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Bellingwood #43
When We Are Home
The kids are back in school and Polly is bored. Not because she has nothing to do, but because her life feels mundane. Every day is the same. Even the possibility of finding a dead body doesn't create much trouble for her. She's done that already and everyone knows what to expect.It's been a long time since she's invested herself in a major change - whether it's rescuing a building, an animal (or many) or a person. Her kids, though they're normal and require parental management, are living their lives. Henry is incredibly busy while working on the new elementary school and community center going in north of town. Lives around her expand and change, while hers remains ... the same.A small brown box shows up in her office. She doesn't think much of it, her mind is elsewhere. Confusing contents could be a threat, a plea, or something much different. Lives are about to change.As for what we all know is coming, Polly never fails. In a strange moment, she finds a woman's mother. Dead. Anger and pain that took root in that household years ago has again spilled out into the world. This time, it finishes destroying two lives.Home should be safe. Polly's home fills with her friends and family as often as possible. When the back yard is full, when her dining room table is jammed with people and food, when they have to keep expanding in order to feed everyone and care for each other, when love explodes because it is a choice made without hesitation, that's home.Welcome back to Bellingwood.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
135 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 3, 2023
Visiting Bellingwood
I have extended family, who with two biological kids, adopted nine others, six of whom were in one family. I have friends at church who adopted seven, five of whom have disabilities. I also have a first cousin, once removed who had fifteen biological kids. I stayed with that family one weekend and it wasn't until my parents came to pick me up that my cousin and her husband even realized I had been there! Also I have/had 65 first cousins. But now I'm an old maid, living far from my only remaining sister and all those cousins. Polly's crazy family brings me a taste once more of my youth.
I have extended family, who with two biological kids, adopted nine others, six of whom were in one family. I have friends at church who adopted seven, five of whom have disabilities. I also have a first cousin, once removed who had fifteen biological kids. I stayed with that family one weekend and it wasn't until my parents came to pick me up that my cousin and her husband even realized I had been there! Also I have/had 65 first cousins. But now I'm an old maid, living far from my only remaining sister and all those cousins. Polly's crazy family brings me a taste once more of my youth.
October 8, 2023
MORE LOVE! YAY!
Another heartwarming, laughter making, heartbreaking, life lesson from Diane and her Polly. The murder mysteries are purely incidental ro the plots and this was no exception. There is far more interesting stuff in the family relationships.
The small town America that is growing bigger and stronger with every book is only slightly fairytale though the ice cream sandwiches and the huge meals keep my mouth watering at the mere thought!
Looking for Book 44 and the next episode!
Another heartwarming, laughter making, heartbreaking, life lesson from Diane and her Polly. The murder mysteries are purely incidental ro the plots and this was no exception. There is far more interesting stuff in the family relationships.
The small town America that is growing bigger and stronger with every book is only slightly fairytale though the ice cream sandwiches and the huge meals keep my mouth watering at the mere thought!
Looking for Book 44 and the next episode!
November 17, 2023
More love to give
Polly starts receiving strange packages in the mail. Which turn out to be clues to find something or someone. Polly encounters a woman in the library who just started working there. As she is looking for some books overhears the book club asking about her. Polly confronts them and tells them they should not talk about people that way.
Polly has a run in with Barb later down her street and then the weird things start happening. Read to find out more. A really good story!
Polly starts receiving strange packages in the mail. Which turn out to be clues to find something or someone. Polly encounters a woman in the library who just started working there. As she is looking for some books overhears the book club asking about her. Polly confronts them and tells them they should not talk about people that way.
Polly has a run in with Barb later down her street and then the weird things start happening. Read to find out more. A really good story!
November 14, 2023
Wonderful!
Every time I get to visit Bellingwood, I savor every moment, and make it last as long as possible! Diane's books are a warm hug when we need it most. If you haven't read any of this series yet, please do yourself a favor and dive in with the first book. You will find a group of wonderful friends who will make you laugh and cry and everything in between! Diane has given us precious gifts that can be enjoyed over and over again, and shared with those you love.
Every time I get to visit Bellingwood, I savor every moment, and make it last as long as possible! Diane's books are a warm hug when we need it most. If you haven't read any of this series yet, please do yourself a favor and dive in with the first book. You will find a group of wonderful friends who will make you laugh and cry and everything in between! Diane has given us precious gifts that can be enjoyed over and over again, and shared with those you love.
January 2, 2025
Never a dull moment
Just when Polly feels things are getting boring, she is thrown a curve ball with new characters showing up in her life. One seems harmless and needy at first, but may not be. Others are sending clues asking for her help. Her family seems to never stop growing, and neither does her heart. As always, her family has her back and helps when needed, Polly just has to be willing to receive it!
Just when Polly feels things are getting boring, she is thrown a curve ball with new characters showing up in her life. One seems harmless and needy at first, but may not be. Others are sending clues asking for her help. Her family seems to never stop growing, and neither does her heart. As always, her family has her back and helps when needed, Polly just has to be willing to receive it!
October 3, 2023
Bellingwood Book 43
Another great Bellingwood book! They just keep getting better. I read this one strait through, couldn't put it down until I finished it.
I can't wait for the next Polly adventure. Diane always keeps the suspense going and keeps you reading! You never know what or who Pollys going to meet, get involved with, and end up helping.
Another great Bellingwood book! They just keep getting better. I read this one strait through, couldn't put it down until I finished it.
I can't wait for the next Polly adventure. Diane always keeps the suspense going and keeps you reading! You never know what or who Pollys going to meet, get involved with, and end up helping.
October 3, 2023
Visiting Old Friends
Another visit to Bellingwood, and to Polly & Henry's chaotic life! Old friends and new family members, everyone is welcome at the Bell House. This small Iowa town has lots of excitement, but all is taken in stride! It's always a fun stay, but it never lasts long enough.
Another visit to Bellingwood, and to Polly & Henry's chaotic life! Old friends and new family members, everyone is welcome at the Bell House. This small Iowa town has lots of excitement, but all is taken in stride! It's always a fun stay, but it never lasts long enough.
October 4, 2023
Another grand adventure with Polly
Diane has created a world just around the corner, where we all want to visit. Her characters are real and face real issues, even while Polly is left to deal with all of the crazy.
I am never sure how the next book in the series could be any better, but each one is, and makes me wish I could move my family to Bellingwood, IA.
Diane has created a world just around the corner, where we all want to visit. Her characters are real and face real issues, even while Polly is left to deal with all of the crazy.
I am never sure how the next book in the series could be any better, but each one is, and makes me wish I could move my family to Bellingwood, IA.
October 5, 2023
Review
Diane certainly keeps Us guessing as we read these books about Polly and Henry and their family you become involved in their life and it's a good feeling. I've learned a lot about parenting that I wish I'd known when I was raising my kids. Maybe Diane needs to write a book about raising kids because she is awesome.
Diane certainly keeps Us guessing as we read these books about Polly and Henry and their family you become involved in their life and it's a good feeling. I've learned a lot about parenting that I wish I'd known when I was raising my kids. Maybe Diane needs to write a book about raising kids because she is awesome.
October 6, 2023
Great book
All the books in this series are great. I can see and understand how there is demand for things with the Bellingwood logo. If you are reading this review you know the many books and extras there are before this. Do yourself a favor if you haven't already and read the series.
All the books in this series are great. I can see and understand how there is demand for things with the Bellingwood logo. If you are reading this review you know the many books and extras there are before this. Do yourself a favor if you haven't already and read the series.
October 18, 2023
just finished 43 books.
I haven't quit reading for over a month.
I have fallen in love with Pollt & her menagerie. I haven't enjoyed a set of books such as this for a very long time. And never as many books with one theme. Thank you Diane Greenwood Muir for your hard work & vision.
I haven't quit reading for over a month.
I have fallen in love with Pollt & her menagerie. I haven't enjoyed a set of books such as this for a very long time. And never as many books with one theme. Thank you Diane Greenwood Muir for your hard work & vision.
November 7, 2023
Familt Ties
Another good read! I love the fact that the stories go on with just weeks or a few months between them. This way, a person gets to see the kids grow up and not morph from a child to an adult between books. I also love the cobbled together family, which is what I grew up in, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bonus that good prevails and evil gets caught!
Another good read! I love the fact that the stories go on with just weeks or a few months between them. This way, a person gets to see the kids grow up and not morph from a child to an adult between books. I also love the cobbled together family, which is what I grew up in, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bonus that good prevails and evil gets caught!
October 3, 2023
Another great story
Diane weaves her stories in a way that keeps us all enthralled. Bellingwood and it's people feel real and the books are a lovely catchup with good friends. You read one and can't wait for the next to arrive.
Diane weaves her stories in a way that keeps us all enthralled. Bellingwood and it's people feel real and the books are a lovely catchup with good friends. You read one and can't wait for the next to arrive.
October 4, 2023
So good!
I’ve been looking forward to this book, and it was even better than I expected it to be. I love this series, and my advice to anyone is to start at the beginning, and read each book at least twice. Enjoy!
I’ve been looking forward to this book, and it was even better than I expected it to be. I love this series, and my advice to anyone is to start at the beginning, and read each book at least twice. Enjoy!
October 4, 2023
Expanding family
I highly recommend this series. This is book 43. It's a series of whole some family happenings and values. This big family has expanded again and I cannot wait to read the next adventure.
Another great job Diane Greenwood Muir!
I highly recommend this series. This is book 43. It's a series of whole some family happenings and values. This big family has expanded again and I cannot wait to read the next adventure.
Another great job Diane Greenwood Muir!
October 4, 2023
Family is what you make it!
Polly shows us in every book that respect goes both ways. Love comes in all sizes. And respect for one another paves the way for love to pass through. Love these books and the messages we all need to hear.
Polly shows us in every book that respect goes both ways. Love comes in all sizes. And respect for one another paves the way for love to pass through. Love these books and the messages we all need to hear.
October 5, 2023
Families are the best
This is such a good book about life and families. I love that the author adds real life issues in the daily life of the characters. They are not perfect people but perfect as a family.
This is such a good book about life and families. I love that the author adds real life issues in the daily life of the characters. They are not perfect people but perfect as a family.
October 7, 2023
Diane has done it again
Wonderful to have another Polly book to read. Bellingwood sounds like the best place to live and have wonderful friends. I look forward to every book in the series and I am sad when I read the last page. Please never stop writing about Polly and Henry.
Wonderful to have another Polly book to read. Bellingwood sounds like the best place to live and have wonderful friends. I look forward to every book in the series and I am sad when I read the last page. Please never stop writing about Polly and Henry.
October 7, 2023
Polly never let's us down!
I have read every book in this series. The wonderful family portrayed in these books are very endearing. I love how there is always enough love for more!
I have read every book in this series. The wonderful family portrayed in these books are very endearing. I love how there is always enough love for more!
October 8, 2023
a sucker for family
Another glimpse into families is very much how I feel about Bellingwood. Polly’s life takes twists and turns, and we get to see how love explodes around her. Perhaps an odd thing to write about a book that contains the dark parts of love too.
Another glimpse into families is very much how I feel about Bellingwood. Polly’s life takes twists and turns, and we get to see how love explodes around her. Perhaps an odd thing to write about a book that contains the dark parts of love too.
October 8, 2023
Diane never disappoints!
I love every new addition to the Bellingwood series. This one was a wilder ride than most. I loved getting to know new people as well as continuing on with my favorite characters! Thanks for all the fun, Diane.
I love every new addition to the Bellingwood series. This one was a wilder ride than most. I loved getting to know new people as well as continuing on with my favorite characters! Thanks for all the fun, Diane.
October 8, 2023
yet another great read
I never tire of the adventures that Henry Polly and all of their interesting families my members have. I always feel so good after reading these books.
Thank you Diane Greenwood Muir for your insightful writing!
I never tire of the adventures that Henry Polly and all of their interesting families my members have. I always feel so good after reading these books.
Thank you Diane Greenwood Muir for your insightful writing!
October 14, 2023
Awesome!!
Awesome! Awesome!! Just Awesome!!! I always wait for your book to release with great anticipation.. And I am never disappointed.. I cried, I laughed, I smiled.. My son caught me smiling while reading it.. So special story
Awesome! Awesome!! Just Awesome!!! I always wait for your book to release with great anticipation.. And I am never disappointed.. I cried, I laughed, I smiled.. My son caught me smiling while reading it.. So special story
October 16, 2023
Not my favorite
I have read all the helping wood books and always look forward to them. This o e was o of ok. I think these are getting predictable. Also, a little lame with so many added kids. I love what Polling does for kids but no, not this time. Sry Diane
I have read all the helping wood books and always look forward to them. This o e was o of ok. I think these are getting predictable. Also, a little lame with so many added kids. I love what Polling does for kids but no, not this time. Sry Diane
October 19, 2023
The Best
I liked that I a was kept wondering when everything was going to come known. It kept reading. My only complaint is that it's over too fast because I can't stop until I'm done!
I liked that I a was kept wondering when everything was going to come known. It kept reading. My only complaint is that it's over too fast because I can't stop until I'm done!
October 4, 2023
Terrific book!
I try so hard to savor the new books in Bellingwood but always read them immediately because I love visiting my friends. Diane does not ever disappoint!
I try so hard to savor the new books in Bellingwood but always read them immediately because I love visiting my friends. Diane does not ever disappoint!
Read
October 4, 2023A different style story Bellingwood.
We finally get Ray in Bellingwood in town for awhile and he only makes the rare appearance. Polly really needs to find him a friend.
We finally get Ray in Bellingwood in town for awhile and he only makes the rare appearance. Polly really needs to find him a friend.
October 4, 2023
Once again
Book #43 did not disappoint. I actually think it is my favorite so far. I love this series and can't wait for the next adventure
Book #43 did not disappoint. I actually think it is my favorite so far. I love this series and can't wait for the next adventure
October 4, 2023
Another winner! A visit to Bellingwood never disappoints.
October 4, 2023
Absolutely delightful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews