Rest for Your Soul

The Inn at Rose Harbor offers listeners a respite . . . as well as the friendly faces of Cedar Cove, along with new ones as Debbie Macomber begins this series . . . Jo Marie Rose, recently widowed when her husband's helicopter went down in Afghanistan makes a brand new start, by buying the bed and breakfast and naming it for her husband . . . if you are looking for a fast paced listen, this isn't it . . . this is a balm-for-your-soul kind of book . . . gentle, easy and pondering . . . Jo Marie is slowly healing and finding her place in Cedar Cove, feeling Paul's presence in her life, even though her husband is in heaven, and she is learning to trust her own instincts to make choices that she never would have before . . . such as getting a dog . . . the stories of Jo Marie's first two guests, Joshua Weaver and Abby Kincaid, both former Cedar Cove residents are well told . . . I especially got a kick out of Jo Marie's interaction with Mark, the huffy, grumpy handyman that Jo Marie hired to do some work at the inn . . . a military veteran whose temper can skyrocket quickly, particularly when he perceives a threat to Jo Marie . . .

12 people found this helpful

Wish I Hadn't

The book seemed be at the top of many list, so I tried it. I wish I had tried the print version so that I could have skimmed to find out it was a thoroughly tedious read faster. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen and it never did.

25 people found this helpful

Debbie Keeps On Going

I have listened to all of the original Ceder Cove series with great enjoyment. I wasn't sure Debbie could create another series , set in the same location but with new characters, that I could enjoy as much. She has done it! The new start to the series not only stands on its own, but minimally includes characters from the original series. Therefore, I felt I had the best of both worlds. The new characters are just as interesting and warm as the old ones were. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

20 people found this helpful

Laugh and cry with this feel-good story!

What did you love best about The Inn at Rose Harbor?

Sounded like the narrator was the one to whom it actually happened. It had happy endings.

Which scene was your favorite?

The pancake restaurant gathering with the high school classmates.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I definitely laughed at some of the eccentric characters and humorous situations. And I did cry both for sadness and happiness!

Any additional comments?

This is a lovely story about a young woman who finds a way to put her broken life back together and achieve happiness while also being the innkeeper who houses 2 other people who also find ways to put their own lives back together and find happiness. I really enjoyed it. Nothing particularly significant about the book- just a nice, feel-good story.

4 people found this helpful

Interesting story. Bad theology.

Excellent performance by the narrator. The story kept my interest, but I was constantly uneasy with a theology that I could not agree with. I know it could have been presented as just pretend, but it was obvious that the author wanted to communicate that this is her perspective of how things really happen. The dead are the ones speaking to the living and leading them with voices and making things happen in their lives rather than God leading you and speaking to your heart. Although the author did not make light of God or put him down, he was just a non-factor. But the voices and the presence of the spirits of the Dead were very much a real factor in the story.

12 people found this helpful

Unrealistic characters

What disappointed you about The Inn at Rose Harbor?

Characters felt false. In one case (semi-spoiler alerts), emotion swung from 15 years of bitter hatred to forgiveness in 30-60 minutes. In another, from near complete indifference to total devotion in about the same amount of time. The one bad guy that was interesting due to Rover the dog, never showed up again. Dialogue was awkward and didn't feel natural. Overall, very disappointing for the cost of one credit. Definitely would not recommend.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure.

What three words best describe Lorelei King’s voice?

Rough. Decent attempt.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Inn at Rose Harbor?

Reconciliation between Abbey and the Whites. Fakey loving turnaround by Josh.

Any additional comments?

The innkeeper and dog were the most interesting characters. Others REALLY didn't feel natural.

8 people found this helpful

Wonderful

If you could sum up The Inn at Rose Harbor in three words, what would they be?

Touching, Fun, wonderful

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it wasn't a syrupy love story but a life story

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

2 people found this helpful

another great story

What made the experience of listening to The Inn at Rose Harbor the most enjoyable?

i enjoy listening to debbie macomber's books and, of course, this was no exception--i keep looking for the next installment with anticipation--she makes me want to go and live at cedar cove!!!! please keep up the good work

Who was your favorite character and why?

hard to pick a favorite--they all bring something to the table

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not sure

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

life is never dull in cedar cove

Any additional comments?

keep them coming

2 people found this helpful

Finding healing and peace at Rose Harbor Inn

Jo Marie Rose has come to Cedar Cove to start her new life by opening a Bed and Breakfast where she hope to find healing, return to joy, and most of all PEACE.  After less than a year of marriage to her true soul mate, she finds herself widowed by the
war in Afghanistan, and her grief from this loss has been all consuming.   Her husband, Paul, left her with an insurance policy that allows her to start this new endeavor, but much more importantly, Paul has come to her in a dream to encourage her on this new path of 'healing' for herself and all who come to her Inn.

Her first two guests arrive and Jo Marie is excited to begin her own healing process as she provides a beautiful place of comfort, hospitality, and a listening ear for these two wounded souls.  Abby hasn't been back to her home town in many years.  Though she had a beautiful life growing up in Cedar Cove, she has not been able to bare having any connections to this place or people since the accident when her best friend, Angelia, was killed in the car accident when Abby crashed her car on an icy road as the girls were returning home from one of their 'best friends' outings. Her guilt of surviving when Angelia did not has overwhelmed all her life decisions since then.  Now her brother's wedding has forced her unwanted return.

Josh has also avoided Cedar Cove since he was thrown out of his house in his last year of high school by his step-father, Richard, after his Mom died. Now Josh has been called back by the social worker who says Richard needs Josh because Richard is dying.  Josh's need to retrieve some of his Mother's 'heart treasures' has given him no choice but overcome his hatred for Richard for a few days in Cedar Cove again.

For readers of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove books, this will be a welcome return to a lovely community and beloved friends.  For those newcomers to Cedar Grove, this book will introduce you to new community through Jo Marie and her new Inn at Rose Harbor, where healing and peace will hopefully be found for the unsuspecting guests who take lodging for a few days with Jo Marie.  As with all of Macomber's books, this book is also peopled with characters who will draw you into their lives before you realize what has happened.  Ah, and just wait till you meet, Rover, the dog who adopts Jo Marie from the animal shelter. Yes, I said that right--he adopts her!

Many different forms of grief are portrayed so well in this book. And as we all have been in grief or known those in grief, the process of healing, and new found peace and joys found in this book will make every reader want to take up residency for a while in THE INN AT ROSE HARBOR!  As with all those loyal fans of the Cedar Grove books, I suspect there will be many more fans who will want to become part of this little community after they read this book.  And, never fear, if you are new to Cedar Grove, this Rose Harbor Inn book will introduce you to everyone just as any newcomer to an area is welcomed into great community. In fact, for newcomers who, like me, are always impatient for a favorite authors 'next book' , you can start the Cedar Grove series with 16 LIGHTHOUSE RD and become part of the community to welcome the Rose Harbor Inn guests when Debbie Macomber's new books are published! A terrific read all around!!

8 people found this helpful

beautiful story, stellar narration

Debbie Macomber made me feel like I was in the story. I laughed and cried! Now for book 2.

1 person found this helpful