
Member Reviews

This was an extremely difficult book to read because I identified with Honey’s challenges. My husband and I are caregivers for his elderly mom who, like CT, the main character in this novel, is suffering from deteriorating brain function. At the end of a day when I just wanted to sit and read to relax, this book plopped right back into the environment I was trying to escape.
With respect to this debilitating disease, Carlson highlights (from experience in caring for her husband) the many challenges in caring for a loved one with dementia. Her plot focuses on CT’s FTD (the kind of dementia Bruce Willis has) that makes it difficult for him to remember, think clearly, communicate and care for himself. Carlson explores the progression in the past 18 months since her husband’s diagnosis and how Honey deals with CT’s troubling behaviour; how she accommodates not controls him, and how she attempts to figure out what triggered the behavior. The author touches on wandering, agitation, paranoia, sundowning and mealtime (eating) challenges.
Cushioned around all this, is a wonderful multi-generational story about forgiveness and restoration for the McKerry family. As they learn to live and work together my heart softened and my mind pivoted to see this as a helpful tool for anyone caring for a loved one with dementia.
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Absolutely darling book! Just so cute. It was adorable. The main character was so fun to follow and see what her journey was going to take her next. Loved it!

This was a hard book to read from the point of having a main character with early onset dementia. It was hard to experience life with as a spouse with dementia. Life as a daughter with a parent with dementia. Life as the one WITH dementia. But each situation was approached with this book through the telling of the story. It was done very well and really helped showing the helplessness that is felt by the ones experiencing it. It made me think of my grandpa who suffered from dementia himself.
Layered with this tale of life with dementia is one of new beginnings and the importance of family as they experience new changes.
this is a clean story in the Christian fiction genre--without the Christian aspect. A common theme lately in some of these books. Sigh. Very annoying. But I digress.
This is a solid story, but you are going to have to experience the dementia of the family member with the characters and that may make it hard at times because it doesn't have a..well Happily ever-after.
4 Stars
* Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions are 100% my own.

If you are looking for a book to help you understand dementia this would be a good one. If you are interested in a book with a lot of heart and heartache when dealing with a family member this would be a good one. If you are looking for a sweet romance, with a touch of dementia, this would not be that book. I understand the authors personal touch with this story—and that is what makes this story so so special. It just wasn't the story for me.
From the synopsis of this book I thought it would be a sweet romance about Jewel and her family life, specifically with her father. She was not the main character. Both herself and her mother were the focus, with her father the main focus of the entire story top to bottom. Also, I would not call her father a humorous handful—it was heartbreaking and difficult to read. Overall it was a tough book for me. Right now I am not in a place to read such a heavy book. And having had a grandmother with dementia I would not have read this book had I known what it truly contained.
For me, not a good fit. For many, it may be an absolute God-send. I do believe this is a story that should come with a warming (and maybe the final version will).
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An extraordinary story. Author Melody Carlson takes the reader into the lives of a family journeying through serious medical, emotional, physical, and mental issues. As I read, I was taken in by the emotions rising in me. Certain aspects of the story were similar to my personal experiences. This is a heartwarming, heartbreaking, and hope filled story of love, faith, and hope. Excellent read. I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Having a father with FTD, which has just been a huge heartbreaking journey for our family, made this book so much more personal for me. To see other people experiencing the same struggles of parenting the parent while also parenting children, navigating through the other challenges in life, and trying to establish a sense of normalcy...it's like a shot of encouragement. We're all doing the best we can. So, while I loved the story, and the various characters' interplay, and the farm and honey aspects, it was really the FTD that hooked and touched me.

An interesting read, that was at times hard to keep going. As a full-time carer it was a harsh reminder of my own experiences, but also an encouragement to care for myself in all things so I can care for my husband in his illness. Reading people's encounters with the family were so like my own experience and an encouragement to walk through each hard dark day. A reminder that God is good.

Carlson always writes the best stories!
This one made me a sad though
Poor CT! I just can't imagine the not knowing anymore. I'm just at a loss for words. His poor family. My heart really went out to them
I really learned a lot about FTD. It's a form of dementia.
This is a different sort of story that I'm not used to reading from this author but it is an educational one. This story will make you think and yes at times make you cry. So have a box of tissues nearby.
I did enjoy it and I hated to say goodbye to Honey and her family.
I did want to say that this is a cute cover and yellow is my favorite color
5 stars from me for a wonderful adventure especially with the bees. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.