What do you think?
Rate this book
Kendrick Creek #2
The Path Not Taken
A second chance to follow her heart…
in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne
She never thought she’d see him again…
Or tell him they have a son.
Ten years ago, Devlyn McCabe refused to let her secret—their child—be the reason Ryland Bauer stayed. Now Rye’s back to make an offer on her property, and she can’t keep hiding the truth. Rye will do anything to be part of his son’s life. But he’ll have to reveal the real reason he left if he wants them to become a family…
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne
She never thought she’d see him again…
Or tell him they have a son.
Ten years ago, Devlyn McCabe refused to let her secret—their child—be the reason Ryland Bauer stayed. Now Rye’s back to make an offer on her property, and she can’t keep hiding the truth. Rye will do anything to be part of his son’s life. But he’ll have to reveal the real reason he left if he wants them to become a family…
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
- GenresHarlequinLove Inspired
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2021
16 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Logan Herne
132 books505 followersMulti-published, award-winning, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream of being a published author and having the time of her life doing it. Born to a poor family in Rochester, NY, Ruthy draws on her early years and her many years of dealing with today's young families and businesses to create beautiful, heartfelt small-town stories of faith, hope and love... while adopting her favorite non-Scripture quotes "Plenty of time for rest in the grave" (Ben Franklin) and "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." (Eleanor Roosevelt) and one can always depend on Yoda "There is no try. There is do or do not." Succinct... and true. :) She loves chatting with readers on facebook at Ruth Logan Herne or follow Ruthy on Twitter, visit her website or stop by Seekerville (www.seekerville.blogspot.com) or pop by the Yankee Belle Cafe where Ruthy and several lovely authors share recipes, facts, photos and just plain old life! (www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 23, 2021
This is a lovely story set in the fictional town of Kendrick Creek, TN close to the Great Smokey Mountain region of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with the author giving us a vivid and virtual tour of this beautiful area. Devlyn McCabe is recovering from a fire when Ryland Bauer is back in the small town to develop the area destroyed. He’s not struggling like Devlyn has over the past ten years financially but her secret didn’t last long with Ryland appearing. The secrets, fears and new beginnings kept me engaged till the end of this beautiful penned story by Ruth Logan Herne. She’s an author that is gifted in writing about hard issues individuals face today with forgiveness, healing, and letting go of the past that bring faith or renewed faith, hope and peace to her dimensional characters. It was nice to catch up with the residents of Kendrick Creek and to see all the new developments and businesses that is bringing this little community to life after experiencing devastation from a fire.
The Path Not Taken can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Rebuilding Her Life, book one in Herne’s Kendrick Creek series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.
The Path Not Taken can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Rebuilding Her Life, book one in Herne’s Kendrick Creek series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.
November 7, 2021
Loved this story of hope and trust…with a “do-over, start-over” relationship.
Another winner by a favorite author! Ruth Logan Herne brings you a second time to the heart of Kendrick Creek, Tennessee….”A town full of people who cared, people who lived together, laughed together, worked and prayed together.”
After the town is devastated by a wildfire, Devlyn McCabe is struggling to provide for her nine-year-old son by opening a handmade crafts shop in the rebuilt business area. When successful big city developer Ryland Bauer arrives back in town after a ten year absence, some important, but unrevealed realities, must be confronted. When he broke up with Dev ten years earlier, he wasn’t completely truthful, but she also kept a secret from him.
And what a hero Rye is….a selfless man who gives of himself, not afraid to work hard. All the characters are wonderful. The sense of community is heartwarming. And the second chance romance is thrilling. The final scene is one of the best happily-ever-after moments I’ve read. I’ll always remember the clever chiming phone reminder featured in this scene. Perfect!
I can’t praise this author enough. Her down home, common sense wisdom fills the pages, along with true, heartfelt emotions. I highly recommend The Path Not Taken….a perfect story of hope and trust!
Favorite quotes:
“there’s truth in trustin’ the Lord’s way, too. Takin’ hold of the path and walking straight and true.”
“We’re destined to lose one hundred percent of the races we don’t enter.”
“Fear not, for I am with you…I will strengthen you. I will uphold you.”
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m honored to offer my honest opinion.
Another winner by a favorite author! Ruth Logan Herne brings you a second time to the heart of Kendrick Creek, Tennessee….”A town full of people who cared, people who lived together, laughed together, worked and prayed together.”
After the town is devastated by a wildfire, Devlyn McCabe is struggling to provide for her nine-year-old son by opening a handmade crafts shop in the rebuilt business area. When successful big city developer Ryland Bauer arrives back in town after a ten year absence, some important, but unrevealed realities, must be confronted. When he broke up with Dev ten years earlier, he wasn’t completely truthful, but she also kept a secret from him.
And what a hero Rye is….a selfless man who gives of himself, not afraid to work hard. All the characters are wonderful. The sense of community is heartwarming. And the second chance romance is thrilling. The final scene is one of the best happily-ever-after moments I’ve read. I’ll always remember the clever chiming phone reminder featured in this scene. Perfect!
I can’t praise this author enough. Her down home, common sense wisdom fills the pages, along with true, heartfelt emotions. I highly recommend The Path Not Taken….a perfect story of hope and trust!
Favorite quotes:
“there’s truth in trustin’ the Lord’s way, too. Takin’ hold of the path and walking straight and true.”
“We’re destined to lose one hundred percent of the races we don’t enter.”
“Fear not, for I am with you…I will strengthen you. I will uphold you.”
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m honored to offer my honest opinion.
October 10, 2021
'She'd gotten this far by trusting the Almighty. She'd travel the rest of the way doing the exact same thing.'
Ruth Logan Herne takes us back to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in this second book of her Kendrick Creek series. And what an absolutely wonderful story it was! I've always said that Herne writes with heart and I feel that way about each of her books. It's just such a unique thing about her work. I really can't adequately explain it. I just 'feel' it. And this one profoundly affected me. I felt it down deep--the situations, the plot, the characters. As soon as I started reading, this book wrapped itself around my heart completely. It felt soooo good. I finished in just hours, could not tear myself away. Well done indeed!
My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is completely my own.
Ruth Logan Herne takes us back to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in this second book of her Kendrick Creek series. And what an absolutely wonderful story it was! I've always said that Herne writes with heart and I feel that way about each of her books. It's just such a unique thing about her work. I really can't adequately explain it. I just 'feel' it. And this one profoundly affected me. I felt it down deep--the situations, the plot, the characters. As soon as I started reading, this book wrapped itself around my heart completely. It felt soooo good. I finished in just hours, could not tear myself away. Well done indeed!
My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is completely my own.
October 29, 2021
What a fun read for second chance romance. After meeting Devlyn and Jed in the first book in this series, I was eager for their story. When Dev’s ex and Jed’s father comes back to Kendrick Creek, life gets even more bumpy for Devlyn. I really enjoyed seeing Rye come back to town and watching his relationships with Dev and Jed unfold. The story flows really well with a surprise or two along the way and a great faith message overall. A quick, easy and enjoyable story.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
November 5, 2021
How is Devlyn McCabe going to admit to Ryland Bauer that they have a nine-year-old son? Why did she never tell him? They have been struggling and here comes Rye in the position to buy her property. Rye looks at Dev and her son and it doesn't take him long to put two and two together.
In this second chance romance, we also have a secret that doesn't stay that way for long when Rye comes into town. Things come to light in this sensitive story about two people who have strong feelings for one another and how they come to terms with their pasts and how they can find a way to be together.
There were other characters in this lovely story and I enjoyed them as well. Ruth Logan Herne has written a wonderful story about how faith and forgiveness can change lives for good.
Many thanks to Harlequin Love Inspired and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
In this second chance romance, we also have a secret that doesn't stay that way for long when Rye comes into town. Things come to light in this sensitive story about two people who have strong feelings for one another and how they come to terms with their pasts and how they can find a way to be together.
There were other characters in this lovely story and I enjoyed them as well. Ruth Logan Herne has written a wonderful story about how faith and forgiveness can change lives for good.
Many thanks to Harlequin Love Inspired and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 9, 2021
Nothing like a Ruth Herne book while cuddled up in my chair on a cold night. A light an precious story of how we can sometimes be our own worst enemy, yet, despite ourselves, God never stops working on us.
January 30, 2022
I LOVE a book by Ruth Logan Herne! I know it will be a rich heartwarming story with strong believable characters and a storyline that will leave me with a smile on my face.
“The Path Not Taken,” is the second book in “a Kendrick Creek Romance” series. Devlyn McCabe and her son, Jed, have lost everything in the fire that wiped out most of Kendrick Creek. She is a proud single mother who is trying to make ends meet and get her business back on the ground. Rye Bauer comes back home to Kendrick Creek to buy land for a development. He left Devlyn years ago out of fear,and now needs her land to proceed with his company’s plans. He knew she might be a tough sale, but he hadn’t counted on her having a son. Wait a minute, this is his son too?
This is a story of fear, trust,and second chances. Hope there will be book three!
“The Path Not Taken,” is the second book in “a Kendrick Creek Romance” series. Devlyn McCabe and her son, Jed, have lost everything in the fire that wiped out most of Kendrick Creek. She is a proud single mother who is trying to make ends meet and get her business back on the ground. Rye Bauer comes back home to Kendrick Creek to buy land for a development. He left Devlyn years ago out of fear,and now needs her land to proceed with his company’s plans. He knew she might be a tough sale, but he hadn’t counted on her having a son. Wait a minute, this is his son too?
This is a story of fear, trust,and second chances. Hope there will be book three!
November 3, 2021
It's a second chance, secret baby romance for The Path Not Taken. Well, Jed isn't exactly a baby anymore, so I suppose it's a secret son or a surprise son - either works for this one. There are lots of emotions flying, and I found myself torn between understanding Devlyn's and Ryland's reasons for their past actions and wanting to shake some sense into both of them. They do have some hard conversations to get through and the themes of faith, forgiveness, and hope that Harlequin's Love Inspired romance is so well known for shines through in these characters and their story. It is a romance, but it's about more than just romantic love. It's a story about family, learning to let go and move forward, and overcoming obstacles.
October 15, 2021
An appropriate title to this read, two adults that really care about one another, one leaves without telling why, and the other holds a secret that would change both of their lives. The old adage of "You can't go home again", does come to play here, and the opening of eyes, well, you need to pick up this quick page turner of a read. Warning once you turn the first page you won't be able to put it down!
Come and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains through the eyes of the author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.
Come and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains through the eyes of the author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.
February 24, 2022
Loving this series
This is the second book in the Kendrick Creek series. I have to say I have fallen in love with the folks and the town. I love how the author has created people who are dealing with some pretty big issues and handling them with a deep-rooted faith. She doesn't just tell a good story, she makes a good point too. Life lessons can be hard to handle but God is always ready to take us by the hand and lead us through, no matter what. I like how that truth is so prominently displayed through the characters in this town. Can't wait for book 3 to be released next month!!
This is the second book in the Kendrick Creek series. I have to say I have fallen in love with the folks and the town. I love how the author has created people who are dealing with some pretty big issues and handling them with a deep-rooted faith. She doesn't just tell a good story, she makes a good point too. Life lessons can be hard to handle but God is always ready to take us by the hand and lead us through, no matter what. I like how that truth is so prominently displayed through the characters in this town. Can't wait for book 3 to be released next month!!
August 2, 2022
There were several things that I found disturbing while reading this book.
Devlyn thought it was okay to keep her son and his father apart!?
Devlyn's mother's vile trust that her friends enforced?! These types of practices should be made illegal.
Ryland's fear sent him running the first time without knowing what he was giving up. The second time he went running when he knew very well what he was running from?!
Devlyn thought it was okay to keep her son and his father apart!?
Devlyn's mother's vile trust that her friends enforced?! These types of practices should be made illegal.
Ryland's fear sent him running the first time without knowing what he was giving up. The second time he went running when he knew very well what he was running from?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2021
I loved this book had not ready from this author before was able to get in to get to with out reading the first book to the series I'll have to get the first book now. love the characters and the cover and the title I can't wait to read more from this author.
April 5, 2022
Will love win?
This was a really good love story. I enjoyed this book as it tells how uncertainty and lack of trust can be overcome with the help of God, honesty and friends. I will recommend it and will re-read it in the future.
This was a really good love story. I enjoyed this book as it tells how uncertainty and lack of trust can be overcome with the help of God, honesty and friends. I will recommend it and will re-read it in the future.
Read
October 2, 2021Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Kendrick Creek (Book #2)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Kendrick Creek (Book #2)
Read
October 2, 2021Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Kendrick Creek (Book #2)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Kendrick Creek (Book #2)
November 1, 2021
I loved this story and would recommend it
February 11, 2022
Devlyn McCabe never thought she'd see him again...or tell him they had a son.
May 4, 2022
I could not finish this book. How do you hide a father from his child and a child from his father for 10 years!
May 22, 2022
A secret is about to be broken wide open! I couldn’t wait to see if it would destroy her or be her saving grace! You will love this book!!!
June 3, 2022
awesome book
Read
November 4, 2022Book two in a trilogy. Very good story of a small town recovering from a devestating fire.
July 22, 2024
Another moving Faith field story in this series. This one focuses on second chances. Again, this is a series that needs to be read in order as the story builds and certain things play out from book to book
October 31, 2021
The Path Not Taken
This author is new to me but I know that I will follow her for more of her stories. This story is good on so many levels. It touches on faith, betrayal, forgiveness and romance. I highly recommend this book.
This author is new to me but I know that I will follow her for more of her stories. This story is good on so many levels. It touches on faith, betrayal, forgiveness and romance. I highly recommend this book.
October 14, 2021
The Path Not Taken by Ruth Logan Herne is fabulous! 5 stars!
I loved this second chance story about Rye Bauer and Devlyn McCabe, formerly in a relationship until Rye gets unexpected news that scares him so bad he breaks up with Dev without ever knowing she was pregnant with their son. She's devastated, but does the only thing she can and carries on. Fast forward 10 years and Rye's back in town as a real estate developer. The minute he sees Dev with a little boy name Jed, he instantly recognizes him as his own. Let the fireworks begin and the sparks fly!
This story is full of every kind of emotion and feeling a reader could possibly experience! I felt for both Rye and Dev. They both made good cases for the their actions and the choices they made. Ultimately I couldn't help but agree with the point of view, "..women have a sworn duty to protect themselves and their children."
The ending and epilogue are so good I had to go back and read through it again. Happy sigh!
There's a reason I've read over 55 books by master storyteller Ruth Logan Herne and The Path Not Taken is a classic example of why. Herne writes with such heart, her characters are so relatable and well portrayed and her tender romantic plots are the best!
I enjoyed this book so much I had to find out when the next book in the series was releasing. It turns out, A Foster Mother's Promise will be out in late March. I'm really looking forward to my return trip to Kendrick Creek, Tennessee and all the loveable characters who live in community there, neighbor helping neighbor.
I appreciate the author making a copy of The Path Not Taken available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
I loved this second chance story about Rye Bauer and Devlyn McCabe, formerly in a relationship until Rye gets unexpected news that scares him so bad he breaks up with Dev without ever knowing she was pregnant with their son. She's devastated, but does the only thing she can and carries on. Fast forward 10 years and Rye's back in town as a real estate developer. The minute he sees Dev with a little boy name Jed, he instantly recognizes him as his own. Let the fireworks begin and the sparks fly!
This story is full of every kind of emotion and feeling a reader could possibly experience! I felt for both Rye and Dev. They both made good cases for the their actions and the choices they made. Ultimately I couldn't help but agree with the point of view, "..women have a sworn duty to protect themselves and their children."
The ending and epilogue are so good I had to go back and read through it again. Happy sigh!
There's a reason I've read over 55 books by master storyteller Ruth Logan Herne and The Path Not Taken is a classic example of why. Herne writes with such heart, her characters are so relatable and well portrayed and her tender romantic plots are the best!
I enjoyed this book so much I had to find out when the next book in the series was releasing. It turns out, A Foster Mother's Promise will be out in late March. I'm really looking forward to my return trip to Kendrick Creek, Tennessee and all the loveable characters who live in community there, neighbor helping neighbor.
I appreciate the author making a copy of The Path Not Taken available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews