AUTUMN SKIES by Denise Hunter - Book Review

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When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.
A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.
Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.
There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?

A delightful, inspirational, feel-good, pick-me-up, and let-me-escape novel, a story that will wrap you up in all the feels and the beautiful autumn scenery of western North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains. 
I have not read the previous two novels in the series, and while I realize it would have enriched my reading experience, it didn't hinder me from enjoying this charming tale of young adults finding their destinies. I have had the pleasure to live in those mountains for several years and the sceneries the author painted with her words were vivid, a picture like, and true to nature. 
Grace Bennett is a young woman, only 21 years old, yet she knows what she wants to do with her life, her future well planned ahead of her. Grace seemed to have the need to prove herself, her ability to run her business, and as an adult to her siblings. At first, she seemed a bit immature but she grew on me as the story unfolded.
Secret Service agent Wyatt Jennings is the quiet, serious type. He is at the crossroads with his career, and he believes that facing his childhood nightmare will give him the peace of mind (and sleep) he has been looking for. 
The attraction between Grace and Wyatt is adorable and sweet, yet complicated as they live very different kinds of lifestyles. The hiking and camping scenes as Grace and Wyatt get to know each other were charming and entertaining, with a touch of danger giving the tale a little spice. The plot twist that they stumble on - that took me by surprise - bring up deep emotions and severe trauma from their past. 
I liked how especially Wyatt was grounded in his faith in God, seeking guidance and trusting in God to give him direction in his life. While the protagonists and their loved ones are assumed to be Christians, and faith is referenced a few times as they ponder about their lives and futures, the story avoids any kind of preaching or directly talking about Christianity. 
In this very unpredictable world, I love to escape into the romance novels that in a charmingly sure-fire way, with great anticipation takes my mind to a sort of a happy place where love wins, faith is grounded, families grow, and people find their serendipity, cause there are few things as appealing than two people falling in love, finding their soulmates, their true north. Denise Hunter is a talented storyteller who balances the ingredients of the stories just so that you come to the end of the book with a happy, satisfied sigh. 
A captivating and heartening, heartwarming and enjoyable - just all-around pleasing and wholesome tale of life and love
~ Four Spoons

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Books In This Series
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Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, 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 green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

To learn more about Denise, visit her at
​Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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