The Inn at Rose Harbor (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

21. The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book that's guaranteed to bring you joy

Synopsis:

Jo Marie Barlow 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.

My Review:

As a way of coping with her husband's death, Jo Marie decides to purchase an inn. She feels like the inn will help her heal, by starting over Ina new town. She has a lot to learn about managing an inn, but with the support of another innkeeper in Cedar Cove, it's not long before she gets a grasp of things. 

Jo Marie not only wants the inn to be a place of healing for herself, but for her guests as well. Joshua comes to Cedar Cove to help with his stepfather's care in his final days. Even though they haven't gotten along (moreso after Josh's mom died), Josh is the only one family his stepdad has left. With the help of an old friend, he is asked to look past all the hurt and pain and attempt to make things good again. And if a relationship (with Josh's friend) blooms in the meantime, then so be it. It turns out quite interesting, but you're going to have to read this book to see what happens. 

Abby is back in town for her brother's wedding. The town she's run away from and never looked back. She was involved in an accident that killed her best friend as a teen. Even though it was a complete accident, Abby's been living with guilt and hasn't been able to let it go and move on with her life. And hasn't faced her classmates since that day, as she believes they'll blame her for what happened. A chance encounter with one of them leads to a reunion type of thing with the rest and Abby realizes that they cared about her. Being back forces Abby to face what she's been avoiding: visiting her friend's grave and her friend's parents. It's not easy, but Abby realizes that she needs forgiveness to truly accept what happened, to heal her pain, and to move forward. Abby's story is heartbreaking and heartfelt at the same time. Her story will resonate to anyone who's ever felt guilt (and let's face it, we all do) over losing someone. 

Fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series will enjoy the Rose Harbor series.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥