Spring Valley

Firefly Hollow #10.5

by T.L. Haddix

Caleb Walker is a veterinarian with a heart of gold and a solid fence built around his emotions. With a nightmare childhood that left scars and a history of failed relationships, he's decided being alone is the path he’ll walk. But then a meddling, Cupid-playing cousin comes along and sets him up with the very last woman to whom he should be paying romantic attention.

Brooke Harrison is a bit of a dreamer with a soft spot for the doctor despite his clear "No Trespassing" signs. Her crush on Caleb remains private until she agrees to a sort-of blind date that gets sidelined by a veterinary emergency. Once revealed, those feelings ignite a fire between them that burns as hot as the sun. The only thing still in question is whether she can convince Caleb that permanent is something he's able—and willing—to do.

Spring Valley is a novella, approximately 35,000 words in length, and episode 11 in the Firefly Hollow Series.

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2016

About the author

T.L. Haddix is the author of the Firefly Hollow Series, women's fiction romances set in Eastern Kentucky, as well as numerous other projects under various pen names. She's a self-described eccentric, a somewhat reclusive stick in the mud who lives in Eastern Kentucky with her husband and their cat-children. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, reading, genealogy, casual bird-and-critter watching, and being short.

She writes books about characters who are flawed but who somehow still manage to overcome the challenges thrown in their paths and reach for happiness with their soul mates. And while she can't tell a joke in the real world to save her life, she tries to inject her characters' lives with quirky, unintentional humor that surprises readers at just the right moment.

Reviews

[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll jump at any chance to read one of T.L. Haddix's books, so when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I jumped on it. Even though I have been reading at a snails pace lately. I still has the book wants!

This stories characters were new to me. I don't know if it's because I have old lady brains and forgot them or I missed a book that they were in. (I haven't read all her books yet)
The main hunk of man is Caleb Walker, a veterinarian who has not had the best family life but is happy in his job and family now. Then walks in Brooke. She is the local judge's daughter and she starts working at the clinic that Caleb works at.



This book does move faster on the romance than the other books that I've read in the series, but it is a novella so there is that.
I didn't mind the jumping right to the bangie-banging.


I did like this sweet little book but I did miss a longer storyline because I do think that is when this author shines. She makes you so attached to the characters that you just want to pack your bags and move in them.


Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

Oh, Caleb. I know who you are. I know exactly who you are. I'm just not sure you do.

Every muscle in her body felt smooth and relaxed as though she could turn to water and swim across the universe.

I didn't know how much I wanted to belong to someone until I did.


My Review:

I am new to Ms. Haddix's gift for words and was stunned to discover I was reading book eleven of a series. Spring Valley was a quick, sweet, relevant, and touching story. Caleb was sweet and a soft-hearted vet who felt tainted by his biological parents' poor choices. The writing was engaging and the characters were endearing and adorable. This novella gave me a pleasant taste of Ms. Haddix skill level and enticed me into wanting to read the other ten books that preceded this one and any others that will follow.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore TL Haddix. She writes exactly the type of romance that I like. It's realistic and deals with real world issues. Love, love, love.

[Miekenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of the Firefly Hollow series so I was excited to see this new novella in the series.

This story revolves around Caleb Walker who is a Veterinarian in a small town. Many of the people in town look down on Caleb and have lumped him together with his immoral and trashy biological parents. Caleb also feels that he is a less than desirable catch because of who his biological parents are. Brooke is a sweet (but not too sweet) young lady that also works at the animal hospital that Caleb does.

The couple have a quick but believable romance amid issues that come up from people judging Caleb unfairly and issues that just come up in life. While there is drama in the story, it is not annoying drama. There is no cheating or love triangle or other angsty craziness in the story.

While this book is part of a series there is no need to read the other books before reading this story (though, I recommend reading the series.) I hope this series continues as I have enjoyed it a lot and I would love updates on all the extended family in the series.

I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Sophie Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good cover and this caught my eye before anything else! It’s so pretty!

This short story revolves around Caleb and Brooke and is able to reel you in from the first page, which for a novella is extremely important. Packing smart punches early on to keep you reading is the only way to go and this doesn’t disappoint. Their relationship is charming, the short story full of love and drama and the author is cleverly able to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time without you feeling like you’re being short changed.

I’m new to the Firefly Hollow books. This is the first one I’ve read but it’s so well written that I am tempted to go back and read the others!

*** ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review ***

[Megan Oettinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

The Good:
• It was a cute story, short & sweet
• How easy Caleb & Brooke's relationship was

The Bad:
• No backstory to how Caleb & Brooke interacted before they were together
• Caleb's past was a little vague
• Characters jumping in & out to tell a quick part of story

The Book
This was a nice, short novella that was just the right slice of cute. I thought the story was cute & I really liked how easy Brooke & Caleb's relationship was. Even when they were torn apart by certain circumstances it never seemed like it was because they didn't like/love each other. They stayed solid through the book which is much different than I can say for other characters in this series. They fell together easily & stayed together & loyal. Though I would've liked to see how Caleb & Brooke interacted before they had gotten together. The book basically starts with one interaction & then they get together soon after. This might just be because it's a novella that T.L. Haddix just couldn't fit everything in, but just a minor thing I would've liked to round out their relationship a little more. Also, there was Caleb's childhood, same comment as before about this being a novella but I wish they went into his childhood more so that Brooke's reasoning for Caleb not wanting more than a one night stand would be a little more validated. It never seemed like Caleb didn't want to be tied down, he just wasn't dating anyone seriously. The last criticism I have is how characters jump in & out of the book to move the story along. Pip jumps in to talk to Brooke that they should get together & besides the party scene we saw in her book, nothing else from her. The owner of the clinic they work for, barely a mention of him before he's suddenly in & then out of the book to change Caleb's life. It propels the story forward since the relationship between Brooke & Caleb is so solid. So maybe that one is a little less of a criticism because if you can't make drama between the main characters then make it drama that revolves around the others they surround themselves with. Overall, I liked this book, it was cute & short.

[Isa LaCroqueuseDeLivres · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
Brooke and Caleb’s love story.

Easy reading, but I wonder why it’s only a novella, why not an entire novel?
It kind of ruined the reading experience for me: a little too short, but the love story was beautiful, though.
The length was just a little frustrating.

I believe Brooke ad Caleb deserved a whole novel, lie the previous couples in the series…

But all in all, the story was sweet, and if you’re new to the series, it could be a great “sneak peek”, a good way to dive into it.



***ARC kindly provided by author via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review***

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've learned in the past that you can NOT go wrong buying a T.L. Haddix book, they are wonderful little slices of life. I started this book last night and read it straight through. Was sorry to see it end. I love her series!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

missing the paranormal

I love this series, but I do miss the extra element that many of the other books have. While it is usually only a small touch, it does add a little something to the storyline.

[roberta reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this series of books my mom and are reading them

The whole series has been great we have told our family that reads about them I think I will read of her books

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon made me do it

I love this series. Yes yes yes yes I do amazon wants 10 words so here they are. The end

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short read this was a nice book. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't longer ;)

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest little novella

So cute! This series is so refreshing and unlike others I have read. It takes it back to simpler times and really grows

[Book Gannet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you’re already a fan of the Firefly Hollow series or not, this is an enjoyable novella that lets you jump right into this world without needing prior knowledge. It’s a fairly straightforward romance with Caleb being convinced he isn’t worthy of love, let alone Brooke, while Brooke just wants to hold onto him for as long as he will let her.

It’s pretty fast moving, to the point where I was expecting it to end around halfway. Because these two already know each other before the book starts, there’s not a lot of waiting around before they leap into their relationship, and Caleb was a lot less gun-shy than I expected from his history. I was left wondering just how this would string itself out to the end.

I shouldn’t have worried. Even though this is only a short novella, it still packs the kind of emotional punch I’ve come to expect from this author. It’s a touch muted because of the restricted length, but it’s still thoughtful as it ventures past the initial attraction and fall, towards what might happen next and where it all might lead.

Short and sweet and thoroughly enjoyable, this another great addition to this impressive series.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caleb Walker or Walker as he was called. Was a veterinarian. His mother was forever trying to Caleb’s father to marry her. When Caleb was thirteen his mom dropped him off at a guy’s house she kinda knew . Walker thrived under his foster parents guidance and love. Walker had built a wall around her heart as he had a few relationships when he was younger. But they didn’t work out. Brook worked as a receptionist in the office Walker worked in and she was crushing on Walker. Then Walker and Belle were set up to be at a party togetherbut walker had an emergencey when Belle - Rachel and her father’s dog. Butt Walkler couldn’t save her and he felt bad. Later that evening Brook goes to walker’s home and spends the night.
This was a good story and I enjoyed it. The plot was good as was the writting. I really liked the characters and I was happy to see Walker and brook iron out there problems. I loved the ins and outs of this storyt and I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley and Streetlight Graphics publishing for my ARC for exchange for honest review

Caleb is veterinarian with very difficult childhood and Brooke is daughter of judge in small town of
When Brooke lost her beloved dog, she found Caleb for comfort and it lead to more than just simple comfort. Both were working together and attracted to each other but Both couldn't approach each other until then.
When they had a chance to get together, spark was flying. However, Caleb didn't want to reveal his relationship to others because Brooke's father was judge and prominent figure in the city and his childhood will tarnish her perfect image.
Caleb is good at his job and a very kind person but not everybody sees him as Caleb but they see his birth mom who abandoned him. Caleb respects and loves Brooke but things doesn't go as they expect.
It was lovely story about Caleb and Brooke and how much they loved and respect each other and it could be read alone.

[Robin Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another stellar addition to the Firefly Hollow series. What a good story and I loved the characters. The interactions between the people and the twists were very involving. It was very nice to read a book and not have obnoxious drama. This story was very well told and just the right size for a good sit down on a rainy Saturday. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in great rural life and a little unique touches in the characters.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caleb is a small town vet who is thrown together with Brooke by his family. Their journey toward their happiness begins to survive what life throws at them. Really liked the family and small town characters. Will be revisiting other books in series.

Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks.

[Debora Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Love this one too just like all the others, but again too short! There wasn't much of interaction with the rest of the family. Maybe I missed a book somewhere along the way that introduced Caleb into the family.

[Lisa Carreiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

It gets better and better with every book I read. It's not your usual shifter kind of series, you really get to meet the characters and their interactions as a family.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good to get back to the Hollows and see what has happen over the year.

More please

[Carol Wilkowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Recommendation

I enjoyed this book very much. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good book to read.

[Sandi Roquemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read and I didn't want to put it down

I gave this read 5 stars. T Haddix really makes you feel a part of the story. Check out your copy now.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to a super series,a sweet little read recommended

[Jan Mcclung-short · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author owns me. I have never read a book so enthralled by the characters and storyline. This series is awesome.

[Allie rademacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

can't wait to be done with this series