The Road to Rose Bend

By: Naima Simone

Narrated by: Mari

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

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. 

Rose Bend

Book 1: The Road to Rose Bend

©2021 Naima Simone (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Second chance in a small town

The Road To Rose Bend by Naima Simone
Narrated by Mari

Its the road to a happy ever after after you’ve woven through the angst and some characters that you’d give a side eye to.

It proved to be quite the journey. The main characters Cole and Sydney are flawed and redeemable. Both searching, and wading their way through the life they’d been dealt. Finding each other and needing each other but of course they have boulders to climb over and marshes to wade through.

I loved the descriptive way Naima Simone wrote. It was so easy to visualize the town of Rose Bend and its inhabitants.
The landscape and shops on the main street, the small town attitudes but mostly I loved the diversity. Naima brought sensitivity and a realness to the story which is so important.

The narration by Mari was very enjoyable and at a good pace. It didn’t feel rushed at all. And the bonus story at the end was the icing on the cake. All round a job well done.

Rose Bend is Alright 😁

I enjoyed the story. I am grateful for the Cherry and Madox's story cause I wanted to know about them from the first night of the bike rally.
I can't believe her parents, they came off as very ungrateful. She was true to herself and made hard, unpopular decisions. It reminds me of the importance of listening and respecting my own instincts. Everyone in the world can have something to say but at the end of the day, one has to live with that decision. The only thing that didn't quite mesh is when he would say "baby girl". He was Latin and he was strong in his culture so it seems his endearment would follow his culture.
I appreciate a couple who adopts diverse children as well as birth kids and give them all love an support.
The story was really good as well as the narration.

The Road to Pure Enjoyment.

I don't do spoilers and hate folks that do! Let's just say I loved this story and the time I waited for its release was so well worth it. This is my first Naima Simone novel and I want more, will have more. Mari was fantastic!!