Romance
Description
Two women at different stages of life find themselves on a
journey of renewal after undergoing hardships in this uplifting novel
from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.
“Wise, warm, witty, and charmingly full of hope, this story celebrates the surprising and unexpected ways that family, friendship, and love can lift us up.”—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Four Winds
Joan Sample is not living the life she expected. Now a widow and an empty-nester, she has become by her own admission something of a recluse. But after another birthday spent alone, she is finally inclined to listen to her sister, who has been begging Joan to reengage with the world. With her support, Joan gathers the courage to take some long-awaited steps: hiring someone to tame her overgrown garden, joining a grief support group, and even renting out a room to a local college student. Before long Joan is starting to feel a little like herself again.
Across town, Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista, tending to impatient customers before rushing to afternoon nursing classes. She’s been living with her alcoholic father, ducking his temperamental outbursts and struggling to pay the household bills. But her circumstances brighten when she finds a room for rent in Joan’s home. In the unexpected warmth of her new situation, Maggie finds a glimmer of hope for a better life. But will Maggie’s budding attraction to one of her favorite customers ruin the harmony she’s only recently found with Joan? Meanwhile, what is Joan to make of the mysterious landscaper who’s been revitalizing her garden—a man who seems to harbor a past loss of his own?
As Maggie and Joan confront difficult life choices, they draw strength from this new friendship in surprising ways—discovering in the process that “found family” is often the very best kind.
“Wise, warm, witty, and charmingly full of hope, this story celebrates the surprising and unexpected ways that family, friendship, and love can lift us up.”—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Four Winds
Joan Sample is not living the life she expected. Now a widow and an empty-nester, she has become by her own admission something of a recluse. But after another birthday spent alone, she is finally inclined to listen to her sister, who has been begging Joan to reengage with the world. With her support, Joan gathers the courage to take some long-awaited steps: hiring someone to tame her overgrown garden, joining a grief support group, and even renting out a room to a local college student. Before long Joan is starting to feel a little like herself again.
Across town, Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista, tending to impatient customers before rushing to afternoon nursing classes. She’s been living with her alcoholic father, ducking his temperamental outbursts and struggling to pay the household bills. But her circumstances brighten when she finds a room for rent in Joan’s home. In the unexpected warmth of her new situation, Maggie finds a glimmer of hope for a better life. But will Maggie’s budding attraction to one of her favorite customers ruin the harmony she’s only recently found with Joan? Meanwhile, what is Joan to make of the mysterious landscaper who’s been revitalizing her garden—a man who seems to harbor a past loss of his own?
As Maggie and Joan confront difficult life choices, they draw strength from this new friendship in surprising ways—discovering in the process that “found family” is often the very best kind.
4.5 STARS
This was quite the interesting story with really good people shown with great emotional depth. Joan is the main person that kicks things off even though she has isolated herself for 4 years after the death of her husband. A major phrase for her for quite a while was about how things "used to be." I found the part about 4 years later she is still struggling. I say that because a friend of mine who lost her husband said she was shocked that she found it even harder to deal with 3 to 4 years later. She expected the first year to be the worst.
This starts out as Joan's journey and the story picks up other people as the story goes on. Maggie is one of those people, and she really does deserve to catch some breaks. Maggie is hardworking, loving and had plans for her life. Too bad her father wasn't so much on board with helping her. The reasons become clear though heart breaking too.
Phil Harrison, from Harrison Lawn and Landscaping is drawn into her life when she steps out and needs to hire him. The scrambled message that Joan left on his voice mail was also amusing. It also makes for great title for this book that makes total, sweet sense.
Joan's sons Steven and Nick also share in the story as they have a lingering affect from their father's death. But also worry about their mother and didn't know how to help.
Even though this story dealt with grief deeper than I was expecting, it still kept me wanting to read more of the story. I think it was the people themselves that kept me connected to the story. A sad story at times but also some victories in small steps.
I liked how the story ended and enjoyed the Epilogue.
This starts out as Joan's journey and the story picks up other people as the story goes on. Maggie is one of those people, and she really does deserve to catch some breaks. Maggie is hardworking, loving and had plans for her life. Too bad her father wasn't so much on board with helping her. The reasons become clear though heart breaking too.
Phil Harrison, from Harrison Lawn and Landscaping is drawn into her life when she steps out and needs to hire him. The scrambled message that Joan left on his voice mail was also amusing. It also makes for great title for this book that makes total, sweet sense.
Joan's sons Steven and Nick also share in the story as they have a lingering affect from their father's death. But also worry about their mother and didn't know how to help.
Even though this story dealt with grief deeper than I was expecting, it still kept me wanting to read more of the story. I think it was the people themselves that kept me connected to the story. A sad story at times but also some victories in small steps.
I liked how the story ended and enjoyed the Epilogue.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
-NETGALLEY-
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