Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
During the reading of this book here I found myself falling in love with the people inside. Denise Hunter pens a novel that has you connecting with the characters in a way you don't often see in fiction books. I have been blessed to be able to read all the other installments in this series so I found it enjoyable to catch up with Jade, Daniel, Madison and Beckett. I just love these people!! But I slowly realized while I was devouring this one that PJ was dearest to my heart. I felt like she could be me at times in how she responded or her emotions. She is such a sweetheart and yet feels so inferior to others. And don't get me started on Cole;D
The book starts with PJ at a rental when this strange man breaks in and she knocks him over the head. Needless to say she knocks him out. And as you might have guessed, the person she renders unconscious would be Cole Evans. An elderly woman in the town of Chapel Springs is giving away her ancestral home to a worthy candidate and both PJ and Cole want the home. PJ wants to open a bed and breakfast with a fancy restaurant and Cole would like to start an in-between house for orphans and teenagers who are trying to save and earn money as they start a new life. This is a subject near and dear to his heart as Cole was in an orphanage since he was little. My hear really broke for him and what he went through. It colors his whole life as an adult and how he views his own self-worth.
PJ and Cole immediately go at each other and the sparks fly like we often see with a book from Denise Hunter. One of the things I love with her books is the lessons found therein. PJ has had a rough time of it and feels like a loser. She thinks everyone sees her as not able to make good choices, including in her love life. Yes, she has made some bad choices, but they weren't entirely her fault. We see as Cole discovers his own worth and that he doesn't have to save everybody to make up for his failures in the past. Oh, and he is a good hunky hero that you love to read about. Protector, caring and kind he makes your heart swoon. Needless to say, I found myself crying, laughing and totally caring for these people. You hate having a book like this end and I cannot wait for the next one!
The book starts with PJ at a rental when this strange man breaks in and she knocks him over the head. Needless to say she knocks him out. And as you might have guessed, the person she renders unconscious would be Cole Evans. An elderly woman in the town of Chapel Springs is giving away her ancestral home to a worthy candidate and both PJ and Cole want the home. PJ wants to open a bed and breakfast with a fancy restaurant and Cole would like to start an in-between house for orphans and teenagers who are trying to save and earn money as they start a new life. This is a subject near and dear to his heart as Cole was in an orphanage since he was little. My hear really broke for him and what he went through. It colors his whole life as an adult and how he views his own self-worth.
PJ and Cole immediately go at each other and the sparks fly like we often see with a book from Denise Hunter. One of the things I love with her books is the lessons found therein. PJ has had a rough time of it and feels like a loser. She thinks everyone sees her as not able to make good choices, including in her love life. Yes, she has made some bad choices, but they weren't entirely her fault. We see as Cole discovers his own worth and that he doesn't have to save everybody to make up for his failures in the past. Oh, and he is a good hunky hero that you love to read about. Protector, caring and kind he makes your heart swoon. Needless to say, I found myself crying, laughing and totally caring for these people. You hate having a book like this end and I cannot wait for the next one!
PJ McKinley has a dream of opening her own restaurant with a Bed and Breakfast. That is as much her dream as proving to her family that she's capable of doing it. Cole Evans is a contractor who wants to help foster kids. Being one himself, he wants to give those turning eighteen a solid footing before being sent out on their own. When a long time resident of Chapel Springs decides to donate her family's home to a worthy cause (one that will benefit the Chapel Springs community) both PJ and Cole enter the contest. Since both are worthy causes, the house's owner decides to give each of them a chance to shine. They must live in the house together, for one year, on different floors, and see how their ideas pan out. After the year is complete, the owner will decide who gets the house. Each wants to win the house, but as the day to day routine sets in they find themselves deeply attracted to one another and even helping each other out. Before too long, they both realize there's more than the house at stake in this friendly competition, their hearts are on the line as well.
The Wishing Season is an excellent story. I've read all the Chapel Springs stories so far and have loved them all, but I think this one is my favorite. Starting with the unusual way that PJ and Cole meet, to the electric energy that sparked between PJ and Cole. PJ was someone who was strong yet unsure. She so desperately wanted to prove herself to her family. Cole was someone who grew up with a lot of grief and guilt. Yet his love and care came shining through. I love the way the author, through the voice of Mrs. McKinley, encourages us to trust God even when we don't understand why things happen they way they do. It's always a great reminder. You could read this as a stand alone and enjoy it, but I would recommend reading the the previous books first, "A Barefoot Summer", "Dancing with Fireflies", to really enjoy the background and family dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Chapel Springs and I'm sure you will too. Now I'm looking forward to "Married 'til Monday" due out June 2015.
*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
The Wishing Season is an excellent story. I've read all the Chapel Springs stories so far and have loved them all, but I think this one is my favorite. Starting with the unusual way that PJ and Cole meet, to the electric energy that sparked between PJ and Cole. PJ was someone who was strong yet unsure. She so desperately wanted to prove herself to her family. Cole was someone who grew up with a lot of grief and guilt. Yet his love and care came shining through. I love the way the author, through the voice of Mrs. McKinley, encourages us to trust God even when we don't understand why things happen they way they do. It's always a great reminder. You could read this as a stand alone and enjoy it, but I would recommend reading the the previous books first, "A Barefoot Summer", "Dancing with Fireflies", to really enjoy the background and family dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Chapel Springs and I'm sure you will too. Now I'm looking forward to "Married 'til Monday" due out June 2015.
*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Really good story with great characters. Denise Hunter has written another excellent series. Highly recommended!
