Lori’s Book Bag – Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

Reading is something I loved to do. It’s relaxing and therapeutic to me.  Like everyone else, life happens and there never seems to be enough time.   I am determined to make time for reading. If it’s something that I encourage for my kids, why not encourage myself to read more, right?

I just finished reading Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber.  I have heard of Debbie Macomber but have never read any of her books.  I normally prefer nonfiction and biography books. I love true stories and the sense of compassion, gratefulness, and perspective they give me.   I embraced the book with an open mind and within minutes, I was hooked.  While her stories are fiction, each one is told as if they had really happened.  You felt as if you were in the story with them, feeling all the emotions they were feeling, and wanting the story to never end.

If you want to begin at the beginning, start with Debbie’s first series, Cedar Cove.  But don’t let that deter you from starting with this installment of her new series.  It’s really that good.

The story revolves around the main character, Jo Marie Rose, who has acquired a bed & breakfast inn to keep herself busy after losing her husband in a helicopter crash.  His body had never been found and perhaps she  had hope he’d still be found alive.  It also revolves around two other women; one who has cancer and her only regret is leaving the only man she ever loved.  The other woman is throwing an anniversary party for her grandparents, only to watch them fight throughout.  Each character is struggling to come to terms with something in their past and through the journey, they discover grace, forgiveness, love, and friendship.

Throughout each page, I felt like I was a guest at the inn.  I could smell the muffins baking and feel the cool morning.  I giggled as I could relate to the “on-ree” conversations that Jo Marie and Mark had, gasped when Mary shared her secret with George,  and I teared up when something from each character brought up an old similar memory in my own life.  Like I said, while this book is fiction, each story is believable. Most of us have dealt with or know someone who has dealt with each of these scenarios in one way or another.

Narratives are swapping back and forth from time to time but I think that’s what makes it feel like we are there, in the moment with them.  I give this book 5 stars.  I really loved it and can’t wait for the next one!

I actually have to give a big thank you to Walmart for allowing me to get my hands on this book (and more in the future).  We’ve been sharing that we wanted to do a book club type of thing so I feel like this is a push for me to read more.  I’m so glad I did!  And I can’t say thank you enough to them for getting a signed copy of the book.  Thank you Debbie for taking that extra time for us.   You can buy the book for $15.60 at Walmart.com

What’s in your book bag?

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Walmart has provided me with compensation and gift card in return for my time & efforts to create this post. Opinions are my own, always.