There is a perfect time to read this book: whenever you need to. I'd just finished reading a novel about North Korea where everyone was starving and lying and many were being tortured. It was a man's story. This book is at the other end of the spectrum. There may be a danger of weight gain from reading about so much great food, but otherwise The Guestbook is a delicious vicarious vacation. The setting, a Bed and Breakfast on an island in Puget Sound is delightful. The cast of characters (primarily female) work together to resolve the heroine's broken heart and spirit as in most romance novels. There is an amazing focus on cooking and enjoying food--with real recipes at the end of the story. In short, it provides a good story with interesting characters in a beautiful setting. It is an enjoyable read, the kind of book you savor.
That said, I had a few problems. There is a bit too much California bashing--even though that is a common hobby in the northwest--it was overdone. The main character eats heartily but never exercises and yet remains thin. Crape Myrtles don't grow in western Washington and if some micro climate and green house allowed it to happen they could never bloom on July Fourth. There might be a displaced southerner or two who'd say `Come on in', but a northwest native would simply say, `Come in' or `Please come in'--yet every character was constantly imploring `Come on in.' The main character's father never materializes despite tantalizing hints he will. The hero has super-hero patience and even for a romance novel, he seemed too good to be true. Still, if you are in the mood for it, you'll love The Guestbook.
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Reviews with images
The Guestbook
I purchased this book from Amazon to read with The Well Read Ladies Bookclub. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Guestbook Book One in The Madrona Island Trilogy by Andrea Hurst. This was a fun, light read. It was heart warming and full of fluff. Like reading a Hallmark movie in its pages. Lily is fleeing a broken marriage that on the outside looked perfect but left her unfulfilled and retreats to her Grandmother's farmhouse on Madrona Island. Since her Grandmother passed away Lily is only left with a Guestbook and a few recipes to learn how to continue the converted B and B. With the help of the quirky island residents Lily finds her true dreams and culinary skills. A brewing love story happens when Lily meets Ian but swears he will only ever be a friend.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
I purchased this book from Amazon to read with The Well Read Ladies Bookclub. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Guestbook Book One in The Madrona Island Trilogy by Andrea Hurst. This was a fun, light read. It was heart warming and full of fluff. Like reading a Hallmark movie in its pages. Lily is fleeing a broken marriage that on the outside looked perfect but left her unfulfilled and retreats to her Grandmother's farmhouse on Madrona Island. Since her Grandmother passed away Lily is only left with a Guestbook and a few recipes to learn how to continue the converted B and B. With the help of the quirky island residents Lily finds her true dreams and culinary skills. A brewing love story happens when Lily meets Ian but swears he will only ever be a friend.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2012
Top reviews from other countries
Kathy Demaray
I am currently reading the 2nd book in the series and it is just as good with a vineyard setting
Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2015