The House that Love Built

by Beth Wiseman

Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love? In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret — maybe even a treasure — and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way? Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again? Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat — and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Romance, Audiobook

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2013

About the author

"I wish I had the time to review books and chat with you here, but my writing deadlines just don't allow it. Please like my Fans of Beth Wiseman Page on Facebook where I try to post any news and interact with readers."
Beth is the best-selling and award winning author of the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise, and Plain Proposal. She is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Her other series--the Land of Canaan Novels--begins with Seek Me With All Your Heart, then The Wonder of Your Love and now, His Love Endures Forever. Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first Amish fiction book selected as a Women of Faith novel in 2011. Beth has also written three contemporary Christian fiction novels, Need You Now published in 2012 and The House That Love Built in 2013. In The Promise, (2014) Beth jumps way outside the box. This story takes readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 2015 brings Beth back to the Pennsylvania Amish with her new series, Amish Secrets. She is currently working on book #2 following much success with book #1, Her Brother's Keeper.

You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narration was spectacular, and the story was heartwarming. I especially enjoyed the family aspect of this book. The plot took a few surprising turns, and that kept me interested just as much as the mystery of the bunker and the house renovation.

A single expression of profanity (tossed off as a turn of phrase) held this book back from reaching five stars from me.

Content: one profane expression, marital affairs, infidelity

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you have finished this book the title becomes totally clear to you.
Brooke Holloway, has lost the love of her life, her husband. She is raising two children, who are her salvation. She did state, that if it weren't for them, she would have thrown in the towel.
When Owen Saunders, purchases the old Hadley mansion. His path crosses with Brook, as she owns the local hardware store, and he has a lot of work to do in restoring his new house. Owen is fighting his demons, he has lost his wife, Virginia, but to another man not death. He needs to forgive his ex, but can't find his way to do so.
Brooke, is also struggling with forgiveness, her father left her family when she was a young child. He now wants back in her life, and Brook is determined not let him.
There are a few other character in this story that will warm your heart, and some you will despise for the way they have treated a child. Throughout all, we find God seems to be in control of their lives, and all they have to do is listen.
Some parts made me want to cry, they were so sweet. This is not a book to be missed, and the important word is "Family". I loved it, and wish I could continue on in their lives. There are really some interesting and very surprising things that happen here. Don't miss this!

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Group, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet romance that has a great mix of charm and depth. It is a Christian romance about Brooke and Owen. Brooke is a 30 something widow and mom of 2. Owen is new to Smithville, TX (the town where Hope Floats was set) having just moved there and bought a mysterious old house. The house is "the house that love built" and supposedly has things buried below it. Owen moved there to spite his ex wife who always wanted to live there. He has a lot of resentment toward her and that is my biggest complaint about this book. They both say they're not ready to move on in relationships, but then all of a sudden they are. We don't get to see enough of their progress through the grief process (him of a failed marriage and her of her husband's death). It feels like rebound relationships, even though it does have some depth. It also has a trope I hate. IWe also get the story of Hunter, a 17 year old boy who has been in a lot of trouble. Owen is renovating his house and hires Hunter and gives him a shot and I thought that relationship was so sweet. Hunter had held up Brooke's hardware store with a mask and a water gun (that looked like a real gun) so she's not a fan, but the redemption in that relationship is sweet. Speaking of redemption in relationships, we also meet Brooke's mom and dad. They divorced and now may be having a 2nd chance, but Brooke can't forgive him for walking out on the family. I loved all the relationships in this book and never once lost interest. Her kids also have unique perspectives and overall I thought this was just a really enjoyable book!

SPOILERS AHEAD:
Brooke's mom and dad are having a 2nd chance fling and get remarried. Brooke is holding a lot of hatred for him but when she learns he's dying of cancer she is able to come to peace and offer forgiveness. She also forgives Hunter and he moves in with Owen and his traveling uncle when his grandma (the woman who raised him) dies. The trope I hate is secret baby. Owen's ex wife comes back and hands him a little girl and says its his.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman in her new book “The House that Love Built” published by Thomas Nelson takes us into the lives of Brooke Holloway and Owen Saunders.

From the back cover: Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way?

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?

Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

Don’t you just love the title? I think whoever thought of the title to this book, “The House that Love Built” should receive an award. It isn’t often that a book title gives you everything that you want to know about purchasing this book, “The House that Love Built” is a wonderful motivator. And you will not be disappointed. This is a truly charming romance. This is a book about what is important in life: family, faith and forgiveness. Ms. Wiseman knows how to create characters that live on the page and that we get to know and love. Get ready for an exciting read that will keep you flipping pages and keep you emotionally involved.

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally forgot to review this. Anyways, onto the review.

This book was not good. Not because it was bad in itself, but because it had all the elements in a story that I personally do not like.

Such as the main character having kids. I personally prefer reading books where biological children are not involved. I would prefer for that to be left to a sequel or something... not my favorite for having it be right off the bat.

Second, Owen was just not good. I didn't like him and his anger towards his ex-wife really dd not make me happy. I would have much preferred to read a story about a completely heartbroken man than one who's still ticked off at his ex-wife, especially because you don't see or read about men who are emotional.

The romance itself was good, but predictable. I mean books like this always are, but except for the surprise visit from you-know-who, it was just another generic love story with no real backbone.

The story itself seemed too rushed and personally, there were a lot of characters. I don't like reading books with a whole bunch of characters because it gets extremely confusing.

I will probably not read this book again.

Thanks to net galley and the publisher for my copy.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! Definitely going in as one of the top books of 2013! So many unexpected twists and turns (so glad nobody gave a thing away in their reviews that I saw at least) and an amazingly satisfying ending!! I'm fully intending to read this author's other books (though I'm not a big Amish fan) I hope all her books are as good!!

[Joanie Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The House that Love Built by Beth Wiseman

This book was fantastic! The spiritual aspects are revealed throughout the story, but the book is not preachy.

What I liked: The characters are real … easy to get-to-know … even the minor characters. This story truly portrays forgiveness at its strongest.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t care for the way Owen Saunders seemed so vindictive and bitter about his ex-wife. Yes, it gave him a reason to be careful of the relationship with Meghan, but the bitterness made me cringe when I read those parts of the book.

Over all, I give this book five stars. It’s fantastic. If you pass it by on the shelves, you will have missed something.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review
The title of this book was what grabbed my attention and the story itself pulled me in effortlessly. Brooke has been a widow for two years now and is happily raising her kids while running the town’s hardware store. She’s a simple woman with simple needs, easy to get along with, compassionate, and protective of her kids. She’s also very close to her mom, but there is one issue Brooke needs help with. She has to forgive her dad for cheating on her mom and leaving them when she was just a kid. She has learned to hate her dad since and that grudge is the only thing holding her back from being completely at peace with her life. She misses her husband something fierce and in her heart there will never be another man like him.

One day Owen enters her store looking to buy a sander and that’s when everything changes for both Brooke and Owen. Owen is new to town and has purchased the large house that has been vacant for 10 years, it’s rumored to have a hidden bunker that only Brooke and her late husband knew about. Owen purchased the house to make a fresh start and to escape the pain of divorcing his ex-wife, whom he’s determined to hate. Never again will he trust a woman or allow his heart to care for someone else, it’s just not worth the trouble. That is, until he meets Brooke and her lovely children.

Even though Travis is long gone when the story begins, it’s obvious he still lives on in Brooke’s heart and with the children. Meghan is too young to remember him, but Spencer was deeply affected by his dad’s passing and doesn’t make things easy for Brooke when he thinks a flower delivery is from an interested man. Travis is still alive in the Holloway memories and Brooke even has guilt at one point at the thought of going forward without her beloved husband. One thing I did consider with Travis’s character, there is no time limit on grief and it’s a process that should be respected, not rushed.

One of the main issues in this story was forgiveness; Brooke needs this for her father, Owen needs this for his ex-wife and as it turns out Brooke’s mom also needed this step at one point. This story has SEVERAL unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages way before I got to the end! I cried so much the last 100 pages or so, not because it was sad but because it was SOOOOO touching and heartfelt. Another thing I learned, it’s not wise to cry when you have a stuffy nose but since the book was so good it was worth all the tissues that were needed :) There was one element of the story that bothered me and that was the confusion Brooke and Owen had regarding their romance. They make a deal to be platonic, but they’re struggling with feelings for one another for most of the story. Then again, I guess this made the story realistic because Brooke is still getting over her husband when this friendship starts up. I was grateful for Owen’s patience, consistency, and maturity while dealing with his own doubts and restoring the house.

There was one part towards the end that had my jaw drop open. I started shaking my head over the incident and then another perspective was given on the matter which brought more tears out of me and then I realized no judgment was needed. The new development caused the story to become that much more sweeter and showed the skills Wiseman has at writing GREAT characters. My favorite part of the story were the children, Brooke’s kids as well as the town’s troublemaker. Uncle Denny was also a fascinating addition to the story that I was grateful for.

I highly recommend this story to Beth Wiseman’s fans as well as readers like myself who are just now reading her. Even though this is a contemporary story, the writing has such depth and common sense mixed with unusual characters as well as loyal ones. There are no real villains in the story, but there are family members who only cause trouble, a town flirt who pursues Owen, lots of misunderstandings, a betrayal that becomes a quest for forgiveness, grieving that becomes healing, a storm that brings flooding and terrifies Brooke, a good deed that turns into something more, and an old house that needs restoration and ends up becoming so much more than just Owen’s new home. I never realized how much one house could affect a family, it’s legacy helps them move towards their destinies. The House that Love Built, now that’s where I want to live.

I want to thank BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson for the free review copy they provided. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Crystal Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for book club. Was told it was inspirational, but it is very much a romance. Cute! Some twists! Gives “Sweet Magnolias” vibes.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke Holloway would like give in to the desire to stay in bed and grieve the loss of husband but she has two active children and a business to run. Her mother helped for a while but she had become to dependent on her now it was time to face life head on. Her daily routine keeps her focused on her job but memories of her deceased husband still occupy most of her thoughts. Just like now when her thoughts were interrupted by Owen Saunders the new man in town. He recently bought one of the biggest old mansions in town that was in need of much repair and since she owned a hardware store he would become a frequent customer. Her coworker keeps pushing her to find a new man even though she keeps telling her and everyone else that she is in no hurry to start a relationship. But brother if she were looking, which she isn't, this handsome guy would fit the bill.

Owen Saunders admits to himself he may have, as the saying goes, "cut off his nose to spite his face", by purchasing a huge old house that is turning into a money pit. This is the house his cheating ex wife had dreamed of owning, so he bought the house just to rub into her face. He was determine to finish the house as close to the original as possible. He must admit he will probably never get it to original since he knows nothing about renovating anything. So here he is renovating this old house when his is heart probably in worse condition than this old house. He has had to make many trips to the hardware store owned by a very attractive lady. The more they see each other it is apparent they are building a friendship but they both made it clear they were looking for nothing more. God tends to have a say in what is planned for our life's plan. Maybe He wants them to start anew letting go of the bitterness and pain from their past and to trust in love.

The author adds many other interesting characters to the mix like two precious children, two grandmothers, a missing grandfather, a rebellious teen, a couple of crack head parents, a stray cat and well intended friends.

I found this an endearing story of love lost, bitterness, revenge, trust issues, tribulations and reconciliation. In the author's writing I could see God's plan in restoring the lives of His children. The author also writes about how the characters let anger, abandonment and fear eat away at their lives until they slowly and sometime quickly turning from God yet proves He never turned from them.

In one part of the book Owen advises Brooke on the importance of forgiveness and she points out," Isn't that kind of like the pot calling the kettle black". It is like seeing the err of our ways through another person's eyes or better yet by reading a great book like this one.

I highly recommend this book. It would be a great book for a book club and/or reading group. There are some very enlightening discussion questions at the back of the book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson/Litfuse Publicity Group for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Widowed mother of two, Brooke Holloway, has carved out a new life for herself running her family's hardware store in the town of Smithville. Her late husband, Travis, was her one true love. Irreplaceable. She isn't looking to give her heart to another man, despite her mother's prodding to find love again. When Owen Saunders purchases the mysterious, old, Hadley mansion; Brooke strikes up a friendship with him in an attempt to see if what she'd heard about the house was true.

Owen Saunders, betrayed by his cheating ex-wife, bought the old house in Smithville purely out of spite. It was the kind of house his ex had always wanted and now she couldn't have it. Owen is bitter and vows that he is done with women. Forever. He meets Brooke Holloway while venturing to the hardware store for supplies. A new found friendship with Brooke, might have him rethinking his views on women. Forever.

On the whole I prefer to read historical or Amish fiction over contemporary fiction. However, I am discovering that a truly well written story can be enjoyable regardless of its genre. I've read almost all of Beth Wiseman's Amish novels, and I have loved each one. The House That Love Built is the first of her contemporary novels that I've read and I was not disappointed. Beth Wiseman is truly a gifted storyteller. The House That Love Built is a wonderfully written story about family, faith and forgiveness. I laughed out loud, was intrigued by the mystery of the Hadley mansion and was shocked when Beth Wiseman threw in a few jaw dropping plot twists that I never saw coming.

The House That Love Built, by Beth Wiseman will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer April 2, 2013.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for the free advanced copy of The House that Love Built to read in exchange for my honest review.

I would recommend this book to fans of Beth Wiseman and anyone appreciates a great story.

[Rhonda Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am already a huge Beth Wiseman fan, and this book was frosting on top of the cake. If I have bags under my eyes today, it is all Beth's fault as I started reading the book and could not stop until I had read to the end .......at 4 a.m. What a beautiful story of second chances, even for those who are elderly and diagnosed with terminal illnesses, there is hope. Even for those who have been in constant trouble with the law, there is hope. Even for a widow and divorcee, there is hope.
I love how Owen and Brooke create a family out of both those who are truly blood relatives and those whom God brings to them. What a treasure to be on the lookout for a hidden bunker and "treasure" of some sort in the old house that Owen buys. Can the spite that drove him to buy the house dissolve and leave room in his heart for love ? This book gave me hope that there is forgiveness and love and a home for each one of us, myself included. Another message I heard as I read this book was not to judge others. We never know the heart behind the decisions that others make and we need to treat them with love and respect, instead of pointing a finger. Life is discouraging for me right now with my husband unemployed and me on disability, and this story truly made me feel hopeful again.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Ties Are Not Just Biological

Brooke's's husband is dead leaving her alone to raise her two children. Owen is divorced. His wife had an affair with his partner hurting him deeply. Hunter, a teenager, was abandoned by his mother. Now the grandmother he's been living with is ill. He's always been in trouble, but now he has no where to turn.

Brooke is particularly sensitive to abandonment. Her father left when she was small, and she grew very attached to her mother. Her mother lived with her after the death of Brooke's husband, but she moved out wanting to have her own life giving Brooke another abandonment.

Abandonment is an issue in this story, but so is forgiveness. Owen is struggling with the issue with his ex-wife. Brook thinks she hates the father who abandoned her, but each of these characters is hurting themselves because being unable to forgive makes them act in ways that are destructive for themselves. Being unable to forgive hurts the person more than the object of their hatred.

The characters in this book are believable. They're hurting and the hurts are very human. The story has enough twists to keep it interesting and as it's a romance all is well at the end, if not exactly what we expect.

I reviewed this book for the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

[Stephanie Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

This is a must read for romance lovers. I have found a new author to love. Wiseman has a unique talent to fill a sentence with much information. She writes a back story in just a few sentences so you never deviate far from the plot of the story. There are many secondary stories happening and Wiseman weaves them all together with pure magic of her writing. This is a book I could read over and over.

I cannot say much more without giving too much information away. What I learned from this piece of fabulous fiction is that we are faced with many hurdles in our life. Sometimes we feel like every time we try to get up, we just get knocked right back down. We wonder if we will ever find goodness and happiness. But if you open your eyes and heart, you will see that God has given you many blessings.

Until next time, live life one page at a time!

[LINDA BOURG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read by Beth Wiseman. Brooke holds bitterness in her heart towards her father, and Owen holds bitterness for his ex wife. But both of them come to terms and find forgiveness, and a beautiful loving family in the house that love built. God restores the many lives in this story like only He can.

I recommend this book.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't too sure what to expect with this book. It started slow and then it picked up. I was really glad that I stuck with it. It turned out being better than I thought.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! I was worried that it was going to be really cheesy and it wasn't at all. I loved the characters in this book and I felt like I was a part of their family! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

[Jessica Leigh Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any books by Beth Wiseman because she primarily writes Amish fiction, and I don't read that genre, having grown up near Amish country. It's not interesting to me. BUT...this story is contemporary fiction, and I bought it at Goodwill. For 2 bucks, I thought I'd try it! I was instantly engaged in the story. Before I knew it, I'd read almost 100 pages, and that almost never happens. I read at a snail's pace. So, that says a lot!

Widow Brooke Holloway is busy running a business and taking care of her two kids, and has no desire to fall in love again. Once was enough and her heart still belongs to her late husband. Meanwhile Brook's mother is acting strangely distant, and her estranged father is trying to reach out to her and reconnect. When she finds out that a handsome young newcomer has recently bought and moved into the Hadley mansion, which is rumored to house a mysterious bunker somewhere within its walls, she is more than intrigued—and not just with the house.

Owen Saunders bought his ex-wife's dream house in Smithville, TX just to spite her. Now he's got an incredible renovation job ahead of him, and he wonders what he was thinking. When he meets the owner of the local hardware store he is instantly attracted, not that he wants to be. Women can't be trusted. He meets local "bad boy" Hunter, and gives him a job as a handyman to help him finish the job. Hunter is glad that someone finally sees some good in him.

I found this book to be an easy read, and an enjoyable story.

[Lyndalou · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book that focuses on grief, healing, love, forgiveness, and second chances. All the characters are in some way or another grappling with issues that they'd rather not deal with. Brooke--a widow with two kids who misses her husband terribly. She hates her father for leaving her and her mother behind when she was growing up. Owen--a man still feeling the pain and rawness of a divorce. Hunter--a teenager who had a bad hand dealt. Always in trouble and the townspeople look down on him simply because of his history. Owen is the only person willing to give him the second chance he needs to prove himself and teach him to become the man God wants him to be. Patsy-- a woman who desperately wants to reunite her husband and her daughter. Spencer--a young boy who misses his dead father so much that he can't bear the idea that his mom might one day remarry.

Emotions run up and down in this book. There is love. There is anger. There is sadness. There is joy. There is hope. There is God.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about community, found family, growth and forgiveness. I appreciated that Brooke and Owen began as friends, encouraging each other and offering a listening ear, hug, or company for a movie night. They both have some trauma and betrayal they are working through, and the focus was more on their emotional relationship, without much emphasis on chemistry or attraction. I loved the storyline with Hunter, the troubled teen who needed love, second chances, and distance from his abusive parents. The story began slowly, and the layers the author hinted at also unfolded slowly enough that I almost gave up. Thankfully I kept reading because as the pace increased my engagement with the story did as well. The mysterious hidden bunker in Owen's house with the sad story that accompanied it came full circle and the ending was very satisfying.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke loved one man and thought that was enough for a lifetime. When a stranger Owen comes in to the shop for help. He bought and is refurbishing the old mansion house. A dream of his ex wife, and to spite her he bought. Now he is over his head on what to do. Brooke is hoping this might be away of getting in to see the place and the rumors about the bunker.
Her mother had moved in after her husband died, and then decide to move into a retirement place, which Brooke has a hard time with why. Her mother tells Brooke she needs to get a life, one with some adult people. Noticing her mothers new hair cut, and asking to get her some of her favorite perfume. Flowers came from a father that had walked out on them, still didn’t want anything to do with him.Wondering how her mother could forgive him, and telling Brooke she should do that also. Her father made a mistake and now asking for forgiveness. A good plot of second chance with her father, and moving on to love.

[Simcyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Christian romance. Little imagination. OK read. There really isn't a plot, just some life events and faith questioned when the experience is negative and a lot of "God is good" and counting blessings when it turns positive. I am a Christian but I don't like what I can roller coaster faiths in that their faith is strong only during the upward swings on life experiences.

I would recommend this book if you are a fan of Christian romance. There are no hot and heavy scenes which is a huge plus in my opinion. Also the characters aren't perfect in that they make mistakes; hanging onto their hurts and anger.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay. It has a high rating overall but I wonder if that wasn’t from free books to reviewers-especially other authors who will always give your book a glowing review finding something to say good so that they receive the same. 😲🙄 But honestly, it was way too cliche and feel good. A couple of the characters were interesting-hunter and Denny-but overall not impressed.

[Jan McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I am so thankful that I came across Beth Wiseman as an author. I have read a few of her Amish books which I thoroughly enjoyed and decided to give the house that love built a try to see what it was like and I absolutely loved it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great Christian fiction love story.

[Jessica Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I wouldn’t have picked this book to read, but I’m glad it was picked for book club. I enjoyed that it had some difficult situations that the characters were navigating through instead of just being a cookie-cutter Christian story. Forgiveness is tough, but it can be very rewarding.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good clean story. I learned that we don't have to have a traditional family to be a family. It is about a widow with two kids and new divorced man who moves to a small town. They start out by being friends and then it turns into more

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story overall. But very odd in the way the main character reacted to life changes. Everything was such a major big deal when it shouldn't have been. It was interesting, but frustrating in several areas.