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Ryan's Return
Famous photojournalist Ryan Hunter has come back to a family torn apart by mistrust and resentment — to the father who disowned him, to the brother who betrayed him, to the little boy who shares his features. Ryan, the charismatic “bad boy” son, has returned — stirring up past conflicts like a whirlwind…and throwing Kara Delaney’s fragile, passionate heart into turmoil.
Kara has struggled back from a disastrous marriage to build a new life for herself and her little girl — a peaceful existence now jeopardized by vicious, small town politics, by her daughter’s fanciful ghost stories…and by Ryan’s return. Now nature’s impending fury threatens to expose long-buried secrets. And Kara must join with the enigmatic, misunderstood Ryan — to discover the truth that will save their families…. and to explore a dangerous, irresistible love as mighty and enduring as the onrushing river.
Kara has struggled back from a disastrous marriage to build a new life for herself and her little girl — a peaceful existence now jeopardized by vicious, small town politics, by her daughter’s fanciful ghost stories…and by Ryan’s return. Now nature’s impending fury threatens to expose long-buried secrets. And Kara must join with the enigmatic, misunderstood Ryan — to discover the truth that will save their families…. and to explore a dangerous, irresistible love as mighty and enduring as the onrushing river.
388 pages, ebook
First published October 28, 1996
923 people are currently reading
2212 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Freethy
152 books2,688 followersBarbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
January 24, 2013
Beautiful... Absolutely beautiful.
The topics covered in the story reminds you the true meaning of life and family. Every one makes mistakes and change comes for better or worse.
"Everything changes, but in a lot of ways it stays the same."
".... Do you believe in ghosts?...I believe in love, and I think it lives on forever"
I couldn't put this book down. The characters where brought to life as the pages turned. Ryan, oh Ryan.. What he went through along with his brother, Andrew, his father Jonas. A broken family.. Untold Secrets, and the lied they told themselves. A truly moving story. Ryan is courageous, smart, hot !!, and caring. Kara is stubborn and a good person as well. I liked her character very much. Especially Angel, her daughter, so cute and full of imagination. The story is not only about them but of those surrounding them as well. I'm keeping my lips sealed on this one. I actually read it with out know anything about the story and you should try it too.
4 stars for sure :)
The topics covered in the story reminds you the true meaning of life and family. Every one makes mistakes and change comes for better or worse.
"Everything changes, but in a lot of ways it stays the same."
".... Do you believe in ghosts?...I believe in love, and I think it lives on forever"
I couldn't put this book down. The characters where brought to life as the pages turned. Ryan, oh Ryan.. What he went through along with his brother, Andrew, his father Jonas. A broken family.. Untold Secrets, and the lied they told themselves. A truly moving story. Ryan is courageous, smart, hot !!, and caring. Kara is stubborn and a good person as well. I liked her character very much. Especially Angel, her daughter, so cute and full of imagination. The story is not only about them but of those surrounding them as well. I'm keeping my lips sealed on this one. I actually read it with out know anything about the story and you should try it too.
4 stars for sure :)
October 28, 2018
Predictable but a great beach read
February 3, 2012
I am giving all of Freethy's books four stars because they kept me intrigued enough to keep reading. She is very formulaic...the woman all have red hair, for example, the man always has some silly reason why he is never going to love again (no way, no how) but she is also a good story teller and manages to draw you in despite the fact you know EXACTLY what is going to happen, in a happily ever after kind of way!
September 30, 2015
In a group I'm in we're doing a "challange" to go into your tbr pile and read a book that has been there awhile. Well this was the second book I ever down-loaded when I first got the Kindle App on my phone...January 2, 2012!
This book kind of has a Nora Robertsish feel to it for me, I really enjoyed it. It has romance, family drama, small town politics, and even a little paranormal aspect thrown in.
If you're looking for a sweet, tug-at-your-heartstrings, easy read this is it!
This book kind of has a Nora Robertsish feel to it for me, I really enjoyed it. It has romance, family drama, small town politics, and even a little paranormal aspect thrown in.
If you're looking for a sweet, tug-at-your-heartstrings, easy read this is it!
August 9, 2012
I thought this book was surprisingly well written considering the fact that it was free for kindle. The story was quaint and easy to read. I found the characters conventional but also quite likable. Overall I found the book really enjoyable, it allowed me to escape into the Serenity Springs with the characters. :)
July 8, 2013
NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW. I adored this book! Stellar settings, painted with wide strokes. I love that there is a complicated back story, flawed characters, and a gorgeous secondary love story woven in as a kicker. This book transcends genres and is not a cookie cutter, formulamatic book. I loved it! A very pleasant surprise to stumble across!!!
January 1, 2012
I don't usually read romance novels, but picked this one up free on Amazon for Kindle. Although the story line wasn't very believable, the emotions of love, loss and family were. It was a enjoyable, light and quick weekend read.
May 14, 2012
I read this on my Kindle Fire. It's my first Barbara Freethy book. I did get a sample of The Sweetest Thing to read. I enjoyed Freethy writing. It's the typical romance writing, however with a twist of an angel siting of sorts in Ryan's Return. If you enjoy romance books, you'll enjoy these books.
February 3, 2013
When I started this book I thought, uh oh this is not starting well, but I remembered the good rule, you must read at least 100 pages before you put it down. It didn't take long and I was hooked. Very interesting story with a little mystery. Really easy fun read.
March 12, 2011
Got this book for $2.99 from nookbooks. Entertaining.
February 3, 2012
A kindle free book. Really enjoyed reading it. About a small town with secrets, and everyone trying not to be like their parents before them. But some secrets aren't what they seem,
December 31, 2012
Such a delightful surprise!!! I couldn't stop reading......family isn't defined by genes, DNA, blood....rather by the love you have for another. What a wonderful read!!
March 31, 2021
It was free and the plot was predictable... although it did not stop me from falling in love with the characters.
November 10, 2018
Ryan is a photographer who left home and never looked backed. Kara has organized a centennial celebration for Crystal Springs, CA where Ryan is from and she invites him to the celebration. Ryan is a bit of a nomad and doesn't even have much furniture in his apartment, he is on the road a lot and gone for months at a time.
He agrees to come home much to the chagrin of his father, brother, and a few other important members of the town. A town that holds many secrets for Ryan and his family. It holds the secrets that will be revealed with the help of Mother Nature's fury.
Along the way we met Angel, Kara's 11 year old daughter who has quite a knack for story telling. We meet Kara's Aunt Josephine who has a knack for reading tea leaves and even has a crystal ball. We also meet Billy, Andrew's son, although there is some doubt about his biological father. As the story unfolds we can see love blooming and love realized in Ryan and his brother Andrew.
Ms. Freethy's characters could be real, with real life problems and secrets that have the power to destroy. The Snake River is the background and it takes on a life of it's own in this sometimes harrowing story of a family torn apart by too many secrets.
This was a great story that made me laugh and shed a few tears. Kara and Aunt Josephine are strong and independent with a fiery passion that doesn't go unnoticed. Angel is a terrific character with a sense of whimsy and fantasy about her. I could totally envision her growing up to be an author. Billy is a bit misunderstood by Andrew, but as the story unfolds we see him become a stronger person.
I have never been disappointed at the end of a Barbara Freethy novel and this was was no exceptions. I loved it.
He agrees to come home much to the chagrin of his father, brother, and a few other important members of the town. A town that holds many secrets for Ryan and his family. It holds the secrets that will be revealed with the help of Mother Nature's fury.
Along the way we met Angel, Kara's 11 year old daughter who has quite a knack for story telling. We meet Kara's Aunt Josephine who has a knack for reading tea leaves and even has a crystal ball. We also meet Billy, Andrew's son, although there is some doubt about his biological father. As the story unfolds we can see love blooming and love realized in Ryan and his brother Andrew.
Ms. Freethy's characters could be real, with real life problems and secrets that have the power to destroy. The Snake River is the background and it takes on a life of it's own in this sometimes harrowing story of a family torn apart by too many secrets.
This was a great story that made me laugh and shed a few tears. Kara and Aunt Josephine are strong and independent with a fiery passion that doesn't go unnoticed. Angel is a terrific character with a sense of whimsy and fantasy about her. I could totally envision her growing up to be an author. Billy is a bit misunderstood by Andrew, but as the story unfolds we see him become a stronger person.
I have never been disappointed at the end of a Barbara Freethy novel and this was was no exceptions. I loved it.
October 8, 2017
Ryan Hunter is the bad boy who left Serenity Springs, kicked out by his dad with heated words exchanged. His brother, Andrew, has no loss of love for him leaving. Years later, Kara Delaney, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, invites Ryan, now a world-renowned photographer, to come back as one who did well from the town. She wants to bring a little bit of the modern world to the town she sees fading away. At odds with this decision are Andrew, her boyfriend(?), and Jonas Hunter, Ryan's dad who is dead set against any change in the town and dead set against Ryan.
Many of the townspeople have reason to hate Ryan: he stole from his dad and killed someone. That's enough to have an entire town hate you, perhaps even tar and feather you if you dared show your face again. But it doesn't explain roughly half the town not hating him, people who were there. Or heard it from a friend who - heard it from a friend who - heard it from someone else. But that's both sides.
Can't we all just get along?
No, no we can not just get along.
The story is decent, even if a little predictable in outcome (but getting there is kind of fun and nerve-wracking). The characters are fairly consistent, though for a large portion, they just act stupid. Kind of like real life people. I really wanted to rate this 4 stars, but truth be told, I "liked" it, but not "really liked" it, maybe 3.25 to 3.5, but not more.
Many of the townspeople have reason to hate Ryan: he stole from his dad and killed someone. That's enough to have an entire town hate you, perhaps even tar and feather you if you dared show your face again. But it doesn't explain roughly half the town not hating him, people who were there. Or heard it from a friend who - heard it from a friend who - heard it from someone else. But that's both sides.
Can't we all just get along?
No, no we can not just get along.
The story is decent, even if a little predictable in outcome (but getting there is kind of fun and nerve-wracking). The characters are fairly consistent, though for a large portion, they just act stupid. Kind of like real life people. I really wanted to rate this 4 stars, but truth be told, I "liked" it, but not "really liked" it, maybe 3.25 to 3.5, but not more.
August 29, 2021
This was an intense romance about a small town and families that had a feud between father and brothers. The main monster in the town was the snake River and how many of the characters saw it’s part in history. Ryan Hunter was invited back to his hometown after being gone for twelve years by Kara Delaney to help bring progress to Serenity Springs because Ryan was a famous photographer. She had hoped that his pictures of the Centennial Celebration would stir interest in bring tourist to their small town. Unfortunately she did not know why Ryan had left and the hate in his family of him but could love bring them all together? This was a great story
September 5, 2017
Ryan's Return is a story of a family torn apart, a family of redemption and finally forgiveness. Most of all it is a story about what is truly important in life and the struggles we all go through to realize what means the most to us.
Barbara Freethy weaves a story of discovery as each of her characters realize what motivates them, the risks they're willing to take, and how they finally open up to all the possibilities for their life. Through the tragedy of a river gone wild, her characters are brought together and priorities are determined. A truly moving story.
Barbara Freethy weaves a story of discovery as each of her characters realize what motivates them, the risks they're willing to take, and how they finally open up to all the possibilities for their life. Through the tragedy of a river gone wild, her characters are brought together and priorities are determined. A truly moving story.
May 16, 2024
wow! so many secrets
Families destroying each other, pain of secrets. Dotting aunts and quirky kids and a few wriggling puppies. A very good book, not just a romance but family history, family secrets, forgiveness, small town politics, and the river.
All the strands weaving in and out. The emotions felt real.
Relationships of many kinds. I am sorry to finish the book as I will miss the town and the characters!
Families destroying each other, pain of secrets. Dotting aunts and quirky kids and a few wriggling puppies. A very good book, not just a romance but family history, family secrets, forgiveness, small town politics, and the river.
All the strands weaving in and out. The emotions felt real.
Relationships of many kinds. I am sorry to finish the book as I will miss the town and the characters!
May 18, 2020
Famous photojournalist Ryan Hunter has come back to a family torn apart by mistrust - to the father who disowned him, a brother who betrayed him, to the little boy who resembles him - stirring up past conflicts. It’s a romantic novel especially when meets up again with past love Kara Delaney. Sloppy not my sort of book.
February 21, 2021
Enjoyable
A story of leaving home, family dynamics and secrets, pride, forgiveness, and finding home. Ryan returns to his small hometown with no intention of staying for long. He is confronted by memories from his youth, conflict with his father and brother, and an attraction to Kara. A little mystery and suspense, a troubled ghost, and a HEA.
A story of leaving home, family dynamics and secrets, pride, forgiveness, and finding home. Ryan returns to his small hometown with no intention of staying for long. He is confronted by memories from his youth, conflict with his father and brother, and an attraction to Kara. A little mystery and suspense, a troubled ghost, and a HEA.
June 8, 2021
Good read, I liked Ryan and Kara. Good secondary characters in a wonderful small town community. There is lots to love about this story, especially the kids involved. There is a ton of emotional baggage though. Sometimes it was too much and it dragged me down. This one is an emotional roller coaster.
July 24, 2021
Great read for anytime.
This is a great read for lazy summer day or on a winter day in front of the fireplace. It will keep you on the edge for the entire book. It shows the many sides of love and human conflict. It will make you laugh and it will certainly bring you to tears all at the same time.
This is a great read for lazy summer day or on a winter day in front of the fireplace. It will keep you on the edge for the entire book. It shows the many sides of love and human conflict. It will make you laugh and it will certainly bring you to tears all at the same time.
May 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this!
The story was written very well. This was one of those books that I could not put down. It has a good storyline, and is really easy to follow and get lost in.
The story was written very well. This was one of those books that I could not put down. It has a good storyline, and is really easy to follow and get lost in.
March 2, 2021
Great story!
This was a three hankie story, although it is worth every tear. Love lost and found, familial discord, a ghost and the return of the prodigal son are all in this book. This is a well written story and the characters were memorable.
This was a three hankie story, although it is worth every tear. Love lost and found, familial discord, a ghost and the return of the prodigal son are all in this book. This is a well written story and the characters were memorable.
April 17, 2021
An unusual story.
This was different then what I expected but I enjoyed it. There is a lot of emotions in this story and they bounce all over the place. But the ending is worth the read.
This was different then what I expected but I enjoyed it. There is a lot of emotions in this story and they bounce all over the place. But the ending is worth the read.
June 5, 2021
Give stars!
Kara and Ryan both come with a lot of baggage. Kara with a cheating ex and Ryan with a mother who left. Kate's daughter is a story teller so no one believes that she had seen Ryan's mother in a form of a ghost.
Kara and Ryan both come with a lot of baggage. Kara with a cheating ex and Ryan with a mother who left. Kate's daughter is a story teller so no one believes that she had seen Ryan's mother in a form of a ghost.
September 12, 2022
Typical romantic novel set in small town Serenity Springs. While the river rages to flood levels the central characters are forced to discover and reconcile with their past allowing them to move forward to a much happier future. An enjoyable storyline with a happy ever after ending.
May 7, 2017
great read. what books should be about. love this author
July 17, 2017
Enjoyable book.
August 23, 2017
River takes it all 5 gold stars
WOW. Just wow. Full review to come soon.
WOW. Just wow. Full review to come soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews