The House that Love Built by Beth Wiseman
Thomas Nelson, April 2, 2013
Brooke has only loved one man. Owen’s heart is filled with bitterness. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?
In the small town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising six-year-old Meghan and ten-year-old Spencer on her own two years after her husband’s death. Being a single-mom and running the family’s local hardware store keep her busy.
While Meghan longs for a daddy, Spencer has threatened to run away if Brooke even goes out on a date. But the last thing on Brooke’s mind is falling in love. When a stranger moves to town and buys a house with a mysterious past, Brooke can’t contain her curiosity. As she spends time with the new owner, she wonders if maybe God is giving her another chance at happiness.
Owen Saunders fled the big city to start over in a small, rural town famous for baking the world’s largest gingerbread man. Then he bought an old house to restore—for all the wrong reasons. If anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart in the aftermath of his failed marriage. With little hope and lost faith, Owen is tempted by happiness when he meets Brooke, but his heart remains sealed shut.
As they learn more about Owen’s house, one thing becomes obvious to both of them: God has put them together for a reason.
This is my first Beth Wiseman book and I quite liked it. There was much to like about this book. Both Owen and Brooke are coming to terms with loss – his divorce and the death of her husband. They are also struggling with their growing feelings for each other, while trying to sort out the craziness of life around them. Brooke’s son doesn’t wanting her looking at another man, much less dating one, Owen has taken on the town troubled teen to help him with his house. It’s a beautiful friendship that is formed between this young man and Owen.
Themes of forgiveness, bitterness, hope, trust and new beginnings run through this book. There are a few twists in this book and for the most part they work well with the story. I like Beth’s style of writing, it’s engaging and draws the reader into the lives of these characters.
A lovely book.
Jess is a mum of two children and married to the calmest man alive. She loves to bake and go for walks. A writer of contemporary romance, Jess write stories about the heart and where love is worth the journey.
This was my first Beth Wiseman book as well, and I liked it too – although I found Brooke's son very annoying at first!
Yes, Iola, I found him annoying for a while! He improves as the book progresses though – good thing!
I have only read one of Beth's books (not this one) and I found it quite enjoyable. Thanks for the review. xx
Thanks for dropping by Michelle! That's another person who's enjoyed one of Beth's books. Seems, I might need to read some more from this author!