Category Archives: Rose Harbor Series

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).

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

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.

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

Review: Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

Title: Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber
Rose Harbor Series Book Two
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 338 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Hailed as “the reigning queen of women’s fiction” (The Sacramento Bee), #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is renowned for her novels of love, friendship, and the promise of fresh starts. Now Macomber returns to the charming Rose Harbor Inn, where each guest finds a second chance and every room comes with an inspiring new view.

Since moving to Cedar Cove, Jo Marie Rose has truly started to feel at home, and her neighbors have become her closest friends. Now it’s springtime, and Jo Marie is eager to finish the most recent addition to her inn. In memory of her late husband, Paul, she has designed a beautiful rose garden for the property and enlisted handyman Mark Taylor to help realize it. She and Mark don’t always see eye-to-eye—and at times he seems far removed—yet deep down, Jo Marie finds great comfort in his company. And while she still seeks a sense of closure, she welcomes her latest guests, who are on their own healing journeys.

Annie Newton arrives in town to orchestrate her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. While Annie is excited for the festivities, she’s struggling to move on from her broken engagement, and her grandparents themselves seem to be having trouble getting along. Worse, Annie is forced to see Oliver Sutton, with whom she grew up and who has always mercilessly teased her. But the best parties end with a surprise, and Annie is in for the biggest one of all.

High-powered businesswoman Mary Smith, another Rose Harbor Inn guest, has achieved incredible success in her field, yet serious illness has led her to face her sole, lingering regret. Almost nineteen years ago, she ended her relationship with her true love, George Hudson, and now she’s returned to Cedar Cove to make amends.

Compassion and joy await Jo Marie, Annie, and Mary as they make peace with their pasts and look boldly toward their futures. Rose Harbor in Bloom is Debbie Macomber at her heartwarming best.

The Review:

Debbie Macomber’s Rose Harbor in Bloom is a warm and inviting story of love, healing, family, and friendship. This second outing in the Rose Harbor series brings readers back to the Rose Harbor Inn where B&B owner Jo Marie receives unexpected news and her guests make peace with their pasts and find love in the process.

Jo Marie has made significant progress dealing with her grief over her husband Paul’s death but she continues to cling to the unrealistic hope that he might somehow still be alive. Just as her newest round of guests is arriving, her life is complicated by unsettling news that the Army is finally to retrieve the bodies of Paul and the servicemen who died with him in Afghanistan. Jo Marie has plenty to distract her from dwelling on the recovery effort as she goes about her B&B hosting duties.

Annie Newton and her family are staying at the Rose Harbor Inn as they celebrate her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. She is shocked by her grandparents’ constant squabbling and she is dismayed by the appearance of her teenage crush, Oliver. Will her grandparents’ renew their vows as planned? Will she set aside her animosity towards Oliver long enough to uncover the truth about his feelings for her?

As Mary Smith comes face to face with her mortality, she is plagued with regrets over her failed relationship with George Hudson. Unable to resist the pull of her past, Mary reconnects with George but will the secret she carries ruin their reunion?

Rose Harbor in Bloom takes place over a long weekend and each of the characters’ stories are told in alternating chapters from their perspective. Jo Marie’s point of view is first person and her conflict is the most vivid of the three. Of the remaining storylines, Annie’s is the most realistic and heartwarming while Mary’s is sweet but it is too full of coincidences and wrapped up a little too neatly.

The story arc that is the most compelling (and frustrating) is the growing friendship between Jo Marie and handyman Mark Taylor. Mark is quite enigmatic as he gives away little information about himself. In Rose Harbor in Bloom he is still grumpy and a bit cantankerous but we also see a more vulnerable side to him as well. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am dying to know more about his mysterious past. And I am also curious to see if my suspicions about why he is dragging his feet on Jo Marie’s garden project are correct.

Rose Harbor in Bloom is a fast-paced and engaging story and I wasn’t quite ready for my visit with Jo Marie and her guests to end. I enjoyed catching up with characters from the previous novel and I am intrigued by the brief glimpses into the lives of Jo Marie’s next guests. As you can probably guess, I am impatiently awaiting Debbie Macomber’s next installment in this heartwarming series.

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

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Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Rose Harbor in Bloom, Rose Harbor Series

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

Title: The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
Rose Harbor Series Book One
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Imprint: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes a heartwarming new series based in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, where a charming cast of characters finds love, forgiveness, and renewal behind the doors of the cozy Rose Harbor Inn.

Jo Marie Rose first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases a local bed-and-breakfast—the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn—ready to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine.

Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come home to care for his ailing stepfather. The two have never seen eye to eye, and Joshua has little hope that they can reconcile their differences. But a long-lost acquaintance from Joshua’s high school days proves to him that forgiveness is never out of reach and love can bloom even where it’s least expected.

The other guest is Abby Kincaid, who has returned to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Back for the first time in twenty years, she almost wishes she hadn’t come, the picturesque town harboring painful memories from her past. And while Abby reconnects with family and old friends, she realizes she can only move on if she truly allows herself to let go.

A touching novel of life’s grand possibilities and the heart’s ability to heal, The Inn at Rose Harbor is a welcome introduction to an unforgettable set of friends.

The Review:

Debbie Macomber’s latest release The Inn at Rose Harbor is a beautiful novel about new beginnings, forgiveness, and healing. A weekend at the Rose Harbor Inn proves to be an emotional journey for B&B owner Jo Marie Rose, and two of her guests Joshua Weaver and Abby Kincaid.

Jo Marie Rose, the Rose Harbor Inn, and the B&B guests are the heart and soul of this delightful new series set in the fictional town of Cedar Cove. Jo Marie is a widow struggling with the grief over her husband’s death in Afghanistan. With this fresh start in her life, Jo Marie is slowly coming to terms with her loss and moving on with her life.

Jo Marie’s B&B guests both have painful histories in Cedar Cove. Their return to Cedar Cove provides them an opportunity to gain new perspectives on events from their respective pasts. Both of them renew old friendships and find new hope for their futures as they work through their emotional baggage.

The Inn at Rose Harbor is told from each of the three main characters points of view. The chapters alternate with each of their stories and their paths cross occasionally at the B&B. The individual stories are quite compelling and emotional. The resolutions to their story lines are wonderfully optimistic and realistic. Josh and Abby leave Rose Harbor Inn with much lighter hearts and promising new relationships.

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber is an uplifting story of redemption, forgiveness and love. The story is heartfelt and the characters are three-dimensional and well-developed. It is a wonderful first installment to what promises to be an outstanding new series and I am looking forward to my next visit at the Rose Harbor Inn.

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Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Debbie Macomber, Fiction, Random House Publishing Group, Rated B+, Rose Harbor Series, The Inn at Rose Harbor