Rebecca Reviews ~ The Sweet Life (Cape Cod Creamery #1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

About the Book

Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought).

Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she's not about to let her only child suffer alone--even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month.

Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buy a run-down ice-cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything's better with ice cream.

Her exasperated daughter knows that she's the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother's impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn't get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don't they?

Welcome to a summer of sweet surprises on Cape Cod--a place where dreams just might come true.

 

Rebecca's Review 3.5 stars

"Dawn felt queasy, thinking of what a cliche she'd become. Jilted. Just two months before the wedding. Maybe not left at the altar, but pretty darn close."

Yet, Kevin wanted her to take their non-refundable honeymoon trip to Cape Cod and enjoy it with someone else. Dawn chose . . . her mother? Leaving her fast-track-to-the-top job behind in Boston, Dawn and her mother Marnie, headed towards the upscale hotel in Chatham that should have been paradise, but "the loss she felt over losing Kevin hurt in a way she didn't know if she could ever fully recover from". As if that wasn't enough to make Dawn want to bury herself in the sand like a crab, her polar-opposite, pie-in-the-sky mother had managed to fall in love herself, with an old historic building, formerly known as The Main Street Creamery".

As Dawn is pulled into helping her mother bring the old establishment back to life, the two of them discover that the building isn't the only thing that is being given a second chance at life in Chatham. Marnie's grief over the recent death of her husband, coupled with her recent health problems are being eclipsed by some brand new dreams of her own, and Dawn . . . . well, Dawn is rediscovering, or maybe allowing herself to discover for the first time, her amazing creativity; with of all things . . . . ice cream flavors.

But all is not going as perfectly as the mother-daughter team would like to believe. Historic buildings require a certain measure of authenticity, and Chatham's historic commission is unbending about its regulations. Dawn and Marnie need help; they need a rescuer, maybe even two.

What a charming story!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Review ~ The Little Women Devotional by Rachel Dodge

Devotional Inspiration from the Lives of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
 
The Little Women Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the themes of faith, family, contentment, wisdom, and joy in the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, cherished by generations of readers.
Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God’s guiding hand in your life as His cherished daughter. This beautiful chapter-by-chapter devotional includes original artwork throughout, and each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, and prayers perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.

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My Review 4 STARS
Dodge has written a darling companion devotional based on one of my most favorite classic novels, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. One of the sweetest things about this devotional is the lovely art work! Faith and family are integral in this devotional, making it one I recommend whether you are a fan of the classic novel or not.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Review | Turn to Me | A Misty River Romance #3 | Becky Wade

His promise will cost him far more than he imagined.

Guilt has defined Luke Dempsey's life, but it was self-destructiveness that landed him in prison. When his friend and fellow inmate lay dying shortly before Luke's release, the older man revealed he left a string of clues for his daughter, Finley, that will lead her to the treasure he's hidden. Worried that she won't be the only one pursuing the treasure, he gains Luke's promise to protect her until the end of her search.

Spunky and idealistic, Finley Sutherland is the owner of an animal rescue center and a defender of lost causes. She accepts Luke's help on the treasure hunt while secretly planning to help him in return--by coaxing him to embrace the forgiveness he's long denied himself.

As they draw closer to the final clue, their reasons for resisting each other begin to crumble, and Luke realizes his promise will push him to the limit in more ways than one. He'll do his best to shield Finley from unseen threats, but who's going to shield him from losing his heart? 

My Review 3.5 STARS 

'Luke Dempsey was a tragic and thorny case. Many would say he was a lost cause.'

Wade wraps up her Misty River Romance series quite well in Turn to Me. I was delighted to finally read Luke’s story, and at the same time see Ben get his as a small side story in the book.

The redemption thread here for “bad boy” ex-con Luke is phenomenal! Maybe that is why there was so much emphasis put on his physical desire for Finley. It’s pretty descriptive. I appreciated the author repeatedly, through Finley and others, communicating to Luke that he was not beyond redemption. Our past does not have to define us in the present. This message came across very strong. And it was a beautiful thing to see work out in Luke.

The best part of Finley’s story for me was reading about her dad and how she grew up a “free spirit” and dresses sort of Bohemian. But I’m not a dog fanatic or interested in constantly hearing about animal rights etc. so that really put a damper on this part of the story for me.

All in all, fans of Wade will be satisfied with this series and its ending. I know I thoroughly enjoyed the overall story of The Miracle Five. I look forward to whatever she has coming next year!

I was provided an electronic copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley. No compensation has been received.