USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains welcomes you back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina, with a charming friends-to-lovers story between a sexy fireman and the beautiful woman who mends his heart. Should they fan the flames or douse this fire before someone gets seriously burned? Firefighter Luke Marini moved to the small town of Sweetwater Springs with the highest of hopes – new … small town of Sweetwater Springs with the highest of hopes – new town, new job, and new neighbors who know nothing of his past. And that’s just how he wants to keep it. But it’s nearly impossible when the gorgeous brunette next door decides to be the neighborhood welcome wagon. She’s sugar, spice, and everything nice – but getting close to someone again is playing with fire.
Brenna McConnell put college on hold to raise her little sister. Now that Eve is grown, Brenna is ready to leave Blueberry Creek and finish what she started. Moving on isn’t easy, however, when her gruff new neighbor gives Eve a dangerous firefighting job. And yet, even as Brenna is telling him off for putting her sister in harm’s way, she can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between them. She put her dreams on hold once. Is she willing to make that sacrifice again for a chance at forever?
Includes the bonus novella “Sealed With a Kiss”by Melinda Curtis!
I loved this installment in the Sweetwater Springs series. I loved how Brenna put her life on hold to go back & raise her younger sister, but my heart hurt because of the rift between the sisters now that Eve is an adult & wanting to make her own decisions. I could easily see why Brenna was having a hard time letting her go. Luke went to Sweetwater Springs to start over and work as a firefighter. Luke & Brenna are neighbors and get close but when Luke fills in for the fire chief and sides with Brenna’s sister things get tricky.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek is the fourth book in the Sweetwater Springs series, but this was my first Annie Rains book. I can confidently say it will definitely not be my last! I really enjoyed the slow burn friends to lovers romance and her style of writing.
Brenna McConnell is doing her best to adapt to where she is in her life now. Years earlier her life was put on hold due to the death of her parents. She returned home to care for her younger sister, Eve, but now that Eve has turned 18 and is technically an adult, Brenna is having trouble just being her sister again.
Luke Marini is doing what he’s always wanted to, working as a firefighter, but he’s also trying to start over. He’s moved into a new house, working at the firehouse and just trying to live his life. One thing he’s not up for is talking about his past. For him, that’s something he’d prefer to leave right where it is.
When Brenna decides to introduce herself to her new neighbor, who happens to be Luke, she wasn’t expecting the sparks that flew between them. While they spend time together, they agree that things shouldn’t progress past friendship, but is that really what is going to happen?! There are outside complications that cause some trouble for the couple as well.
This was a wonderful small-town romance that had everything you’d want. Great small businesses, wonderful townsfolk and there’s always some drama! I enjoyed both Luke and Brenna’s characters. They were flawed, real and relateable which only added to the story for me. I’m looking forward to more from this author!
3.75 stars–STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK is the fourth instalment in Annie Rains contemporary, adult SWEETWATER SPRINGS romance series. This is fire fighter Luke Marini, and twenty-eight year old, bakery owner Brenna McConnell’s story line. STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Luke and Brenna) STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK follows the building relationship between new neighbors fire fighter Luke Marini, and bakery owner Brenna McConnell. At workplace accident finds Luke Marini assigned the position of the new fire chief at the Sweet Springs Fire Department but with it also come the prospect of a new hire, his neighbor’s eighteen year old sister Eva, who is struggling with her place in the world. Brenna McConnell battles between head and heart since the death of her parents years before. Having to drop out of college to run her mother’s bakery while raising her younger sister Eva, Brenna finds herself facing an uphill battle when her sister wants to become a fire fighter like their father, and Brenna wants Eva to go back to school. As Brenna and Luke butt heads about Eva’s future, our leading couple give in to the desire they have been fighting since the first time they met. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Brenna and Luke, and the potential fall-out as Brenna continues to struggles with Eva’s career choice, and the danger it poses; and Brenna’s decision to go back to school to become a teacher, and selling the business her mother loved.
The relationship between Eva and Luke is one of immediate attraction but Luke keeps his distance in an effort to establish himself at the SSFD. Brenna believes Luke is a bit of a snob until she realizes that her new neighbour is struggling to find his place in town. The $ex scenes are all implied.
The secondary and supporting characters include Brenna’s younger sister Eva who like most teenagers, is constantly at odds with the people in charge. We are introduced to young fire fighter Ryan Johnson, who may or may not have an interest in Eva, as well as fire chief Brewer, who is considering his future retirement.
STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK is a sweet story of family, friendships, romance and love; of acceptance and perseverance. The premise is engaging; the romance is tender and playful; the characters are energetic and stubborn.
Great book! I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. It’s a sexy, moving,
funny, & touching romance.
Brenna, is a caterer & Luke, is a firefighter
in Sweetwater Springs. It’s where she grew up. He is her new neighbor, & recently moved here & joined the Fire Department.
Though they may be attracted to each other, romance is the last thing their looking for.
Brenna Luke, are perfect together.
Another fabulous book in the series.
I loved everything about this
Must Read Story!!
I can’t believe we are already on book #4. Where has the time gone? I think that happens with a series that you enjoy. They seem to be both flyings by yet seem to take forever for the next one to be out.
I’ve really enjoyed the Sweetwater Springs series so far. Each book gets better and better. Sharing more of the wonderful people in the town.
Up this time we have Luke and Brenna.
What can I say about Luke other than he is such a great guy! He’s the type of person you want to know. Good to his neighbors (this might be funnier when you read the story) and those who are around him.
Shortly after coming to town he’s thrown into the deep end and has to take on some responsivities he wasn’t expecting and handled it perfectly. This is a man who doesn’t let fear and worry hold him back. He does what he has to and gets the job done.
He’s also a sweet guy who’s lonely and needs friends. You’ll love his friends and will want their stories soon.
Where Luke is easy going and has his life on a good track Breena is a mess. She’s as tight as a spring. You can’t help but feel sorry for all she’s gone through. It hasn’t been easy and she’s done a fine job of taking care of all that needed taking care of which includes taking care of her sister Eve.
I have not read a more unlikeable character in all the time I’ve read. And I’m including killers. I would have buried the body behind the house. Okay, maybe I wouldn’t have gone that far but the second she turned 18 she’d be on her own. The sad thing is the author gave her exactly what she wanted in life so hers is pretty good even though she treats people horrible and is very disrespectful.
If you can overlook Eve (which is hard) you’ll love how Breena and Luke’s romance beginnings. Their falling in love is so sweet and you want nothing but happiness for them. It takes a while for them to really figure out what they really wanted in life but when they do it works perfectly for them.
This touching story is one that grabs you from the first page to the last.
This stand alone in the series, belongs to Brenna McConnell and Luke Marini.
Luke is not only new in town, and a firefighter, but he is also Brenna’s handsome new neighbor.
Brenna owns and operates Taste of Heaven, a catering company. One she took over when her parents died . An event that changed her life. She left college, and became mother and father to her younger sister.
Now that her sister is 18 and determined to become a firefighter, Brenna is thinking about make a change in her life. But what happens when the friendship with Luke becomes more, her sister no longer needs her, and the possibility of going away to college is closer than ever?
Luke too has had a past that transformed his life forever.
This is a story about second chances in life , and love. About family, responsibilities and following ones dreams.
The plot was engaging and the characters complex and likable.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek is a heartwarming story of second opportunities, taking chances, and starting over. I enjoyed this return to Sweetwater Springs, catching up with characters from previous books, and reading Brenna and Luke’s story. They are wonderful characters and this was a captivating read!
.5 Sweet(water Springs) stars
Copy received via Netgalley from Forever for an honest review
I am saying it right now – I want to move to Sweetwater Springs and find a hottie living next door!
Brenna and Luke’s story continues my love affair with this town ad the characters we have previously met and loved (you can read this as a standalone if you haven’t started the series yet).
Brenna’s life has been in limbo, and now it is time to move on – no matter how hard it is for her. Her hurt and heartbreak is palpable and leaps off the pages.
II just wanted to dive into the book and give her a big ol’ hug.
Luke is all kinds of swoonworthy and I want one of my own.
I need many more stories set in Sweetwater Springs – so please make that happen Ms Rains!
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek, has continued to draw me into the amazing characters of this touching and heartfelt series. The fourth book in the Sweetwater Springs Series continues to bring the residents of this small picturesque town together in both friendship and love. Taste of Heaven owner Brenna McConnell had to give up a lot to come home and raise her younger sister, Eve, after the death of their parents. Inheriting not only a younger sister but also a catering business, Brenna had to let her dreams fall to the wayside. Now that Eve has reached eighteen, Brenna is looking to fulfill her hearts desire of becoming a teacher. But will things be easy for Brenna? Handsome Blueberry Creek neighbor and firefighter, Luke Marini has never been an overly friendly person but Brenna believes baking him a “welcome to the neighborhood” treat will open him up, but he is determined to stay to himself and not get involved with his neighbors. But will the beautiful Brenna change his mind? I found myself laughing a lot with this wonderful book but also a few tears were shed. Author Annie Rains has yet again, worked her magic and written an amazing story that will have the reader enthralled from the beginning! I cannot get enough of this wonderful series! I received this ARC and this is my honest review, in my own words!