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The Women of Brambleberry House #4
A Soldier's Return
The Women of Brambleberry House are back!
Returning home to Cannon Beach and living in Brambleberry House, a place where good things seemed destined to happen, had brought Melissa Fielding and her young daughter such joy. Perhaps it was no accident when the single mom “bumped” into Eli Sanderson, and discovered the handsome doctor was also back in town. The ex-soldier was still so captivating, but also more guarded. Was now the time to put old ghosts to rest?
Returning home to Cannon Beach and living in Brambleberry House, a place where good things seemed destined to happen, had brought Melissa Fielding and her young daughter such joy. Perhaps it was no accident when the single mom “bumped” into Eli Sanderson, and discovered the handsome doctor was also back in town. The ex-soldier was still so captivating, but also more guarded. Was now the time to put old ghosts to rest?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2019
1226 people are currently reading
1268 people want to read
About the author
RaeAnne Thayne
312 books3,869 followersI'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
May 24, 2019
A Soldier’s Return by RaeAnne Thayne is a 2019 Harlequin Special Edition publication.
A tender, sweet medical romance-
After her divorce from her selfish, immature, ‘surfer dude' husband, Melissa Fielding, returns home to Cannon Beach, with her young daughter. She now works in the medical profession, living in the Brambleberry House- a very special residence.
While walking her neighbor’s dog, she has a run in with her old classmate and her boss’s son, Eli Sanderson. With old Doc Sanderson out of commission for a while, Eli will be taking over for his father, which means that for all intents and purposes Eli is Melissa’s boss- even if it is only temporary.
That doesn’t stop Melissa from feeling flustered around Eli. He’s not the nerdy guy she knew in high school anymore. He’s a soldier, fighting off the nightmares of war casualties, feeling like it is his duty to continue to serve in the Army.
For Eli, meeting the girl he had a crush on in high school has reignited his feeling for Melissa. But he knows his stay is temporary and he is no place for a relationship.
How will the pair manage to work together every day and ignore their attraction to each other?
Full disclosure- I added this book to my TBR list without reading the synopsis first. I have always enjoyed this author’s books, so I figured this one was probably a safe bet.
The book is published by Harlequin Special Edition, not Harlequin Medical - two entirely different imprints- so I was pleasantly surprised by the strong medical elements in the story. I’m also a sucker for military guys, so in many ways this book was a perfect fit for me.
The story also has a very mild paranormal element, which I found intriguing. However, it was too vague and I'm wondering if I missed out on some key information by not reading the previous books in the series, which was a bit of a drawback for me.
But, to be clear, this book can most definitely be read as a stand-alone. That said, I hope to eventually read all the books in the series, not only to see how the other residents of Brambleberry House get their HEA, but to discover all the other mysteries of the house, as well.
Overall, this is a very nice contemporary romance, made better for me due to the medical drama, and military themes.
An emotional second chance love story, cute kids and dogs turned out to be a pretty solid combination, as well!
3.5 rounded up.
I won a digital copy of this book- so a big thanks to Harlequin and to Goodreads for hosting the giveaway.
A tender, sweet medical romance-
After her divorce from her selfish, immature, ‘surfer dude' husband, Melissa Fielding, returns home to Cannon Beach, with her young daughter. She now works in the medical profession, living in the Brambleberry House- a very special residence.
While walking her neighbor’s dog, she has a run in with her old classmate and her boss’s son, Eli Sanderson. With old Doc Sanderson out of commission for a while, Eli will be taking over for his father, which means that for all intents and purposes Eli is Melissa’s boss- even if it is only temporary.
That doesn’t stop Melissa from feeling flustered around Eli. He’s not the nerdy guy she knew in high school anymore. He’s a soldier, fighting off the nightmares of war casualties, feeling like it is his duty to continue to serve in the Army.
For Eli, meeting the girl he had a crush on in high school has reignited his feeling for Melissa. But he knows his stay is temporary and he is no place for a relationship.
How will the pair manage to work together every day and ignore their attraction to each other?
Full disclosure- I added this book to my TBR list without reading the synopsis first. I have always enjoyed this author’s books, so I figured this one was probably a safe bet.
The book is published by Harlequin Special Edition, not Harlequin Medical - two entirely different imprints- so I was pleasantly surprised by the strong medical elements in the story. I’m also a sucker for military guys, so in many ways this book was a perfect fit for me.
The story also has a very mild paranormal element, which I found intriguing. However, it was too vague and I'm wondering if I missed out on some key information by not reading the previous books in the series, which was a bit of a drawback for me.
But, to be clear, this book can most definitely be read as a stand-alone. That said, I hope to eventually read all the books in the series, not only to see how the other residents of Brambleberry House get their HEA, but to discover all the other mysteries of the house, as well.
Overall, this is a very nice contemporary romance, made better for me due to the medical drama, and military themes.
An emotional second chance love story, cute kids and dogs turned out to be a pretty solid combination, as well!
3.5 rounded up.
I won a digital copy of this book- so a big thanks to Harlequin and to Goodreads for hosting the giveaway.
January 15, 2019
The perfect book to cuddle up by the fire with a glass of wine and just enjoy.
A single mom who has made it on her own as a nurse.
A man reeling from the experiences of war.
Brought together when his father needs him to come home and help with the family practice, because the town doctor needs surgery.
I really enjoyed A Soldier's Return. I'm not a big fan of internal or external, for that matter, dialog that is repetitive or self inflicted (you know the oh, whoa-is-me, I can't be loved or love because I'm guilty, depressed, not good enough, you get the picture). There was a little bit of that in A Soldier's Return and that was the only thing keeping me from loving it. In the end, I found it cute, heartfelt and endearing and I really liked it.
I received this ARC copy of A Soldier's Return from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) - Harlequin Special Edition. This is my honest and voluntary review. A Soldier's Return is set for publication Jan. 15, 2019.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: RaeAnne Thayne
Series: The Women of Brambleberry House
Sequence in Series: Book 4
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition; Original edition
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
ISBN-10: 133557364X
ISBN-13: 978-1335573643
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Retur...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-so...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-so...
A single mom who has made it on her own as a nurse.
A man reeling from the experiences of war.
Brought together when his father needs him to come home and help with the family practice, because the town doctor needs surgery.
I really enjoyed A Soldier's Return. I'm not a big fan of internal or external, for that matter, dialog that is repetitive or self inflicted (you know the oh, whoa-is-me, I can't be loved or love because I'm guilty, depressed, not good enough, you get the picture). There was a little bit of that in A Soldier's Return and that was the only thing keeping me from loving it. In the end, I found it cute, heartfelt and endearing and I really liked it.
I received this ARC copy of A Soldier's Return from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) - Harlequin Special Edition. This is my honest and voluntary review. A Soldier's Return is set for publication Jan. 15, 2019.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: RaeAnne Thayne
Series: The Women of Brambleberry House
Sequence in Series: Book 4
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition; Original edition
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
ISBN-10: 133557364X
ISBN-13: 978-1335573643
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Retur...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-so...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-so...
January 23, 2019
Dr. Eli Sanderson is back home to help cover his father’s medical practice while elder Dr. Sanderson recovers from surgery. Eli’s been off serving his country, and he’s determined to get back to it after a tragic event fills him with guilt and a sense of obligation. Working with Melissa Fielding, his high school crush, and now father’s office nurse is a tempting distraction, but since he’s not staying on permanent, he doesn’t want to risk any heartache.
Melissa Fielding is back in Cannon Beach, her childhood home, with her seven-year-old daughter, Skye. After years following her husband (now ex) while he chased the next great surfing spot she’s determined to put down roots and live a stable life with her daughter. Her attraction to Eli, Dr. Sanderson’s sexy son, is hard to ignore, especially working together, but she’s done pining after men who aren’t content to stay put and raise a family. Her daughter needs love and stability, and so does she, but “the Heart wants what it wants” for both Eli and Melissa.
Working medical emergencies together that seem to pop-up afterhours gives Eli a glimpse into doctoring in a small town and makes him fall for Melissa even harder. Melissa’s admiration and respect for Eli only grows seeing him in action, and she hopes that Eli will change his mind not only to stay for her, but for all the good he could do for the town.
Both Eli and Melissa were tender-hearted, relatable characters, trying to do the right thing. Eli was so sweet caring for his father and for Melissa and her daughter, Skye, and I knew he’d be an excellent family man if he’d only allow himself the “luxury” of staying home. He had to figure out that not all good has to be done while in service or in another country. Melissa was also a sweetheart, and a selfless mother trying to provide her daughter the stability she had growing up.
Eli and Melissa had a sweet, slow-burn kind of romance since they were all about putting the breaks on things, but there were a few moments of heated passion! RaeAnne Thayne excels at writing sweet, low-drama romances with a great cast of secondary characters, and a strong family vibe. I loved the setting of Cannon Beach, Oregon as I just visited this past September. It’s a beautiful, quaint coastal town with gorgeous green forests that spill out onto the sea, and I think Ms. Thayne brought it to life through her vivid descriptions!
A copy was kindly provided by Harlequin Special Edition via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Melissa Fielding is back in Cannon Beach, her childhood home, with her seven-year-old daughter, Skye. After years following her husband (now ex) while he chased the next great surfing spot she’s determined to put down roots and live a stable life with her daughter. Her attraction to Eli, Dr. Sanderson’s sexy son, is hard to ignore, especially working together, but she’s done pining after men who aren’t content to stay put and raise a family. Her daughter needs love and stability, and so does she, but “the Heart wants what it wants” for both Eli and Melissa.
Working medical emergencies together that seem to pop-up afterhours gives Eli a glimpse into doctoring in a small town and makes him fall for Melissa even harder. Melissa’s admiration and respect for Eli only grows seeing him in action, and she hopes that Eli will change his mind not only to stay for her, but for all the good he could do for the town.
Both Eli and Melissa were tender-hearted, relatable characters, trying to do the right thing. Eli was so sweet caring for his father and for Melissa and her daughter, Skye, and I knew he’d be an excellent family man if he’d only allow himself the “luxury” of staying home. He had to figure out that not all good has to be done while in service or in another country. Melissa was also a sweetheart, and a selfless mother trying to provide her daughter the stability she had growing up.
Eli and Melissa had a sweet, slow-burn kind of romance since they were all about putting the breaks on things, but there were a few moments of heated passion! RaeAnne Thayne excels at writing sweet, low-drama romances with a great cast of secondary characters, and a strong family vibe. I loved the setting of Cannon Beach, Oregon as I just visited this past September. It’s a beautiful, quaint coastal town with gorgeous green forests that spill out onto the sea, and I think Ms. Thayne brought it to life through her vivid descriptions!
A copy was kindly provided by Harlequin Special Edition via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2019
Didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others in this series. The story felt a little rushed so I had some difficulty buying the feelings Melissa and Eli were experiencing. Nevertheless, this was a quick read and the characters were interesting in their own right. Really enjoyed the tease at the end for the next Haven Point book, as well as another in this series.
January 15, 2019
RaeAnne Thayne returns to Cannon Beach, Oregon in a delightfully, sweet romance called A Soldier’s Return. Melissa Fielding and her young daughter Skye have made Brambleberry House their home for the past 6 months since her divorce and it feels good to be in one place. She’s made friends with her housemates and loves borrowing her friend’s dog to run on the beach. When she falls over the dog and hurts herself, Eli Sanderson is there to pick her up and examine her sprained wrist. She’s tongue tied to see that he’s turned out to be a very handsome man from the geeky teenager she remembers all those years ago. She hopes she can keep things professional between them but she’s feeling a lot more than friendship the more she’s around him.
Eli is back in town for a few weeks to take over his father’s practice while he recovers from surgery. He’s been in the army for the past several years, taking him in dangerous places, and he’s seen some horrific events. It was fortunate for him to have this break from his job so maybe he can get over the most recent tragedy that happened in his life. He feels a tremendous amount of guilt and obligation to continue his work with the military but another pull is making him wonder if it’s possible at all. Melissa and her daughter are a nice balm to his mood and feelings. He had a crush on her in high school and those feelings are back and feeling stronger than ever. He’s a bit torn on what to do with them because he feels obligated to return to his military duty but she’s making him want home and family.
Eli and Melissa are an adorable couple and found something special with one another when they weren’t even looking. Over the course of the story he was starting to feel more for Melissa and knew it wasn’t good to start something with her. After a crisis he was able to resolve his past issues and see a bright future with Melissa in Cannon Beach. Melissa too can look forward to a new beginning with Eli and have a love she’s always wanted. The author has created a sweet romance for two well deserving individuals with her usual style and warmth. I look forward to reading more from the other two ladies in the Women Brambleberry House series.
January 17, 2019
I read A Soldier's Return The women of Brambleberry house 4 by Mills and Boon. Melissa was divorced from Cody. But in truth both should have left their marriage long before they got divorced. Melissa was a kind hearted women, she was genuinely happy for her ex husband when she found out about his new marriage, but Melissa was sad on the other hand as she had no special man in her life. Now she was a single mother with a young daughter, working as a nurse at a family run medical clinic. When Melissa takes her friend's dog running unfortunately she trips over the dog. A good looking man with a dog comes to Melissa's rescue, who Melissa instantly recognized. Will Melissa find love again and be happy? A great story to enjoy with Women who have a strong bond of friendship.
January 23, 2019
Rated 3.5 - A SOLDIER’S RETURN by RaeAnne Thayne is a sweet romance between two medical professionals who reconnect in their hometown, wondering if their imagined future apart is inevitable. If only they’re willing to forgive their pasts.
Eli Sanderson lived through aiding victims in war-torn locations so long that small town life may seem ho-hum. That’s before he reconnects with his high school crush, working in his dad’s medical practice. Now divorced, will she find the changes in Eli overwhelming or just right?
Eli isn’t looking for a new life. He’s more than satisfied traveling the world, compassionate about serving those in desperate need of medical care. Still dealing with the tragic loss of two people he cared for, he doesn’t seem like boyfriend material for Melissa Fielding. But Melissa soothes him in a way that he didn’t know he needed.
Dealing with her ex-husband, Cody, and his new wife and future baby isn’t on the top of Melissa’s road to healing. But she has her daughter to think about and knows Skye needs her father, so she is trying to adjust. When Melissa sees Eli for the first time in years, sparks fly and she’s not sure she can handle a short romance, knowing he’ll go back to traveling the world. She lived that life with her surfer ex-husband and is ready for small town familiarity.
I enjoyed watching Eli open up to Melissa about his experiences. Melissa’s daughter is a cute addition to the story, allowing Melissa and the reader to see Eli’s softer side. Eli’s dad is an intriguing character. I’d love to see a second-chance romance written for him.
There’s a bit of excitement when a storm hits their town, but for the most part this is a character driven love story, moved along by dialogue and daily obstacles very easy to relate to. This is very romancy, filled with lots of feelings and thoughts in that direction, pushing the emphasis on the developing love story. Even though it has a lot of the small-town characteristics of a much longer book that’s more like women’s fiction, it is very well suited in category romance due to its focus on the romance.
A SOLDIER’S RETURN is book four of THE WOMEN OF BRAMBLEBERRY HOUSE series, which from what I gather has a mystical presence that aids in the love stories. I haven’t read the first three books, so even though it wasn’t confusing, I felt I had missed something without that series’ knowledge. I’m sure those who have savored them will be thrilled that this book and another continues the series where it supposedly left off.
It’s a cute idea – that Brambleberry House and gardens, or previous tenants, assist in the lives of those who live there. The story easily stands alone without that nuance, but I can see how it might tie all the stories together. Fans of the series will better appreciate those hints.
I’m not a huge medical romance fan, so this isn’t the type of book I’d normally pick, but I love RaeAnne’s small town romance style, so it was natural to request this book for review. I watch every medical drama on television (shall we say addicted?), and I have medical professionals as friends and family, so the medical situations seemed well done and were interesting. I especially related to one experienced mom and her family’s relationship with the main characters.
Sweet romance lovers will like the focus on this couple’s journey to happily-ever-after. I enjoyed the hint at the end for two more books, one in this series and one for HAVEN POINT. The HAVEN POINT story especially has me intrigued with its flare for an uncomfortable reunion. I’m thrilled that RaeAnne Thayne’s future is flowing with a variety of books to tempt all her readers. I appreciated the crossover between series. Nice touch.
Review written by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com. Digital copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Eli Sanderson lived through aiding victims in war-torn locations so long that small town life may seem ho-hum. That’s before he reconnects with his high school crush, working in his dad’s medical practice. Now divorced, will she find the changes in Eli overwhelming or just right?
Eli isn’t looking for a new life. He’s more than satisfied traveling the world, compassionate about serving those in desperate need of medical care. Still dealing with the tragic loss of two people he cared for, he doesn’t seem like boyfriend material for Melissa Fielding. But Melissa soothes him in a way that he didn’t know he needed.
Dealing with her ex-husband, Cody, and his new wife and future baby isn’t on the top of Melissa’s road to healing. But she has her daughter to think about and knows Skye needs her father, so she is trying to adjust. When Melissa sees Eli for the first time in years, sparks fly and she’s not sure she can handle a short romance, knowing he’ll go back to traveling the world. She lived that life with her surfer ex-husband and is ready for small town familiarity.
I enjoyed watching Eli open up to Melissa about his experiences. Melissa’s daughter is a cute addition to the story, allowing Melissa and the reader to see Eli’s softer side. Eli’s dad is an intriguing character. I’d love to see a second-chance romance written for him.
There’s a bit of excitement when a storm hits their town, but for the most part this is a character driven love story, moved along by dialogue and daily obstacles very easy to relate to. This is very romancy, filled with lots of feelings and thoughts in that direction, pushing the emphasis on the developing love story. Even though it has a lot of the small-town characteristics of a much longer book that’s more like women’s fiction, it is very well suited in category romance due to its focus on the romance.
A SOLDIER’S RETURN is book four of THE WOMEN OF BRAMBLEBERRY HOUSE series, which from what I gather has a mystical presence that aids in the love stories. I haven’t read the first three books, so even though it wasn’t confusing, I felt I had missed something without that series’ knowledge. I’m sure those who have savored them will be thrilled that this book and another continues the series where it supposedly left off.
It’s a cute idea – that Brambleberry House and gardens, or previous tenants, assist in the lives of those who live there. The story easily stands alone without that nuance, but I can see how it might tie all the stories together. Fans of the series will better appreciate those hints.
I’m not a huge medical romance fan, so this isn’t the type of book I’d normally pick, but I love RaeAnne’s small town romance style, so it was natural to request this book for review. I watch every medical drama on television (shall we say addicted?), and I have medical professionals as friends and family, so the medical situations seemed well done and were interesting. I especially related to one experienced mom and her family’s relationship with the main characters.
Sweet romance lovers will like the focus on this couple’s journey to happily-ever-after. I enjoyed the hint at the end for two more books, one in this series and one for HAVEN POINT. The HAVEN POINT story especially has me intrigued with its flare for an uncomfortable reunion. I’m thrilled that RaeAnne Thayne’s future is flowing with a variety of books to tempt all her readers. I appreciated the crossover between series. Nice touch.
Review written by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com. Digital copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
January 26, 2019
Single Mum, Melissa Fielding, has returned to her home town seeking stability for them both after wandering the world with her surfer ex-husband. She's a nurse and loves working in the local clinic with Dr Sanderson but the elderly doctor has to have surgery so there will be someone else there whilst he recuperates. That locum turns out to be his son, Eli, as Meli discovers whilst out running on the beach as the dog she's running with abruptly stops, tripping Meli up, hurting her wrist, right in front of him. The two were in High School together, though he's a couple of years older than her, and he's been an Army medic working in war zones for some years now. As the two start to work together, attraction between them builds but he's only there to cover for his father so there's no point in getting to know each other - is there?
This is a delightful, contemporary, second chance, friends to lovers, romance. It is an easy read story, with great characters and relatively angst free plot. It is a story of reconnecting, daring to dream and love - and an adorable daughter, too. There are mysteries involving the other women of Brambleberry House that are alluded to and the ending definitely left me wondering what will happen next in the series. However, even though this is the fourth in the series, I believe it works well as a standalone and I enjoyed reading it. If you're looking for a light, fun, contemporary romance, I recommend you grab yourself a copy of this relaxing read.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
This is a delightful, contemporary, second chance, friends to lovers, romance. It is an easy read story, with great characters and relatively angst free plot. It is a story of reconnecting, daring to dream and love - and an adorable daughter, too. There are mysteries involving the other women of Brambleberry House that are alluded to and the ending definitely left me wondering what will happen next in the series. However, even though this is the fourth in the series, I believe it works well as a standalone and I enjoyed reading it. If you're looking for a light, fun, contemporary romance, I recommend you grab yourself a copy of this relaxing read.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
January 30, 2019
Ex-Soldier and doctor, Eli Sanderson, returns to Cannon Beach to help take over his father’s practice while his father is recuperating after double knee replacement surgery. Nurse and single mom Melissa Fielding is living at Cannon Beach, right at Brambleberry House, and the return of the handsome doctor brings new feelings in Melissa, who isn’t sure whether she’s ready for another relationship.
A Soldier’s Return is the latest book on RaeAnne Thayne’s The Women of Brambleberry House series … but you don’t really need to read the first three books. I didn’t, and I didn’t have a problem at all catching up with the story. It’s pretty much a stand-alone, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t charmed with Melissa and Eli, as I was with the majority of the couples from Thayne’s other series, Haven Point. I didn’t feel like both characters were strong, memorable ones. Yes, Melissa is a single mom, who’s a nurse, who seems to be attracted to Eli. And Eli is a handsome doctor, who is also feeling guilt after this one tragedy he experiences while being a soldier.
Then what?
They’re nice people but that’s about it. I can’t think of one single thing from both characters that can inspire me very much, you know? I also wish that Eli and Melissa’s daughter, Skye, had interacted more considering Melissa’s status as single mother.
There is this one action scene near the end that I think is really, really, good – involving a baby delivery – it is a perfect scene for a visual experience *grin*.
BUT THE EPILOGUE THOUGH!!! Whoa!!! I was already very much intrigued with Luke’s story, with his missing wife, when I read The Cottages on Silver Beach back in July 2018. The epilogue makes me more impatient to read Luke’s book.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
A Soldier’s Return is the latest book on RaeAnne Thayne’s The Women of Brambleberry House series … but you don’t really need to read the first three books. I didn’t, and I didn’t have a problem at all catching up with the story. It’s pretty much a stand-alone, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t charmed with Melissa and Eli, as I was with the majority of the couples from Thayne’s other series, Haven Point. I didn’t feel like both characters were strong, memorable ones. Yes, Melissa is a single mom, who’s a nurse, who seems to be attracted to Eli. And Eli is a handsome doctor, who is also feeling guilt after this one tragedy he experiences while being a soldier.
Then what?
They’re nice people but that’s about it. I can’t think of one single thing from both characters that can inspire me very much, you know? I also wish that Eli and Melissa’s daughter, Skye, had interacted more considering Melissa’s status as single mother.
There is this one action scene near the end that I think is really, really, good – involving a baby delivery – it is a perfect scene for a visual experience *grin*.
BUT THE EPILOGUE THOUGH!!! Whoa!!! I was already very much intrigued with Luke’s story, with his missing wife, when I read The Cottages on Silver Beach back in July 2018. The epilogue makes me more impatient to read Luke’s book.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
January 13, 2019
So happy to return to Brambleberry House for another heartwarming story. It's been several years since RaeAnne Thayne has treated us to a story set in this magical place but this story makes the wait well worth it. She's given us a wonderful story in A Soldier's return so grab your favorite beverage, a cozy blanket, and a copy of this book for a wonderful relaxing read. Melissa and Eli's story is one you don't want to miss. I highly recommend it.
January 16, 2019
Reviewed for www.buriedunderromance.com
A SOLDIER’S RETURN, the newest installment of the Brambleberry House series by RaeAnne Thayne, is a pleasing, heartwarming story of two people coping with past hurts and trying to avoid being hurt again.
Melissa Fielding was married to a world-class surfer who was always in search of the perfect wave. Fed up with having an absentee husband, she divorced him, got a nursing degree and moved her daughter and herself back to her hometown where she felt safe. When the well-respected doctor that she worked for needed knee replacement surgery, his military doctor son, Eli Sanderson arrived to take his place in the clinic until he was able to work again. Melissa is very attracted to the new doctor but she knows that there is something still haunting him from the past. Eli had secretly been in love with Melissa since high school but neither wants to be in love with the other because Eli will inevitably leave to return to service in the military. Do they have the power to stop it?
This is a sweet, somewhat predictable story, but still very enjoyable. While the complexity that we’ve come to expect from a RaeAnne Thayne full-length novel is not there, the story is well-written and the characters are well-developed for a novella. While part of a series, A SOLDIER’S RETURN is very easy to read as a standalone book.
A SOLDIER’S RETURN is a solid, delightful story that can be read in one sitting. I highly recommend it and am giving it four stars.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and the views expressed are my honest opinions.
A SOLDIER’S RETURN, the newest installment of the Brambleberry House series by RaeAnne Thayne, is a pleasing, heartwarming story of two people coping with past hurts and trying to avoid being hurt again.
Melissa Fielding was married to a world-class surfer who was always in search of the perfect wave. Fed up with having an absentee husband, she divorced him, got a nursing degree and moved her daughter and herself back to her hometown where she felt safe. When the well-respected doctor that she worked for needed knee replacement surgery, his military doctor son, Eli Sanderson arrived to take his place in the clinic until he was able to work again. Melissa is very attracted to the new doctor but she knows that there is something still haunting him from the past. Eli had secretly been in love with Melissa since high school but neither wants to be in love with the other because Eli will inevitably leave to return to service in the military. Do they have the power to stop it?
This is a sweet, somewhat predictable story, but still very enjoyable. While the complexity that we’ve come to expect from a RaeAnne Thayne full-length novel is not there, the story is well-written and the characters are well-developed for a novella. While part of a series, A SOLDIER’S RETURN is very easy to read as a standalone book.
A SOLDIER’S RETURN is a solid, delightful story that can be read in one sitting. I highly recommend it and am giving it four stars.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and the views expressed are my honest opinions.
January 11, 2019
For such a short book, this novel was a slow, slow burn! I absolutely love the premise of this book. Eli, an Army doctor, comes back to his seaside hometown after a devastating tragedy in his life to take care of his father. Melissa, a nurse, has been a single mom for years and finally moved back to the same town where both she and Eli grew up.
I wanted to love this book, it has all the elements I usually enjoy. I loved Melissa and Eli separately as characters. Their backstories are fleshed out, they’re self-aware mature adults, and I was rooting for both of them… individually. As a couple, well, there was no spark.
I have no problem with instalove or an unrealistic plot, but Eli and Melissa were barely together and they hardly talked throughout the book. They thought about each other a lot. There was a ton of introspection on their individual lives, but I just didn’t believe they had fallen deeply in love by the end of the book.
Overall, Raeanne Thayne is a beautiful writer and creates lovely worlds. This book was a fun escape for a few hours, it was just deeply lacking in actual romance.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
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I wanted to love this book, it has all the elements I usually enjoy. I loved Melissa and Eli separately as characters. Their backstories are fleshed out, they’re self-aware mature adults, and I was rooting for both of them… individually. As a couple, well, there was no spark.
I have no problem with instalove or an unrealistic plot, but Eli and Melissa were barely together and they hardly talked throughout the book. They thought about each other a lot. There was a ton of introspection on their individual lives, but I just didn’t believe they had fallen deeply in love by the end of the book.
Overall, Raeanne Thayne is a beautiful writer and creates lovely worlds. This book was a fun escape for a few hours, it was just deeply lacking in actual romance.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
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February 1, 2019
3.5 stars. Melissa and Elias.
I liked both main characters but this story was a bit too sappy.
I liked both main characters but this story was a bit too sappy.
January 28, 2019
2.5 ⭐️s
I’ve come to love RaeAnne Thayne’s books and her various series. This one, however, seemed ...well....meh. It was very, very predictable, and so disappointing to me. The characters were likeable enough, but it was all so bland.
I’ve come to love RaeAnne Thayne’s books and her various series. This one, however, seemed ...well....meh. It was very, very predictable, and so disappointing to me. The characters were likeable enough, but it was all so bland.
February 3, 2019
I do love Rae Ann Thayne!!!
February 11, 2019
4.5 Stars
This book takes place about 10 years after the end of the previous book. That would have been nice to know from the very beginning but I'm sure it was difficult to work that into the story immediately.
There are three new women living in Brambleberry house too. I would have liked a little more backstory on how Rosa took over her Aunt Anna (book 3 of the series). I thought that either Anna or Sage would have ended up living in Brambleberry house with their family eventually, but obviously that couldn't happen because then we wouldn't have gotten three new stories!
After the first three books all being an enemies to lovers type trope, it was nice to have a friends to lovers trope. These books always move faster than I wish I they would because they're so short. The couple falls "deeply" in love after only knowing each other a week. Given, they don't declare love til after three weeks, but they stay away from each other as much as they can so it's not like they could get to know each other more during the two weeks they aren't really talking.
I enjoyed Eli's military backstory and found Melissa's backstory with her flakey ex also to be refreshing after the previous books having a lot of dead spouses. I'm glad Melissa actively worked to not fight with her ex. She stood her ground and did what what best for her and her daughter, but also did what she could to let her daughter have a relationship with her father.
There's no sex and no swearing in this book.
I was really delightfully surprised with the epilogue! I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you haven't read any Haven Point books, you should read The Cottages on Silver Beach before Sonia's story comes out! I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out!
This book takes place about 10 years after the end of the previous book. That would have been nice to know from the very beginning but I'm sure it was difficult to work that into the story immediately.
There are three new women living in Brambleberry house too. I would have liked a little more backstory on how Rosa took over her Aunt Anna (book 3 of the series). I thought that either Anna or Sage would have ended up living in Brambleberry house with their family eventually, but obviously that couldn't happen because then we wouldn't have gotten three new stories!
After the first three books all being an enemies to lovers type trope, it was nice to have a friends to lovers trope. These books always move faster than I wish I they would because they're so short. The couple falls "deeply" in love after only knowing each other a week. Given, they don't declare love til after three weeks, but they stay away from each other as much as they can so it's not like they could get to know each other more during the two weeks they aren't really talking.
I enjoyed Eli's military backstory and found Melissa's backstory with her flakey ex also to be refreshing after the previous books having a lot of dead spouses. I'm glad Melissa actively worked to not fight with her ex. She stood her ground and did what what best for her and her daughter, but also did what she could to let her daughter have a relationship with her father.
There's no sex and no swearing in this book.
I was really delightfully surprised with the epilogue! I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you haven't read any Haven Point books, you should read The Cottages on Silver Beach before Sonia's story comes out! I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out!
January 7, 2019
It was fun to go back to visit Brambleberry House and to meet Melissa Fielding, her daughter, and the other two residents of BH. The first thing that struck me about the story was that Melissa was having what anyone of us could consider a ‘typical morning/day’ when you are faced with work, chores, frustrations with people around you…and good friends to help alleviate the overwhelming sense of responsibility that can overtake you during a day. She deals with stress by running and that’s where she ‘falls’ for Eli Sanderson, the son of her boss.
I won’t retell the story however I will say that I enjoyed the sometimes rocky journey to an HEA for Eli and Melissa. It really was about how these two needed to (separately and together) deal with the hurts and frustrations in each of their pasts before they could move on, together, in a relationship. Eli’s backstory is touching and horrific in parts, and he is such a sensitive person that he needs to dig deep in order to move on and be happy. Melissa’s ‘work’ really is more of a dawning moment but still as enlightening as Eli’s. Ms. Thayne always puts much feeling, for lack of a better word, into her characters and these two are a shining example.
I can’t wait to see if we’ll read more about the other tenants of Brambleberry House. And maybe we’ll even visit with Melissa and Elia. Or “smell” more roses… I’d like that.
I won’t retell the story however I will say that I enjoyed the sometimes rocky journey to an HEA for Eli and Melissa. It really was about how these two needed to (separately and together) deal with the hurts and frustrations in each of their pasts before they could move on, together, in a relationship. Eli’s backstory is touching and horrific in parts, and he is such a sensitive person that he needs to dig deep in order to move on and be happy. Melissa’s ‘work’ really is more of a dawning moment but still as enlightening as Eli’s. Ms. Thayne always puts much feeling, for lack of a better word, into her characters and these two are a shining example.
I can’t wait to see if we’ll read more about the other tenants of Brambleberry House. And maybe we’ll even visit with Melissa and Elia. Or “smell” more roses… I’d like that.
January 11, 2019
When Dr. Sanderson has double knee replacement surgery, his son, Eli, takes leave from his military obligations to act as the fill-in doctor while his father is laid up. Returning to Cannon Beach brings back a lot of memories from long ago, not the least of which is the crush Eli had on a sweet, beautiful cheerleader, Melissa, who now works as his father’s nurse at the clinic. But Eli's time in Cannon Beach is temporary, and he'll return to active duty once his father has recovered. Still, he can’t help be drawn to the woman who somehow manages to settle his wounded soul and bring him peace.
Sweet and wholesome romance readers will love this latest book from Thayne, still with plenty of delicious chemistry between Eli and Melissa and tons of emotion that goes straight to the heart. With a picturesque setting that comes alive, colorful and unique secondary characters and curious, intriguing events that make this an effortless read, this is a delightful, touching, heartfelt book that you won’t want to miss.
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Sweet and wholesome romance readers will love this latest book from Thayne, still with plenty of delicious chemistry between Eli and Melissa and tons of emotion that goes straight to the heart. With a picturesque setting that comes alive, colorful and unique secondary characters and curious, intriguing events that make this an effortless read, this is a delightful, touching, heartfelt book that you won’t want to miss.
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
January 11, 2019
What does a child, dogs and two very nice people have in common. In this case it is a nice sweet story that uses each to keep me reading. I loved the way both of the dogs played a part and it was fun to see everyone in Brambleberry House. The house itself has a personality of its own. This was my first time to visit Brambelerry but not the first time for romances take place, For RaeAnne Thayne this is a return to tell new stories in a treasured place. Great story and interesting lead in to the story of another person living Brambleberry House.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
August 15, 2025
Melissa and Eli story
Melissa and her daughter ,Skye, love living at Brambleberry House and Melissa loves her job working for Dr Sanderson. But now Dr Sanderson will be out for awhile after having both knees replaced and no one knows who the replacement doctor will be. It turns out the new doctor is Dr. Sandersons son, Eli, who has taken military leave to cover for his dad. The attraction between Melissa and Eli is,strong but both have past issues to work thru. Melissa's ex is moving close by with his pregnant wife and Eli has issues from an incident that occurred while serving. Will Eli return to duty or stay and can Melissa open her heart
Melissa and her daughter ,Skye, love living at Brambleberry House and Melissa loves her job working for Dr Sanderson. But now Dr Sanderson will be out for awhile after having both knees replaced and no one knows who the replacement doctor will be. It turns out the new doctor is Dr. Sandersons son, Eli, who has taken military leave to cover for his dad. The attraction between Melissa and Eli is,strong but both have past issues to work thru. Melissa's ex is moving close by with his pregnant wife and Eli has issues from an incident that occurred while serving. Will Eli return to duty or stay and can Melissa open her heart
January 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. Eli has been overseas for the last few years with the Army in some terrible places. He lost some people who were dear to him and it haunts him. When his father has to have a double knee replacement, he goes home to help out. Melissa has been home for a few months and is so happy to be there. One day she runs into Eli. Bang! They are attracted to each, but he will be leaving and she isn't going to do that again. She is home to stay. But, as they spend more time together, it isn't so easy to walk away.
February 10, 2019
This was my first Brambleberry book, now I’ve GOT to read the first three. Love the setting of Cannon Beach, it makes me want to find my own spot on the coast of Oregon.
RaeAnne Thayne writes sweet romances with lots of backstory into her characters which makes you want to know more and more of the stories.
I’d recommend this book for anyone that enjoys s good, sweet romance.
RaeAnne Thayne writes sweet romances with lots of backstory into her characters which makes you want to know more and more of the stories.
I’d recommend this book for anyone that enjoys s good, sweet romance.
January 28, 2019
Truly beautiful story, loved our hero and heroines journey, definitely proves love is the best medicine to heal all.
I won't give spoilers but will say this adorable book I definitely recommend, its very well written.
its one of the first by this author I've read but I do have some other titles in my tbr.
Thank you for writing itx
I won't give spoilers but will say this adorable book I definitely recommend, its very well written.
its one of the first by this author I've read but I do have some other titles in my tbr.
Thank you for writing itx
March 21, 2019
A pleasant story with heartfelt emotions. RaeAnne Thayne as always does not disappoint. This is a story about family, love, healing and happy ever afters. The characters are warm and welcoming and the plot is engaging and fully developed. Eli and Melissa will steal your hearts with their emotional journeys. This story is a must-read!
Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars
Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars
February 16, 2019
A Soldier's Return is the fourth novel in The Women of Brambleberry House series, but it's the first book I've read in this series, and I didn't find myself lost or confused by not having read the previous three novels. While the warmth and quaint charm that have been the hallmarks of the novels I've read by Ms. Thayne thus far were present, this novel, although a pleasant read, didn't quite measure up to the other novels I've read in Ms. Thayne's Haven Point series, and for that reason I can only give it a 3-star rating.
A Soldier's Return is a fairly simple and straightforward story. The heroine is Melissa Fielding, who works as a nurse for a general practitioner, Dr. Wendall Sanderson, in Cannon Beach, her home town, having returned there with her 7-year old daughter, Skye, 7 months earlier. She divorced her husband, and high school sweetheart, Cody, a professional surfer, 3 years earlier, after years spent following him from beach to beach around the world, finding him a less than ideal husband and father, and although they share custody of their daughter, he usually misses not only his visitations with her, but some of his child support payments as well. For Melissa, the return to her home town, the friends she's made at work and at Brambleberry House make her feel like she's finally putting down some roots and is now where she was meant to be.
When Dr. Wendall Sanderson, Melissa's employer, needs a double knee replacement and time to go through rehab and recover, his son, Dr. Eli Sanderson, who has been serving in the military and working with Doctors Without Borders, caring for the sick and injured in the war-torn Middle East, returns home on a one-month leave to care for his father’s patients and keep his practice open. He saw some bad things during his 5 years in the military, and some of those things left deep emotional scars, but gave him the impetus to continue on with his important rescue efforts overseas.
When Melissa happens to meet Eli while jogging along the beach near her home, Eli recognizes her before she recognizes him. When Eli was a high school senior at age 18, and Melissa was 15, she was the pretty cheerleader he had a crush on, and he's just as attracted to her now as he was then, but during his time in Cannon Beach, Melissa will be his employee, making anything more than friendship somewhat problematic. Melissa also can't believe the changes in Eli, who was a tall, lanky, nerd back then, but who is now a handsome, well-built hunk. The attraction is mutual, but Melissa knows that Eli's stay in Cannon Beach is only temporary, or is it?
Unfortunately, I wasn't particularly drawn to either Melissa or Eli, and while both were likable enough, there wasn't a whole lot of depth or drama in their growing relationship, no real angst when Melissa's ex-husband decides to move about an hour away and spend several weekends with his daughter and his new, pregnant wife. In fact, there really wasn't much in the way of drama or angst anywhere in this novel, and, because I usually love the depth with which Ms. Thayne usually imbues her characters, I found these characters and this story to be rather flat and one-note, and very atypical of Ms. Thayne's usually excellent novels. A Solider's Return isn't a bad read, but it isn't a great one either, and I found it disappointing that neither of the main characters were particularly memorable, even with the HEA ending. Ms. Thayne is a far better writer than is evidenced in this novel.
What I very much liked was the lead-in to the next title in this series which appears in the Epilogue. It features a character we met in the 8th novel of the author's Haven Point series, and his appearance at the end of this novel makes me anxious to read more of his story in the next Brambleberry House novel.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
A Soldier's Return is a fairly simple and straightforward story. The heroine is Melissa Fielding, who works as a nurse for a general practitioner, Dr. Wendall Sanderson, in Cannon Beach, her home town, having returned there with her 7-year old daughter, Skye, 7 months earlier. She divorced her husband, and high school sweetheart, Cody, a professional surfer, 3 years earlier, after years spent following him from beach to beach around the world, finding him a less than ideal husband and father, and although they share custody of their daughter, he usually misses not only his visitations with her, but some of his child support payments as well. For Melissa, the return to her home town, the friends she's made at work and at Brambleberry House make her feel like she's finally putting down some roots and is now where she was meant to be.
When Dr. Wendall Sanderson, Melissa's employer, needs a double knee replacement and time to go through rehab and recover, his son, Dr. Eli Sanderson, who has been serving in the military and working with Doctors Without Borders, caring for the sick and injured in the war-torn Middle East, returns home on a one-month leave to care for his father’s patients and keep his practice open. He saw some bad things during his 5 years in the military, and some of those things left deep emotional scars, but gave him the impetus to continue on with his important rescue efforts overseas.
When Melissa happens to meet Eli while jogging along the beach near her home, Eli recognizes her before she recognizes him. When Eli was a high school senior at age 18, and Melissa was 15, she was the pretty cheerleader he had a crush on, and he's just as attracted to her now as he was then, but during his time in Cannon Beach, Melissa will be his employee, making anything more than friendship somewhat problematic. Melissa also can't believe the changes in Eli, who was a tall, lanky, nerd back then, but who is now a handsome, well-built hunk. The attraction is mutual, but Melissa knows that Eli's stay in Cannon Beach is only temporary, or is it?
Unfortunately, I wasn't particularly drawn to either Melissa or Eli, and while both were likable enough, there wasn't a whole lot of depth or drama in their growing relationship, no real angst when Melissa's ex-husband decides to move about an hour away and spend several weekends with his daughter and his new, pregnant wife. In fact, there really wasn't much in the way of drama or angst anywhere in this novel, and, because I usually love the depth with which Ms. Thayne usually imbues her characters, I found these characters and this story to be rather flat and one-note, and very atypical of Ms. Thayne's usually excellent novels. A Solider's Return isn't a bad read, but it isn't a great one either, and I found it disappointing that neither of the main characters were particularly memorable, even with the HEA ending. Ms. Thayne is a far better writer than is evidenced in this novel.
What I very much liked was the lead-in to the next title in this series which appears in the Epilogue. It features a character we met in the 8th novel of the author's Haven Point series, and his appearance at the end of this novel makes me anxious to read more of his story in the next Brambleberry House novel.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 13, 2019
Melissa Fielding is a nurse who has returned to Cannon Beach, Oregon to settle down. During her marriage she moved place to place following her then husband but now she can pick a place to settle down. She is a nurse at a local clinic. Melissa her x grew up in Cannon Beach so it feels very natural for her to return there. She is currently living in Brambleberry House. Brambleberry house is an old Victorian home that has been restored and made into three separate apartments. The house is manage by a woman named Rosa and there is also another tenant named Sonia. Melissa works of Doctor Sanderson as his nurse. Doc Sanderson's son Eli comes to town to work for the doc while he is recovering form knee surgery. Melissa finds herself attracted to Eli . Can she put her attraction aside to do her job? What surprises lay in store for Melissa and her daughter Skye in Cannon beach? Elisa (Eli) Sanderson has returned home to Cannon Beach ,Oregon to help his dad while his dad Wendell recovers from knee surgery. His dad is the local doc and while he is recovering there isn't a local doctor. Eli is in the military and he has ben using his skills as a doctor to help people in war torn counties . He is on a leave in order to come home to help. He has surprise waiting on him; his dad's new nurse just happens to be a woman that he had a crush on back in high school. Eli is also getting over the deaths of some friends . Hopefully taking care of his dads patients will aid in his recovery. Will Eli be able to heal from his loss? How will he handle working with Melissa after all the years? This is the first book in the new chapter of the Brambleberry series. This is a sweet , love story and a quick read. As always RaeAnne does a great job of writing about romance in a small town. I loved this one as well as her other books . If you love her work then you will love this one as well. * Some very mild language otherwise its a clean read.
January 9, 2019
I loved going back to Brambleberry House! Even if you haven't read the other stories that took place there, you will still enjoy this book! There are a couple nuances that you might miss but that wont ruin the story for you. I found the war background of Eli, the new doctor who has come back to fill in for his father who recently had surgery, to be very realistic. The horrors that our men and women of the military see and experience stay with them for a long time and it's hard to deal with. Eli, an army doctor, carries with him that last experience of a bombing that changed him and it's hard to let go of those images. He is suddenly in Oregon, at his father's family practice for a short stint and I'm sure it's hard to "put on a happy face", even though he does a good job of it! Melissa is a nurse at his father's practice but they actually knew each other in high school, just different grades. Melissa is divorced and has a wonderful, bright daughter now named Skye and I fell in love with her! She was just what Eli needed! Skye was actually my favorite character! Skye and the two dogs were so fun! They brought a lot of life to the story. I enjoyed the journey that Eli and Melissa took to arrive at their HEA. Melissa also had a lot of issues to deal with. I think this book is a great book to read at the beginning of the new year! One filled with hope, faith and love!
January 19, 2019
I really enjoyed A Soldier’s Return. It was well written, fast paced, a bit emotional and very hard to put down once I got started.
Melissa used to live in Cannon Beach while she was growing up, but left after high school. After getting a divorce, Melissa and her daughter return to Cannon Beach, where she takes a job as a Nurse for the town Doctor and moves into one of the apartments at Brambleberry House.
Eli Sanderson is a Doctor for the Military. He’s only back home for a few weeks to help out with his fathers practice, while he recovers from knee surgery.
Eli and Melissa new each other when they were in high school. They weren’t anything more than friends, though Eli did have a huge crush on her back then. After running into each other and having to work side by side everyday at Eli’s fathers office, they both start to have feelings for one another. Though with Eli leaving again to go back on active duty, neither one of them are willing to let their attraction go farther than a few kisses. But things become complicated when they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Both are well aware that Eli’s time there is limited, yet they both can’t help falling in love with each other.
I really liked these two and thought they made a very sweet couple.
RaeAnne Thayne gives us another great installment in The Women of Brambleberry House series.
*Book provided by publisher for an honest review*
4.5 Stars
Melissa used to live in Cannon Beach while she was growing up, but left after high school. After getting a divorce, Melissa and her daughter return to Cannon Beach, where she takes a job as a Nurse for the town Doctor and moves into one of the apartments at Brambleberry House.
Eli Sanderson is a Doctor for the Military. He’s only back home for a few weeks to help out with his fathers practice, while he recovers from knee surgery.
Eli and Melissa new each other when they were in high school. They weren’t anything more than friends, though Eli did have a huge crush on her back then. After running into each other and having to work side by side everyday at Eli’s fathers office, they both start to have feelings for one another. Though with Eli leaving again to go back on active duty, neither one of them are willing to let their attraction go farther than a few kisses. But things become complicated when they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Both are well aware that Eli’s time there is limited, yet they both can’t help falling in love with each other.
I really liked these two and thought they made a very sweet couple.
RaeAnne Thayne gives us another great installment in The Women of Brambleberry House series.
*Book provided by publisher for an honest review*
4.5 Stars
June 26, 2019
Melissa Fielding and her daughter Skye have decided to move closer to home. After travelling to various locations with her ex, Cody she wants to put down roots for her daughter.
Being divorced for three years she has to move on with her life. With luck, she was able to rent the first floor of the beautiful Victorian apartment which has three floors. Rosa and her Irish setter named Fiona occupy another floor and Sonia the additional floor.
Skys loves Fiona and taking her for walks or runs with her mom. Melissa is working for Dr Wendell Sanderson's family practice as a nurse. When he needs to go for a double knee transplant his son Eli who Melissa remembers from high school will be back to fill in for him. She knows he is in the military and supposedly only home to help with the practice until his dad recovers. What she does not realize is how the studious geek from High School is now a tall, dark, handsome doctor.
While out for a run she stumbles into him actually by accident but she can feel sparks flying already. She cannot even think about things headed towards a relationship as this is the son of the doctor she works for.
As in life, we cannot always plan our future but things seem to be moving in a direction that neither Melissa or Eli had expected. A very enjoyable read.
Being divorced for three years she has to move on with her life. With luck, she was able to rent the first floor of the beautiful Victorian apartment which has three floors. Rosa and her Irish setter named Fiona occupy another floor and Sonia the additional floor.
Skys loves Fiona and taking her for walks or runs with her mom. Melissa is working for Dr Wendell Sanderson's family practice as a nurse. When he needs to go for a double knee transplant his son Eli who Melissa remembers from high school will be back to fill in for him. She knows he is in the military and supposedly only home to help with the practice until his dad recovers. What she does not realize is how the studious geek from High School is now a tall, dark, handsome doctor.
While out for a run she stumbles into him actually by accident but she can feel sparks flying already. She cannot even think about things headed towards a relationship as this is the son of the doctor she works for.
As in life, we cannot always plan our future but things seem to be moving in a direction that neither Melissa or Eli had expected. A very enjoyable read.
January 17, 2019
A SOLDIER’S RETURN
The Women of Brambleberry House#4
AUTHOR: RAEANNE THAYNE
FIVE STARS
Love, Love, Love RaeAnne Thayne!! Her incredible ability to pull you into a story and leave you always wanting more!! A SOLDIER’S RETURN is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold day and escape into the world she has created at Brambleberry House.
Melissa Fielding and her young daughter moved to Brambleberry House after her divorce to get a new start. She worked hard to get a nursing degree and went to work for Dr. Sanderson, the town doctor.
Eli Sanderson is a handsome military doctor who returns to Cannon Beach to fill in for his father until he recovers from surgery.
The attraction between Melissa and Eli grows stronger the longer they work together, but both are still hurting from their pasts and are scared to take a chance. Eli will be leaving soon and that is another reason they are hesitant to get involved.
But you know the heart doesn’t always see reason. Will Melissa and Eli take the chance they both desperately want to take? Will they get the happily ever after they both want?
Don’t miss this amazing love story as Melissa and Eli try to figure out their beautiful relationship.
RaeAnne continues to amaze me with each new release
The Women of Brambleberry House#4
AUTHOR: RAEANNE THAYNE
FIVE STARS
Love, Love, Love RaeAnne Thayne!! Her incredible ability to pull you into a story and leave you always wanting more!! A SOLDIER’S RETURN is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold day and escape into the world she has created at Brambleberry House.
Melissa Fielding and her young daughter moved to Brambleberry House after her divorce to get a new start. She worked hard to get a nursing degree and went to work for Dr. Sanderson, the town doctor.
Eli Sanderson is a handsome military doctor who returns to Cannon Beach to fill in for his father until he recovers from surgery.
The attraction between Melissa and Eli grows stronger the longer they work together, but both are still hurting from their pasts and are scared to take a chance. Eli will be leaving soon and that is another reason they are hesitant to get involved.
But you know the heart doesn’t always see reason. Will Melissa and Eli take the chance they both desperately want to take? Will they get the happily ever after they both want?
Don’t miss this amazing love story as Melissa and Eli try to figure out their beautiful relationship.
RaeAnne continues to amaze me with each new release
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