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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
No one seems to have told Macomber that showing, not telling, has become the standard way to craft a novel, even a romance novel. I've rarely read a more flatly narrated book. A novel for readers who want to do absolutely no work, who want a story to tell them everything they should think and feel.
Not surprised to find that the book is being turned into a Hallmark tv series -- flat characters and easy feel-good plotlines without much nuance or complexity are the hallmark of Hallmark, no?
Not surprised to find that the book is being turned into a Hallmark tv series -- flat characters and easy feel-good plotlines without much nuance or complexity are the hallmark of Hallmark, no?
I was disappointed. I loved the first book in the series, but this book recapped the first book so often and in such detail it could be skipped it altogether. Not only that, but it was so bogged down in details that the story didn’t flow well and seemed to keep getting “stuck.” It’s also a little hard to follow since each chapter jumps back and forth between different characters and what’s going on with them. I love Debbie Macomber, but I feel like her editors failed her in this book. It has good substance, but is very choppy. I repeatedly found that I was forcing myself to keep reading, hoping it would get better, but it never did. I have read several other of her books in just a couple days, but this one took me 20 days to get through because I dreaded reading it so I kept reading other things instead.
I had originally won this from a goodreads giveaway a few years go and since then it has sat on a shelf in a my room, waiting to be read. I can honestly say that it was not one of my favorite and I don't know that I care to read any more from this author.
The story is told in three plot lines; that of Jo Marie, Mary, and Annie. The first woman is who I assume binds this series together, as I have not read the others, and as such plays a smaller part in the narrative than the other two. Annie's part was enjoyable, revolving around the love story of both her and her grandparents. However, Mary's story frustrated me. I couldn't help but George to give back to her as she had dished out to him, especially since he was such an awesome guy that he didn't do just that.
As to the writing itself, there were many moments that involved huge info dumps along with repetition of the same thoughts throughout. And with the way the three plot lines were written, it constantly felt like I was being jerked back and forth through the space of a day because everything was happening at the same time.
The story is not such that I believe no one will enjoy it. For those who love stories about people who have completely messed up their lives and are now desperately striving to fix them, this should be enjoyable. However, that was not the case for me.
The story is told in three plot lines; that of Jo Marie, Mary, and Annie. The first woman is who I assume binds this series together, as I have not read the others, and as such plays a smaller part in the narrative than the other two. Annie's part was enjoyable, revolving around the love story of both her and her grandparents. However, Mary's story frustrated me.
Spoiler
The woman was horrible, constantly being rude to those who tried to help her as well as remembering how she had walked out on her ex-boyfriend (who had proposed to her) without really letting him know, and then also never letting him even know that their daughter had been born despite her saying he would have made the best of fathersAs to the writing itself, there were many moments that involved huge info dumps along with repetition of the same thoughts throughout. And with the way the three plot lines were written, it constantly felt like I was being jerked back and forth through the space of a day because everything was happening at the same time.
The story is not such that I believe no one will enjoy it. For those who love stories about people who have completely messed up their lives and are now desperately striving to fix them, this should be enjoyable. However, that was not the case for me.
I read the first book in the Rose Harbor series (Inn at Rose Harbor) and enjoyed it and this being the second book of the series, centered in the Pacific Northwest area around a Bed and Breakfast operated by Jo Marie, a young widow, whose husband died in Afghanistan.
First let me say, I was so thrilled to find the audible book from audible.com with Lorelei King as the performer! Wow, so much better than her past performers on audio. Debbie made a great choice with Lorelei, as she is my favorite narrator of all times (she is the famous for Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Series – I kept waiting for Grandma Mazur, Stephanie, Joe and Ranger to jump out). Note: Debbie - please keep Lorelei with all your books to come! I typically buy e-books; however, if I find a great narrator, I will buy the audio as a member.
The book is about several compelling and color characters visiting at the B&B operated by Jo Marie. One woman, Mary with cancer who connects with a lost love and a secret past, Annie (the funny one who got rid of a love due to infidelity and will not let back in no matter what sweet words he speaks, and a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary and here to renew their vows (which fights constantly). Of course she does mention some of the characters in the Cedar Cove series and of course her maintenance man (Mark) at the B&B Inn. Fate brings these women together with different stories all with choices and life decisions.
I have marketing clients in the B&B and hotel business, so can relate the many stories of guests of a B&B and hotel. Never a dull moment. Debbie takes a small town of characters and makes them come alive in her storytelling.
First let me say, I was so thrilled to find the audible book from audible.com with Lorelei King as the performer! Wow, so much better than her past performers on audio. Debbie made a great choice with Lorelei, as she is my favorite narrator of all times (she is the famous for Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Series – I kept waiting for Grandma Mazur, Stephanie, Joe and Ranger to jump out). Note: Debbie - please keep Lorelei with all your books to come! I typically buy e-books; however, if I find a great narrator, I will buy the audio as a member.
The book is about several compelling and color characters visiting at the B&B operated by Jo Marie. One woman, Mary with cancer who connects with a lost love and a secret past, Annie (the funny one who got rid of a love due to infidelity and will not let back in no matter what sweet words he speaks, and a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary and here to renew their vows (which fights constantly). Of course she does mention some of the characters in the Cedar Cove series and of course her maintenance man (Mark) at the B&B Inn. Fate brings these women together with different stories all with choices and life decisions.
I have marketing clients in the B&B and hotel business, so can relate the many stories of guests of a B&B and hotel. Never a dull moment. Debbie takes a small town of characters and makes them come alive in her storytelling.
A bit far fetched and overly sappy for my taste. Stories felt pretty manufactured. Didn't help that I wanted to reach through the pages and smack two of the main characters.
Reading a Debbie Macomber book is like visiting with an old friend. You know what to expect, you love them, and you don't mind if the story repeats itself.
Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber
This series continues with Jo Marie's Inn and she takes on guests after her husband died in the war and left her money.
With the help of others in Cedar Cove she's gotten a rescue dog Rover and been introduced to the other residents in town and made to feel at home.
Mark Taylor is the handyman but he's taking too long to put in the rosebushes for her grand opening.
When she won't get off the ladder he quits and leaves her yardwork unfinished. She has a couple redoing their vow and celebration for their 50th anniversary for the weekend and another guest, Mary Smith.
With the news they can search the helicopter crash for remains she heads over to Marks to talk to him about it and she makes amends and he will continue with the garden work.
Others have starting arriving and she plunges into her chores as the innkeeper and invites the other local businesses to her open house.
Mary Smith had once lived and worked in Seattle and moved with the promotion to the east coast and left her betrothed behind. They tried to stay together but she finally broke it off and he had married. She's just going through chemo for her cancer and is enjoying the inn.
Annie arrives-the granddaughter of the couple who's celebrating their 50th and she's in charge of all the plans for the festivities. She's broken up from her engagement, several times and has to concentrate on the celebration.
Love hearing about the food, the preparation of the party and just having things on hand for the guests. Mixtures of ingredients gives me ideas to experiment as well.
The couple married 50 years fought like cats and dogs, she couldn't understand how they were still married. It was just their way.
Priceless memories of our trip to Pike's Place just last month as George and Mary discuss their trip there. Mary is there to make amends with George...
Characters, although there are a lot of them, are easy to keep straight.
This series continues with Jo Marie's Inn and she takes on guests after her husband died in the war and left her money.
With the help of others in Cedar Cove she's gotten a rescue dog Rover and been introduced to the other residents in town and made to feel at home.
Mark Taylor is the handyman but he's taking too long to put in the rosebushes for her grand opening.
When she won't get off the ladder he quits and leaves her yardwork unfinished. She has a couple redoing their vow and celebration for their 50th anniversary for the weekend and another guest, Mary Smith.
With the news they can search the helicopter crash for remains she heads over to Marks to talk to him about it and she makes amends and he will continue with the garden work.
Others have starting arriving and she plunges into her chores as the innkeeper and invites the other local businesses to her open house.
Mary Smith had once lived and worked in Seattle and moved with the promotion to the east coast and left her betrothed behind. They tried to stay together but she finally broke it off and he had married. She's just going through chemo for her cancer and is enjoying the inn.
Annie arrives-the granddaughter of the couple who's celebrating their 50th and she's in charge of all the plans for the festivities. She's broken up from her engagement, several times and has to concentrate on the celebration.
Love hearing about the food, the preparation of the party and just having things on hand for the guests. Mixtures of ingredients gives me ideas to experiment as well.
The couple married 50 years fought like cats and dogs, she couldn't understand how they were still married. It was just their way.
Priceless memories of our trip to Pike's Place just last month as George and Mary discuss their trip there. Mary is there to make amends with George...
Characters, although there are a lot of them, are easy to keep straight.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes