Riverbend Gap marks the start of a new trilogy from best-selling author Denise Hunter. Based on the first book, the rest of the series should be awesome.

The story starts with a bang and a car dangling precariously over the side of a ravine. It’s not difficult to understand how in that moment, the woman left hanging on for her life finds herself developing a deep connection to her rescuer. Unfortunately for Katelyn, he’s her boyfriend’s brother. Oh brother. Literally.

Despite all her rest efforts, the two keep getting thrown together, and their bond grows.

This is an extremely tricky scenario to write well. No one likes the idea of a cheater also being a hero. Cooper, sheriffs deputy, most definitely is both. Through the novel, Hunter does an impressive job of showing us real conflict as both Cooper and Katelyn battle to squash their feelings.

We know because this is a Denise Hunter book that there’s going to be a happy ending, but wow, there’s a lot of trouble before we get there, and I did have to email the author to make sure Gavin, the unlucky other brother, gets a happy ending at some point. Phew. We are good.

While the topic may not make for comfortable reading al the time, it’s certainly compelling, and a great story. I definitely recommend the book and cannot wait for the other two in the series.