Dancing with Fireflies

Written by Denise Hunter

Narrated by Kathryn Lynhurst

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



Growing up in the Midwestern river town of Chapel Springs, Indiana, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. 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 nonexistent, Daniel fit right in with the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always thought of 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." Returning home may prove more difficult—and more wonderful—than she ever imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781494546755

Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is the internationally published, bestselling author of more than forty books, three of which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Carol Award, the Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking chai lattes, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana, where she and her husband raised three boys and are now enjoying an empty nest and four beautiful grandchildren. Follow Denise at DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: @AuthorDeniseHunter; X: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: @deniseahunter.

Reviews for Dancing with Fireflies

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

Denise Hunter's Dancing with Fireflies is a lovely novel of healing, friendship and unexpected love. Jade McKinley left the small town of Chapel Springs to begin a new life in Chicago. When she returns a year later, she finds herself depending on close family friend Daniel Dawson as she tries to get her life back on track.

Jade and Daniel have been friends for years but while Jade's feelings for him have always been friendship, Daniel's feelings for her have much deeper. Daniel watched as Jade fell in love with another man and he was there for her when she lost the love of her life in a tragic accident. Jade never recovered from the heartbreak of that loss and she has no intention of ever experiencing a pain like that again. When circumstances force Jade to seriously plan for her future, she seeks Daniels assistance in finding employment and a place to live and their friendship deepens. A surprising suggestion from Jade takes their relationship in a new direction, but will Jade's fears stand in the way of their future?

Jade is close to her family but she has valid reasons for keeping her secrets from them. She is independent and determined to make it on her own, but she does not let her need to succeed on her own keep her from accepting help when it is offered to her.

Daniel is such a wonderful, caring man. He loves being the mayor of Chapel Springs but his parents' expectations for his political future weigh heavily on him. Daniel never hesitates to give Jade whatever she asks, and while it is great that his support for her is unconditional, it is a little heartbreaking watching him get hurt in the process.

Jade and Daniel's shared history provides a wonderful backdrop for their evolving relationship. Their friendship is easygoing and uncomplicated despite Jade's current predicament and Daniel's longstanding love for her. Jade slowly begins to view Daniel as a man (versus a male friend), but she does not examine her changing feelings for him too closely. Daniel's feelings for Jade continue to deepen, but fearing she would reject him if he confessed his love for her, their relationship remains platonic. After Jade's unexpected proposition, they become even closer, but will their friendship give way to romance?

The circumstances surrounding Jade's pregnancy are unexpected but Ms. Hunter adroitly handles a difficult subject with a great deal of sensitivity. This part of the plot is never downplayed, but it never overshadows the overall storyline either. Jade's reactions are realistic and it is easy to understand the reasons for the decisions she made for her future.

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter is an engaging and heartwarming novel. The characters are well-developed and appealing. The storyline has plenty depth and the relationship between Jade and Daniel is believable. A lovely faith-based romance that I highly recommend.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jade left home hoping to find herself but instead became the victim of date rape and came home pregnant. Because of her mother's health, Jade keeps the circumstances of her pregnancy a secret. Fortunately there is an old friend from her past who has loved her all this time and is willing to overcome her fears to love her.

[judyg54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From the cover to the very last page of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational romance story in the 'Chapel Springs' series. This is book two, and although I really enjoyed book one (Barefoot Summer), I enjoyed this story even more! It would be a great stand alone story, but I highly recommend you read this whole series in the order written.

Jade McKinley finds herself returning the river town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. She is keeping a precious secret from her family; the fact that she is pregnant. Daniel Dawson, the mayor of Chapel Springs has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years, and has also loved Jade for years, even though she sees him as a 'big brother'. But feelings can and do change. As the back of the book sums it up well, "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". Returning home may prove more difficult - and more wonderful - than she ever imagined."

I loved the way Daniel wanted to take care of and watch over Jade and the McKinley family is a joy to get to know. There were times I laughed out loud and other times when the sorrow was very real. A story that I found very hard to put down! Was good to see Jade finally be able to dance with the fireflies once again.

[bette_hansen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazing story of a young woman working through the darkness life has thrown her way. Beautifully written with the underlying message that God always has a plan even when we don't understand it. Great book that I recommend everyone read.

[cewtypye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I started a "Goodreads" account so you all can follow my reading adventures if you so choose. This was my first post (ok one of my first posts) Dancing with Fireflies (A Chapel Springs Romance). I have to say I really judged it rather harsh after I read the prolog. I will say right off the bat the prolog is NOT appropriate for children, in my opinion, as it talks about a women being drugged and taken advantage of. NOW, before you say this book is not for me keep in mind this is the only time it is mentioned and it does explain the start of this book. You could read this book and still perfectly understand it if you skip the prolog because I just gave you the spoiler as to what happens. Moving on Jade, the main character, has big dreams of music and playing. She moved away from Chapel Springs only to have a terrible thing send her fleeing back home to her support system of family and friends. She wants to find a guy to settle down with so she enlists a close family friend to help her out. She wants things to go back to the way things were until she finds out she is pregnant. This book have several twists and turns that leave you really wanting to finish this in one sitting. I finished it in a day because I was so hook! I would recommend for an adult audience and someone who enjoys a love story because that is the underlying theme in this book.

My rating: ☆★★★★.

[joyanne-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars for this heartwarming beautiful light romance! Superbly written, certain romantic scenes handled well though this author goes further than most christian writers. Love the ending, these two characters are loveable and the storyline is one of sweet conflict.

[mbarkman_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dancing with Fireflies sets the tone for this novel, as Jade is a "dancing With Fireflies" type of girl. We met her first in Barefoot Summer, the story of her sister Madison. Although this is the second of the Chapel Springs Romance, each of the books are stand alone novels. The reader leans to know Jade more intimately, and my heart constricted as she faced her fears and trials, and expanded as she matured and overcame them. I saw myself in her, the fear of the unknown, and though some of it was beyond my scope of experience, through the book i lived it with her. 
Daniel is the perfect foil for her, embracing all that I would want to see in a young man on the political scene, with enough emotional troubles to make him human, and to give him a goal to reach.
Denise's writings bring the characters and settings to life through her vivid imagery. Concise, but fully developed plot keeps me reading and turning those pages rapidly.
I received this Ebook free from Amy and Chris at Litfuse Publicity Group,  Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dancing with Fireflies is the second book in Denise Hunter’s Chapel Springs Romance series. While it can be read as a standalone novel, characters from book 1, Barefoot Summer make a reprise appearance. It is again a sweet, contemporary romance with an endearing heroine and a very hunky hero. Difficult subjects are handled gently and the sparks fly in the relationship. A good pick for a lazy weekend, especially if you are going to spend it at the lake or beach.

Jade McKinley, the free-spririt of the McKinley clan, has had a difficult year away from home in Chicago. She returns to Chapel Springs wounded and determined not to allow herself to be hurt again. The little girl that twirled among fireflies seems to have disappeared altogether. But Daniel Dawson, mayor and volunteer fireman with big political ambitions, can keep secrets and has always been a friend to Jade. With a baby on the way and Daniel’s matchmaking skills, Jade is intent on finding a safe and reliable husband for her future, definitely NOT love!

I like the characters that Hunter creates. They are a little quirky, a little vulnerable, with a big dose of charm. They wrestle with real-life trauma and decisions. They often, as in the case of Jade, have a lot to figure out about themselves and their relationships with God. And of course the romance is always fun with strong, yet understanding male characters that make the story extra special. And there is more to come in the next installment, The Wishing Season, due out later this year.

If you like contemporary romance, you definitely need to get Dancing with Fireflies.

Recommended.

(Thanks to Thomas Nelson and LitFuse for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)