The Inn at Rose Harbor
by Debbie Macomber

Summary
They say never to make a major life change after the loss of a loved one. But there’s nothing left for Jo Marie in Seattle, and when she sees the B&B for the first time, she knows that this is where she needs to be. So she takes the plunge and starts her life over as the proprietor of a charming bed and breakfast in the small town of Cedar Cove. With absolutely no experience running a B&B, Jo Marie relies on the kindness of the townsfolk to guide her on her way. As she learns the ropes and hosts her first guests, Jo Marie realizes that the Rose Harbor Inn may just be the perfect place to heal a wounded soul.

Review
The Inn at Rose Harbor is a heart-warming tale about grief, loss and recovery. Set in a small town filled with lovable characters, it’s easy to see how fans of Debbie Macomber’s past novels came to fall in love with Cedar Cove and it’s townsfolk. As a newcomer to Cedar Cove and Macomber’s work, I already want to know many of these characters better! The Inn at Rose Harbor is a little slow moving in comparison to my usual action-packed fantasy reads, but the emotion and the connection between the characters make it a story that’s hard to put down. I’ll even admit to tearing up a few times!

Each chapter of The Inn at Rose Harbor is told from a different character’s point of view, switching between Jo Marie and her two guests Abby and Josh. This method is very effective for giving the reader insight into each of the characters personal battles, but the switch between 1^st person narrative for Jo Marie’s chapters and 3^rd person for Abby & Josh’s chapters disrupts the flow of the story. My only other issue with the story is that it seemed a bit repetitive at times. I understand that some plot points or character traits are significant, but I only need to be told once or twice to get that.

Verdict
In a perfect blend of old and new, The Inn at Rose Harbor allows fans of the Cedar Cove series to visit old friends, while at the same time inviting new readers into Cedar Cove without making them feel they’ve missed something.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.