Category Archives: Debbie Macomber

Review: Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber

Title: Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber
Rose Harbor Series Book Five
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The much-anticipated conclusion to Debbie Macomber’s beloved Rose Harbor series, set in the picturesque town of Cedar Cove, Sweet Tomorrows is a vibrant and poignant novel of letting go of fear, following your heart, and embracing the future—come what may.

Nine months ago, Mark Taylor abruptly left Cedar Cove on a perilous mission to right a wrong from his past. Though Mark finally confessed his love for her, innkeeper Jo Marie Rose is unsure if he’s ever coming back. The Rose Harbor Inn barely seems the same without Mark, but Jo Marie can’t bear to lose herself in grief once more. Determined to move forward, she begins dating again, and finds companionship when she takes on a boarder who is starting a new chapter herself.

Recovering from a twice-broken heart, Emily Gaffney, a young teacher, is staying at the inn while she looks for a home of her own. Having given up on marriage, Emily dreams of adopting children someday. She has her eye on one house in particular—with room for kids. Although Emily’s inquiries about the house are rudely rebuffed, her rocky start with the owner eventually blossoms into a friendship. But when the relationship verges on something more, Emily will have to rethink what she truly wants and the chances she’s willing to take.

The inn seems to be working its magic again—Emily opening herself up to love, Jo Marie moving on—until Jo Marie receives shocking news.

With Debbie Macomber’s trademark charm and wisdom, Sweet Tomorrows brings to a close the journeys of cherished characters who feel like old friends. Macomber has created an enchanting place in the Rose Harbor Inn that readers will never forget.

Review:

The final installment in Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming Rose Harbor series, Sweet Tomorrows is another emotional novel of healing that old and new fans are going to love.

Although it has been difficult, Jo Marie Rose has finally begun to move on in the months since she last saw Mark Taylor. Despite his declaration of love, he did not want her to wait around for his return from Iraq where he is attempting to save a good friend he was forced to leave behind several years ago. Having loved and lost her military husband years earlier, Jo Marie cannot bear to live with the uncertainty of whether or not Mark will safely return so, as he requested, she is moving on with her life. Finally ready to begin dating again, Jo Marie’s first foray into dating is rather lackluster but her dates with Greg Endsley are reminiscent of her relationship with her first husband. After receiving stunning news, her budding romance hangs in the balance as Jo Marie tries to decide whether or not to follow her heart in the midst of an uncertain future.

A concurrent storyline revolves around Jo Marie’s newest guest, Emily Gaffney, who is starting over in Cedar Cove following the end of her engagement. Staying with Jo Marie long-term while house hunting, Emily finds her dream home only to have her hopes dashed when owner Nick Schwartz rudely tells her to stay off his property. Swearing off love after two broken engagements,  Emily is drawn to Nick who is dealing with emotional wounds of his own as he renovates the house he inherited from his grandmother.  While sympathetic to Nick’s struggles with PTSD and panic attacks, she tries to extricate herself from their on again/off again friendship but Emily finds it difficult to stay away from him as she resists falling in love again.

Written though multiple points of view, the chapters alternate back and forth from the key players perspectives and this provides readers with insight as they struggle to come to terms with their various issues. Although Jo Marie is trying to move on, she cannot help but worry about Mark and her fears about his safety are renewed after she receives an enigmatic message from him.  Emily’s secret is heartbreaking and while she is certain she has found the perfect solution to avoid further pain, is her plan to avoid falling in love again realistic? Nick is unable to move on from a terrible tragedy and he remains mired in guilt and shame as he refuses to seek outside assistance in dealing with his PTSD and panic attacks.

As with the previous novels in Rose Harbor series,Jo Marie’s B&B is a place where guests find peace and healing. Emily is skeptical of Jo Marie’s stories of visitors whose lives were irrevocably changed for the better during their stay.  Through Jo Marie’s conversations with Emily, longtime fans will be given the opportunity to catch up with the lives of characters from previous installments while newcomers to the series will be charmed by these heartfelt stories of love and reconciliation.

Sweet Tomorrows is the perfect conclusion to the enchanting Rose Harbor series. Emily and Nick’s story arc is quite endearing and with a multitude of obstacles in their path, their road to happily ever after is somewhat bumpy. Debbie Macomber masterfully keeps readers guessing how Jo Marie’s storyline will conclude and the resolution is absolutely breathtaking.An outstanding conclusion to this beloved series that can be read as a standalone (but I HIGHLY recommend the entire series).

1 Comment

Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Rose Harbor Series, Sweet Tomorrows

Review: A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber

Title: A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber
New Beginnings Series Book Two
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 354 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this powerful and uplifting novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, a mother and her daughter-in-law bravely leave their troubled marriages and face the challenge of starting over. Leaning on each other, Nichole and Leanne discover that their inner strength and capacity for love are greater than they ever imagined.

When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back—including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.

Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures—until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.

An inspiring novel of friendship, reinvention, and hope, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On affirms the ability of every woman to forge a new path, believe in love, and fearlessly find happiness.

Review:

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On is the second installment in Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming New Beginnings series. In this delightful story of friendship, Nichole Patterson and her ex-mother-in-law but best friend, Leanne, unexpectedly find love but both find it difficult to leave the past behind due to their respective ex-husbands’ interference in their lives.

When Leanne learned that her son Jake was cheating on his wife, she knew that, no matter how painful, Nichole needed to know the truth about her husband. Gaining courage from Nichole’s decision to leave Jake, Leanne decides it is time to end her thirty-five year marriage to her philandering husband Sean. Supporting one another through this tumultuous time, Nichole and Leanne leave their old lives behind and start fresh in a new town. While Leanne’s divorce goes through quickly, Jake is stunned by Nichole’s reaction and for the past two years, he has done everything he can to delay their divorce. Finally realizing she is not going to change her mind, Jake signs the divorce papers, but he continues to manipulate Nichole once he learns of her new relationship with blue-collar tow truck owner Rocco Nyquist.

Leanne, Nichole and three year old Owen have settled fairly easily into their lives. Leaving behind their pampered, wealthy lifestyles was fairly smooth and although Leanne has no financial concerns, money is sometimes tight for Nichole since she has been unable to secure a fulltime teaching position. Aided by their rules to help them regain their independence and bolster their self-esteem, both women are quite satisfied with their lives. One of their most important “rules” is giving back to the local community through volunteering and each of them have found their niche in their volunteer positions. Leanne loves teaching English as second language twice a week while Nichole is quite fulfilled by her volunteer position helping underprivileged women prepare for job interviews.

Just after Jake signs the divorce papers, Nichole strikes up an unexpected friendship with Rocco and his teenage daughter Kaylene. Rocco is unlike anyone Nichole has ever known but despite their outward differences, their core beliefs are quite similar. While she is a little unsettled by her attraction to Rocco, Nichole very much enjoys his company and she is more than willing to see where their relationship leads. But trouble arises when Jake feels threatened by their burgeoning romance and he intimidates her into making an unpalatable decision.

Leanne is surprised when her student Nikolai Janchenko expresses an interest in her outside of their ESL classes. Due to her ex-husband’s long-term infidelity, her self-confidence remains low and she is quite flustered by Nikolai’s attention. Their relationship is a bit of a slow burner due to Nicolai’s unexpected jealousy and her ex’s sudden reappearance in her life. Their budding romance is further derailed by a shocking crisis and Leanne’s compassionate response to devastating news.

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On is a captivating novel of healing, friendship and love. The storyline is incredibly moving and Debbie Macomber does a magnificent job keeping the plot fresh and interesting. The characters are well-developed and likable with realistic flaws and true to life issues to resolve. This latest release is a heartfelt and gratifying addition to the New Beginnings series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

1 Comment

Filed under A Girls Guide to Moving On, Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, New Beginnings Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Women's Fiction

Review: Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

last one homeTitle: Last One Home by Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Length: 338 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Blossom Street and Cedar Cove series, delivers an inspiring new stand-alone novel about the enduring bond between sisters, the power of forgiveness, and a second chance at love.

Growing up, Cassie Carter and her sisters, Karen and Nichole, were incredibly close—until one fateful event drove them apart. After high school, Cassie ran away from home to marry the wrong man, throwing away a college scholarship and breaking her parents’ hearts. To make matters worse, Cassie had always been their father’s favorite—a sentiment that weighed heavily on her sisters and made Cassie’s actions even harder to bear.

Now thirty-one, Cassie is back in Washington, living in Seattle with her daughter and hoping to leave her past behind. After ending a difficult marriage, Cassie is back on her own two feet, the pieces of her life slowly but surely coming together. Despite the strides Cassie’s made, she hasn’t been able to make peace with her sisters. Karen, the oldest, is a busy wife and mother, balancing her career with raising her two children. And Nichole, the youngest, is a stay-at-home mom whose husband indulges her every whim. Then one day, Cassie receives a letter from Karen, offering what Cassie thinks may be a chance to reconcile. And as Cassie opens herself up to new possibilities—making amends with her sisters, finding love once more—she realizes the power of compassion, and the promise of a fresh start.

A wonderful novel of perseverance and trust, and an exciting journey through life’s challenges and joys, Last One Home is Debbie Macomber at the height of her talents.

Review:

Last One Home by Debbie Macomber is a very heartwarming novel of healing and reconciliation for Cassie Carter and her estranged sisters. Cassie’s return home is fraught with tension as she tries to recover financially and emotionally from an abusive marriage. At the same time, she is also trying to repair her fractured relationship with her sisters, but years of separation and little communication make their attempts to reconnect awkward and uncomfortable.

Cassie and her twelve year old daughter Aimee have had a difficult life but they are finally on their way to achieving their goal of having a permanent home. Cassie has a stable job, she volunteers at a local women’s shelter, and her application for a house through Habitat for Humanity has just been accepted. She must put in sweat equity hours in exchange for the house and her first meeting with job foreman Steve Brody is contentious. Cassie is delighted when her older sister, Karen, offers her the chance to claim items from their parents’ estate, but their interactions are uneasy and stressful for the sisters.

Cassie and Steve soon work through their initial animosity and quickly become friends. Steve is a widower who has been slow to recover from the loss of his wife and both he and Cassie are surprised by their unexpected attraction to one another. However, Cassie’s residual fears and concerns from her marriage make it difficult for her to commit to a serious relationship.

Cassie and her sisters also begin to make progress on mending the rift between them. Neither Karen nor Nichole are aware of what Cassie suffered during her marriage, so Cassie’s previous attempts to reconnect were rebuffed. The women slowly begin rebuilding their relationship and their bond is unexpectedly strengthened when Karen and Nichole encounter unexpected problems in their personal lives.

In Last One Home, Debbie Macomber touches on some very difficult topics in a realistic and forthright manner and the resulting story is very touching and uplifting. While not all of the storylines are fully resolved, the novel’s conclusion is believable and emotionally satisfying. It is a lovely read that touches on life’s more serious moments and will leave readers hoping to revisit these flawed but lovable characters in the future.

1 Comment

Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Fiction, Last One Home, Rated B, Review, Romance

Review: Love Letters by Debbie Macomber

love lettersTitle: Love Letters by Debbie Macomber
Rose Harbor Series Book Three
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 322 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In this enchanting new novel set at Cedar Cove’s cozy Rose Harbor Inn, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber celebrates the power of the written word to inspire hope and mend broken hearts.

Each new guest at the Rose Harbor Inn is touched by a letter that proves love is strong enough to overcome any challenge. For Ellie Reynolds, it’s a letter from a man she thinks she knows that reconnects her with the father she can’t remember, and opens the doors for new love. For Maggie Porter, the reemergence of an old love letter from her husband reminds the couple of what’s most important and helps them rekindle an old flame. And for Jo Marie Rose, revisiting a letter from her husband Paul who was killed in battle in Afghanistan gives her the blessing she needs to see a new future for the first time since he went missing in action. Weaving together three moving stories of healing, forgiveness, and compassion, Debbie Macomber’s latest novel illuminates the many ways we are shaped and changed by love.

The Review:

Debbie Macomber’s newest release, Love Letters is another delightfully charming addition to her heartwarming Rose Harbor series. In this installment, Jo Marie Rose’s curiosity about her friend and handyman Mark Taylor gets the best of her and she tries to dig a little deeper in his past. In the meantime, she is preparing to welcome her latest guests, Ellie Reynolds and Maggie & Roy Porter. Maggie and Roy have been going through a rough patch and they are hoping an anniversary getaway will heal their troubled marriage. Ellie Reynolds is nervously preparing for her first face to face meeting with Tom Lynch, the man she has been dating on-line for the past several months. All of the B&B guests have high expectations for their weekend retreat but unexpected revelations threaten their burgeoning happiness.

Although Jo Marie is happily ensconced in her new life, she is still coming to terms with her husband’s death. She keeps busy with the B&B and now the rose garden is finally complete, she hires Mark to begin the next phase in her property upgrades. Jo Marie continues to push Mark for answers about his past but the gruff and grouchy handyman stubbornly refuses to reveal any information about his background. Their friendship is unaffected by Jo Marie’s prying and when Mark begins to grow concerned about her unusual behavior, he makes some very shrewd observations and offers her some astute advice. This becomes a bit of a turning point in their relationship but their future remains very uncertain.

Maggie and Roy are still very much in love but they are unable to forgive one another for their past mistakes. Despite her determination to trust Roy, Maggie cannot keep her suspicions at bay. Roy’s stubborn refusal to discuss their problems also makes it impossible for them to let go of their hurt and anger. As soon as they pass a major hurdle, Maggie makes a shocking realization that could destroy the progress they have made.

Ellie is excited but a bit apprehensive about finally meeting Tom face to face. Deciding to trust her instincts, she tries to put her mother’s fears and warnings out of her mind and after she and Tom enjoy a wonderful first date, she is sure she has made the right choice. Reassured that she has nothing to worry about, Ellie is stunned when she learns Tom’s real motive for getting to know her.

The three stories are seamlessly interwoven into a compelling story that is impossible to put down. Ellie’s part of the storyline leads to a surprising reconciliation and while not everything is completely wrapped up by the novel’s end, a happily ever after is definitely possible. Maggie and Roy’s problems appear insurmountable and only time will tell if their marriage will survive long term. Jo Marie and Mark have finally made progress in their relationship, but Mark’s tormented past still casts a very large shadow over his future plans.

Love Letters is an incredibly sweet and heartfelt romance that old and new fans of Debbie Macomber’s Rose Harbor series are going to love. Although it can be read as a standalone story, I highly recommend the entire series. As always, I am very eager for my next visit with Jo Marie and her guests at the lovely Rose Harbor Inn.

Click HERE for my reviews of the other books in the series.

1 Comment

Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Love Letters, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Rose Harbor Series

Review: Blossom Street Brides by Debbie Macomber

bridesTitle: Blossom Street Brides by Debbie Macomber
Blossom Street Series Book Ten
Publisher: Random House/Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber has won the hearts of millions of readers with her moving and inspiring stories. Now wedding bells are ringing in the tight-knit community that gathers around A Good Yarn, a store in a pretty Seattle neighborhood. Knitters come to the store to buy yarn and patterns but somehow they leave richer in friendship and love.

Lauren Elliott has waited years for her long-term boyfriend, Todd, to propose, yet he seems more focused on his career than their relationship. When Lauren learns that her younger sister is pregnant before she herself even has an engagement ring, she feels overjoyed yet disheartened. Knowing she can’t put her future on hold, Lauren prepares to make a bold choice—one that leads her to a man she never dreamed she’d meet.

Newly married to her second husband, Max, Bethanne Scranton is blissfully in love. But with Max’s job in California and Bethanne’s in Seattle, their long-distance marriage is becoming difficult to maintain. To complicate matters, Bethanne’s cunning ex will do anything to win her back.

Lydia Goetz, too, is wonderfully happy with her husband, Brad, though lately she worries about the future of A Good Yarn. As she considers how to bring in business, she discovers that someone has beaten her to the punch. Baskets of yarn are mysteriously popping up all over town, with instructions to knit a scarf for charity and bring it into Lydia’s store. Never before has her shop received so much attention, but who hatched this brilliant plan?

As three women’s lives intersect in unexpected ways, Lydia, Lauren, and Bethanne realize that love heals every heart, and the best surprises still lay ahead.

The Review:

Blossom Street Brides is another warm and cozy addition to Debbie Macomber’s charming Blossom Street series. In this installment, readers get the opportunity to revisit favorite couples and their families while a newcomer to the series unexpectedly finds love.

Blossom Street Brides provides in an in-depth and fascinating look into three very different relationships at very different stages in life. Lydia Goetz has been married the longest and while her marriage is rock solid, she has her hands full with an aging mother, a semi-troubled teenager and her struggling business. Bethanne and Max are also happily married, but their relationship is feeling the strain of their continued separation, Bethanne’s manipulative ex and her unhappy daughter. When Lauren Elliott’s sister announces her pregnancy, Lauren realizes her boyfriend of three years is never going to propose and after she ends their relationship, she falls for a man who is unlike anyone she has ever dated. Bonded through their love of knitting, the three women turn to another for comfort and the strength they need as they struggle to overcome life’s various trials and tribulations.

Lydia’s storyline is the most poignant of the three. Her mother’s declining health coincides with adopted daughter Casey’s recurring nightmares and Lydia is unable to help either of them. She is matter of fact about her mother’s future and while she tries to help her daughter, Casey refuses to discuss what is haunting her. What stands out most is Lydia’s patience with both of them and her willingness to give Casey the space she needs. Her husband Brad is a calming presence and they work together to come up with a solution for Casey. All in all, they are a normal family dealing with the typical ups and downs of family life.

Bethanne and Max’s storyline has the most drama. Despite their long distance relationship, they remain deeply in love but both are growing increasingly unhappy with living apart. With two businesses at stake, they are at an impasse over which one should relocate. With Bethanne’s ex-husband’s latest shenanigans and her daughter’s continued resistance to their marriage, Max is more than ready for them to make a decision about finding a way for them to permanently live together.

Lauren’s storyline is the most romantic. She meets a man that she falls head over heels for, enters into a whirlwind courtship and eventually makes an impetuous decision that she may come to regret. With a little determination and a lot of love, the couple attempts to sort through their complicated issues.

Blossom Street Brides is a fast-paced and entertaining read that is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming and engaging Blossom Street series. The characters are down to earth and life-like and the issues they are dealing with are believable. The romances are quite sweet with love scenes taking place behind closed doors. The dialogue is realistic with no strong language. All of the various story arcs combine into a richly layered novel about love, family and friendship that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.

4 Comments

Filed under Ballantine Books, Blossom Street Brides, Blossom Street Series, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Review, Romance

Review: Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

Title: Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

’Tis the season for romance, second chances, and Christmas cheer with this new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a megabestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.

Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

Filled with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime, Starry Night is a delightful novel of finding happiness in the most surprising places.

The Review:

If you are a fan of sweet holiday romances then you are going to LOVE Debbie Macomber’s latest release. Fast-paced with engaging and likable characters, Starry Night is a charming love story that will melt your heart.

Carrie Slayton has a plum job as a society page columnist, but she would much rather be writing edgier more serious stories. Her editor agrees to let her pick any story she wants if she can obtain an interview with best-selling author Finn Dalton. Carrie accepts his challenge then discovers that Finn NEVER grants interviews and in fact, no one knows exactly where the publicity shy author lives. Carrie puts on her investigative journalist skills to good use and manages to track Finn down at his remote cabin in the Alaskan wilderness. Carrie soon discovers tracking down Finn is the easiest part of her assignment when she comes face to face with irascible writer.

Carrie has plenty of spirit and she is willing to work to get what she wants. Even if that means she has to give up spending Thanksgiving with her close-knit family. Carrie is dismayed by Finn’s attitude towards her, but she does not let it deter her from trying to convince him to agree to an interview. Carrie cleverly gets her point across to him in a pretty amusing and ingenious manner.

Finn is gruff, grumpy and determined to maintain his privacy. His parents’ contentious divorce and a betrayal by a woman he thought he knew leaves him wary and distrusting of women. But somehow Carrie slips past his defenses and surprisingly, he is the one who initiates contact between them after she returns home.

The romance between Finn and Carrie occurs pretty quickly and it is mainly a long distance relationship. Although both have doubts about a future together, they get to know one another through daily texts, e-mails and phone calls. Their road to happily ever after takes a short detour, but Carrie never gives up on Finn and her faith in him pays off beautifully in the end.

As someone who used to live near Fairbanks, I am always thrilled to find a story set there. While Carrie and Finn are only there for a brief time, Debbie Macomber easily conveys the beauty and wonder of Alaska and she brings it vibrantly to life. Her description of Finn is dead on and she perfectly nails his reactions when he is out of his element.

Starry Night is delightful love at first sight romance that is quite heartwarming and believable. It is a truly magical holiday story that fans of contemporary romances do not want to miss.

2 Comments

Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Starry Night