Ryan's Return [Kindle Edition]

Barbara Freethy (Author)

Book Description

From # 1 NYT Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes an emotional and romantic contemporary novel about love, family and a little bit of magic. Customers who like books by Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts, and Robyn Carr might enjoy this story.

Famous photojournalist Ryan Hunter has come back to a family torn apart by mistrust and resentment -- to the father who disowned him, to the brother who betrayed him, to the little boy who shares his features. Ryan, the charismatic "bad boy" son, has returned -- stirring up past conflicts like a whirlwind...and throwing Kara Delaney's fragile, passionate heart into turmoil.

Kara has struggled back from a disastrous marriage to build a new life for herself and her little girl -- a peaceful existence now jeopardized by vicious, small town politics, by her daughter's fanciful ghost stories...and by Ryan's return. Now nature's impending fury threatens to expose long-buried secrets. And Kara must join with the enigmatic, misunderstood Ryan -- to discover the truth that will save their families.... and to explore a dangerous, irresistible love as mighty and enduring as the onrushing river.

Reviews...

"Barbara Freethy delivers strong and compelling prose ..." Publishers Weekly

"Ryan's Return is a beautiful and touching tale of redemption and second chances for people who believe in neither." Affaire de Coeur Magazine

"A powerful story of families shattered years ago, and brought together by love, RYAN'S RETURN is a compelling read no one should miss." GEnie Romance and Women's Fiction Exchange."

"A superlative novel that proves everyone can indeed go home again." Debbie Macomber

"Rising contemporary star Barbara Freethy hammers home deep and complex emotions in RYAN'S RETURN, a wonderful and powerful book." Romantic Times Magazine

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hoping to draw tourists to Serenity Springs' Centennial Celebration and boost the town's economy, chamber of commerce president Kara Delaney invites a famous former resident, photo-journalist Ryan Hunter, to be the guest of honor. But Ryan was something of a black sheep, and Kara's grand plan sours when Ryan's father threatens to boycott the festivities and torrential rains pelt the town. As Kara's Aunt Josephine says: "When the river rises, the secrets of years past are washed ashore and brought to life." The town's secrets are the fiber that holds this tale together: What happened to Ryan's mother when she deserted her two young sons? Is Ryan the real father of his brother's child? Whose ghost is trying to communicate with Kara's 11-year-old daughter? Freethy (Daniel's Gift) delivers strong, compelling narrative but her characters are more suited to soaps.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Since turning her attention to fiction writing in 1988, Barbara Freethy has sold fifteen novels. For a former public relations professional and freelance business writer, fifteen novels is a dream come true.

Barbara most enjoys writing books about love and family with a little bit of magic. Her first novel for Avon Books, Daniel's Gift, a poignant tale about a little boy and his estranged parents, won the RITA award and has been optioned for a television movie. Barbara is currently working on her seventh novel for Avon.

Barbara resides in Northern California with her husband and two children.

Product Details

• File Size: 555 KB
• Print Length: 388 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0380785315
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Barbara Freethy (March 30, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004NNVEHI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,703 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 148 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I wonderful touching story. April 1, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Ryan's Return is a wonderful book, a hard one to put down. Barbara Freethy tells a story of a family torn apart by scandals and secrets that can only be reunited with love. There is the story of Ryan, the town's "bad boy" and his attraction with Kara, a good girl. A secondary love story is included, with Andrew, Ryan's brother. This novel tells a story of a father who can never stop loving his younger son. Brothers once close, now seperated by misunderstanding. Its a tale of forgiveness, forgiving once parents, children, and girlfriends for the sins in their pasts. Its a tale of rising river, the fathers loves of that rushing water and Ryan's fear of the same river that makes his father and brother complete. Ms. Freethy employs the use of comic relief in this heavely emotional story. One example is the fist fight Andrew and Ryan get into that lands them in jail. Read it and I garantee that you won't be able to put it down.

45 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific book April 25, 2010

By Shelly

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This has to be one of the best books I've ever read.I love the characters and the plot.Heartwarming story with a little humor here and there.If you like soaps like As the world turns you'll love this book because family matter's are the center of the story.A great contemporary romance.Read it now!!!

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable September 22, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book was fast to read. I didn't want to put it down. I was afraid that it would be much like the other "bad boy returns" books but it was not. There was a lot going on to make this very enjoyable.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! May 31, 2011

By Book lover

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Ryan's Return" is a contemporary romance book with some elements of suspense.

Kara, the president of the chamber of commerce of a small town, has decided to pepper up the imminent festivities of their small community by inviting a prominent ex-resident of the town. Her boy friend Andrew Hunter wasn't informed about her action and in any case, he would have discouraged her to invite his brother Ryan to the small town, since latter left after fighting with their father and hasn't since returned. Ryan, meanwhile a well-known photo journalist, decides to return to Serenity Springs in order to find out what happened with his mother. However, besides unraveling more family secrets than he expected to, he discovers true love and forgiveness involving many people and in many shapes and colors.

An interesting plot, with a lot of suspense and romance, which offers more than one love story, always featuring different kinds of love and couples. Sentiments like forgiveness and understanding play also an interesting role.

Ryan and Kara were very likable main characters. The supportive characters were also very well elaborated. However, Kara was my absolute favorite. I liked the way she tried to cope with her insecurities.

Although I'm not a fan of "spiritual literature", I was surprised to find out that this element didn't finally bother me too much. It was well dosed and nicely enough incorporated into the story line.

A very recommendable book!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Just couldn't get into the story... August 9, 2011

By Betsy

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just could not get into the story. It was so predictable and cheesy at times. I love a good romance story but this was so far out of reality with brothers and their relationships with women. I love other Barbara Freethy books but just not a fan of this one. Hate that I spent 2.99 on it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible August 5, 2012

By Angela@Florida

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sorry, but this book was very stupid! The characters went back and forth with their feelings and were so wishy washy. They have feelings for one another in one chapter and in the next they are packing their bags to leave. Predictable plot and cheesy dialog. I read it to the end because I wanted to confirm who the ghost was, but sorry now that I wasted my time. Pass on this one.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Hoakie January 6, 2012

By Christina R.

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Or trite. Either word would work for this book. I found most of the characters to be undeveloped. The author has them doing things which are totally out of character without adequately showing why. And the plot line was predictable and trite. Add to that a ghost who appears only to a little girl and I found myself rolling my eyes throughout most of this book. The redeeming feature of this book is that it was free for Kindle.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars ZZZZZZZZZ. Boring. Annoying characters January 23, 2012

By CeeCee

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am so surprised how many good reviews this book received. The protagonist was whiny, boring, selfish and not to mention a horrible mother. This story went on and and on repeating the same thing every other page. Kara Delaney came across as a selfish spoiled brat. I found myself rolling my eyes so much when I read her parts.She goes back and forth with the two brothers not being able to make up her mind and she has the nerve to complain when one of them has feelings for another woman! She could never keep track of her daughter and never gave her any credit, always shutting her down. Poor girl. I don't know how many times I felt like reaching into the book and smacking the crap outta Kara. This was no great love story either. It was as if it was forced almost. I cannot believe I actually sat and read it, even though it took me 2 weeks!!! I usually enjoy this author but this definetely is her WORST book ever. It was horribly written. Do people really talk like this?? But what do you expect from a free download. I wouldn't recommend it, even for free.