The Inn at Rose Harbor (Romance Novel)

Love. Peace. Death. Forgiveness. Healing the Past. Beginning a New Life. 

The Inn at Rose Harbor is the first book in Debbie Macomber’s new series, which is set at a bed and breakfast run by Jo Marie Rose. While the series takes place in Cedar Cove, the scene of her twelve book Cedar Cove series, new readers like me will feel comfortable reading it without knowing the backstories. The book, like most of Macomber’s others, is a bit corny and in some ways innocent, but it still has a way of touching a person’s heart. The book has a faint supernatural element to it, making it a bit more multidimensional.

Briefly, after the death of her new husband, Jo Marie Rose leaves her life in Seattle and opens up a bed and breakfast. Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come to make peace with his dying step-father, who emotionally abused him as a child. Josh becomes reacquainted with Michelle, the “fat girl” from his school days who had a crush on him. Jo Marie’s second guest is Abby Kincaid, who has come to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. While she grew up in Cedar Cove, she has avoided coming back because fifteen years earlier her best friend died in a tragic car accident in which Abby was driving.

I love new beginnings. Reading about Jo Marie setting up her B&B and becoming familiar with Cedar Cove, stirs up hope in the future within me. The Inn at Rose Harbor isn’t anywhere near Pulitzer Prize quality. I don’t care. I admire Macomber’s ability to reach out to a huge audience. She connects us with our humanness. While I am not a fan of romance, I enjoyed Macomber’s Blossom Street series, and this new series has gotten off to a good start.