The Road to Rose Bend (Rose Bend Series #1)

by Naima Simone

Overview

If it was only about her, she might never have come back to Rose Bend.

But it’s not only about her anymore.

Sydney Collins left the small Berkshires town of Rose Bend eight years ago, grieving her sister’s death—and heartbroken over her parents’ rejection. But now the rebel is back—newly divorced and pregnant—ready to face her fears and make a home for her child in the caring community she once knew. The last thing she needs is trouble. But trouble just set her body on fire with one hot, hot smile.

Widower and Rose Bend mayor Coltrane Dennison hasn’t smiled in ages. Until a chance run-in with Sydney Collins, who’s all grown-up and making him want what he knows he can’t have. Grief is his only connection to the wife and son he lost, and he won’t give it up. Not for Sydney, not for her child, not for his heart. But when Sydney’s ex threatens to upend everything she’s rebuilt in Rose Bend, Cole and Sydney may find that a little trouble will take them where they never expected to go.

Don’t miss With Love from Rose Bend, Naima Simone's next heartwarming book set in the idyllic small-town of Rose Bend!

A Rose Bend Novel
Book 1: The Road to Rose Bend
Book 2: Christmas in Rose Bend
Book 3: With Love from Rose Bend

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781335502988
Publisher:	Harlequin
Publication date:	04/27/2021
Series:	Rose Bend Series , #1
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	358,728
Product dimensions:	4.70(w) x 7.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone writes romance with heart, humor and heat. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.” She is wife to Superman, and mom to the most awesome kids ever. They live in perfect, domestically challenged bliss in the southern US.

Editorial Reviews

03/29/2021

Simone (the WAGS series) delivers a grounded yet emotionally charged small-town romance in which a pregnant divorcée finds love with a widowed mayor. Grant writer Sydney Collins returns to her childhood hometown of Rose Bend, Mass., after her divorce, determined to give her unborn child the best possible life. Upon her arrival, Sydney bumps into her childhood best friend’s brother, newly elected mayor Cole Dennison, and attraction immediately sparks between them. But Cole is still reeling from the death of his wife and son two years earlier and is determined to fight his feelings—a task that proves difficult when Sydney rents a home on the Dennison family’s property. Close proximity and shared grief over the death of loved ones—Sydney lost her sister years before—solidifies their friendship. And when black sheep Sydney receives a less-than-warm welcome from the town at large, Cole’s kind nature leads him to step in as her savior. Small-town charm, a colorful cast, and a hero to root for give this romance its legs as it moves toward a hard-earned happily ever after. Cole and Sydney’s slow-burning romance is well worth the wait. Agent: Rachel Brooks, Bookends. (May)

Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR THE ROAD TO ROSE BEND

A Fated Mates Podcast Recommended Pick!

“Small-town charm, a colorful cast, and a hero to root for give this romance its legs as it moves toward a hard-earned happily ever after.” —Publishers Weekly


"The Road to Rose Bend is a beautiful story and a joy to read. I recommend you add this book to the library. You won’t be disappointed. But have your Kleenex close at hand. You might just shed a tear or two." —Romance in Color


PRAISE FOR NAIMA SIMONE

"Passion, heat and deep emotion—Naima Simone is a gem!" —Maisey Yates, New York Times bestselling author

"Simone balances crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters." —Entertainment Weekly

From the Publisher

2021-02-13
A pregnant woman plans to make a new life for herself by returning to her hometown in the Berkshires.

Sydney Collins has a complicated relationship with Rose Bend, Massachusetts. When she was young, her sister died of cancer, and her parents' grief left Sydney feeling like an outcast in her own family. Her innocent teenage rebellions branded her the town troublemaker, and she left home at 18 vowing never to return. Now 26, she’s newly divorced and 18 weeks pregnant. Her ex-husband is the father and is pressing to reconcile, but Sydney knows she could never return to her suffocating marriage. She goes home, instinctively knowing it’s the best place to raise her child and hoping to mend fences with her emotionally distant parents. Cole Dennison has lived in Rose Bend his entire life and is the newly elected mayor. Cole’s younger sister and Sydney are best friends, and he's disturbed by the unexpected and unwelcome attraction he feels for Sydney. Two years earlier, Cole’s wife and son died during childbirth, and he can’t move past his overwhelming grief. His attraction to Sydney fills him with a complicated tangle of emotions: shame and guilt for desiring Sydney coupled with a powerful urge to protect and care for her and the unborn baby. Every time Sydney gets closer to Cole, he pulls away again, unable to let go of the past. The characters are full of angst and longing, but packing this much emotional turmoil and agony into a romance requires a commensurate amount of progress and healing. The ratio feels out of balance here, and although Simone addresses the emotional needs of all her characters, it’s hard to believe years of disappointment and anguish are so easily resolved.

Designed to be melodramatic and full of angst but veers into overwrought.

Kirkus Reviews

Narrator Mari’s soothing, resonant voice takes listeners on an emotional journey through grief, love, and forgiveness. Pregnant and divorced, Sydney has returned to her hometown to start over. Mari’s bold and bright tone mirrors Sydney’s newfound independence as she settles in and forms an unexpected connection with the town’s mayor, Coltrane. Mari’s performance of Coltrane starts off sounding sedate and weighty because he is still dealing with the deaths of his wife and child. Mari thoughtfully portrays Coltrane’s transition from grief-stricken widower to Sydney’s fiercely protective lover. The narration moves at a measured pace, and Mari takes her time to find kind and compassionate voices for Coltrane’s supportive family. This perfectly paced audiobook comes with a lively bonus story. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

MAY 2021 - AudioFile

Narrator Mari’s soothing, resonant voice takes listeners on an emotional journey through grief, love, and forgiveness. Pregnant and divorced, Sydney has returned to her hometown to start over. Mari’s bold and bright tone mirrors Sydney’s newfound independence as she settles in and forms an unexpected connection with the town’s mayor, Coltrane. Mari’s performance of Coltrane starts off sounding sedate and weighty because he is still dealing with the deaths of his wife and child. Mari thoughtfully portrays Coltrane’s transition from grief-stricken widower to Sydney’s fiercely protective lover. The narration moves at a measured pace, and Mari takes her time to find kind and compassionate voices for Coltrane’s supportive family. This perfectly paced audiobook comes with a lively bonus story. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

MAY 2021 - AudioFile