Great story about love, God and second chances. ( )

A good friend of mine encouraged me to read this story and told me how good it was (thank you good friend!). I don't give out many 5 star reviews, but this one hit all the marks for me. It was full of wonderful characters I came to know and appreciate, from the slow romantic feeling in Brooke and Owen's life, to the heartache and sorrow and new found love in Patsy's life, to the troubled youth, Hunter, who just needed someone to care about him as a person and see the good in him. I was overwhelmed at all the different story lines and how the author brought them all together under one roof in "the House that Love Built".

Brooke is a widow trying to deal with the grief of her husband being gone, raise two kids, run a hardware store and keep up with her divorced Mom, Patsy, who seems to have found someone special in her life. Brooke meets Owen, who has bought a house in town to fix up and live in to "spite" his wife who left him for his business partner. Both Brooke and Owen have a lot of "baggage" they bring to this "friendship" and it was refreshing watching them deal with pain and loss and grow their strictly friendship into something much more.

Then there is the way Owen takes in and helps out the town trouble maker, Hunter, and the sad life he has. Add to that the traveling Uncle who shows up in the midst of the house makeover, the ex-wife who shows up with a surprise and the searching of a secret room in the old house and you will find that this story is filled to the brim with interest, love, and laughter.

The biggest lesson learned throughout this book was the ability to forgive and let go of past hurts and mistakes. There were so many people who needed forgiveness granted and given and you see just how devastating it is when one harbors resentment and bitterness in their heart and doesn't choose to forgive. This isn't an easy thing to do and you need the help of the Lord in your life to get you through. This is also a story of love and family, a mixed blend of people who will become a loving family. I must say I was surprised by a few twists and turns in this story and I won't give anything away, but will say the author did a fantastic job and I highly recommend this story to anyone. It is my first book by this author, but it definitely will not be my last. So go ahead and curl up on the couch and get ready to find lots of love in the house that love built.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 2, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1595548890
ISBN-13: 978-1595548894 ( )

Received from Baker Book House on Librarians Day Fall 2013. I love when an author wraps up the ending in a "feel good" way. A great romance story where the read is not constantly thinking, "just tell him/her you love him/her.'" There were quite a few surprising twists, also. I'll be reading more of Beth Wiseman's books. ( )

Sometimes life throws people a curve ball. Something so unexpected and traumatizing that life seems unbearable. It is these life changing events that either make or break a person. A moment that allows a person's true character to shine or dim with the oncoming hardship. This book is about one such group of people that are overcoming personal hardships of death, divorce, and dying. The main character is a young widow named Brooke who lost her husband in a tragic accident two years prior. Not wanting to move forward with her life Brooke repeats the same half life routine each day that is slowly killing her spirit. Soon the reader is introduced to a newly divorcee named Owen, who moves into an old mansion style home. Not looking for friendship of any kind, both tragic characters slowly emerge into a truce like acquaintanceship that eventually turns into a warm romance. Other characters are introduced that show how people of all walks of life suffer their own tragedies everyday, but with family and friends anything is possible. Love is the most powerful weapon a broken person needs to fight off the depression that is hidden in the dark. Sometimes one simple act of kindness is all a person needs to move forward in his or her life.

This book was a very warm hearted read that really demonstrated how tragedy often takes people by surprise. When this happens we can either stick our faces in the sand like an ostrich or be reborn like the phoenix. I really enjoyed how the author showed how there are many different definitions of family and a person does not have to be blood in order to be a family member. I thought all of the characters were thought out and the plots seemed realistic. Today with the onset of high divorce rates and young people passing too early, it is not uncommon to see mixed families. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a more wholesome read and need a break from the typical romance book. It is very light and there are no sexual situations. I plan on giving this book to my grandmother who I am positive will enjoy it just as much as I did. I am confident that this book would make an excellent gift for an older relative like a mother or a grandmother. Thank you author and goodreads for sending me this book in a giveaway. I appreciate the opportunity and it was a nice change from my usual reads! ( )

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. ( )