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Balsam Ridge #5
Hope After Loss
I had a perfect life—married to my high school sweetheart and preparing for our new baby. Then tragedy struck.
I could have moved us back to have the support of our parents, but home isn’t where you come from, it’s where you want to be. And I want to be here in Balsam Ridge.
So I begin anew, a single mom with a fractured heart. Determined to rise above the grief and grasp the joy that still bubbles inside of me every time I look into the eyes of our baby girl. Starting with a job at the local hemp farm.
Weston Tuttle is a walking contradiction. Playful yet ambitious. Soft yet strong. Wisecracking yet caring. A beautiful man with a sexy smile and big heart, and a blessing to me and my daughter.
This may not be the life I planned, but it could be the life that I was always meant to live.
I could have moved us back to have the support of our parents, but home isn’t where you come from, it’s where you want to be. And I want to be here in Balsam Ridge.
So I begin anew, a single mom with a fractured heart. Determined to rise above the grief and grasp the joy that still bubbles inside of me every time I look into the eyes of our baby girl. Starting with a job at the local hemp farm.
Weston Tuttle is a walking contradiction. Playful yet ambitious. Soft yet strong. Wisecracking yet caring. A beautiful man with a sexy smile and big heart, and a blessing to me and my daughter.
This may not be the life I planned, but it could be the life that I was always meant to live.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2023
196 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Amber Kelly
41 books906 followersAmber Kelly is a romance author that calls North Carolina home. She has been an avid reader from a young age and you could always find her with her nose in a book completely enthralled in an adventure. With the support of her husband and family, in 2018, she decided to finally give a voice to the stories in her head and her debut novel, Both of Me was born. You can connect with Amber on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorAmberKelly, on IG @authoramberkelly or on twitter @AuthorAmberKel1.
http://authoramberkelly.com/
http://authoramberkelly.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
July 4, 2023
4 stars
Weston Tuttle has always been one of my favorite of the brothers. I was so excited to get his book with Anna. It was wonderful. I wish it would have been longer but aside from that I loved it! And when he called Kaela Baby Duck… so cute 🥰
Weston Tuttle has always been one of my favorite of the brothers. I was so excited to get his book with Anna. It was wonderful. I wish it would have been longer but aside from that I loved it! And when he called Kaela Baby Duck… so cute 🥰
April 30, 2023
Anna Kunder had the life many dream of, blissfully married and expecting her first child. Then a Tennessee wildfire stole her husband and upended Anna's life. Now she faces the future on her own, but Balsam Ridge is the perfect place to find healing and hope.
Anna is so authentic and relatable in her grief, the stops and starts of it, and her daughter's needs being the only thing that keeps her going through the first year after she loses her firefighter husband, Mike. Watching her find herself, discover her place in the world, and be brave enough to start again, I felt every one of her emotions.
Balsam Ridge is one of those small-town settings that is so realistic it jumps off the page. It's warm and inviting, a place I’d love to live, and made mostly so by the outstanding, realistic secondary characters. They insert themselves into Anna's life and make her and Kaela a part of their family.
Now Weston, bless his heart, that boy was a goner before he ever knew it. I love the camaraderie and banter between him and his brothers, they way they tell him like it is but always have his back. And Weston with little Kaela are some of the sweetest and most precious heart-tugging scenes.
I'll admit I love a good small-town romance and a second chance, but this one? Oh my heart y'all, this is everything I love about those two tropes, and it's masterfully done. Then add in a good-hearted player who gets gob smacked by the still-grieving single mother and her adorable little girl? Stick a fork in me, because I’m done. I only wish every small-town romance could be this amazing!
Run, don’t walk, to the 1-Click and start reading this heartfelt, phenomenal romance right away. And while you’re doing that, I’ll be catching up on the rest of the series from this talented storyteller.
Anna is so authentic and relatable in her grief, the stops and starts of it, and her daughter's needs being the only thing that keeps her going through the first year after she loses her firefighter husband, Mike. Watching her find herself, discover her place in the world, and be brave enough to start again, I felt every one of her emotions.
Balsam Ridge is one of those small-town settings that is so realistic it jumps off the page. It's warm and inviting, a place I’d love to live, and made mostly so by the outstanding, realistic secondary characters. They insert themselves into Anna's life and make her and Kaela a part of their family.
Now Weston, bless his heart, that boy was a goner before he ever knew it. I love the camaraderie and banter between him and his brothers, they way they tell him like it is but always have his back. And Weston with little Kaela are some of the sweetest and most precious heart-tugging scenes.
I'll admit I love a good small-town romance and a second chance, but this one? Oh my heart y'all, this is everything I love about those two tropes, and it's masterfully done. Then add in a good-hearted player who gets gob smacked by the still-grieving single mother and her adorable little girl? Stick a fork in me, because I’m done. I only wish every small-town romance could be this amazing!
Run, don’t walk, to the 1-Click and start reading this heartfelt, phenomenal romance right away. And while you’re doing that, I’ll be catching up on the rest of the series from this talented storyteller.
July 11, 2025
I about cried in book 3 when Anna’s husband died.
And to see her get her own book. 😭
With a new baby, grieving…
Weston Tuttle
The second youngest.
And the playboy brother.
Hemp farm owner
Boss x employee
Forced proximity
Single mom
Slow burn
Another fast paced short book. Full of sweet moments and tough topics. Binged.
I liked this pairing.
I liked seeing Weston show he’s more than what meets the eye.
This may be my favorite of the series.
And to see her get her own book. 😭
With a new baby, grieving…
Weston Tuttle
The second youngest.
And the playboy brother.
Hemp farm owner
Boss x employee
Forced proximity
Single mom
Slow burn
Another fast paced short book. Full of sweet moments and tough topics. Binged.
I liked this pairing.
I liked seeing Weston show he’s more than what meets the eye.
This may be my favorite of the series.
May 7, 2023
Anna was living the life she had always wanted as she was married to the man she loved, and their family was about to expand only to have it turned upside down by his tragic death. A year later she is a single mother to her daughter Michaela embarking on a job working for Weston as he shows her the life she could have.
Weston is supportive, understanding and everything you could want in a man. He is there for Anna as she prepares to move forward with her life and the way he is with Michaela will touch your heart.
This is a heartwarming story about healing from the past and being ready to love again. The relationship between Anna and Weston was well developed and they are surrounded by friends and family who are willing to guide them along the way.
Weston is supportive, understanding and everything you could want in a man. He is there for Anna as she prepares to move forward with her life and the way he is with Michaela will touch your heart.
This is a heartwarming story about healing from the past and being ready to love again. The relationship between Anna and Weston was well developed and they are surrounded by friends and family who are willing to guide them along the way.
May 9, 2023
3.5 Stars ⭐️
This story was short and sweet but I was kind of expecting more angst and heartbreak. Overall I still enjoyed it and love this authors writing.
This story was short and sweet but I was kind of expecting more angst and heartbreak. Overall I still enjoyed it and love this authors writing.
May 6, 2023
definitely the best one of the series so far!
May 27, 2023
A sweet story of love after loss.
I am usually a purist reader, only reading series books in order, but I saw the blurb of this book and knew I had to read it. I wanted feels and romantic intensity, but sadly, I didn’t feel this one as much as I was hoping.
This is book #5 of the Balsam Ridge series, a small town romance series of interconnected standalones based around a group of brothers, so of course, there’s a lot of characters that have already been introduced, and Weston’s brothers and their girls are all a big part of the story. Fans of the series will love seeing so much of these couples, and as a newbie reader you’re given a pretty good idea of their stories, so although I sometimes forgot who was hooked up with who, I didn’t feel lost at all.
Anna was living an idyllic life with her husband, and they were expecting their first baby when he was tragically killed while fighting a wildfire. Now, it’s a year later and she is a single mother to a sweet little girl, and is about to start a new job at the local hemp farm run by Weston.
Weston welcomes Anna into his world, and the two of them become fast friends. They work well together, and Anna and little Kaela become a big part of his life. Weston is fun, playful, smart, and he’s an absolute sweetheart, and he helps Anna come out of her shell a bit and find her happiness again, and their friendship slowly becomes more.
It’s sweet, and Weston is so understanding of Anna’s situation, gently encouraging but never pushing her, and Anna is welcomed into the larger group with Weston’s family who all support her and her little girl. The book follows their journey through Weston falling for somebody for the first time, and Anna reaching a place where she’s ready to move on, so that the two of can find happiness together.
Given the subject matter I was expecting to feel a lot more emotion with this book. I didn’t really feel Anna’s journey of grief, and I didn’t really feel her and Weston falling for each other, or their romance. They are purely friends for more than half the book, they are suddenly attracted, and then they’re sleeping together, and she decides she’s ready to move on. There’s no build-up, no fun flirting, no meaningful talks about their feelings, and no actual declarations. Those are the things that I love in a romance, and in this book, it just wasn’t there.
But it’s a sweet read, with lovely messages about moving on, learning to live with grief, and recognising and accepting the change that comes with losing a spouse. I was just missing the feels.
2.5 stars. It was ok.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I am usually a purist reader, only reading series books in order, but I saw the blurb of this book and knew I had to read it. I wanted feels and romantic intensity, but sadly, I didn’t feel this one as much as I was hoping.
This is book #5 of the Balsam Ridge series, a small town romance series of interconnected standalones based around a group of brothers, so of course, there’s a lot of characters that have already been introduced, and Weston’s brothers and their girls are all a big part of the story. Fans of the series will love seeing so much of these couples, and as a newbie reader you’re given a pretty good idea of their stories, so although I sometimes forgot who was hooked up with who, I didn’t feel lost at all.
Anna was living an idyllic life with her husband, and they were expecting their first baby when he was tragically killed while fighting a wildfire. Now, it’s a year later and she is a single mother to a sweet little girl, and is about to start a new job at the local hemp farm run by Weston.
Weston welcomes Anna into his world, and the two of them become fast friends. They work well together, and Anna and little Kaela become a big part of his life. Weston is fun, playful, smart, and he’s an absolute sweetheart, and he helps Anna come out of her shell a bit and find her happiness again, and their friendship slowly becomes more.
“I’m scared,” she admits.
“I am too. Scared I’ll say or do the wrong thing and lose you. Scared I’ll misread the situation at any given time and overstep. I’m not the man who ever has something to lose, and now that I do, it scares the shit out of me.”
It’s sweet, and Weston is so understanding of Anna’s situation, gently encouraging but never pushing her, and Anna is welcomed into the larger group with Weston’s family who all support her and her little girl. The book follows their journey through Weston falling for somebody for the first time, and Anna reaching a place where she’s ready to move on, so that the two of can find happiness together.
Given the subject matter I was expecting to feel a lot more emotion with this book. I didn’t really feel Anna’s journey of grief, and I didn’t really feel her and Weston falling for each other, or their romance. They are purely friends for more than half the book, they are suddenly attracted, and then they’re sleeping together, and she decides she’s ready to move on. There’s no build-up, no fun flirting, no meaningful talks about their feelings, and no actual declarations. Those are the things that I love in a romance, and in this book, it just wasn’t there.
But it’s a sweet read, with lovely messages about moving on, learning to live with grief, and recognising and accepting the change that comes with losing a spouse. I was just missing the feels.
“The thing about hope is that it doesn’t have to start as a raging inferno. All you need is a flicker. A tiny ember of hope can move you forward into something beautiful.”
2.5 stars. It was ok.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
4.5 stars!! I loved this story so much! I will start off by saying that this is my first Amber Kelly novel, so I jumped straight into the middle of this series. And now I'm so very eager to go back and read the stories of how some of the other couples came to be.
𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀:
🌱single parent (mom/widow)
🌱cinnamon roll hero
🌱he falls for child first
🌱small town
🌱workplace
🌱second chance at love
Hope After Loss is a fast and sweet read, and all I have to say is: yummy man who can both work with his hands in the field and cuddle a baby with ease. My heart melted with each turn of the page!
Anna suffered the tragic loss of her husband while still pregnant with her child, and almost a year later, it's time for her to get back to work to support her sweet baby girl. Weston hires her to help work the office at his hemp farm, and I truly enjoyed watching their relationship grow and change with each turn of the page. I thought I loved it when the hero gave a cute nickname to the heroine, but I was not prepared for the hero nicknaming the heroine's 1-year-old child.
Weston is the sweetest cinnamon roll, and Anna is so strong as she navigates a new, unexpected path in life towards a second chance at love.
𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀:
🌱single parent (mom/widow)
🌱cinnamon roll hero
🌱he falls for child first
🌱small town
🌱workplace
🌱second chance at love
Hope After Loss is a fast and sweet read, and all I have to say is: yummy man who can both work with his hands in the field and cuddle a baby with ease. My heart melted with each turn of the page!
Anna suffered the tragic loss of her husband while still pregnant with her child, and almost a year later, it's time for her to get back to work to support her sweet baby girl. Weston hires her to help work the office at his hemp farm, and I truly enjoyed watching their relationship grow and change with each turn of the page. I thought I loved it when the hero gave a cute nickname to the heroine, but I was not prepared for the hero nicknaming the heroine's 1-year-old child.
Weston is the sweetest cinnamon roll, and Anna is so strong as she navigates a new, unexpected path in life towards a second chance at love.
April 30, 2023
I received an ARC copy of Hope After Loss from Amber Kelly. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. I was crying in the first chapter and sobbing at the end. Moving on and learning to love again after losing a spouse is probably the most difficult things a person can go through. Doing it with a child who never met their father? Unfair.
Anna Kunder battles with her emotions in this heartfelt story trying to find away to move on after losing her husband in the line of duty, while also trying to be a new mom to Kaela. Enter Weston Tuttle, the flirt. The feelings hit both of them unexpectedly and of course neither knows how to handle them due to their circumstances. Weston makes Anna’s life easier by just being there and helping her with a few things. He’s playful, caring, loving, and patient with Anna and her daughter. Them trying to figure out feelings and Weston learning how to coexist in Anna’s life with Mike’s memory will bring the feelings to you. Have the tissues handy.
Anna Kunder battles with her emotions in this heartfelt story trying to find away to move on after losing her husband in the line of duty, while also trying to be a new mom to Kaela. Enter Weston Tuttle, the flirt. The feelings hit both of them unexpectedly and of course neither knows how to handle them due to their circumstances. Weston makes Anna’s life easier by just being there and helping her with a few things. He’s playful, caring, loving, and patient with Anna and her daughter. Them trying to figure out feelings and Weston learning how to coexist in Anna’s life with Mike’s memory will bring the feelings to you. Have the tissues handy.
May 6, 2023
This book was the perfect quick, emotional read that I needed to start off May.
A year after losing her husband, Anna finds herself working on the business side of Weston Tuttle’s help farm. This fun loving bachelor apparently has a giant soft spot for babies, and allows Anna to bring sweet little Kaela to work with her every day.
There are so many sweet things that this man does, I love him. He falls hard and fast for Anna and Kaela, but gives her the time and space she needs in order to work out her complicated feelings about finally moving on after losing her husband.
A great story about finding love and hope again after a tragedy.
A year after losing her husband, Anna finds herself working on the business side of Weston Tuttle’s help farm. This fun loving bachelor apparently has a giant soft spot for babies, and allows Anna to bring sweet little Kaela to work with her every day.
There are so many sweet things that this man does, I love him. He falls hard and fast for Anna and Kaela, but gives her the time and space she needs in order to work out her complicated feelings about finally moving on after losing her husband.
A great story about finding love and hope again after a tragedy.
November 27, 2024
I wanted to like this book but something felt like it was missing😶I just can’t put my finger on what. The concept was great- a reformed playboy falling for a single mom navigating her grief while raising her young daughter. It had so much potential, but it didn’t quite deliver for me😶
May 19, 2023
Hope After Loss
🔥- quick read. Very slow burn. At times I thought the time line was a little off so that was a bit confusing. The end chat with Leona was a nice touch and followed by Mike’s letter to Anna? 🥺🥺 over all the story was cute but I would have liked to see them make it official and see their relationship a bit more but we didn’t get that until the last 10 pages.
🔥- quick read. Very slow burn. At times I thought the time line was a little off so that was a bit confusing. The end chat with Leona was a nice touch and followed by Mike’s letter to Anna? 🥺🥺 over all the story was cute but I would have liked to see them make it official and see their relationship a bit more but we didn’t get that until the last 10 pages.
May 2, 2023
Wow , I did not read Hope After Loss , I lived it . And this story is such a bitter sweet emotional symphony . I was barely holding my tears till the end of Anna's journey through grief and loss and sadness and coming back stronger and ready to be happy again . It was so good that I didn't want it to end and to have to leave Balsam Ridge and that group of wonderful people. I love a small town and second chance romance and with Hope After Loss I have it both and it's so good. Anna and Weston's story was sweet and beautiful , full of hope and love and in the same time so soul calming . All because of all the best advises how to navigate through grief and loss . Anna is so strong , smart and loving and so brave . Weston is a genuinely good guy with a heart of gold. I loved it how he instantly connected with Anna . And I absolutely loved that cute and swooning moments between Weston and Kaela , Anna's daughter. Anna and Weston are so perfect together and so good for each other. I would love to read more about them in the next book of the Balsam Ridge series.
I received an ARC copy of this book by WordSmith Publicity in exchange of an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book by WordSmith Publicity in exchange of an honest review.
October 24, 2024
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would! Anna and Weston are my FAVORITE Balsam Ridge couple so far 😍😍
January 13, 2024
She is a young widow raising a child and takes a new job to provide for them. He owns his own business and tends to only want casual relationships with women. As they work together a connection is made that could only lead to more for both of them.
Anna lost her firefighter husband just a few weeks before giving birth to their daughter. She made the tough choice to stay in Balsam Ridge with this great community instead of going home to her family. When the handsome, charming, Weston Tuttle offers her a job as an office manager for his business, it becomes an answer to more than a few of her problems.
Weston Tuttle owns a CBD farm. With his degree in agricultural chemistry he can legally use cannabis to make all sorts of helpful products. After a few set backs, Weston's business is thriving and he asks a mutual friend, Anna if she can help him with the office. When he begins to spend time with her and her daughter he finds more than just someone to organize his business.
Weston and Anna slowly move toward a friendship and then dating relationship. Even though Weston is thirty five years old, his reputation with women is a red flag to many friends and family as Weston shows interest in Anna. Anna has her own battles as she deals with grief, loss, guilt, and being a mom. But as she begins to see Weston's big heart she finds the hope she didn't know she was starving for.
Dual POV, single mom romance, spicy.
These people are messy. Anna went through horrible situation losing her husband to a forest fire and then giving birth around the same time. Her life is full of warring emotions not to mention trying to be a competent mom and employee. The community of people that surround her is strong and part of the reason she is able to cope. Weston is intelligent and sweet but his brothers only see him as an immature man-wh*re. So when Weston wants more with Anna he has to fight against his brothers as well as the memory of her husband. Nice HEA and Epilogue.
<>
While they are exploring the physical side of their relationship after fighting Anna's inner demons, Anna goes on a date with another man?! It wasn't a live scene but it's mentioned that it didn't go well. It was weird to me she had finally fought against herself to let down her walls and let Weston in physically. Then accepted a set up date from a mutual friend she doesn't even know well. For me, it didn't flow well with the storyline of the book.
Also. I like the dynamic of the female friend group in this small community. I believe the author chose to have all the female former MCs in this series in a positive light as friends. Then use the other women who are strictly secondary characters as flawed and sometimes rude to show they aren't all perfect or unrealistic. But man, I get frustrated with Erin and Jena. Brandee is not too bad. But Erin just forces herself into other people's lives and publicly forces them to share details of their private life. In a way, it's an interesting dynamic in their friend group, but is sometimes really uncomfortable.
Anna lost her firefighter husband just a few weeks before giving birth to their daughter. She made the tough choice to stay in Balsam Ridge with this great community instead of going home to her family. When the handsome, charming, Weston Tuttle offers her a job as an office manager for his business, it becomes an answer to more than a few of her problems.
Weston Tuttle owns a CBD farm. With his degree in agricultural chemistry he can legally use cannabis to make all sorts of helpful products. After a few set backs, Weston's business is thriving and he asks a mutual friend, Anna if she can help him with the office. When he begins to spend time with her and her daughter he finds more than just someone to organize his business.
Weston and Anna slowly move toward a friendship and then dating relationship. Even though Weston is thirty five years old, his reputation with women is a red flag to many friends and family as Weston shows interest in Anna. Anna has her own battles as she deals with grief, loss, guilt, and being a mom. But as she begins to see Weston's big heart she finds the hope she didn't know she was starving for.
Dual POV, single mom romance, spicy.
These people are messy. Anna went through horrible situation losing her husband to a forest fire and then giving birth around the same time. Her life is full of warring emotions not to mention trying to be a competent mom and employee. The community of people that surround her is strong and part of the reason she is able to cope. Weston is intelligent and sweet but his brothers only see him as an immature man-wh*re. So when Weston wants more with Anna he has to fight against his brothers as well as the memory of her husband. Nice HEA and Epilogue.
<>
While they are exploring the physical side of their relationship after fighting Anna's inner demons, Anna goes on a date with another man?! It wasn't a live scene but it's mentioned that it didn't go well. It was weird to me she had finally fought against herself to let down her walls and let Weston in physically. Then accepted a set up date from a mutual friend she doesn't even know well. For me, it didn't flow well with the storyline of the book.
Also. I like the dynamic of the female friend group in this small community. I believe the author chose to have all the female former MCs in this series in a positive light as friends. Then use the other women who are strictly secondary characters as flawed and sometimes rude to show they aren't all perfect or unrealistic. But man, I get frustrated with Erin and Jena. Brandee is not too bad. But Erin just forces herself into other people's lives and publicly forces them to share details of their private life. In a way, it's an interesting dynamic in their friend group, but is sometimes really uncomfortable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2023
Hope After Loss is a poignant reminder of how quickly we can lose someone we love and how the heart must go on. Amber Kelly shares an emotional tale of two friends to unexpected lovers in this small-town romance which captivated me from beginning to end.
I love how the author weaves so many fabulous secondary characters into this drama as the story unfolds. It feels as you are right there with them as our heroine, Anna Kunder, receives the devastating news that her beloved husband, Mike, perished while fighting a fire. The first chapter was written so achingly beautiful and really tore at my heartstrings. She not only lost her husband tragically, but is pregnant with their first child.
The Tuttle family is the star of the series, with each sibling finding love, one book at a time. If you are familiar with Balsam Ridge, this is book #5, but can be read as a standalone. We had been introduced to the effervescent Weston who owns and operates a Cannabis business. I loved him and just adored how the author portrays him. Our hero has the smarts to go along with his brawny built and rugged handsome good looks, and what a charmer he is! Such a giant, sensitive heart!
I couldn’t help but grin have the time he was speaking. He hires our sweet Anna a year after her husband’s death to work in the office, and although they had been acquaintances, they never knew each other on a personal level. He knew her husband, Mike, and had a deep respect and affection for her. He was such a stand-up guy, and so very generous and easy going. When he offered to let her bring her daughter to work, I nearly swooned right off my chair.
Weston was so fun and such a smart savvy businessman. I loved how he included Anna and asked for her opinion, and how he took her on an overnight hike so he could protect her as she fulfilled something on her bucket list. Their romance was a slow-burn and so worth the wait. He knew she needed time to heal, and that she felt conflicted, and he never once rushed or pressured her.
The writer shared so many words of wisdom and I must have highlighted about 20 of them! They dealt with death, grieving and processing feelings of deep sadness and hopelessness that every one of us can relate to. To me, the most beautiful part of the book was the overwhelming feeling of being hopeful, and that even though time passes, you don’t ever forget or stop loving the person you lost, and you have the ability to move on and love again.
Anna was so strong and honest with her feelings, and I just loved her and Kaela, her daughter, with Weston. Their family and friends were so supportive and encouraging and the ending ws just perfection.
I love how the author weaves so many fabulous secondary characters into this drama as the story unfolds. It feels as you are right there with them as our heroine, Anna Kunder, receives the devastating news that her beloved husband, Mike, perished while fighting a fire. The first chapter was written so achingly beautiful and really tore at my heartstrings. She not only lost her husband tragically, but is pregnant with their first child.
The Tuttle family is the star of the series, with each sibling finding love, one book at a time. If you are familiar with Balsam Ridge, this is book #5, but can be read as a standalone. We had been introduced to the effervescent Weston who owns and operates a Cannabis business. I loved him and just adored how the author portrays him. Our hero has the smarts to go along with his brawny built and rugged handsome good looks, and what a charmer he is! Such a giant, sensitive heart!
I couldn’t help but grin have the time he was speaking. He hires our sweet Anna a year after her husband’s death to work in the office, and although they had been acquaintances, they never knew each other on a personal level. He knew her husband, Mike, and had a deep respect and affection for her. He was such a stand-up guy, and so very generous and easy going. When he offered to let her bring her daughter to work, I nearly swooned right off my chair.
Weston was so fun and such a smart savvy businessman. I loved how he included Anna and asked for her opinion, and how he took her on an overnight hike so he could protect her as she fulfilled something on her bucket list. Their romance was a slow-burn and so worth the wait. He knew she needed time to heal, and that she felt conflicted, and he never once rushed or pressured her.
The writer shared so many words of wisdom and I must have highlighted about 20 of them! They dealt with death, grieving and processing feelings of deep sadness and hopelessness that every one of us can relate to. To me, the most beautiful part of the book was the overwhelming feeling of being hopeful, and that even though time passes, you don’t ever forget or stop loving the person you lost, and you have the ability to move on and love again.
Anna was so strong and honest with her feelings, and I just loved her and Kaela, her daughter, with Weston. Their family and friends were so supportive and encouraging and the ending ws just perfection.
May 6, 2023
From tragedy comes love. Isn't that what we all hope for in life? Ms. Kelly gives Anna just that in Hope after loss. We finally get to have Anna's story and it is one of grief, acceptance and finding love again. This story is one that will stay with me for a long time not only for the beautiful writing but the characters that do come to life, a storyline that will you feel every emotion there is to feel and is one that is relatable.
Anna, as we read in a previous book, lost her husband and had a baby girl, Michaela, after his death. She is now, a year later, getting her life back together which sees her needing a job. She never left Balsam Ridge and has the whole town behind her, so it is no wonder that she gets a job for Weston Tuttle at his hemp farm. Well here is the beginning of her new life, or should I say the beginning of her new happiness. Weston is sweet, loving and takes in Anna and Michaela right from the start. Is he one to settle down and have a serious relationship? Maybe not at the beginning but the way that Michaela and Anna weaved into his heat was sweet. Weston and Anna had a connection right from the start but it started as a close friendship that blossomed into something wonderful. You knew Weston was a keeper when he told Anna to bring Michaela to work and the first thing he does is gravitate right to her. The relationship that he had with Michaela had my ovaries working overtime. A beautiful relationship that starts as friends slowly ignites into one that is full of fire and love. The idea of dating your boss or employee sees Weston joking that he would fire Anna just to show her how much he loved her.
Yes, this was a sweet romance but there are a couple of scenes that will have your teary eyes. When Anna talks and remembers Mike and that he and Michaela have never met as well as the end when she reads a letter. Talk about emotion overload. Hope After Loss is definitely one book that you should add to your library. Grab a cozy spot and settle in to read a gripping and beautiful story that you will not want to put down.
Anna, as we read in a previous book, lost her husband and had a baby girl, Michaela, after his death. She is now, a year later, getting her life back together which sees her needing a job. She never left Balsam Ridge and has the whole town behind her, so it is no wonder that she gets a job for Weston Tuttle at his hemp farm. Well here is the beginning of her new life, or should I say the beginning of her new happiness. Weston is sweet, loving and takes in Anna and Michaela right from the start. Is he one to settle down and have a serious relationship? Maybe not at the beginning but the way that Michaela and Anna weaved into his heat was sweet. Weston and Anna had a connection right from the start but it started as a close friendship that blossomed into something wonderful. You knew Weston was a keeper when he told Anna to bring Michaela to work and the first thing he does is gravitate right to her. The relationship that he had with Michaela had my ovaries working overtime. A beautiful relationship that starts as friends slowly ignites into one that is full of fire and love. The idea of dating your boss or employee sees Weston joking that he would fire Anna just to show her how much he loved her.
Yes, this was a sweet romance but there are a couple of scenes that will have your teary eyes. When Anna talks and remembers Mike and that he and Michaela have never met as well as the end when she reads a letter. Talk about emotion overload. Hope After Loss is definitely one book that you should add to your library. Grab a cozy spot and settle in to read a gripping and beautiful story that you will not want to put down.
May 27, 2023
I am writing one review for all her books. This is the first time I have read any of this authors books. I have to say I am impressed and will read more of them.
First I notice that the women in her books are successful women and have a education that allows them to pursue a career.
The Tuttle men either have a child or are interested in having families. Now the old nurse comes to the fore. Women who have babies in their mid to early forties are considered high risk. Women have a time span to have babies and in the thirties there can be abnormalities. Men can father children late into their years.
One book deals with a woman who has a 12 year old son and she can have children but again see above.
Another book looks at the Tuttle man in a toxic relationship and how it is easy to fall into the trap of falling into behaviours that keeps him there.
One book deals with enemies who fall in love and marry and are now pregnant. Again see above. This book also deals with Alzheimer's , but fails to point out the many medicines and memory care that is now found for these patients. It does talk about about some of these items near the end of the book. Since he was stage 2 there were many interventions available. Again the old nurse in me!
I had my last child at 36 and was considered high risk even if I had given birth twice before. Amenoinicetics was performed and I knew early on it was a girl. The high risk has not been removed even though many women are waiting to have babies. I believe that this book Anna can have more little ones should she choose and will be fine until she moves into her mid thirties.
All in all I enjoyed this authors books and will read more by her.
Oh I forgot the Tuttle singer. This showed the difficulties of keeping a marriage/relationship together when one part of the couple has to be away for so many months touring. It really is hard work and i am glad this couple had a chance for a do over.
First I notice that the women in her books are successful women and have a education that allows them to pursue a career.
The Tuttle men either have a child or are interested in having families. Now the old nurse comes to the fore. Women who have babies in their mid to early forties are considered high risk. Women have a time span to have babies and in the thirties there can be abnormalities. Men can father children late into their years.
One book deals with a woman who has a 12 year old son and she can have children but again see above.
Another book looks at the Tuttle man in a toxic relationship and how it is easy to fall into the trap of falling into behaviours that keeps him there.
One book deals with enemies who fall in love and marry and are now pregnant. Again see above. This book also deals with Alzheimer's , but fails to point out the many medicines and memory care that is now found for these patients. It does talk about about some of these items near the end of the book. Since he was stage 2 there were many interventions available. Again the old nurse in me!
I had my last child at 36 and was considered high risk even if I had given birth twice before. Amenoinicetics was performed and I knew early on it was a girl. The high risk has not been removed even though many women are waiting to have babies. I believe that this book Anna can have more little ones should she choose and will be fine until she moves into her mid thirties.
All in all I enjoyed this authors books and will read more by her.
Oh I forgot the Tuttle singer. This showed the difficulties of keeping a marriage/relationship together when one part of the couple has to be away for so many months touring. It really is hard work and i am glad this couple had a chance for a do over.
May 9, 2023
Hope After Loss - Balsam Ridge #5 - Review
Couple: Anna & Weston Tuttle
Author: Amber Kelly
Tropes: small town, widow, single mother, cinnamon roll hero, workplace romance, slow-burn, new beginnings
Review: This book is a dual POV in the Balsam Ridge series. It can be read as a stand alone. The book centers around Anna and Weston as they navigate new feelings and overcoming the past.
Anna is a widowed single mother who is trying to get he life back on track. When she meets her new boss Weston sparks fly and the two begin to feel things that they are hesitant to acknowledge. I loved Anna’s perseverance in this book and how she overcame so may tragedies to get to where she was.
Weston is a MC that struggles to overcome his stigma in town as the playboy and trust fund kid. I found it ironic that everyone thought he was lazy when in fact his business was super successful and he just did not show off about it. I also enjoyed how he and his family were hilarious together. The Tuttle men are comical and will make you want to read the other books in the series!
What drew me into the read was Weston’s love for Anna’s daughter and his devotion to making sure they were both cared for. I loved how he took it upon himself to make the small things easier for Anna and helped out with her transition to a working mother. His understanding and POV when trying to overcome the shadow of Anna’s late husband were also so artfully done that it makes you cry for him.
The book is not super spicy but it does have an honest bond that grows as the book goes on. You see both characters come out of their shells and grow fond of one another. I liked how the romance was slow-burn since they both had growing to do and I also liked how it prioritized their friendship.
This book is a great read that will leave you wanting more!
Rating: 4/5, sweet and swoony MC
Couple: Anna & Weston Tuttle
Author: Amber Kelly
Tropes: small town, widow, single mother, cinnamon roll hero, workplace romance, slow-burn, new beginnings
Review: This book is a dual POV in the Balsam Ridge series. It can be read as a stand alone. The book centers around Anna and Weston as they navigate new feelings and overcoming the past.
Anna is a widowed single mother who is trying to get he life back on track. When she meets her new boss Weston sparks fly and the two begin to feel things that they are hesitant to acknowledge. I loved Anna’s perseverance in this book and how she overcame so may tragedies to get to where she was.
Weston is a MC that struggles to overcome his stigma in town as the playboy and trust fund kid. I found it ironic that everyone thought he was lazy when in fact his business was super successful and he just did not show off about it. I also enjoyed how he and his family were hilarious together. The Tuttle men are comical and will make you want to read the other books in the series!
What drew me into the read was Weston’s love for Anna’s daughter and his devotion to making sure they were both cared for. I loved how he took it upon himself to make the small things easier for Anna and helped out with her transition to a working mother. His understanding and POV when trying to overcome the shadow of Anna’s late husband were also so artfully done that it makes you cry for him.
The book is not super spicy but it does have an honest bond that grows as the book goes on. You see both characters come out of their shells and grow fond of one another. I liked how the romance was slow-burn since they both had growing to do and I also liked how it prioritized their friendship.
This book is a great read that will leave you wanting more!
Rating: 4/5, sweet and swoony MC
May 2, 2023
There was something really special about this story. Weston and Anna hold a special place in my heart now. I wasn't prepared for the onslaught of emotions from just the prologue. But in the end this was a beautiful story about finding love after loss.
Anna lost her husband in a fire. He left behind not only Anna but their unborn child. Anna never thought she would have to learn to live her life without him but here she is doing the very best she can. She decides it's time to go back to work and she gets a job working for Weston Tuttle. While she is nervous to get back to work and leave her little girl, she has such a wonderful support system from her friends and their families, it makes it much easier to do.
Weston didn't realize how much he needed the help at the office until Anna showed up and really organized everything. Weston's bond and connection with Anna's daughter was the absolute cutest thing in the world. I loved how he was with her. I thought it was sweet that he let her bring the baby to work so that she wouldn't miss so much time with her.
Neither was prepared for the draw they would end up having with each other. Weston really started to see where his life could lead, once Anna was ready to move on. I loved that Weston understood that he wasn't competing with Anna's husband who passed away. That she would be able to love them both without forgetting his memory.
The only thing I thought was missing a little in the story was more flirty moments between Anna and Weston. It did seem that they went from just coworkers to more a little sudden. I also hated how everyone was so hard on Weston regarding being with Anna. They made him seem like a manwhore but in this story, he never showed any interest in any other woman. He was always focused on Anna and her daughter. I felt he deserved more support from them a lot sooner.
Anna lost her husband in a fire. He left behind not only Anna but their unborn child. Anna never thought she would have to learn to live her life without him but here she is doing the very best she can. She decides it's time to go back to work and she gets a job working for Weston Tuttle. While she is nervous to get back to work and leave her little girl, she has such a wonderful support system from her friends and their families, it makes it much easier to do.
Weston didn't realize how much he needed the help at the office until Anna showed up and really organized everything. Weston's bond and connection with Anna's daughter was the absolute cutest thing in the world. I loved how he was with her. I thought it was sweet that he let her bring the baby to work so that she wouldn't miss so much time with her.
Neither was prepared for the draw they would end up having with each other. Weston really started to see where his life could lead, once Anna was ready to move on. I loved that Weston understood that he wasn't competing with Anna's husband who passed away. That she would be able to love them both without forgetting his memory.
The only thing I thought was missing a little in the story was more flirty moments between Anna and Weston. It did seem that they went from just coworkers to more a little sudden. I also hated how everyone was so hard on Weston regarding being with Anna. They made him seem like a manwhore but in this story, he never showed any interest in any other woman. He was always focused on Anna and her daughter. I felt he deserved more support from them a lot sooner.
May 2, 2023
I received a complimentary kindle version of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This is Anna's story. In the previous book we met Anna when she lost her husband, Mike, in a fire and had her beautiful baby girl, Michaela. This story starts about a year after that tragedy when she heads back to work and ends up working with Weston Tuttle at his Hemp Farm.
This is a long story, forty-three chapters but its a fast read. It does deal with the loss of the spouse and there are some moments in the story where you feel is very poignant but as a whole this story is cute and a fun and a light read. That is attributed to Weston because he is a total sweetheart. Anna also has some sad moments, but she is healing and moving on and not living in the past. I adored her attitude and how she faced every day and the joy she found in Michaela.
I really liked that the author showed the business relationship that grew between Weston and Anna. Then we also get to see them grow as real friends as they bond over her daughter, Valetine's day and bowling nights. I loved how Weston let Anna lead him and he had no problem letting her lead him in his business and take over projects as the business expanded.
I also adored the advice that Weston gets from his brother, Graham, about how to date a widowed mom. It is so very true and I never thought about it but I really loved how he expressed what a widowed mom would feel about her husband that dies. Corbin was also awesome in how he is there to support Anna no matter what.
This is really an awesome story about facing your pain and loss and learning to move on and count all your blessings as you face each day. It's probably one of my favorite books that I have read by this author and in this series.
This is Anna's story. In the previous book we met Anna when she lost her husband, Mike, in a fire and had her beautiful baby girl, Michaela. This story starts about a year after that tragedy when she heads back to work and ends up working with Weston Tuttle at his Hemp Farm.
This is a long story, forty-three chapters but its a fast read. It does deal with the loss of the spouse and there are some moments in the story where you feel is very poignant but as a whole this story is cute and a fun and a light read. That is attributed to Weston because he is a total sweetheart. Anna also has some sad moments, but she is healing and moving on and not living in the past. I adored her attitude and how she faced every day and the joy she found in Michaela.
I really liked that the author showed the business relationship that grew between Weston and Anna. Then we also get to see them grow as real friends as they bond over her daughter, Valetine's day and bowling nights. I loved how Weston let Anna lead him and he had no problem letting her lead him in his business and take over projects as the business expanded.
I also adored the advice that Weston gets from his brother, Graham, about how to date a widowed mom. It is so very true and I never thought about it but I really loved how he expressed what a widowed mom would feel about her husband that dies. Corbin was also awesome in how he is there to support Anna no matter what.
This is really an awesome story about facing your pain and loss and learning to move on and count all your blessings as you face each day. It's probably one of my favorite books that I have read by this author and in this series.
May 3, 2023
Weston & Anna's story was so much more than I expected, in the best way possible. I am a huge Amber Kelly fan and the way she writes small town. I already love the wonderful characters we've seen in the previous books but there is just something a little extra special about these two.
Anna was living her perfect life, she was married to the man of her dreams, about to have a baby and living in a town she loved. Until it was all ripped away with one Tennessee wildfire that claimed Mike's life and stole her dream. She chose to stay in Balsam Ridge because that was where home was and she couldn't imagine raising her baby anywhere else.
Weston is the young, carefree, Hemp Farm owning Tuttle brother. He hires Anna to work in his office and he soon realizes how much he needs her in his life. She reorganizes his whole office and also brings her own brand of sunshine with her and Kaela in the office. I loved his relationship with Baby Duck was beautiful to watch. HE was also so good with Ana. While the girl gang did a good job of bringing her out of her grief, being with Weston showed her that she was still a woman and not just a mom.
While this was a poignant story about loss, dealing with grief and learning to love again, there was also an element of lightness. The banter between the brothers, the girls and their stories, the adventures between Weston & Anna. I loved them all. Also, major props to Amber for picking a great wine from the Biltmore!! It is my favorite and we order yearly to keep it in stock at our house! There is just something about Weston & Anna that will stick with me for a long time. I am ready for like 100 more stories from Balsam Ridge.
Amber Kelly
Anna was living her perfect life, she was married to the man of her dreams, about to have a baby and living in a town she loved. Until it was all ripped away with one Tennessee wildfire that claimed Mike's life and stole her dream. She chose to stay in Balsam Ridge because that was where home was and she couldn't imagine raising her baby anywhere else.
Weston is the young, carefree, Hemp Farm owning Tuttle brother. He hires Anna to work in his office and he soon realizes how much he needs her in his life. She reorganizes his whole office and also brings her own brand of sunshine with her and Kaela in the office. I loved his relationship with Baby Duck was beautiful to watch. HE was also so good with Ana. While the girl gang did a good job of bringing her out of her grief, being with Weston showed her that she was still a woman and not just a mom.
While this was a poignant story about loss, dealing with grief and learning to love again, there was also an element of lightness. The banter between the brothers, the girls and their stories, the adventures between Weston & Anna. I loved them all. Also, major props to Amber for picking a great wine from the Biltmore!! It is my favorite and we order yearly to keep it in stock at our house! There is just something about Weston & Anna that will stick with me for a long time. I am ready for like 100 more stories from Balsam Ridge.
Amber Kelly
February 15, 2024
Anna's husband died in the Balsam Ridge forest fires a year ago, the townsfolk have taken her in and she decided to stay. Life has been awful and tragic for her despite the fact that she gave birth to his baby shortly after the accident. She decides to stay in Balsam Ridge because this is where they chose to live and bring up their child.
Weston Tuttle needs an assistant, he is one of the younger Tuttle brothers in this series, he offers Anna the job and slowly a relationship begins to evolve, only she has guilt feelings because she still, naturally loves her husband.
This is a heartwarming and sometimes heartwrenching story, when one woman fights hard to try to move on as her dead husband would want her to be, and being confused with the feelings she has for another man, Weston Tuttle.
This is the perfect small town romance series, I've now read all the books in the series and have to say they are all as brilliant as each other. If you love a cozy, heartwarming romance that deals with real life issues in every book, then this series and this book is the one for you.
Amber Kelly has a fantastic knack for making you feel happiness, coziness and at times a sore heart for what her FMCs are going through.
All her FMC's are feisty, strong women with real feelings and this evokes high empathy in the reader, least ways it does in me.
The Tuttle brothers are all swoon worthy, they're pure gentleman a testament to their mother, they're hardworking and a catch for any woman.
It's been amazing to read their stories and see them all find everlasting happiness
Thank you to Amber Kelly for writing such a beautiful book and series
Kerry Kennedy Author
Weston Tuttle needs an assistant, he is one of the younger Tuttle brothers in this series, he offers Anna the job and slowly a relationship begins to evolve, only she has guilt feelings because she still, naturally loves her husband.
This is a heartwarming and sometimes heartwrenching story, when one woman fights hard to try to move on as her dead husband would want her to be, and being confused with the feelings she has for another man, Weston Tuttle.
This is the perfect small town romance series, I've now read all the books in the series and have to say they are all as brilliant as each other. If you love a cozy, heartwarming romance that deals with real life issues in every book, then this series and this book is the one for you.
Amber Kelly has a fantastic knack for making you feel happiness, coziness and at times a sore heart for what her FMCs are going through.
All her FMC's are feisty, strong women with real feelings and this evokes high empathy in the reader, least ways it does in me.
The Tuttle brothers are all swoon worthy, they're pure gentleman a testament to their mother, they're hardworking and a catch for any woman.
It's been amazing to read their stories and see them all find everlasting happiness
Thank you to Amber Kelly for writing such a beautiful book and series
Kerry Kennedy Author
January 6, 2024
a young widow with a second chance at love - but with the Tuttle playboy!
Anna lost her firefighter husband and is raising her baby girl alone, although with the love and support of almost the entire town of Balsam Ridge. But it isn’t until she gets a job with Weston Tuttle that she really starts to move on with her life. And Weston’s devotion to little Kaela is absolutely heart melting.
Weston’s reputation as the town playboy is well deserved. He’s never had a serious relationship. Weston is an agricultural scientist running a Hemp farm where he pays particular attention to the science behind the plants. As Anna spends more time at the farm, she learns more and more about Weston and also shows him how valuable she can be with her organization skills and more. They slowly grow into more than work colleagues.
This is a very unlikely couple but definitely one you root for. Weston wasn’t looking for a relationship and he’s well aware Anna cannot be a simple hookup. Anna is dealing with her grief over her husband and guilt about moving on but several of her closest family and friends help her reconcile her guilt, grief, and deepening feelings for Weston.
Weston’s delightful brothers are all back of course and Langford and Corbin particularly don’t shy away from giving him advice. The BFF girl gang immediately embrace Anna and once again their banter, fun outings, and unsolicited advice are priceless.
One of my favorite lines:
“Hope after loss is the key to living again.”
Anna and Weston are a testament to this.
Anna lost her firefighter husband and is raising her baby girl alone, although with the love and support of almost the entire town of Balsam Ridge. But it isn’t until she gets a job with Weston Tuttle that she really starts to move on with her life. And Weston’s devotion to little Kaela is absolutely heart melting.
Weston’s reputation as the town playboy is well deserved. He’s never had a serious relationship. Weston is an agricultural scientist running a Hemp farm where he pays particular attention to the science behind the plants. As Anna spends more time at the farm, she learns more and more about Weston and also shows him how valuable she can be with her organization skills and more. They slowly grow into more than work colleagues.
This is a very unlikely couple but definitely one you root for. Weston wasn’t looking for a relationship and he’s well aware Anna cannot be a simple hookup. Anna is dealing with her grief over her husband and guilt about moving on but several of her closest family and friends help her reconcile her guilt, grief, and deepening feelings for Weston.
Weston’s delightful brothers are all back of course and Langford and Corbin particularly don’t shy away from giving him advice. The BFF girl gang immediately embrace Anna and once again their banter, fun outings, and unsolicited advice are priceless.
One of my favorite lines:
“Hope after loss is the key to living again.”
Anna and Weston are a testament to this.
May 8, 2023
Loved this sweet, loving small town romance
Hope After Loss is the 5th book in the Balsam Ridge series but can be read as a interconnected standalone. This is a great work place, forced proximity, single mom romance.
Amber got me at the prologue. She had me tearing up like a baby. Haha. But with that being said this book is about never giving up, hope, seconds chances, finding love and acceptance in the most unthinkable places. We do get a brief run in with Anna in previous books and we know that she has lost the love of her life.
In this book we get a glimpse into Anna her journey after losing a loved one, trying to find herself, and trying to find some normalcy after her life has been turned upside down. Anna has a great support system in Balsam Ridge. People who love her and will help take care of her. I loved seeing all the previous characters from the previous books continue to provide some banter and comedic relief when needed.
Weston Tuttle and his family have been in Anna’s life for a while. Weston is smart, funny at times, understanding of Anna’s situation and so caring. Although, to other he comes off as broody, and a playboy. We see how he slowly helps Anna heal, and makes her see that there is more out there than just being stuck in a place of grief. He’s such a teddy bear and his interactions with sweet Kaela are just so swoonworthy. Loved this book!
Hope After Loss is the 5th book in the Balsam Ridge series but can be read as a interconnected standalone. This is a great work place, forced proximity, single mom romance.
Amber got me at the prologue. She had me tearing up like a baby. Haha. But with that being said this book is about never giving up, hope, seconds chances, finding love and acceptance in the most unthinkable places. We do get a brief run in with Anna in previous books and we know that she has lost the love of her life.
In this book we get a glimpse into Anna her journey after losing a loved one, trying to find herself, and trying to find some normalcy after her life has been turned upside down. Anna has a great support system in Balsam Ridge. People who love her and will help take care of her. I loved seeing all the previous characters from the previous books continue to provide some banter and comedic relief when needed.
Weston Tuttle and his family have been in Anna’s life for a while. Weston is smart, funny at times, understanding of Anna’s situation and so caring. Although, to other he comes off as broody, and a playboy. We see how he slowly helps Anna heal, and makes her see that there is more out there than just being stuck in a place of grief. He’s such a teddy bear and his interactions with sweet Kaela are just so swoonworthy. Loved this book!
March 4, 2024
Anna lost her firefighter husband, Mike, when he perished in a wildfire. She was now faced with raising their daughter, Kaela, alone. She chooses to stay in Balsam Ridge to start this new chapter, and gets a job working for Weston Tuttle. After a year of going through the motions, Anna really starts to live again with the help of Weston.
Everyone saw Weston as a fun loving playboy, but he was truly a loving person with such an incredible heart. Anna was so relatable in her grief. With the help of her friends and family, she was able to reconcile the guilt she felt about her developing feelings for Weston. How cute was Weston with his "Baby Duck" Kaela!
This was a really beautiful story about grief and moving forward after a terrible loss. I think the grief was portrayed very honestly, and I was very moved by the conversations that Anna had with her mother and mother-in-law. Balsam Ridge was a wonderful small town setting with such incredible secondary characters. I loved the group of women that Anna was surrounded by and how supportive they were.
This was my first book by Amber Kelly and I really loved her writing style. Even though I haven't read any of the previous books in this series, I felt like I still understood everything that was going on. I look forward to going back and reading the rest of the series!
Everyone saw Weston as a fun loving playboy, but he was truly a loving person with such an incredible heart. Anna was so relatable in her grief. With the help of her friends and family, she was able to reconcile the guilt she felt about her developing feelings for Weston. How cute was Weston with his "Baby Duck" Kaela!
This was a really beautiful story about grief and moving forward after a terrible loss. I think the grief was portrayed very honestly, and I was very moved by the conversations that Anna had with her mother and mother-in-law. Balsam Ridge was a wonderful small town setting with such incredible secondary characters. I loved the group of women that Anna was surrounded by and how supportive they were.
This was my first book by Amber Kelly and I really loved her writing style. Even though I haven't read any of the previous books in this series, I felt like I still understood everything that was going on. I look forward to going back and reading the rest of the series!
May 4, 2023
𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔
✔️Single Mom
✔️Small Town
✔️Workplace Romance
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
I have been waiting eagerly for
this book from the time I saw the sign up and I couldn’t wait to read it. As soon as I received the ARC I dropped everything to read it. I’m so glad to say it lived up to more than my expectations. I truly enjoyed this and devoured it in a couple hours. It’s truly a remarkable journey for Anna and Weston. This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I thoroughly adored this storyline.
I have a soft spot for kids and reading all the descriptive parts with Kaela in it was melting my heart. I cherished the friendships that were mention in the book with Anna and the girls, how they always tried to make sure she wasn’t drowning in sadness and making sure she was having a good time, stepping out of her comfort zone now and then. It was so cute reading about Weston with Kaela it’s so swoony. I also really liked the fact that this book wasn’t mainly written with intimate scenes in mind but focused mainly on them as they tried to establish their feelings and how Anna can move forward without feeling guilty. This book makes you laugh, cry and love these characters so hard that you can’t help but feel all their emotions.
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔
✔️Single Mom
✔️Small Town
✔️Workplace Romance
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
I have been waiting eagerly for
this book from the time I saw the sign up and I couldn’t wait to read it. As soon as I received the ARC I dropped everything to read it. I’m so glad to say it lived up to more than my expectations. I truly enjoyed this and devoured it in a couple hours. It’s truly a remarkable journey for Anna and Weston. This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I thoroughly adored this storyline.
I have a soft spot for kids and reading all the descriptive parts with Kaela in it was melting my heart. I cherished the friendships that were mention in the book with Anna and the girls, how they always tried to make sure she wasn’t drowning in sadness and making sure she was having a good time, stepping out of her comfort zone now and then. It was so cute reading about Weston with Kaela it’s so swoony. I also really liked the fact that this book wasn’t mainly written with intimate scenes in mind but focused mainly on them as they tried to establish their feelings and how Anna can move forward without feeling guilty. This book makes you laugh, cry and love these characters so hard that you can’t help but feel all their emotions.
May 6, 2023
(4.5 stars)
If you love small-town romances with second chances, then you need Hope After Loss in your library. This book is full heart, witty banter, and chemistry that is just waiting to set the pages on fire.
Having recently settling in Balsam Ridge, Anna Kunder had the perfect life. A life that many dream of, a happy marriage with her firefighter husband and a baby on the way. But when a wildfire swept in and took her husband from her, her life is upended and she is faced with living life on her own as a single mom. When she takes a job as an assistant at the local hemp farm, she finds not only herself but healing and hope.
Weston, one of the six Tuttle sons, is the savvy owner and operator of the local hemp farm. He didn't realize how much he need help in his office until the recently widowed Anna comes through the door. With a heart of gold and a sensitive side to go along with his brawn, he falls fast for the single mom and her daughter.
I have been waiting for Anna's second chance at romance since she was brought into the "Balsam Ridege" series. Her slow-burn romance with Weston Tuttle was everything!!! Amber Kelly has given her readers another beautifully written story. Bring on the next Tuttle brother.
If you love small-town romances with second chances, then you need Hope After Loss in your library. This book is full heart, witty banter, and chemistry that is just waiting to set the pages on fire.
Having recently settling in Balsam Ridge, Anna Kunder had the perfect life. A life that many dream of, a happy marriage with her firefighter husband and a baby on the way. But when a wildfire swept in and took her husband from her, her life is upended and she is faced with living life on her own as a single mom. When she takes a job as an assistant at the local hemp farm, she finds not only herself but healing and hope.
Weston, one of the six Tuttle sons, is the savvy owner and operator of the local hemp farm. He didn't realize how much he need help in his office until the recently widowed Anna comes through the door. With a heart of gold and a sensitive side to go along with his brawn, he falls fast for the single mom and her daughter.
I have been waiting for Anna's second chance at romance since she was brought into the "Balsam Ridege" series. Her slow-burn romance with Weston Tuttle was everything!!! Amber Kelly has given her readers another beautifully written story. Bring on the next Tuttle brother.
May 8, 2023
Although this book opens with gut wrenching pain. It gets so good. Anna’s world is flipped upside down when her husband dies while she is pregnant. She enters the world of motherhood alone. She embraces life in a new way. When she starts working for Weston he life begins to have even more color and vibrance. Her circle begins to grow with great friends and even more support. As her and Weston grow closer through work they find even more.
Anna is resilient. She doesn’t see how strong she is most of the time. To weather the storms she has and to be as thoughtful and gracious as she is shows a strength unlike most. Her loss did not keep her down. She may have been forced at first with her daughter but she moved forward to be the women her daughter needed.
Weston begins as a player. He isn’t looking for forever. His good looks and personality made him very likable. Women flocked to him. As he gets closer to Anna he realizes that he wants more, is he ready for all she comes with.
This story was so good loved all the characters. They all rally around each other and support when needed. They love being right in the middle of each others lives. Its fantastic . Thank you Amber Kelly
Anna is resilient. She doesn’t see how strong she is most of the time. To weather the storms she has and to be as thoughtful and gracious as she is shows a strength unlike most. Her loss did not keep her down. She may have been forced at first with her daughter but she moved forward to be the women her daughter needed.
Weston begins as a player. He isn’t looking for forever. His good looks and personality made him very likable. Women flocked to him. As he gets closer to Anna he realizes that he wants more, is he ready for all she comes with.
This story was so good loved all the characters. They all rally around each other and support when needed. They love being right in the middle of each others lives. Its fantastic . Thank you Amber Kelly
July 4, 2024
“𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵. ‘𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.’ ”
There are seven stages of grief: shock and denial, pain and guilt, anger and bargaining, depression, the upward turn, reconstruction and working through, acceptance and hope. A life without Mike was unlike anything Anna could imagine. Balsam Ridge was a town he loved more, home where the couple put down roots…a place where Anna anticipated forever, growing gray in rocking chairs amongst their porch. Itnow seemed like a memory, a town where Anna was desperately seeking to maintain the memory of her widow.
Weston wasn’t ready to put down roots (at least that’s what he and everyone in his family assumed). However, enter Anna with her daughter Kaela, who pretty much wrapped Weston around her pretty tiny little finger, and their means of livelihood took a turn.
Neither of them felt ready yet Weston and Anna came into each other’s lives at the absolute perfect moment— a time where they each needed the other the most.
Amber Kelly truly devoted her writing towards capturing the essence of grief, healing, and exception. The concept of mourning in positive ways and accepting that one can still pass and be cherished while life itself, can still be lived anew.
There are seven stages of grief: shock and denial, pain and guilt, anger and bargaining, depression, the upward turn, reconstruction and working through, acceptance and hope. A life without Mike was unlike anything Anna could imagine. Balsam Ridge was a town he loved more, home where the couple put down roots…a place where Anna anticipated forever, growing gray in rocking chairs amongst their porch. Itnow seemed like a memory, a town where Anna was desperately seeking to maintain the memory of her widow.
Weston wasn’t ready to put down roots (at least that’s what he and everyone in his family assumed). However, enter Anna with her daughter Kaela, who pretty much wrapped Weston around her pretty tiny little finger, and their means of livelihood took a turn.
Neither of them felt ready yet Weston and Anna came into each other’s lives at the absolute perfect moment— a time where they each needed the other the most.
Amber Kelly truly devoted her writing towards capturing the essence of grief, healing, and exception. The concept of mourning in positive ways and accepting that one can still pass and be cherished while life itself, can still be lived anew.
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