Love Letters

Rose Harbor #3

by Debbie Macomber

One love letter can change everything... The new Rose Harbor novel from the international bestselling author of Rose Harbor in Bloom and Blossom Street Brides.

Ellie travels to Rose Harbor to meet a man she’s been writing to, but he reveals a secret that makes her question their relationship.

Maggie and her husband have grown apart. Can a love letter from long ago help them to find the spark they have lost?

And Jo Marie finds the courage to revisit the last letter her husband sent her before he was killed in Afghanistan, and for the first time is able to see the future ahead of her.

Once again, the Rose Harbor Inn proves to be a place of comfort and healing as the women find that these letters could change the course of their lives forever.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction

288 pages, ebook

First published July 31, 2014

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at a loss for words, I just have no clue what to say. This book has honestly made me cry the most so far. Love Letters is the third book in the Rose Harbor series written by Debbie Macomber. I have grown to love this series so much, and I can't wait to find out what's going to happen in the next book. Debbie Macomber has a way of connecting her readers with the characters, and the plot. The story lines are very well put together, the characters are very likable. When I say you need to read this, I mean you need to literally run and grab this book because it was just that good!!! There's nothing better than a book that grabs your attention and you can't put it down for hours on end. I thought this series would be light and fluffy, but there's so much more than that. This book is about vulnerability, accepting, and open to new love.

In Love Letters we follow the journey of Jo Marie Rose, Mark Taylor, Ellie Reynolds, Maggie and Roy Porter in their process of healing. Please, please, read this amazing series!!! Jo Marie is literally the sweetest!!! On to the next book:)

Summer is a busy season at the inn. As Jo Marie Rose prepares Rose Harbor Inn for her weekend guests, she finds herself once again intrigued by her cranky handyman, Mark Taylor. A gifted carpenter, Mark is going to build Jo Marie a gazebo for the inn, but Jo Marie doesn't know anything about Mark's past and can't help wondering, can't help asking around who might know about his past. Mark and Jo Marie have spent a lot of time together working around the inn. Despite some folks good natured claims, Jo Marie insists that Mark is only a friend and nothing more. I can't wait to see what happens between these two. Jo Marie had hope that her late husband, Paul Rose has miraculously survived the helicopter crash he was involved in, but a call has confirmed that Paul did NOT survive (my heart hurts so much).

Twenty-three-year-old Ellie Reynolds is taking a leap of faith. Ellie has come to Cedar Cove to meet Tom, a man Ellie has been corresponding with for months online and with whom she might even be falling in love with. Ellie's mother, Virginia Reynolds who is over protective of Ellie disapproves of her trip because of past mistakes Ellie's mom had with Scott Reynolds, Ellie's father. But, Ellie is determined to spread her wings. Virginia doesn't want Ellie to go to Cedar Cover because Ellie is so vulnerable and her mother doesn't want Tom breaking her heart. I can totally see where Ellie's mom is coming from because she's a momma bear and doesn't want anything to happen to her only child, but Ellie is twenty three years old, I believe she can make her own decisions. Ellie is in for the biggest surprise of her life, but it may be a surprise that changes everything for Tom and Ellie.

Maggie and Roy Porter are taking their first vacation alone since their children were born. Maggie and Roy's marriage is going downhill, so they have come to the inn to rekindle the spark in their marriage, and to win back each other's trust. Maggie and Roy had a fight one night that got so bad that it caused Maggie to leave their home. Maggie had no idea where she was going until she found herself parked in front of a bar. Inside the bar Maggie met a man who was also married, but he told Maggie all the things she deserved to hear by her husband, but Roy has never once told Maggie anything. Maggie decided to have a one night stand with this man. Roy had an emotional affair with a woman he worked with. On their trip Maggie learns that she's pregnant, but she doesn't know who the father would be. Maggie has NOT told Roy but she must make one last confession that could forever tear them apart, and that is telling Roy she's pregnant.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Women's Fiction/Romance, and this is the third book in the Rose Harbor series. I have read all the books in this series but the novellas. I think this book can be read as a standalone, but you will get more out of it if you have read the other books in this series. I really loved the storyline in this book, and this book sets up the next book so well. I wish the ending was a little better. This book is very touching.

[Tina Strelau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so waited and wanted to read this book to see how the story went but sadly, I guess I will need to wait until next year. The characters in this story almost became unlikeable and I typically am more tolerant about characters in Debbie Macomber's books. I gave it an additional star because she didn't spend a lot of time retelling the story in a story which pleased me, I just wish the plot lines were more resolved and that there weren't so many secrets and childish arguing and must every person in love be so completely unsure of themselves? The immaturity of these characters kind of gave me a headache. I'm typically a BIG fan but I should have waited to read this book until next year -- closer to the time the next book comes out. Maybe I'm missing something that others see. This didn't seem worth the wholly expensive hardcover it was printed on…not enough of a storyline and kind of a waste of a few hours (which is all it took me to read.)

[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I love Debbie Macomber! Her stories are so heartwarming and this one was no different.

There were some parts of the story that I did find odd like why Jo Marie was so intrigued by Mark with no real reason. It was also unrealistic the way Ellie and her husband quickly resolved their issues.

However, overall I really enjoyed this story. I am just not sure all of this could happen In real life but that's why it's fiction right? :)

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Letters is the third book in the Rose Harbor series by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. As Jo Marie prepares Rose Harbor Inn for her weekend guests, she finds herself once again intrigued by her cranky handyman, Mark Taylor. A gifted carpenter, Mark is going to build Jo Marie a gazebo, but she doesn’t know anything about his past and can’t help wondering, can’t help asking.

Maggie and Roy Porter have been treated to a weekend getaway by his parents, but Jo Marie notices the tension between them immediately. She hopes the Inn will work its healing magic on them, but she has no idea of the magnitude of what has passed between them. Perhaps Roy’s old love letter can heal such deep wounds, but there is yet another shock in store for this couple.

Ellie Reynolds has come to Cedar Cove, against her mother’s wishes, to meet a man she knows only from online and telephone contact. She’s half in love with Tom already, but her mother is mistrustful of any man after Ellie’s father abandoned them. But Tom seems to be everything Ellie has ever wanted. They click from their first contact. But can the budding romance survive the surprise that Tom has in store for Ellie?

Jo Marie is still negotiating her own grief for the loss of her husband, Paul, and when cleaning, tidying, prying into Mark’s life and baking fails to provide sufficient distraction, Rover, her rescue dog, reminds her of Paul’s last letter.

Macomber’s format for the full-length books of this series seems to be the stories of two sets of guests at Rose Harbor Inn with snippets of Joe Marie’s life interspersed, and the mention of the next book’s guests in the final chapter. She gives the reader believable characters with realistic and often topical dilemmas, and while the queen of feelgood specialises in happy endings, the road is not always a smooth one. Heart-warming and enjoyable.

[Tmstprc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The format doesn’t do any of the stories justice, and I didn’t like the stories or the characters.

In one of my FB groups someone is ISO a cheating husband book by Debbie Macomber. I knew this wasn’t the right book, but her blurbs keep catching my attention. I’ve now read enough of her backlist to know I’m not a fan.

2 I need to stop doing this to myself stars.

The ask… cheating husband leaves wife and 2 kids for OW. OW wants no part of his children. Wife is pregnant when he leaves and gives birth during separation. Supposedly, he steps up and helps with new baby, eventually realizing what he’s done and wants to come home…

ETA: HEA with husband.

Now all I want is to rage read this one and be done… any ideas??

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Marie and the rest of the Rose Harbor Inn gang are back in a new adventure. Jo Marie and Mark Taylor has spent a lot of time together and Jo Marie considers Mark a friend. Does Mark consider her as a friend and why is he so secretive? Jo Marie tries to find out while trying to help her new guests at the Inn too. If you want to know more, check this book out for yourself.

This is a great installment of the Rose Harbor Inn series by Debbie Macomber. It is a heartfelt series about how an Inn and the people in it can learn to heal and love no matter what happens. If you like these types of stories, definitely check this book out with the rest of this series at your local library and wherever books are sold.

[Vi ~ Inkvotary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inkvotary
This book wasn't as good as the others. Lots of drama, tears and bitterness. And Mark, oh he is another story. This book wasn´t as touching and moving as the others have been. Yes, there was love, romance and again, a bit drama in it. And yes, the author wrote it in her usual sensitive and wonderful style. But for some reason I wasn´t as hooked as I was during reading the first two books.

But this doesn´t mean that I won´t read the other books of this series as well. I am eager to find out how Jo and Mark will find their way to each other and how everything will end up.

In this story the tone became darker and it seems that I am reading lately many books where the tone has changed in the second or third book of a series. No doubt, I enjoyed this one, too and had some wonderful hours while reading it. Despite that I sometimes thought why on earth was he doing that or girl, get yourself together. Show some spine. And no, I am not talking about Jo. She does what she feels she has to do, follows her guts and is as warm, patient and sweet as ever.

[Natasa · Rating 2 out of 5]

 This book is a huge disappointment. I disliked all the characters and found I couldn’t care about what happened to any of them. I forced myself to finish the book, skimming through several of the pages. The conversations between the couples were so generic and dull, as were the characters. 

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title "Love Letters", book three of Debbie Macomber's "Rose Harbor Inn Series", refers to both letters which found their mark, and to those that were never received. All the letters have a profound effect--through what was said, and what was never read. Innkeeper Jo Marie Rose has had a year to settle into proprietorship of the Rose Harbor Inn. The little town of Cedar Cove, Washington has proved to be a welcoming source of renewal, giving her a new purpose in life after the death of her husband, Paul. Letting go of the dreams of her married life and future with Paul is very difficult, and at times, it seems as if old memories are reluctant to move aside for hopes for the future. One constant throughout the last year, besides the devotion of her dog, Rover, has been the tumultuous friendship she has shared with carpenter and handyman, Mark Taylor. Mysterious, moody, and maddening, Mark nonetheless has connected to Jo Marie and offered her his own version of support. Dealing with her guests, seeing to their needs, and quietly building her business is helping Jo Marie to heal, just as she hopes visitors will find their own healing during their stay at the inn. Young Ellie Reynolds has come to Cedar Cove to meet a man she has become acquainted with online. At first, he seems all that she imagined and more, but he has a surprising personal agenda that will change Ellie's life in ways she never expected. A married couple, the Porters, are on a second-chance second honeymoon of sorts, but mistakes made by both husband and wife may be more than they can overcome. Love letters, as well as hopes and dreams, will be lost and found. Hearts will be broken, and then mended. What will the future hold for all? Come to Cedar Cove and enjoy a pleasant stay at the Rose Harbor Inn. Jo Marie and Rover are waiting to greet you.

Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber is usually my choice for a feel good sweet story. Love Letters, the third Rose Harbor Novel, just wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. The issues weren't as believable and the problems the characters had to overcome were difficult.

Maggie and Roy Porter come to the inn, to rekindle their marriage. He has been having an online/work romance with an old girlfriend. Even though they haven't had sex, his threatened wife goes to a bar, gets drunk and has sex with a stranger, resulting in a pregnancy. Really? Ellie Reynolds meets a guy online and comes to Cedar Cove to meet him in person. It turns out that his stepfather is her long lost birth father. Really? I was a little disappointed with the story line focusing on Mark and Jo Marie. Why couldn't their relationship have remained friendly and evolved more slowly? Why is Jo Marie being so noisy all of a sudden?

I won this novel in a Goodreads giveaway from Ballantine Books/Random House in exchange for an honest review. I sincerely wish I could have had better things to say about Love Letters, because I am a fan of Debbie Macomber's work.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very last sentence of this book prompted me to give it a 4-star rating as opposed to a 5-star rating. I did NOT like the ending (for Jo Marie). However, from reading other reviews, it appears that the character, Mark Taylor, has appeared in prior Macomber book(s) and so, perhaps, there will be a resolution to this most unexpected and unnerving ending between Jo Marie and Mark (or Jeremy as we learned in the last chapter). Please - yes?

The two other stories interwoven throughout the novel were perfect.

I received an e-copy of this book from Edelweiss for an honest review.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark and Jo Marie, the "romance" continues. I enjoy stories about finding self and discovering love. We all want to feel and be wanted. Not a deep read but a heart felt one and sometimes that is just fine.

[Chelle Saltzman-Branton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thoroughly enjoying the Rose Harbor Inn series.....I thought I could get thought his one without crying, but oh, that Debbie Macomber gets me every time. Love these characters!

[Jennifer Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are many books that have multiple stories going on within them that make up the complete book, but this one had three going on that were so disconnected with the only link being the innkeeper and them staying there, that I wish she had just separated this into different books. Also, since the stories were so separated it makes it hard to rate the book as a whole. The only couple I had interest in was the innkeeper and her handyman. That story was the only one where I felt connected to the characters and wanted to see where they ended up. The other story of Ellie meeting the man she met on Facebook for the first time was really interesting in the beginning, especially since we really got to know the character`s history of being raised by just her overprotective mom in a strict household. Unfortunately when the surprise twist occurs and we find out why things happened, I felt the author didn't explore the anger at the grandparents and just brushed over the injustice of everything. Then the final couple, a married one where the husband emotional cheated so the wife has a one night stand? That whole thing was a mess and had no reality checks at all. That one story is enough for me to dismiss the whole book. The author obviously is bias in the writing style as the wife is written as the wronged one the whole story and almost no blame is thrown her way except by the husband but the author tries to make the husband the ogre there also. I hate when books are written where the guy is always blamed

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I think one of the main reasons my rating is so low is because I listened to the audio CD and the reader's voice consistently fluctuated between monotone and Siri. She also tried to do voices, but the voices were awful. Half the time the same character had a "different voice" from chapter to chapter and the intonation, inflection, and emphasis on some characters were just unbearable. Elle for example sounded like a spoiled brat and half-wit. Instead of adding depth to the characters, it was just annoying and obnoxious. By the end I just wanted to slap half of the characters. Although the writing is not stellar and I'm not expecting Shakespeare, I really think the reader ruined this story.

Concerning the plot line, it was mostly improbable and unrealistic. First the wife gets all bent out of shape that her husband had an emotional affair, but then does something way worse and it's like the author found the husband's dead worse than the wife's. I understand the seriousness and damage of an emotional affair, but it just seemed a little weak to be the reason for one of the main plot lines of the book. And Jo Marie, don't get me started.... again, the plot of her being bizarrely obsessed with finding out about Mark really wasn't as exciting as it was made out to be. It just became annoying after a while; and mainly unexplained for the most part.

While I enjoy the mindless entertainment value of watching Cedar Cove each Saturday night on the Hallmark Channel, I did not enjoy of find Debbie Macomber's enjoyable or entertaining.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often I love reading a book by Debbie Macomber. She has the knack of making the most commonplace things interesting.

I read "The Inn at Rose Harbour" which is the 2nd book in this series so was familiar with the setting and the protagonist, Jo Marie Rose. Now Jo Marie's B&B is in full swing and this 3rd book deals with two romances that need the encouragement that a stay at the Rose Inn seems to offer. Also in this volume, Jo Marie's handyman, Mark Taylor is still in the picture and we are beginning to learn a little more about him. From the ending, it does seem as though there will be a sequel. So looking forward to that. Although it helps to have read the earlier ones, the first time reader will still enjoy this novel.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like her books except the melodrama towards the end.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Various characters book lodging at Jo Marie's Pacific Northwest bed & breakfast. A couple trying to save their marriage and a young woman meeting a love for the first time both meet with surprises and twists and turns.

And Jo Marie no matter how hard she tries, cannot understand why her handyman Tom doesn't vomit personal information like she does so they can be friends vs acquaintances.

I didn't realize this was a third in a series until I'd already started it. Can it stand alone? Sure. Will I read the rest of the series? Maybe.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Love Letters is the third book in the Rose Harbor series. I did not read the two books before this one and was still able to easily follow along with the story. It centres around Jo Marie, the owner of the Inn, and the guests that stay there.

There are basically three stories that unfold within the pages of this book...

First there is Jo Marie who owns the Inn and is still coming to terms with the loss of her husband two years earlier. Along with taking care of her guests she has an overwhelming curiosity about Mark her neighbour, friend and handyman. She wants to know why he is so secretive and what he is hiding. Their friendship is somewhat strained and often difficult. Although she finds him quite infuriating at times she wants to know more about him and figure out why he is so mysterious.

The first guest to arrive at Rose Harbor is Ellie who is taking a chance on love with meeting the man that she has been communicating with on line and by phone but with whom she has never met. She is dealing with an overprotective mother who disapproves of the meeting and going against her wishes for the first time in her life. What starts out as an initial meeting of two people who are attracted to each other turns into so much more when things become complicated and she has to deal with lies and deceit while listening to her heart, head and her mother's voice.

The next couple to arrive are Maggie and Roy who are using the weekend getaway to try to rekindle their marriage after both of them made enormous mistakes. As they try to forgive the past and move on they discover something so big that it seems impossible for them ever to recover. I have to admit that this story was my least favourite of the three only because the issues were so big that I found it a little unrealistic that it could all be solved in one weekend.

The story weaves between these three stories as each character struggles with the cards that have been dealt to them. I found myself equally invested in all of the stories and hoping for a good outcome for them all. There is a tremendous amount of hurt, anger and sadness but at the centre of it all it was filled with love and hope.

This was a perfect summer read. I do have to warn you that one story is left unresolved and wide open for another addition to the series. When I finished the book I was wishing that I had the next instalment at hand so that I could know how it will play out. Although it left me extremely frustrated it also left me eagerly anticipating the next book. I am going to go back and read the first two books while I wait for the next one to come out. I really like the fact that the books are about the different guests that stay at the Inn. It keeps the stories fresh and unique and a pleasure to read.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the wonderful Pacific Norhwest at a new bed and breakfast we enter the lives of the guests over one momentous weekend. Some happy, some sad, all more or less complicated, the men and women there find a new perspective on their lives. This is another good story by Macomber.
I was more than a bit surprised by the cliffhanger ending for Jo Marie; the author usually ties up her stories. Other characters' stories were compelling. It may be the starting of another book in her series?
I especially enjoyed a few references to the Seattle Seahawks!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that this book has received many wonderful reviews, but I just did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed either the first or the second book in the series. The stories of Jo Marie Rose, (the owner of the B&B) and the two women who were her guests were sometimes intriguing but other times unsettling. The endings of all of their stories were either sappy or unrealistic. I just don't feel as though this was Debbie Macomber's best work. Again, my opinion is unlike many other reviews, and I will continue reading Debbie Macomber's books because she does write some really good ones.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book but since it ended abruptly, I'm giving it 3 stars. It's a quick read.

[LeslecturesdeMylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...

17/20 - Une douceur que l'on savoure sous l'ombre de la terrasse ! Un moment tendre et prenant !

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Letters, book three of the Rose Harbor series, was another great read for me.
I love that each of these novels not only tell Jo Marie’s story, but introduces new characters and tells their stories as well.
This book brings in the Porter couple and Ellie, a young girl meeting a man she has been communicating with for the first time. These characters come to Jo Marie’s Inn and immediately you were drawn to their stories.
The Porter’s, Roy and Maggie, are going through a difficult time in their marriage and you can’t help but allow your heart to go out to them and their situation. The emotions flood you, both good and bad.
Ellie has been communicating with a guy named Tom via the internet and phone calls and she is meeting him in person for the first time. Secrets are exposed though and her story is as much of a roller coaster ride as the Porter’s.
As for Jo Marie? She’s living life and still adjusting to the loss of her husband and everything her bed and breakfast, and her guests demand from her. This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger though when it came to Jo Marie’s story, so I’m anxious to read the next book.
One thing I love about this series and I may have mentioned it before is the fact that each book is three stories in itself, wrapped into one novel. It makes for a fun, emotional read and I love that about Debbie’s books. Looking forward to the next one!

[Vivone Os · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pa ovo čak ni nije bilo loše. Kako sam prijatelju opisala, to je fini nevini ljubić, tu nema seksa i zgodnih nabildanih frajera.
Ali ono, meni su to nekako površni dijalozi ko isforsani nekad, plastični likovi, previše drame u radnji, nerealne situacije, brzo se čita i brzo ju zaboraviš. Taman mi je tako nešto trebalo jer sam bila u reading slumpu i dan ranije imala neku svoju dramu. I sad ponovo čitam jeeeej!

Orilium: Autumn Equinox – Restoration: Q – Dangerous Plants (poisonous plants in the title or on the cover)
Globalni ciljevi: nastavak serijala

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

As everyone else has said, this series really turned a corner in the third installment! I loved this one! I liked the push and pull of Maggie and Roy’s struggles/marriage, Ellie’s efforts to stand up for herself and what she wants in life, and the continuing friendship/relationship between Jo Marie and Mark. I am most excited to see how Jo Marie and Mark move forward after the way this book is ended!

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. The Rose Harbor series just keeps getting better and better. This is the third instalment to the series, and I loved it. Jo Marie and Mark Taylor are really cute together and I want them to be a couple. Jo Marie has three new visitors at the Inn: Ellie Reynolds, and the Porters (Maggie and Roy). Ellie Reynolds came to Cedar Cove to meet Tom and to know more about her father. Maggie and Roy Porter came to the Inn to rekindle their marriage. It has been through some difficult times as we continue their journey in this book. The story was heartfelt and sweet. I thought the characters were more interesting in this one. Also, it seems like when characters stay at the Inn at Rose Harbor that people find themselves and in turn love. I think that is beautiful. I can’t wait to read Silver Linings next. Overall, an incredible read.

[Elizabeth Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have gotten a 4 star but it left me hanging and I hate that in a book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhhh !! The way this ended!! So glad I have the next book at the ready to read! SO good!