Amy Knupp

In Unexpected, book four in the Henry Brothers series, we finally get to see just what’s up with that Knox Breckenridge guy, the one who has been skulking around Dragonfly Lake since book one. He says he’s a writer who has fallen in love with the town and decided to make it his home. But he’s been keeping a big secret and when he reveals it, it’s quite the bombshell that drops on the Henry Family: he’s the biological son of Simon Henry, the family patriarch. Simon and Knox’s mother had a weekend together just over 42 years ago. Simon is stunned but realizes the timing works and is more than open to welcoming Knox as another son if that turns out to be true. The Henry “boys,” however, stay true to form in their reactions. Holden and Knox have been friends for a while and Holden thinks having a half-brother won’t be so bad. Seth needs to think it over, as usual, but will probably come around sooner rather than later. Cash – well, we all know Cash by now – he never has liked Knox and this just cements his anger, distrust, and suspicions. He wants to know what Knox is after, what Knox is trying to get from the Henrys.

What does Knox want? Simple. He wants a family. It was always just him and his mom. The identity of his father was only revealed to him in a letter his mother left when she died a few months ago. He just wants to see them, to get to know them, to wonder if his fervent hope to belong, to become one of them, is possible. It’s a lot for everybody involved.

And how ironic that as this little drama starts to play out Knox finds a surprise package in the back seat of his car: a 5-month-old baby girl with nothing but a note from Knox’s ex-girlfriend that says, “I can’t do this. She’s yours now.” Knox is as stunned as Simon was, and Cash doesn’t hesitate to ask, “How does it feel when it happens to you?”

From here on the story is delightful. Full of misunderstanding, misconceptions, mishaps. Knox knows absolutely nothing about babies and is terrified at the mistakes he might make, but little Juniper is growing on him and he begins to hope she really is his biological daughter and wonders what he’ll do if she’s not. Watching him navigate new fatherhood is fun and funny. What would he do without Quincy, the server at the Henry family restaurant who has agreed to be his nanny until she goes off to school in a few months. She practically raised her stepsiblings and loves children, especially this adorable little girl. And for Knox the question is – REALLY – what would he do without Quincy? Acting on the attraction he feels would be wrong in so many ways. She’s his employee, he’s not looking for instant family, and the biggest no-no in his mind: she’s 28 to his 42. His reactions, especially to being mistaken as her father, are priceless. But the attraction is real, on both sides, and doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon.

Unexpected is another wonderful visit to Dragonfly Lake and more time well-spent with those Henrys and the rest of the folks in town. I’m hoping there is another brother or cousin or someone somewhere so this engrossing, satisfying series doesn’t have to end. The narration is perfect, as it has been for each book. Ryan West’s Knox is uncertain, passionate, conflicted, besotted and comes to life. Carly Robins is as amazing as ever; her portrayal of Quincy is believable and appealing in every way. Good pacing, emotions that feel like the real deal, a genuine pleasure to listen to both of these narrators.

I received a free audio copy of Unexpected from the author via Home Cooked Books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what’s next from author Amy Knupp. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.… (mere)

Undone is the third book in the Henry Brothers series, and I am so loving making my way through it, earbuds firmly in place, certain that observers think I’m crazy when I laugh out loud, shout, “Oh, no!” or get the dreamy swoony look. Perfect as a standalone but trust me, you need to get to intimately know all these guys and their family, friends and special loved ones. Because the Henry Brothers are special. They grew up in a loving home, cherished, wanted, secure in the knowledge that family would always be there for them. But upon closer inspection, they have all had vulnerabilities, concerns, worries, fears and secrets that made them each feel ‘less than’ in their own way. Which is why they most definitely need the love of that woman who is perfectly right for them. And for Cash who could it possibly be but Ava? The one that got away. Or more precisely, the one he sprinted away from twenty years ago with no explanation. He is gruff, has friends but keeps most things close. He is a wildly talented and successful chef, but also has a ton of baggage he carries around with him about his self-defined failures. And Cash is no second-chance guy. Once and done as far as he is concerned. He blew it and that’s that, he won’t ever be able to successfully overcome that shortcoming. And just how irresistible and adorable does that make him? He didn’t expect these feelings with Ava to resurface when he sees her again. Heck, he didn’t expect to ever see her again. But now that she’s here? A minute, an hour, a day, a week – he just wants to enjoy every second he has with her now, his body and his heart are telling him to just give in, relax for once. She’s going back to LA. Does he want her to? Who knows? He wants her to finally realize her dreams, to have what she wants instead of always forcing down her own desires to take care of others. But can he lose her again? Can he walk away like he did last time?

And what’s up with that writer guy, Knox Breckenridge, who showed up in book one and says he’s never leaving Dragonfly Lake now? That he’s fallen in love with the place and is planning to settle in. Holden and Seth didn’t pay him too much attention, but Cash doesn’t like or trust him, and for now I’m on Team Cash. I thought maybe Knox was going to expose Everly when she was trying to hide out or expose Seth’s secret in book two. That didn’t happen, but my maybe-overactive-reader-imagination still has me wondering if he’s writing a tell-all book or something about Dragonfly Lake. Don’t know but something about him makes me cringe. Or maybe hope there’s a Knox’s Story book in the future?

Ava has come home to Dragonfly Lake for her aunt’s funeral, the only family she had left. And to see what repairs and remodeling are needed and to find a manager for her aunt’s baby, the Honeysuckle Inn. She grew up working at the inn but she’s a writer, not an innkeeper. She has an amazing opportunity in LA – this could be her shot, what she’s always dreamed of. So she makes her lists and gets going fixing thing up, preparing for when she can go home. But as she reconnects with people she knew long ago and meets new people, settles into a routine, Dragonfly Lake starts to feel an awful lot like home. And of course there’s the Cash thing. Yes, he broke her heart when he up and left her, but he’s even more good-looking now (can that even be possible with a Henry man??), so sweet, so helpful, so considerate, so appealing – and so much heat in his gorgeous eyes – that that broken heart of hers starts going pitty-pat and she starts wondering What If? I was ready to travel to Dragonfly Lake myself if I had to and make Cash and Ava find a way for this to work. Because if there were ever two people who belong together, no matter how many years have passed, it’s these two.

Author Amy Knupp has crafted another enticing, enjoyable, impossible to stop listening book. We catch up with friends and family from previous books, meet new people we might like someday but don’t quite yet, laugh, cry, worry. Ava and Cash lean in, pull back, lean in – the tension is unbearably perfect. And there is a big surprise at the end and a tantalizing peek at what might come in the next book. Two more stellar narrators for this book series, Patrick Zeller & Samantha Brentmoor, give you all the shivers of emotion with their perfect pacing, perfect portrayal of our two lovebirds’ personalities. 100% satisfying all around.

I received a free audio copy of Undone from the author via Home Cooked Books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am loving making my way through this satisfying series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.… (mere)

Unsung is the second in author Amy Knupp’s Henry Brothers series. Perfect as a stand-alone but that trio of brothers is pretty darn fascinating and I would recommend you read – or better yet listen – to the entire series. Holden Henry is the youngest brother, the outgoing, chatty, lives-life-to-the-fullest brother. His oh-my-gosh-why-didn’t-I-realize-she-was-the-love-of-my-life story was delightfully told in the first book in the series, Unraveled, and the novella prequel Untold. Cash Henry is the oldest. The executive chef at the family restaurant, the ex-military man, the often rough, tough, gruff guy. Haven’t heard his story yet, but the hints are tantalizing. Seth Henry is the middle brother. The reliable, steady, brainiac overachiever (except for that gigantic secret and lie). Unsung is his story.

Seth has just remodeled the apartment over his garage to be used as a rental. When a mysterious client wants to arrive late at night he says yes. Even though he doesn’t know the reason why, he is just the kind of guy who wants to help. And from that uneventful beginning springs an absolutely captivating story. Serious Seth always has his nose to the grindstone, business comes first, head in the books, mostly the family restaurant books, so he has no idea that the name his new tenant gives him is fake, and that she is actually a famous country singer and the runaway bride the internet is burning up about who just jilted her groom-to-be at the altar. She seems to need help, and even when Seth does find out who she really is he feels compelled to help her keep her secret and hide away. Not because of the electric sparks that are almost visible between them – more, much more on that to come – but because he knows from personal experience how tragic and heartbreaking it can be when your personal life becomes public fodder.

If there were ever two people not looking to start a relationship, it is Everly and Seth. Deciding not to get married is the first time Everly has stood up for herself in, well, probably her entire life. So even though Seth is nice, seems to genuinely want to help her and is easy on the eyes – did I mention all the Henry brothers are smokin’ hot?? – this is not the time for her to jump into anything new. Seth has sworn off relationships because of something that happened years ago. And if he starts up anything with Everly and social media gets wind of it his secrets – and the big lie – will surely come out.

Seth is a good guy, a great guy and so, so appealing to Everly. A feeling which is most definitely reciprocated. They fight it, but you can guess how successful they are. Their time together is like a precious little gift with an expiration date. When Everly leaves the apartment and goes back to her ‘real life’ they’ll have to end it. Too soon, too uncertain, too much risk to continue. But should something that precious really be ended?

The Henry brothers, and sister Hayden and the extended family and friends, are close as can be. No matter how much they disagree on day-to-day events or tease, they have always got each other’s backs. And they are all in when it comes to Seth and Everly. Dragonfly Lake is a beautiful, cozy little community where everybody knows your name but where what happens in Dragonfly Lake stays in Dragonfly Lake. Run, don’t walk, to pop your earbuds in and take a listen to Unsung. Narrators are perfect. The pacing, the tone, the anxiety, the desire, the determination, the humor, the heat, all there fully brought to life by these two very talented narrators.

I received a free audio copy of Unsung from the author via Home Cooked Books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am loving making my way through this satisfying series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.… (mere)

Yep, Holden Henry is every girl’s dream. Oh yeah. And narrator Teddy Hamilton ensures you believe Holden is every girl’s dream. Devastatingly cute, kind, considerate, outgoing, funny, and one of Chloe’s best friends – and that voice. Chloe has wished he was more than a best friend for a long time now, but she will never admit that to him because she is absolutely, definitely, certainly positive that he does not feel that little spark of excitement and desire she feels every time she’s around him. Or hears him. Or thinks of him. Or . . . .

Holden, for his part, is blissfully clueless. He respects Chloe, admires her intelligence and success and delights in her wicked sense of humor and she loves puns as much as he does. But he’s never thought of her as anything but My Friend Chloe. Although at his father’s wedding a couple of weeks ago he did suddenly notice just how attractive she is and felt a little twinge of irritation when his brother Seth was dancing with her. But her place is Chloe from childhood, the woman he can talk to and rely on and have fun with, but that’s it. So nope, nothing happening here. Romance? What a silly idea. And even thinking of going there and jeopardizing the friendship? Not going to happen.

Which is why he doesn’t hesitate to enter a fake marriage with Chloe. Her boss is ill and has decided if Chloe is going to run the company someday she needs to add a personal life to her workaholic existence. Chloe wants the agreement to benefit Holden as well so invests in the brewery he’s always dreamed of opening. Why wouldn’t this work out just fine? Without complications. It’s only for a year and they’ve been good friends much longer than that.

It's at this point that the story becomes an absolute joy to listen to. These two are so sure they can pull this off and part as friends in a year. Even when they go from just-friends to friend-with-benefits they’re sure it’s still just a business deal and they have everything under control. Except Chloe is still afraid to let Holden know how she really feels and Holden starts wondering just why he likes spending so much time with Chloe, why he’s feeling so tender, so protective. Not love! No.

Unraveled is so much fun to listen to. It’s got everything: family, career satisfaction and career frustration, feelings that keep bubbling up, situations that can’t be ignored, things that blow up and maybe can’t be fixed. The narration is superb. Teddy Hamilton and Kelsey Navarro-Foster make you feel all the feels: the desire, the doubts, the fear about what the future might – or might not – bring. It’s funny, sexy, sweet, serious and will give you a taste for donuts and Twizzlers. Fingers and toes crossed that Holden and Chloe will realize they are meant to be and get their happily ever after.

I received a free audio copy of Unraveled. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to make my way through the rest of the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. There’s a cute little prequel, Untold, that you can get from the author via this link: Bookfunnel link to subscribe and get UNTOLD https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ste3kr8vdp)… (mere)