How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart

The cover of this book is what originally drew me to it. The synopsis is what made me want to read it. Huck is a fun character because he is a real southern charmer.  Arianne is a single mom desperately trying to make ends meet.

The book was great because I really loved reading Huck and Arianne's story of falling in love through their trials. They had a very sweet relationship and as it developed I was rooting for them! The book had more religion than I was expecting but it wasn't overbearing by any means! The book was rather predictable but I feel that is to be expected.  I did enjoy the various quirky references to bee keeping at the end of each chapter, they were a fun addition.

What do you get when you mix an ornery by handsome man, a divorcee full of faith and her sweet young daughter? A great story. I have a soft spot in my heart for Christian romances, but often find them too preachy. This hit a wonderful middle ground between uplifting faith and story. I will definitely seek out more titles from this author.

How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart is a tale of second chances. It reunites high school sweethearts Arianne and Huck. Overall, I thought the story was interesting and I thought the bee related quotes at the end of each chapter were chosen well. However, the characterization was not as deep as I expected and the story moved a bit too slowly.

An interesting book. Arianna is a single mom, raising a 4 year old, and trying to run a bridal shop and also "raise" her younger sister, who is around 20 or so. Huck, a man from her past, shows up and lets her know he is her new landlord. A lot of twists and turns before they reach their HEA, and for the most part an enjoyable ride. I didn't like the unanswered questions about the sister Missy though, and wasn't sure why the mystery was thrown out there and not answered. A possible sequel in the works? I also felt a little uncomfortable with the women at the church being so aggressive. Seems they were hunting instead of worshiping. Just saying... Other than these two minor issues I really liked the book, and though the scenes with Huck and little Em were adorable. Highly recommend this book and author.

Fun and charming, Author Candice Patterson takes us to Pine Bay, Maine to follow the lives of Huck and Arianne. Huck is a beekeeper, and I love that Patterson puts information about beekeeping in the form of facts, scripture verses, or poetry at the end of each chapter. This really added to the book. As single-mom Arianne is trying to make a go of her wedding boutique. Both characters must face their doubts and fears. The author also reminds us that nobody is beyond the mercy and grace of God and that He does all He can to bring the prodigal home.

If we take the title of the book and try to answer it with the contents of the book, sometimes the answer is convoluted. But that is how real life plays out. It's not a neat package that moves from one episode to another seamlessly, there are messes that interfere with our nicely planned out lives. Candice Sue Patterson has written a novel that mimics the messiness of life and still tells a compelling story with love, angst, pathos, and joy.

Arianne runs a bridal shop and lives in a small apartment upstairs from the shop with her daughter and her sister. So far, her sister has not done anything with her life but be a mooch on Arianne.

Huck's Uncle Martin has died and Huck inherited the building that Arianne's bridal shop occupies. She hasn't paid rent in ten months, so Huck shows up to evict her. Huck and Arianne have a history that isn't a pretty one, but somehow Huck wants to overcome that.

When Huck has an accident on his motorcycle and breaks his body to bits, he needs someone who can take care of him during his long rehab. Arianne has been part of the way through medical school and has the knowledge to help in his recovery, but he's most unwilling to have Arianne be his caretaker until it comes down to the fact that he has no one else who can help.

A few misunderstandings and a couple of accidents later, it looks as if Huck's chances are slim to none and Slim left town.

I've not read a book by Candice before, but this won't be my last one. There is a reality to her book that encourages my heart. I started this book yesterday and finished it today. It was a better read than I expected and it left me wanting more.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a jar of honey to sweeten your life

My thanks to White Rose Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is a sweet, second chance romance. I loved the bee facts shared at the end of each chapter in tips and quotes.

Arianne was the brain in high school who helped Huck, the jock, get through his tests. She’d always had a bit of a crush on him but suffered a heart blow when he stood her up for prom. She moved on to a safer, saner romance in college, married and had a daughter. Sadly, her husband walked out before the child was three. Arianne has been struggling to make a living at her bridal boutique while raising Emma and taking care of her 25-year-old sister who can’t seem to find herself… or a job.

Huck inherits a building from his uncle and determines he will evict the bridal shop tenant and open a sporting goods store. That plan isn’t so easy when he learns that the tenant is the girl he wronged in high school. Huck has secrets and issues from his past that have made him a loner. He doesn’t do “relationship” although he is willing to spend a few weeks with a woman who isn’t looking for any long-term romance. Huck wants to get away from Arianne as quickly as he can. This plan doesn’t work either when he suffers a serious accident and Arianne steps forward to take care of him during his rehabilitation in exchange for allowing her time to move the bridal shop.

Huck finds himself enjoying the company of Arianne and adorable Emma. He is even willing to share his bee farming with them. Even though he is willing to encourage Arianne to pursue her dreams, he doesn’t think he is worthy of her love. Arianne continues to struggle with her business and her sister. She isn’t sure she can handle the pain of an unrequited love and she doesn’t want to risk hurting Emma with another man who would most likely abandon them. Still, she might not be able to keep her heart from falling for the man she has always fantasized about.

I really enjoyed these struggling characters and watching as they wrestled with their past pains and lost dreams. Ms. Patterson does a nice job showing their growth and allowing the romance to grow, even through their fears. Emma adds a precocious and sweet character.

The writing is nicely handled with nice descriptions, smooth delivery, and easy flow. I really enjoyed how Arianne’s strong faith, and Emma’s child’s faith, are shared, by little graces and even in flaws, so that Huck begins to long for an unconditional love he has never known. The story is engaging and the characters’ journeys are believable and heartwarming. I recommend this to readers who enjoy inspirational, small town style, second chance romance.

I received this title through NetGalley; my rating 4.5.

I have to admit that in the beginning of this book I was not all that impressed with the characters. I mean, Arianne was a bit of a doormat and Huck a bit arrogant. But as I read further I was dragged into their story and their lives.

Every time it seemed that they would sort out their issues, something or someone new came up and derailed all the progress made. It is enough to make you throw your hands into the air in despair. But one good thing happened. Huck gave himself to the Lord.

Candice Sue Patterson has the ability to craft a book that makes you a part of it. I was there for every good and bad thing that happened. A wonderful book that makes you believe in good again, even when it looks as if it is never going to happen.

http://readdayandnight.blogspot.com/2018/02/books-i-read-in-2017-part-2.html

This was a quick, fun read for me. A story about second chances and the love between two high school sweethearts. I loved the quotes at the end of the chapters. While it wasn't necessarily a page turner - it was somewhat predictable - it was an easy escape read on a sunny day at the beach.