Rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: NetGalley
Description: In this 2nd book that takes place at the Bella Vista Orchard the focus is on Isabel. Orphaned at birth Bella Vista is the only home she's known and her beloved grandparents were all the family she had. Now she is planning her sister's wedding and getting to know a grandmother she never knew existed. She is less than thrilled with Cormac "Mac" O'Neill shows up at her sister's request to write her grandfather's story. She fears what memories will be stirred up for her grandfather and herself. And she fears what she's starting to feel when Mac's around
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Why I Picked This Book: I LOVED the first book in the series The Apple Orchard so I couldn't request this sequel fast enough. It didn't disappoint.
My Impression:
Pros: The books starts with Isabel walking in the morning smelling "lavender and sun warmed grass scented air". How can you not love a setting that is described like that? Also, can I get a bottle of that scent? It sounds lovely. This book like the previous book goes back in forth in time. Part of the book takes place in modern day California in a beautiful apple farm full of lovely people. You can feel the sun and taste the honey when Wiggs has us at Bella Vista. It's beautiful and peaceful and warm. This contrasts with the grim hell of the storyline that takes place in World War 2 Denmark. It focuses on Magnus and Annelise and their activities in the Danish Resistance. Annelise's story is absolutely heartbreaking and the bravery of her and Magnus is really stunning. I had no idea how the story of Isabel's father Erik and his parentage would be able to be resolved in a manner that wouldn't be painful but it really was. I liked the introduction of the beekeeper Jaime and am hoping that her story will be the 3rd book. I really enjoyed the ending and was glad that Isabel did what she did in terms of taking control of an issue and being able to let go.
Cons: In the first book in the series and this one Isabel comes off as very kind but somewhat wounded. While the causes of this are talked about in this book it did feel almost like a minor part. Especially given how much of an influence it had had on her life. I think part of this is that Magnus and Annelise's story was so powerful that it minimized the present day stories some. While I loved Isabel and Mac and feel like there relationship would work Isabel is annoyingly dense at times regarding Mac's feelings. He's basically got a sign saying that he's attracted to her and interested in her and she just keeps thinking "Well he's not really because he'll be leaving soon.".
Overall: This was a really lovely book. The modern setting was beautifully drawn and I really felt for the characters' struggle. There is an underlying them of endurance and family that is just really wonderful. While this story is wrapped up nicely a mystery comes to light and the end of the book that is left open. I'm really hoping for a 3rd book because I really want to know the answer!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes definitely! I have her earlier books on my TBR list and I'm really hoping for #3 in this series!
Would I Recommend this Book?: Absolutely!
I have The Apple Orchard on my kindle, not yet read. I will read it for my summer COYER challenge after reading your review of the 2nd book. I have only read 2 books by Ms. Wiggs before, but I remember them as satisfying, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them! I really enjoyed the mix of present and past.
DeleteThis sounds so good! I need to read this series. I often find I like the historical story in novels like this where there are two stories being told, one past and one present. I don't know if that's because the past story is always more interesting or if it's just my love for historical fiction coming out.
ReplyDeleteI think with this one the past was so vivid that it was hard for anything to stand up to it. Definitely read this series!
DeleteI'm so glad to see someone review this book as I've noticed on many shelves. I like the way you do your reviews, offering both the Pros and Cons. 4.5 stars warrants a closer look!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Books are so subjective I try to list my reasons. I really enjoyed this one!
DeleteWell Women's Fiction has never really been my genre. I guess I'm waiting to hit that phase of my life. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one and it sounds really interesting. I hope there will be the third one in this series. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I started liking women's fiction until the last few years but this is strong enough that the story is still good - especially the WW2 part.
DeleteGood pick...you can't go wrong with a Susan Wiggs novel. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI loved this one!
DeleteGood review, Katherine! I love how you point out and even quote the sensory details that make this such a rewarding read, like the taste of honey and the scent of lavender and sun-warmed grass.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how different readers interpret things, though. Where you see Isabel not believing Mac really has these feelings for her, I saw her not wanting to get drawn into a relationship she felt had no future, because she believed he would not want to settle down at Bella Vista. Reasonable, since his job has required a lot of travel and he's very good at his job. But I agree, she was a bit blind to the possibility of compromise for a while. :-)
It is funny how we interpreted things differently. I can completely see your perspective too. I loved this one! Can't wait for the next one in this series!
DeleteOh, those sensory quotes are fantastic. As soon as I read the lavender and grass one, I started plotting how to create that using my soap scents. :D
ReplyDeleteCould this book be read as a stand alone or would I need the first book?
If you make the soap can you send me some? :)
DeleteIt could easily be read on it's own but The Apple Orchard is worth a read as well. I think I might have liked it a little better even.
I think I am going to love the imagery in this. The dense heroine not so much. Wonderful review Katherine. I love the simplistic cover.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the cover gorgeous! She's not horribly dense just enough to occasionally be a small annoyance. The rest of the story makes up for it!
Delete