Rose Harbor in Bloom (Rose Harbor book 2) by Debbie Macomber

4 STARS

I have enjoyed both books in the Rose Harbor series. Parts of this story touched me more than others. I also laughed at some scenes. One scene where the 13 year old girls enjoyed the twirling dancing was a scene I saw last sat. The difference was a 11 year old asked a 24 guy to dance with her too. Debbie Macomber writes real scenes, tells stories with heart that connect us together. It is also a clean enjoyable read.

In the Rose Harbor series Jo Marie Rose has bought a room and board inn across the water from Seattle in the town of Cedar Fort. She bought it after her husband died in a helicopter crash. She feels it is a place where she can heal. She has been making repairs and changes slowly. Her next project is a rose garden.

Mark has been doing some work for her. He is starting to tear up the lawn for it. When he has an accident. Mark is not a happy camper and neither is Jo Marie. She hoped to have it in before her open house.

Also in Jo Marie's personal life she hears from her late husband commander that they can now go in and retrieve the bodies. They could not do that when it went town last year. She has a few more phone calls from him and some other news that's hard to receive too.

Annie has been planning her grandparents 50th wedding celebration. She has been planning it and staying busy while she heals from her broken engagement. Her grandparents are also going to stay at Rose Harbor with her. Also their neighbor Oliver who is driving them up. Oliver used to drive her crazy when she stayed to visit in the summer. She is not happy that he will be staying close by her.

Mary Smith is staying for a few days on personal business. Mary is living back east and her doctor is not happy about her travel plans. She has stage 3 cancer and just got done with chemo. She is really frail right now. She wants to take care of things in case she doesn't win the fight. She needs to apologize to the man she left behind and tell him some secrets she hid from him.

Annie's grandparents are fighting all the time she is afraid their marriage won't last through the party and renewing their vows.

These story lines are woven into each other so well you don't want to put them down. You also get a little updates on two couples that had stayed at the bed and breakfast in earlier books. It also makes me want to come back and see whats going on in Mary Jo's life now. It is amazing how fast these stories take place because they are staying such short times at Rose Harbor Inn.
I cried and laughed and am left with a smile as I think of all the characters I just met. Of course one of the heroes of the story is Rover who saves the day. He is a smart dog.

I was given this ebook and asked to give honest review of it in exchange by Netgalley.
08/13/2013 PUB.Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine books ISBN: 9780345528933

Description below taken off of Netgalley.

Hailed as “the reigning queen of women’s fiction” (The Sacramento Bee), #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is renowned for her novels of love, friendship, and the promise of fresh starts. Now Macomber returns to the charming Rose Harbor Inn, where each guest finds a second chance and every room comes with an inspiring new view.

Since moving to Cedar Cove, Jo Marie Rose has truly started to feel at home, and her neighbors have become her closest friends. Now it’s springtime, and Jo Marie is eager to finish the most recent addition to her inn. In memory of her late husband, Paul, she has designed a beautiful rose garden for the property and enlisted handyman Mark Taylor to help realize it. She and Mark don’t always see eye-to-eye—and at times he seems far removed—yet deep down, Jo Marie finds great comfort in his company. And while she still seeks a sense of closure, she welcomes her latest guests, who are on their own healing journeys.

Annie Newton arrives in town to orchestrate her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. While Annie is excited for the festivities, she’s struggling to move on from her broken engagement, and her grandparents themselves seem to be having trouble getting along. Worse, Annie is forced to see Oliver Sutton, with whom she grew up and who has always mercilessly teased her. But the best parties end with a surprise, and Annie is in for the biggest one of all.

High-powered businesswoman Mary Smith, another Rose Harbor Inn guest, has achieved incredible success in her field, yet serious illness has led her to face her sole, lingering regret. Almost nineteen years ago, she ended her relationship with her true love, George Hudson, and now she’s returned to Cedar Cove to make amends.

Compassion and joy await Jo Marie, Annie, and Mary as they make peace with their pasts and look boldly toward their futures. Rose Harbor in Bloom is Debbie Macomber at her heartwarming best.