Returning To Ravens Ridge

by D.J. Lavely

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 15, 2026

About the author

DJ is a midwestern mom and wife who loves books so much she sat down and wrote one. Born with a wild imagination, that lives on through the words and worlds she’s created. In her spare time she likes to read, roller-skate, and yap, and can be seen telling anyone who’ll listen about her current read. She’s messy and chaotic, but life’s too short to be bored.
She grew up loving shows like One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, and Greek. So, to say she loves drama would be an understatement. She loves a book with juicy drama, heart stopping romance, and edge of your seat yearning. That’s what she aims to do with her books.

Reviews

[SeekzieReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

When I first seen the preview on TikTok, I knew I MUST read this. I have been DYINGGGGGGG TO READ THIS, so firstly THANK YOUUUUUUUUUU!

This is 200% WORTH THE WAIT!

In D.J. Lavely’s debut novel, “Returning to Ravens Ridge”, we have a second chance emotional roller coaster with Gabe & Ashton. This is the start of a new series, and I frankly can’t wait to read the second one either.

From having a starcrossed summer falling in love only to have it ripped away from you at the end, Ashton has gone through the ringer. Nonetheless, so has Gabe. I will admit, I did want to smack Gabe when I got to the point of why they were separated but I understood.

Let me just say - I did NOT see that plot twist coming and I’m usually good at figuring that stuff out.

The emotions that D.J. puts you through, I promise you that you will feel it. I had allll the feels. Ash’s anger, Gabe’s loneliness, both of their anguish, MAN. *whew*

I PROMISE you, Gabe has a redemption so PLEASE don’t write him off as a jacka$$. He had good i intentions and while I don’t want to spoil it, there is some stuff I could say about one of Ash’s decisions. The dynamic of being in love with you brother’s best friend, then having some stuff happen to sour it then having to stay strong but also support said brother in his struggle? Yeesh.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you!

Tropes:
#SecondChance
#MC
#HEA
#BrothersBestFriend

[Bonnie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Returning to Ravens Ridge. It hit all my favorite MC romance vibes and honestly just felt really heartfelt and easy to sink into.

Ashton coming back to her small hometown after years away felt real and emotional, and the second chance romance with her brother’s best friend turned rugged biker. Absolute slow burn goodness. The tension, banter, and those quiet butterflies built so well. The single mum angle added extra depth and real stakes without taking over the romance.

The Ravens Ridge setting was a standout for me too. Small town energy mixed with that gritty MC edge, plus the found family vibe within the club was so good. The author balanced the spice, character growth, and family drama nicely, which kept it feeling emotional as well as steamy.

Perfect if you love second chance romance, brother’s best friend tension, protective alpha energy, and strong heroines with heart. Definitely recommend if you’re chasing an emotional, spicy small-town MC read

[Kelsey Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, boy the things I can say about this book, 1 I have been DYING to read it for awhile now so when I was given the opportunity you best believe I jumped on it and let me tell you WORTH THE WAIT!!!! Ash and Gabe whewwwww, there is the perfect amount of throw back chapters and present day chapters that give you all the knowledge you need to know about what's going on. Also if you love a good freaking plot twist then this one is 100% for you because I sure as hell did NOT see it coming! And before your write Gabe off and declare him a no good scum in the beginning I promise you won't once you finish the book. There are a few trigger scenes for some ,but they are outlined before you even start reading. Thank you again DJ for the opportunity to read this amazing book I absolutely can not WAIT for the rest of the series!

[Valerie Kleinow · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will not be disappointed! This book is the beginning of a great book series. It is fantastic. Immediately first chapter came out swinging with a KO! I can honestly say that I couldn’t guess what was happening. The characters are so well developed. Gabe and Shane are best friends - You can feel the sacred brotherly bond between these men. Then comes along Ash who is Shane’s younger sister - The female characters are so strong and know what they want. This book floats back and forth between past and present so you see these characters develop. It gave a better understanding of the characters by being able to know their backgrounds. This book hit all of the feels - so many emotions packed in here and I loved it all! I love DJ’s writing style and I can’t wait to read every book produced in this series!

[Angel Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did NOT disappoint! I loved everything about it! I was immediately sucked into the world of Raven’s Ridge, and I loved every second! The characters and the story are so well written I was fully immersed and felt like I was apart of it! I loved the banter and the way the characters conversed it felt like real life and not fiction. I absolutely LOVED that Ash was a strong willed, don’t take no shit from nobody kind of woman!! And don’t even get me started on Gabe!!! He was such an amazing guy, I loved how protective just madly in love he was with Ash! Omg I think I’m in love lol AND THE PLOT TWIST LITERALLY HAD ME GASPING AND JUMPING OUT OF MY SEAT!?! This book had me bawling my eyes out in parts, cracking up in others and overall pure happiness! This book was just simply perfection 😚🤌🏻 I cannot wait for more!!

[Anna Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow.

I first saw teasers for this on TikTok and I’ve been impatiently waiting for it to come out.

When i first got the teaser chapters I couldn’t imagine anyone else with Gabe then Lilly. But then i started this book and I can’t imagine anyone else with him besides Ash!

The emotions with both of them were hopeful and heartbreaking.

And the plot twit?!?! Holy crap! I was not expecting that at all but man it really helped push these two together & make them both grow.

The duel timelines were so beautifully planned.

But god Akers that shit hurt. To read the emotions of all of those men in the moment😭😭

I am so hyped for the next book. I want more of Nik’s backstory and u really hope we get a book 3 with Jess & JT (huge JT fan)

So beyond thankful I got to be an ARC reader on this and cannot wait to keep following this author

[Hannah Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

DJ has a way of making you feel like you’re living inside her writing! Although I’ve never fallen in love with a guy in a motorcycle club or had a sibling/best friend battle addiction, it’s very easy to see yourself in Ash and Gabe’s shoes. Wanting to make responsible and selfless decisions, putting your desires aside…. find out why that’s easier said than done for both of them. This is absolutely worth a read, and would make a fantastic move one day! You’ll be ready for book #2 as soon as you finish the last chapter!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was addictive in all the right ways. The plot and characters were well developed. The plot hit the ground running from the first page. It kept me engaged and reading “just one more chapter”. It was so good I read it in one day. Looking forward to book 2 in the series to see what comes next. So glad I found a new favorite author. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys second chances, slow burns, motorcycle clubs, small town feel, brother’s best friend forbidden romance and found family.

[Sarah Zurilgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this completely lived up to the hype!! The banter and the spice!! These characters redemption arcs were incredibly written. I always love me a good side character, JT has made my list for top side characters! Ash and Gabe have this incomparable love that even they have a hard time understanding. This may be a second chance romance but then tension?! Incredible

Once I saw DJ posting about this book on Tik Tok, I knew I had to get on the ARC list, and I am so happy I did. I cannot wait for the rest of her books in this series!

[Jordan Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

6/5 ⭐️

I cannot believe this was a debut for the author because IT WAS SO GOOD OMG. I literally devoured it.

I was about halfway in when I knew the plot twist was coming. But the way he handled it and chose them was my favorite part. I was scared for a minute that they wouldn’t get their HEA, but I’m so glad they did. I don’t usually love flashback scenes, but these were done right. The story all flowed together.

Give me book 2 ASAP! I need to know what happens with Nik and Shane!

[Nichole D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book from DJ had me glued to the pages from start to end. It was well written with a lot of emotion and hot spice throughout the book. I love a good MC book and really enjoyed that this one was more about Ash and Gabe's personal connections (with each other and with her brother - who's also best friends with Gabe) than the club itself, even with the little bit of 'club rivalry' sprinkled in. As soon as a finished, I immediately wanted MORE!

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only reason it took me two days to read this is I had to sleep... I was weak. But alas, picking up where it was left yesterday - I was immediately pulled back into this world. Ash is a FMC you can get behind and Gabe is just a tortured soul, together you get fireworks! Definitely recommend this book to anyone who believes in second chances or just a good book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC READ*

So, you’d expect an MC book to be, unrelatable right?

Well that’s not correct on this one. I felt, while reading this, so many relatable feelings and moments that made me say, “wow!”

The winding story unfolded before me and I devoured it in whatever free moments I could.
What a healing and heartbreaking story!

I can’t wait to see what DJ does in the next one!!

[Claire Osborn-woollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! Who doesn’t love a second chance romance? I enjoy a book that makes you feel every emotion, when the side characters are just as complex as the main characters & of course the touch of spice! Roll on for book 2

[Maddy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I’m so glad I did! It was the perfect introduction to this world and to Ravens Ridge. I loved it so much. I do wish there was a little more detail in some areas, but other than that, this was a fantastic book!

[Cody Ray Hawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 31 pages in and you already have me crying.

The flashbacks are breaking me. “ her laughter is like summer.”😭 WHAT

Listen Gabriel’s inner monologue 10 out of 10.

Chapter 35 PLOT TWIST. WTF. 😳

God the next book might break me….

[Nealey Mellenthin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ARC read this book and am obsessed!!! I need more of Ash and Gabe!!!

[Shannon Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint!!! I devoured this book in less than 5 hours. I could not put it down. The twist and turns fought me off guard but it was so worth it. Do yourself a favor and read it.

[Spldrtn Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with these characters! It's written so well that the pages run out and leave you wanting more!! I am so looking forward to the next Story from Ravens Ridge 💕