Honeysuckle Dreams

Author: Denise Hunter

Series: Blue Ridge Romance #2

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Can self-arranged marriages end in true love?

Brady Collins was on the fast track to becoming a custom car mechanic. But when his ex-wife suddenly dies, he finds himself a single dad to a nine month old boy.  Even so, he has found joy being a dad and taking care of him, even if he has to rely on friends more to watch his son while he works.  One day Brady gets devastating news: his ex-wife’s parents have filed for a paternity test of his son and the results indicate that he is not the father.  Driven to stay the boy’s legal father, Brady’s attorney gives him advice that if he was in a stable engagement or marriage, it could sway the court’s opinion to keep the family unit as it currently is.  But where would Brady find a willing woman to agree to be his wife?

Hope Daniels is a local radio celebrity who has been working part time at a station in Atlanta. When she is home, she helps out Brady with watching his son.  When she hears the news that Brady could lose his son, she proposes that they get engaged to help the court’s opinion.  After a temporary victory, Hope then learns that they would likely have to get married.  Could she agree to a loveless marriage for her friend?  And what could it do to her career?

This was a light romance read that was perfect for summer. It was an easy, predictable novel that had a storyline that kept the pages moving forward to see how it was going to play out.  I can’t imagine having a child and then finding out you’re not the parent while having others trying to take the child away.  Hunter quickly draws readers into becoming an ally for Brady and all that he has to deal with.  Readers will also love Hope’s attitude and willingness to help out her friend’s needs ahead of her own.  The idea of two people agreeing to a marriage for the good of a child that isn’t theirs was an interesting concept.  I enjoyed how it started as a mutual friendship that escalated into a romance.  Quite a good summer read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.