Falling for Her

Rose Harbor #3.5

by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber’s beloved Rose Harbor series follows Jo Marie as she makes her home in Cedar Cove, running the charming Rose Harbor Inn. Now, in this original short story, available exclusively as an eBook, Macomber tells a whole new side of the story as handyman Mark Taylor grapples with his true feelings for Jo Marie. 
 
Mark Taylor came to Cedar Cove to leave his painful past behind him, and has spent the last few years keeping mostly to himself. But when he meets Jo Marie Rose, his world is turned upside down. She’s hired him to do carpentry projects around the inn, but for Mark, spending time with Jo Marie is a risk—to both his long-buried secrets and his carefully guarded heart. Then one day, he breaks his leg in his workshop and must turn to Jo Marie for help. And though he tries to keep his distance, Mark can’t deny how he feels drawn to Jo Marie—and how deeply he is falling for her.
 
Includes an excerpt from Silver Linings, the next novel in Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming Rose Harbor series.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2015

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super short story told in the pov of Jo Marie's handyman, Mark Taylor.

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Falling For Her is a short story in the Rose Harbor series by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. It is written from the perspective of Jo Marie Rose’s cranky handyman and carpenter, Mark Taylor. When his workshop bench collapses onto his leg, breaking it, Mark finds himself somewhat dependent on Jo Marie, and he doesn’t like it one bit! When he analyses his feelings, he realises he has fallen for her, and decides that cannot continue.

What a disappointment this short story is! Apart from giving the reader Mark’s perspective of events, in particular, the broken leg incident, it imparts nothing new, nothing that was not covered in the first three novels. And short, it is, at merely 30 pages, the balance being made up with a preview of the fourth novel in the series, Silver Linings. Diehard Macomber fans may not object to paying for this snippet, but to many readers this will smack of a money-making exercise. Save your hard earned money for something with more substance!
2.5★s

[Vivone Os · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kratka, ali slatka pričica iz Markove perspektive. Njegova razmišljanja i unutarnje borbe su mi bile baš zanimljive za čitati i žao mi je što u knjigama nemamo jedno Joeino pa jedno njegovo poglavlje. Nadala sam se da ću saznati više o njegovoj prošlosti, i iako nisam, kužim da je logično da ćemo to polako saznavati u romanima koji su ostali.
I samo ću reći, lik je tvrdoglav ko mazga.

Spookoplathon 2024. – Mood Read
Globalni ciljevi: nastavak serijala

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the backstory to Mark Taylor, the handyman. It basically tells nothing that the novels in the series tell you and was simply a rehashing of what was already in the series. This and the other short story might have been great as enticements for those who have not read the books but they are useless for those that have. I can see the publisher's hand in trying to sell something more in these two stories. I was disappointed.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pretty good short story set in the Rose Harbor Inn series about Mark Taylor and how he was falling for Jo Marie Rose. If you like the Rose Harbor Inn series, definitely give this short story and the series a check out. It's available at your local library and wherever ebooks and books are sold.

[Connie N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

#3.5 in the Rose Harbor series

This was a very quick story about a brief incident during the romance (of sorts) between Jo Marie and Mark. When Mark has an accident in his workshop, Jo Marie helps him out, despite his protests. He's just so grumpy and unappreciative that I couldn't like him. He seems to go out of his way to hurt her feelings, and he just thinks to himself that he can't help it. Sure he can, but he just doesn't want to be bothered. He never really shows his feelings in this book, but there's still a sense that their friendship/romance is progressing.

[Doreen Link · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dies ist die Geschichte aus der Sicht von Mark Taylor. Nichts neues wird erzählt. Kann man lesen, muss man aber nicht.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falling For Her by Debbie Macomber 48 pages Kindle, story ends on 40
Rose Harbor #3.5
Related series Cedar Cove

Genre: Womens Fiction > Chick Lit; Romance > Contemporary Romance; Adult Fiction, Short Stories, Novella

Featuring: Puget Sound Washington, Medical Emergency, P.O V. Sequel, Mild Profanity, Dog, Book Preview - Silver Linings ch. 4, 2 pages

Rating as a movie: PG-13

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

My thoughts: Page 14 of 48 ch. 2 - So far the story isn't the best. It's told from Mark's point of view but I haven't learned anything new. It's pretty much a summarization of everything Jo Marie has learned so far and as he recalls events. His version is nearly identical to Jo Marie's version so, not a lot of insight or complexity of characters. Next the incident from book 2 repeats, so it's like going backwards. I hope chapter 2 changes directions.

This book is better than the other novellas but just okay as far as short stories go. First of all I was hoping for some awesome transition or insight into the next book, but what I got was a P. O. V. Sequel and double disappointment it's not even from the last book but the second one. So tell me something I don't know. I didn't get anything new insight on Mark as a character, I'm thinking there may have been a few continuity issues, but I did get some details that were between the lines before so I let it go by chapter 3. There are handful of Ds and one B if that's a deal breaker for your grandmother. I didn't read the preview.

Recommend to others?: If you're going to read one novella, read Lost and Found in Cedar Cove, if you're going to read 2 and/or love Jo Marie and Mark, read this one.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be more about Mark’s history and background. I am hopeful this will come in books 4 & 5. Seems like this should’ve been book 2.5 and not 3.5, since nothing in the story referenced book 3, but rather book 2.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read anything by this author before but I really wanted to try her work. so I tried this novella. it was cute and I'm excited to get the chance to read more of her work.

[Beth Cutwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macomber writes romance and women's fiction. She writes best selling novels and her Cedar Cove series has been turned into a Hallmark channel t.v. series. She has followed the Cedar Cove series with the Rose Harbor series. Her many followers and fans are delighted with the continuing story set in Cedar Cove, but focusing on Jo Marie, the innkeeper and Mark, her handyman.

In this short story, we get to see how Mark deals with his growing attraction to Jo Marie. Once he realizes he has fallen for her, what will he do? Can he handle a relationship? Or will this end up being another disappointing relationship he can't come to terms with? Macomber gives life to this crochety old handyman with a sour disposition and a heart of gold.

I enjoyed reading this short story, although I felt it ended rather abruptly.

[Bookcrazy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amazon Freebie - Rose Harbor 0.5 Kurzgeschichte

Ich war wirklich gespannt auf Debbie Macomers Schreibe, da ich schon immer ihre tollen Cover ihrer Cedar Cover Reihe im Original bewundert habe. Leider war ihr Schreibstil nicht so meins, Ich-Perspektive und ein grießgrämiger Protagonist, der einfach nur garstig ist zur Protagonistin.

Auch das Preview auf das eigentliche Buch "Winterglück" konnte mich jetzt nicht überzeugen, schade! Schade finde ich auch, dass nicht die Hauptreihe die Cedar Cover Reihe übersetzt wird sondern der Ableger, die Rose Habor Reihe.
Toll finde ich allerdings die Cover!

[Courteney Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I read of the series.I didn't know that there were other books in this series and that this one was just a side book. But it was really cute getting a chance to read how is love for her changes over time. It seemed very fast paced in this book though so I'm hoping that in the actual series it goes slower and isn't as rushed or choppy. It was very cute to read and I recommend that anyone reading the Rose Harbor series reads this book too.

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to see a short story from Mark's perspective since we don't get to hear his thoughts in the Rose Harbor series, but I'm not sure this added any more information to what I already knew or really to his character development either.

[Bonnie Eldridge-labaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose harbor

Short story but good. Mark finally realized how he feels about RoseMarie. Can't wait to read Silver Linings. Love Debbie Macomber

[Debbie Pierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Short read from Mark's perspective when he broke his leg. Nothing new but a good refresher before reading Silver Linings.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one that I had missed in the Rose Harbor Series. Found it on my Nook and read it.

[Trish Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

love everything debbie macomber

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story focuses on handyman Mark Taylor. He realizes that he is spending a lot of time at the Inn either working on projects for Jo Marie or just visiting with her. Being a private person, he feels he needs to put some distance between them and vows to work on other projects. As he is working on a project in his work shed, there is an accident and the table collapses pinning him under it. There is no way to call for help as his cell phone is in the house. It is Jo Marie who happens by and finds him. Can he swallow his pride and allow her to help?
There is more about their relationship in the full novels but it's interesting to read and get some of the details filled in.

[Cayla rimmell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taken from the perspective of Mark, this charming side story had all the answers to the questions that I had about Mark and his relationship with Jo Marie. Now, I just finished book 3 and can easily recall what had happened in book 3. This is a novella for after the third book. However, the events that were written about in this novella has to do with things that happened in the second book. The only reason that I could see why this is considered a novella after the third book is based on the information that Mark revealed to Jo Marie at the end of book 3.

I still wonder if the order of the books should be read this way.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting novella. Given from Mark's viewpoint.

Mark Taylor came to Cedar Cove to leave his painful past behind him, and has spent the last few years keeping mostly to himself. But when he meets Jo Marie Rose, his world is turned upside down. She’s hired him to do carpentry projects around the inn, but for Mark, spending time with Jo Marie is a risk—to both his long-buried secrets and his carefully guarded heart. Then one day, he breaks his leg in his workshop and must turn to Jo Marie for help. And though he tries to keep his distance, Mark can’t deny how he feels drawn to Jo Marie—and how deeply he is falling for her.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short novella from the Rose Harbor series that tells us how and when Mark fell for Jo Marie. I enjoyed that this story as told from Mark’s point of view. That isn’t something we get elsewhere in the series. From a timing standpoint, this takes place relatively early in their friendship when Mark breaks his leg and Rover leads Jo Marie to find him.

This story is not necessary to the story progression of the series because we’ve already heard it from Jo Marie’s POV. But, it is a nice addition and it adds some depth to Mark’s character.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful short novella in the Rose Harbor series focusing on the relationship between Jo Marie Rose, the proprietor of the Rose Harbor Inn in Cedar Cove, and Mark Taylor, the handyman who helps her out with a myriad of tasks around the inn. Mark is a grumpy, solitary man who is attracted to Jo Marie, but doesn't know what to do about it. Jo Marie is a widow who doesn't want to be hurt again, but has come to rely on Mark. Over the course of the series, they have developed a friendship that they are both comfortable with, but don't know where to go with it.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to find this short story online is hard, but when I found it, oh my! It hits all the feels if you know what I mean.

This short story is told from the point of view of Jo Marie's handyman, Mark. You get to hear his side of events that happened and how he feels. With that tough exterior, Mark is a softy who is slowly realizing that he slowly falling in love with Jo Marie.

This was a good, short read and I cannot wait to read what happens next!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great short story. This novella adds a better glimpse to the relationship between Mark and the B&B owner Jo Marie, from Debbie's Rose Harbor series. Some of their conversation is pretty funny. They are fighting so hard not to be drawn to each other. It is not a complete book, but I felt it was worth reading. It makes you want to read and learn more about these characters.

[Pamela Brazee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad review.

I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber and have many of her books. This one left me disappointed. There was so much arguing and then such an abrupt ending. I realize that this was a short story, but it felt like it wasn't finished. Just not one of her best to my way of thinking.

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are wonderful. They get me to dream while I am wide awake and they fill me with such good feelings about everything. They simply are, at the moment, my GREATEST guilty pleasure. I am loving this series and I truly have to thank Debbie for creating this wonderful characters that fill me with such contentment.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short book - only 4 chapters. This was about Mark and his thoughts about Jo Marie. The things he talked about were things that happened in the second book so I thought this book should have followed that one - not this one. It was like going back in time to read this because it talked about when he broke his leg.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous short story book. You get to find out how Mark and Jo Marie meet and slowly fall in love. As with all relationships life is never chocolates and Roses.

Well worth a read. It took me around an hour to read, so if you’re in a long work bus ride, it will set you up for the day. Only available on Ereaders.

[Valerie Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tho this is another very short tale in the Rose Harbor series, it is a great read. We finally get a glimpse into who Mark is and what he feels....what he feels for Jo Marie. I hope the magic of Rose Harbor Inn brings these two lonely people together, as they should be. Highly recommend this series!!