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Silver Linings: A Rose Harbor Novel

Review

Silver Linings: A Rose Harbor Novel

Debbie Macomber boasts more than 200 million copies in print worldwide of her bestselling fiction titles, which are known for guiding readers through the sometimes-heartrending paths fraught with loss, betrayal, bitterness and personal devastation to the other side where love, forgiveness and hope abound.

In SILVER LININGS, Macomber centers her current storyline back in Cedar Cove at the Rose Harbor Inn, where Jo Marie Rose is working hard to push past the grief of losing her husband, Paul, who was killed in Afghanistan. Opening her own bed and breakfast, she truly felt him smiling down upon her efforts to keep living and create a full life for the both of them. While Jo Marie had healed in part, she realized that she was still sheltering herself against many of life’s experiences, especially those of the romantic kind.

"Macomber’s homespun storytelling style makes reading an easy venture as she focuses on those everyday relational happenings with which readers can most identify, no matter what their age."

Jo Marie herself was stunned when her handyman/friend Mark suddenly declared his love for her three weeks previously. As she reminisces about their relationship, she recalls him being prickly and mysterious, as well as being someone who could irritate her faster than anyone she’d ever known. But did she reciprocate his feelings of love? That required some further soul-searching --- time that Jo Marie didn’t have because as soon as Mark told her he loved her, he simultaneously announced that he was leaving Cedar Cove with no explanation whatsoever. And no amount of cajoling, begging or even pleading would loosen Mark’s lips on why he would infuriatingly proclaim his love for Jo Marie one minute and then mysteriously tell her he was leaving the next. However, Jo Marie didn’t have the luxury of commiserating long, for she had a business to run despite how emotionally confused she felt.

When their 10-year high school reunion arrives, good friends Kellie Crenshaw and Katie Gilroy make reservations at Jo Marie’s B&B for the weekend. Both young career gals have hidden agendas for wanting to attend this particular reunion. Kellie has been nursing a silent, burning hatred for the high school boy who stole her virginity on a bet. She can’t wait to tear into him at the reunion, hoping to humiliate him in the same way he humiliated her so long ago. Katie has plans of a different sort. She wants to meet up with the boy who stole her heart in high school to make up with him, but realizes it will be tough going since it was she who broke his heart right after graduation. Together these two friends talk, scheme and commiserate over past injuries and discuss the hows and why of forgiveness.

When all three gather together for a late-night chat, they realize how much they have in common. Each of them is dealing with loss of a unique variety, and each has to make peace with her past. Together, they fashion an interesting friendship based on that commonality and determine to move forward into more fulfilling and healthy futures despite their past suffering.

Macomber’s homespun storytelling style makes reading an easy venture as she focuses on those everyday relational happenings with which readers can most identify, no matter what their age. With some expected happy endings, she also tosses in some hidden twists and turns that will delight her many longtime fans.

Reviewed by Michele Howe on August 13, 2015

Silver Linings: A Rose Harbor Novel
by Debbie Macomber

  • Publication Date: July 5, 2016
  • Genres: Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction
  • Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books
  • ISBN-10: 0553391828
  • ISBN-13: 9780553391824