You will be delighted with the charming characters in this book set in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Jackie Donovan has two wishes: one is to own the closed down bed-and-breakfast house in her community and two is to find a wonderful man to marry. Her friends and relatives keep helping her out with the second wish, but nothing seems to turn out right on her dates. Then she finds herself attracted to man who turns out owns The Bailey House, which is her hearts desire to buy and fix up and run it again with her good friend Minnie. But when it looks like both her wishes are coming true she finds out sometimes jumping into a relationship and a business deal too fast can be cause for regrets down the road.

I loved the way this author helps you get to know the people in this community. There are a lot of fun and quirky individuals and you get a real feel for Jackie as she tells the story and shares with us her thoughts and emotions. Sometimes what you are looking for is right in front of you but you were just so busy looking, you couldn't see what was right there all along. It wasn't the romance in this story that takes center stage for me, but just getting to know the folks on the Outer Banks and being a part of that community that made me enjoy this story so much (not that I don't enjoy a little romance mixed in).

This story is book #3 in the "Heart of Carolina" series. I have read book 1, "Rain Song", and now this story, which is book #3. Both these stories were stand alone stories that did not relate to each other. I can't speak for book #2, "How Sweet It Is", but feel you could probably read these stories in any order you desired. I also discovered that there is a 4th book in this series, "A Wedding Invitation". ( )

I enjoyed this book, I thought it had great potential when I started it but I thought the ending could of been done better. To me it was like we were going day by day in everyone's life and then Poof we were months ahead. I liked what the story line was but I think it could of been done a little better. ( )

I really wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I'm glad I read it, but it seemed to have more potential than it lived up to. I really enjoyed Alice Wisler's How Sweet It Is and was looking forward to this one, especially since the Outer Banks are one of my favorite places.

So the setting was a winner, and the characters were too. They were very realistic, as were the everyday trials they faced. But . . .


(SPOILER ALERT)





I cannot believe that any thirty-year-old woman would approach a life-altering business deal in the manner Jackie does in this book. It strains credibility. I kept wanting to shout at her about that and about her so-called relationship with her "dream man."

Overall this was enjoyable for the setting and characters, but the plot was a bit thin. ( )

NCLA Review -This is the third novel by Alice Wisler and is a stand alone. I was impressed with her first book, Rain Song, and was not disappointed with her latest. Jackie Donovan lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own The Bailey House, a bed-and-breakfast where she spent many happy childhood afternoons. When Jackie meets Davis Erickson, who inherited The Bailey House from his grandparents, she believes God has answered her prayers. The Bailey House, as well as Davis, have strange stories and secrets which could risk her long-held dreams. Wisler does an exceptional job of describing the bed-and-breakfast and the Outer Banks of North Carolina which makes you feel as if you are right there. The recipes of many of the foods described in the story are given at the back of the book. Also, there are discussion questions for conversation. Rating: 4 —PD ( )

This book is comfy one to take to the beach. I felt at home with the main character, Jackie. We both love beaches,a certain soft drink,and
having friends and relatives around. The only thing I didn't like was her fairy tale belief in 'someday, my prince will come". At least she grew up in the end. I liked the easy to follow story and trueness of her friends and relatives. They were people who would be good to know in real life.

I like the way, that Katie's good memories of the Bailey House became part of what she wanted to do in life. I think she really wanted to do the same thing that the grandmother who owned the bed and breakfast did when she was living. Just like Mrs. Bailey, she wanted to make connected with the children and give comfort to the people who needed a shoulder to lean on. Not a bad dream!

I would like to try the recipes in the back of the book, particurly the tomato pie. I will keep my eye out for more books written by Alice Wisler, this one gave me a sense of home.

I recommend this book to anyone wanting a comfort book to go along with their comfort food. ( )