A Review: Dancing with Fireflies (A Chapel Springs Romances) by Denise Hunter

Dancing with Fireflies
by Denise Hunter
Copyright 2014
Thomas Nelson Publishers
ISBN: 9781401687021

The Story:
Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.


My Thoughts:
Denise Hunter's books are some of my go to romances when I need a quick pick me up. Rarely do I keep books in my library so long but most all of Denise's books, including the original Heartsong Presents releases, are STILL sitting on my shelves after almost a decade! Her latest romance set in Chapel Springs is another one of those "keepers."


After having left home to hopefully start over outside of the small town she grew up in, Jade is forced to return, pregnant and alone. Jade is welcome with open arms, none more so than by the mayor Daniel Dawson. Daniel has always been a friend to Jade, even back in high school when she fell in love with someone else.  Now that Jade is back he's determined to help her in any way he can even if it means he can never have her as his.

Per usual, Denise Hunter has penned a passionate (still clean!) romance full of love and forgiveness that hooks the reader right from the first. However, in Dancing With Fireflies there was sort of a disconnect between Jade and the assault that took place which eventually led her to return to her hometown. It was such a traumatic experience, I felt that it being sort of brushed aside took away from my ability to see Jade as an authentic character.

That being said, as much emphasis as I place on the characters I'm reading that eventually determines how I feel about a story, I still really enjoyed this book -- because of Daniel. Daniel had that sweet, down home, charm and a loyalty to Jade that completely captured me. He's officially been added to the Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Boyfriends list!

When all is said and done, Dancing with Fireflies is a worthwhile read. With a little more emotion and feeling (maybe some anger, frustration, sadness...) this would have been darn near perfect. I'm really hoping that Denise knocks it out of the park once again with PJ's story, The Wishing Season! As talented a writer as she is, I'm sure it's going to happen!

~ My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ~

To learn more about Denise  and her books, visit her website: http://www.denisehunterbooks.com

*This book was traded for or purchased by me for my own collection. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I express are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

 Happy Reading!