Currant Creek Valley (Hope's Crossing, 4)

Loved this book, Alex and Sam seem made for each other but why won't she just let him in...got to read it to find out...

I just loved reading another chapter in the saga of Hopes Crossing and the McKnight family and its extended members... I'm sure other readers will too

I loved this story. I liked Sam right off the bat, but the way Alex treated him....not so much. You could see how much he loved his son. It was there in every thought, every word he spoke about him, and the way they were with each other when they were together. That was a no, brainer for me. I felt so sorry for Sam when Alex kept giving him such mixed messages. I knew that there must have been something that happened to her in Europe, something major for her to continually keep men at bay, but I didn't know what. After hearing her whole story ( which didn't happen until almost the very end) I finally understood her fear. I couldn't figure out how she could be so kind and caring with everyone else in town, but then suddenly chose to treat Sam the way she did. Now I know, and it all makes sense. I have to say...all these children in this series has stole my heart. Then again; I've always been a sucker for children and pets in the stories I've read. I so love this series, and can't wait to see what happens next. I would highly recommend this book, as well as this whole series, to everyone. Especially if you love clean, heart-warming romance stories about the lives of people in a small town setting. If you love Debbie Macomber books, you'll love this series, too.

After book #3 being a bit of a downer, Currant Creek Valley was so enjoyable! Based on the four heroines from the first four novels in the Hope's Crossing series, Alex is the most like me which is probably why I enjoyed the book so much! Alex is sassy, sarcastic, and not afraid to speak her mind! Our hero, Sam, is the perfect man. He's tall, dark and handsome in addition to being full of muscles, a hard worker, honorable, loyal, loving, kind to animals, a great dad, generous and considerate of other people's feelings. It was a bit frustrating how often and much Alex pushed him away for majority of the book. Especially when about halfway through, she admits to herself she was falling in love with the guy. We finally learn why she's shut off a part of herself to everyone else in the very last chapter of the book. I would have preferred to have this information earlier but based on the type of person that Alex is, it made sense that she'd hold it in til the last possible moment. As a whole, this book is great! It has some really great advice about love, life and living to the fullest. I teared up several times while reading it! This book, like the previous books in the series, is free from sex scenes, violence and has extremely minimal language (No F bombs).

Finally, a book about food! Now this one I can really relate to, but before I go there, I just want to say how much I love returning to Hope's Crossing. Like some other series that I read, it just feels like coming home. The author, RaeAnne Thayne does a remarkable job of bringing in elements of the surrounding into the story. From the summer blackberries to the sweeping views of Woodrose Mountain, and Laurel Falls to the Current Creek running through town, Ms. Thayne paints a picture so vivid it's hard to not imagine yourself there. Alexandra is about to open her dream come true restaurant. With the help of family and friends this is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to the town. Sam Delgado is coming to town to finish building the details, namely the kitchen, so that Hope's Crossing's newest restaurant, Brazen, will open on time. Of all the stories in this series that I have read thus far, this is the only one that you could probably read as a stand alone and not get confused by the ancillary characters. Prepare yourself for a switch though in terms of the stereo-typical personality-types. This time, it's Alex who is the love 'em and leave 'em gal as she is only out to have a good time and not interested in having a serious relationship, at least not any time soon. Sam Delgado is a safe bet since he's only in town for a few weeks to finish the renovations on the restaurant. Little does she know! All of Ms. Thayne's novels are sweet and just really pleasant to read. Unlike some of the other books out there that I have been reading, these are really just a breath of fresh air. There will also be a little bit of angst, but nothing that the two main characters can't get past. In this case, Alex and Sam are right there on this point like all the other characters from Hope's Crossing. It's just fun to see how they get through it all. So, I highly suggest reading Current Creek Valley. Pull up a chair and put your feet up. It's going to be a great read that you won't want to put down!