Where The Heart Is (Ribbon Ridge) (Volume 1)

Where The Heart Is (Ribbon Ridge) by Darcy Burke is a sweet, emotional holiday romance that is a great debut for her Ribbon Ridge series. The story introduces the Archer family, which at one time was very well known to the public for their sextuplet brood. The Archers are wealthy, down to earth and loving. When Derek Sumner was orphaned, the Archer's accepted him as one of their own. Now years later, he is a volunteer firefighter and the CFO of Archer Industries.

Chloe English is a Ribbon Ridge newbie. She needed a new life, so she ended her relationship with her fiance, said goodbye to her smothering mother and left the city of Pittsburgh. After only being in town for a very short time, the house she is renting burns to the ground and she is left with practically nothing. Derek helps her out and a relationship evolves. Chloe helps Derek come to terms with his demons and they evoke on a promising future together.

I enjoyed this holiday novella. I found it to be a slow-paced read, up until the last few chapters. Ms. Burke creates wonderful, realistic characters that are both interesting and engaging. Derek's sadness and distress, caused me to sob on more than one occasion. Overall, this is a solid, enlightening romance, perfect for the holiday season.

Welcome to Ribbon Ridge!

This novella is the first story in the Ribbon Ridge series, and it’s a great introduction. Although it’s a shorter story, Darcy Burke was able to fit enough storyline, character development and sex scenes into this novella so I didn’t feel as if I was short changed.
Although, of course, I wanted the story to go on longer.

The story begins with Chloe moving across the country after having split with her finance. She’s looking for a new life, far from her ex and her controlling mother. Her move does not begin well when the place she has rented burns down. Chloe does get a kitten because of the fire, so I think that’s a huge plus.

I thought this was cool, in the endnotes, Burke thanks a firefighter that she had talked to in regards to research. And the firefighter told her a story about two kittens she had rescued in a similar manner in real life. It just goes to show that authors are constantly studying and talking to people, and do incorporate them into their stories.

Chloe meets the firefighter, Derek while her house is burning down. Since she now has no place to stay, Derek, who is kind, offers her a place to stay with his “adopted” family, the Archers. She accepts, and the Archers instantly welcome her into the family.

We then witness them realize that they have a burning passion for each other. But, of course, there has to be some obstacles along the way.

Derek has to overcome his issues with his own house (that he offers to Chloe, even though he doesn’t really want to), and the loss of his parents. Chloe has to realize that Derek is not her ex, with a few other problems thrown in to keep the story interesting.

The story does take place in about two weeks, and while some might find the events that transpire a bit too unrealistic, I didn’t. When I read romance I often throw my expectations out the window. People are going to have sex and/or fall in love quickly. That’s why I read romance, to get away from real life, and to get a magical, happy ending.

There are seven children (sextuplets and a single child) in the Archer family, so I am happy to know that I will be able read each of their stories in a full length book. And perhaps Burke will come back to Chloe and Derek’s story at the end, and give them a full length book as well.

But no matter what she decides to do with the Ribbon Ridge series, I’m looking forward to the next book, “Only in My Dreams”.

*I was given an eBook copy by the publicity team. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not given any money or material incentives for an honest review of this book.

Chloe English has just packed up her life and moved to Ribbon Ridge, Oregon. Shortly after getting in her new home, she watches it burn to the ground. Volunteer fireman, Derek Sumner, is going to take care of everything, though. That is, if he can conquer his own set of demons. Oh, and if Chloe can get over her aversion to a career man.
Aside from Derek’s weirdness towards his old home, he seemed amazing to me. I loved that he wouldn’t let Chloe not give them a chance. I also absolutely loved his views on work and family. Of course, it’d be hard for him not to have great views after spending so much time with Rob & Emily Archer, the couple that adopted him as their own. I LOVED Rob and Emily! They had so much, but it was apparent that their families were worth more than anything to them. Plus, it wasn’t just their families that they were good to. They were kind, loving, and helpful to everyone. I wanted to move in!

The one downside of the story for me was Derek’s reactions to his old home. I thought something more dramatic had happened to him with the way he behaved. I really thought there was going to be something more to his odd behavior. I know grief can show itself in many forms, but it just didn’t seem realistic to me.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the story as a whole. The romance was super sweet, and I can’t wait to read Only in My Dreams, Sara Archer’s story! Oh, and I LOVE the adorable cover! 4 STARS!!!!

Warnings: this story contains some language and sexual content not suitable for minors.
*I received a copy via NetGalley and Intrepid Reads in exchange for an honest review.*

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/4
REVIEW:
Chloe has finally gotten out from under the finger of her family. While she loves them she just can handle not living up to the expectation they put on her. Finally happy in the small down of Ribbon Ridge Chloe sees the future is going to be bright. Except that brightness seems to be coming from the fact that her house is on fire.

Derek has for a long time felt like a lone wolf. Oh he has a family that loves him, even if they are his adopted family. But something is missing in his life and he has yet to figure out what it is. But that is all going to change with a sad twist of fate. It is hard to believe that a fire could ever end in something so good, but only if Derek is willing to take that leap of faith.

This was a great novella. I really loved Derek & Chloe. Both have some baggage that they wish the didn’t, but that just made them more real. I will say that Chloe is beyond patience, more patience than I would have been. But in the end I think it was her patience that was able to finally break down the walls that surround Derek. Okay that is all you get from me. If you want to know more about what happens you will just have to pick up a copy of Where The Heart Is. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Intrepid Reads in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

This novella is a Ribbon Ridge prequel by Darcy Burke.
Derek has found his place in this small community of Ribbon Ridge Oregon working as a CFO, volunteer firefighter and wait staff at Arch and Vines. He has considered the Archer family his own for many years now, but still misses his parents.
Chloe is new to the town and loving every bit of it. She needed a whole life change and found it here on the west coast. The furthest possible place she could get from her old life that she left back in Pittsburgh. She knew her family meant well, but their judgmental and controlling lifestyle wasn't something that Chloe wanted to deal with any longer. She didn't strive to do anything different or marry the person that they thought best. She wanted to teach and spend time doing her art.
Derek immediately took notice of Chloe, but getting close to her wasn't an option. He always kept people at arms length. It was safer that way. Chloe couldn't help but fall for Derek almost immediately, but he sure was keeping her at arms length. She loved the Archers and hoped that Derek would let her in.
I'm looking forward to reading more stories in this series and getting to know more about the people in this small community town.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Where The Heart is begins Darcy Burke's Ribbon Ridge Series. This is Derek Sumner and Chloe English's story. Derek is a tortured soul that hides his pain from those who love him most. Chloe is looking to take her life in a different direction. She decides to leave her past behind and move on in a new environment. Chloe meets Derek when her home burns down leaving her with no where to stay. Derek is the firefighter on the scene that offers her a helping hand. The connection is there from the start. However, Derek is still dealing with the personal tragedy that left him an orphan and made him the man he is. Chloe wants to be the one to help him out of the darkness. Will her love and understanding be the light Derek needs to find his way home? Received an ARC of Where The Heart is for my honest review. THIS SERIES IS A MUST READ.

Where The Heart Is (Ribbon Ridge) by Darcy Burke is a sweet, emotional holiday romance that is a great debut for her Ribbon Ridge series. The story introduces the Archer family, which at one time was very well known to the public for their sextuplet brood. The Archers are wealthy, down to earth and loving. When Derek Sumner was orphaned, the Archer's accepted him as one of their own. Now years later, he is a volunteer firefighter and the CFO of Archer Industries.

Chloe English is a Ribbon Ridge newbie. She needed a new life, so she ended her relationship with her fiance, said goodbye to her smothering mother and left the city of Pittsburgh. After only being in town for a very short time, the house she is renting burns to the ground and she is left with practically nothing. Derek helps her out and a relationship evolves. Chloe helps Derek come to terms with his demons and they evoke on a promising future together.

I enjoyed this holiday novella. I found it to be a slow-paced read, up until the last few chapters. Ms. Burke creates wonderful, realistic characters that are both interesting and engaging. Derek's sadness and distress, caused me to sob on more than one occasion. Overall, this is a solid, enlightening romance, perfect for the holiday season.

Welcome to Ribbon Ridge!

This novella is the first story in the Ribbon Ridge series, and it’s a great introduction. Although it’s a shorter story, Darcy Burke was able to fit enough storyline, character development and sex scenes into this novella so I didn’t feel as if I was short changed.
Although, of course, I wanted the story to go on longer.

The story begins with Chloe moving across the country after having split with her finance. She’s looking for a new life, far from her ex and her controlling mother. Her move does not begin well when the place she has rented burns down. Chloe does get a kitten because of the fire, so I think that’s a huge plus.

I thought this was cool, in the endnotes, Burke thanks a firefighter that she had talked to in regards to research. And the firefighter told her a story about two kittens she had rescued in a similar manner in real life. It just goes to show that authors are constantly studying and talking to people, and do incorporate them into their stories.

Chloe meets the firefighter, Derek while her house is burning down. Since she now has no place to stay, Derek, who is kind, offers her a place to stay with his “adopted” family, the Archers. She accepts, and the Archers instantly welcome her into the family.

We then witness them realize that they have a burning passion for each other. But, of course, there has to be some obstacles along the way.

Derek has to overcome his issues with his own house (that he offers to Chloe, even though he doesn’t really want to), and the loss of his parents. Chloe has to realize that Derek is not her ex, with a few other problems thrown in to keep the story interesting.

The story does take place in about two weeks, and while some might find the events that transpire a bit too unrealistic, I didn’t. When I read romance I often throw my expectations out the window. People are going to have sex and/or fall in love quickly. That’s why I read romance, to get away from real life, and to get a magical, happy ending.

There are seven children (sextuplets and a single child) in the Archer family, so I am happy to know that I will be able read each of their stories in a full length book. And perhaps Burke will come back to Chloe and Derek’s story at the end, and give them a full length book as well.

But no matter what she decides to do with the Ribbon Ridge series, I’m looking forward to the next book, “Only in My Dreams”.

*I was given an eBook copy by the publicity team. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not given any money or material incentives for an honest review of this book.

Chloe English has just packed up her life and moved to Ribbon Ridge, Oregon. Shortly after getting in her new home, she watches it burn to the ground. Volunteer fireman, Derek Sumner, is going to take care of everything, though. That is, if he can conquer his own set of demons. Oh, and if Chloe can get over her aversion to a career man.
Aside from Derek’s weirdness towards his old home, he seemed amazing to me. I loved that he wouldn’t let Chloe not give them a chance. I also absolutely loved his views on work and family. Of course, it’d be hard for him not to have great views after spending so much time with Rob & Emily Archer, the couple that adopted him as their own. I LOVED Rob and Emily! They had so much, but it was apparent that their families were worth more than anything to them. Plus, it wasn’t just their families that they were good to. They were kind, loving, and helpful to everyone. I wanted to move in!

The one downside of the story for me was Derek’s reactions to his old home. I thought something more dramatic had happened to him with the way he behaved. I really thought there was going to be something more to his odd behavior. I know grief can show itself in many forms, but it just didn’t seem realistic to me.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the story as a whole. The romance was super sweet, and I can’t wait to read Only in My Dreams, Sara Archer’s story! Oh, and I LOVE the adorable cover! 4 STARS!!!!

Warnings: this story contains some language and sexual content not suitable for minors.
*I received a copy via NetGalley and Intrepid Reads in exchange for an honest review.*

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/4
REVIEW:
Chloe has finally gotten out from under the finger of her family. While she loves them she just can handle not living up to the expectation they put on her. Finally happy in the small down of Ribbon Ridge Chloe sees the future is going to be bright. Except that brightness seems to be coming from the fact that her house is on fire.

Derek has for a long time felt like a lone wolf. Oh he has a family that loves him, even if they are his adopted family. But something is missing in his life and he has yet to figure out what it is. But that is all going to change with a sad twist of fate. It is hard to believe that a fire could ever end in something so good, but only if Derek is willing to take that leap of faith.

This was a great novella. I really loved Derek & Chloe. Both have some baggage that they wish the didn’t, but that just made them more real. I will say that Chloe is beyond patience, more patience than I would have been. But in the end I think it was her patience that was able to finally break down the walls that surround Derek. Okay that is all you get from me. If you want to know more about what happens you will just have to pick up a copy of Where The Heart Is. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Intrepid Reads in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

This novella is a Ribbon Ridge prequel by Darcy Burke.
Derek has found his place in this small community of Ribbon Ridge Oregon working as a CFO, volunteer firefighter and wait staff at Arch and Vines. He has considered the Archer family his own for many years now, but still misses his parents.
Chloe is new to the town and loving every bit of it. She needed a whole life change and found it here on the west coast. The furthest possible place she could get from her old life that she left back in Pittsburgh. She knew her family meant well, but their judgmental and controlling lifestyle wasn't something that Chloe wanted to deal with any longer. She didn't strive to do anything different or marry the person that they thought best. She wanted to teach and spend time doing her art.
Derek immediately took notice of Chloe, but getting close to her wasn't an option. He always kept people at arms length. It was safer that way. Chloe couldn't help but fall for Derek almost immediately, but he sure was keeping her at arms length. She loved the Archers and hoped that Derek would let her in.
I'm looking forward to reading more stories in this series and getting to know more about the people in this small community town.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Where The Heart is begins Darcy Burke's Ribbon Ridge Series. This is Derek Sumner and Chloe English's story. Derek is a tortured soul that hides his pain from those who love him most. Chloe is looking to take her life in a different direction. She decides to leave her past behind and move on in a new environment. Chloe meets Derek when her home burns down leaving her with no where to stay. Derek is the firefighter on the scene that offers her a helping hand. The connection is there from the start. However, Derek is still dealing with the personal tragedy that left him an orphan and made him the man he is. Chloe wants to be the one to help him out of the darkness. Will her love and understanding be the light Derek needs to find his way home? Received an ARC of Where The Heart is for my honest review. THIS SERIES IS A MUST READ.

I loved this prequel, it did an amazing job introducing us to the Archer family but also gave us a wonderful love and self discovery story as well. We meet Chloe who is new to town and has some horrible luck at first but things quickly seem to go her way after meeting Derek. While the chemistry is hot and the force to be together pulling them, there are big things that happen and as a result a need to overcome the past. I absolutely fell in love with Chloe and Derek, and Rob and Emily Archer. I am so excited for the rest of this series!

This Holiday novella is the perfect start to Darcy Burke's new Ribbon Ridge series. With likeable, engaging characters and a beautifully drawn setting, Ms. Burke has created a world I will be visiting again. I found this book to be quite emotional, which is a credit to the author, as the novella format can be hard on character development. The story and the introduction to the town and the characters was well balanced. The overall pacing started slowly and built along with the tension. Great job. I will look for more from the author.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange fro an honest review.,

In Darcy Burke's WHERE THE HEART IS, a contemporary romance, we meet Derek Sumner, the odd-man-out in the crazy Archer family, and Chloe English, a woman down on her luck during the holidays, looking for a fresh start in the beautiful wine country of Oregon. Sparks immediately flare between the two and continue to grow throughout the story, even amidst meddling sextuplets, a raging house fire, and a pub filled with colorful characters that could put Cheers to shame. Smart, sexy and touching, WHERE THE HEART IS is a fabulous introduction to Darcy's new Ribbon Ridge Series. While Darcy Burke is well-known for her sexy historicals, you'll want to make sure you don't miss her foray into contemporary romance. Clever writing, relatable characters and a place anyone would like to call home make this a "don't miss read".

Chloe moves from Pittsburgh to get away from a boyfriend who Is power driven and from parents to whom society standing is very important. She takes a job in Ribbon Ridge as an art teacher but has to fill in her income by working a bar. Her new independence was soon put to the test when she returned to the house she rented to find it burning to the ground with everything she owned in it. A very handsome firefighter, Derek, hands her a kitten he rescued from the fire thinking it's hers. Chloe send the kitten home with Derek until she can find a new place to live, spends the night on the couch at an inn and goes to the bar the next day to work. There she finds Derek working. They become friends and he helps her find a place to stay and soon finds he wants to be more than friends. When she finds out that he is actually a CFO of a large company, she is afraid history is going to repeat itself with a man who is a workaholic. Derek has issues from the past that keep interfering with his relationship with Chloe. They work together to resolve the issues and carve a future together.

Chloe English was a single woman whose house burn down and she found herself homeless only to sleep at the Blackberry inn and met a cute firefighter name Derek Sumner and they both realize where the heart is

Where the Heart Is by Darcy Burke is an entertaining read filled with Love and Hope. I only gave this book a three, as it was not very memorable and at times a little slow.
In this book, you will take a journey with a woman who needs to find out what she wants out of life and how to get it. She meets a man, who comes to her rescue, only later to come to his rescue.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.