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Alaska Homecoming #1
Come Home to Deep River
First in a bold, sexy new small-town Alaska contemporary romance series from Jackie Ashenden
Deep River, Alaska boasts a fiercely independent though small population. The people who live here love it, and they don't much care what anyone else thinks. Until the day Silas Quinn comes back and tells them an oil reserve has been found below the town and now it's neighbor vs. neighbor. Some want to take the money and run, while others want to tell the oil company to put its rigs where the sun don't shine.
Hope Dawson never expected to leave Deep River. Her mom needs her. Her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Her dreams of college and adventure died long ago. Until Silas comes back to town, holding the key to set her free. But freedom means she loses him again, and he's the one she's really always wanted.
Deep River, Alaska boasts a fiercely independent though small population. The people who live here love it, and they don't much care what anyone else thinks. Until the day Silas Quinn comes back and tells them an oil reserve has been found below the town and now it's neighbor vs. neighbor. Some want to take the money and run, while others want to tell the oil company to put its rigs where the sun don't shine.
Hope Dawson never expected to leave Deep River. Her mom needs her. Her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Her dreams of college and adventure died long ago. Until Silas comes back to town, holding the key to set her free. But freedom means she loses him again, and he's the one she's really always wanted.
411 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 28, 2020
86 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
489 books977 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 11, 2021
Come Home to Deep River was a good book to relax with, great choice for escapism.
We follow two main characters, Hope and Silas, who were likeable enough, but also not different from many characters I read about in other romantic novels written by other authors.
In other words, they were typical.
I usually love small town settings, they are my favourite, but this time around, I felt like the town was too small.
To explain myself better, I think there were not enough characters.
I really, really wish that the author decided to write one female friend for Hope, because I think she was too lonely without even noticing it.
I wish there was someone to be her support.
I enjoyed reading about town's politics even though it sounded unbelievable, it was unlike anything I've heard before.
Sex scenes (there were few of them) were explicit, but if I'm being honest, I caught myself losing my concentration while reading them.
The reason why I give this book 3 stars (which is still good rating) is because there was no character development whatsoever.
We follow two main characters, Hope and Silas, who were likeable enough, but also not different from many characters I read about in other romantic novels written by other authors.
In other words, they were typical.
I usually love small town settings, they are my favourite, but this time around, I felt like the town was too small.
To explain myself better, I think there were not enough characters.
I really, really wish that the author decided to write one female friend for Hope, because I think she was too lonely without even noticing it.
I wish there was someone to be her support.
I enjoyed reading about town's politics even though it sounded unbelievable, it was unlike anything I've heard before.
Sex scenes (there were few of them) were explicit, but if I'm being honest, I caught myself losing my concentration while reading them.
The reason why I give this book 3 stars (which is still good rating) is because there was no character development whatsoever.
February 25, 2022
This cover has fooled me. It’s pretty, but the inside of this book isn’t. Safe your time and skip to the next 😅
Some of my thoughts:
- it was completely anti climatic, no chemistry, no relationship development, unlikeable characters
- it is a second chance romance where the couple meets after 13 years and jumps into a one-night-stand sort of relationship, 13 years (!), come on! Not seeing someone for a year is tough, but more than a decade?
- the author destroyed my romantic vision of Alaska and made it into “Slabs City 2.0” with oil industry sniffing around.
Some of my thoughts:
- it was completely anti climatic, no chemistry, no relationship development, unlikeable characters
- it is a second chance romance where the couple meets after 13 years and jumps into a one-night-stand sort of relationship, 13 years (!), come on! Not seeing someone for a year is tough, but more than a decade?
- the author destroyed my romantic vision of Alaska and made it into “Slabs City 2.0” with oil industry sniffing around.
July 1, 2020
ARC received for review
It wasn't bad. Silas and Hope had a past, kind of, and great chemistry. I loved all the kooky townspeople. It was just so slow and felt drawn out in places. Plus his nickname, Si, all I could see was Uncle Si from Duck Dynasty...so not a hot guy
It wasn't bad. Silas and Hope had a past, kind of, and great chemistry. I loved all the kooky townspeople. It was just so slow and felt drawn out in places. Plus his nickname, Si, all I could see was Uncle Si from Duck Dynasty...so not a hot guy
July 24, 2020
Hope Dawson is more than content in the small town of Deep River, Alaska. Her grandfather has died and she now runs the local hangout. While it is true that her once craved dream of leaving Deep River and going to college is now put on the back burner, she intends to make the best of things. There is another reason Hope feels that she must stay, and that it to be there for her emotionally unstable mother. What will she do when Silas Quinn returns to town with news that might be that key to her college dream and freedom?
Silas Quinn arrives to tell the members of the struggling town that oil has been found below. If they sell, they can make a ton of money. Some want to sell, some don't want the town changed in any way, so the money means absolutely nothing to them.
Si and Hope share a past. Actually, yeas ago Hope liked Si's brother, so the pair were only friends, best friends. Will Si's presence now give them a chance at exploring things? Hope has a lot to consider, especially since Si might upset the peace of the small town. Will they be able to bury the wounds of the past in order to find a future together? Meanwhile, Si has his life to consider, including that of the business he is involved in with his best friend Caleb. How can he even think of acting on their shared attraction when he has no intention of staying?
Come Home to Deep River is the enjoyable first book in the promising Alaska Homecoming series. I look forward to the next book. I imagine that Caleb will get his story. I love stories with an Alaskan setting and this book by Jackie Ashenden does not disappoint.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Silas Quinn arrives to tell the members of the struggling town that oil has been found below. If they sell, they can make a ton of money. Some want to sell, some don't want the town changed in any way, so the money means absolutely nothing to them.
Si and Hope share a past. Actually, yeas ago Hope liked Si's brother, so the pair were only friends, best friends. Will Si's presence now give them a chance at exploring things? Hope has a lot to consider, especially since Si might upset the peace of the small town. Will they be able to bury the wounds of the past in order to find a future together? Meanwhile, Si has his life to consider, including that of the business he is involved in with his best friend Caleb. How can he even think of acting on their shared attraction when he has no intention of staying?
Come Home to Deep River is the enjoyable first book in the promising Alaska Homecoming series. I look forward to the next book. I imagine that Caleb will get his story. I love stories with an Alaskan setting and this book by Jackie Ashenden does not disappoint.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 4, 2020
So I have to say after reading up to 37% of the book, I basically skimmed to the end. Hope was getting annoying and there was a lot of push and pull between Silas and Hope. It just wasn't moving fast enough for me and nothing was really happening. Plus it was getting a bit repetitive.
I love this cover though.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I love this cover though.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 28, 2020
Quaint, sweet, and optimistic!
Come Home to Deep River is a tenderhearted, charming tale that transports you to Deep River, Alaska and into the lives of the dependable, broody, Silas Quinn and the loyal, hardworking Hope Dawson as together they grieve the friend they lost, work to save the town they grew up in, and discover that unconditional love is right there for the taking.
The prose is smooth and fluid. The characters are hesitant, troubled, and reliable. And the plot is a hopeful tale of life, love, loss, drama, family, friendship, community, forgiveness, acceptance, trust, self-reflection, taking chances, and finding happiness.
Overall, I found Come Home to Deep River to be a warm, cosy, romantic tale by Ashenden, that’s a promising start to the Alaska Homecoming series with its unique setting, intriguing characters, and uplifting storyline.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Come Home to Deep River is a tenderhearted, charming tale that transports you to Deep River, Alaska and into the lives of the dependable, broody, Silas Quinn and the loyal, hardworking Hope Dawson as together they grieve the friend they lost, work to save the town they grew up in, and discover that unconditional love is right there for the taking.
The prose is smooth and fluid. The characters are hesitant, troubled, and reliable. And the plot is a hopeful tale of life, love, loss, drama, family, friendship, community, forgiveness, acceptance, trust, self-reflection, taking chances, and finding happiness.
Overall, I found Come Home to Deep River to be a warm, cosy, romantic tale by Ashenden, that’s a promising start to the Alaska Homecoming series with its unique setting, intriguing characters, and uplifting storyline.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2022
Come Home to Deep River was an excellent read featuring a childhood friends to lovers romance set in a charming small town.
After the death of his best friend, Silas Quinn finds himself co-owner of his home town Deep River, Alaska. And as one of the new owners, it's up to Silas to inform the townspeople that an oil reserve has been found beneath the town. With that much money on the line, people quickly turn on each other with some people wanting the payout and others wanting to save the town they call home. For Hope Dawson, it's the chance at the life she could never have. But with Silas's return to town, leaving means she misses out on the one person she's always wanted.
Silas left Deep River years ago thinking he would never come back. It was interesting watching Silas struggle with readjusting to life in Deep River and watching his opinion on leaving again slowly shift. A large part of the reason for the shift is his becoming reconnected to Hope, but I liked that she wasn't the entire reason. Hopes circumstances in life meant she was unlikely to ever leave Deep River. With her grandfather dying and leaving her to run his bar to her mother being unable to care for herself, Hope has deep ties keeping her at home. With the possibility of finally being able to leave though, Hope has a hard time dealing with what it would mean for her to be able to start over. Watching Hope wrestle with her entire world turning upside down was hard to watch as she genuinely doesn't know how to take something for herself for the first time in her life.
When Silas and Hope reconnect, their relationship gets off to a rocky start. Hope harbors resentment for the fact Silas never once contacted her after he left town despite the fact they were best friends. But for Silas, believing Hope would never feel for him the way he did her, he stayed away trying to put Hope out of his mind. Both Silas and Hope are wary to trust one another again, so I liked the way they slowly resumed their friendship, rebuilding that trust. The attraction between the two builds quickly and I loved when the dynamics in their relationship changed. Their chemistry is wonderful and once they finally give into their attraction, the scenes are quite steamy. Ultimately I liked the way the author dealt with their opposing views on staying/leaving and it was nice the way they worked everything out.
The plot of what will happen to the town after the oil news is made public was an interesting one. The potential for a great deal of money is a tempting offer for a lot of the residents and I was curious how the main characters would try to convince people to stick with the town instead. Overall I liked the way the storyline was handled and I thought the solution was a creative one. I'm definitely curious to see how the decision plays out throughout the rest of the series.
Overall Come Home to Deep River was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the release of book two in the series, Deep River Promise, next year. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a great small town romance.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
After the death of his best friend, Silas Quinn finds himself co-owner of his home town Deep River, Alaska. And as one of the new owners, it's up to Silas to inform the townspeople that an oil reserve has been found beneath the town. With that much money on the line, people quickly turn on each other with some people wanting the payout and others wanting to save the town they call home. For Hope Dawson, it's the chance at the life she could never have. But with Silas's return to town, leaving means she misses out on the one person she's always wanted.
Silas left Deep River years ago thinking he would never come back. It was interesting watching Silas struggle with readjusting to life in Deep River and watching his opinion on leaving again slowly shift. A large part of the reason for the shift is his becoming reconnected to Hope, but I liked that she wasn't the entire reason. Hopes circumstances in life meant she was unlikely to ever leave Deep River. With her grandfather dying and leaving her to run his bar to her mother being unable to care for herself, Hope has deep ties keeping her at home. With the possibility of finally being able to leave though, Hope has a hard time dealing with what it would mean for her to be able to start over. Watching Hope wrestle with her entire world turning upside down was hard to watch as she genuinely doesn't know how to take something for herself for the first time in her life.
When Silas and Hope reconnect, their relationship gets off to a rocky start. Hope harbors resentment for the fact Silas never once contacted her after he left town despite the fact they were best friends. But for Silas, believing Hope would never feel for him the way he did her, he stayed away trying to put Hope out of his mind. Both Silas and Hope are wary to trust one another again, so I liked the way they slowly resumed their friendship, rebuilding that trust. The attraction between the two builds quickly and I loved when the dynamics in their relationship changed. Their chemistry is wonderful and once they finally give into their attraction, the scenes are quite steamy. Ultimately I liked the way the author dealt with their opposing views on staying/leaving and it was nice the way they worked everything out.
The plot of what will happen to the town after the oil news is made public was an interesting one. The potential for a great deal of money is a tempting offer for a lot of the residents and I was curious how the main characters would try to convince people to stick with the town instead. Overall I liked the way the storyline was handled and I thought the solution was a creative one. I'm definitely curious to see how the decision plays out throughout the rest of the series.
Overall Come Home to Deep River was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the release of book two in the series, Deep River Promise, next year. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a great small town romance.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
August 14, 2020
I've been to Alaska once on a cruise but have always been intrigued by the environment and wildlife. This book will give you a little peek into the possibilities of a small town in Alaska.
The town is different from any I have heard about, one person actually owns all of the land, and everyone leases from the owner. However, the leaseholders have more rights than normal tenants including mineral rights to that oil that was discovered. Silas, as the new owner, has to figure out what he is going to do. Will he stay in his hometown, or find someone to take over and let him leave?
I enjoyed the story and the banter between Hope and Silas. She never left Deep River because of her mother and while she has been content, she did give up some dreams like attending college and obtaining a literature degree. Plus she has looked out for her mother for the last thirteen years after her grandfather passed away since her mother has some mental health issues. Silas left to enter the military but never came back. Was it his love for Hope or something else? The answer is probably a little bit of several things.
There was a minor character that I just found intriguing, Filthy Phil. He wasn't dirty, as in unclean, it has to do with something that he said and the nickname stuck. However, he is a reader and he made a comment about he let the librarian pick out his books but he wanted the potential sex scenes to not behind closed doors. He said he was 75, not dead. I think he would be a hoot to know. The Mayor, Astrid, is also an undeveloped character, but I can see her becoming the focus in a future book and actually wonder if she might be the main character along with Silas' buddy, Damon. I'm also curious about Mal who owns the store where everyone does the shopping and has the best internet connection in town.
The story between Hope and Silas is familiar, but I enjoyed watching them come into their own and move past what happened 13 years ago. It takes time and nothing is forgiven overnight, but it happens.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and we give it 4 paws up.
The town is different from any I have heard about, one person actually owns all of the land, and everyone leases from the owner. However, the leaseholders have more rights than normal tenants including mineral rights to that oil that was discovered. Silas, as the new owner, has to figure out what he is going to do. Will he stay in his hometown, or find someone to take over and let him leave?
I enjoyed the story and the banter between Hope and Silas. She never left Deep River because of her mother and while she has been content, she did give up some dreams like attending college and obtaining a literature degree. Plus she has looked out for her mother for the last thirteen years after her grandfather passed away since her mother has some mental health issues. Silas left to enter the military but never came back. Was it his love for Hope or something else? The answer is probably a little bit of several things.
There was a minor character that I just found intriguing, Filthy Phil. He wasn't dirty, as in unclean, it has to do with something that he said and the nickname stuck. However, he is a reader and he made a comment about he let the librarian pick out his books but he wanted the potential sex scenes to not behind closed doors. He said he was 75, not dead. I think he would be a hoot to know. The Mayor, Astrid, is also an undeveloped character, but I can see her becoming the focus in a future book and actually wonder if she might be the main character along with Silas' buddy, Damon. I'm also curious about Mal who owns the store where everyone does the shopping and has the best internet connection in town.
The story between Hope and Silas is familiar, but I enjoyed watching them come into their own and move past what happened 13 years ago. It takes time and nothing is forgiven overnight, but it happens.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and we give it 4 paws up.
July 26, 2020
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...
Jackie Ashenden is a new author to me. I've never read her before. I always love trying new authors and small-town romances are some of my favorites. So finding someone new is always a thrill for me.
What really drew me to the book was the fact that it's set in Alaska. The idea of small-town Alaska is something I'm into right now. It might be because of the heatwave we've been dealing with so thinking of cooler weather is a draw but I also think it's because you don't have a ton of romance there. More so now but it's still not a state we hit often.
There is many things I really liked about this new series by Ashenden. The characters you meet are intriguing enough that you'll want some of their stories and the town seems nice if not a little small even for a small-town romance. I also wish that a few more people were introduced so that you got a better picture of the town too.
I liked both Hope and Silas. I understood why both of them couldn't wait to leave the town they grew up in and I also understood why Hope couldn't.
You'll enjoy how they come together and figure out how they feel about each other. It's slow going but a good build up. One that leaves you feel complete.
I did like this story and would like to try more of this author and see if by the second book I can get into this town more.
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ARC recieved for an honest review
Jackie Ashenden is a new author to me. I've never read her before. I always love trying new authors and small-town romances are some of my favorites. So finding someone new is always a thrill for me.
What really drew me to the book was the fact that it's set in Alaska. The idea of small-town Alaska is something I'm into right now. It might be because of the heatwave we've been dealing with so thinking of cooler weather is a draw but I also think it's because you don't have a ton of romance there. More so now but it's still not a state we hit often.
There is many things I really liked about this new series by Ashenden. The characters you meet are intriguing enough that you'll want some of their stories and the town seems nice if not a little small even for a small-town romance. I also wish that a few more people were introduced so that you got a better picture of the town too.
I liked both Hope and Silas. I understood why both of them couldn't wait to leave the town they grew up in and I also understood why Hope couldn't.
You'll enjoy how they come together and figure out how they feel about each other. It's slow going but a good build up. One that leaves you feel complete.
I did like this story and would like to try more of this author and see if by the second book I can get into this town more.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
ARC recieved for an honest review
July 31, 2020
2.5 stars
Come Home to Deep River starts a new Alaskan contemporary series from Jackie Ashenden. It is an okay book, but not a page turner by any means and I seriously doubt I’ll continue the series. I’m not sure if it is because this is the first book in the series and she’s trying to set up the whole series, but this book seemed drawn out and at times boring. I didn’t connect with any of the characters including Silas and Hope.
The idea of a town that was settled for people who felt they didn’t fit in anywhere was intriguing, but it honestly seemed to me that wasn’t truly the case especially with some of the “newcomers” and I couldn’t reconcile that with how things played out. I felt like the story wasn’t cohesive and felt myself laying it aside multiple times because it wasn’t keeping my attention.
The animosity between Silas and Hope at the beginning was expected, but given their childhood friendship I figured they’d get past it quickly but it kind of dragged on until boom, they were going at each other. I didn’t really feel the heat between them and the relationship felt forced.
I’ve enjoyed Ms. Ashenden’s work in the past and while I loved her description of the town and the wilderness that sounds it, the foundation of the town, the quirky way they chose their mayor, but for me the story didn’t work.
Come Home to Deep River starts a new Alaskan contemporary series from Jackie Ashenden. It is an okay book, but not a page turner by any means and I seriously doubt I’ll continue the series. I’m not sure if it is because this is the first book in the series and she’s trying to set up the whole series, but this book seemed drawn out and at times boring. I didn’t connect with any of the characters including Silas and Hope.
The idea of a town that was settled for people who felt they didn’t fit in anywhere was intriguing, but it honestly seemed to me that wasn’t truly the case especially with some of the “newcomers” and I couldn’t reconcile that with how things played out. I felt like the story wasn’t cohesive and felt myself laying it aside multiple times because it wasn’t keeping my attention.
The animosity between Silas and Hope at the beginning was expected, but given their childhood friendship I figured they’d get past it quickly but it kind of dragged on until boom, they were going at each other. I didn’t really feel the heat between them and the relationship felt forced.
I’ve enjoyed Ms. Ashenden’s work in the past and while I loved her description of the town and the wilderness that sounds it, the foundation of the town, the quirky way they chose their mayor, but for me the story didn’t work.
December 15, 2020
3.5⭐ rounder up
I absolutely love a great small town Alaskan romance so I instantly hit that request button so I could start at the beginning. If you also enjoy escaping into Alaska awhile reading a sweet romance, look no further than this series.
What I loved about this book:
1. Silas and Hope had great chemistry and enjoyable banter. They had a few obstacles to overcome from their past, but it was enjoyable to watch them get past all of that and get their HEA.
2. My brother often visits Alaska to go finishing and he has often commented how little the lower 48 knows about what's going on up there. Oil companies are coming in and destroying the beautiful land and poisoning the wildlife. I like how this book brought to light how sneaky the big corporations can be and how little they care about preserving nature's beauty.
3. I loved this small town and thought the plot was quite unique. While there are a few secondary characters that need more development, I hope that's tackled in book two. Honestly I can't wait to read more about this charming town and Filthy Phil. 😂
Overall I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for book two.
I absolutely love a great small town Alaskan romance so I instantly hit that request button so I could start at the beginning. If you also enjoy escaping into Alaska awhile reading a sweet romance, look no further than this series.
What I loved about this book:
1. Silas and Hope had great chemistry and enjoyable banter. They had a few obstacles to overcome from their past, but it was enjoyable to watch them get past all of that and get their HEA.
2. My brother often visits Alaska to go finishing and he has often commented how little the lower 48 knows about what's going on up there. Oil companies are coming in and destroying the beautiful land and poisoning the wildlife. I like how this book brought to light how sneaky the big corporations can be and how little they care about preserving nature's beauty.
3. I loved this small town and thought the plot was quite unique. While there are a few secondary characters that need more development, I hope that's tackled in book two. Honestly I can't wait to read more about this charming town and Filthy Phil. 😂
Overall I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for book two.
April 29, 2021
We can add Jackie Ashenden to the queendom of the small-town contemporary romance duo of Maisey Yates and Caitlin Crews/Megan Crane to make a triumvirate. Which means you get more of the same if you’re a fan of Yates, or Crews-Crane. I’m not a fan anymore. I’m tired of the formula: former military heroes are now suspect, small-towns are scary “off the grid” loony-territory, and tough-talking heroines hiding lonely vulnerabilities aren’t quite believable when “they doth protest too much”. If these characters turn your crank, then you’re the reader for Ashenden’s first “Deep River, Alaska” romance, Home to Deep River.
Ashenden establishes her series setting with a romance that sees hero Silas Quinn return home when his best friend, RIP Caleb West, the town owner, bequeaths him, well, the town. It’s been thirteen years of bad memories of Deep River, except for Silas’s love for Hope Dawson:
Deep River, Alaska, boasts a fiercely independent though small population. The people who live here love it, and they don’t much care what anyone else thinks. Until the day Silas Quinn comes back and tells them an oil reserve has been found below the town and now it’s neighbor vs. neighbor. Some want to take the money and run, while others want to tell the oil company to put its rigs where the sun don’t shine.
Hope Dawson never expected to leave Deep River. Her mom needs her. Her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Her dreams of college and adventure died long ago. Until Silas comes back to town, holding the key to set her free. But freedom means she loses him again, and he’s the one she’s really always wanted.
As a matter of fact, no oil company shows up, there’s no neighbour vs. neighbour and the oil reserve is a minor plot point in this day and age of climate change and alternative energy to bring Silas and Hope together. Does it matter? Not really. Because the town shenanigans and oil reserves and what the town will decide are the background to Ashenden’s purpose: her protagonists waffling on about their tormented feelings while having a lot of sex, lotso’ sex and lotso’ internal distress and denial.
I didn’t much care for Hope, or Silas and that made it hard to warm up to the novel. The town’s being beset by oil companies took only the form of mysterious phone calls offering to buy residents out. But the mountains’ mystery and majestic are such no one can resist, or give, or sell them away. Silas and Hope seemingly join forces to help Deep River navigate this new-found reality, but the narrative succumbs to Silas and Hope’s “sekret” torches for each other. They sleep together; then, they avoid each other; then, they get back together. They seem to do much “burning” for each other and indeed, there’s quite a bit of flame and fire imagery, especially when describing Hope’s eyes. Silas’s eyes are equally peculiarly incendiary: they’re green, they’re gold; they smoulder and flash. They have their own narrative to tell. They’re more interesting than Silas, or Hope.
Ashenden’s Silas and Hope are prone to if not saucy, then tortured doubts and fears. Silas is leaving; their affair is just a “get it out of our system”. Hope is staying; their affair is a temporary slaking of what has been a years-long attraction. Their conflict is strictly internal: Hope wants as much of Silas as she can get; Silas is the same. Then, they both realize, separately and internally, they’re in love with the other. They sleep together again; avoid each other. Silas resolves to leave; then, suddenly, it’s Hope leaving Deep River. Frankly, I didn’t know whether they, or I, were coming or going. It was tedious because they belong together, are so obviously in love, and so obviously want to people Deep River with flashy-eyed babies that their love confessions, when they arrived, elicited only an eye-roll and muttered, “about time”. Despite an excess of combustible eyes, Ashenden sure can write melodrama that I suspect her foray into small-town romance never got the message about putting the sweet in small. With Miss Austen, we found Ashenden’s Home to Deep River “had a high claim to forbearance,” Emma.
Jackie Ashenden’s Home to Deep River is published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It was released in July 2020 and may be found at your preferred vendors. I received an e-ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca, via Netgalley.
Ashenden establishes her series setting with a romance that sees hero Silas Quinn return home when his best friend, RIP Caleb West, the town owner, bequeaths him, well, the town. It’s been thirteen years of bad memories of Deep River, except for Silas’s love for Hope Dawson:
Deep River, Alaska, boasts a fiercely independent though small population. The people who live here love it, and they don’t much care what anyone else thinks. Until the day Silas Quinn comes back and tells them an oil reserve has been found below the town and now it’s neighbor vs. neighbor. Some want to take the money and run, while others want to tell the oil company to put its rigs where the sun don’t shine.
Hope Dawson never expected to leave Deep River. Her mom needs her. Her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Her dreams of college and adventure died long ago. Until Silas comes back to town, holding the key to set her free. But freedom means she loses him again, and he’s the one she’s really always wanted.
As a matter of fact, no oil company shows up, there’s no neighbour vs. neighbour and the oil reserve is a minor plot point in this day and age of climate change and alternative energy to bring Silas and Hope together. Does it matter? Not really. Because the town shenanigans and oil reserves and what the town will decide are the background to Ashenden’s purpose: her protagonists waffling on about their tormented feelings while having a lot of sex, lotso’ sex and lotso’ internal distress and denial.
I didn’t much care for Hope, or Silas and that made it hard to warm up to the novel. The town’s being beset by oil companies took only the form of mysterious phone calls offering to buy residents out. But the mountains’ mystery and majestic are such no one can resist, or give, or sell them away. Silas and Hope seemingly join forces to help Deep River navigate this new-found reality, but the narrative succumbs to Silas and Hope’s “sekret” torches for each other. They sleep together; then, they avoid each other; then, they get back together. They seem to do much “burning” for each other and indeed, there’s quite a bit of flame and fire imagery, especially when describing Hope’s eyes. Silas’s eyes are equally peculiarly incendiary: they’re green, they’re gold; they smoulder and flash. They have their own narrative to tell. They’re more interesting than Silas, or Hope.
Ashenden’s Silas and Hope are prone to if not saucy, then tortured doubts and fears. Silas is leaving; their affair is just a “get it out of our system”. Hope is staying; their affair is a temporary slaking of what has been a years-long attraction. Their conflict is strictly internal: Hope wants as much of Silas as she can get; Silas is the same. Then, they both realize, separately and internally, they’re in love with the other. They sleep together again; avoid each other. Silas resolves to leave; then, suddenly, it’s Hope leaving Deep River. Frankly, I didn’t know whether they, or I, were coming or going. It was tedious because they belong together, are so obviously in love, and so obviously want to people Deep River with flashy-eyed babies that their love confessions, when they arrived, elicited only an eye-roll and muttered, “about time”. Despite an excess of combustible eyes, Ashenden sure can write melodrama that I suspect her foray into small-town romance never got the message about putting the sweet in small. With Miss Austen, we found Ashenden’s Home to Deep River “had a high claim to forbearance,” Emma.
Jackie Ashenden’s Home to Deep River is published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It was released in July 2020 and may be found at your preferred vendors. I received an e-ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca, via Netgalley.
July 22, 2025
Honestly, I would probably give it 3 and a 1/2 stars. The thing that threw me off is that I was reading the Kindle version and at 80%, the book came up with the epilogue. ( there was a novella by a different author at the end of reading) I was totally thrown thinking that something else was going to happen in the book and couldn't wrap my head around what was going on in the story. The writing was good. I enjoyed the fact that the author threw in a lot of comments by the "conscience" of the two main characters. it was originally a filler book while I waiting on some other books on hold. But of course, it is number one in a series, so...
November 30, 2020
For some reason I like to read about small Alaskan towns, not sure why, I've never been to that state, but it's on my bucket list. I don't think I could live there, the remotness of some of the places and then there is all the winter, MN is bad enough.
I liked this town, liked how close they seemed, everyone knew everyone else, but that can also be a bad thing. This town was a bit unusual in that it was owned by one person and everyone else leased the land. Now this could have lead to a bad situtation, but the family that owned the land was good and made sure that those that leased it intended to live there.
Silas comes home to Deep River and throws the town into a bit of an uproar over what is happening to it. He also throws Hope for a bit too, the boy she didn't voice her attraction to, the boy who asked her to leave with him, but she didn't. So much between them, good and bad.
I thought Silas did a good job with the town, getting them the info and helping them decide what to do. I'm glad that he ended changing what he was going to do. I'm also glad that he and Hope worked things out, that betweent he two of them the town will be in good hands.
I liked this town, liked how close they seemed, everyone knew everyone else, but that can also be a bad thing. This town was a bit unusual in that it was owned by one person and everyone else leased the land. Now this could have lead to a bad situtation, but the family that owned the land was good and made sure that those that leased it intended to live there.
Silas comes home to Deep River and throws the town into a bit of an uproar over what is happening to it. He also throws Hope for a bit too, the boy she didn't voice her attraction to, the boy who asked her to leave with him, but she didn't. So much between them, good and bad.
I thought Silas did a good job with the town, getting them the info and helping them decide what to do. I'm glad that he ended changing what he was going to do. I'm also glad that he and Hope worked things out, that betweent he two of them the town will be in good hands.
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December 2, 2020DNF @ 33%
Long inner monologues full of repetitious details. Several times I thought I forgot to turn the page because the same information was repeated. I couldn’t warm up to Hope and her bizarre anger towards Silas was too frustrating.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
Long inner monologues full of repetitious details. Several times I thought I forgot to turn the page because the same information was repeated. I couldn’t warm up to Hope and her bizarre anger towards Silas was too frustrating.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
August 2, 2020
Come Home to Deep River cute, sweet and heartwarming. It was also a struggle to read because of how slow paced it was. I am however intrigued by Damon so I'll probably read the next book in the series.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
July 20, 2020
I've been eagerly awaiting a chance to read Come Home to Deep River, the first book in Jackie Ashenden's Alaska Homecoming series because she hasn't disappointed me yet, nor did she in this contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance romance novel with a deep sense of place, well-drawn characters with real history, real depth, and deeply conflicted emotions, and it gets 4.5 stars from this reader.
Silas Quinn, who was born and raised in Deep River, a tiny, remote town in the Alaskan wilderness, left it for a military career 13 years ago and hasn't been back since. Now, he and a couple of his former military buddies own a private airplane charter company based in Juneau, but an accident ended the life of Caleb West, his best friend, whose family founded and owned the town of Deep River, which eventually was passed down to Caleb. Surprisingly, when Caleb's will was read, instead of leaving Deep River to his sister, the current town police chief, Caleb left it to Silas and the remaining two friends and partners in the charter company. The friends wanted no part of it, and Silas doesn't either, and his plans for what to do with the town, and the rich oil reserves Caleb discovered there and told no one about, form the background and plot of this story, but there's more.
Silas and Caleb had a third friend who was born and raised in Deep River, Hope Dawson, who had a serious crush on Caleb and who was devastated when he and Caleb planned to leave her and Deep River behind. Silas was as deeply in love with Hope as a young man can be, but never let on because it was clear that Hope preferred Caleb, and when Caleb didn't seem to care, Silas offered to stay in town, but young Hope told him to go and was devastated when she never, in the ensuing 13 years, heard from him, although Caleb had been back a few times before his untimely death.
Since neither Caleb' sister, Silas nor his buddies want to stay in Deep River, a proviso of town ownership, he's decided to sign over the town to the person there he trusts the most, Hope, who is now running the only watering hole in town, The Happy Moose, which was passed down to her fragile mother upon her grandfather's untimely death, which occurred when he tried to rescue Silas' drunken father who'd fallen in the river. As I said at the outset, not only do these characters have history, they have deeply felt guilt, angst, and deep emotions about the town, its future, and about each other. Hope has had both bitterness and regret at being left behind by her two best friends. Her mother's fragile psyche was her reason for giving up her own dreams of leaving for college, a career and travel, and to say she isn't really happy to see Silas after all these years and to learn what he plans to dump on her shoulders and return to Juneau ASAP is putting it mildly. She also cannot ignore her attraction to her gorgeous former best friend, who has kept his feelings for her a secret all along, but do these two characters ever generate a lot of heat when they aren't sniping at each other, as they decide on a no-commitment, short-term, sex-only relationship. for the duration of Silas' visit
When Silas and Hope aren't otherwise occupied with each other, they need to find a way to let everyone in town, which is and has been operated on a leasehold basis, that they are sitting on a fortune in oil, and to find a way to come to terms with the promise of wealth and what it will mean for this small town and its inhabitants, how it will change the town's hundred plus year history, the environmental impact of drilling for oil, and the changes that will come if some decide to take the money the oil company is offering and run, are the thread that runs through this complicated story, and there are plenty of decisions and deeper emotions to come, for both main characters and for everyone else in town.
How will it all turn out? Having found each other again after 13 years, will Silas fly off and leave Hope behind again? Will Hope see the oil money and her chance at wealth as the opportunity to finally leave town and pursue her dreams? What will the townspeople decide to do? To find the answers to these questions, you'll need to read this well-written, deeply emotional, steamy and intriguing novel yourself, since I don't do spoilers. I will, however, tell you that there is indeed an HEA ending to this story, which was my only issue with the book, since I felt it came far too abruptly at the very end of this novel, which I thought was otherwise an excellent, and moving read, and which I highly recommend. Frankly, I am looking forward to seeing more of Deep River and it's characters in the future.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Silas Quinn, who was born and raised in Deep River, a tiny, remote town in the Alaskan wilderness, left it for a military career 13 years ago and hasn't been back since. Now, he and a couple of his former military buddies own a private airplane charter company based in Juneau, but an accident ended the life of Caleb West, his best friend, whose family founded and owned the town of Deep River, which eventually was passed down to Caleb. Surprisingly, when Caleb's will was read, instead of leaving Deep River to his sister, the current town police chief, Caleb left it to Silas and the remaining two friends and partners in the charter company. The friends wanted no part of it, and Silas doesn't either, and his plans for what to do with the town, and the rich oil reserves Caleb discovered there and told no one about, form the background and plot of this story, but there's more.
Silas and Caleb had a third friend who was born and raised in Deep River, Hope Dawson, who had a serious crush on Caleb and who was devastated when he and Caleb planned to leave her and Deep River behind. Silas was as deeply in love with Hope as a young man can be, but never let on because it was clear that Hope preferred Caleb, and when Caleb didn't seem to care, Silas offered to stay in town, but young Hope told him to go and was devastated when she never, in the ensuing 13 years, heard from him, although Caleb had been back a few times before his untimely death.
Since neither Caleb' sister, Silas nor his buddies want to stay in Deep River, a proviso of town ownership, he's decided to sign over the town to the person there he trusts the most, Hope, who is now running the only watering hole in town, The Happy Moose, which was passed down to her fragile mother upon her grandfather's untimely death, which occurred when he tried to rescue Silas' drunken father who'd fallen in the river. As I said at the outset, not only do these characters have history, they have deeply felt guilt, angst, and deep emotions about the town, its future, and about each other. Hope has had both bitterness and regret at being left behind by her two best friends. Her mother's fragile psyche was her reason for giving up her own dreams of leaving for college, a career and travel, and to say she isn't really happy to see Silas after all these years and to learn what he plans to dump on her shoulders and return to Juneau ASAP is putting it mildly. She also cannot ignore her attraction to her gorgeous former best friend, who has kept his feelings for her a secret all along, but do these two characters ever generate a lot of heat when they aren't sniping at each other, as they decide on a no-commitment, short-term, sex-only relationship. for the duration of Silas' visit
When Silas and Hope aren't otherwise occupied with each other, they need to find a way to let everyone in town, which is and has been operated on a leasehold basis, that they are sitting on a fortune in oil, and to find a way to come to terms with the promise of wealth and what it will mean for this small town and its inhabitants, how it will change the town's hundred plus year history, the environmental impact of drilling for oil, and the changes that will come if some decide to take the money the oil company is offering and run, are the thread that runs through this complicated story, and there are plenty of decisions and deeper emotions to come, for both main characters and for everyone else in town.
How will it all turn out? Having found each other again after 13 years, will Silas fly off and leave Hope behind again? Will Hope see the oil money and her chance at wealth as the opportunity to finally leave town and pursue her dreams? What will the townspeople decide to do? To find the answers to these questions, you'll need to read this well-written, deeply emotional, steamy and intriguing novel yourself, since I don't do spoilers. I will, however, tell you that there is indeed an HEA ending to this story, which was my only issue with the book, since I felt it came far too abruptly at the very end of this novel, which I thought was otherwise an excellent, and moving read, and which I highly recommend. Frankly, I am looking forward to seeing more of Deep River and it's characters in the future.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
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August 9, 2020I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing The Cowboy Says I do, Come Home to Deep River, and Paradise Cove for BookPage. Here’s the opening:
More than any other category in the romance genre, small-town romances promise warmth and comfort, the narrative equivalent of a security blanket in anxious times. Three romances deliver on that mission while also incorporating a surprising amount of contemporary social reality into the mix. They retain many hallmarks of the traditional small-town romance: conventional couples; tight-knit, if mostly culturally homogenous communities; and towns so tiny and remote they take extra effort to reach. But much like Sarina Bowen’s popular True North series, they avoid presenting the small town as a bucolic paradise that renders a prodigal son or daughter whole. Instead, these towns have their own struggles and challenges, much like the books’ protagonists. These are stories about communities and how they adapt and change in order to thrive.
Read the review:
https://bookpage.com/features/25476-s...
More than any other category in the romance genre, small-town romances promise warmth and comfort, the narrative equivalent of a security blanket in anxious times. Three romances deliver on that mission while also incorporating a surprising amount of contemporary social reality into the mix. They retain many hallmarks of the traditional small-town romance: conventional couples; tight-knit, if mostly culturally homogenous communities; and towns so tiny and remote they take extra effort to reach. But much like Sarina Bowen’s popular True North series, they avoid presenting the small town as a bucolic paradise that renders a prodigal son or daughter whole. Instead, these towns have their own struggles and challenges, much like the books’ protagonists. These are stories about communities and how they adapt and change in order to thrive.
Read the review:
https://bookpage.com/features/25476-s...
July 6, 2020
Hope Dawson dreamed of grand adventures and going to college, but when her grandfather unexpectedly dies, leaving her to run the local pub and care for her mother, Hope accepts her fate.
Then a blast from the past blows into Deep River in the form of one sinfully hot Silas Quinn. But he’s not here for a reunion, he has news that could destroy the sleepy little Alaskan town.
Silas doesn’t want the responsibility of owning a town, much less taking time away from his new business to deliver news he knows is going to be poorly received. Not to mention the fact that he’s bound to see Hope again- his best friend and the woman he’s never forgotten.
This was an enjoyable read by a new-to-me author. Her descriptions of The Happy Moose (the bar) and Deep River’s citizens brought the town to life for me. There are past wounds that need healed before Hope and Silas can have a chance to see where their attraction might lead, as well as the complication of oil being found under the town and how it creates rifts among the people.
This is lining up to be a good series!
Then a blast from the past blows into Deep River in the form of one sinfully hot Silas Quinn. But he’s not here for a reunion, he has news that could destroy the sleepy little Alaskan town.
Silas doesn’t want the responsibility of owning a town, much less taking time away from his new business to deliver news he knows is going to be poorly received. Not to mention the fact that he’s bound to see Hope again- his best friend and the woman he’s never forgotten.
This was an enjoyable read by a new-to-me author. Her descriptions of The Happy Moose (the bar) and Deep River’s citizens brought the town to life for me. There are past wounds that need healed before Hope and Silas can have a chance to see where their attraction might lead, as well as the complication of oil being found under the town and how it creates rifts among the people.
This is lining up to be a good series!
April 29, 2022
This was good, it just had such a melancholy and sad vibe for a romance!
July 9, 2020
I enjoyed this romance book set in small town Alaska. After his best friend dies and leaves him with responsibilities in their hometown, our hero returns with plans to take care of his duties then leave. He soon realizes this is where he was meant to be. Once having dreams of leaving town the heroine gets stuck in town after being left to run the family bar. The hero and heroine reconnect and fight their connection. The story got a little wordy at times but I will definitely read the next book in this series.
June 6, 2020
Silas Quinn is flying back to a remote small town in the backcountry of Alaska, Deep River, which is privately owned. Silas (Si) left thirteen years ago, with one of his best friends, Caleb West, and is about to upset his second best friend, Hope Dawson.
Caleb died in an accident, and left the ownership of the town to Silas and two other buddies. Silas wants no part of owning the town, which comes with the clause that he'd have to live there. He left for a reason.
Hope Dawson is the owner of The Happy Moose, that she inherited from her grandfather. Hope had dreams of going to see the world and going to college for a degree. She put her life on hold to stay to take care of her mother and run The Moose.
When Si walks into the bar, Hope tampers down an urge to go run into his arms to welcome him, but instead focuses her anger on how Caleb and Si left her all those years ago. Not once did Si come back. After hearing Si out, Hope is blindsided regarding the news that has the potential to uproot the entire town.
While Si and Hope work together to come up with a solution, they can't fight the attraction they have towards one another. The problem is Si doesn't plan to stay very long, he's got a business to get back to. Hope's mother just threw gas on the fire, and Hope might be able to reach for her dreams once again, if her mother has her way.
Coming home to Deep River, leads Silas to remember what he left behind and it's going to take an old friend with wisdom that helps Silas find the true meaning of what Silas doesn't believe in. Hope's mother shares a secret that allows Hope to see that it's past time for her to stop being afraid and have courage to go after what she truly wanted.
This is a new author for me. From the first page, I was intrigued by the man on a mission and returning to a hometown that might not welcome him. I love the chemistry between Si and Hope. Throughout the story, there is back and forth between Si and one of the other buddies, who is also willed the town, but left to run the business. He flies in to confront Silas. There's a nice plug for another story that hopefully involves this man. Amazing start to wonderful new series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley via SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Caleb died in an accident, and left the ownership of the town to Silas and two other buddies. Silas wants no part of owning the town, which comes with the clause that he'd have to live there. He left for a reason.
Hope Dawson is the owner of The Happy Moose, that she inherited from her grandfather. Hope had dreams of going to see the world and going to college for a degree. She put her life on hold to stay to take care of her mother and run The Moose.
When Si walks into the bar, Hope tampers down an urge to go run into his arms to welcome him, but instead focuses her anger on how Caleb and Si left her all those years ago. Not once did Si come back. After hearing Si out, Hope is blindsided regarding the news that has the potential to uproot the entire town.
While Si and Hope work together to come up with a solution, they can't fight the attraction they have towards one another. The problem is Si doesn't plan to stay very long, he's got a business to get back to. Hope's mother just threw gas on the fire, and Hope might be able to reach for her dreams once again, if her mother has her way.
Coming home to Deep River, leads Silas to remember what he left behind and it's going to take an old friend with wisdom that helps Silas find the true meaning of what Silas doesn't believe in. Hope's mother shares a secret that allows Hope to see that it's past time for her to stop being afraid and have courage to go after what she truly wanted.
This is a new author for me. From the first page, I was intrigued by the man on a mission and returning to a hometown that might not welcome him. I love the chemistry between Si and Hope. Throughout the story, there is back and forth between Si and one of the other buddies, who is also willed the town, but left to run the business. He flies in to confront Silas. There's a nice plug for another story that hopefully involves this man. Amazing start to wonderful new series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley via SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
August 27, 2020
I tried and tried and tried to get into Come Home to Deep River, but I just wasn’t able to. After reading for six nights and only getting through 50 percent, I called it quits.
Silas Quinn left his small Alaskan hometown of Deep River right after high school and never came back, not even for a visit. So when he shows up after 13 years and brings with him some unsettling information, it doesn’t go over well, especially not with Hope Dawson - who used to be one of his best friends, but certainly isn’t happy to see him now.
Silas plans to deliver his news then hightail it back to Juneau. But then he decides not to abandon Hope and leave her to deal with the fallout of a potentially bad situation - for a second time.
And that’s as far as I got. After about 200 pages we’ve covered three days of time, most of which is filled with repeated explanations and repetitious internal thoughts. Nothing drags down the pace of a book more than when something happens in the story and then in the next chapter that event is replayed and rehashed ad nauseum by the characters in their internal thoughts (which is what happened over and over and over again). I really DO want to know what the hero and heroine are thinking and feeling, but I don’t want to read the same things over and over.
I also want stuff to happen. The great thing about stories that take place in small towns are the quirky characters and the funny town traditions that are the hallmark of the small town trope. This story had a Virgin River meets Northern Exposure vibe, only without the fantastic world-creating of Ms. Carr's book series or the charming, quirky characters of the television show. I read half the book and we hardly met any other townspeople - and those we did meet were met in passing or by way of "this person owns this business in town and has lived here their whole life" (the ultimate in telling vs showing). I needed more charm, I needed more action.
I really wanted to like this story - I’m a huge fan of small town stories - but this one failed to pull me in and hold my interest. So I’m adding it to my virtual DNF pile and moving on...
* thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casasblanca for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Silas Quinn left his small Alaskan hometown of Deep River right after high school and never came back, not even for a visit. So when he shows up after 13 years and brings with him some unsettling information, it doesn’t go over well, especially not with Hope Dawson - who used to be one of his best friends, but certainly isn’t happy to see him now.
Silas plans to deliver his news then hightail it back to Juneau. But then he decides not to abandon Hope and leave her to deal with the fallout of a potentially bad situation - for a second time.
And that’s as far as I got. After about 200 pages we’ve covered three days of time, most of which is filled with repeated explanations and repetitious internal thoughts. Nothing drags down the pace of a book more than when something happens in the story and then in the next chapter that event is replayed and rehashed ad nauseum by the characters in their internal thoughts (which is what happened over and over and over again). I really DO want to know what the hero and heroine are thinking and feeling, but I don’t want to read the same things over and over.
I also want stuff to happen. The great thing about stories that take place in small towns are the quirky characters and the funny town traditions that are the hallmark of the small town trope. This story had a Virgin River meets Northern Exposure vibe, only without the fantastic world-creating of Ms. Carr's book series or the charming, quirky characters of the television show. I read half the book and we hardly met any other townspeople - and those we did meet were met in passing or by way of "this person owns this business in town and has lived here their whole life" (the ultimate in telling vs showing). I needed more charm, I needed more action.
I really wanted to like this story - I’m a huge fan of small town stories - but this one failed to pull me in and hold my interest. So I’m adding it to my virtual DNF pile and moving on...
* thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casasblanca for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 27, 2020
Come Home to Deep River was not your typical small town romance. Silas Quinn comes back after 13 years to tell the town he and two friends have inherited the town (You may have several questions here; well the book will answer some of them and not others). Silas left because his best friend Hope turned him down because she thought she was in love with their other friend. They were in high school so you could excuse her behavior then. I enjoyed Silas’ character both from the romance perspective and from the way he handled the town.
Hope was just not a likeable character. Between playing a victim and martyr her whole life and holding on to anger at Silas and Caleb for leaving her; there just wasn’t much to like about her.
The book had interesting secondary characters that were much more likeable than Hope. I would have put Silas with the Librarian Mayor 😊
Sexual Content – most a romance with several physical scenes with details.
Violence
Language – F word twice, Gdamn was used 16 times and I consider offensive. Damn – 40 times shi&t – 32 times
Drinking – she owns a bar and takes a swig of whisky when she is upset.
I received this book from publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
Hope was just not a likeable character. Between playing a victim and martyr her whole life and holding on to anger at Silas and Caleb for leaving her; there just wasn’t much to like about her.
The book had interesting secondary characters that were much more likeable than Hope. I would have put Silas with the Librarian Mayor 😊
Sexual Content – most a romance with several physical scenes with details.
Violence
Language – F word twice, Gdamn was used 16 times and I consider offensive. Damn – 40 times shi&t – 32 times
Drinking – she owns a bar and takes a swig of whisky when she is upset.
I received this book from publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
July 20, 2020
There were a lot of ups and downs for me in this story, but overall I enjoyed the read. I found the world building to be intriguing. The way and reason this small Alaska town is founded lends itself to some interesting characters and scenarios. One of my favorites being the townspeople electing residents as mayor as a kind of punk. It’s an actual running gag to elect people as mayor who don’t want to be mayor. I don’t know what it says about me that I found that delightful.
For the most part, I liked the hero Silas. He was hurt years ago by Hope, even if she didn’t realize how deeply her rejection affected him. For his part, he also hurt Hope by leaving their small town and, in her mind, never looking back. Of course, the rejection and along with other bad memories kept him away. But from where she was standing, her two best friends abandoned her for greener pastures. What bothered me is that she seemed to have so much animosity toward Silas where she was still friendly with Cal. And he was the one who rejected her all those years ago. While I understood the root of her reasons, it bothered me that she didn’t realize for a very long time that she was even doing it. So it took me quite a bit longer to warm up to Hope.
Hope’s mom is a catalyst for many realizations that Hope has, but that woman is horrible. I think, on some level, the reader is meant to have some sort of sympathy for her by the end of the book. I can’t, though. This woman is NOT a good mother. I get mental health issues, I’ve had depression issues myself. If this woman had truly gotten help and was on the other end of things she would not allow her daughter to continue blaming herself for everything. It left me feeling sad for Hope and an all-around icky feeling that everyone seemed to make excuses for the woman.
When it came to the actual love story part of this book, I liked the progression. Best friends, secret feelings, years apart, instant sparks after years apart, the inevitable giving in to their feelings. Hope and Silas do have good chemistry and I enjoyed most of their interactions. My issues with this story had nothing to do with the core romance of the book.
Silas did not act as I would expect an adult man to act toward his business partners. We only really meet one of them, and he was not very understanding to Silas so it was extremely hard for me to imagine them as being best friends and buddies who went through some much together over the last 13 years. I already mentioned my issues with Hope’s mom. And where the heck is Cal’s sister. The only law enforcement in the whole town, during this very uncertain time. So, like I said in the beginning, ups and downs. It’s worth a read if you’re a fan of small-town romance, though. It also made me curious enough about why Cal did what he did and what’s going on with Damon to want to read the next story.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
For the most part, I liked the hero Silas. He was hurt years ago by Hope, even if she didn’t realize how deeply her rejection affected him. For his part, he also hurt Hope by leaving their small town and, in her mind, never looking back. Of course, the rejection and along with other bad memories kept him away. But from where she was standing, her two best friends abandoned her for greener pastures. What bothered me is that she seemed to have so much animosity toward Silas where she was still friendly with Cal. And he was the one who rejected her all those years ago. While I understood the root of her reasons, it bothered me that she didn’t realize for a very long time that she was even doing it. So it took me quite a bit longer to warm up to Hope.
Hope’s mom is a catalyst for many realizations that Hope has, but that woman is horrible. I think, on some level, the reader is meant to have some sort of sympathy for her by the end of the book. I can’t, though. This woman is NOT a good mother. I get mental health issues, I’ve had depression issues myself. If this woman had truly gotten help and was on the other end of things she would not allow her daughter to continue blaming herself for everything. It left me feeling sad for Hope and an all-around icky feeling that everyone seemed to make excuses for the woman.
When it came to the actual love story part of this book, I liked the progression. Best friends, secret feelings, years apart, instant sparks after years apart, the inevitable giving in to their feelings. Hope and Silas do have good chemistry and I enjoyed most of their interactions. My issues with this story had nothing to do with the core romance of the book.
Silas did not act as I would expect an adult man to act toward his business partners. We only really meet one of them, and he was not very understanding to Silas so it was extremely hard for me to imagine them as being best friends and buddies who went through some much together over the last 13 years. I already mentioned my issues with Hope’s mom. And where the heck is Cal’s sister. The only law enforcement in the whole town, during this very uncertain time. So, like I said in the beginning, ups and downs. It’s worth a read if you’re a fan of small-town romance, though. It also made me curious enough about why Cal did what he did and what’s going on with Damon to want to read the next story.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
July 28, 2020
COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER is the first instalment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult ALASKA HOMECOMING erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of Deep River, Alaska. This is former US soldier and pilot Silas Quinn, and bar owner Hope Dawson’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Hope and Silas) COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER follows the rebuilding friendship and relationship between former US soldier and pilot Silas Quinn, and bar owner Hope Dawson. Thirteen years earlier Silas Quinn, along with his best friend Caleb West, swore never to return to Deep River but with Caleb’s death came the ownership of the town of Deep River, owned by the West family for close to one hundred years, now passed on to our hero, and his friends Damon and Zeke. Silas’ return to Deep River brought with it too many memories of a time long ago including the rejection of the woman that stole his heart. Enter bar owner Hope Dawson and the woman with whom Silas is still in love. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Hope and Silas, and the potential fall-out as the town of Deep River sits on a field of oil, a field that the Big Oil companies are hoping to own.
Silas Quinn left Deep River, Alaska a broken man-with the death of his mother, his father fell deep into a years long drunken stupor, and his eventual demise forced Silas to face the an awful truth. With only one reason to remain in Deep River, Hope’s rejection of our hero pushed Silas over the edge, swearing never to return to the land he once loved. With Damon and Zeke, Silas owned and operated a business in Juneau, business from which Damon is currently trying to let go. Hope Dawson once believed she was in love with Silas’ best friend but his rejection was heart breaking and pained. Having remained in Deep River to keep an eye on her mother, Hope had always wondered about moving on and out of the town she continues to call home.
The relationship between Hope and Silas is one of second chances, of a sorts, between former friends whose unrequited love for one another has never been acknowledged. Thirteen years hardened Hope’s heart to the man with whom she would fall in love but thirteen years also brought memories from a time long ago The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to many of the townies of Deep River Alaska including Hope’s mother Angela, bartender Axel ; ferry operator Kevin Anderson; general store owner Malcolm Cooper; tourism operator Sandy; mayor Astrid James; and wannabe luxury motel owner Mike Flint. We are also introduced to Silas’ partner Damon.
COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; power, money and greed and control. The fast paced premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic, colorful and charismatic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual third person perspectives (Hope and Silas) COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER follows the rebuilding friendship and relationship between former US soldier and pilot Silas Quinn, and bar owner Hope Dawson. Thirteen years earlier Silas Quinn, along with his best friend Caleb West, swore never to return to Deep River but with Caleb’s death came the ownership of the town of Deep River, owned by the West family for close to one hundred years, now passed on to our hero, and his friends Damon and Zeke. Silas’ return to Deep River brought with it too many memories of a time long ago including the rejection of the woman that stole his heart. Enter bar owner Hope Dawson and the woman with whom Silas is still in love. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Hope and Silas, and the potential fall-out as the town of Deep River sits on a field of oil, a field that the Big Oil companies are hoping to own.
Silas Quinn left Deep River, Alaska a broken man-with the death of his mother, his father fell deep into a years long drunken stupor, and his eventual demise forced Silas to face the an awful truth. With only one reason to remain in Deep River, Hope’s rejection of our hero pushed Silas over the edge, swearing never to return to the land he once loved. With Damon and Zeke, Silas owned and operated a business in Juneau, business from which Damon is currently trying to let go. Hope Dawson once believed she was in love with Silas’ best friend but his rejection was heart breaking and pained. Having remained in Deep River to keep an eye on her mother, Hope had always wondered about moving on and out of the town she continues to call home.
The relationship between Hope and Silas is one of second chances, of a sorts, between former friends whose unrequited love for one another has never been acknowledged. Thirteen years hardened Hope’s heart to the man with whom she would fall in love but thirteen years also brought memories from a time long ago The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to many of the townies of Deep River Alaska including Hope’s mother Angela, bartender Axel ; ferry operator Kevin Anderson; general store owner Malcolm Cooper; tourism operator Sandy; mayor Astrid James; and wannabe luxury motel owner Mike Flint. We are also introduced to Silas’ partner Damon.
COME HOME TO DEEP RIVER is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; power, money and greed and control. The fast paced premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic, colorful and charismatic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
November 28, 2021
It took me forever and a day to finish this book and that is really sad and actually tells you all about the rating of the book. What we have here is a coming back home story about Silas and Hope when their best friend Caleb dies and Silas is tasked with returning home to settle his will. Upon Caleb's untimely death, it is found out that he left the town of Deep River to Silas and his other business partner Damon. Silas has not been home for 13 years and he is dreading to return to the small town, but he is also looking forward to seeing his childhood crush, Hope. The small town of Deep River is faced with a difficult decision while Silas and Hope are just starting to feel the spark. Will love prevail and save the town of Deep River? Well…let's find out, shall we?
First off, this story takes place in Alaska and it is really on my bucket list to visit one day. The setting of this story was beautiful and it was as if I was walking on the iced river in Deep River. We are introduced to Silas as he returns home to deal with the will of his best friend, Caleb, who has recently passed. It has been 13 years since he left behind his childhood crush, Hope. Hope was known around town to have a crush on Caleb, but Hope has been secretly harboring feelings for Silas. Silas and Hope both have parental issues, but Silas was dealt a horrible hand. His mother died of cancer and his father looked to alcohol for his grief and drowned along with Hope's grandfather who was trying to save him while in a drunken state. It was a tragic loss and an event that will drift the once close friends apart. Many years later, Silas is back home and faced with a decisions that could change his entire and the love of his life.
The chemistry between these two was there, but not as strong as I would have liked. Their romance was a slow burn, but once it got moving, the heat was over flowing. I liked Hope enough I guess, but I really did not care if Silas got the girl. The townspeople were interesting, but the least interesting character was Hope for me. This story did not leave an impression on me, but I will say that it would be suitable for a quick and lazy read on Sunday afternoon. There is no blanket or tea needed with this one.
First off, this story takes place in Alaska and it is really on my bucket list to visit one day. The setting of this story was beautiful and it was as if I was walking on the iced river in Deep River. We are introduced to Silas as he returns home to deal with the will of his best friend, Caleb, who has recently passed. It has been 13 years since he left behind his childhood crush, Hope. Hope was known around town to have a crush on Caleb, but Hope has been secretly harboring feelings for Silas. Silas and Hope both have parental issues, but Silas was dealt a horrible hand. His mother died of cancer and his father looked to alcohol for his grief and drowned along with Hope's grandfather who was trying to save him while in a drunken state. It was a tragic loss and an event that will drift the once close friends apart. Many years later, Silas is back home and faced with a decisions that could change his entire and the love of his life.
The chemistry between these two was there, but not as strong as I would have liked. Their romance was a slow burn, but once it got moving, the heat was over flowing. I liked Hope enough I guess, but I really did not care if Silas got the girl. The townspeople were interesting, but the least interesting character was Hope for me. This story did not leave an impression on me, but I will say that it would be suitable for a quick and lazy read on Sunday afternoon. There is no blanket or tea needed with this one.
August 5, 2020
I have been a fan of Jackie Ashenden's books ever since I read her 9 Circles series. She is a very talented writer and Come Home to Deep River is a good example why. Her books very in heat and intensity and this Alaska Homecoming series is definitely one of her lighter stories. Yes there is depth to the story but much less angst then some of her other books. Silas hasn't been back to Deep River since he joined the military with his friend Caleb. Now its been a dozen years and Caleb has passed away and handed over ownership of the town to Silas and their other two friends much to their surprise. So Silas returns to settle the matter with the town and in doing so he needs to reconnect with the girl that he and Caleb left behind. Hope always wanted to leave Deep River and explore the world but life had other plans for her. To say that she isn't pleased to see Silas after not hearing from him in a dozen years is apparent to everyone including Silas. They have to work together though because Silas doesn't plan on staying and Hope is an integral part of his plans for the town. They also have more issues and that involves that Caleb discovered that there is oil reserves under Deep River. Oil means money and money usually brings good and bad to people. Add to all of this the deep attraction between Silas and Hope that has been simmering for years and neither one is sure what to do about it! I really enjoyed this small quirky town and I love a good second chance as well! Come Home to Deep River was told from dual POV and I am looking forward to reading more about its residents and their future!
July 26, 2020
Come Home to Deep River by Jackie Ashenden is the first book in a series about the Alaskan town of Deep River. While she is not a new author, this is the first of her books I have read and looks to be a newer direction for her. Deep River is difficult to get to and does not offer many opportunities to young people. Interestingly the town is owned by one person and the people who live there, rent or lease the land with mineral rights. The people who live there are independent and very individualistic in their views.
We meet Silas Quinn (one of the new owners and a prior resident) who came into town to share the news about how he is now one of the owners AND there seems to be oil under the town. The information he offers causes as many opinions as there are people. Silas spends time with people looking for a solution for consensus.
Meanwhile Hope Dawson could never leave Deep River. She wanted to get an English degree and travel to different places. Instead she has ended up taking care of her mother and running her grandfather’s bar. Silas always had a crush on her and she found his presence unsettling.
The storyline is somewhat predictable when it comes to Hope and Silas, but it is one you want to happen. The people of the town and the growth that Hope and Silas need is interesting and helps the story become more interesting. The book moved right along and I liked the ending of the novel with all the interesting characters. Come Home to Deep River by Jackie Ashenden was a good read.
We meet Silas Quinn (one of the new owners and a prior resident) who came into town to share the news about how he is now one of the owners AND there seems to be oil under the town. The information he offers causes as many opinions as there are people. Silas spends time with people looking for a solution for consensus.
Meanwhile Hope Dawson could never leave Deep River. She wanted to get an English degree and travel to different places. Instead she has ended up taking care of her mother and running her grandfather’s bar. Silas always had a crush on her and she found his presence unsettling.
The storyline is somewhat predictable when it comes to Hope and Silas, but it is one you want to happen. The people of the town and the growth that Hope and Silas need is interesting and helps the story become more interesting. The book moved right along and I liked the ending of the novel with all the interesting characters. Come Home to Deep River by Jackie Ashenden was a good read.
May 10, 2020
Come Home to Deep River - Jackie Ashenden
I received an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I am a great fan of Jackie Ashenden and have read loads of her books and enjoyed nearly every single one. I was keen to see what this one was like as it's a bit different from the books I usually like.
This was an interesting start to what is clearly going to be a series. The author created a great setting in the town and the characters who lived there. The dilemma of how to deal with an oil find in the town which could bring loads of money to individuals nut ruin the very nature of it was really well handled. I liked the hero a lot - Si had won me over on page 1!
Hope was a different matter. I didn't understand why she held a grudge about Si leaving and not coming back. He'd asked her to leave with him and she'd not only said no, she'd made it clear it was his brother she was interested in. (All untrue of course!) I get a bit fed up with heroines who sacrifice themselves for a family - especially when I feel the family don't deserve it - so Hope still being stuck in the town 13 years later struck me as her fault and no one else's
However, this simply shows what a good writer Jackie is as she writes such believable characters that they become real people!! I swiftly started to support Hope as well.
Looking forward to the next story!!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I am a great fan of Jackie Ashenden and have read loads of her books and enjoyed nearly every single one. I was keen to see what this one was like as it's a bit different from the books I usually like.
This was an interesting start to what is clearly going to be a series. The author created a great setting in the town and the characters who lived there. The dilemma of how to deal with an oil find in the town which could bring loads of money to individuals nut ruin the very nature of it was really well handled. I liked the hero a lot - Si had won me over on page 1!
Hope was a different matter. I didn't understand why she held a grudge about Si leaving and not coming back. He'd asked her to leave with him and she'd not only said no, she'd made it clear it was his brother she was interested in. (All untrue of course!) I get a bit fed up with heroines who sacrifice themselves for a family - especially when I feel the family don't deserve it - so Hope still being stuck in the town 13 years later struck me as her fault and no one else's
However, this simply shows what a good writer Jackie is as she writes such believable characters that they become real people!! I swiftly started to support Hope as well.
Looking forward to the next story!!
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