Come Home to Deep River

by Jackie Ashenden

Publication Date: 7/28/2020

Synopsis

Coming home was the easy part. Facing her will take everything he’s got…

Silas Quinn hasn’t been back to Deep River, Alaska, in years, not since he joined the army. He left behind the best friend he’d ever had. But he knew Hope Dawson was meant for bigger things than Deep River—and he—had to offer. What he didn’t know was that when he left, he took Hope’s dreams right along with him…

Then tragedy strikes and sends Silas home, and the entire town is thrown into chaos when they learn what brought him back—he’s inherited ownership of the town and the newly discovered oil reserves under it!

Hope gave up on ever getting out of Deep River. Her mom needed her, then her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Now Si is back in town, stirring up old feelings—including her anger at being left behind. His return brings Hope an offer that can change her life. Love, or adventure, are almost within reach—but she can’t have both…

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Review

I’ve been to Alaska once on a cruise but have always been intrigued by the environment and wildlife. This book will give you a little peek into the possibilities of a small town in Alaska.

The town is different from any I have heard about, one person actually owns all of the land, and everyone leases from the owner.  However, the leaseholders have more rights than normal tenants including mineral rights to that oil that was discovered.  Silas, as the new owner, has to figure out what he is going to do.  Will he stay in his hometown, or find someone to take over and let him leave?

I enjoyed the story and the banter between Hope and Silas.  She never left Deep River because of her mother and while she has been content, she did give up some dreams like attending college and obtaining a literature degree.  Plus she has looked out for her mother for the last thirteen years after her grandfather passed away since her mother has some mental health issues.  Silas left to enter the military but never came back.  Was it his love for Hope or something else?  The answer is probably a little bit of several things.

There was a minor character that I just found intriguing, Filthy Phil.  He wasn’t dirty, as in unclean, it has to do with something that he said and the nickname stuck. However, he is a reader and he made a comment about he let the librarian pick out his books but he wanted the potential sex scenes to not behind closed doors. He said he was 75, not dead.  I think he would be a hoot to know.  The Mayor, Astrid, is also an undeveloped character, but I can see her becoming the focus in a future book and actually wonder if she might be the main character along with Silas’ buddy, Damon.  I’m also curious about Mal who owns the store where everyone does the shopping and has the best internet connection in town.

The story between Hope and Silas is familiar, but I enjoyed watching them come into their own and move past what happened 13 years ago. It takes time and nothing is forgiven overnight, but it happens.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and we give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Jackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. She used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

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