Home to Whiskey Creek

Author Brenda Novak continues her "Whiskey Creek" series with "Home to Whiskey Creek", a romantic suspense tale that takes on some very raw, real issues. When Adelaide Davies returns to her hometown to care for her grandmother and help her run her restaurant, she is returning to the place where the dreams of her youth were shattered and the course of her life was changed forever. As a sophomore in high school, just fifteen years old, Addy had been gang-raped by a group of local boys who violated her and left her in an old mine shaft. Out of shame and fear, Addy kept the attack a secret and left Whiskey Creek as soon as she graduated. Now back in town just a couple of days, Addy is kidnapped from her room in the dark of night by a man show more who threatens to harm her grandmother if Addy ever reveals the terrible truth of that night so long ago. To further convince her to stay silent, he beats her and leaves her once again in the cold, dark mine shaft. Out for a late night bike ride, Noah Rackham is startled to hear cries coming from the area of the old mine, the same place his twin brother Cody had died on the night of a wild graduation party so many years ago. When he pulls Addy to safety, she is shocked to see that her rescuer is the brother of the ring leader of the rape gang. Addy refuses to go to the police, refuses medical aide, and has Noah completely puzzled. She seems determined to keep as much space between them as possible, something that usually doesn't happen with a woman whom Noah finds attractive. He can't stop thinking about her, and he continues to check on her even as she resists his attentions. Addy can't get afford to get involved with anyone, especially the brother of one her rapists. She really hopes her grandmother will sell the restaurant and move back with her to Sacramento. However, she'd had a crush on Noah in high school, and he was more attractive now than ever. Noah can't understand why Addy won't let him get close--he senses that she is just as attracted to him as he is to her. Old secrets and new fears are big obstacles to overcome. Being in town and seeing the men who raped her living their everyday lives is an emotional challenge for Addy. If all of the truth is ever revealed, can anyone's life ever be comfortable? Will Noah and Abby be able to work past the pain of the awful night which so greatly affected both of their lives? Brenda Novak touches on some of the uglier aspects of human nature, as well as the guilt and shame that victims often carry. Can any level of punishment truly compensate for the trauma felt by victims of brutality? What does it take to move forward from the hurt and reach out for the love and happiness so well deserved? A very different and well-written romantic suspense story from talented author Brenda Novak.

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This is a wonderful romance that deals with some really tough issues. When she was a sophomore in high school Addy attended a graduation party that ended horrifically for her. Addy left Whiskey Creek after graduation, never intending to come back. But her grandmother needs her help, so here she is, wanting nothing so much as to avoid the boys who raped her. Two days after arriving in town she is kidnapped and dumped into the very mine where the attack occurred. She's rescued by Noah, her high school crush, and brother to one of her attackers. Noah would like to get to know her better, but she wants nothing to do with him.

I really liked Addy. She had the courage to come back to Whiskey Creek to help her grandmother in spite of the show more horrible memories. She admits to herself that she would have loved to have gone to the police at the time, but because she feels responsible for the death of one of the boys she let it go. Being kidnapped and having her life and that of her grandmother threatened just reinforces that decision. She doesn't expect to be rescued by Noah, her high school crush and brother to the dead attacker. The last thing she wants is to get involved with him, but she discovers that her crush is still alive and kicking. She tries very hard to keep him at a distance, but he isn't cooperating. She feels that getting close to him is impossible with her secrets between them. And she can't tell him the truth without destroying his memories of his twin and tearing his family apart. I really wasn't sure how their relationship was going to work out. Addy was so conflicted because she really came to love Noah. She started out not expecting anything from him because of his reputation as a player, that he'd give up on her quickly. His kindness and care for her starts to break down her barriers, but she still can't tell him the truth. She feels she has to deny the love she feels for him in order to protect him and others. When the truth finally comes out I loved the courage she showed in facing everyone with what really happened.

Noah is a man with a reputation as a womanizer. He certainly has enjoyed the ladies, but lately he's started to feel like there should be more to his life. Seeing some of his friends find love and settle down makes him wonder if there could be someone out there for him. When he rescues Addy he discovers that there is something about her that really draws him. He has vague memories of her from high school, and he would really like to get to know her better. He is surprised when she doesn't want anything to do with him and wonders if he unknowingly hurt her all those years ago. He isn't going to give up on her though, and keeps trying. I really did like his perseverance. He's never been able to commit to anyone before and he finally realizes that it was because he'd never found someone who reached his heart. I also liked the way that he listened to his feeling that there was more going on with her abduction than she was admitting to anyone and was determined to protect her. When the truth came out he was stunned by what he learned and had to decide just who he was going to believe.

There was also a continuation of the story involving Noah's best friend Baxter. This too was dealt with in a very realistic manner. This is something that has been building for awhile and when it all came to a head both of them were left reeling. I really liked the way that Noah stood up for his friend. I look forward to seeing more of Baxter in the future.

I have to say that once again Police Chief Stacy has really pissed me off. His narrow focus on one person as a suspect in Addy's kidnapping was so wrong, especially with Addy's insistence that he had the wrong man. His actions later in the book are even worse. I really hope that one of these days soon he gets what is coming to him. I loved the way it was Dylan Amos, one of the people the chief hates the most, who finds a crucial piece of evidence. show less

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

“Home to Whiskey Creek” is the fourth book in a series where its protagonists have all been high school friends. I haven’t read the previous books, but each one is independent, so it wasn't a problem.

The story begins with Noah Rackham finding a woman trapped at the old Whiskey Creek mine. It’s a desperate situation, not only because it’s getting dark and he is all alone and with no way of calling for help, but also because it was on that same mine that Noah’s twin brother Cody died in an accident fifteen years ago, on graduation night.

The woman inside the mine is Adelaide Davies, back in town to help her grandmother, and she didn't end up in the mine by show more her own will. Addy was kidnapped and thrown into the mine with the warning that if she talks about graduation night, she and her grandmother will be killed.

Graduation night was the night that changed everything. Addy, two years younger than Noah and Cody, was invited to the party that Cody organized at the mine and, disobeying her grandmother, she went hoping that Noah, for whom she had a major crush, would be there. But Noah wasn't at the party and Addy ended up being the victim of a gang rape by Cody and four of his friends, which was why she left town right after her own graduation and has only returned now, fifteen years after.

Addy told no one at the time, and she has no intention of telling anyone now, but obviously at least one of the four men that raped her doesn’t intend to take any risks. After all, fifteen years later, they all have a life, some even a family, and a social status to protect. And there is also the fact that there’s not a statute of limitations for group rapes, so they still risk going to jail.

After rescuing Addy from the mine, Noah is determined to find the identity of the person responsible and to protect her. Addy tries to get Noah to back away, but he doesn't give up and she finds herself discovering that the feelings she had for him as a teenager don’t even compare to the attraction she feels for him now… But Addy carries another secret, one that will never allow her to have a future with Noah…

I really liked this story, with both protagonists being traumatized people that find in each other the support they need to deal and overcome those traumas. I also liked to know some of the protagonists of previous books and, although I won’t be reading them, I’ll read the following for sure!

I already took a peek at who the protagonists are for the next books and I was saddened to see that Baxter (Noah’s best friend) still hasn’t had the right to his own story. I really, really hope that the author writes it, because he also deserves to find his happiness.

I have the next book on my kindle already and, seeing as it takes place during Christmas, I’ll be reading it very soon. show less

Home To Whiskey Creek
Brenda Novak
★☆★☆★

Let me start of by saying WOW! I have no words to explain how emotionally charged this book is.

I dont want to include spoilers and im trying very hard not to.

We have Addy who has come home after 15yrs and she is stuck in a mine. Noah (the gorgeous pro biker) had heard her and came to her rescue!

Addy is very standoffish towards him and we dont found out till a little bit later that his twin brother was involved with a few other guys in a crime against Addy.

Then in this novel we have baxter who if you have read the previous books you know hes struggling with the secret that he is gay and in love with his BFF. We get a little into that here.

I felt so much throughout this book. At times it show more pissed me off that Noah didnt catch on sooner but eh the suspense had built.

The only con I see on this novel and it isnt even a big one os that everything unfolded at the very end and it felt like it was all just wrapped up so quickly.
But I dont mind because as far as im concerned It was an excellent solid romance novel with a bit of mystery to it! Brenda Novak def. tackled some tough topics in this novel, and I like that she was bold enough to do it, not many people tackle these kind of issues.

Oh my I def. recommend this novel. Like I said its emotionally charged and deals with some pretty tough topics show less

Home to Whiskey Creek deals with some big time heavy issues. There’s rape—gang rape, actually—homosexuality, and severe homophobia. There’s a lot of fear—fear of violence and intimidation, fear of sexual assault, fear of being rejected by friends and family and losing the respect of the town you grew up in. It should have been an emotional read.

But it wasn’t.

I had a really hard time feeling a connection to any of the characters this time—even the ones from the earlier four books (there was a prequel novella) when they showed up. Everything in this book somehow felt very removed from the reader. As for Noah and Addy, they talked about how they felt and they thought about it a lot, but none of it really rang true. I didn’t show more feel their chemistry, and I didn’t buy in to their emotions. The ending had everything wrapped up so nice and neatly that it was barely even believable. Baxter’s side story was just painful, and not in that pain-is-good-because-it-helps-a-character-to-grow kind of way. (And despite what Bax’s other friends apparently believe, Noah was way out of line with what he does “for” Bax later on in the book.)

But I digress.

I’ve enjoyed Novak’s writing in the past, and especially liked the book that came before this one, When Summer Comes. Hopefully, this one was just an aberration.

In a nutshell: should have been an emotionally driven story, but it missed the mark. I remain optimistic that this was just a fluke and that the next book in the series will be more in line with the previous. C-

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

I'm really enjoying this series and I really liked this one. The relationship did happen in a very short time but I overlooked that. There was a lot of interesting stuff going on here and the hero was a really nice guy. I particularly liked how he stuck by the heroine even though he hadn't known her long. There was a line about how to find a wife.

You have to fall in love with someone and prove you won't ever stop loving them.

I always enjoy seeing that play out in a romance novel.

I've only got one more book to read in this series until I have to wait for the next one to be written :-(

Brenda Novak has been on my list of authors to read for quite a while, and I appreciated the opportunity to review one of her books so I could get an idea of her writing style and her approach to romance. Whiskey Creek is the fourth book in this series and although it can stand alone, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had started at the beginning so I could have connected with other characters mentioned in the story who have probably been featured in previous books.

Whiskey Creek centers on the love story of Adelaide (Addy) Davies and Noah Rackham. I would categorize this book as a contemporary romance with some mystery and a tiny bit of suspense as the full story about Adelaide’s brutal experience fifteen years ago is show more revealed and well as the repercussions that will follow if the truth comes out.

Novak delves into some sensitive, stirring issues that may be controversial or uncomfortable for some readers. She explores the multitude of emotions Addie experiences after her attack and the lingering effects it still has on her life, especially when she returns to Whiskey Creek to care for her ailing grandmother. Since Whiskey Creek is such a small town, she cannot help but run into the boys who hurt her long ago, and her reactions to seeing them again show her strength and courage that, at times, was surprising and admirable. Throughout the book, I couldn’t help but wonder how I would react in her situation.

I like that Novak also takes the time to explore the mindset of the boys who were involved in the event and their reflections on their behavior now that they are grown men with their own families. Getting the men’s perspectives brings up whether one evil act should define you for the rest of your life? Do they deserve redemption?

The first scene has a great hook that grabbed my attention and immediately pulled me into the story when Noah finds Addie who has been beaten and is trapped into an old, abandoned mine. Addy is surprised and worried when she discovers Noah is the twin brother of Cody, one of the boys who participated in her cruel assault. Noah becomes suspicious of Addy’s fabricated story about her abduction when she refuses to go to the hospital and talk to the police, but now that she and her grandmother’s lives have been threatened, Addy is determined to keep her past hidden, even though she may never find a sense of peace and resolution.

Although Addy has been attracted to Noah since high school, she does her best to avoid him when he tries to get to know her. Even though she used to dream about having a relationship with Noah, she knows that being with him will only make the situation worse. Getting attached to him will make it more difficult for her to keep quiet yet exposing this nightmare will devastate him and his family. Addy also has another secret that no one knows about and she can’t bear to think of the pain she will cause Noah if he learns the truth.

As Noah gets to know and care about Addy, he begins his own search to find out what she’s hiding from him. While he pursues a relationship with Addy, he must also deal with his best friend, Baxter’s, secret and its potential to end a long, close friendship. At first I didn’t see the relevance of this story thread but now I think it foreshadows his decisions when his family and some of the citizens in Whiskey Creek impugn Addy’s reputation. However, I still think the story could be just as strong without including this complication.

For me, Addy and Noah’s romance budding romance was lukewarm. They are really strangers to each other and both have issues with intimacy and commitment. This may be a big factor in why I just didn’t feel they had a strong chemistry. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked Noah; he’s a playboy and sees Addy as a challenge when she doesn’t fall at his fit as other women do. I also couldn’t believe the depth of Addy’s feelings for Noah over the years. Yes, it’s clear she has always had a crush on him, but in reality Noah barely remembers her. I found it hard to believe that he has always been the love of her life.

Novak includes the ongoing story threads of other characters who have been or probably will be featured in the series, but as someone who hasn’t read the other books, I was overwhelmed by trying to remember the characters and their connections to one another. Eventually, I just glossed over these sections and kept my focus on Noah and Addy.

The plot is somewhat predictable although Novak does throw in some red herrings to keep you guessing about the identity of the man threatening Addy. What really made this story worthwhile is the rich character development and Addy and Noah’s growth as they face unresolved issues that have kept them from moving forward.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review show less