Title: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher
Legacy of Faith Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
He lost his brother. She lost her dream. Together, they might find what they’re really looking for.
Holly Stanford is doing the best she can with the restaurant she inherited from her late uncle. But after her fiancé abandons her and the business, Holly regrets having given up her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now a few bad financial decisions might cost her everything, including her hope for the future.
Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father, the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.
Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith.
Review:
How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher is a heartwarming novel of love, healing and faith. Although this latest release is the third novel in the Legacy of Faith series, it can be read as a standalone. However I recommend the previous two novels for important back story.
Jed Henning is fuming over his brother Chris’s disappearance. Jed is the owner of a gaming company but Chris is the man who creates the games. With their father pressuring him to bring Chris home, Jed discovers his brother is currently in Boise, ID. The Henning family used to live in the area and many members of Jed’s extended family still reside close by. During a visit with his cousin Ben, Jed is surprised when Ben passes their great-great grandfather Andrew’s Bible to him. While going through old family letters and photos, he finds the address of his great-great grandparents first apartment in Boise. Jed is delighted the house is still there and after meeting the current owner, Holly Stanford, he rents the basement apartment. Will Jed find a reason to stay in Boise when he is unexpectedly drawn to his temporary landlady?
A year after her engagement ended, Holly is still struggling with trust issues. She is also exhausted as she tries to keep the restaurant her ex-fiancé talked her into opening afloat. Although the business is continuing to grow, she is finding hiring and keeping staff while running the business exhausting. Holly is also frustrated that does not have time to devote to her true love: baking. Despite her lack of time, she teaches women from a local shelter to cook. And Holly also makes attending church a priority.
While reading through Andrew’s bible, Jed realizes that more than his relationship with Chris has suffered since opening his business. Working long hours, Jed does not make time for church or studying scripture. He enjoys getting to know his great-great grandfather through the notes he writes by Bible passages. But more importantly, Jed recommits to his faith and attends church with Ben.
In between reconnecting to his faith and family, Jed continues reaching out to Chris, but his brother remains elusive. He also gets to know Holly better and the more time they spend together, Jed is surprised by how comfortable he is with her. Holly enjoys Jed’s company, but she is skittish and afraid to trust her own judgment. As they begin to fall for one another, will Holly be able to leave her doubts behind and take a chance on love?
With a gentle undercurrent of faith, How Sweet It Is is a hopeful journey of self discovery, family and love. Jed and Holly are wonderfully drawn characters whose struggles are realistically depicted. Their romance blossoms quickly but their feelings for one another ring true. Flashbacks to Andrew and his wife Helen take place in the late-sixties and detail their poignant stage in their life’s journey. Old and new fans of Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series are sure to enjoy this final installment of this superb series.
