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Heroes of Freedom Ridge #10
Friends with the Hero
Can a chance encounter with a former childhood best friend be the start of a beautiful romance?
When volunteer firefighter Frank “Tuck” Tucker responds to a false alarm in the middle of the night at the new bake shop in town, he doesn’t expect to come face to face with his childhood best friend. In her nightgown no less.
He also didn’t expect to get hired as her new assistant. But that happened, too. Along with an odd tingling in his hand when they shook that didn’t used to be there when they dug for crawfish down by the creek. But he needs a job and hers was the only place in town hiring. She didn’t seem to care that his former career as a smoke jumper didn’t provide much experience in baking cakes.
Patience Martel isn’t sure what caused her smoke alarm to go off, but she’s grateful for the malfunction. She hadn’t seen Tuck since her school days, and she was thrilled to actually have someone in her shop she could trust not to steal her blind, unlike her ex. She won her court case against him, but he’d already spent the money he’d stolen and she ended up with nothing but a bunch of lawyer’s fees.
Even if he’s never made anything but mud pies and river stew, Tuck is a sight for sore eyes. Could he also be just what her aching heart needs, too?
Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas Romance.
Friends with the Hero is book 10 in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, but each of the books can be read on its own.
When volunteer firefighter Frank “Tuck” Tucker responds to a false alarm in the middle of the night at the new bake shop in town, he doesn’t expect to come face to face with his childhood best friend. In her nightgown no less.
He also didn’t expect to get hired as her new assistant. But that happened, too. Along with an odd tingling in his hand when they shook that didn’t used to be there when they dug for crawfish down by the creek. But he needs a job and hers was the only place in town hiring. She didn’t seem to care that his former career as a smoke jumper didn’t provide much experience in baking cakes.
Patience Martel isn’t sure what caused her smoke alarm to go off, but she’s grateful for the malfunction. She hadn’t seen Tuck since her school days, and she was thrilled to actually have someone in her shop she could trust not to steal her blind, unlike her ex. She won her court case against him, but he’d already spent the money he’d stolen and she ended up with nothing but a bunch of lawyer’s fees.
Even if he’s never made anything but mud pies and river stew, Tuck is a sight for sore eyes. Could he also be just what her aching heart needs, too?
Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas Romance.
Friends with the Hero is book 10 in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, but each of the books can be read on its own.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 9, 2021
Jessie Gussman has written another fantastic story! Tuck and Patience have instant chemistry, and their growth from friends to more was oh so satisfying. The flow was perfect, and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. This is a wonderful addition to the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series that I highly recommend.
November 17, 2021
Friends with the Hero finds Patience, a divorced woman that is using her home to make cakes and cupcakes for customers in Freedom. When a silent smoke alarm goes off and a firetruck pulls up in front of her home and only one fireman gets out they recognize each other. It was Tuck, her best friend growing up all the way through high school. He has been gone as he was a firejumper in several states. He tells her he had came back to Freedom and was working at the fire department filling in for some guys out on vacation. They talk while Patience is letting the cake cool that she has to have delivered at 8 a.m. and another cake that she would have to have delivered by 10a.m. Tuck tells her he will be back after he returns the truck and clock out to make the 8 a.m. delivery for her. Like no time has passed, they feel comfortable together talking and laughing. But Tuck is heart broken when he heard that Patience was married and that he stole her savings and left her. She was saving for her a bakery but now is behind just trying to pay her bills etc. working out of her home.
Patience discusses with Tuck that they are still just friends. Tuck is starting to want more between them and when he goes to work for her while her co-worker has went back home to care for her dying mother the feeling just keeps growing. Patience is so hurt about marrying a man that would steal from her and leave her that Tuck knows he has his work cut out for him. Tuck is up for the job. He helps Patience by washing dishes and cleaning up after her and helping deliver her cakes and cupcakes working on helping to heal Patience's heart. One romantic night on a date with Tuck and him taking them on a snowmobile to their favorite spot on a farm that is now for sale is the magic turning point in both their lives.
Patience discusses with Tuck that they are still just friends. Tuck is starting to want more between them and when he goes to work for her while her co-worker has went back home to care for her dying mother the feeling just keeps growing. Patience is so hurt about marrying a man that would steal from her and leave her that Tuck knows he has his work cut out for him. Tuck is up for the job. He helps Patience by washing dishes and cleaning up after her and helping deliver her cakes and cupcakes working on helping to heal Patience's heart. One romantic night on a date with Tuck and him taking them on a snowmobile to their favorite spot on a farm that is now for sale is the magic turning point in both their lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2021
I liked this best friends to more story. I liked how both the main characters had grow from when they were young but they are still able to talk to each other and have a close relationship. I also like how Tuck didn’t push her into any decisions. I liked that he gave her options and then let her decide what she wanted. I thought this was a cute story.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
November 9, 2021
A sweet shorter (2-3hour) story. As usual Jessie Gussman weaves into the story some wonderful scriptural lessons, to wait on God, to be still. There is growth in the main characters, relatable real to life characters with flaws and insecurities.
A clean romance (one that your teen daughter could read without any blushing on mum's part), a stand alone book (although part of a series).
I found this book to be slightly different to other books from this author. I can't quite put my finger on how it differs, and perhaps if I have read the other books in the Freedom Ridge series I'd have a better grasp on it, but the difference doesn't change that it is a great book.
*I received an ARC of the book for a honest and voluntary review.
A clean romance (one that your teen daughter could read without any blushing on mum's part), a stand alone book (although part of a series).
I found this book to be slightly different to other books from this author. I can't quite put my finger on how it differs, and perhaps if I have read the other books in the Freedom Ridge series I'd have a better grasp on it, but the difference doesn't change that it is a great book.
*I received an ARC of the book for a honest and voluntary review.
November 18, 2021
This is the only book in the multi author Heroes of Freedom Ridge Series that I have read. Though there are characters in this small town of Freedom, Colorado that were from previous stories, I was able to enjoy this story as a stand alone.
This particular story is about two close friends that had not seen each other in many years. Both of them have had lots of experiences in the time in between but as soon as they see each other again, they pick right up with their friendship.
Frank “Tuck” Tucker is a temporary volunteer firefighter and former smoke jumper and he is brought face to face with his best friend, Patience Martel when a fire alarm goes off in her bake shop. Before he knows it, he is hired as her new assistant offering her bits of advice to encourage her as she is going through a rough time. He would love to open a business with her highlighting her baking skills and his carpentry skills but she is still unsure where her future will be.
Patience Martel has had to let go of her dream owning her own bakery due to her ex husband taking off with all of the money she had put aside to open her store. Her trust in men has been broken but when her best friend Tuck comes back to town, she realizes there are still some really good guys around. He not only helps her with her baking business but he gives her so many wise words to encourage her not to give up. He also wants to help her get her dream bakery.
These two close friends know one another so well but when their friendship starts to turn into something more, will they take a risk or be afraid to destroy what they have?
I would love to find out what happens to Chris and his six kids after his wife left him.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
This particular story is about two close friends that had not seen each other in many years. Both of them have had lots of experiences in the time in between but as soon as they see each other again, they pick right up with their friendship.
Frank “Tuck” Tucker is a temporary volunteer firefighter and former smoke jumper and he is brought face to face with his best friend, Patience Martel when a fire alarm goes off in her bake shop. Before he knows it, he is hired as her new assistant offering her bits of advice to encourage her as she is going through a rough time. He would love to open a business with her highlighting her baking skills and his carpentry skills but she is still unsure where her future will be.
Patience Martel has had to let go of her dream owning her own bakery due to her ex husband taking off with all of the money she had put aside to open her store. Her trust in men has been broken but when her best friend Tuck comes back to town, she realizes there are still some really good guys around. He not only helps her with her baking business but he gives her so many wise words to encourage her not to give up. He also wants to help her get her dream bakery.
These two close friends know one another so well but when their friendship starts to turn into something more, will they take a risk or be afraid to destroy what they have?
I would love to find out what happens to Chris and his six kids after his wife left him.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
November 19, 2021
Patience and Tuck’s story is a sweet, endearing friends to lovers romance. They were best friends through their school years, then Tuck left town to become a smoke jumper. Patience stayed, learned to be a baker and got married. Now years later, Tuck is back in town ready to stop being a smoke jumper and contemplating changes in his life. He is reunited with Patience when a faulty smoke alarm goes off while he is on duty during a temporary job at the local fire department. Patience has a harder edge to her now, mostly due to her ex who left her and took the money she had been saving to buy her own bakery with her partner. She is divorced, disillusioned and distrustful now, not at all the easy-going, adventurous tomboy he remembers. Seeing Tuck again reminds Patience of a simpler time. When he offers to help her out and work for her while he partner is away tending a seriously ill relative, she takes him up on it. The easy rapport and trust they always had returns along with new, very different and tender feelings that neither will admit to for fear of losing the friendship they share. Patience doesn’t know which way her life will turn. Will she stay, will she leave town and start anew or will she go along with Tuck’s vision of starting a business together. She tries to heed Tuck’s advice to stand still and leave it God’s hands, let God guide her, but contrary to her name, she is not very patient. Read this beautifullly written book to discover how their story unfolds.
This book is a wonderful addition to Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book is a wonderful addition to Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Want to Read
July 29, 2021Can a chance encounter with a former childhood best friend be the start of a beautiful romance?
When volunteer fight fighter Frank “Tuck” Tucker responds to a false alarm in the middle of the night at the new bake shop in town, he doesn’t expect to come face to face with his childhood best friend. In her nightgown no less.
He also didn’t expect to get hired as her new assistant. But that happened, too. Along with an odd tingling in his hand when they shook that didn’t used to be there when they dug for crawfish down by the creek. But he needs a job and hers was the only place in town hiring. She didn’t seem to care that his former career as a smoke jumper didn’t provide much experience in baking cakes.
Patience Martel isn’t sure what caused her smoke alarm to go off, but she’s grateful for the malfunction. She hadn’t seen Tuck since her school days, and she was thrilled to actually have someone in her shop she could trust not to steal her blind, unlike her ex. She won her court case against him, but he’d already spent the money he’d stolen and she ended up with nothing but a bunch of lawyer’s fees.
Even if he’s never made anything but mud pies and river stew, Tuck is a sight for sore eyes. Could he also be just what her aching heart needs, too?
Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas Romance.
Friends with the Hero is book 10 in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, but each of the books can be read on its own.
When volunteer fight fighter Frank “Tuck” Tucker responds to a false alarm in the middle of the night at the new bake shop in town, he doesn’t expect to come face to face with his childhood best friend. In her nightgown no less.
He also didn’t expect to get hired as her new assistant. But that happened, too. Along with an odd tingling in his hand when they shook that didn’t used to be there when they dug for crawfish down by the creek. But he needs a job and hers was the only place in town hiring. She didn’t seem to care that his former career as a smoke jumper didn’t provide much experience in baking cakes.
Patience Martel isn’t sure what caused her smoke alarm to go off, but she’s grateful for the malfunction. She hadn’t seen Tuck since her school days, and she was thrilled to actually have someone in her shop she could trust not to steal her blind, unlike her ex. She won her court case against him, but he’d already spent the money he’d stolen and she ended up with nothing but a bunch of lawyer’s fees.
Even if he’s never made anything but mud pies and river stew, Tuck is a sight for sore eyes. Could he also be just what her aching heart needs, too?
Return to Freedom, Colorado and enjoy the faith, friendships, and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas Romance.
Friends with the Hero is book 10 in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, but each of the books can be read on its own.
November 7, 2021
Friends with the Hero was such a beautiful story! I loved Patience and Tuck's friendship from their younger years, as well as traveling the road with them to their realizing they had deeper feelings for each other. My heart definitely went out to Patience and all the hardship she's had to face with her ex and her business, and, in a way, I liked the no being a perfect, easy solution for her situation, since that's how life rolls sometimes. Still, Tuck's presence and reminders to "be still and let God" were not only timely for her, but also for me as well.
I also liked learning more about each of them and their professions, and while we get to see plenty of Patience and her baking/decorating cakes business, I guess I wanted to see more of Tuck as a firefighter. Nonetheless, his reflections while he was a smokejumper, were deep and wise and definitely helped to see a different perspective for some situations.
Overall, this is a sweet Christmas story that can be read as a standalone or as part of the series (though readers of this series will enjoy getting to see familiar faces in this one). Perfect for fans of the author, the series, Clean/Sweet Romance, and/or Christian Fiction that features the perfect ending for this couple of friends. ~ 4 stars
I also liked learning more about each of them and their professions, and while we get to see plenty of Patience and her baking/decorating cakes business, I guess I wanted to see more of Tuck as a firefighter. Nonetheless, his reflections while he was a smokejumper, were deep and wise and definitely helped to see a different perspective for some situations.
Overall, this is a sweet Christmas story that can be read as a standalone or as part of the series (though readers of this series will enjoy getting to see familiar faces in this one). Perfect for fans of the author, the series, Clean/Sweet Romance, and/or Christian Fiction that features the perfect ending for this couple of friends. ~ 4 stars
November 4, 2021
A sweet, clean romance!
Patience and Tuck have been best friends since childhood but it’s been years since they have seen each other and not all those years have been good ones. The dream Patience had of opening a bake shop storefront fell through along with her marriage. She is running her business out of her house but that’s hard with her business partner out of town for a family illness which is why she is up baking in the middle of the night after burning the cakes she is supposed to deliver the next morning. It takes a minute for Patience to recognize the nice firefighter who arrives in response to her smoke detector alarm as her old friend, Tuck. Tuck is back in Freedom during the smoke jumping off-season. Seeing Patience again brings back many memories but now she is an attractive woman. Could their friendship change into something more? Tuck is confident that God will steer his life in the way it is meant to be but Patience has always had a problem living up to her name.
This is a sweet, Christian romance with likable characters and many good messages of faith. Anyone who likes a good love story will enjoy this book.
Patience and Tuck have been best friends since childhood but it’s been years since they have seen each other and not all those years have been good ones. The dream Patience had of opening a bake shop storefront fell through along with her marriage. She is running her business out of her house but that’s hard with her business partner out of town for a family illness which is why she is up baking in the middle of the night after burning the cakes she is supposed to deliver the next morning. It takes a minute for Patience to recognize the nice firefighter who arrives in response to her smoke detector alarm as her old friend, Tuck. Tuck is back in Freedom during the smoke jumping off-season. Seeing Patience again brings back many memories but now she is an attractive woman. Could their friendship change into something more? Tuck is confident that God will steer his life in the way it is meant to be but Patience has always had a problem living up to her name.
This is a sweet, Christian romance with likable characters and many good messages of faith. Anyone who likes a good love story will enjoy this book.
November 4, 2021
This was a sweet, clean, Christian romance about two childhood friends that meet again after 15 years.
Patience Martel , baker extraordinaire, is still trying to recover from the betrayal of her ex-husband, and the bankrupcy forced because of his actions. She is thinking of moving away since she no longer has the means to open her storefront bakery and believes leaving town might be for the best.
Frank/Tuck Tucker, is back in Freedom after years as a smoke jumper, and nowadays is working a few hours at the town’s fire department.
Their unexpected reunion reignites their friendship and something more. But neither says anything for fear of losing their friendship.
Will they open their hearts and confess their feelings, or will each go their separate ways?
This is a story about friendship, faith, love and second chances in life and love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Patience Martel , baker extraordinaire, is still trying to recover from the betrayal of her ex-husband, and the bankrupcy forced because of his actions. She is thinking of moving away since she no longer has the means to open her storefront bakery and believes leaving town might be for the best.
Frank/Tuck Tucker, is back in Freedom after years as a smoke jumper, and nowadays is working a few hours at the town’s fire department.
Their unexpected reunion reignites their friendship and something more. But neither says anything for fear of losing their friendship.
Will they open their hearts and confess their feelings, or will each go their separate ways?
This is a story about friendship, faith, love and second chances in life and love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
November 29, 2021
Patience and Tuck's story adds another heart touching story to this dynamic series by such a treasure trove of authors. I have read several of the books and have immensely enjoyed them all.
Patience and Tuck (especially Tuck) have their work cutout for them as they become reacquainted. They were high school sweethearts, but much has changed in their past decade. Jessie Gussman has written another story full of life with all its' joy and sorrows; highs and lows; and God's promises through it all. The characters become like your dearest friends and you want to see everything work out for this special couple. There are a few very special people that add another dynamic to this story. I'm excited to see where they go from here.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
Patience and Tuck (especially Tuck) have their work cutout for them as they become reacquainted. They were high school sweethearts, but much has changed in their past decade. Jessie Gussman has written another story full of life with all its' joy and sorrows; highs and lows; and God's promises through it all. The characters become like your dearest friends and you want to see everything work out for this special couple. There are a few very special people that add another dynamic to this story. I'm excited to see where they go from here.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
December 6, 2021
This book 10 in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. Each book is written by a different author. This one is written by Jessie Gussman.
Tuck and Patience had been friends since childhood. But when Tuck left to become a smoke jumper and Patience left to marry, their friendship was set aside. Now, they are both back in Freedom, Colorado, and their friendship picked up where it had left off, without a missing beat. Now that they are both older and a bit wiser, could their friendship mean a little bit more was possible?
This was a sweet , clean, wholesome story of friendship, trusting in God, love, romance and a happy ever after. I have read several stories by this author and I have enjoyed them all.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Tuck and Patience had been friends since childhood. But when Tuck left to become a smoke jumper and Patience left to marry, their friendship was set aside. Now, they are both back in Freedom, Colorado, and their friendship picked up where it had left off, without a missing beat. Now that they are both older and a bit wiser, could their friendship mean a little bit more was possible?
This was a sweet , clean, wholesome story of friendship, trusting in God, love, romance and a happy ever after. I have read several stories by this author and I have enjoyed them all.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
November 15, 2021
I was so excited to find out Jessie Gussman had a book coming out in this series that I really like. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Tuck and Patience. They had been friends since they were childhood pals but they had not seen each other in a really, long time. I liked Patience, who was very down to earth but sometimes she was a bit forgetful. Some of those times were pretty funny like when her smoke alarm went off and Tuck strode in on his fire truck and picked back up where they had left off. It was fun trying to decide if they would stay friends or if something more might happen. I really enjoyed this new book in the Heros of Freedom Ridge series. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
November 24, 2021
Friends with the Hero by Jessie Gussman (5 stars)
A friends to more story that has some great banter, as well as depth, as the very likable characters work to know what God’s will is for their lives.
Jessie Gussman writes banter that just feel so natural and fun! These two talk the talk as they both start to feel the attraction that hadn’t been there when they’d been friends in their youth.
I love how Tuck is a support and wise friend for Patience as she works on the virtue that her name implies.
I also love how, because her ex was so horrible, she truly has learned to appreciate the character traits that make Tuck such a good man.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
A friends to more story that has some great banter, as well as depth, as the very likable characters work to know what God’s will is for their lives.
Jessie Gussman writes banter that just feel so natural and fun! These two talk the talk as they both start to feel the attraction that hadn’t been there when they’d been friends in their youth.
I love how Tuck is a support and wise friend for Patience as she works on the virtue that her name implies.
I also love how, because her ex was so horrible, she truly has learned to appreciate the character traits that make Tuck such a good man.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
December 9, 2021
Patience and Tuck have a great story to tell. Patience is running a bakery from her duplex but wished for her own storefront; unfortunately her ex-husband ran off with her savings she was going to use for the down payment. Tuck is looking to settle down in Freedom Ridge with less dangerous work and still enjoy his work. When a smoke alarm goes off without Patience knowing it; Tuck is the one who comes to check it out since he is temporary fire fighter. Lots happens in this story that makes interesting and hard to put down. I love the descriptions of Freedom Ridge and the characters too. This is a nicely done story and the way the characters kept mentioning to stand still because God has it.
January 20, 2024
Friends with the Hero is a heart warming romantic “friends to lovers” story that takes place in Freedom Ridge with characters introduced earlier in the series. This series has a consistent thread: as the characters start trusting in the power of their loving God, they experience breakthroughs. Quote: "I guess, when you’re lying outside on the ground looking up at the stars, your mind has a tendency to think...maybe not deep thoughts, but deeper thoughts than I usually think, and I kinda saw myself standing in front of the judgment seat of Christ, where I say to God, ‘Are you going to make sure that that guy gets what’s coming to him?’ And then God looks at me, and He says, ‘Is that what you want me to do with you?’” Beautiful settings that tie to their past as friends.
February 11, 2024
This book offers one of the loveliest treatments of the friends to lovers trope that I have come across. What I loved most was that the trope wasn't forced, nor was it the central theme of the story. This book was mostly centered around the theme of being still and knowing that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Tuck and Patience's story shows what this verse looks like in their individual lives and as a couple, which really drove the verse home. Their ensuing love story was definitely the icing on a solid cake (literally, as Patience is a baker!).
I also appreciated that this book realistically tackled what it meant to be wronged and the subsequent fallout from being victimized. I've found that this series isn't afraid to get into the messiness of life, showing how God can work through them or despite them. His greater purposes are always referenced, and Jessie Gussman's book is no exception. Tuck and Patience not only have to grapple with difficult circumstances, but they also show how we can emerge even stronger when relying on God instead of our usual behaviour. I loved how this book emphasized character growth over physical forms of attraction, as it felt like the character's friendship deepened even further to set them up for a healthy and thriving relationship.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
I also appreciated that this book realistically tackled what it meant to be wronged and the subsequent fallout from being victimized. I've found that this series isn't afraid to get into the messiness of life, showing how God can work through them or despite them. His greater purposes are always referenced, and Jessie Gussman's book is no exception. Tuck and Patience not only have to grapple with difficult circumstances, but they also show how we can emerge even stronger when relying on God instead of our usual behaviour. I loved how this book emphasized character growth over physical forms of attraction, as it felt like the character's friendship deepened even further to set them up for a healthy and thriving relationship.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
November 6, 2021
Patience owns a bakery out of her home with dreams of owning her own bake shop one day. Her dreams are shattered when her ex takes off with her money to start her business. She continues baking from her home, but feels betrayed and lost. She wonders if she should move away from her hometown and start over somewhere else.
Tuck is a smokejumper. He is finally back in his hometown to stay. He and Patience were best friends all through school. He helps her in the bakery when her partner has to leave to take care of her sick mother.
They renew their friendship. Patience has to learn to stand still and trust that she is where God wants her to be.
Tuck is a smokejumper. He is finally back in his hometown to stay. He and Patience were best friends all through school. He helps her in the bakery when her partner has to leave to take care of her sick mother.
They renew their friendship. Patience has to learn to stand still and trust that she is where God wants her to be.
November 7, 2021
Jessie Gussman has done it again in this story of old friends who have known each other so long they can almost predict what the other will say next. Except when it comes to how they feel about each other! Both MC's deepest, most personal things are kept close, for fear of losing their friend. And more than that, we watch them walk the line between wanting to move to the next step yet feeling the need to watch and wait and not move ahead against God's timing. Winding like a silk ribbon through the story is the constantly present humor and respect each has for the other, all surrounded by loving family, friends and neighbors of the lovely town of Freedom. What a delightful book!
November 7, 2021
This isn't really a second chance romance, but Patience and Tuck were best friends growing up. Now he's back in town and she's struggling to get back on her feet after her ex-husband took off with her money. It's a busy season for her custom baking business and Patience's business partner had to leave to take care of her dying mother. So Patience hires Tuck to help out. And their friendship grows stronger. While each is waiting for a sign from God about how to proceed with their lives, each one is becoming more infatuated with the other.
A sweet romance that anyone can enjoy.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
A sweet romance that anyone can enjoy.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
November 10, 2021
Enjoyed Patience and Tucks story. They had been best friends through childhood, but went their separate ways in adulthood. Tuck became a smoke jumper, never having a place to call home. Patience started a baking business in her hometown. Tuck was ready to settle down and came back home to find his best friend in muck caused by her ex. I loved how their friendship picked up as if they had never had a break. I stayed up all night to finished the book. I had to know how they finally see what everyone else already saw. If you like clean, fun reads with second chances, you can't go wrong with, 'Friends with the Hero'. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
November 12, 2021
Getting Past Your Past to Get On with Your Future
This is a wonderful story about childhood best friends meeting back up as adults. They live in a winter wonderland of a Colorado ski town which sets some incredible ambiance. The romance is sweet and clean, of course. This is one of those stories that the reader knows where it is going and is just enjoying the ride. It has all the right feels. It also sets up what could be a few future stories. And to be a true Colorado mountain town, it needs a few cranky Veterans and some fluffy dogs. As with and stories by Jessie Gussman, this will put a smile on your face and in your heart. It is full of faith but does not knock you down with it.
This is a wonderful story about childhood best friends meeting back up as adults. They live in a winter wonderland of a Colorado ski town which sets some incredible ambiance. The romance is sweet and clean, of course. This is one of those stories that the reader knows where it is going and is just enjoying the ride. It has all the right feels. It also sets up what could be a few future stories. And to be a true Colorado mountain town, it needs a few cranky Veterans and some fluffy dogs. As with and stories by Jessie Gussman, this will put a smile on your face and in your heart. It is full of faith but does not knock you down with it.
November 16, 2021
I love Tuck and Patience together! Friends to more is one of my favorite troupes. I was so happy to see each character grow and learn. I love that in a book. Patience is so careful with everything, and to see her burning cakes and putting salt in instead of sugar - well, isn't that each of us at one time or another? And Tuck - what a guy - firefighter, wood worker, cake decorator (OK, maybe not on that last one), but he can and will do anything. I love their easy friendship that they slip back into after years apart. I love watching them love and serve their community together. Great book!
November 9, 2021
This woman does not know how to write a book that doesn’t draw you into the story! This story is a great example of how to live your religion without being preachy. It deals with betrayal, friendship, community, decision making, expectations and, of course, love. Yet it is so much more - the characters, circumstances and free will blend into a symbiotic symphony that is better than anything I could describe!
I am so grateful to Jessie Gussman for sharing her gifts with me and letting me be one of her ARC team. Love you Jessie 🥰
I am so grateful to Jessie Gussman for sharing her gifts with me and letting me be one of her ARC team. Love you Jessie 🥰
November 13, 2021
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Really enjoyed the characters in this book and they gave me so much to think about in my own life. The story made me once again and hopefully forever remember to go to the Lord first, talk to Him, don't just go off on your own path. We all need our best friend (the Lord) to guide us and we need to listen and trust that all things will work out for the good. Loved the book, Definitely recommend its worth a second read. Thanks Jessie!
November 16, 2021
Friends With the Hero is a well written, extremely satisfying, friends to lovers romance. I love Ms. Gussman's addition to this series. Patience and Tuck become reacquainted over her malfunctioning smoke alarm. These two have had some interesting life experiences. As adults they resume that great friendship. It is interesting to watch Patience learn to trust again and to watch Tuck decide that he wants more from life than the thrills of smoke jumping. I was interested from the first page and could not put the book down.
November 18, 2021
Friends with the Hero is a great friends to lovers romance that checks all the boxes for me.
After divorcing from the husband who took everything from her Patience is determined to make it on her own. She doesn’t need a guy in her life, until Tuck her childhood best friend shows back up in Freedom.
He’s everything he was when they were younger, yet so much more. She’s not sure how to keep her feelings in the box she locked them in and isn’t sure she wants to.
Can she take a chance on the new feelings she’s developing for Tuck? Or is the risk too big?
After divorcing from the husband who took everything from her Patience is determined to make it on her own. She doesn’t need a guy in her life, until Tuck her childhood best friend shows back up in Freedom.
He’s everything he was when they were younger, yet so much more. She’s not sure how to keep her feelings in the box she locked them in and isn’t sure she wants to.
Can she take a chance on the new feelings she’s developing for Tuck? Or is the risk too big?
January 24, 2022
I loved this book by Jessie Gussman. Patience and Tuck were childhood friends. When Patience is baking during the night in her nightgown at her bake shop, Tuck who is a volunteer fireman shows up due to a false fire alarm going off. Tuck had recently returned to their hometown after giving up his job as a smoke jumper because of the danger. When he finds out that Patience needs help in her shop, he takes on the job since he is in between jobs. Working together turns their friendship turns into romance. The characters are great and I highly recommend this clean romance with a HEA ending.
January 26, 2022
Tuck was such a sweetheart! I absolutely loved his character in this book. Patience can be a spitfire, but with good reason. They were very best childhood friends, but lost track of each other after high school. Patience is reeling from a painful betrayal and subsequent divorce when Tuck walks back into her life. he volunteers to basically be a dishes boy for her baking business and helps her to dream big again. They were such a cute couple and I absolutely enjoyed reading their story!
I received a copy of this story from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
I received a copy of this story from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
February 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this childhood friends romance and the theme of waiting on God. My husband has been having things with work come up and for over a year now we keep coming back to the idea that God hasn’t yet given him a call elsewhere. When I ran across this quote, it just seemed like perfect confirmation, “sometimes a man just had to stand in the changes and wait for God to move him. Making sure that he didn’t take any steps outside of what he should.“ I’m excited to finish off this series!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
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