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jenniferdenslow's review against another edition
One of the perennial harbingers of summer is the arrival of a new novel from Dorothea Benton Frank. Penciling in a trip to the lowcountry the last week of May/first week of June is easy when it means opening up a book instead of boarding a plane!
Holly Jensen's bees have her back. Between a demanding mother, a low grade crush on a neighbor, and limited prospects for her professional life, the thirty-year-old beekeeper needs someone to confide in when life stresses her out.
The bees in her backyard listen.
As her sister returns home and her neighbor moves on without her, Holly finds her own way to claim the life she's always deserved.
As always, Frank writes vivid characters who speak from the page as if they're talking over a glass of iced tea at your kitchen table. The natural consequences arising from the life's sometimes unexpected transitions make for a highly readable tale that inspires a wide range of emotions.
Holly Jensen's bees have her back. Between a demanding mother, a low grade crush on a neighbor, and limited prospects for her professional life, the thirty-year-old beekeeper needs someone to confide in when life stresses her out.
The bees in her backyard listen.
As her sister returns home and her neighbor moves on without her, Holly finds her own way to claim the life she's always deserved.
As always, Frank writes vivid characters who speak from the page as if they're talking over a glass of iced tea at your kitchen table. The natural consequences arising from the life's sometimes unexpected transitions make for a highly readable tale that inspires a wide range of emotions.
aahlert's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
(Free review copy) I’m a diehard DBF fan but this one just wasn’t my favorite of hers 😢 so much happening without a lot of depth. I’m excited for her next one being up to her usual standards though!
alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
DNF…I read the first few chapters but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I suppose you could say I like it without honey? See what I did there, with the bee theme and all…ok you know what? If you think that’s cheesy this book is definitely not for you! I truly could not figure out the tone of voice of Hannah, and I think 50+ pages is enough to get a good feel. I may still try the author though as she’s a staple of the beach read genre.
leovenus's review against another edition
2.0
The book was a nice read but there were times where I felt like I wanted to just get it over with as I'd grown bored. It didn't keep me excited or anything but it was a heart warming story. Just a little bit predictable, I think?
_sarah_reads_'s review against another edition
3.0
cotton candy book. sweet and enjoyable, no nutrition whatsoever.
lissalovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still casting my useless vote for the day when Goodreads allows us to have half stars in our rating system, for this book is more of a 4.5 for me. I more than really liked it, but I don't know if it qualifies as "amazing". :)
This book was fun. I know that in some ways, that's an odd thing to say, since there were several somber moments contained within its covers. But overall, I just enjoyed it all. I enjoyed the changes in several of the characters; I didn't even mind so much the characters who didn't find a way to change; and I enjoyed the shifts between home and away when the main family was split with one at home and 2 off in Vegas. And, of course, I enjoyed the bees---the actual bees, that is. It's not everyday bees become characters in books for adults, after all, so one should embrace that opportunity when presented. :)
This book was fun. I know that in some ways, that's an odd thing to say, since there were several somber moments contained within its covers. But overall, I just enjoyed it all. I enjoyed the changes in several of the characters; I didn't even mind so much the characters who didn't find a way to change; and I enjoyed the shifts between home and away when the main family was split with one at home and 2 off in Vegas. And, of course, I enjoyed the bees---the actual bees, that is. It's not everyday bees become characters in books for adults, after all, so one should embrace that opportunity when presented. :)
betsycrawford's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dot Frank’s stories are my “comfort” books - they always cheer me up and take me to a happy place. This book had an interesting aspect of beekeeping as a backstory which was really interesting.
pandora_22's review against another edition
4.0
This book was one of a kind.
Honestly, it didn't seem such an interesting one when I started out with it, but it was nice. It had all those cliches but still had you hooked to it. And I love how it all turned out in the end.
A very peculiar read.
Honestly, it didn't seem such an interesting one when I started out with it, but it was nice. It had all those cliches but still had you hooked to it. And I love how it all turned out in the end.
A very peculiar read.