“The Wildflower Falls” is the 4th book in the Riverbend Romance series by author Denise Hunter. It originally featured the story of the three Robinson siblings. Hunter has neatly tied in this story to them by introducing Charlotte Simpson, a ranch owner in the same place, who has just discovered, after the death of her mother, that they are her biological half-siblings too. She is struggling hard to make the ranch a flourishing business again and has hired Gunner Dawson, a wandering vagabond, as a horse trainer to achieve that. Sparks fly between the two but still they are both reluctant to pursue it due to their previous traumatic life experiences.

Charlotte is also reluctant to tell the truth to the Robinsons without first knowing the lay of the land; and also, she most particularly wants to get to know her biological dad. Does Charlotte get the family she has always dreamed of? Do Gunner and Charlotte overcome their fear of attachment?

Most extended versions of great book series fall flat with the stories they tell or just don’t strike the same cord with the reader as the main books of the series. But I am happy to say “Wildflower Falls” is a rare exception. The main characters don’t feel forced nor do their life circumstances. Their struggles are real and it was gratifying to see how they power through those issues. Author Hunter is a gifted writer who manages to touch the heart and inspire her readers repeatedly and this book is no exception. It was particularly wonderful to visit this beautiful place again.

I had a great reading experience with this book and won’t mind another loosely connected character reappearing in the series.

This book gets 5 out 5 stars.