| Title | : | Starting Over in Maple Bay (Maple Bay, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 325 |
| Publication | : | Published January 11, 2021 |
An inheritance from a mother she never knew. But can this fixer-upper mend her heart?
Hazel didn’t think there was anything a homemade apple pie couldn’t fix—until her husband divorced her and left her broke. Trying her best to raise her ten-year old daughter and make ends meet, Hazel is desperate for a fresh start. When she inherits a fixer-upper in the small town of Maple Bay, Hazel and her daughter head to the country for the reading of her biological mother’s will. But a clause in the will says Hazel and her sister—the sister she didn’t know existed—must live together on the rural property for one summer, or forfeit their inheritance.
If Hazel can tough it out in the country for a few months, she stands to gain a historic carriage house. It needs renovation, but Hazel thinks she can fix it up, sell it as a bed-and-breakfast, and use the profits to begin her life anew, back in the city. She isn’t planning to stay in Maple Bay, or to fall in love with her sister’s best friend, Jesse—a single dad and handsome cowboy who is recovering from heartbreak of his own.
Hazel and Jesse are from two different worlds, but this horse-whisperer just might know how to speak to Hazel’s broken heart . . . until Hazel discovers a box of letters and a secret from her past that changes everything.
★★★
Starting Over in Maple Bay is a sweet, emotional small-town romance, and the first book in a new series by award-winning author Brittney Joy. This tale of second chances and newfound family will warm the hearts of readers—like tater tot hotdish or sweet apple pie. Curl up with your favorite blanket and visit Maple Bay today.
★ BONUS: Includes a special recipe for Hazel’s scrumptious peanut butter pie.
Books in the Maple Bay Series (each can be read as a standalone - happily-ever-afters guaranteed):
Starting Over in Maple Bay
Second Chance in Maple Bay
Country Stars in Maple Bay
Matched in Maple Bay
Starting Over in Maple Bay (Maple Bay, #1) Reviews
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When Hazel’s biological mother (whom she never knew since she was given up for adoption when she was born) passes away, single mother Hazel and her 10-year-old daughter head to the small town of Maple Bay, Minnesota, for the reading of the will. Hazel learns that she inherited a carriage house. Hazel also learns she has a half-sister, Frankie, who she never knew existed. A sister that was raised by her biological mother in a loving family. Hazel’s not sure how she feels about this, but since a clause in the will states that neither sister will gain their inheritance unless they both agree to live on the property for the summer, Hazel decides to stay. She will restore the carriage house and turn it into a Bed and Breakfast, sell it, and return back home to the city. That is, until she discovers that she is coming to love this small town and her extended family and newfound friends, and a particularly handsome neighbor, Jesse.
This was such a beautiful and heartwarming, thoroughly enjoyable, sweet contemporary romance. I adored the small town of Maple Bay and the endearing people that inhabited it. I enjoyed Hazel’s growing relationship with her newfound sister, Frankie; how at first Hazel didn’t know how to feel towards Frankie since Frankie was the one who grew up with and knew their mother. I liked that they eventually grew to develop a true sisterly relationship. The scenery was gorgeous throughout with the beautiful countryside. I loved the carriage house with its spectacular view of the lake. I enjoyed all the kids in the story. There were lots of horses, too. And the romance between Hazel and Jesse was so sweet. An absolutely lovely story that has me looking forward to more stories in Maple Bay. -
I really enjoyed reading this small town romance. :)
Already looking forward to book 2. -
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Brittney Joy presents a refreshing and intriguing story that draws one right into the heart of small town life.
Read full review in the
2021 May issue of InD'tale Magazine. -
I fell in love with this book from the first page, when I discovered that so much of it reminded me of my own life. Running from killer roosters, being divorced, having a daughter named Grace, every one of those are me. My dad was a "horse whisperer" who specialized in working with those who everyone else had given up on. We loved rodeos and spent most of our holidays at them, including the 4th of July. I wore nothing but cowboy boots for years and you couldn't pry me off a horse. This book was like going back in time for me, and I can't wait for more stories about Maple Bay!
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This book is amazing. It will make you laugh, cry, and really think about life and how important it is to all of us. This is a beautiful story, with fabulous character development, and one of the best books I have read in 2022.
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Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here:
https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67 -
I love small town reads and this one is just wonderful. Maple bay seems Like a fantastic place to visit, where friends are family and everyone helps everyone out. Hazel needs to start over along with her daughter and this seems to be the place to do that especially after being left an inheritance from a mother she never knew with a sister she never knew!! It’s a wonderful read told with twists and turns and a few surprises and a sexy cowboy!!
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This is a new to me author. I must say that this book completely enchanted me. The plot flowed beautifully and was so well written that it could have played out like a Hallmark Movie. I so look forward to the second book in Maple Bay.
Hazel and her daughter come to Maple Bay for the day. She received a letter that her biological mother passed away and she was to attend the reading of the will. Hazel was floored as the woman who gave her up for adoption, who didn't want to have anything to do with her, left her something. Needless to say, Hazel was stunned when she found out that Rose (the biological mother) split her property in half. Leaving 10 acres, house, stable and riding rings to her half-sister, Frankie. The other 10 acres contain a carriage house that needs a little TLC but could be a beautiful B & B worth half a million dollars. The will has a stipulation, Hazel must stay there until the end of summer to order to inherit it completely. Hazel refuses and goes to get in her car. Frankie, rushes to tell Hazel that if she doesn't stay, both properties would be sold and the money will go to charity. Frankie, along with her husband Garrett and three sons would be homeless.
Hazel relents and stay with her daughter. She meets her neighbor, handsome horse-whisperer, Jesse. These two have some hurdles to go over as they navigate their growing feels for each other. Hazel though can't stand the thought of her daughter going back to the city at the end of summer. Living 4 hours away from her daughter is not an option. Hazel is growing to love Jesse the man, her new family and the people of Maple Bay. Can these two find a way to be together?
This is a sweet, clean romance that anyone can read. I adored it as the format is my favorite dual POV. Getting to see both Hazel's and Jesse's thoughts really helped me to connect and better understand them in a way that the author intended. Again, I look forward to the second book in this series and hopefully more! -
Loved it and I’m not a romance fan! Nicely done with well done characters thanks for a lovely read
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Oh! Starting Over in Maple Bay is a rollercoaster of emotions. Heartbreak; loss; change; and losing love but finding new love. I actually really enjoyed this story even though the characters are about 10 years older than me.
Hazel is a newly single mom since divorcing from her husband. Grace is her cute 10 year old daughter. I felt that this story had a lot of characters but it wasn't hard to keep track of everyone. Right in the beginning of the story Hazel gets a letter from a lawyer because her birth mother recently passed away and left her some property. Upon visiting Maple Bay; Hazel meets Jesse and Frankie and the rest of the crew. I loved the characters of this story and the small town feel of everything. I was really glad that Frankie and Jesse's families took Hazel and Grace in and made them feel right at home from the beginning.
The carriage house sounded great and an awesome new opportunity for Hazel and Grace. Plus you find out that Frankie is Hazel's stepsister that she didn't know about. Grace had wonderful adventures in this story as well and I loved the addition of Frankie's boys making her feel right at home.
Jesse was an awesome guy who was also dealing with loss himself. Eventually you find out what loss he is suffering from and then interesting things come to light that connect these two families together. He was a great help to Hazel and instantly took to Grace. This story definitely shows that your life can change instantly and drastically but that you can also find love again. The ending of this story was prefect in my opinion and I am excited to see what happens in the next book! -
Hazel receives a letter telling her that her birth mother has passed away and that she needs to travel to Maple Bay to discuss her inheritance. Having never known her birth mother, she was ready to get it over with. Her hesitations were elevated when she arrives, gets chased by an evil rooster, and learns she has a sister she never knew about. However, getting her inheritance isn't so easy when she discovers a clause that requires her to stay for the summer.
She has to decide if she can handle the summer while dealing with an ex husband, her protectiveness of her daughter, and her heart as she meets a handsome cowboy.
Starting Over in Maple Bay is one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I read A LOT of books. Brittney Joy does an amazing job getting you interested, hopeful, and helps you imagine every little detail of the story. It was so wonderfully written that I went to sleep after reading it each night and dreamed I was there with the characters, just like a movie playing out in my head.
I love how Brittney Joy showed chapters from different peoples perspectives as it really gives you better ideas of each characters story as well as what is on their mind. I fell in love with everyone in it and can't wait to read the next in the series.
I highly reccomend reading Starting Over in Maple Bay, especially if you are into books from authors such as Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, or even if you are into hallmark type stories. This lovely book has a little bit of everything and is one I plan to read many times. -
I really enjoyed reading this book, from start to finish. I think a lot of romance authors rely too much on the steamy parts of their books when they're writing, and fail to create a fully believable world for their characters to live and play in. Brittney Joy does not fall into this category. She did a great job writing a story that relies on character development to succeed, instead of placing all the work on excessive sex scenes.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is that the author took the time to flesh the children of both Hazel and Jesse out, giving them distinct personalities and ideas. I find that often times when a writer includes children in a story they're there as a sort of prop, but I never really fully connect to the children or the relationship between the characters. The children in this story are charming and were a joy to read about.
Additionally, the author did a really good job of discussing the mother of the two sisters without making her an outright saint. Hazel doesn't outright resent the woman who birthed her, but she also didn't know how to connect with the woman that everyone told her she was. She was the right amount of stunned and standoffish in the face of the life that Rose built with the child she kept, and I found it very realistic to question her identity and where she could possibly belong in the life of a woman who never truly sought her out.
My only issue with the book is that it could use another pass by a proofreader for grammatical errors, but overall it was a very lovely read. -
Beyond Cliches
The elements of this book—cowboy romance, single dad, divorced mom, inherited house, long-lost family, beautiful country setting, cute kids—are nearly cliched in contemporary romance. So I was utterly delighted to see this author's handling of them. It in no way comes off as cliched or trope heavy. The characters we first meet are instantly likable, and we can understand the emotions displayed and the decisions that must be made. The kids are an absolute delight, not perfect but also sweet in that way that well-raised children tend to be. The author had me from the beginning scene with the heroine and the defense rooster, Mother Clucker. Even though this book grapples with some pretty heavy themes at times, like long-lost family, the echoing effects of divorce, and other family drama, the author was still able to inject enough humor along the way to make this not only a sweet romance but a sweet story. It is certainly heartwarming and delivers the feels. Ms. Joy is a new author to me, but this will certainly not be the last book I read by her.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog:
https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com -
Charming!
A charming sweet romance! This story has it all - new beginnings, small town charm, family values, horses, and a swoon worthy cowboy. Can’t wait to read the next in this series. -
I absolutely loved this book. I haven’t read a horse involved romance that I loved this much in a very long time. I tested up twice and that doesn’t happen terribly often when I read. It was such a quick, interesting, & easy read, I almost couldn’t put it down. The characters are so lovable, the transitions between characters was smooth & I didn’t get lost once. They were complex, caring, & relatable. I loved the letters left behind by Rose & the details and history of the carriage house. I’ve spent a lot of time over the summer months 3 hours north of Minneapolis and the visual of the setting is spot on, though there is an adorable lack of mosquitos.... especially next to the lake. I also really enjoyed seeing the town of Bemidji in, I have a cousin whose family owns a cabin there and it was really fun to relate to the book on a personal level.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review -
From the very first page I was hooked, you feel so much for not only Hazel but also Frankie as both have a lot to deal with in regards to Rose their mother who raised one daughter but not the other. You go through a lot of highs and lows in this book as you get to know all the characters including Rose and seeing how the deal with the situation not only of the inheritance but also relationships whether family or attraction. This has the perfect mix of a bit of romance, family, taking control of your life, laughs, tears and that love comes in many different forms. I can not wait for the next book in the series!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. -
Starting Over in Maple Bay ~Maple Bay bk 1 by Brittney Joy.
New author, new series and I truly am glad that I found Brittney.
I found Starting Over in Maple Bay extremely to be, unique and wonderfulness. I will be rereading this over and over again. I love small-town romances, and Starting Over in Maple Bay is a charming one… You can’t ask for much more in a series a well-written story with a very good storyline the story flows across the pages. Starting Over in Maple Bay kept me entertained and engaged from beginning to end, I truly felt I was there too and have now found another great author to follow.
Thank you, Brittney, for this awesome book, and thank you, Christina Butrum, for the recommendation.
Looking forward to book two in August:) -
I really loved this book.
Hazel receives a letter letting her know her birth mother has passed away. She needs to be in Maple Bay for the reading of the will.
Hazel finds out she has a sister. Can she stay in Maple Bay for the summer? Maple Bay is very different from her city life.
A romance with horses, caring characters and a carriage house I fell in love with. I loved the letters that were found left behind by Rose.
I have spent time in Minneapolis, Bemidji and yearly visits to Winona to be with family. The descriptions made it easy for me to picture being back in those places.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. -
I've found a new favorite small town
I love the characters Brittney Joy developed for Maple Bay. When Hazel and her daughter Grace visit the small rural town, they find family they didn't know they had. They are readily welcomed as friends and family. Hazel and her former husband shared custody of their daughter, who needed to return to school in the city 4 hours away where her father lives. Things get complicated when Hazel finds herself very attracted to the handsome and wonderful Jesse. -
Maple Bay is a place I'd rather be!
Swoon! This story had me ALL IN from the first page. From the welcoming family to Jesse's outstretched arms, this story enveloped me with a mix of emotions from beginning to end! -
Loved the plot and the characters. It was all realistic. The kids, especially, were well written.
The setting was described enough to get a feel for the place, without bogging down the storytelling.
The attraction was instant, but the romance slow building. -
So sweet
Such a nice sweet romance. Just what I need on a rainy day. I can’t wait for the next book. -
A delightful adopted divorced woman with a daughter...right there it sounds like an alliteration that has promise, right? You won't be disappointed because you're not being deceived!
When Hazel learns that her birth mother has died, she and 10 year old daughter Grace make the four hour drive to Maple Bay, prepared to return home that same day. Imagine her shock at finding out not only has her birth mother (that Hazel never met) left her property in her will, but she also has a half sister! Oh the terms of the will are a little restrictive, but Hazel decides to take a chance and agree to terms. Hello Maple Bay through Labor Day!
What a fun story from the odd terms of the will and the unknown blood relative to the lovely horse ranch and town filled with family and friendly people who open their arms to Hazel and Grace. From shock to happy acceptance with someone very special as a wonderful bonus, Hazel and Grace begin the happiest times of their lives. Sure there are difficulties (mostly in the form of an ex-husband) and challenges, but the rewards are great.
I was impressed with the acceptance of the newcomers by the other characters in the book. Everything was handled in such a positive way even when things didn't go smoothly. The characters seemed genuine, the friendships sincere, and family acceptance was outstanding. The plot had surprises along the way and kept the reader engaged...in fact it was hard to put the book down during reading! I loved the story and would recommend it to anyone who likes family values, friendship, and sweet love. Terrific from start to finish! -
"A refreshing and intriguing story that draws one right into the heart of small town life...this is truly a beautiful story worth picking up." - IND'TALE MAGAZINE
"One of the best books I have read in a long time, and I read A LOT of books....I highly recommend, especially if you are into books from authors such as Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, or even if you are into hallmark type stories. This lovely book has a little bit of everything and is one I plan to read many times."
- ONCE UPON A LIBRARY BLOG
"Swoon! This story had me ALL IN from the first page. From the welcoming family to Jesse's outstretched arms, this story enveloped me with a mix of emotions from beginning to end!"
- CHRISTINA BUTRUM, AUTHOR OF THE DIXON RANCH SERIES
This is the first book in my sweet, small town series... Welcome to Maple Bay, a small town with heaps of heart—where family dinner is a must, and someone will always leave the light on for you.
I truly hope you enjoy!
XOXO, Brittney
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