New from the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Hideaway

The title is misleading, I thought it was going to be about 2 sisters and how they got through a bad hurricane together. Nope. The sisters don't spend much time together at all. They also are stereotypes of the responsible sister and the irresponsible sister. I guess the author thought it was a cool twist to give an unmarried sister 2 kids and the married sister an infertility problem, but it is a sub plot at best. There was really no conflict between them despite the fact that there should have been, given one of the sisters takes complete advantage of the other without any thought about it. It was an okay story that fizzled out like a category 1 hurricane when you are expecting a category 5. The picture on the cover is neat though.

Favorite Quotes:

… the battered gray school bus from Bankston Detention pulled up out front, and twenty teenage boys shuffled off, hormones and pent-up energy swirling around them like almost visible steam.

She smoothed her hands across the blanket, straightened the corners, and imagined the room holding two little girls after holding nothing but dreams and damaged furniture.

Jenna always hated icebreakers like this. They reminded her of the week in college when she lost her mind and thought she might actually want to join a sorority. Five grueling days of prim parties, saccharine conversation, and ridiculous icebreakers where one by one, girls explained through tears how their future happiness depended on having a certain arrangement of Greek letters tied to her name.

It’s what I do when these storms come in. I bake till the power goes off, then I eat. It keeps me calm. And fifteen pounds over my goal, but calories consumed during acts of God don’t count.

My Review:

Lauren Denton has gifted us with a stealthily crafted and slowly developing yet highly satisfying story with most of the action and progression of the narrative occurring within the major characters’ inner musings, memories, regrets, and observations. Their exteriors were quiet and politely guarded, while their interiors were fraught with a myriad of concerns, tension, heartbreaking disappointments, and unspoken aspirations. The writing was emotive and Ms. Denton took me into the story with her highly descriptive and lushly detailed scenes; I felt the pressure of the humid heat of the gathering storm as well as the crack of heat lightning, and I coveted their refreshing and lip-smacking lemonade and sweet tea. The characters were multi-layered and complex, surprisingly gentle and sweet, and cleverly observant. I enjoyed hitchhiking in their headspace although I now seem to be contending with an unusual impulse to dig in the dirt and plant something just to watch it grow.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the honor of reading such a good book.

This is one of the very best books ever. Set in AL on a dairy farm.
Ty and Betsy have been in love since they both went to Auburn University in AL. Her parents had different plans for her but love won. He is a dairy farmer who takes over his grandfathers farm even though his dad wanted him to follow in his footsteps. They have a very nice farm and home but no children. There is no medical reason for them not having a child. They both want children, it’s just not in the stars for them. Ty finally makes Betsy understand that although having a child would be great, he loves her and always will.

Jenna is Betsy’s younger sister. She has two adorable girls, Walsh who is 3 and Addie who is 5. Jenna works hard as a barista and spends all of her free time with her girls. She has coffee each day that she works, except weekends, with Sam. Sam is just a guy who’s coffee pot stopped working and decided to stop in for coffee. He was attracted to Jenna so started coming for coffee each morning. They spend all of 10 minutes together each day. Her girls are her reason for everything good in her life. She loves them unconditionally and is a very good mother. She gets a chance to go to a retreat in FL called Halcyon to be mentored by another photographer. He’s done lots of work for big time magazines and helps her more than she thought possible.

Jenna calls Betsy to see if she will keep the girls for 2 weeks, which turns into 2 months. Ty is upset at first that Betsy didn’t consult him first but he also loves the girls and will do anything for Betsy. He’s only trying to protect her from being hurt.

This is a book about self discovery, hope, love, understanding, patience, photography, farming, children, neighbors and family. One that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. It’s about a hurricane that comes through and how family and neighbors stick together. Help each other. I hated so bad for it to end. It was one that sure will make you stop and think about life. Appreciate the life you have. It’s a love story but not one that is just about a couple, it’s about lots of people who work together for the sake of friendship. It will touch your heart in ways you won’t see coming. I wish there would be a sequel in a way. I’d love to read more about Jenna and also Betsy and Ty. I believe Jenna and Sam end up together. I also believed Betsy and Ty have that child they both deserve and want to bad. This book will make you believe in life. The good parts of life.

I loved it and highly recommend it. I had to give it a 5 star rating and will read more books by this author.

4.5 stars. Storms can bring great destruction, but they can also bring a time for discovering what lasts, what holds together even through the harshest weather, and what comes out better for the rain. Hurricane Season is a book truly evocative of Southern summer and which captures the complications of family relationships, the desire to see dreams fulfilled, and the trials that test marriages and break hearts.

When Betsy receives a voice message from her sister, Jenna, asking if she can leave her two young girls with her while she attends a photography camp, Betsy knows it will test everything inside her. It will bring back the harsh memories of negative test results and the guest room that never became a nursery. It will strain further her relationship with her husband, something that was only now slowly returning to normal. But Betsy never says no to her sister and so two sweet, young girls descend on Betsy and Ty's farm and home. For Jenna it is a time to finally follow her dreams of photography. For Betsy and Ty it is a time of facing the past's hurt and faded dreams, while reconnecting as a couple. But as a hurricane looms, will this family survive everything the summer has in store for them?

Once again, Lauren K. Denton entwines a story of healing and discovery with a perfectly captured setting. The scenery is almost an extra character. The summery days, the firefly-filled nights, the howling wind, and lashing rain all perfectly reflect the mood and themes of the story.

There are a number of stories which feature in Hurricane Season - Betsy and Ty's story as a couple, their individual stories of healing and acceptance, and of course Jenna's story as she searches for her purpose and what this means when trying to mother two young children. Each story plays its part in this book and provides a layered and detailed plot, strong characters who are easy to love, and, of course, that gorgeous setting. I loved very minute spent on Ty and Betsy's dairy farm, loved the little descriptions of the regular work and the animals. The chapters from Jenna's perspective also take the reader on her journey of recovering her skills as a photographer and exploring the wilds of the untamed South. The chapters alternate between the perspectives of these three main characters.

I think I fell a little in love with Ty. He has an incredible work ethic. He is slow to speak, yet everything he says is considered and thoughtful. I loved his love, care, and protectiveness of Betsy. I loved that he loved her complications and saw it as his job as husband to be there for her and to figure out what she needed, even if she couldn't speak the words. Their relationship journey was wonderful to witness. They have faced something that has tested their bond, but together, with a few hiccups along the way, they put each other first

This book, while published by at traditionally Christian inspirational publisher, fits somewhere between a Christian novel and general fiction. I believe readers of both categories will enjoy this delightful story. Betsy and Ty are Christians, attend church a few times in the novel and mention prayer, but faith does not dominate the storyline in any way. Instead, the growth of the characters and their journey of reconciliation, acceptance. and direction for the future is the focus of this book. The ending, I thought, was truly wonderful. I loved that it is hopeful, but doesn't brush over the fact that sometimes dreams change or might look a little different than first expected.

Hurricane Season is a beautiful novel of relationships, family, futures, farming, hope, love, and fireflies.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful story that takes takes readers on a journey of discovery. Betsy is my favorite character because of her giving heart. She is a character that many can relate to due to her desire to have a child. Her husband Ty is a hard working man who makes a living by running the Franklin Dairy Farm. The farm reminds me of my granddad's farm I visited every summer. It was a lot of work for him but he was the happiest when he was outdoors.

Jenna who is Betsy's sister made me a bit annoyed. She is a single mom with two adorable girls barely making ends meet. When she gets a chance to maybe change her life, she jumps at the oportuity. She leaves her two girls with Betsy and Ty saying she would be back in two weeks. The story centers around the sisters and the emotional struggles they face. I loved how the author used Ty as a strong husband and continually supported his wife. It's hard to say what someone would do if given an opportunity to change their life, but at what expense will it do to the children?

The longer Jenna stays away, the closer the children become to their aunt and uncle. Ty could sense the emotional state Betsy was starting to fall in to. Could you leave your children for a period of time in hopes of a better future? There is no guarantee in life, so maybe Jenna had to risk everything to find happiness. I loved the tension the author built as a hurricane threatens Betsy and Ty's place. I have been through several; the last one being Hurricane Harvey. It did major damage to our land and we lost many things. It also made us realize how precious life is. I liked how the tension started rearing its ugly head between Betsy and Ty. When Ty say "I'm never going to be enough for you, am I?" , I cried. The aching in Betsy's heart for a child is consuming her. Is she starting to push her husband away?

Jenna is complicated at times. I questioned her decision but in a way I understood. Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith and pray that things will work out. The more I got to know Jenna, the more I could identify with her. Is it so wrong to want a better life for yourself? Will Jenna make the correct choice for her and her girls? The book is skillfully written with a beautiful and touching ending. The author has written a story that reflects on faith and family. I loved the characters and how easily the story flowed. I look forward to the next book from this author who writes with beauty and grace.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.

Hurricane Season is the story of two sisters, Betsy and Jenna. I will admit that I didn’t get this at first—I think of Betsy as an old-fashioned name, and I thought she was an old family friend … with an emphasis on the ‘old’. And my review copy didn’t make it clear in the subtitle the way the store does (the full title is Hurricane Season: A Southern Novel of Two Sisters and the Storms They Must Weather, which is a bit of a mouthful).

Betsy is a thirty-year-old farmer’s wife who is unable to conceive, so it’s poetic irony when Jenna calls and asks Betsy to babysit her two daughters so she can accept a scholarship to a photography retreat in Florida. Betsy agrees anyway, because that’s who she is, but Ty isn’t so happy about the arrangement.

Jenna has made a few bad decisions in her life, but loves her daughters and wants to be a good mom. That means she wants to do more with her life than make ends meet working in a cafe, so when she gets the opportunity to reconnect with her dream of being a professional photographer, she is both keen and scared.

Hurricane Season is an interesting and thought-provoking story that doesn’t run according to plan. Given the set-up, I had an idea of how it would finish, but I was around 80% wrong. That was both good and bad—my ending was the happy-ever-after emotionally fulfilling easy but unrealistic end. I guess Lauren K Denton doesn’t believe in easy. And that’s true to real life: things don’t come easy, and getting what we wish for doesn’t magically make everything perfect.

I wouldn’t call Hurricane Season Christian fiction—while Betsy and Ty go to church, the faith element isn’t central to the plot or the journey of either Betsy or Jenna.

If you’re looking for a feel-good Christian romance, Hurricane Season isn’t the book for you. But if you want a novel that addresses hard questions of wants and priorities and doesn’t tie up the ending in easy answers, Hurricane Season might be the novel you’re looking for.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

So what makes a book get a highly recommended rating from me? It must have something special that distinguishes it from the rest. Hurricane Season, the sophomore offering from Lauren K. Denton, is just such a novel. Great characterization, a wonderful sense of place, beautifully written prose, and a story line that is unique and fresh — those are the things that make this book stand out. Certainly it is one of the best books I have read this year.

Two sisters are the focus of Hurricane Season. They once shared so much, but have grown apart due to life and . . . neglect. Both are wrapped up in their own lives for sure, but it is the perceptions of what the other has, that has kept the two apart. When younger sister Jenna has the opportunity to find her creative center once again, Betsy, the protector of the two, agrees to keep Jenna’s children for the two week retreat session. But as days stretch into weeks and then months, the two sisters have to confront not only what their futures will look like, but what their pasts have created.

Hurricane Season is told in the third person point of view with the emphasis on sisters Jenna and Betsy and Betsy’s husband Ty. This format gives the reader a view of what makes each of these characters act and react. I loved how real each of the characters became to me. The dairy farm on which Ty and Betsy live and the primitive nature preserve that serves as the setting of the artist’s retreat are brought to life in simple, yet elegant descriptions. I felt I was really there experiencing the daily life of the dairy farm and the wonder of an untouched wilderness. Difficult issues that are part and parcel of the human experience — infertility and single motherhood — are uniquely explored. There are no stereotypes here. But it is the relationships between Jenna and Betsy and Betsy and Ty that form the nucleus of the story. And I loved how the author brought about growth and healing for them all. The book does not end in a neat and tidy fashion. There are still lots of questions as to the future of this family. But that is okay with me. I have certain expectations for Jenna, Betsy, and Ty, and I am happy that the author has let me create my own happily-ever-after for the three. ?

As stated above, Hurricane Season has it all to provide a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience. This novel lends itself to discussion, so if your book club is looking for a great book, Hurricane Season should top your list.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to TLC and Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Hurricane Season by Lauren Denton is a thought-provoking novel of healing.

Betsy Franklin and her husband Ty own a dairy farm in Southern Alabama. They have weathered many storms (both personal and weather related) during the course of their marriage. When Betsy’s younger sister, Jenna Sawyer, asks her to keep her two young children, five year old Addie and three year old Walsh, a brewing hurricane is just one of the worries the couple are forced to reckon with over the next several weeks.

Betsy loves her life on the farm despite the hard work and concerns that plague most farmers. She and Ty are deeply in love but she has struggled with giving up on a dream that, for unknown reasons, has failed to come to fruition for them. She loves her nieces but taking care of them is a bittersweet ache and she grows frustrated with Jenna’s decision to pursue her own goals. Despite their enjoyment of their nieces, Betsy and Ty are forced to face the unhealed wounds they have been ignoring for several months.

Ty is a sweet man who is devoted to Betsy and the dairy farm. His hard work is finally paying off and the Franklin Dairy has become one of the largest in the area. He has a sixth sense when it comes to predicting a hurricane’s path and as he tracks a growing storm in the ocean, Ty must also contend with the tempest building within his home.

Jenna put her dreams on hold after her unexpected pregnancies. She is conflicted about leaving the girls in order to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with her photography. However, Jenna knows a chance like this might not come along again and she wants to explore her options.

Hurricane Season is a captivating novel that is incredibly heartwarming. The storyline is well-written and relatable. The characters are multi-dimensional with realistic flaws and strengths. The farm is an idyllic setting and Lauren Denton brings it vibrantly to life. The novel’s conclusion is heartwarming and quite hopeful. A deeply touching story that I truly enjoyed and highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

Hurricane Season like Lauren’s first book, The Hideaway, is a beautifully written novel. It is a character driven story with relatable characters wrapped in southern charm like I’ve come to expect from Lauren.

The plot is told through three points of views — Jenna, Betsy, and Ty. I loved Jenna mostly because of her dreams of becoming a photographer. As a professional photographer myself, I loved reading about her creative process, struggles, and gear. (While I don’t have a Rollie, I do have a medium format camera with a view finder and had the itch to get it out and shoot after reading this!) But as a character as a whole I wasn’t impressed with her until the end. At first she seemed all over the place with her impulsive decisions and disregard for others, but watching her grow through the novel was moving. Then you have Betsy, Jenna’s older sister, and Ty, Betsy’s husband. I felt such a strong pull to them as a couple. They were college sweethearts, farmers, and entrepreneurs. It was these two that really made me fall in love with it all. With it being hurricane season and a storm on the way there is a lot of foreshadowing of things to come not only in their day to day life, but Jenna’s too.

One thing I did question was the ending. I saw it going a different more ominous route, but that isn’t at all what happened. What did happen was a much more natural development. It was sweet, but also a little too quick. I liked the ending, but also wonder what would have been like if something a bit darker happened. Regardless, I loved Hurricane Season even more than The Hideaway and I’m already itching to read Lauren’s next release! I’d highly recommend both of Lauren’s books!!

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn in first, as one so often is, by the cover. It's so pretty and warm and welcoming!

In the beginning, I was a bit reluctant. I don't know anything about dairy farming or being a mom (or a single mom) or having a good relationship with a sibling. I kept thinking, "How am I going to relate to this? How am I going to enjoy it?"

But enjoy it I did.

The chapters are told from three different points of view: Betsy, her sister Jenna, and Betsy's husband Ty. It was a lovely choice because it allowed me to see how each character thought about a situation while still holding back some secrets. And the trials and tribulations they go through are entirely relatable. The more I read, the more I felt like I was sinking into a warm bath to nurse my battered spirit. Because they're all battered in their own way. Battered but finding a way to carry on. I appreciated Jenna's story line a lot because I identify with her desire to pursue a creative career and her dreams deferred. But there were elements of Betsy's and Ty's stories that hit home, too.

Lauren did a wonderful job of drawing me in and keeping me interested, keeping me invested. It all felt very natural. The story had a great rhythm, too! It really felt like a hurricane season. There were moments of quiet, the tension of a possible storm, a lull, the anticipation of waiting to see what the next one will do, another anxious lull, the building momentum, the storm, and the sudden stillness of the aftermath. It really was a lovely read.

I would absolutely recommend this!

Sometimes you just have to read a book where there is no murder, no lying, no mayhem, and no death and this was just such a book.

A storm is approaching and it looks to be a bad one, a hurricane in fact. Things will be lost, possessions, homes, and maybe even lives. It is surely the time to remember what is important and what one can bring forward in their lives.

Betsy Franklin and her sister, Jenna have had a bit of a distant relationship. Jenna is a single mother of two young girls and when she gets an opportunity to attend a camp for artists, she takes up the challenge. She decides to drop her girls into the hands of her sister, Betsy, and her husband, Ty, at their farm. Betsy and her husband, have been trying unsuccessfully to have a child. Their relationship is strained and the addition of these two girls might add fuel to a fire that is slowly burning.

This novel does a very nice job of exploring the concept of following your dreams. Does that mean though that one can forget about what awaits them especially where children are involved? I enjoyed this novel that focused on caring, that of a mother for her child, a sister for another sister, a husband for a wife, and the goal of always remembering there are second chances out there for those who are willing to go find them.

Thank you to Lauren Denton, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel.

I enjoyed Lauren Denton's debut novel, The Hideaway, and had high hopes for her second novel. I wasn't disappointed. This was a well written novel that kept me turning the pages. It was all about love and family and relationships -not just the relationship between husband and wife but also between sisters who are very different from each other.

Betsy and Ty own a dairy farm in southern Alabama. They both work hard to keep the farm running and secure their future. The one part of their lives that has disappointed them is that after 5 years of marriage, they have been unable to have children. Betsy's younger sister, Jenna, always the rebel in the family, drops her two kids off at the farm while she goes on an artist's retreat. Originally she is supposed to be gone for 2 weeks but as it turns into almost 8 weeks, the two little girls become very important to Betsy and Ty and magnify Betsy's depression over not being able to conceive. While Betsy vacillates between being angry at her sister for leaving the two little girls at the farm, she also loves the time she spends with them. As her depression grows, she takes her feelings of inadequacy out on her husband and their relationship becomes strained.

This character driven novel is told from three viewpoints - Betsy, Ty and Jenna and we are able to see them all struggle through the summer and deal with their problems and the healing of their relationships. This will be a fantastic beach read (unless you are getting hurricane warnings at the beach) and one that I highly recommend.

I read an advance copy of this book.

Marriage. Sibling Relationships. Motherhood.

Jenna and Betsy are sisters who took different paths in life. Betsy is married to Ty and lives on their farm in Alabama. Betsy, who longs for a child of her own, keeps busy on the farm hosting local school students on field trips to learn about farming and animals. Jenna is the free spirit and single mother of two young girls. She works in a coffee shop but yearns to be a photographer professionally.

Jenna leaves her children with her sister Betsy after accepting an invitation to attend a two-week art retreat in Florida. Having her nieces around, Betsy is reminded of what she doesn't have - children. As a Hurricane is making way toward land, Ty and Betsy enjoy the children's company but tension, like the coming storm, begins to brew around them.

At the retreat, Jenna thinks of what might have been and dreams of her future. Can her dream be realized? Can she become a professional photographer? Will she have to sacrifice anything to obtain her dream?

It all boils down to communication. Betsy and Jenna needed to communicate better with each other. Both had issues and concerns in her life but never shared those with her sister. Betsy and Ty were living together but had a chasm of longing for a child between them. Betsy kept her longing and sadness bottled up inside.

The characters in this book are dealing with real life issues that many face - single motherhood, the stress of supporting a family, sibling bonds/relationships, infertility, Motherhood, following one's dreams, marriage, and coping with Mother nature. I enjoyed the farm life and reading about how the young girls enjoyed being around the farm animals, but there was just a little bit of something missing in this book for me. For a book which dealt with many issues, it felt a little bland for me. It was still an enjoyable read but I would have liked a little more oomph or drama perhaps. Everyone was very polite while dealing with their issues. I enjoyed Betsy and Ty's story-line much more than Jenna's. I found myself wanting Jenna's part to hurry up, so I could get back to the farm and learn if Betsy and Ty had settled the storm which was brewing between and within them. I also found that I wanted a little bit more about the Hurricane itself. I found it interesting that the cows were safer in a back field during a hurricane than in the barn.

Overall, an enjoyable book about relationships, following your dreams, second chances and hope.

Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton is the story of two estranged sisters and how life brings them back together. The two sisters could not be more different or have more different lives from each other. But they learn how strong the bond they share is during hurricane season one summer. I agree with other reviewers that say that this is not a distinctly Christian book; however, it is a good, clean read. I also agree that this book is slow in some places. But I really believe that the descriptions and the slow parts all work together to give the effect the author desired. This book is more literary in style than the author's book The Hideaway. It is very different, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

One of my favorite things is finding new authors whose books I love. I found a wonderful book and author when I read Hurricane Season by Lauren K Denton. Wow…loved this book!

The storyline is what first caught my eye. A couple, Betsy and Ty, own a dairy farm in Alabama and they are always busy with the day to day operations of the farm. In recent years they’ve struggled with infertility and it’s taken it’s toll on Betsy and Ty’s relationship. Entering into the equation is Jenna when she suddenly springs a surprise on her sister, watching her two young children, while she heads off to Florida to work on photography as part of a mentorship program. It’s something she’s longed to get back into for years. The threat of a hurricane may not be the only storm brewing on the horizon.

Hurricane Season was simple, yet deep. It was beautiful but dealt with the difficult and hard things of life. It showed the beautiful and extraordinary things about ordinary lives. I loved the characters, their relationships and looking back at what’s shaped them. I loved the beauty of the farm and the retreat in Florida, captured so beautifully by the author. The characters were decent good people who I would want to know. There were some profound thoughts and observations shared throughout the book that made me think about my own life.

I loved reading Hurricane Season by Lauren K Denton and I look forward to reading her future books. I want to go back and read her first book, The Hideaway. I would describe Lauren as a safe writer. What I mean by that is that she takes the time to develop a story and lets the readers get to know the characters. She doesn’t manipulate the storyline and characters don’t make stupid thoughtless decisions, just to advance the story or grab the reader’s attention. Lauren knows how to make the ordinary both interesting and beautiful.

It’s with pleasure I highly recommend Hurricane Season by Lauren K Denton. I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and BookLook for the opportunity to read Hurricane Season in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Hurricane Season is the story of how one simple storm can change everything for two sisters. Betsy and her husband, Ty are diary farm owners with a simple dream to have a baby of their own but nothing is going as planned. Until Betsy's younger sister, Jenna shows up unannounced with her two young daughters with the plan to attend this retreat in the woods by herself. As we go back and forth between different view points from Betsy, Jenna and Ty; you can't help but to feel for each one of these people for what they are doing and what they had to do in the past to get them to this pivotal moment.

Then you add this Hurricane into the mix that threatens Betsy's and Ty's livelihood just at the right time for everything to change for everyone. It took a bad storm for everyone to figure out what they need to do in order to survive and find that happy place they always dreamed of. Plus, that ending will leave you with a happy tear in your eye!

The only thing I asked myself while reading this book is why have I not noticed this Author until now? This book has everything I love in a good read, it's set in the South, it deals with a hard issues and it brings a little craziness to the situation. For nearly the entire book I wasn't pleased with Jenna but by the end, she won me over for what she had to do in order to provide for those girls of hers.

If there is one book that will get you hooked on this Author, this book is it and you won't regret it!!

Thank You to Lauren K. Denton for this awesome read that made me become a fan of yours from this day forward!!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley!

Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Betsy Franklin seemingly has it all. She married her college sweetheart, the only man she has ever really loved, she is active in her church and social community, and she runs a variety of educational programs from she and her husband’s successful dairy farm. Yes, Betsy Franklin seemingly has it all.

In the plan for their life, Betsy and her husband, Ty saw a family, tiny humans to populate their inherited home, and grow up in the environs of the farm and community. Children would complete their plan, but it simply hasn’t happened, and the medical community has no explanation for the situation. Even with medical intervention, Betsy hasn’t gotten pregnant, and in the time since the last failure, she has tried to recover emotionally and move forward with her life. Ty is her rock and just when Betsy feels like she, they may be back on track, her somewhat irresponsible sister comes calling with a huge and emotionally charged favor.

Until the birth of her daughters, Jenna’s life was a mess with little to no direction. Since the birth of her daughters, Jenna’s life still has no direction and she spends her days slinging fancy drinks as a barista. Jenna loves her daughters, but beyond them, her life isn’t satisfying and if something doesn’t change, she’s in danger of falling back into bad behaviors. When an opportunity of a lifetime comes her way, a retreat to focus on her photography, she calls on her sister, Betsy to look after her girls for the duration of the retreat.

Jenna is and has always been oblivious to the problems and concerns of others. Though Betsy has tried, more than once, to tell Jenna of her fertility issues, Jenna hasn’t had time to listen and has no idea how hard it will be for Betsy and Ty to take in her girls. What’s more, when Jenna doesn’t get what she needs out of the first two weeks of the retreat, she extends the stay indefinitely in a voicemail to her sister.

With nothing to do but accept the situation and care for two, sweet girls, Betsy and Ty step up to plate and get ready for a full summer of family life. As the days and weeks stretch out before them, Betsy becomes ever more attached to the girls and does her best to deal with emotional turmoil their presence brings. What’s more, Betsy also must deal with the emotions bubbling up regarding her sister and her behavior. Betsy has long supported Jenna and free-spirited nature, but there are extenuating circumstances this time around that Jenna’s selfishness has blinded her to. Betsy wants to support her sister, help her finally find her way in the world, but it can’t be at the cost of her own emotional and mental health.

The Bottom Line: The is my second Lauren K. Denton book and, like the first, I couldn’t put this one down. While there is an actual hurricane to be dealt with in this book, the real hurricane is found in the emotions of the sisters, Betsy and Jenna. Told from alternate points of view, Betsy and Jenna’s the story unfolds over the course of Jenna’s retreat and Betsy’s summer. While Jenna is off trying to figure out her life, Betsy is, once again saddled with all the responsibility. Though Betsy gladly takes in Jenna’s girls, she does so at a high cost to herself and her marriage, and this makes her an immediately sympathetic character. Betsy and Ty are the absolute favorites in this read, and I found it hard to have any sympathy or even liking for Jenna. Even when Jenna understands Betsy’s situation, she continues on her own path which makes her even more unlikeable. In this way, Denton is extremely successful in her character development and her characters, for better and worse are one of the reasons I was so involved in this read. To be sure, this isn’t a happy read, but it is an emotionally charged book with so much underlying tension that you are begging for the storm, the actual storm, by the end of the read! This is what I adore about Denton’s writing! She draws you in with brilliantly crafted characters, a tremendously strong plot, and so much tension you just can’t stop reading. If you haven’t been introduced to Lauren K. Denton yet, what are you waiting for?

This summer, I have read several new-to-me authors and as a result, my authors-to-read list has grown. Better than the opposite results, right?

Even though Lauren K. Denton has a few books out, Hurricane Season was my first read of hers. And completely, one hundred percent worth the investment.

This is a book about family and giving up/holding onto dreams. Betsy and Jenna are sisters—the first happily married but childless, the latter with two little girls but no husband. When an opportunity arises for Jenna to spend a couple weeks at an artist retreat to work on her photography she’d all but given up on, she drops her girls off at her sister’s farm in coastal Alabama.

As storms form in the ocean, the emotional strain on these two families are as tumultuous. Jenna, Betsy, and Ty (Betsy’s husband) must weather the heartaches, disappointments, and trial in their lives before they uncover and discover truths that have seeded and taken root.

Well written with the addition of two precious little girls (three and five) who are as opposite as their mom and aunt, Denton’s story is one I’m thankful I didn’t miss.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Hurricane Season was my first Lauren K. Denton novel, and I did my best to go into it with as few pre-conceived notions as possible. What I found was a highly readable, a bit thought provoking, and an ultimately heartwarming story written in a low key way that subtly conveys that calm before the storm feeling. This isn't a story centered on the destruction of a hurricane, but on the unmaking and remolding of two very different sisters.

This is a novel of sisterly bonds, of motherhood, of not having life figured out and making mistakes, and of quiet, steadfast love. Written in third person, the narration moves between sisters Betsy and Jenna, and Betsy's husband Ty. As Betsy and Ty struggle with their dairy farm, with their childlessness and with the effects of multiple miscarriages on their relationship, Jenna leaves her two children with them for "just two weeks" as she struggles with the need to reconnect with her creativity after finding herself grounded by motherhood.

Just as these characters grow and change in their interactions with each other, I found my feelings for these three characters changing, for Ty most of all, along the way. And I think this story was best summed up in one sentence: "New hope growing next to old dreams." (p.278)

Highly recommended.

This review refers to a finished copy I voluntarily received from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan's Fiction Guild. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton is an amazing story of family relationships. Betsy and Jenna are sisters who were raised by career focused parents. Betsy and her husband Ty are the owners of Franklin Dairy Farm in southern Alabama. The farm has been in Ty's family for years. When he was just 15 years old his grandfather informed him it would be his one day. After eight years of marriage, Betsy and Ty have been unable to have children and are working on accepting this.
Jenna is the younger sister who has always been a free spirit. She is a single mother of two little girls who works at at coffee shop. Jenna has always loved photography, but has put that aside to make a living for her family. A friend encourages her to apply to an art retreat and she gets accepted. With no one else to care for her children, she takes them to Betsy for the two weeks of the retreat. While at the retreat, she is invited to spend the rest of the summer there.
Betsy and Ty are having many struggles. Betsy is trying to move past not being a mother. She did not consult Ty before taking Jenna's girls and Ty is upset about this. When Jenna does not return when she says she will, Betsy and Ty wonder is she will come back for the girls. It is soon hurricane season and Ty and his crew are busy preparing the farm to possible damage. Having survived other hurricane's they know what to watch for and how to prepare.
This is a great story that focuses on family and doing what needs to be done for family. This story is so well written, it is easy to get lost in it. The story touches on real life issues, such as infertility, single motherhood, and doing what is needed. The things in the story that stand out to me, are how Betsy has taken on projects to help the farm. And, that with going to the retreat, Jenna is able to think of ways she can have a job to support her family as well as find time to pursue her love of photography. But the thing that stands out the most are the memories the sisters have of their childhood, of having each other for support when the parents were too busy for them. Especially the memories of Betsy trying to talk her parents into allowing Jenna pursue photography I really think anyone who enjoys modern day story of family relationships will enjoy this book. While this book is published by Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing company, there is minimal Christian references. The only references are going to church and praying.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, this is my honest review.

Whenever Lauren K. Denton puts out another book, I'm there. I find her books to be great comfort reads, the kind of book you can relax into. They are strikingly atmospheric, she has a gift for making you feel like you're right there with the characters. In this book, we are both on a secluded artist's retreat with a single mother who is a budding photographer, and on a dairy farm with a husband and wife who clearly love each other but have let their difficulties conceiving come between them. The latter may not sound like a great setting, but it's actually warm and fun to read about. I found it to be even more engaging than the first.

Jenna has been slinging coffee at a local shop for quite some time now. It's not the best job, but she enjoys her co-workers and it supports her little family. She has two little girls who think the world of her, and no help from their father. She long ago abandoned her dream of being a serious photographer, but has started dabbling again in her spare time. When a good friend extends an invitation to an incredibly exclusive retreat for artists, it's almost laughable at first. How can she leave her children for two weeks, leave her job? But there is the money she's been saving for a vacation... and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. She's soon phoning her sister, pleading with her to take care of her kids while she's away.

Betsy can't say no to her sister. Her husband Ty isn't as enthused about having two little visitors for a couple of weeks at first, but soon warms to the charming kids. Throwing two more people into their busy lives on the farm still adds some tension. Unbeknownst to little sister Jenna, Betsy and Ty had been trying to have a child of their own, but things didn't work out. Close to turning 30 with little hope of the thing she wants most, Betsy has been pushing Ty away. As two weeks stretch into even longer and the girls begin to wonder if their mother is coming back for them anytime soon, Betsy and Ty have to protect their farm from a hurricane and it becomes clear that this summer will make or break their marriage.

Super enjoyable story for me, ideal for curling up on the couch and getting lost in the words. I found the characters to be fun to read and the situations certainly interesting enough to keep my attention. If you enjoyed The Hideaway, I think you'll like this one too. If you haven't read either, get on it!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Thomas Nelson, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

About the Book:

Betsy and Ty Franklin, owners of Franklin Dairy Farm in southern Alabama, have decided to put life’s disappointments behind them. At least in theory. Ty manages their herd of dairy cows, while Betsy busies herself with the farm’s day-to-day operations and tries to forget the longing for motherhood set deep in her heart. But when Betsy’s free-spirited younger sister Jenna drops her young daughters off at the farm to attend a two-week art retreat in Florida, Betsy’s carefully constructed wall of self-protection begins to crumble.

As those two weeks stretch much farther into the hot Alabama summer, Betsy and Ty learn to navigate the new additions in their world and revel in a home that’s suddenly filled with the sound of laughter and life. Meanwhile, record heat promises to usher in the most active hurricane season in decades.

Four hundred miles away, Jenna is fighting her own battles. She’d once been free to travel and pursue a career in photography, but all that changed with the appearance of two pink lines on a plastic stick and a boyfriend who hit the road. At Halcyon art retreat, she finally has the time and energy to focus on her photography. As the summer continues, she wonders how her rediscovered passion can fit in with the life she’s made back home with her two children.

When Hurricane Ingrid aims her steady eye at the Alabama coast, Jenna must make a decision that could affect both her and her children’s futures, and Betsy and Ty find themselves protecting their beloved farm as well as their own hearts.

My Review:

A perfect book and story to lighten the hearts of those you love. I myself being from Alabama--I just had to review this beauty. Set in present time Alabama Betsy and Ty try to focus on daily activities around their own very busy household instead of focusing on how empty it is. They both long for children but try to set that ache aside each and every day.

Betsy's sister was in for a shock times two now she doesn't know what she is going to do. She is more career minded not parent minded. Can these two families find a way to make this situation work for the both of them? A sweet story of a life well lived.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Two sisters who couldn’t be more different are bound together through one hurricane summer by the two young daughters of one sister.

Betsy lives on a farm with her husband Ty in Alabama. They are updating the farm to provide educational opportunities to children and are trying to make it in a world where dairy farms need to grow and change to keep up with the times. What both Betsy and Ty really want is a child, but after five years, they have faced disappoint through the years as hope turned to sadness as they are unable to conceive.

Betsy’s younger sister Jenna has always been the wild impetuous sister to Betsy’s responsible one. Jenna is trying to turn her life around with being a single mother to her two daughters Addie and Walsh. She’s the manager of a coffee house, but dreams of going back to her true passion, photography. When she gets the chance to go to the Halcyon Artist Retreat in Florida with all-expense paid, she is overjoyed. Will this be her chance for a better future? What will she do with her girls?

Jenna decides to drop her daughters off with Betsy and Ty for what is supposed to be two weeks but turns into a longer visit. Will Jenna be back for her beloved girls? How do Betsy and Ty feel having the girls when they so desperately want children of their own? Has Jenna thought about their feelings? How do the girls feel?

The story is told through the viewpoints of Betsy, Jenna and Ty. I liked the revolving narrative and thought it did a great job of telling the complete story. I like how from Jenna’s perspective, she’s trying to work on a better life for her and her daughters, but from Betsy and Ty’s perspective she is being insensitive to them and not a stable parent to her daughters. Isn’t that how it is in life? Every situation looks so different depending on who is looking at it.

I also love how the hurricane is wrapped into the narrative, especially the climax to the story. I enjoyed Denton’s previous novel, The Hideaway as well. She does a wonderful job of writing characters and their challenges in a wonderful Southern setting. I need to read more of her books in the future!

Favorite Quotes:

“I see children. I hear laughter. I see a childhood spent outside in the heat and air and light. I see our future.”

“Part of her wanted to blame it all on her parents, but she was old enough to know that was a weak excuse. She’d made her own choices.”

“Yet it also left behind unexpected beauty and bursts of new life. A tiny green shoot pushing through the garden soil. Hope shining like a beacon in the dark places.”

Overall, Hurricane Season is a riveting southern family drama.

Book Source: Review Copy for being a part of the TLC Book Tours. Thank-you!

"At what point did pursuing the dream become futile? Was there a point at which the dreamer should just let it go? But what were you supposed to do when the dream felt fundamental to the fabric of your being, of your soul? What then?"

Betsy and Ty Franklin own a dairy farm in Alabama and seem happy, but they have given up on the hope of ever having children of their own. Each are busy day in and day out with the farm and the necessary chores to running it and have tried to forget the dream, especially Betsy. But she carries a deep hurt inside and never gives full vent to that pain. Not even with Ty. One day her younger sister Jenna, who is quite free spirited and a single mother of two young girls, drops them off at Betsy and Ty's to go on an artist retreat for two weeks. Betsy thought she had put her pain behind her but living with two little precious girls only brings it back to the forefront of her mind.

The two weeks turn into longer and Betsy is still living in this not quite make believe land and Ty is worried about her. But she refuses to talk. In the meantime, a huge storm is bearing down on their area. Betsy and Ty rush to protect and make ready their farm and Jenna, at the retreat, needs to make some hard decisions about her future.

Laura Denton is a new-to-me author. I really enjoyed this book very much. The characters are deeply engaging and I felt close to them through her characterizations. There is great heartache here and there is the beginning of hope and joy in their lives also. I look forward to more by this author.

*My thanks to a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. My opinions are entirely my own and honest.

Ty and Betsy Franklin are owners of the Franklin Dairy in Alabama. Ty knew he wanted to take over his grandfather’s farm since he was fifteen, but it took a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Betsy sacrificed a lot too, including her promising career in marketing to be with the man she fell in love with. Together they’ve brought the farm into the modern era, but still have problems that come and go. One problem they never planned on was being unsuccessful at having children, which tears at Betsy’s heart through their whole marriage. That all changes when Betsy’s sister Jenna calls out of the blue asking Betsy to watch her two girls for two weeks while she goes on a writing retreat in Florida. Jenna is a free spirit to say the least. She never measured up to her parent’s expectations and once she was in college, she jumped from one adventure to the next, leaving her a single mom who currently manages a coffee shop. Jenna who never wanted kids has two and Betsy who yearns for kids has none. As the days with the girls continue, things begin to get strained in her and Ty’s marriage. As hurricane season approaches, they must prepare the farm for the storm but may face one even greater in their relationship.

This book really stirred up my emotions. My heart yearned for Betsy as she went through her life often defeated because she couldn’t have kids. The things she felt and some of her actions really hit home hard because we all struggle and do things that don’t make sense to anyone but ourselves. Then in retrospect, we can look back and question why we even did those things in the first place. It was this attribute that really brought Betsy to life for me. Ty came alive quickly as well. His loving heart towards his wife was wonderful, but he still got frustrated with her and would just shut down at times because he didn’t know what to do or what to say. It was like this was based on a real life marriage. In many instances, I understood how each character felt thinking through my own marriage. Jenna reminds me of a few women in my life. Doing what she did seems completely abnormal to me, but I know a few people that wouldn’t think otherwise. It was easy to put faces to the characters and see the whole book acted out in front of me.

This book could easily be a case study for groups to read about and reflect on the behavior. I recommend it to all who love a good story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

An emotionally-charged, character-driven glimpse into the complicated dynamics of sisterly love. Denton's voice is rich and sweet and carefully measured. Her words flow so beautifully that it's easy to become immersed in the story with all your senses. I think I might have even come away from this read sporting a southern drawl! If this is what Southern Fiction is like, I want more of it!

This is family at it's best...and worst...as past collides with present and futures hang in the balance. Sisters at odds but also fiercely protective of one another. Free-spirited Jenna is the wild child. Betsy is the reliable older sister. Their roles have been defined since childhood, shaped by dysfunction.

Now Jenna is an unplanned single mom while married Betsy's happily-ever-after has been redefined under the looming shadow of infertility. It's a formula for the perfect storm. Emotions are raw, dreams conflicted as these two sisters struggle to find their place in their new realities.

Tender and touching and funny -- Jenna's girls are a riot! -- and ultimately triumphant.

Please note: I have not categorized Hurricane Season as a Christian Fiction selection even though the publisher is Thomas Nelson. Really disappointing, but sadly predictable since more and more of this publisher's fiction has strayed from being faith-based. It is a beautifully written, moving story and a clean read. Just no inspirational thread.

I read and enjoyed Lauren Denton's debut novel The Hideaway. It was a neat Women's Fiction novel with rich characterization and an unique setting. So I knew what I was getting into when reading her second book, Hurricane Season. A southern setting with interesting characters is what I expected from Denton, and she delivered.

The writing was clear and concise. I had no problem visualizing the setting and watching Betsy and Ty interact with each other and the little girls on their farm. The farm came to life and made for a rich setting for this story.

The characters of Jenna and Betsy were rich and literary in nature. Denton does a great job at bringing the character's deepest sorrows to life and allow me to understand their dilemma even though I haven't dealt with their exact issues. I could feel Betsy's struggle with wanting kids of her own. I could feel Jenna's desire to seek her artist outlet. I loved the struggle between Ty and Betsy as a married couple. Denton does a great job at inviting into their lives and their internal struggles.

The plot flowed well and kept me entertained. I had a hard time putting the novel down. I kept thinking the worst would happen with Jenna and Betsy. One of the two problems I had with the plot was the happy ending. Too easy for what the plot has been leading up to. My other problem was the idea of the symbolism of Hurricane Season. It also felt very anti-climatic of an idea. I think the whole hurricane thing should be more important to the novel instead of something coming in the background. Then 95 percent into the novel, it makes it appearance and then disappears.

Overall, Hurricane Season by Lauren Denton is a character rich novel filled with an interesting and heart-felt plot I really enjoyed. But the ending and the hurricane element left something to be desired. If you enjoyed Denton's debut novel, The Hideaway, then this book might be right up your aisle. Fans of Catherine West and Julie Cantrell, I believe, might enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Hurricane Season by Lauren Denton, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Hurricane Season is an emotional and thought provoking read...one about choices and the consequences of those decisions. Betsy Franklin and her younger sister, Jenna Sawyer, had parents who were very devoted to their careers and sometimes it didn't leave time for the children. They grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where their mother was a doctor working with a cancer center and the father was a composer and conductor of the symphony. The girls coped with the situation in different ways. Betsy was an overachiever trying to gain attention and Jenna rebelled and was the trouble maker. Betsy is the oldest and always took care of Jenna. Now as adults, Jenna is living in Nashville, the single mother of two little girls. She struggles to make ends meet but loves her girls dearly. She ran off to chase her dreams before she finished college so she works in a coffee shop. Her lifelong love has always been photography. When she gets an opportunity to go to a photography retreat in Florida, she calls on Betsy to keep the girls. Betsy ditched her marketing dreams to marry a dairy farmer in south Alabama. She and Ty have not been able to make one dream come true--that of having a child. But she can't say no to Jenna. This time of having the girls on the farm is trying but rewarding to Betsy and Ty. It is a time for Jenna to pursue a dream that she feels is something that she has to do for herself and the girls. Both sisters are carrying around unresolved issues that they need to address for themselves, each other and their families. This book evoked different emotions in me. I felt sadness for the sisters, the girls and even Ty. I also wanted to fuss at Betsy and Jenna at times. Overall, I recommend this book for a satisfying and sweet read. I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida so I could relate to what they went through with hurricane season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hurricane Season is really a beautiful book and that's not just the cover, I'm talking about. Its a book about two sisters that are very different. Jenna was a wild child, now a single mom and Betsy is a farmer's wife, and the more stable of the two.

Each are in very different parts of their lives.

The sister scenario is something I'm seeing a lot of lately in books, especially with sisters that are polar opposites. Neither are exceptionally likable. They are both very human and the reader should feel a certain amount of pity for each of them. Jenna, because her life is not very put together, but she is trying, while having two small daughters to take care of and it seems her dreams of being a photographer are slipping away.

Betsy is the stable one, trying desperately to have a child with her husband, Ty. Because of a photography camp, she finds herself with her sister's kids for the summer. This is both a joy and a trial for her.

I loved experiencing both women as they grow through those months, whether that growth be for career or family. By the end of the book, you will find yourself really caring for both women and their families. I especially loved Ty, Betsy's husband, but its the children in this book that steal the show and are the reason the adults all become better people. Addie and Walsh were perfectly quirky kids. (I would have loved to have a story behind that child's name).

The ending was bittersweet. It wraps things up but leaves things open at the same time. Part of me wants Ms. Denton to revisit these characters somewhere down the line, because I want to know what happens to them. Will Jenna and Sam finally try a relationship? Will she succeed with her photography? Will Betsy and Ty become blessed with a child of their own?

I adored this book.

Two sisters, Betsy and Jenna couldn't be different than night and day. Growing up, Betsy was the one her parents appreciated, while on the other hand, Jenna was the "wild child". The years have passed, Betsy is now married to a farmer, Ty, and they remain childless, although they have been through the fertility process but to no avail . Living in Alabama, they are always on alert during hurricane season.
At the same time, Jenna lives in Nashville, hasn't followed her dream of becoming a photographer and is now a single mom with two little girls. However, the sisters have grown somewhat apart and haven't seen each other for over a year. As an opportunity presents itself to Jenna to go to an "artist retreat" she asks her sister to take her children for two weeks so she might go to that retreat and follow her dream. Two weeks turns into two months causing a "storm" that brews within Betsy and tearing at her husband Ty. And while there is an actual hurricane brewing that has set its sight on the Southern shores of Alabama, there is the "hurricane" settling within the family. While I understand what the author is portraying here, I would have wished there was more drama, as the story seemed to move at a much slower pace than I would have preferred. This novel was not a "page turner" yet I stayed with it. The writing was good, it just needed a good dose of "turbulence" to get it off the ground. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Lauren K. Denton is a new author for me, but hearing so many good things about her previous book, I was anxious to read this one. Two sisters, Jenna and Betsy were very close, but the closeness seemed to mean more to Betsy than Jenna. Jenna was happy moving anywhere she de used, trying to find life like she wanted it. But two children should have settled her down a bit. But when she ask Betsy to care for her children for two weeks, which turned into longer than two months Betsy’s husband Ty wasn’t too happy. And it was causing problems between the husband and wife team, even though they loved Jenna’s two girls.

I really enjoyed this story. I fell in love with the realistic characters, and the story was so like real, it really made me fell involved in the lives of the characters. Though sometimes I figured out where the story was going, it was ok, because I wanted to soak up every word of the book. Hurricane Season is a good book for a Sunday afternoon read! And I read it that fast! And because this book is one you just want to read over and over, this is a keeper for me because I plan to read it again soon.
This is a book I highly recommend! Especially if you are looking for a nice, clean story that you can enjoy and have fun reading. You will enjoy it as much as I did! I received this book from TLC Tours to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

Betsy and Ty are a storybook couple. They live on a beautiful 500 acre dairy farm. Ty loves the farm that belonged to his grandparents. Betsy, with her degree in marketing, helps with the business aspects of running the farm including field trips by local schools and camps. Their only sadness is the lack of children.

Jenna, Betsy’s younger sister, had a wild youth. She was a free spirit who got pregnant twice. Now she is a single mother with two daughters. When she was younger, Jenna had a talent for photography that she wanted to develop, but the obligations of motherhood and earning a living have made her put her dreams on hold.

Then a perfect opportunity falls in her lap. She receives a scholar ship to a famous art camp in Florida. She agonizes about leaving her children, but finally calls her sister and asks her to keep the girls for two weeks.

Two weeks merge into almost two months. Jenna reawakens her photography skills while Betsy and Ty learn to deal with a makeshift family. At the end of the summer, as hurricane Ingrid approaches both sisters must deal with what they want and what they can expect to get.

This is a beautiful story. The pace is leisurely as befits farm life as well as the camp atmosphere. The sisters are real people. I felt by the end of the book that they were friends. Ty is my favorite character. He’s a good husband. He loves his wife and wants to support her, but he’s also a realist.

This is not a fast paced adventure. It is the moving story of two sisters facing their demons. I highly recommend it.

I received this book from Booklook Bloggers for this review.

Betsy and Ty Franklin run a dairy farm in southern Alabama. Ty is busy with the cows, while Betsy works constantly to manage the farm’s operations. They have a good life, although their inability to have children is tearing them apart. When Betsy’s younger sister, Jenna, drops her two daughters off at the farm so she can attend a two-week art retreat, their quiet life at the dairy is turned upside down.

Jenna’s free-spirited days are over. Instead, she spends her days managing a coffee shop and caring for her daughters. She yearns for the days when she pursued photography, but that dream took a back seat when she got pregnant and her boyfriend split. Now, she’s offered a two-week stay at the Halcyon artist retreat, and a chance to pursue her dreams and change her life.

With the most active hurricane season on record underway, Betsy and Ty try to save their marriage, while caring for the girls and working to keep the dairy safe from approaching storms. Their lives are in turmoil, and they must wait on Jenna to decide her course before they can move past the storms that fill the hot summer air.

I loved this book! These two sisters are so different, but they both struggle against the truth of their lives—and what they will do about those truths. Betsy and Ty’s relationship is troubled now, but their love for each other shines strong even in the darkness. I related to Jenna and her dreams—and her struggle to decide between chasing those dreams, and the life she has now.

(Galley provided by Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.)

HURRICANE SEASON by Lauren K. Denton is a beautiful story of love, family relationships and life dreams. As with her debut novel, THE HIDEAWAY, the author has created characters that are believable and relatable and that draw you deep into their stories. Betsy and Ty run a successful dairy farm in Southern Alabama. As a couple, they are struggling with some heart-breaking circumstances that are testing the strength of their marriage and plans for the future. Betsy and her sister, Jenna, were best friends growing up but drifted apart over the years as the demands of their jobs and family went in vastly different directions. Jenna is a single mother of two little girls and while she loves them deeply, she feels she has had to give up all her hopes and aspirations to be a mother to them. The chapters in the book alternate between the perspectives of Betsy, Ty and Jenna. The reader is taken on their journeys of self-discovery, acceptance of the present and hope for the future. The vivid descriptions of the scenery and the hot Southern summer days and nights are the perfect backdrop for the moods and themes of the book. Being a current resident of Birmingham, I thoroughly enjoyed the many references to places I know well in the area, but also the depictions of Betsy and Ty’s rural farm life. The book is well-written and has a smooth and easy flow to it. HURRICANE SEASON is a poignant and charming story of the love between sisters, spouses, parents and children that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Hurricane Season speaks to me not just of the storm approaching but of the internal hurricanes in the lives of the characters. This story is written from the perspectives of Betsy, Ty, and Jeanna and each chapter is labeled so you aren’t in doubt of whom is speaking. Each character is struggling and hiding feelings that need to be dealt with in order to heal and move on. This is a powerful story of family relationships and internal struggles that will leave you emotionally involved with their lives when the last page is turned. Finding Hope in the midst of the storm is the best description I can find for this story that tugs your heartstrings.
I received a complimentary copy from the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Hurricane Season is a beautifully told family drama about the things that push apart and the things that bring us back together again, as well as finding yourself amidst the chaos of life. This book is the story of two sisters who have drifted apart and are struggling to find themselves and a way back to each other. While I enjoyed the storyline and the writing, the plot moved along slowly and it was hard to stay focused on the book at times. I wish there had been a little more something to really pull me into the story. The end of the book picks up the pace a bit but it feels like a lot is crammed into the last few chapters. If you like slow burn contemporary fiction with inspirational messages about family, love and parenthood then this book would be a great fit for you!

I really enjoyed this book! Betsy and Jenna are sisters- each somewhat envious of the other. Betsy is more thoughtful and steady where Jenna flies by the seat of her pants. The story centers on Jenna leaving her two kids (last minute) with her sister while she attends an art retreat. Betsy, thus far unable to have her own children, has to deal with the emotions that come with suddenly having two young children in her care. The author did a great job with both characters as they struggle to find what is really important in life. I highly recommend this sweet, pleasant story! I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley- my opinions are my own.

Second chances and choices one makes in life. A dream to go to a two week art retreat, Jenna takes. Leaving her twins at her sisters farm. Life as a single mom now, she remembers the days of travel and pursuing her career.
A dream to have a family, is what Betsy has longed for,now with watching the twins. Hurricane season, brings changes, as it does for these two sisters. Can they find a balance, that would fulfill the need for both of these two women. A nice easy flow to read and enjoy, of second chances. Given ARC copy by Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

I just finished Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton. First of all, the cover is just beautiful. It definitely drew me in at first glance. I really wanted to love this book. It read just like a day to day between the sisters. I kept waiting for a climatic happening and it really never came. Even the hurricane was just like any other day. I liked the characters and the setting. I think it just needed a little more excitement for me. Overall, I guess if you are looking for a book about the day to day living of two sisters, this is your book. Special thanks to
Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
#Tnzfiction #NetGalley

A family’s self discovery in the midst of Hurricane Season on a dairy farm in Alabama. What’s not to like about that! Wonderful depicted characters that you will come to love and wish you knew. A story of redemption and finding peace in the midst of circumstances. Learning what is most important in life and being thankful. A well written, truly sweet story. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hurricane Season is the perfect vacation read! Denton weaves an excellent story of love, heartache, and hope that make it impossible not to root for Betsy and Jenna (the main characters). This book is an easy and relaxing read that leaves you feeling refreshed! I highly recommend and will be buying to give to various friends and families for their summer read!

This book was definitely adored. Lauren Denton wrote a well-crafted layered book that produced a soft story involving family. I enjoy those kind of books showing family dynamics and how people endure them. Domestic fiction has become a fav genre of mine and I appreciated the opportunity to have read this book. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to receive an e-copy arc to review.

Her first book, The Hideaway, was a great southern fiction read. This book delivered a dose of southern country living, mixed in with some intense family dynamics. Another good read from this author. Also, I don't know who does her covers, but each one has made me swoon.

This story resembels my early married life. Thanks for addressing the touchy subject of infertility with such care. It can be a real monster of a topic. The way each girl remembers their lives is so typical of life but profoundly changes us too.

Hurricane Season speaks to me not just of the storm approaching but of the internal hurricanes in the lives of the characters. This story is written from the perspectives of Betsy, Ty, and Jeanna and each chapter is labeled so you aren’t in doubt of whom is speaking. Each character is struggling and hiding feelings that need to be dealt with in order to heal and move on. This is a powerful story of family relationships and internal struggles that will leave you emotionally involved with their lives when the last page is turned. Finding Hope in the midst of the storm is the best description I can find for this story that tugs your heartstrings.
I received a complimentary copy from the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

In Ms. Denton’s latest release, Hurricane Season, she tells the story of two sisters. In this book she examines their past and how they got to where they are now and how they currently are. This book reveals the relationships of the people connected to the sisters and the impacts they have made on their choices and lives. This was the first time that I have read a book by Ms. Denton, but it will not be my last. This book is refreshing and uplifting. The story of healing and how to get through difficult times is a great example of how we all should live in this imperfect world. I highly recommend you read this book!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

Hurricane Season is a beautifully told family drama about the things that push apart and the things that bring us back together again, as well as finding yourself amidst the chaos of life. This book is the story of two sisters who have drifted apart and are struggling to find themselves and a way back to each other. While I enjoyed the storyline and the writing, the plot moved along slowly and it was hard to stay focused on the book at times. I wish there had been a little more something to really pull me into the story. The end of the book picks up the pace a bit but it feels like a lot is crammed into the last few chapters. If you like slow burn contemporary fiction with inspirational messages about family, love and parenthood then this book would be a great fit for you!

I really enjoyed this book! Betsy and Jenna are sisters- each somewhat envious of the other. Betsy is more thoughtful and steady where Jenna flies by the seat of her pants. The story centers on Jenna leaving her two kids (last minute) with her sister while she attends an art retreat. Betsy, thus far unable to have her own children, has to deal with the emotions that come with suddenly having two young children in her care. The author did a great job with both characters as they struggle to find what is really important in life. I highly recommend this sweet, pleasant story! I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley- my opinions are my own.

Second chances and choices one makes in life. A dream to go to a two week art retreat, Jenna takes. Leaving her twins at her sisters farm. Life as a single mom now, she remembers the days of travel and pursuing her career.
A dream to have a family, is what Betsy has longed for,now with watching the twins. Hurricane season, brings changes, as it does for these two sisters. Can they find a balance, that would fulfill the need for both of these two women. A nice easy flow to read and enjoy, of second chances. Given ARC copy by Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

What a perfect family/sister/marriage book. Two sisters and one of their husbands narrate this book and to add his perspective was just right. The two sisters in the heart of this story are in their adulthood and one is a single mom of two daughters and hasn't taken the usual path when decisions had to be made. The older sister always followed "the path", but things haven't been easy and she isn't where she thought she would be at this point in her life.

I just finished Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton. First of all, the cover is just beautiful. It definitely drew me in at first glance. I really wanted to love this book. It read just like a day to day between the sisters. I kept waiting for a climatic happening and it really never came. Even the hurricane was just like any other day. I liked the characters and the setting. I think it just needed a little more excitement for me. Overall, I guess if you are looking for a book about the day to day living of two sisters, this is your book. Special thanks to
Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
#Tnzfiction #NetGalley

A family’s self discovery in the midst of Hurricane Season on a dairy farm in Alabama. What’s not to like about that! Wonderful depicted characters that you will come to love and wish you knew. A story of redemption and finding peace in the midst of circumstances. Learning what is most important in life and being thankful. A well written, truly sweet story. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hurricane Season is the perfect vacation read! Denton weaves an excellent story of love, heartache, and hope that make it impossible not to root for Betsy and Jenna (the main characters). This book is an easy and relaxing read that leaves you feeling refreshed! I highly recommend and will be buying to give to various friends and families for their summer read!

This book was definitely adored. Lauren Denton wrote a well-crafted layered book that produced a soft story involving family. I enjoy those kind of books showing family dynamics and how people endure them. Domestic fiction has become a fav genre of mine and I appreciated the opportunity to have read this book. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to receive an e-copy arc to review.

Her first book, The Hideaway, was a great southern fiction read. This book delivered a dose of southern country living, mixed in with some intense family dynamics. Another good read from this author. Also, I don't know who does her covers, but each one has made me swoon.

Hurricane Season was a beautiful tribute to sisters, family, and things we think we've lost then found. Betsy and Jenna are both struggling with internal doubts that Jenna's little girls help heal. It's damp and beautiful as a humid Southern summer.

This story resembels my early married life. Thanks for addressing the touchy subject of infertility with such care. It can be a real monster of a topic. The way each girl remembers their lives is so typical of life but profoundly changes us too.