Harvest Moon

Written by Denise Hunter

Narrated by Jessica Holton

She thought he was arrogant. He thought her walls would never come down. Then they fell in love.

Forever walking the line between passion and conflict, Laurel and Gavin’s relationship ended in divorce after years of miscommunication and unmet expectations. Now pursuing their own separate lives and careers, the two are content . . . though not completely happy.

When their best friends, Mike and Mallory, are killed in a plane crash, Laurel and Gavin are stunned to learn they’ve been named guardians of their friends’ young daughter, Emma. Putting their differences aside, the estranged couple search for a suitable guardian as they care for Emma and manage Mike and Mallory’s apple orchard.

Soon tempers flare—as does the passion they both remember so well. And Laurel and Gavin find themselves working through their past—their mistakes, their miscommunications, and ultimately the tragedy that ended their marriage.

Will the seeds of love, still growing inside them, thrive and flourish? Or will grief and regret strangle the feelings before they can fully blossom?

• “A beautiful tale of second chances, self-sacrifice, and renewed romance.” —Pepper Basham, author of The Heart of the Mountains and Authentically, Izzy
• Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
• Book 1: Riverbend Gap; Book 2: Mulberry Hollow; Book 3: Harvest Moon
• Book length: approximately 80,000 words
• Also by author: Bookshop by the Sea, Riverbend Gap, Mulberry Hollow

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Sep 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9780785240587

Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is the internationally published, bestselling author of more than forty books, three of which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Carol Award, the Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking chai lattes, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana, where she and her husband raised three boys and are now enjoying an empty nest and three beautiful grandchildren. Follow Denise at DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: @AuthorDeniseHunter; X: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: @deniseahunter.

Reviews for Harvest Moon

[melissa_o-399736 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The old saying "save the best for last" definitely applies to the Riverbend series by Denise Hunter. Harvest Moon is the third and final book in the series. As I have read the rest of the series, I have been a little nervous to see how the author was going to handle Gavin and Laurel's story. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Readers met both of these characters in book one and learned about their divorce after losing their son. I knew this was going to be a tough second chance romance to read, but it was definitely well done and worth it.What I love about Denise Hunter books is that she draws readers in to the lives of the characters and the reader feels like they are living life right there alongside the characters. This story had so many heart wrenching parts as it took readers through the grieving process of Gavin and Laurel as all the hurt came rushing back when their best friends were killed in a plane crash and they were tasked with taking care of their little girl. I don't want to give any more away, but this was such a beautiful redemption story and one I would highly recommend.Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the rest of the series so you will appreciate the updates on the couples from the first two books.Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter is the third book in A Riverbend Romance series. This story takes off after the second in the series, so it is best to read them in order. This is Gavin and Laurel’s story. It was nice to finally learn about their past and how it affect them. It was nice to see how they attempted to put their past behind them to help their friends’ daughter. As the two work through the grief of losing their friends, they work together to care for the little girl.I have really enjoyed this series and was happy to be able to read Gavin’s story. This is a well written story that deals with a lot of emotions and sensitive topics. This a wonderful story of reconciling a relationship and forgiveness. The story show the importance of parents making sure their child has a relationship with people they pick for guardians if needed. I enjoyed how Emma had a friendship with both Gavin and Laurel prior to her parents’ deaths.I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a real emotional read, starting with the death of dear friends, and then wanting to help two year old Emma, now an orphan. Both Laurel and Gavin have a relationship with and know the little girl, and want what is best for this sweet child. We soon learn that these two were married, and are now divorced.Now this is the final book in this series, about the Robinson family, and they are all so good, I hate to leave, but this can be read alone, the author does a wonderful of job of bring us up to date.These two, Gavin and Laurel, have been together since high school, but a horrible tragedy tore them apart, and now they are dealing with a new loss, along with forgiveness, and miscommunication. Can Emma be the catalyst to healing? They need to pull together as an another person steps up wanting the child, and they need to thwart what the little girls parents didn't want.Don't miss this great conclusion to this series!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

[tcjrogers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Harvest Moon is the third book in the Riverbend Romance Series. Gavin Robinson receives devastating news that his best friends, Mike and Mallory, have died in a plane crash. He also learns that he has been named guardian of Emma, Mike and Mallory’s daughter, along with his ex-wife, Laurel. But how will Gavin and Laurel ever be able to put their past behind them in order to do what’s best for Emma. They will have to figure it out quickly or risk losing Emma to a family member who may do her more harm than good. Will Gavin and Laurel be able to work together and maybe even find their way back to each other?I thought Harvest Moon was an enjoyable read, however I did prefer the first two books in the series to this one. I appreciate having the characters’ backstories, especially the history of their relationship. It adds depth to the characters and helps to show the reasons for their woundedness. I wasn’t a fan of how Gavin and Laurel’s high school story was written. I assume that since they were in high school, that section was written in a kind of juvenile way. That section just didn’t feel like I was reading a book written for adults. It felt strange to me, and I didn’t particularly like it. What I did appreciate about the book was that it tells a story of redemption and forgiveness. It shows two very hurt people who are willing to put their their own hurts aside to do what’s best for this child they both love, and in doing so, they are able to once again see the best in each other. I thought that this aspect of the story was beautiful. And as always with this author, I appreciate that she writes clean, faith-based romance. So overall, I thought that this book, and this series, was quite enjoyable to read.*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter is a 2022 Thomas Nelson publication. Laurel and Gavin’s marriage fell apart after the death of their son. Now tragedy has truck once again- and they must come together to care for Emma, a small child whose parents named the divorced couple as guardians, in the event of their death. Forced to put their own issues aside for Emma’s sake, Gavin and Laurel have the chance to view the past from a different perspective, own their mistakes, and rekindle the feelings that brought them together to begin with…This is the last book in the Riverbend trilogy, and I will admit I skipped book two, but will circle back around to it soon, but by all accounts, this is the strongest installment in the series, thus ending on a very strong note. The story deals with some very, very emotional topics. It starts off with a horrific tragedy that leaves a toddler orphaned, which is weighty enough on its own, but as the novel progresses, the situation causes Gavin and Laurel to finally deal with the loss of their own child, together, instead of individually. It is painful and heartbreaking, but the way everything comes together is riveting stuff! This book is good! I loved it. I’ve been in a ‘lighter’ frame of mind this summer, and the subject matter here is hard to read about- but the heavy material is balanced with some lovely, romantic background about Laurel and Gavin’s courtship, and Emma is so precious, she nearly steals the show- plus, there are even some taut courtroom moments too. Overall, this a touching, beautiful story of second chances! 4 + stars