What do you think?
Rate this book
The Women of Brambleberry House
A Beach House Beginning
A heartfelt romance novel from New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne
Sometimes, the real crime is not giving in to love.
When ex-con Wes Calhoun moves into Brambleberry House, his neighbor Jenna Haynes gives him a wide berth. Widowed, and the former target of a stalker, the single mom errs on the side of extreme caution when it comes to men—and her heart. So Jenna vows to keep a neighborly distance. Until she needs help—and surly Wes comes to the rescue.
Jenna learns that Wes’s tattooed exterior belies his kindness, dedication to his daughter and his lonely heart. Wrongfully convicted and exonerated, Wes is just trying to piece his life back together. And he stirs feelings Jenna thought long buried. Should she trust an ex-con with her heart, or safely lock it up and throw away the key?
Includes a free bonus story: A Mother's Hope
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Also by RaeAnne Thayne:
The Women of Brambleberry House
Book 1: The Daddy Makeover
Book 2: His Second-Chance Family
Book 3: A Soldier's Secret
Book 4: A Soldier's Return
Book 5: A Brambleberry Summer
Sometimes, the real crime is not giving in to love.
When ex-con Wes Calhoun moves into Brambleberry House, his neighbor Jenna Haynes gives him a wide berth. Widowed, and the former target of a stalker, the single mom errs on the side of extreme caution when it comes to men—and her heart. So Jenna vows to keep a neighborly distance. Until she needs help—and surly Wes comes to the rescue.
Jenna learns that Wes’s tattooed exterior belies his kindness, dedication to his daughter and his lonely heart. Wrongfully convicted and exonerated, Wes is just trying to piece his life back together. And he stirs feelings Jenna thought long buried. Should she trust an ex-con with her heart, or safely lock it up and throw away the key?
Includes a free bonus story: A Mother's Hope
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Also by RaeAnne Thayne:
The Women of Brambleberry House
Book 1: The Daddy Makeover
Book 2: His Second-Chance Family
Book 3: A Soldier's Secret
Book 4: A Soldier's Return
Book 5: A Brambleberry Summer
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 23, 2024
392 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
RaeAnne Thayne
311 books3,837 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 9, 2024
Puzzled .. expected more from this seasoned author.
Liked second short story better .. found Brambleberry one to be quite flat .. really missing any “fizz” in that one.
Liked second short story better .. found Brambleberry one to be quite flat .. really missing any “fizz” in that one.
July 30, 2024
I guess I am the odd person out on this book. I have read many of RaeAnne Thayne's books through the years and enjoyed all of them except for this one. I had trouble finishing it. The book was just boring. I guess I should have read Rosa and Travis' book first. But I will not now as I think a lot of Jenna and Aaron were in the book and I know how that turned out.
I considered Jenna rather wishy washy. Yes, she had been through trauma, but I just did not care that much for her.
I did not have much interest in the bonus story, A Mother's Hope, either. I am at least glad it was short.
Unfortunately the price of her next Kindle book is over twice what this one cost. No way will I pay that price after this book.
I considered Jenna rather wishy washy. Yes, she had been through trauma, but I just did not care that much for her.
I did not have much interest in the bonus story, A Mother's Hope, either. I am at least glad it was short.
Unfortunately the price of her next Kindle book is over twice what this one cost. No way will I pay that price after this book.
January 30, 2025
I really enjoyed both stories in this book.
Ths first book concerns Wes and Jenna. Wes comes to Bramble House to be near his daughter and to rebuild his life. He has spent the last 3 years in Prison for a crime he did not commit. He may look tough on the outside but once you get to know him he is a gentleman and very caring.
Jenna is one of Wes's neighbours and is not looking for love. She has swore off men for good but can these two wounded people be exactly what the other needs?
Great characters and plotline. I really enjoyed the family feel of this book.
The second book was about Christie and her daughter Hope. Hope was badly injured in an accident and is finding her recovery frustrating and slow. It is suggested she try horse therapy. At the centre they meet Jace, who used to be a rodeo star, he and Hope bond and slowly Christie is drawn in as well. Will they stay together or will Jace move on?
I enjoyed this book better, the injury and therapy aspect was well researched. It was written with sensitivity. I liked the way Jace helped out and really made a difference to them all.
Would recomend both books.
Ths first book concerns Wes and Jenna. Wes comes to Bramble House to be near his daughter and to rebuild his life. He has spent the last 3 years in Prison for a crime he did not commit. He may look tough on the outside but once you get to know him he is a gentleman and very caring.
Jenna is one of Wes's neighbours and is not looking for love. She has swore off men for good but can these two wounded people be exactly what the other needs?
Great characters and plotline. I really enjoyed the family feel of this book.
The second book was about Christie and her daughter Hope. Hope was badly injured in an accident and is finding her recovery frustrating and slow. It is suggested she try horse therapy. At the centre they meet Jace, who used to be a rodeo star, he and Hope bond and slowly Christie is drawn in as well. Will they stay together or will Jace move on?
I enjoyed this book better, the injury and therapy aspect was well researched. It was written with sensitivity. I liked the way Jace helped out and really made a difference to them all.
Would recomend both books.
April 20, 2025
This was a sweet romance but wasn’t spicy 🍬.
This story centers around a woman named Jenna Haynes. She lives in a place called Brambleberry House. Her upstairs neighbor is a guy named Wes Calhoun. He has recently been taken out of prison and exonerated of the charges against him. She gives him a wide berth. She is widowed and the former target of a stalker. Jenna is a single mom erring on the side of caution when it comes to men and her heart. She vows to keep a neighborly distance from Wes.
Jenna learns that Wes’s tattooed exterior hides his kindness, dedication to his young daughter and his lonely heart. He was wrongfully convicted and exonerated. Wes is trying to piece together his life . Being around Jenna stirs up feelings that he tried to ignore. He thoughts his feelings towards women were buried . Jenna doesn’t know if she wants to trust Wes or keep her heart locked up and throw away the key. I liked Wes and that being in prison didn’t harden him forever. He didn’t allow what happened to him change him for the worse. He was sweet to Jenna and her young child. Jenna was also good with his child. I liked that he helped Jenna when she needed it. This was a sweet romance.
This story centers around a woman named Jenna Haynes. She lives in a place called Brambleberry House. Her upstairs neighbor is a guy named Wes Calhoun. He has recently been taken out of prison and exonerated of the charges against him. She gives him a wide berth. She is widowed and the former target of a stalker. Jenna is a single mom erring on the side of caution when it comes to men and her heart. She vows to keep a neighborly distance from Wes.
Jenna learns that Wes’s tattooed exterior hides his kindness, dedication to his young daughter and his lonely heart. He was wrongfully convicted and exonerated. Wes is trying to piece together his life . Being around Jenna stirs up feelings that he tried to ignore. He thoughts his feelings towards women were buried . Jenna doesn’t know if she wants to trust Wes or keep her heart locked up and throw away the key. I liked Wes and that being in prison didn’t harden him forever. He didn’t allow what happened to him change him for the worse. He was sweet to Jenna and her young child. Jenna was also good with his child. I liked that he helped Jenna when she needed it. This was a sweet romance.
March 31, 2025
Loved this book!!
July 3, 2025
A happy ending romance set in Oregon. An easy read.
August 23, 2024
BOTH of the stories in this book were equally wonderful!
In a Beach House Beginning Jenna runs into her newest neighbor Wes and instantly judges him. She doesn't mean to, but with a past that includes a death of a spouse, and a stalker that made her scared for her life... she can't be too cautious. As a single mom, she decides to be overly cautious around the neighbor. That is until he comes to her rescue more times than she can count, and she gets to witness the softer side of Wes. Wes has a tattooed somewhat intimidating appearance at first, and is a (wrongfully accused) ex-con. But the more time Jenna gets to know Wes, and their daughters start to bond, the more she sees he is nothing like what she feared. And not only does she not fear him, she starts to feel she needs/wants him around more! The back and forth of them not trusting themselves around each other and trying to push away the feelings on both sides, really makes this story such a page turner. I loved this story, both of them had lost their trust in others, had their hearts broken and were not wanting to fall in love. But it wasn't something they could control!
In A Mother's Hope it is a similar story... Christa has her hands full taking care of her daughter as she recovers from an accident. As part of the recovery she takes her to a ranch for therapy that includes riding the horses. Little did she and Hope know that Jace (the person they watch on TV) would be the one working with Hope. She expected the worst from the single, handsome, famous Jace. And he truthfully was dreading working with the children, that is until he met Hope and she won him over. Jace's experience with brave Hope as she overcomes the injuries from her accident. And the warmth and feelings Christa's presence is causing him is all too confusing. Worst of all, she has warned him many times that a fling between them can not happen. But if he can't have her, he may not want to stay. But can he leave? He is far more attached to Christa and her family than he ever expected to be!
Both stories are Clean reads, they do suggest possible things in the future but it never occurs in the story. It's a "just kisses" romance, and man oh man, the kisses are wonderful and I loved the chemistry in both couples. I would have loved to follow both stories for a little longer, and maybe had an epilogue to see where the relationships go. All in all, another great read from RaeAnne!
In a Beach House Beginning Jenna runs into her newest neighbor Wes and instantly judges him. She doesn't mean to, but with a past that includes a death of a spouse, and a stalker that made her scared for her life... she can't be too cautious. As a single mom, she decides to be overly cautious around the neighbor. That is until he comes to her rescue more times than she can count, and she gets to witness the softer side of Wes. Wes has a tattooed somewhat intimidating appearance at first, and is a (wrongfully accused) ex-con. But the more time Jenna gets to know Wes, and their daughters start to bond, the more she sees he is nothing like what she feared. And not only does she not fear him, she starts to feel she needs/wants him around more! The back and forth of them not trusting themselves around each other and trying to push away the feelings on both sides, really makes this story such a page turner. I loved this story, both of them had lost their trust in others, had their hearts broken and were not wanting to fall in love. But it wasn't something they could control!
In A Mother's Hope it is a similar story... Christa has her hands full taking care of her daughter as she recovers from an accident. As part of the recovery she takes her to a ranch for therapy that includes riding the horses. Little did she and Hope know that Jace (the person they watch on TV) would be the one working with Hope. She expected the worst from the single, handsome, famous Jace. And he truthfully was dreading working with the children, that is until he met Hope and she won him over. Jace's experience with brave Hope as she overcomes the injuries from her accident. And the warmth and feelings Christa's presence is causing him is all too confusing. Worst of all, she has warned him many times that a fling between them can not happen. But if he can't have her, he may not want to stay. But can he leave? He is far more attached to Christa and her family than he ever expected to be!
Both stories are Clean reads, they do suggest possible things in the future but it never occurs in the story. It's a "just kisses" romance, and man oh man, the kisses are wonderful and I loved the chemistry in both couples. I would have loved to follow both stories for a little longer, and maybe had an epilogue to see where the relationships go. All in all, another great read from RaeAnne!
September 29, 2025
I thought the first book was cute. I didn’t realize it was part of a series, but for only reading this one and not the others it was a decent read. I loved Wes and Jenna.
The second story in this book that was a bonus story I couldn’t get into at all. I think the author wanted readers to feel sorry for the main character Eden, but I just couldn’t. She wasn’t likable. She was downright rude. I had a hard time finishing it and halfway through I just ended up skimming the pages to see how it ended. It wasn’t a bad story, but it just wasn’t for me.
The second story in this book that was a bonus story I couldn’t get into at all. I think the author wanted readers to feel sorry for the main character Eden, but I just couldn’t. She wasn’t likable. She was downright rude. I had a hard time finishing it and halfway through I just ended up skimming the pages to see how it ended. It wasn’t a bad story, but it just wasn’t for me.
September 2, 2024
I read the first story which was the only one I wanted to read. Started 2nd story and dnf.. Did not draw me into reading. Beach House was the finish of Women in Brambleberry series. Did not read the other books in series and after reading this last one, I will not be reading them. Too many good books out there to read.
Good simple story that should be labeled novella, not book. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them. This was a swing and a miss.
Good simple story that should be labeled novella, not book. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them. This was a swing and a miss.
September 22, 2024
Jenna was the widow of a wonderful marriage. Although it had been several years, it took all her courage to try again with another relationship. Unfortunately, the man she chose was an abusive stalker. He went to jail and eventually died, but it made her cautious about trying again. When Wes moves into the building where she lives, she hears he is an X-con and is afraid to follow the attraction she feels.
August 12, 2024
I really enjoyed returning to Brambleberry House for another heartwarming story by RaeAnne Thayne. Like previous renters, Wes Calhoun has issues from his past that he is trying to get through. Jenna, another renter, is looking for stability her life with her 8 year old daughter. Each wonders if trusting someone again is worth the effort. Ms. Thayne works her magic with her writing style to help us enjoy what happens to both of them. This was an easy read that made me smile in the end.
September 15, 2024
A Beach House Beginning by RaeAnne Thayne was a very quick beach read. Jenna lost her husband four years ago and Wes was just released from prison after being wrongly accused . Wes is now totally exonerated of all charges. They both live in Brambleberry house and both are single parents.
This is a cute and quick story that can be read in one sitting.
Enjoy!
This is a cute and quick story that can be read in one sitting.
Enjoy!
December 3, 2024
Good story about a woman who had been stalked, and found out that just before the stalker's parole, he died in prison. A man who was in prison, falsely convicted, and released. Both getting used to new circumstances and finding their way to each other. Fifth book in The Women of Brambleberry House.
September 5, 2024
Jenna and her daughter live in bramblberry house. When her stalker dies she feels free to begin healing and begin her life. The upstairs tenant is an ex con- Wes, who is kind and thoughtful and a great dad to his daughter. I wonder if they will fall for each other?
December 21, 2025
Erilisi üllatusi ning särtsakamaid kohti ette ei tule, kuid sellist rahulikku nunnut olemist otsides on see raamat hea pelgupaik.
Pikemalt kirjutan blogis siin: https://midaheliluges.blogspot.com/20...
Pikemalt kirjutan blogis siin: https://midaheliluges.blogspot.com/20...
August 17, 2024
A nice, easy read for those lazy days of vacation
August 23, 2024
Great beach read!
September 15, 2024
Fast paced sweet love story where opposites find love after bonding over their daughters
September 16, 2024
2 books in 1. I really enjoyed the first story. The second story took a long time for me to read/ get into. The ending wasn’t quite what I expected but it was a good story.
September 21, 2024
New Beginnings
A Beach House Beginning by RaeAnne Thayne is two beautiful stories of coming back from serious situations to love again and take a chance on love.
A Beach House Beginning by RaeAnne Thayne is two beautiful stories of coming back from serious situations to love again and take a chance on love.
September 23, 2024
Cute stories. Nice light, beach reads with a bit of romance.
September 25, 2024
Consists of 2 totally unrelated stories. Second story is filled with grammatical errors ~ wrong words, missing words.
September 26, 2024
The plot was good, but the characters seemed to lack depth. I still enjoyed my time. It just wasn't a favorite.
October 13, 2024
2 short stories.
December 29, 2024
I liked this book but it was slow for me. Thought it was an abrupt ending. Of course happy ending but left me wanting more.
January 2, 2025
Predictable, but good story
January 7, 2025
Thayne has become a favorite author to read for enjoyment. Great interesting story line and a feel good book
January 13, 2025
Loved this book. A must read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews