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Whispers of Blue Ridge
Whispers of Blue Ridge is an emotionally layered novel set in the North Georgia mountains that will pull you into a different kind of Southern heart—vineyards, rodeo nights, and an isolated cabin that won’t stay quiet.
When revelations tied to a tragic accident three years earlier begin to surface, Savannah Gray must confront her family's future at their historic vineyard—and the return of a charismatic rodeo champion, Jake Rollins, whose past is more connected to hers than either of them is prepared to face.
As rodeo season unfolds, loyalties shift, tensions rise, and silence becomes impossible to maintain—but some truths don’t stay buried. With richly drawn characters and a heartfelt journey toward healing, Whispers of Blue Ridge offers a story of truth, legacy, and forgiveness.
Perfect for readers who love small-town Southern drama, atmospheric settings, and character-driven stories of women’s fiction. Come lose yourself in the North Georgia mountains with secrets that ripple through generations, and a slow-burn romance that keeps you turning pages.
When revelations tied to a tragic accident three years earlier begin to surface, Savannah Gray must confront her family's future at their historic vineyard—and the return of a charismatic rodeo champion, Jake Rollins, whose past is more connected to hers than either of them is prepared to face.
As rodeo season unfolds, loyalties shift, tensions rise, and silence becomes impossible to maintain—but some truths don’t stay buried. With richly drawn characters and a heartfelt journey toward healing, Whispers of Blue Ridge offers a story of truth, legacy, and forgiveness.
Perfect for readers who love small-town Southern drama, atmospheric settings, and character-driven stories of women’s fiction. Come lose yourself in the North Georgia mountains with secrets that ripple through generations, and a slow-burn romance that keeps you turning pages.
290 pages, ebook
Published May 20, 2026
About the author
Nina Purtee
7 books27 followersNina Purtee is a worldwide traveler, philosopher, and award-winning, adventure/romance, women’s fiction novelist.
Nina draws from her travels to embrace multicultural characters seemingly from different worlds, and allow them to compromise, co-exist, accept each other’s traditions, and even find love.
Throughout her historical Annie’s Journey Series, Nina “shares her gift and craft of writing for young women with a strong element of inspiration or timeless message.”
“Purtee’s sheer brilliance of her pen adroitly explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and courage.”
A “natural storyteller,” Nina loves to dig into the heart of her stories with touching insights added along the way.
Her love of the sea and sailing brought Nina to the coast of Florida where she calls home when she is not traveling the globe seeking new experiences to write about.
Learn more about Nina at www.ninapurtee.com
Nina draws from her travels to embrace multicultural characters seemingly from different worlds, and allow them to compromise, co-exist, accept each other’s traditions, and even find love.
Throughout her historical Annie’s Journey Series, Nina “shares her gift and craft of writing for young women with a strong element of inspiration or timeless message.”
“Purtee’s sheer brilliance of her pen adroitly explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and courage.”
A “natural storyteller,” Nina loves to dig into the heart of her stories with touching insights added along the way.
Her love of the sea and sailing brought Nina to the coast of Florida where she calls home when she is not traveling the globe seeking new experiences to write about.
Learn more about Nina at www.ninapurtee.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 16, 2026
I really enioved this book. Being in Georgia myself, the entire atmosphere felt reallv authentic. Everv character felt like someone in my town. The romance and mystery are both prevalent to this story and there is much more to the story than I originally thought. It explores themes of grief, family inheritance and
responsibilities, and also some very witty banter. Check this one out soon!
responsibilities, and also some very witty banter. Check this one out soon!
April 21, 2026
Review of advance copy received from author.
This book is about a small mountain town, wineries, and rodeos. It has a bit of mystery, devastating heartbreak, a touch of romance, as well as betrayal, the cost of secrets and the lives it destroys. I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a while. Jake makes an excellent cowboy and has a connection to the town and several of the residents. He is interested in Savannah from the beginning, but he had to win her over. Their banter and playfulness was cute. I would love to see a spinoff about their time in Italy with Lizzie. My heart aches for Duke. I suspect he gets a second chance at love. He’s too good of a man not to have a woman in his life. I cannot wait to see how the rest of this series unfolds.
This book is about a small mountain town, wineries, and rodeos. It has a bit of mystery, devastating heartbreak, a touch of romance, as well as betrayal, the cost of secrets and the lives it destroys. I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a while. Jake makes an excellent cowboy and has a connection to the town and several of the residents. He is interested in Savannah from the beginning, but he had to win her over. Their banter and playfulness was cute. I would love to see a spinoff about their time in Italy with Lizzie. My heart aches for Duke. I suspect he gets a second chance at love. He’s too good of a man not to have a woman in his life. I cannot wait to see how the rest of this series unfolds.
April 23, 2026
This book was a really refreshing small town romance! I really loved it and can’t wait to read more from this author! She really made you fall in love with the characters and the town.
April 15, 2026
This is a honest ARC review. I am always a sucker for a book that takes place in the area I’m from or places that I’ve visited so that’s what pulled my interest first. This book had everything from romance, grieving, rivalries, secrets, and mysteries. I loved how the story was written from every characters’ point of view. I really felt like I knew these people in real life. I’m excited for this series because I’m going to watch how each character grows and develops and where the relationships between characters go. Thank you to the author, Nina Purtee, for the ARC and the chance to read and review the first book of your series. You did an amazing job!
Review of advance copy
The book, Whispers of Blue Ridge, by Nina Purtee was written to explore the complex intersection of love and the cost of examining the past. The author wanted to explain throught the story how grief had the ability to paralyze a person from acting pro actively in the present. This was symbolized in the lives of her two main characters, Savannah and Jake. She demonstrated how individuals were able to come to peace with the lives one had inherited. What Ms. Purtee seemed to mean was how one's life had predetermined paths, duties, and emotional burdens. The author believed an individual struggled in their attempts to make peace with the circumstances in one's life. This was done while they decided whether to continue on this fate filled path or forge for themselves a new path based on tenderness or fear.
The conflict in the story was Savannah's struggle within herself. Savannah in her attempt to save the family's vineyard buried family secrets may arose therefore destroying her family in another manner. The author did not reveal specifically what the secrets were but it involved a tragic accident which occurred years before at the vineyard. This was the central mystery of the story. The details were gradually unravelled as the story progressed. The mystery of the accident served as a catalyst for the story's plot.
The author had chosen to employ a dual layered narrative as a style of writing. A dual layered narrative referred to how she weaved two distinct genres together to progress her plot. Ms. Purtee balanced the two distinct storytelling tracks which deliberately pulled the reader into opposite directions. The first layer was contemporary romance. This was the genre that was visible to the reader. This was evidenced in the relationship between Savannah and Jake. This was done to allow the reader to have familar and comforting concepts to feel at ease. For example, Jake was a returning war hero. The layer focused on the future and the possibility of new love.
The second layer was inferred. The second layer was the family mystery and drama. It also focused on the past. So the reader had one layer focusing on the present and this layer focused on the past. In the story, there were specific family secrets hidden by Savannah's grandfather. The secrets pertained to the accident that occurred years previously. This layer created the tension in the story. This included the more somber and atmospheric elements of the story. Eventually, the author was able to tie the two layers together at the conclusion of the story. By utilizing this approach, she created a story where the resolution of the romance between Savannah and Jake resulted in the mystery finally being solved.
The setting of the story acted as a catalyst for the plot. It acted like a catalyst because it created physical and emotional isolation. This is how the setting progressed the plot:
1. The Vineyard as an anchor
2. Atmosphere
3. The Small town pressure cooker
4. Natural Symbolism
The author wove several social and interpersonal issues into the story. This aided to create contemporary social drama instead of a run of the mill romance novel. The social issues included:
1. The Burdens of an Inherited Legacy
2. The Culture of Silence
3. Grief and Social Stagnation
4. The Ethics of Truth vs. Forgiveness
5. Rural Survival and Heritage
This is a book one should not miss reading. Due to her two layer structuring of the story, the story metamorphosisizes into a gripping family mystery. If you enjoy stories where layers of secrets are being torn away as the story progresses, this is the one for you. See if you solve the mystery of the isolated cabin. Do not let the story's misdirection take you off the desired path. Enjoy your read.
The conflict in the story was Savannah's struggle within herself. Savannah in her attempt to save the family's vineyard buried family secrets may arose therefore destroying her family in another manner. The author did not reveal specifically what the secrets were but it involved a tragic accident which occurred years before at the vineyard. This was the central mystery of the story. The details were gradually unravelled as the story progressed. The mystery of the accident served as a catalyst for the story's plot.
The author had chosen to employ a dual layered narrative as a style of writing. A dual layered narrative referred to how she weaved two distinct genres together to progress her plot. Ms. Purtee balanced the two distinct storytelling tracks which deliberately pulled the reader into opposite directions. The first layer was contemporary romance. This was the genre that was visible to the reader. This was evidenced in the relationship between Savannah and Jake. This was done to allow the reader to have familar and comforting concepts to feel at ease. For example, Jake was a returning war hero. The layer focused on the future and the possibility of new love.
The second layer was inferred. The second layer was the family mystery and drama. It also focused on the past. So the reader had one layer focusing on the present and this layer focused on the past. In the story, there were specific family secrets hidden by Savannah's grandfather. The secrets pertained to the accident that occurred years previously. This layer created the tension in the story. This included the more somber and atmospheric elements of the story. Eventually, the author was able to tie the two layers together at the conclusion of the story. By utilizing this approach, she created a story where the resolution of the romance between Savannah and Jake resulted in the mystery finally being solved.
The setting of the story acted as a catalyst for the plot. It acted like a catalyst because it created physical and emotional isolation. This is how the setting progressed the plot:
1. The Vineyard as an anchor
2. Atmosphere
3. The Small town pressure cooker
4. Natural Symbolism
The author wove several social and interpersonal issues into the story. This aided to create contemporary social drama instead of a run of the mill romance novel. The social issues included:
1. The Burdens of an Inherited Legacy
2. The Culture of Silence
3. Grief and Social Stagnation
4. The Ethics of Truth vs. Forgiveness
5. Rural Survival and Heritage
This is a book one should not miss reading. Due to her two layer structuring of the story, the story metamorphosisizes into a gripping family mystery. If you enjoy stories where layers of secrets are being torn away as the story progresses, this is the one for you. See if you solve the mystery of the isolated cabin. Do not let the story's misdirection take you off the desired path. Enjoy your read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whispers of Blue Ridge is a contemporary small-town romance with a strong family-drama thread, and at its core it follows Savannah Gray, a young woman tied to her family’s North Georgia winery, and Jake Rollins, a rodeo rider who arrives in Blue Ridge carrying guilt, charm, and unfinished business. Their connection starts with friction, slides into attraction, and then opens into something heavier as the book folds in grief, old wounds, buried truths, and the question of whether home is a place, a duty, or a person. It's very much a story about love, but also about healing and what it costs to finally face the past.
What stayed with me most was the setting and the mood. Author Nina Purtee clearly loves this world of vineyards, mountain roads, fairs, rodeos, and small-town rituals, and that affection comes through on the page. I could feel the dust, the chill in the morning air, the hush around the vines, the buzz of the fairgrounds. The writing is earnest and direct, and when it works best, it gives the book a warm, openhearted pull. I also liked that the romance is built on glances, banter, and emotional hesitation before it leans into bigger feelings. Now and then, the dialogue or inner thoughts spell things out more than I needed. Still, I found the sincerity hard to resist. The book wears its heart right out in the open, and I mean that as a compliment.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around burden and responsibility. Savannah is not just waiting around to be swept off her feet. She is rooted, tired, loyal, and quietly restless, which made her feel more grounded to me than a lot of romance leads. Jake, on the other hand, arrives with the shape of a familiar romantic hero, but the book gives him pain and conscience, not just swagger. I liked that the story keeps circling the idea that people can get trapped by grief just as easily as they can be held by love. The Italy thread, the family secrets, and the accident in Jake’s past all push the novel beyond a simple cowboy-meets-winery-girl setup. Not every turn surprised me, and some scenes felt more melodramatic than natural, but I never felt the book was cynical or lazy. It wants to believe that people can choose tenderness over fear.
I think this is the kind of romance that will work best for readers who want emotional comfort, scenic atmosphere, and a story that takes both longing and family history seriously. I would recommend Whispers of Blue Ridge most to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and small-town stories where healing matters as much as chemistry. If you want a heartfelt, conversational, big-emotion read with wine country, rodeo energy, and characters trying to make peace with the lives they’ve inherited, this one has a genuine pull.
What stayed with me most was the setting and the mood. Author Nina Purtee clearly loves this world of vineyards, mountain roads, fairs, rodeos, and small-town rituals, and that affection comes through on the page. I could feel the dust, the chill in the morning air, the hush around the vines, the buzz of the fairgrounds. The writing is earnest and direct, and when it works best, it gives the book a warm, openhearted pull. I also liked that the romance is built on glances, banter, and emotional hesitation before it leans into bigger feelings. Now and then, the dialogue or inner thoughts spell things out more than I needed. Still, I found the sincerity hard to resist. The book wears its heart right out in the open, and I mean that as a compliment.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around burden and responsibility. Savannah is not just waiting around to be swept off her feet. She is rooted, tired, loyal, and quietly restless, which made her feel more grounded to me than a lot of romance leads. Jake, on the other hand, arrives with the shape of a familiar romantic hero, but the book gives him pain and conscience, not just swagger. I liked that the story keeps circling the idea that people can get trapped by grief just as easily as they can be held by love. The Italy thread, the family secrets, and the accident in Jake’s past all push the novel beyond a simple cowboy-meets-winery-girl setup. Not every turn surprised me, and some scenes felt more melodramatic than natural, but I never felt the book was cynical or lazy. It wants to believe that people can choose tenderness over fear.
I think this is the kind of romance that will work best for readers who want emotional comfort, scenic atmosphere, and a story that takes both longing and family history seriously. I would recommend Whispers of Blue Ridge most to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and small-town stories where healing matters as much as chemistry. If you want a heartfelt, conversational, big-emotion read with wine country, rodeo energy, and characters trying to make peace with the lives they’ve inherited, this one has a genuine pull.
May 31, 2026
Nestled in Blue Ridge, Georgia, is the Greystone Winery, Savannah’s family’s legacy. After losing her parents in a tragic accident, Savannah feels indebted to her grandfather, Duke, to keep the family business running. Still, she is prone to moments of wanderlust, which is intensified when charming rodeo cowboy, Jake Rollins, arrives in town. Something about him causes her heart to yearn for adventure, but is he hiding a dark secret that could unlock a mystery from her past?
It’s no secret that handsome Jake Rollins is in Blue Ridge for the rodeo. Still, privately, there is more to his return—unfinished business regarding a terrible accident that he’d witnessed three years earlier. The haunting memory of trying to pull the victim from a burning car is foggy. Were there any survivors? Then, things become more complicated when he begins to fall for Savannah Gray.
When Jake unearths the shocking connection between the accident that night and the Gray family, he knows Savannah needs to be told the truth, and he’ll do anything to protect her.
Whispers of Blue Ridge by Nina Purtee is an intriguing novel about burgeoning love, secrets, and a decades-long feud between two competing families. Set in small-town Blue Ridge in idyllic Georgia, where majestic mountains and lush landscape meet, readers are quickly whisked away to the charming Graystone Winery. While Purtee lures you with vivid descriptions, readers are also drawn into the shared plight of Savannah Gray and Jake Rollins as their pasts and futures become entwined. Once a startling revelation has been made, there is no going back. Can love still prevail amidst grief and uncertainty?
Everything about this engaging story screams indulgent drama—the ongoing dispute between two prominent winemaking families, Savannah and Jake’s palpable chemistry, and the secret that’s threatening to be exposed at any moment. There are so many moving parts in the novel, but they all interweave flawlessly, creating a memorable reading experience. Purtee has done an excellent job of building tension while steadily revealing clues to the reader and, of course, regaling us with a wholesome romance and picture-perfect locale. Whispers of Blue Ridge could easily be adapted for the big screen.
Readers looking for a breezy country romance interspersed with mystery and family drama will want to read Purtee’s newest novel. The cast of characters is effervescent and well-developed, and the themes of loss and forgiveness will resonate with a wide audience. A book that will truly capture your attention until the very end.
It’s no secret that handsome Jake Rollins is in Blue Ridge for the rodeo. Still, privately, there is more to his return—unfinished business regarding a terrible accident that he’d witnessed three years earlier. The haunting memory of trying to pull the victim from a burning car is foggy. Were there any survivors? Then, things become more complicated when he begins to fall for Savannah Gray.
When Jake unearths the shocking connection between the accident that night and the Gray family, he knows Savannah needs to be told the truth, and he’ll do anything to protect her.
Whispers of Blue Ridge by Nina Purtee is an intriguing novel about burgeoning love, secrets, and a decades-long feud between two competing families. Set in small-town Blue Ridge in idyllic Georgia, where majestic mountains and lush landscape meet, readers are quickly whisked away to the charming Graystone Winery. While Purtee lures you with vivid descriptions, readers are also drawn into the shared plight of Savannah Gray and Jake Rollins as their pasts and futures become entwined. Once a startling revelation has been made, there is no going back. Can love still prevail amidst grief and uncertainty?
Everything about this engaging story screams indulgent drama—the ongoing dispute between two prominent winemaking families, Savannah and Jake’s palpable chemistry, and the secret that’s threatening to be exposed at any moment. There are so many moving parts in the novel, but they all interweave flawlessly, creating a memorable reading experience. Purtee has done an excellent job of building tension while steadily revealing clues to the reader and, of course, regaling us with a wholesome romance and picture-perfect locale. Whispers of Blue Ridge could easily be adapted for the big screen.
Readers looking for a breezy country romance interspersed with mystery and family drama will want to read Purtee’s newest novel. The cast of characters is effervescent and well-developed, and the themes of loss and forgiveness will resonate with a wide audience. A book that will truly capture your attention until the very end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nina Purtee has done it again! She has written a book that pulls me in with the layers of emotions and with the characters that touch my heart. This book has everything I want in a small-town romance, a beautiful setting, characters I like, and multiple layers to the characters and the story. The mountains of North Georgia complete with a family winery, Graystone Winery, and an annual rodeo provide the backdrop for the story. It is a story of family, community, history, love, loss, a feud, and secrets. Years after a tragedy that impacted Jake and Savannah, secrets from it are revealed that could change everything, including their very new connection. As they navigate the turmoil they must decide what they want in life and if there is enough trust to let love in. On top of that the winery has a new opportunity but in order for it to happen the legacy of feuding and the secrets from the tragedy must be left in the past.
I adored this story! I was very invested in Savannah and Jake as they each struggle with the tragedy and secrets of the past and try to figure out what they want out of life and find the courage to let someone get close. The writing brings the setting to life. I have a very clear picture in my head of Blue Ridge, the winery, and the rodeo. I want to live there and be a part of the winery and the community.
I highly recommend this to readers that enjoy romances full of family and community.
Thanks to the author for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I adored this story! I was very invested in Savannah and Jake as they each struggle with the tragedy and secrets of the past and try to figure out what they want out of life and find the courage to let someone get close. The writing brings the setting to life. I have a very clear picture in my head of Blue Ridge, the winery, and the rodeo. I want to live there and be a part of the winery and the community.
I highly recommend this to readers that enjoy romances full of family and community.
Thanks to the author for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This had a cosy and romantic atmosphere with the Southern charm and historic vineyard, simmering chemistry between Rodeo champion Jake and Savannah, and mystery and tension over a generational rivalry and a tragic past accident steeped in secrecy.
I enjoyed the forced proximity of Jake and Savannah working together, and her initial hesitation at letting the new cowboy in town get close.
It had sweet kisses under the stars, intimate dinners, and a genuine emotional bond developing.
The story navigates lots of choices, Savannah is torn by family loyalty and an Italian opportunity, Jake is trying to uncover secrets from the past connected to a car accident, and pride, regret and loyalty all intermingle with a long buried secret impacting them all.
I really enjoyed the mystery of this, seeing the secrets uncovered, the conspiracy feel, the family's reactions, and the build up to the tragic reveals and heartaches.
It balances really well the slow burn cowboy romance between Savannah and Jake while they navigate their new feelings in the midst of all the family drama.
It also has tension and rivalry as the 2 families compete for an investor opportunity, and reflect on the historic feud.
I loved the themes of forgiveness, legacy, family, truth, and how events can have lasting impacts and consequences.
I enjoyed the forced proximity of Jake and Savannah working together, and her initial hesitation at letting the new cowboy in town get close.
It had sweet kisses under the stars, intimate dinners, and a genuine emotional bond developing.
The story navigates lots of choices, Savannah is torn by family loyalty and an Italian opportunity, Jake is trying to uncover secrets from the past connected to a car accident, and pride, regret and loyalty all intermingle with a long buried secret impacting them all.
I really enjoyed the mystery of this, seeing the secrets uncovered, the conspiracy feel, the family's reactions, and the build up to the tragic reveals and heartaches.
It balances really well the slow burn cowboy romance between Savannah and Jake while they navigate their new feelings in the midst of all the family drama.
It also has tension and rivalry as the 2 families compete for an investor opportunity, and reflect on the historic feud.
I loved the themes of forgiveness, legacy, family, truth, and how events can have lasting impacts and consequences.
Review of advance copy
Far-reaching secrets affecting the future
Savannah, helping Grandpa Duke manage their family vineyard after the tragic death of her parents, has been forced to put aside her secret ambition of travelling to Italy to increase her knowledge of oenology. The Gray family is also heavily involved in the upcoming town festival and rodeo, hosting the Graystone Wines booth and sponsoring a champion rodeo cowboy, Jake.
Jake is also in town for another reason, a memory he has buried for three years, but which has been revived with a lawyer’s letter.
Ms Purtee writes a gripping novel, with an excellent plot that increases in complexity as the story progresses. An unhappy wife, mysterious circumstances surrounding a tragic accident, a decades-old family feud, attempted manipulation of truth, and a lost letter are all links to a secret that must be exposed, while a gently evolving love story is woven throughout, making this a captivating book to read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Savannah, helping Grandpa Duke manage their family vineyard after the tragic death of her parents, has been forced to put aside her secret ambition of travelling to Italy to increase her knowledge of oenology. The Gray family is also heavily involved in the upcoming town festival and rodeo, hosting the Graystone Wines booth and sponsoring a champion rodeo cowboy, Jake.
Jake is also in town for another reason, a memory he has buried for three years, but which has been revived with a lawyer’s letter.
Ms Purtee writes a gripping novel, with an excellent plot that increases in complexity as the story progresses. An unhappy wife, mysterious circumstances surrounding a tragic accident, a decades-old family feud, attempted manipulation of truth, and a lost letter are all links to a secret that must be exposed, while a gently evolving love story is woven throughout, making this a captivating book to read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Romance isn't my typical genre, but Whispers of Blue Ridge pleasantly surprised me in several ways. Once I started reading, I found myself gradually drawn into the emotionally layered characters who went far beyond the usual boy-meets-girl, happily-ever-after storyline.
The story is set in Blue Ridge, Georgia, at the Gray winery, owned by Duke and run by his granddaughter, Savannah -a beautiful but no-nonsense young woman deeply devoted to her family and the estate. As the town prepares for the annual rodeo and the arrival of the star bull rider, Jake, excitement builds. While most of the women are swooning over the handsome newcomer, Savannah remains unaffected-at least at first.
From the moment Jake and Savannah meet, the tension is undeniable. Jake brings not only fame but also unresolved issues from his past that gradually intertwine with Savannah's world. This underlying mystery is what kept me reading late into the night. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the author introduced new twists that kept the story engaging, especially the events at the cabin, which were both chilling and unexpectedly complex.
The chemistry between Jake and Savannah is evident early on, but the emotional depth develops slowly and meaningfully, which I appreciated. Each character is given a backstory, and I especially enjoyed how the story unfolds through multiple points of view.
If you enjoy women's fiction with elements of romance, mystery, small-town charm, and strong family bonds, this is definitely a must-read. Thank you to Nina Purtee for the ARC copy and the opportunity to share my thoughts.
The story is set in Blue Ridge, Georgia, at the Gray winery, owned by Duke and run by his granddaughter, Savannah -a beautiful but no-nonsense young woman deeply devoted to her family and the estate. As the town prepares for the annual rodeo and the arrival of the star bull rider, Jake, excitement builds. While most of the women are swooning over the handsome newcomer, Savannah remains unaffected-at least at first.
From the moment Jake and Savannah meet, the tension is undeniable. Jake brings not only fame but also unresolved issues from his past that gradually intertwine with Savannah's world. This underlying mystery is what kept me reading late into the night. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the author introduced new twists that kept the story engaging, especially the events at the cabin, which were both chilling and unexpectedly complex.
The chemistry between Jake and Savannah is evident early on, but the emotional depth develops slowly and meaningfully, which I appreciated. Each character is given a backstory, and I especially enjoyed how the story unfolds through multiple points of view.
If you enjoy women's fiction with elements of romance, mystery, small-town charm, and strong family bonds, this is definitely a must-read. Thank you to Nina Purtee for the ARC copy and the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
This book checks off all of my boxes of a cozy read – small town romances, cowboys, rodeos, plot twists, and side characters with backstory. I was instantly drawn from Savannah and Jake’s photo session for the rodeo banners. The chemistry and tension, mixed with natural flirting, hooked me and had me hanging on.
Savannah Gray’s life changes when her family vineyard agrees to sponsor rodeo heartthrob Jake Rollins in the Blue Ridge Rodeo. Jake is determined to piece together an accident from three years prior. As Savannah and Jake grow closer, we learn that their fates are tied together with more than just romance.
For fans of Debbie Macomber with plot twists and internationally entwined characters. If you like vineyard scenery, small mountain towns, and standing feuds, this book is for you!
Dual POV, Small town romance, No Spice, Forced Proximity, Plot Twists
This book checks off all of my boxes of a cozy read – small town romances, cowboys, rodeos, plot twists, and side characters with backstory. I was instantly drawn from Savannah and Jake’s photo session for the rodeo banners. The chemistry and tension, mixed with natural flirting, hooked me and had me hanging on.
Savannah Gray’s life changes when her family vineyard agrees to sponsor rodeo heartthrob Jake Rollins in the Blue Ridge Rodeo. Jake is determined to piece together an accident from three years prior. As Savannah and Jake grow closer, we learn that their fates are tied together with more than just romance.
For fans of Debbie Macomber with plot twists and internationally entwined characters. If you like vineyard scenery, small mountain towns, and standing feuds, this book is for you!
Dual POV, Small town romance, No Spice, Forced Proximity, Plot Twists
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whispers of Blue Ridge: One Night. One Cabin. There's No Going Back.
by Nina Purtee is a fast paced Contemporary Romance. The MMC and the FMC steal your heart right from the start. Well written with questions and after 3 years, finally answers. I loved this story!! Filled with secrets, tension, revelations, loyalty, truth, forgiveness all set in a small town, in North Georgia. A must read!! Readers of small town romance, contemporary romance, romance set in the Mountains of North Georgia. Intriguing and suspenseful story of a tragedy that happened 3 years ago and the fallout, left behind. Pick up WHISPERS OF BLUE RIDGE and learn the answers to what really, happened one tragic night in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Well done, Ms Purtee, Can't hardly wait until the next story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are own.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewer: AprilR
by Nina Purtee is a fast paced Contemporary Romance. The MMC and the FMC steal your heart right from the start. Well written with questions and after 3 years, finally answers. I loved this story!! Filled with secrets, tension, revelations, loyalty, truth, forgiveness all set in a small town, in North Georgia. A must read!! Readers of small town romance, contemporary romance, romance set in the Mountains of North Georgia. Intriguing and suspenseful story of a tragedy that happened 3 years ago and the fallout, left behind. Pick up WHISPERS OF BLUE RIDGE and learn the answers to what really, happened one tragic night in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Well done, Ms Purtee, Can't hardly wait until the next story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are own.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewer: AprilR
May 26, 2026
When I started reading this book I thought it was going to be a case of rugged cowboy meets local girl and they fall in love - the end. I couldn’t have been more wrong!! The book drew the reader into a complex family history full of secrets and shock reveals. You couldn’t help becoming one of the family and associating with each character. Nina describes each character so vividly that this naturally occurs.
The story line follows a famous cowboy visiting Blue Ridge for a rodeo. He really had ulterior motives - to settle his mind over memories of a car accident many years ago. The novel also follows a well known wine making family and how the two main characters have their stories intertwined. I don’t want to give away too many details as I don’t want to ruin it for future readers.
Once I got into this book, I could not put it down! A brilliant read and I’m really hoping there is a sequel! I need to know what happens in Italy! 🇮🇹
The story line follows a famous cowboy visiting Blue Ridge for a rodeo. He really had ulterior motives - to settle his mind over memories of a car accident many years ago. The novel also follows a well known wine making family and how the two main characters have their stories intertwined. I don’t want to give away too many details as I don’t want to ruin it for future readers.
Once I got into this book, I could not put it down! A brilliant read and I’m really hoping there is a sequel! I need to know what happens in Italy! 🇮🇹
Review of advance copy received from Author
♡♡Thank you to the author for this ARC. All opinions are my own. ♡♡
This is a beautiful book about wineries, small towns, slow-burn romance, grief, and forgiveness.
The author writes the characters so beautifically that I fell in love with all of them. The setting in the North Georgia Mountains is a perfect backdrop for the telling of this story.
Our main character is Savannah Gray, who helps her grandfather, Duke, run their vineyard. As part of their annual County Fair, they hire Rodeo Champion Jake Rollins for their event. Savannah and Jake's pasts are connected in ways they never expected.
This is a love story, but so much more. I was completely invested, and this one will live in my head for a while.
RELEASE DATE: May, 2026.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
4.75 🌟
This is a beautiful book about wineries, small towns, slow-burn romance, grief, and forgiveness.
The author writes the characters so beautifically that I fell in love with all of them. The setting in the North Georgia Mountains is a perfect backdrop for the telling of this story.
Our main character is Savannah Gray, who helps her grandfather, Duke, run their vineyard. As part of their annual County Fair, they hire Rodeo Champion Jake Rollins for their event. Savannah and Jake's pasts are connected in ways they never expected.
This is a love story, but so much more. I was completely invested, and this one will live in my head for a while.
RELEASE DATE: May, 2026.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
4.75 🌟
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I am new to this author and I’m not sure exactly what I expected but bc I live in close proximity to Blue Ridge I was intrigued. This book took me on a journey that was totally unexpected. With a soft start I was settling into a “light read” with a hint of romanticism. By a couple of chapters in I knew there was so much more ahead and the hints of the mystery drew me in with expectation. The twists and turns that were just ahead brought both shock and curiosity and by mid book I could not wait to turn the page on the next chapter as I enthusiastically took in the unfolding drama! I loved the entire book and now feel connected to the characters on such a personal level that I will think about them as we travel to Blue Ridge next month.
April 30, 2026
Review of Advance Copy from Author
I was intrigued by the title and cover. The setting takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so that that was draw for me. Add in a rodeo cowboy and a winery.
The story centers around a rodeo week and secrets from the past.
I appreciated the author kept the spice out and gave a feel for a small town. I think the love story was lacking for me because falling in love in a matter of days seems too far fetched.
This book would be a great read for a road trip. An easy read with no spice.
I was intrigued by the title and cover. The setting takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so that that was draw for me. Add in a rodeo cowboy and a winery.
The story centers around a rodeo week and secrets from the past.
I appreciated the author kept the spice out and gave a feel for a small town. I think the love story was lacking for me because falling in love in a matter of days seems too far fetched.
This book would be a great read for a road trip. An easy read with no spice.
May 23, 2026
I loved how the author used little subplots, like a long-standing winery rivalry, to immerse us further into the rich local culture. There were a few interesting mystery-driven story arcs that kept me turning the pages during the slower chapters. But since I'm not dropping any spoilers, I'll say this much: romance enthusiasts will definitely enjoy this book. It's a great choice for readers who want a story about starting over or seeing a relationship gradually grow into something real.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book has a tremendous amount of heart. The slowly revealed mystery and secrets made it intriquing and kept me reading on. It has a touching and interesting story. Thank you to the author for the arc copy. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy
I was particularly drawn to the setting in Whispers of Blue Ridge. The North Georgia mountains during rodeo season is more than a backdrop. It shaped life in a small town, hidden truth kept secret for the wrong reason, and the dynamic between Jake and Savannah. Great read!
Review of advance copy
The characters are what stayed with me and I felt like I knew them as their emotional layers peeled away a little at a time. I especially felt for Duke and hope we see more of him in future Blue Ridge books.
August 15, 2026
Good read but one mystery remains
This was a fine read but having read and re-read it I can not find an answer to one mystery. Hopefully another reader can supply an answer. SPOILER ALERT. Don’t read the next sentence until you’ve read the book.
Here is my question: How did Natalie know about the accident in time to get to the scene?
This was a fine read but having read and re-read it I can not find an answer to one mystery. Hopefully another reader can supply an answer. SPOILER ALERT. Don’t read the next sentence until you’ve read the book.
Here is my question: How did Natalie know about the accident in time to get to the scene?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Intriguing from the start; small town love, secrets and betrayal. Perfect blend of life in a small town!
August 4, 2026
Such an enjoyable read. Heartfelt, intriguing, plot twists. I really felt like I got to know the characters and was transported to Blue Ridge for their Annual Rodeo.
Can't wait for the next book!
Can't wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love this authors books they are not just a read they are a journey, beautifully written so you can actually feel them.
This was no exception the plot was different but the emotions and the contact with characters was so powerful, I could see and feel everything I was reading.
A discovery of feelings all set in a small town romance, this was a great read and makes me even more excited for what Nina writes next.
This was no exception the plot was different but the emotions and the contact with characters was so powerful, I could see and feel everything I was reading.
A discovery of feelings all set in a small town romance, this was a great read and makes me even more excited for what Nina writes next.
July 26, 2026
Great story
I really enjoyed the story and it tied all of the characters together so well and each of their stories concluded well
I really enjoyed the story and it tied all of the characters together so well and each of their stories concluded well
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a quick easy to read book. It revolves around two families of wine makers. There’s some old secrets that finally see the light of day. It’s full of emotion and has some clean romance. It’s an enjoyable book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This has a great setting, the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia. Set in a small town with a winery family. A town festival is bringing in a rodeo with the star rider being sponsored by the local winery family. Wine and cowboys, I mean all the tropes you need!
The rodeo cowboy brings along a bit of intrigue, an anonymous letter sent from the town lawyer, a haunting secret from 3 years ago that changed so many lives.
Alright, alright, I get why everyone is reading the cowboy romances💕 The chivalry and manners of southern cowboys is charming and Jake Rollin delivers.
Graystone winery has a history set in generational rivalry. Due to family tragedy, just the grandfather and granddaughter remain to drive success. I liked both characters equally, Duke is that quintessential hard worker, respected member of the community and Savannah is that up and comer that knows her trade and is loved by all, with Duke as her biggest fan.
There are so many connections tied together with secrets in this that I couldn’t put it down, I just had to know what happened. Sadness and tragedy will be unveiled in the end, but so will healing, love and new beginnings. And the new beginnings will be taking us to Italy I suspect!!
This book has so many possibilities, I feel like I want the story before this story that goes into “the night that changed everything” or even back to the first generation that started the wineries. I see several more books in this series!
The rodeo cowboy brings along a bit of intrigue, an anonymous letter sent from the town lawyer, a haunting secret from 3 years ago that changed so many lives.
Alright, alright, I get why everyone is reading the cowboy romances💕 The chivalry and manners of southern cowboys is charming and Jake Rollin delivers.
Graystone winery has a history set in generational rivalry. Due to family tragedy, just the grandfather and granddaughter remain to drive success. I liked both characters equally, Duke is that quintessential hard worker, respected member of the community and Savannah is that up and comer that knows her trade and is loved by all, with Duke as her biggest fan.
There are so many connections tied together with secrets in this that I couldn’t put it down, I just had to know what happened. Sadness and tragedy will be unveiled in the end, but so will healing, love and new beginnings. And the new beginnings will be taking us to Italy I suspect!!
This book has so many possibilities, I feel like I want the story before this story that goes into “the night that changed everything” or even back to the first generation that started the wineries. I see several more books in this series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced reader copy supplied by author.
A gentle, easy read set against the warm, rustic backdrop of the American South, Whispers on Blue Ridge blends cowboys, wine country charm, and long-buried family secrets into a comforting, character-driven story. The pace is unhurried, letting the setting and relationships unfold naturally, with just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. It’s the kind of book you sink into rather than race through—perfect when you want something heartfelt, atmospheric, and quietly engaging.
A gentle, easy read set against the warm, rustic backdrop of the American South, Whispers on Blue Ridge blends cowboys, wine country charm, and long-buried family secrets into a comforting, character-driven story. The pace is unhurried, letting the setting and relationships unfold naturally, with just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. It’s the kind of book you sink into rather than race through—perfect when you want something heartfelt, atmospheric, and quietly engaging.
May 23, 2026
I loved how the author used little subplots, like a long-standing winery rivalry, to immerse us further into the rich local culture. There were a few interesting mystery-driven story arcs that kept me turning the pages during the slower chapters. But since I'm not dropping any spoilers, I'll say this much: romance enthusiasts will definitely enjoy this book. It's a great choice for readers who want a story about starting over or seeing a relationship gradually grow into something real.
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