Can we start out by just taking a moment and appreciating how beautiful this cover is? Truly, if I didn’t already adore Melissa Tagg’s books, this cover alone would have had me scooping it off the shelf and into my collection!
Description:
“It was just a house. Just a weathered old house in a hidden grove, shuttered and still . . . ”
Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.
Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.
Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.
Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.
Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.
Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.
About the Author:
Melissa Tagg is the award-winning author of the popular Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl.
Melissa's recent releases include a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Winner (One Enchanted Noel), an RT Book Reviews TOP PICK (All This Time) and a Publishers Weekly Spring Top Ten Pick (Like Never Before).
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever—not that she’s biased—watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
Melissa's recent releases include a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Winner (One Enchanted Noel), an RT Book Reviews TOP PICK (All This Time) and a Publishers Weekly Spring Top Ten Pick (Like Never Before).
Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever—not that she’s biased—watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
My Thoughts:
This book is beautiful, in ways beyond the cover, though it is lovely . . . the depth of story exceeds it by far. I’ve been a huge fan of Melissa Tagg’s books for a while now and I’ve long since fallen in love with the small town of Maple Valley, Iowa. Though her other books have standing homes on my keeper shelf, I do have to say that this one is quite possibly my favorite to date! The characters, the story, the mystery, the quirky town all come together to make this a book that I indubitably had a book-hangover from.
Ms. Tagg has a way with writing that I can’t easily describe. Her words flow like poetry, painting the pages with colorful descriptions that bring her characters and their homes to life. I love the dialogue and banter that flows, inspiring more than one couldn’t-hold-it-back laugh and curious looks from others sitting nearby. I couldn’t resist the mystery within the pages, either. I was intrigued from the first paragraph and found myself rushing to get as much reading time as possible. I had to know what was going to happen with the Everwood and it’s occupants and where the story would go next!
"But I don't want to spend my life letting my pain
be the lens through which I see the world." - Mara Bristol
Of all of this, I would have to say that my absolute favorite thing about this story is the heart behind it. There are so many great lines I could share, though they surely wouldn’t do justice to all that is found in this tale of pain, of grief and brokenness, but also hope and healing. This novel that encouraged laughter, but also had tears slipping down my cheeks at the honest questions asked and the difficult answers given. These characters touched my heart with their authenticity and the exceptional grace with which the author handled such sensitive subjects.
"But when I was in my deepest pain, God came for me.
He didn't leave me in an injured pile on the sidewalk,
nor did he stand around waiting for me to get up and move.
He came running for me." - Penny
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to everyone! Whether this is your favorite genre or you’re not sure if a rom-com is quite what you’re looking for, I believe you’d be more than pleasantly surprised.
There are so many more quotes I'd love to share, but I don't want to spoil the fun of finding them yourself! So I shall refrain. . . . If I have to. . . . I guess. ;)
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to check out this space! As always, if you'd like to learn more about the book, or maybe add it to your GoodReads shelf, links are below!
Have a beautiful day!
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