Forever Yours: Return to Hope's Crossing

The Murphy Clan #6

by Kathy Coatney

THE BAD BOY OF BASEBALL RETURNS HOME LOOKING FOR A FRESH START. SHE RETURNS HOME TO RIGHT A WRONG. THERE’S STILL A SPARK BETWEEN THEM, BUT CAN THEY MAKE A LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP WORK? HE LEFT HER ONCE, BUT HE WON’T LOSE HER A SECOND TIME.

“Another terrific book in the Return To Hope's Crossing series” 5 star review
“The town itself adds such charm to this engaging story!” 5 star review

Ben had the world by the tail. I’m the love he left behind.

After our parents died in a car accident, my sisters and I lived with Uncle Cornelius, a stuffy Brit with a heart as big as the state of Indiana. Cornelius owned the local movie theater in Hope’s Crossing, and I loved every inch of the place almost as much as I secretly loved Ben Valentine. But Ben was out of my league, never seeing me as anything but his high school tutor. When he left for college, he took my heart with him.

Four years later, with my business degree in hand, I wanted to work with Uncle Cornelius. But nothing went as planned, and I struck out on my own in Paradise Falls where I bought a drive-in theater I could run my way. My life is on track until Uncle Cornelius has a heart attack. With regret burning deep inside, I rush home to set things right with him. It’s all I can think about, until I discover the bad boy of baseball is living next door. Then all I see is heartbreak in my future because there’s nothing to keep me in Hope’s Crossing—nothing except the man of my dreams.

Get your copy today because your first love is the one you never forget.

This is book three in The Murphy Clan—Return to Hope’s Crossing series. If you want to read more of the Murphy Clan, check out The Murphy Clan—Falling in Love series.

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Contemporary

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2021

About the author

Under the name K.T. Coatney, I write fast-paced suspense featuring the elite agents of FIRE—Federal Investigations and Reconnaissance Enforcement—where danger is real, the stakes are high, and love is the last line of defense.

As Kathy Coatney, I bring that same passion for storytelling to deeply emotional, small-town contemporary romance. My novels explore themes of love, community, and the agricultural roots that have shaped my life. Some readers may remember me as Kate Curran, but these days, all my books are published under the Coatney name.

I’m also the author of the nonfiction children’s series From the Farm to the Table and Dad’s Girls, celebrating the journey from farm to fork.

When I’m not writing, you’ll find me biking, skiing, or jogging (at tortoise speed). Learn more at www.kathycoatney.com.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another friends to more story and I generally love those storylines. As with the other books in this series, it was just missing something for me. I was not connected to Ben or Willa due to them not being in the other two books I read, so this was somewhat of a fresh start. Ben is Griffin’s brother and Willa is Cassie’s best friend so there is that connection, but neither is mentioned in their book.

Overall the storyline is good. Ben is a retired baseball player due to an injury. He is now back in his hometown and is a teacher. Willa grew up in this small town being cared for by her grumpy Uncle Cornelius after her parents passed away. She spent her childhood trying to make him proud, but never seemed to be able to. After she graduated she left town to prove to herself she could make it and hoped she still could earn the praise of her Uncle. Now he had a health scare and she is back to help take care of him and his the theatre.

These two weren’t exactly friends since childhood, but Willa was definitely attracted to Ben. She used to tutor him and he was the over confident jock. Willa resists Ben for all of five minutes when she realizes there is more to him than what she knew or that is in the tabloids. Ben is very attracted to the adult, independent version of Willa, but his past burned him pretty good and makes him hesitant to hope for a true relationship.

They start spending more time together because of her Uncle. Of course the attraction is undeniable and they give in to it, but they are both so hot and cold it makes it hard to enjoy. I love a little resistance initially, but when it carries on it makes it hard to truly get on board with the story.

There was good development in the story with Willa and her Uncle. Like the other books though, the overall story felt incomplete in places. It skipped ahead in places, did not make sense at times and left me wanting more. They get their HEA, which I loved, but overall this was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific book in the Return To Hope's Crossing series. Willa returns to Hope's Crossing to help her uncle after he has a heart attack. Ben is her uncle's next-door neighbor and has recently returned to town from playing baseball in the majors. They decide to resume their high school friendship but it quickly turns in to so much more. While they've both been burned by love, they dive headfirst into a relationship. I liked that Ben had always been a jock but got a teaching degree in college so he would have something to fall back on if he needed it. I liked that Willa did whatever it took to realize her dream of owning her own business and is putting that same zest into saving Mumford Theater. Cornelius has been a crotchety man since he was introduced in the series. I'm glad we got a chance to see he has a heart and would do anything for his nieces. If you're looking for a sweet romance with likable characters, a good supporting cast, and an engaging plot then read Forever Yours.

[Evonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Ben and Willa is a sweet one.  I like that they had a history as kids, and also found it ironic that even though he rebuffed her advances as teenagers they still both clearly have feelings for each other.   As Willa struggles to keep her uncles theater in order while he's recovering from a heart attack, Ben is right there to help her when she needs it and to try to make her see he's perfect for her.   I laughed that Willa refused to go skink hunting with Ben but would love to watch the videos he made about them.   As someone who is afraid of most bugs and reptiles I agreed with her on that.   I like that we see the family/relationship drama and I also like that we see how each person grows.  I also like the fact that each book builds on to the same town and tells more of the story.  It's almost like the town itself is a character.   (This book was received as an ARC )

[Lee Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet small town romance and the third book in the Return to Hope's Crossing series. When Willa's uncle has a heart attack, she returns to Hope's Crossing to care for him and to run the movie theater he owns until he recovers. Ben is her uncle's next door neighbor and an friend from high school. Willa and Ben decide to rekindle their friendship, but soon it turns to more than just friends. This story is about family, love, trusting, and learning to live.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much too wordy. There were paragraphs that felt like the author needed throw something in to meet her required number of words.

The story was ok. It felt as if there was more focus on Willa & her Uncle Cornelius than on Willa & Ben.

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet small town romance. This is about family and trust and just learning to live a little. A great addition to the series.