After years in San Jose, Jewel Benedict is going home to Oregon to help care for her father who has early onset dementia. Easier said than done. Jewel's 13-year-old daughter is upset about the move. Her absentminded beekeeper dad is a humorous handful. Her mom is overworked and overwhelmed. Her finances are stretched tight. And, according to her father, the neighbors are troublesome.
To make some needed money, Jewel convinces her parents to turn the decrepit farmhouse into a B&B. Soon her old high school flame turned contractor steps in to help, but Jewel questions whether he is trustworthy. Those "troublesome" neighbors--a handsome widower and his teenage daughter--just might be the key to making all this work?
Along the way, they'll all discover that it takes a village to keep a man with dementia (and a goofy sense of humor) from unraveling everything!
To make some needed money, Jewel convinces her parents to turn the decrepit farmhouse into a B&B. Soon her old high school flame turned contractor steps in to help, but Jewel questions whether he is trustworthy. Those "troublesome" neighbors--a handsome widower and his teenage daughter--just might be the key to making all this work?
Along the way, they'll all discover that it takes a village to keep a man with dementia (and a goofy sense of humor) from unraveling everything!
MY THOUGHTS.....
How often have you heard the phrase "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry"? This is how I feel about Welcome to the Honey B&B. It is contemporary fiction based on real-life occurrences, and author Melody Carlson uses her own experiences to share Honey and CT McKerry's touching story. I became familiar with the disorder, frontotemporal dementia, because of actor Bruce Willis, but this book educated me about its true effects. As I read CT's antics, I alternated between shaking my head, laughing, or trying to swallow a lump in my throat!
Love is the shining factor in this story! Honey McKerry believes in the promises she made in her wedding vows and proves it by caring for CT through the best and worst of times. There is also a promising romance between their daughter, Jewel, and a neighbor who steps in to help. The real testament to love, however, is the care that Honey, Jewell, and Jewell's daughter give to CT.
I loved that Carlson doesn't sugarcoat the emotions of these strong but fallible characters navigating an unknown future. Can you imagine the heartbreak of a devastating illness, struggling with finances, and trying to start a new business? How about overwhelming fatigue that triggers exasperation that's followed by tremendous guilt? Faith and grace are certainly needed.
Welcome to the Honey B&B is an inspiring, enlightening, and entertaining read! I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved that Carlson doesn't sugarcoat the emotions of these strong but fallible characters navigating an unknown future. Can you imagine the heartbreak of a devastating illness, struggling with finances, and trying to start a new business? How about overwhelming fatigue that triggers exasperation that's followed by tremendous guilt? Faith and grace are certainly needed.
Welcome to the Honey B&B is an inspiring, enlightening, and entertaining read! I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long has been made into a Hallmark movie, and the movie based on her novel The Happy Camper premiered on UPtv in 2023. She and her husband live in central Oregon.
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