She’s hiding from her past. He’s looking for his future. Will they take a chance on a love neither expected… she fears the scars from the past will keep her from anything close to love.
Hardworking and successful, River has always wondered if something’s missing from his life. And when he falls for the gorgeous proprietor of Orchard Inn, he knows the tattooed beauty is exactly what he needs. Moved by her pain, he encourages her to open up about her fears while he promises to stay by her side.
But just as their irresistible passions bloom, Ella’s brutal ex returns to reclaim what was never truly his. Can Ella and River fight off the past long enough to awaken a forever love?
The Orchard Inn is the inspirational first novel in the completed Orchard Inn romance series. If you like strong heroines, kind-hearted heroes, and a dash of suspense, then you’ll adore A.M. Kusi’s uplifting tale.
Buy The Orchard Inn to watch a couple heal with love today!
*** Complete series. HEA guaranteed. No cheating. Can be read as a standalone.***
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4.5 Stars
Man the emotion just pours off these pages. The characters in this just grab a hold of you and pull you right into the story. Ella and River are so cute together and the chemistry between them is hot! Ella she breaks your heart, but she also gives you a sense of hope. She may feel like she’s not strong and brave, but she truly is. River can see that now if he can just convince Ella of it. Learning Ella’s past seeing the bonds of friendship she has is all the more special. There are a few unexpected twists and one of the put a huge smile on my face. It’s so fitting. This book is a interracial romance and it shows the stereotypes people put on others and what River has to deal with every day. I can’t recommend this book enough. This husband and wife writing duo has gained a reader!
Ella Shaw had a rough life. Growing up with a mother who stayed in an endless string of abusive relationships, she finally escaped only to be caught up in one herself. Beaten and broken, she ran away to the only man who had ever shown her kindness, her mother’s ex boyfriend Mac, owner of The Orchard Inn in Vermont. Ella inherited the inn after Mac’s death and has made it a success. River is vising the area on business and staying at the inn for the week. They are attracted to each other, but Ella hasn’t dated in the seven years since escaping her ex boyfriend and doesn’t want to get involved with someone who will be gone in a few days. They strike up a friendship, and the feelings come anyway. They decide to try a long distance relationship, slowly, to get to know each other and to give Ella a chance to ease in and learn to trust River. Just when things are going well, she learns a secret that changes everything about both of their lives.
I really liked this book. Ella is not a victim, she’s a survivor. She is vulnerable but she is tough and working on healing. She has amazing, supportive friends who look out for her daily. River is successful but grounded. He works for his father’s company and is being groomed to take over one day, but he doesn’t love the work. He is so patient and understanding with Ella and I love that. He doesn’t see her scars as flaws but as symbols of her strength.
This is a slow burn book. Ella and River are together for a long time before much happens between them because Ella just isn’t emotionally ready. Thanks to her best friend and her therapist, however, she is able to learn how to allow herself to love and be happy.
This was a beautiful story of Ella, a woman who is trying to move on after an abusive ex, and River, a handsome man who shows up at her inn. Their attraction is so strong from their first meeting. I loved watching them figure out how to deal with their explosive chemistry, and how to survive Ella’s ex. It was wonderful!!
CAn Ella trust a man again? She is been through hell all her life. Father unknown, a string of too friendly her mother’s boyfriends, an abusing boyfriend, depressions and self injured, Ella is no with happy running THe Orchard Inn, with a close group of friends. When River, a very handsome and dark skin man, comes to stay at the Inn, Ella feels an instant attraction. Can’t riven break the wall in Ella’s heart and show her she is worth of love? But a secret from the past and her dangerous ex-boyfriend could make it impossible for them to have a future together. I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review
The Orchard Inn by A.M. Kusi is book One in the orchard Inn Romance Series. This is the story of River Parker and Ella Shaw.
Ella has started a fresh new life in a small New England town working to get away from her abusive Ex Declan . Ella has been taken under the win of Mac Shaw the owner of The Orchard Inn. When Mac dies he leaves the Inn to Ella who has taken the Inn to be a destination place to go for Wedding and such.
River is a successful business man who doesn’t really want for anything until he meets Ella. Both have the intimidate attraction but can Ella learn to trust in a personal relationship again? What will happen when Ella’s past goes forward into her present day?
This is a beautiful romance novel of opposites attract and a delightful read.
Highly recommend
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ella Shaw moved to a small New England town to escape an abusive relationship. She befriends and is adopy by Mac Shaw owner of The Orchard Inn and inherits the inn after Mac passes away. River Parker a successful businessman from Boston travels to the small New England town to close a deal to purchase the Orchard Inn. Ella and River become romantically involved when River leaves to go back to Boston jeopardizing Ella and his relationship. This romance novel of opposites attract is a delightful read.
This spoke to my soul in so many ways, and is a book I will treasure always.
The first observation I had immediately from the beginning is the extremely vivid descriptions of the surroundings and the characters down to the last detail.
Another observation is a part in which Annie, a grandmother in the story, says to Avery, her young granddaughter, “How do you want to say goodbye?” This struck a chord with me in teaching our children that they have consent over their own bodies and should never feel forced to do anything they aren’t comfortable with. It isn’t relevant to the story, but I found it to be a significant detail that didn’t go unnoticed.
Other details noticed are the experiences shared of discrimination faced, including rude looks by others as an interracial or LGBTQ+ couple, the experience of a Black man while confronted by the police, and the use of racial slurs.
What I love most about this book is that I could relate as a survivor of abuse. It is an accurate portrayal of not only how abusers behave, but what victims experience, including a history of abuse with family. Ella’s story of strength by having a support system, learning her worth, and finding a love she deserves is a story of resilience, empowerment, and hope.
I highly recommend this book! I am so glad to have found this author team, and look forward to reading more from them.
A quaint story. I would have loved more background on the story theme. First time reading this author’s work. Looking forward to reading the second “Orchard Inn” already bought,