I'm not going to lie... I absolutely chose this book because of the cover before having a clue what it was actually about. I love bees, so it definitely captured my eye for that reason--- and having read previous books by the author certainly helped too. When I learned that this book dealt with a character who was agoraphobic? Being agoraphobic myself, I found myself even more looking forward to it.

Thankfully, this was one of those instances where judging a book by its cover actually paid off... it was such a beautifully written story of secrets, faith and healing. While I was looking forward to reading about an agoraphobic character, I was also a little apprehensive as sometimes mental health is not well portrayed in fiction--- especially in the case of Christian fiction, where unfortunately some still see mental illness as a lack of faith. Fortunately, I thought the author did a great job. While agoraphobia looks a little different for everyone, I felt like this portrayal was well done and something I certainly found myself relating to. I felt like therapy and professional help were talked about positively in this story. The story also took on several other different topics like addiction, abandonment and neglect, grief and a brief (non-detailed) mention of a sexual assault. Despite these heavier topics, it had a good balance that kept it from feeling like too much. Fern's character really added some great levity to the story, and I couldn't help but adore this sweet girl.

Overall, this was a really beautifully told story and one that fans of Christian fiction are sure to want to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I liked this story well enough to finish the entire book, but I didn’t love it. Some of the family dysfunction in .Callie’s life I could certainly relate to, and it’s a hard thing to experience.

Beckett on the other hand seems to have developed agoraphobia and doesn’t want to leave home. Both women have inherited the bee farm and the tension in the story comes from the unknown of what they will each decide to do with it.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. 3-1/2 stars.

This beautifully written story is about bees but it's about so much more. It's about family, forgiveness and starting over. The author has created two main characters who are multi-faceted and so different from each other but are really the same in their quest for family and acceptance.

Beckett Walsh's father has just died. She has spent her entire life following in his footsteps and running the farm and the bee apiary. As the book begins, she is covering the hives with cloth and telling each hive that her father has died. There is an old belief that when a beekeeper dies, the bees need to be told of his death
According to tradition, bees that are “put into mourning” help shepherd the dead into the afterlife, as well as reward their stewards with a generous honey harvest. Beckett isn't sure how she'll be able to cope with the loss of her father because he's been her only parent since her mother left the family when she was young. At least she knows that she'll always have the farm and the bees to keep her company. Until she hears from the lawyer handling her father's estate and finds that he left his estate to her and an unknown woman. Who is Callie and why was she give half of her father's assets? Beckett is confused at the turn of events but so is Callie - why would a man she'd never met leave her half of his estate. Her first thought is to sell her half so that she can put the money into her business of making soaps and lotion from honey. Beckett can't buy her out and is distraught at what will become of her life. As more of the mystery of their earlier lives is revealed, can the two woman learn to accept each other and make a decision that benefits both of them?

This book was a fantastic look at two strangers who had to learn to work together for the future of both of them. When they first met, they appeared to be very different but as the author peeled away the family secrets, we could begin to see that they are similar in the ways that count -- love of family and a strong trust in God. This book has everything it needs to be an excellent read -- two well written main characters, a mystery that is slowly reveled throughout the book, a bit of romance plus a cute young neighbor girl who bonds with Beckett The story covers some hard topics but they are all handled with care. This is a book that I won't soon forget. Not only is it a great story but there is a lot of information about bees that I found very interesting.

He Should Have Told the Bees is a captivating story of family secrets and their far-reaching consequences. The bi-line of the book, “Uncovering long-held family secrets may sting at first–but the result can be sweeter than honey,” definitely reads true. I enjoyed the tidbits of information on bee-keeping as one of my pre-teen grandsons has five bee hives he is caring for. Readers, who enjoy contemporary women's fiction that tackles gritty subjects such as grief, mental illness, substance abuse, and dysfunctional family relationships, will not want to miss Amanda Cox's book, He Should Have Told the Bees. I read a complementary book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

"If she left this evidence of her mourning draped about this field, the sun would eventually fade those stark black mourning cloths to a soft gray. She could only hope that was how grief worked."

Surprisingly this is the first book by Amanda Cox that I have read. I can see why she has won multiple Christy Awards; her writing is beautifully lyrical and tugs at the heart. Though shrouded in grief, loss, pain, and regret, there was a ray of hope around every corner and the secondary characters of Luke, Fern, and Isaac reminded Callie and Beck of that hope. The setting of a farm in TN was quite peaceful and I loved learning about beekeeping and the daily workings of an apiary.

I loved Callie; she was strong but compassionate and survived a ton of childhood trauma from living with an addicted and mentally ill mother. She managed her anger and all the crazy secrets that finally came out with maturity and rock solid faith. Beck was a bit less likable - her temper tantrums weren’t endearing, though she did mature towards the end. Little Fern was a hoot and provided that needed moments of laughter and levity when things got heavy. Though their roles were not huge, Luke and Isaac were great spiritual and practical sounding boards for the women and I absolutely adored them.

I received a compliment copy courtesy of Revell via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

I have found that Amanda Cox has a way of writing emotionally unique stories that have a deep message with interesting characters I cannot help but pull for to overcome obstacles in their path. Anyone who has lost a loved one and had to go through their estate know that it is not easy and can be difficult with siblings. When Beck's father dies and leaves his estate to her and a stranger, a young woman about her age, she is devastated. Being agoraphobic, she cannot lose her farm and bees, her safety net. Callie is a young woman who has carried a huge load of supporting herself and has her own dreams but has had to help her mom out many times. Now her mom is in rehab and the new trust from a man she doesn't know seems like a lifeline. As the two work together to find answers to their situation, many secrets are uncovered, and much healing is needed. Secondary characters round this story out as supporting characters along with the bees, horse, donkey, goats, and chickens. Again, this is a deep story where addiction and mental health issues are handled well. It is obvious that the author knows what she is talking about in the therapy sessions. Highly recommended.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

I hate family secrets. Try as we might, they always come out, and leave devastating damage in their wake. I know this from personal experience.

Beck and Callie live in two different worlds, each holding secrets that have them stuck. Each bear scars and each feet alone.

But an unexpected event pulls the two of them into one another's orbit, and the secrets begin to ooze like honey--sticky, messy, and sometimes bittersweet.

Honey can also be healing and soothing. That's what this story is about.

My thanks to the publisher for an advance copy. My review is genuine and unsolicited.

I really loved this story! The characters were unique, and the setting was wonderfully done. I liked the way the trauma was handled although I thought parts were wrapped a little too neatly towards the end. The faith content was woven naturally through the entire story. Highly recommend this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This journal type book dives deep into the feelings of two women, who have never met but forced together by the irrevocable trust of George. This personal account of Beck and Callie are deeply emotional and heartbreaking. Forced to make life changing decisions without any immediate answers throughout this book will have readers on edge to discover the truth. Mental health, alcoholism, abandonment and divorce are just a few issues brought to light in this powerful story. Highly recommended!

"He Should Have Told the Bees" by Amanda Cox is the intriguing tale of two young women, Beckett Walsh and Callie Peterson. Beck is a beekeeper along side her father on their family farm. When we meet her at the beginning of the book, she has just suffered the loss of her father and is "informing" the bees, per her father's superstitious request. Beck suffers from agoraphobia since the disappearance of her mother, and her world is their apiary. Callie Peterson is a small business owner trying to expand her business while dealing with her childhood wounds from her alcoholic mother, who has now entered rehab yet again and listed Callie as the person to bear the financial burden. A letter summons both of them to a trust office to learn that Beck's dad has named them both co-trustees of the family farm, two women who have never met before but are somehow related. Beck's stable world is rocked by the news. Callie has an opportunity for a way out of the financial hardship her mother has placed upon her through selling the farm. Why would Beck's father do this? What secrets is Callie's mother hiding? What is the path forward for both of them?

The novel is a superb work of fiction. It deals with the hard issues of mental illness, alcoholism, childhood trauma, grief, and family issues in a way that is not burdensome to read but walks the reader gently through the complexity of recovery. Callie and Beck are awkward in their interactions as to be expected from two women with limited emotional connection to the outside world. Some reviewers have critiqued this as stilted. However, I found this to be surprisingly accurate for people dealing with enormous trust issues. The book adds layers of involvement through a delightful cast of supporting characters who gently work their way into the lives of these women. They are deliciously nuanced. They could easily have their own spin-off stories. The best part of this book is that it is such a great human story that ends not with a "happily ever after" but a "carefully moving forward." The characters are still flawed in the end, but they are healing and growing. Not to be forgotten, the bees play their own role in pointing these women forward in their journey.

Overall, this is one of the best novels I have read this year, and I do not give five stars easily. I received an advanced reader copy of the book as part of the Revell Reads blogger team in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book. These characters. The storyline. All of it was beautiful. There were so many deeper themes throughout this story. I LOVE a book that digs deep, addresses the realities of life and gives HOPE. This book did that so well!

Things I loved:
- obviously the themes: forgiveness, healing from loss, God’s hand at work in the brokenness
- The bees!! Who knew you could see God’s kindness to us through bees. So much good was shown through them
- The journey of discovery Beckett and Callie go on. Separate but connected
- The slow reveal. The journey you go on to find out why Callie was included in George’s trust was superb.
- The mental health rep. We are all broken people. We all have our things and help is so good for us! I loved all the advice you get, and the gentle reminders of truth.

I highly recommend you check out He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox! I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thrilled to have received a free eARc via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
Publication Date: August 29, 2023, by Revell
Genres: Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction
5 Stars!

If you are an enthusiast of Christian fiction or Women’s fiction, you must read He Should Have Told the Bees. Personally experience the unique buzz of this outstanding five-star book because each chapter is filled with sweet nectar that nourishes the mind and soul.

Comparable to a relentless worker bee, I swiftly became deeply engrossed in the rich tapestry of the narrative and the intricately layered and incredibly endearing characters.

Amanda Cox, author of the 2021 Christy Book of the Year (The Edge of Belonging), demonstrates extraordinary writing skills that continually astound and captivate. Her written words penetrate my soul and mind in wondrously emotional and thought-provoking ways. This soul-enriching tale masterfully combines themes of heartache, a touch of mystery, intricate family bonds, deep friendships, and tender romance, all while broaching sensitive subjects with tact and tenderness.

The buzzing legacy of this book will continue to hum within my heart. In continued honesty, I passionately believe that God, our Creator, led me to this novel at the precise time it could provide me with valuable insights into a deeply painful and challenging matter.

Delve into He Should Have Told the Bees and experience an unbreakable bond between you and its page -- as you succumb to the honeyed allure of its riveting narrative.

I received an eARC of He Should Have Told the Bees from its publisher Revell via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor am I paid to do so. The words above are my honest review of this fascinating tale.

What a compelling and beautiful story. Amanda Cox always weaves stories that are hard to put down and full of engaging storylines, wonderful characters and lots of emotional moments. Her stories may not be light reads but they are beautifully written and wonderful. I really enjoyed this story. The mystery of why George names Callie in the trust he sets up really had me going back and forth as to the why and how. The developing relationship between Callie and Beckett and who they are to each other also was completely intriguing and seeing their relationship develop as they try to work together on what to do with the farm and how they are connected to each other kept me reading long in to the night. There’s sadness in this book but also reconciliation, love and hope. It’s a fantastic read!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

This was my first introduction to Amanda Cox—and it was an excellent one.

He Should Have Told the Bees is a tale of grief, of secrets, of two women struggling to overcome their stories and find peace and healthy relationships. It's the struggle for a farm. And in the midst of it, providing plenty of comic relief, there's a young girl who says she came from another planet and is two hundred earth years old.

As a farmer's wife, I especially enjoyed the farmers market scenes and the discussion of the creation of natural products to sell at market.

I read He Should Have Told the Bees right before I went to visit my grandfather for the last time. Looking back on this quote I highlighted is extra poignant. (I'm not sure I could have made it through the book then if I had known how soon we'd be losing Papa.)

"She’d been shocked, losing him without warning in a single afternoon. No one had warned her about the way she would continue to lose him by infinitesimal degrees every day."

This Christian novel is a family saga laced with a bit of romance and mystery. After her father's death, Beckett Walsh is astounded to discover that the family farm was left to her along with a cotenant -- Callie Peterson, a woman she has never met. As these two women struggle to unravel their connection and the reasons behind the strange bequest, they deal with issues of addiction, mental illness, trauma and forgiveness. Along the way they each discover the value of supportive and loving relationships. They find their faith in God tested and strengthened.

This is a story that is filled with emotions, of all kinds, and it will tug your heart strings!

The acts of others and how they ultimately affect you, that is shown here and how it has affected generations.

We meet Beckett as she is reeling from the sudden death of her father, and the sudden appearance of a little girl, if we listen to her she is an alien from another country. Beck is trying to explain to the bees that her father is no longer there, and we soon learn a lot about bees, most I never knew!

There is more heartache around the corner for Beck, but it can be a life changer!

Then there is Callie, a girl that more or less brought up herself, and is still taking care of her mother, but you wonder if anything is ever going to help.

What do these women have in common? Well, we are going to find out, and I did guess partially wrong, but the journey for answers is quite bumpy, and sad at times, but in some way we really learn a lot about this family.

There are gifts here to be received and we hope these wounded individuals will received what is offered! You will be page turning for answers!

I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Amanda Cox took this reader on the best journey ever in her new book, He Should Have Told the Bees. It is unbelievable that this is only her third novel. Her first two were dual-time lines, while this one was told with flashbacks, which I loved. The journey she takes her readers on in this book is her best thus far. As with all of Cox’s stories, it has an everlasting message. Can one love when that love is not reciprocated?

Throughout this wonderful, heartfelt story, I learned about the lives of bees, and in between, my heart twisted in knots for Beckett and Callie as they struggled to come to terms with the lives they had been dealt. Both yearn for a mother who was broken and could not be there for either of them. In turn, both daughters were broken as well.

Beckett is unable to leave the farm without panic attacks, and Callie, with the weight of the world on her shoulders, is unable to accept help. Oh, how I wanted to reach through the pages and give each one of those little girls a hug and let them know that everything was going to be okay. Due to a trust that Beckett's father created, both girls are thrown together after his death. Each girl is awarded half of Walsh Farm. Eventually, they discover what God's true intentions are for them both.

I have to admit the favorite character I have ever read is Katya Amadeus Cimmaron of the Vesper Galaxy, aka Fern, who was going through her own life issues but managed to lift up and help all those she encountered. Kudos to you, Amanda, for writing such an incredible character.

He Should Have Told the Bees is a fantastic, page-turning story of finding family, courage, and healing that will resonate with you long after the story ends.

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

He Should Have Told the Bees addresses topics of grief, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual assault, anxiety, and child neglect. Sounds like a pretty depressing book, but Amanda Cox has penned a story with humor, tender vulnerability, and honesty.

Beckett Walsh is a beekeeper, who’s world upends after her father's sudden death. There were some surprises in the will leaving her to contend with a new home co-owner who is intent on selling her beloved family apiary. Beck, completely perplexed, with her father's unexpected decision, fears losing everything they built together.

Then enters Callie Peterson, the other heir named in the trust, a woman completely unknown to Beck. Callie has a full plate as she is dealing with her own beginning business and her mother's substance abuse issues, for these reasons, her finances very tight so the farm's sale, is a chance for her to enjoy a bit of financial stability, something she has never experienced in life.

These two women, while struggling with their own personal challenges, begin to unravel a complicated and intertwined past full of family secrets. Throughout the darkness of their conflicts, they each experience a thread of hope exemplifying the power of forgiveness and reliance on God.

While to this reader the story progressed along quite slowly, it is still a moving read filled with hope, faith, and restoration.

I really enjoyed learning the science of bees as the underlying theme of the novel. The addition of little Fern added warmth sunshine to the story.

A beautifully written story.

Cox has written a beautiful story about family. I'm gonna call it a family of legacy.
One I thought interesting and soon won't forget.
I don't think Callie and Beck will let me!
I loved each girl and my heart went out to both of them in more ways than one.
I think little Fern stole the show in my opinion by pretending to be an ailen and at first i thought she really was because she wss so good at acting!.
Family dynamics and secrets?
Learning to love and have Hope at the same time. Cox really knocked me off my feet with this awesome novel!
She has made me cry and smile at the same time if that's possible.
Along with the beautiful messages and descriptions of the scenery I felt like I was right there with the girls.
I really loved how the author shows us that secrets aren't meant to be kept!
Beckett is a good teacher! She taught me much about the bees! The bees and the many secrets in this novel are what kept me turning the pages. I wanted to see if they worked things out between them.
This book will leave thinking about these characters long after I finish this wonderful novel.
This is one that I would reread again and will be going on my keeper shelf.
I happily give this book 5 stars and I highly recommend!
My thanks to Netgalley and Revell for a copy of this book! I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


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Part heartbreaking, part hopeful, Amanda Cox's new novel is a compelling story of grief, mental illness and abuse of many origins but with humour, tenderness and truth.