Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter is a sweet romance and the second book in The Riverbend series. It pulls you in right from the start and keeps you interested the entire way. If you’ve read Riverbend Gap, you’ll remember Avery and you know her story is compelling.  

What I liked About Mulberry Hollow

There are many elements that make Mulberry Hollow an enjoyable novel. First, the characters are relatable and likable. Avery Robinson is easy to identify with, especially if you’ve faced a health crisis. And Wes Garrett is so adorable you can’t help but love him right from the start.

Second, I’m always looking for themes in books and for me there were three major themes: fear of the unknown, fear of being like someone else, and fear of failing to fulfill a promise.

Avery is afraid of the unknown and has settled on a life lived alone. I felt the terrible tug-of-war going on inside her as she wrestled with her potential illness – part of you wants to know and the other doesn’t. But, deciding your future on what might happen is never a good way to live.

Wes is afraid he’s going to become his dad. But there isn’t anything deceptive or mean about him. He’s a decent, caring guy – the best sort of man. He keeps his word, which leads to a lot of tension for him. Wes also has a fear of failing to fulfill a promise. He isn’t about to renege on his word, no matter the personal cost. His story is a beautiful picture of sacrifice.

What You’ll Like About Mulberry Hollow

If you’re a Denise Hunter fan, you’re going to love this story. I’ve enjoyed the whole series so far, but this novel was just so sweet. The characters are well-written and feel authentic. And you’ll also get to catch up on Kate, Cooper, and Gavin from Riverbend Gap.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book because it had a great storyline for each character, and they were interesting and fun to get to know. There were heavy issues addressed, and Hunter masterfully enabled me to feel the tension and the characters’ angst. I definitely rate it as five

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