the story, her mom’s and her dad’s. I also liked that neither parent spoke ill words about the other one and when questions were asked Gemma was reminded as to whose story it was to tell. I also liked how Jake opened his heart to love even though his first wife had left. I fell in love with the little boy named Kyle. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
A heartwarming journey of Gemma finding her dad Chad and understanding the secrets of his relationship with her mother. Along the way, she falls in love with Kyle, a special needs child, who dad Jake is a dr and member of the rescue squad.
This is a sweet story that shows you need both sides of the story before you truely know what happened. Gemma and Jake get off to a rocky start but slowly they discover that they were both wrong. This story has lots of emotions and you can’t help but fall in love with Kyle.