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Forgotten Boxes
Named sole heir to her aunt's estate, Charity Gannon arrives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, hoping to find a link to her past. She's not looking for lost treasures; she is searching for a connection to the aunt she barely knew.
What she finds is a 30-something-year-old mystery and questions with no answers. A sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes, stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed.
These are not just any boxes. These are unopened, undelivered boxes, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four boxes are marked March 14, 1984 - the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. Four forgotten boxes, whose owners might still be out there, waiting for a delivery that never arrived. The undelivered boxes haunt Charity, tugging at her conscience. Hadn't someone noticed them missing?
As Charity sets out to deliver the packages to their rightful owners, she discovers that the story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking. And one might very well be the death of her.
What she finds is a 30-something-year-old mystery and questions with no answers. A sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes, stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed.
These are not just any boxes. These are unopened, undelivered boxes, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four boxes are marked March 14, 1984 - the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. Four forgotten boxes, whose owners might still be out there, waiting for a delivery that never arrived. The undelivered boxes haunt Charity, tugging at her conscience. Hadn't someone noticed them missing?
As Charity sets out to deliver the packages to their rightful owners, she discovers that the story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking. And one might very well be the death of her.
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Published November 29, 2016
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About the author
Becki Willis
44 books541 followersBest-selling indie and hybrid author Becki Willis loves crafting stories with believable characters in believable situations. Many of her stories stem from her own personal experiences. (No worries; she's never actually murdered anyone).
When she’s not plotting danger and adventure for her imaginary friends, Becki enjoys reading, spending time with her family, unraveling a good mystery (real or imagined), dark chocolate, and a good cup of coffee.
A professed history geek, Becki often weaves pieces of the past into her novels. Family is a central theme in her stories and in her life. She and her husband enjoy traveling but believe coming home to their Texas ranch is the best part of any trip.
Becki has won numerous awards—including two Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards, InD’Tale’s coveted RONE, and been named Finalist for two Claymore Awards—but feels the real compliments come from her readers. Drop in for an e-visit anytime at beckiwillis.ccp@gmail.com, or www.beckiwillis.com.
When she’s not plotting danger and adventure for her imaginary friends, Becki enjoys reading, spending time with her family, unraveling a good mystery (real or imagined), dark chocolate, and a good cup of coffee.
A professed history geek, Becki often weaves pieces of the past into her novels. Family is a central theme in her stories and in her life. She and her husband enjoy traveling but believe coming home to their Texas ranch is the best part of any trip.
Becki has won numerous awards—including two Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards, InD’Tale’s coveted RONE, and been named Finalist for two Claymore Awards—but feels the real compliments come from her readers. Drop in for an e-visit anytime at beckiwillis.ccp@gmail.com, or www.beckiwillis.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
November 12, 2023
EXCERPT: She could feel the oppression in the air. It wasn't just the musty smell of dust and the lack of fresh air. There was a story to be told in the strictly feminine decor, save for the untouched male garments here in the bedroom. Something happened to her uncle, Charity was sure. Something bas, something of which no 0ne spoke.
Charity fingered the ragged garments. They must have been hanging there for at least twenty-five years or more. A thick layer of dust coated the material. At her touch, the disturbed motes danced up to tickle her nose and caused Charity to sneeze. She inadvertently jerked, disturbing the clothes even further. A fold shifted to reveal a dark stain across the front of the shirt. Even after all these years, the blood was evident.
Just like the bullet hole it surrounded.
ABOUT 'FORGOTTEN BOXES': Named sole heir to her aunt's estate, Charity Gannon arrives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, hoping to find a link to her past. She's not looking for lost treasures; she is searching for a connection to the aunt she barely knew.
What she finds is a thirty-something-year-old mystery and questions with no answers. A sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes, stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed.
These are not just any boxes. These are unopened, undelivered boxes, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four boxes are marked March 14, 1984... the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. Four forgotten boxes, whose owners might still be out there, waiting for a delivery that never arrived.
The undelivered boxes haunt Charity, tugging at her conscience. Hadn’t someone noticed them missing? Hadn’t anyone wondered about the failed delivery? Thinking it might be fun to surprise the recipients after all these years, Charity sets out to deliver the packages to their rightful owners.
The story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking.
And one might very well be the death of her.
MY THOUGHTS: I really liked the premise of this story as laid out in the synopsis. The mystery was reasonably interesting and told over two timelines - 1984 and thirty years later. However, it was dominated by a very schmaltzy romance, and therein lies one of the problems. Where in the synopsis is there mention of romance? There was probably enough material in the mystery storyline to sustain the book. A romance could have been introduced as a sideline, but this totally dominated the book. Corny, cheesy, sappy, schmaltzy- you name it, it was everything but realistic.
The other thing that was unreal to me was the way people were talking and behaving. The earlier part of the storyline was set in 1984, not 1954 which is what it sounded like. I was almost thirty in 1984 and no-one I knew or worked with acted or spoke like these characters. Both characters and plot could have done with more in-depth development.
This was a story which had a lot of unrealised potential. I love the idea of finding something old with a mystery attached. More could have been made of the story behind each box, and less of the romance which would have produced a far better-balanced and interesting read. I honestly don't know how this took first place in the 2016 Texan book awards in the category of suspense fiction.
⭐⭐
#ForgottenBoxes #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Since writing my first "book" in grade school, I knew I wanted to be an author.
As an avid history buff, I like to poke around in old places and learn about the past. Other addictions include reading, writing, junking, unraveling a good mystery, and coffee. I love to travel, but believe coming home to family is the best part of any trip.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to clear Creek Publishers via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Forgotten Boxes by Becki Willis for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
Charity fingered the ragged garments. They must have been hanging there for at least twenty-five years or more. A thick layer of dust coated the material. At her touch, the disturbed motes danced up to tickle her nose and caused Charity to sneeze. She inadvertently jerked, disturbing the clothes even further. A fold shifted to reveal a dark stain across the front of the shirt. Even after all these years, the blood was evident.
Just like the bullet hole it surrounded.
ABOUT 'FORGOTTEN BOXES': Named sole heir to her aunt's estate, Charity Gannon arrives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, hoping to find a link to her past. She's not looking for lost treasures; she is searching for a connection to the aunt she barely knew.
What she finds is a thirty-something-year-old mystery and questions with no answers. A sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes, stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed.
These are not just any boxes. These are unopened, undelivered boxes, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four boxes are marked March 14, 1984... the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. Four forgotten boxes, whose owners might still be out there, waiting for a delivery that never arrived.
The undelivered boxes haunt Charity, tugging at her conscience. Hadn’t someone noticed them missing? Hadn’t anyone wondered about the failed delivery? Thinking it might be fun to surprise the recipients after all these years, Charity sets out to deliver the packages to their rightful owners.
The story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking.
And one might very well be the death of her.
MY THOUGHTS: I really liked the premise of this story as laid out in the synopsis. The mystery was reasonably interesting and told over two timelines - 1984 and thirty years later. However, it was dominated by a very schmaltzy romance, and therein lies one of the problems. Where in the synopsis is there mention of romance? There was probably enough material in the mystery storyline to sustain the book. A romance could have been introduced as a sideline, but this totally dominated the book. Corny, cheesy, sappy, schmaltzy- you name it, it was everything but realistic.
The other thing that was unreal to me was the way people were talking and behaving. The earlier part of the storyline was set in 1984, not 1954 which is what it sounded like. I was almost thirty in 1984 and no-one I knew or worked with acted or spoke like these characters. Both characters and plot could have done with more in-depth development.
This was a story which had a lot of unrealised potential. I love the idea of finding something old with a mystery attached. More could have been made of the story behind each box, and less of the romance which would have produced a far better-balanced and interesting read. I honestly don't know how this took first place in the 2016 Texan book awards in the category of suspense fiction.
⭐⭐
#ForgottenBoxes #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Since writing my first "book" in grade school, I knew I wanted to be an author.
As an avid history buff, I like to poke around in old places and learn about the past. Other addictions include reading, writing, junking, unraveling a good mystery, and coffee. I love to travel, but believe coming home to family is the best part of any trip.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to clear Creek Publishers via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Forgotten Boxes by Becki Willis for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
September 24, 2018
Although I was excited to read this book, it feel short of my expectations for a variety of reasons.
This book is not a mystery/thriller. It is a romance. It may be a romance with mystery/thriller elements, yes, but while the blurb led me to believe that there would be a romantic subplot to this, the story revolved around the romance far too much for a book selling itself as a mystery.
Let's start with my biggest issue. This book perpetuates the idea that suicide is a bad thing. Charity's uncle is thought to have committed suicide, and Charity wants to "clear his name." One should not be ashamed of someone who had committed suicide; depression and mental illnesses that lead to suicide are REAL illnesses, and I was extremely bothered by the complete disregard Charity had towards this. Okay, her uncle didn't commit suicide, but why would it have been a problem if he had? Suicide is a terrible, terrible action that takes many lives and this book completely disrespects that. And I'm not okay with that.
Charity is taking care of her deceased aunt's cottage... but it takes 13% of the book before Charity mentions that her aunt's cottage is in Vermont. She makes such a big deal about the small town vibe, but I'm not sure if we're in Texas, where the author is from, or somewhere more South, or where, and then all of a sudden we're in Vermont. After that, we don't forget it. But I literally had to go back through and skim reread because I was so confused as to where the setting was. And then, the setting becomes entirely about maple syrup. I do believe there is more to Vermont than maple syrup, as Charity should know, as she could list of about ten random facts about it.
My biggest issue with this book was the instalove. Charity and Tarn both claim that they've had very few previous relationships, yet during their first encounter they're both attempting to flirt in a way that feels completely unnatural and formulaic. They kiss (no spoiler alert because it's obvious that it'll happen) when they just barely know each others' names. I just don't get it. For someone who is supposedly so pragmatic, why does Charity go crazy so fast for him? Do they ever talk? Why do they like each other? There is absolutely zero substance other than lust and physical attraction.
And I haven't even started on the premise. I like the premise. I was really excited about the premise and greedy to read this. But it's not believable. There are several plot holes where I wondered how it got to the point that Charity was even involved. The timing of it all is far too coincidental, and I'm really not sure why the case wasn't resolved thirty years ago and why the bad guys didn't just get away with it.
I also couldn't enjoy the way that this was written. There is a dream scene in this book, which is a completely tired trope when, as in this case, it contributes nothing to the book. That scene could have been deleted completely. Charity talks to herself often, until one time she seems to realise just how much she talks to herself. Yes, Charity, I was judging you. Or at least, I was judging you as a character for needing to convey information in that manner.
There are also flashbacks in the past that could have been useful, but they are too infrequent and random that they instead just distract. If all relevant scenes had been in the past this might have worked, but instead I feel like I know information that Charity doesn't until the end when she magically figures things out. Even the one character that could shed light couldn't have known everything that happened in flashbacks.
Finally, this girl puts her entire self worth on the one guy's attraction. She runs her own business as a graphic designer (though I don't know how she was working during this book??) and is pretty darn self sufficient. Yet she is a total damsel in distress, and it takes a man getting an erection in response to her for her to finally gain some confidence. I would have loved to have seen her being validated in some other way--maybe an award for her business or something that she showed pride in. But the only time she shows confidence is when a man is attracted to her.
Also, I wish she received more affirmation for her weight. She talks about being "big" because she is 5'7". Well, I am 5'6", and now I feel like I, too, am a whale. Maybe I'm not petite as she desires to be, but I generally feel pretty confident until this book tells me that unless I find a giant mountain man, I will be big, and the only way I'll get affirmation is in his attentions. Great. Thanks.
I'm sorry, but there are just too many issues with this book for me to recommend it at all.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is not a mystery/thriller. It is a romance. It may be a romance with mystery/thriller elements, yes, but while the blurb led me to believe that there would be a romantic subplot to this, the story revolved around the romance far too much for a book selling itself as a mystery.
Let's start with my biggest issue. This book perpetuates the idea that suicide is a bad thing. Charity's uncle is thought to have committed suicide, and Charity wants to "clear his name." One should not be ashamed of someone who had committed suicide; depression and mental illnesses that lead to suicide are REAL illnesses, and I was extremely bothered by the complete disregard Charity had towards this. Okay, her uncle didn't commit suicide, but why would it have been a problem if he had? Suicide is a terrible, terrible action that takes many lives and this book completely disrespects that. And I'm not okay with that.
Charity is taking care of her deceased aunt's cottage... but it takes 13% of the book before Charity mentions that her aunt's cottage is in Vermont. She makes such a big deal about the small town vibe, but I'm not sure if we're in Texas, where the author is from, or somewhere more South, or where, and then all of a sudden we're in Vermont. After that, we don't forget it. But I literally had to go back through and skim reread because I was so confused as to where the setting was. And then, the setting becomes entirely about maple syrup. I do believe there is more to Vermont than maple syrup, as Charity should know, as she could list of about ten random facts about it.
My biggest issue with this book was the instalove. Charity and Tarn both claim that they've had very few previous relationships, yet during their first encounter they're both attempting to flirt in a way that feels completely unnatural and formulaic. They kiss (no spoiler alert because it's obvious that it'll happen) when they just barely know each others' names. I just don't get it. For someone who is supposedly so pragmatic, why does Charity go crazy so fast for him? Do they ever talk? Why do they like each other? There is absolutely zero substance other than lust and physical attraction.
And I haven't even started on the premise. I like the premise. I was really excited about the premise and greedy to read this. But it's not believable. There are several plot holes where I wondered how it got to the point that Charity was even involved. The timing of it all is far too coincidental, and I'm really not sure why the case wasn't resolved thirty years ago and why the bad guys didn't just get away with it.
I also couldn't enjoy the way that this was written. There is a dream scene in this book, which is a completely tired trope when, as in this case, it contributes nothing to the book. That scene could have been deleted completely. Charity talks to herself often, until one time she seems to realise just how much she talks to herself. Yes, Charity, I was judging you. Or at least, I was judging you as a character for needing to convey information in that manner.
There are also flashbacks in the past that could have been useful, but they are too infrequent and random that they instead just distract. If all relevant scenes had been in the past this might have worked, but instead I feel like I know information that Charity doesn't until the end when she magically figures things out. Even the one character that could shed light couldn't have known everything that happened in flashbacks.
Finally, this girl puts her entire self worth on the one guy's attraction. She runs her own business as a graphic designer (though I don't know how she was working during this book??) and is pretty darn self sufficient. Yet she is a total damsel in distress, and it takes a man getting an erection in response to her for her to finally gain some confidence. I would have loved to have seen her being validated in some other way--maybe an award for her business or something that she showed pride in. But the only time she shows confidence is when a man is attracted to her.
Also, I wish she received more affirmation for her weight. She talks about being "big" because she is 5'7". Well, I am 5'6", and now I feel like I, too, am a whale. Maybe I'm not petite as she desires to be, but I generally feel pretty confident until this book tells me that unless I find a giant mountain man, I will be big, and the only way I'll get affirmation is in his attentions. Great. Thanks.
I'm sorry, but there are just too many issues with this book for me to recommend it at all.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2016
Charity Gannon is not exactly an unhappy woman, though she feels her life is in a rut. When she arrives at her Aunt Nell's cottage to clear it out after her death she intends to get it over with and head back home. She thinks maybe she will use it as a rental property but finds it too unsettling to consider staying there herself. After finding a man's suit with bullet holes hanging in the closet and an intriguing talk with her aunt's neighbor Charity finds herself in the middle of a mystery that began before she was even born. Filled with suspense and a bit of romance this fast paced story kept me glued to the pages.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
December 26, 2016
A tender romance built around a 30-year-old mystery. My attention was caught at once. I felt Charity's Gannon feeling as she enters her Aunt's home the first time. The horror Charity felt when she discovers the bloody clothes with a bullet hole. Later as Charity meets Tarn Danbury the first time their emotions were clear. Charity found a garbage bag hidden in the back of her Aunt's storage building. Opening it she finds four packages that had not been delivered. She decides to locate the recipient 's to finish the job. The reactions of the recipients when she hands over the box will thrill you. The twists and turns the tale takes will keep you turning the pages until the surprising end. I highly recommend this book so much that I purchased another book by the author.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Clear Creek Publishers through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Clear Creek Publishers through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 9, 2020
AH ROMANCE! Forgotten Boxes is nothing short of a romance with a tad of mystery stirred in for good measure. This little book wasn't terrible, just misbilled! The publisher marked it a thriller, but I was never thrilled...but I was entertained. The story reminded me of my dad who would have loved this story... "all the right mix of all the right things" he would have told me.
Big girl inherits aunt's house and finds her love giant in the mountains... and along the way she solves the mystery of her uncle's death.
I bobbled between 3 and 4 stars... so I guess that means it was a 4 star.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Big girl inherits aunt's house and finds her love giant in the mountains... and along the way she solves the mystery of her uncle's death.
I bobbled between 3 and 4 stars... so I guess that means it was a 4 star.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
February 22, 2017
GNab I received a free electronic copy of this romantic novel from Netgalley, Becki Willis, and Clear Creek Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.
I stopped reading romantic novels years ago, when they became sexually explicit. I am happy to say that this is an excellent romance, without those details I would rather not 'see'. Charity Gannon is not only sweet and honest, but not the current Barbie clone, either. First positive mark for Becki Willis. Her hero, Tarn Danbury, is also shy, big, and sweet. Second positive for Ms. Willis - no bedroom scenes allowed.... But there are wonderful descriptive passages that honor Vermont's fall color season, and detailed explanations of the process of developing maple syrup, and the grading system separating the individual colors of the completed process of the syrups. There is a 30 year old mystery, solved in a timely manner, and the coincidences involved in the meetings of Charity and Tarn, though they number several, are not completely beyond belief.
Altogether, this was an excellent tale for a cold winter day, and Becki Willis is an author I will add to my favorites. This is a book I am comfortable recommending to my family and friends, including teens and young adults. Thank you, Netgalley, for making me aware of this excellent author.
pub date Jan 4, 2017
Clear Creek Publishers
I stopped reading romantic novels years ago, when they became sexually explicit. I am happy to say that this is an excellent romance, without those details I would rather not 'see'. Charity Gannon is not only sweet and honest, but not the current Barbie clone, either. First positive mark for Becki Willis. Her hero, Tarn Danbury, is also shy, big, and sweet. Second positive for Ms. Willis - no bedroom scenes allowed.... But there are wonderful descriptive passages that honor Vermont's fall color season, and detailed explanations of the process of developing maple syrup, and the grading system separating the individual colors of the completed process of the syrups. There is a 30 year old mystery, solved in a timely manner, and the coincidences involved in the meetings of Charity and Tarn, though they number several, are not completely beyond belief.
Altogether, this was an excellent tale for a cold winter day, and Becki Willis is an author I will add to my favorites. This is a book I am comfortable recommending to my family and friends, including teens and young adults. Thank you, Netgalley, for making me aware of this excellent author.
pub date Jan 4, 2017
Clear Creek Publishers
May 3, 2019
Wonderful 5-star read! I enjoyed the mystery of the boxes, learning about "sugaring", and I really, really loved the sweet romance between Charity and Tarn. Especially that they were realistically depicted as 'normal' people, not more models for 'Barbie and Ken'!
Highly, highly recommend for those who enjoy believable-realistic fiction, and sweet, clean romance that you could share with your daughter or your mom.
Highly, highly recommend for those who enjoy believable-realistic fiction, and sweet, clean romance that you could share with your daughter or your mom.
February 20, 2018
If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be "sappy." I decided to read the book because the title caught my attention. The idea of delivering boxes that had been displaced twenty years ago was a good one. The author, however, did not develop her plot details or her characters very well. In fact, the characters were not realistic or believable; the plot details were strikingly contrived. I see others rated this book with 4 or 5 stars, but there is no way I can give this book even a 3 star. I was very disappointed in this book and hope I received it for free.
April 4, 2019
Very enjoyable mystery and romance. Quick read because I wanted to find out what was in those boxes and the story behind the bullet hole. I will definitely look for more books by this author.
January 15, 2017
Charity heads to Vermont to inspect her inheritance from an elderly recluse aunt. Cleaning out the shed she finds several boxes that her uncle was supposed to deliver the day he died. This is a delightfully refreshing story line with fate playing a role in true love. Charity decides to make the deliveries for her uncle and see if she can solve the mystery of his death. Tarn is a sugar maker and seems to show up everywhere Charity goes. Fate is working overtime to keep them together. I totally enjoyed this book with it's mystery to solve, it's sweet love story and two great characters. I couldn't put it down.
November 3, 2024
Forgotten Boxes is a novel by Becki Willis. I saw this book on Amazon Unlimited and thought it looked interesting. Little did I know what a gem I had picked up. This book totally enthralled me from the first page, I simply could not stop reading it. Any loss of sleep was well worth giving up for this.
Charity Gannon had traveled from Maryland to Vermont to claim her inheritance. She had received a cute little cottage in beautiful Vermont from her Aunt Nell. She didn’t know her aunt and had seen her maybe twice and once was at her own mother’s funeral. Aunt Nell was her Mother’s only sister but they hadn’t been close. Now she inherited her house. As Charity went through the house, she saw a mess to clean out. It was over stuffed with furniture but was still a cute house. That is except for one room which had all the signs of a man being there. A suit of clothes hung on a stand and when Charity investigated them, they were full of dust which made her sneeze and knock against the clothes. They swayed and she discovered a gun shot hole and blood on the shirt. Whatever happened to Uncle Harold and why Aunt Nell kept the clothes was beyond her. Another surprise awaited her when she cleaned out the shed. She found a sack with four boxes with addresses on them, undelivered. Uncle Harold ran Kingdom Parcel but why would these boxes be here? She decided she should deliver the boxes if she could find the people whose names were on them. What a surprise that would be after thirty years!
Tarn Danbury helped his father run the family sugar business and was the delivery man for the syrup business. He was a big man and shy. He kept to himself and his mountain. However, when he first bumped into Charity at Dan’s Market, he found himself talking to her without stopping. Everyone who heard him was surprised. Tarn thought she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen but thought he would never see her again. Boy, was he wrong!
Delivering the boxes does not turn out exactly like Charity thought it would. The stories the boxes tell are simply amazing and cause a variety of reactions. Would they explain why her uncle was shot?
I picked this up again thinking I hadn't read it; I had. However, reading it the second time was as good as the first time.
Charity Gannon had traveled from Maryland to Vermont to claim her inheritance. She had received a cute little cottage in beautiful Vermont from her Aunt Nell. She didn’t know her aunt and had seen her maybe twice and once was at her own mother’s funeral. Aunt Nell was her Mother’s only sister but they hadn’t been close. Now she inherited her house. As Charity went through the house, she saw a mess to clean out. It was over stuffed with furniture but was still a cute house. That is except for one room which had all the signs of a man being there. A suit of clothes hung on a stand and when Charity investigated them, they were full of dust which made her sneeze and knock against the clothes. They swayed and she discovered a gun shot hole and blood on the shirt. Whatever happened to Uncle Harold and why Aunt Nell kept the clothes was beyond her. Another surprise awaited her when she cleaned out the shed. She found a sack with four boxes with addresses on them, undelivered. Uncle Harold ran Kingdom Parcel but why would these boxes be here? She decided she should deliver the boxes if she could find the people whose names were on them. What a surprise that would be after thirty years!
Tarn Danbury helped his father run the family sugar business and was the delivery man for the syrup business. He was a big man and shy. He kept to himself and his mountain. However, when he first bumped into Charity at Dan’s Market, he found himself talking to her without stopping. Everyone who heard him was surprised. Tarn thought she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen but thought he would never see her again. Boy, was he wrong!
Delivering the boxes does not turn out exactly like Charity thought it would. The stories the boxes tell are simply amazing and cause a variety of reactions. Would they explain why her uncle was shot?
I picked this up again thinking I hadn't read it; I had. However, reading it the second time was as good as the first time.
February 2, 2018
Disappointing
This was not as advertised. Annoyingly this was much more of a romance novel which h is not to my taste all. Also couldn't understand why the author made frequent references to the main characters weight? I surprised myself by finishing it.
This was not as advertised. Annoyingly this was much more of a romance novel which h is not to my taste all. Also couldn't understand why the author made frequent references to the main characters weight? I surprised myself by finishing it.
January 6, 2023
What an absolutely delightful and satisfying read!! Reluctant inheritor Charity Gannon has no idea why her Aunt Nell left everything to her - she barely remembers her Mom's sister, apparently a recluse. I LOVE the writing of this story ... the unrushed telling, using perfect descriptive passages that helps you visualize the scenes as they are taking place ... and along the way, the story is told about Kingdom Parcel and its President, Charity's uncle, who died before she was born. While unraveling the mystery of the company, her uncle and his death (suicide or murder), her solitary aunt, and the mysterious boxes found in an old attic, we see the budding romance between two unlikely, but perfectly suited souls! The slow building of their raw emotions and sweet feelings grow to the final scenes of the book, warming me from the top of my head to the tip of my toes!!! I'm already searching for more Becki Willis!!
January 3, 2025
3.75 Stars
April 11, 2018
When I first received this book, having ordered it online, I was dismayed to find that it appears to be self-published. My experience with self-published novels has been abysmal. I am happy to report that this book is a major cut above most self-published ones. My major complaint about the self-pubs is that they are so poorly edited. That was not a problem with this novel, as it was very professionally done. The author did refer to "whelps" appearing on someone's arm as opposed to "welts" and insists on saying "nick-knacks" rather than "knick-knacks" but those are very minor faults.
The story itself is very absorbing. It was interesting right from page one. The mystery about what happened to the man who was supposed to deliver the forgotten boxes is intriguing. I really wanted to know how it all came about. I like the idea of finding out what would happen if they were delivered 30 years later.
The author tells two stories at once - the past and the present - and she does it very well. She is very deft at moving the story along and knowing which parts had to be told in the past.
The reason I didn't give this novel one more star is that I'm not a fan of romance fiction. I don't buy into the idea that a woman can't be happy until she finds Mr. Right. I also struggle with the idea that two people see each other for 30 seconds and know immediately they want to spend their lives together. I would have preferred this story without the emphasis on the main character's sudden realization that just being in this man's life would solve all her problems.
The story itself is very absorbing. It was interesting right from page one. The mystery about what happened to the man who was supposed to deliver the forgotten boxes is intriguing. I really wanted to know how it all came about. I like the idea of finding out what would happen if they were delivered 30 years later.
The author tells two stories at once - the past and the present - and she does it very well. She is very deft at moving the story along and knowing which parts had to be told in the past.
The reason I didn't give this novel one more star is that I'm not a fan of romance fiction. I don't buy into the idea that a woman can't be happy until she finds Mr. Right. I also struggle with the idea that two people see each other for 30 seconds and know immediately they want to spend their lives together. I would have preferred this story without the emphasis on the main character's sudden realization that just being in this man's life would solve all her problems.
April 1, 2018
When Charity arrives at the house she inherited from an aunt she hardly knew, she finds a few things that startle and perplex her. Among them are four unopened boxes addressed to various people around the local Vermont area where her aunt resided. Charity resolves to deliver the packages although they will be 30 years late. What she finds at each address is the basis of the story woven by author Becki Willis. Along the way, Charity also discovers an interesting man who makes maple syrup. The plot is intriguing although the characters range from credible to stereotyped and relationships are somewhat formulaic. It was a good listen (I downloaded it from my local library) nonetheless.
May 24, 2016
Brilliant
Once started, I got put this book down. Nor, could I read it quickly enough. Part of me wanted to get to the end a d part of me didn't want it to end. The story drew me in, entangling me like a spider's web. Loved the mystery, loved the characters, loved the flashbacks and loved the ending. If you never read another book, please read this one!
Once started, I got put this book down. Nor, could I read it quickly enough. Part of me wanted to get to the end a d part of me didn't want it to end. The story drew me in, entangling me like a spider's web. Loved the mystery, loved the characters, loved the flashbacks and loved the ending. If you never read another book, please read this one!
October 20, 2019
Not worth the time
From a review of this book, I expected a good mystery instead it is a ridiculous romance. What woman meets a strange man in a different state immediately falls in love and in a weeks time is ready to move in with him? Geez! How totally stupid.
From a review of this book, I expected a good mystery instead it is a ridiculous romance. What woman meets a strange man in a different state immediately falls in love and in a weeks time is ready to move in with him? Geez! How totally stupid.
November 30, 2016
Couldn't put it down. Excellent story.
September 5, 2024
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
Named sole heir to her aunt's estate, Charity Gannon arrives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, hoping to find a link to her past. She's not looking for lost treasures; she is searching for a connection to the aunt she barely knew. What she finds is a thirty-something-year-old mystery and questions with no answers, a sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes, stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed. These are not just any boxes. These are unopened, undelivered boxes, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four boxes are marked March 14, 1984... the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. Four forgotten boxes, whose owners might still be out there, waiting for a delivery that never arrived. The undelivered boxes haunt Charity, tugging at her conscience. Hadn’t someone noticed them missing? Hadn’t anyone wondered about the failed delivery? Thinking it might be fun to surprise the recipients after all these years, Charity sets out to deliver the packages to their rightful owners. The story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking. And one might very well be the death of her.
My rating:
Plot: 3 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
General Fiction
Review:
The mystery about the four undelivered boxes is what attracted my interest. The book is nicely written, and flows well. The story line about solving the mystery of the boxes was kind of fun, the characters were interesting. However the character development and the romance aspect of the story felt rushed this made it unnatural.
Named sole heir to her aunt's estate, Charity Gannon arrives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, hoping to find a link to her past. She's not looking for lost treasures; she is searching for a connection to the aunt she barely knew. What she finds is a thirty-something-year-old mystery and questions with no answers, a sad, secluded cottage, all but hidden amid the vines. A man's suit of clothes, tainted with dried blood and a bullet hole. Four forgotten boxes, stuffed into a large bag and buried in the far corners of the shed. These are not just any boxes. These are unopened, undelivered boxes, left behind by the now-defunct Kingdom Parcel. All four boxes are marked March 14, 1984... the very day her uncle, president and driver for the delivery service, was said to have committed suicide. Four forgotten boxes, whose owners might still be out there, waiting for a delivery that never arrived. The undelivered boxes haunt Charity, tugging at her conscience. Hadn’t someone noticed them missing? Hadn’t anyone wondered about the failed delivery? Thinking it might be fun to surprise the recipients after all these years, Charity sets out to deliver the packages to their rightful owners. The story behind one box is delightful. Another is heartbreaking. And one might very well be the death of her.
My rating:
Plot: 3 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
General Fiction
Review:
The mystery about the four undelivered boxes is what attracted my interest. The book is nicely written, and flows well. The story line about solving the mystery of the boxes was kind of fun, the characters were interesting. However the character development and the romance aspect of the story felt rushed this made it unnatural.
July 11, 2017
I was given a copy of this book by the author and voluntarily chose to review it.
This is my first red by Becki Willis and I absolutely love her style of writing. Her writing is very descriptive and I felt myself seeing the scenes in my head as they were happening. The main character, Charity, was a delight to read about. Her character was well fleshed out and her situations during the story line seemed very real to me.
Charity's aunt passes away and she inherits her estate. She finds her uncle's bloody, bullet ridden clothes where they have hung for the past 30 years. As she finds out the story of her uncle's demise and uncovers clues about his suicide, she starts to doubt that he killed himself. Her journey leads her to find undelivered boxes from the Kingdom Parcel Co. owned by her uncle. She decides to try to find the owners of the boxes and deliver them. Little does she know the danger it will put her in and the strange stories the owners have to tell..
This tale is a clean, well-written romance with a good helping of mystery thrown in. Charity finally meets her prince charming in the most unusual way. Does it have a happy ending? You will have to read the book to find out. You won't be disappointed, just unable to put it down once you start.
I look forward to reading more from Becki Willis. She is a true gem of a writer and one you will want to come back to.
This is my first red by Becki Willis and I absolutely love her style of writing. Her writing is very descriptive and I felt myself seeing the scenes in my head as they were happening. The main character, Charity, was a delight to read about. Her character was well fleshed out and her situations during the story line seemed very real to me.
Charity's aunt passes away and she inherits her estate. She finds her uncle's bloody, bullet ridden clothes where they have hung for the past 30 years. As she finds out the story of her uncle's demise and uncovers clues about his suicide, she starts to doubt that he killed himself. Her journey leads her to find undelivered boxes from the Kingdom Parcel Co. owned by her uncle. She decides to try to find the owners of the boxes and deliver them. Little does she know the danger it will put her in and the strange stories the owners have to tell..
This tale is a clean, well-written romance with a good helping of mystery thrown in. Charity finally meets her prince charming in the most unusual way. Does it have a happy ending? You will have to read the book to find out. You won't be disappointed, just unable to put it down once you start.
I look forward to reading more from Becki Willis. She is a true gem of a writer and one you will want to come back to.
June 25, 2021
Forgotten Boxes! I Could Not Put This Book Down!
This book had been on my Kindle for fairly long time, but I never even looked at it until last night. I noticed I had several books from this author and the title caught my attention. I am so glad I found the book. It was different from what I usually read and I just had to get started.
Charity inherited her aunt's home and went to investigate (and dispose of) the home and it's contents. As she began going through the contents of the house, she found the clothes her uncle had worn the night he had been murdered. They were hanging in the closet in the room her aunt had slept in, covered in his blood and with a bullet hole from the murder. He aunt had continued to sleep in that room until she died. Charity took care of the contents of the house and began to clean out a storage shed. Here she found a large black trash bag that contained four packages that had been delivered to the warehouse the day her grandfather had died. These were to be the deliveries he would have made the next day. Read this book to learn what Charity did to make sure the packages got to the intended recipients and the people she met in the small town.
There is a lot going on in this small town and I enjoyed reading the book. I hope you enjoy it also.
This book had been on my Kindle for fairly long time, but I never even looked at it until last night. I noticed I had several books from this author and the title caught my attention. I am so glad I found the book. It was different from what I usually read and I just had to get started.
Charity inherited her aunt's home and went to investigate (and dispose of) the home and it's contents. As she began going through the contents of the house, she found the clothes her uncle had worn the night he had been murdered. They were hanging in the closet in the room her aunt had slept in, covered in his blood and with a bullet hole from the murder. He aunt had continued to sleep in that room until she died. Charity took care of the contents of the house and began to clean out a storage shed. Here she found a large black trash bag that contained four packages that had been delivered to the warehouse the day her grandfather had died. These were to be the deliveries he would have made the next day. Read this book to learn what Charity did to make sure the packages got to the intended recipients and the people she met in the small town.
There is a lot going on in this small town and I enjoyed reading the book. I hope you enjoy it also.
November 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this novel. It was a combination mystery, romance and crime novel. As Charity goes through the home of her deceased aunt she discovers 4 packages. They are packages that were not delivered by her uncle at his parcel delivery service. The packages have been sitting in the home for 30 years following the death of her uncle. Why had they never been delivered to their destinations? Along the way Charity meets Tarin, for whom she has an instant attraction, and it seems he feels the same towards Charity.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator's voice was pleasant when speaking narrative. Howver, whenshe assumed Charity,'s voice, I found it strident and not at all how I imagined the character's voice would be. The author described Charity as being heavy set and in her twenties, however with the voice the narrator gave the character, I envisioned a thin and older woman. In addition, the author described Tarin's voice as deep and booming. That was not at all what the listeners got for his voice. Also, the author describes Tarin as being a large, muscular man. For much of the book the listener heard repeated descriptions of his size and physical appearance. I really got tired of the repeated description. For this reason I only gave the novel 4 stars.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator's voice was pleasant when speaking narrative. Howver, whenshe assumed Charity,'s voice, I found it strident and not at all how I imagined the character's voice would be. The author described Charity as being heavy set and in her twenties, however with the voice the narrator gave the character, I envisioned a thin and older woman. In addition, the author described Tarin's voice as deep and booming. That was not at all what the listeners got for his voice. Also, the author describes Tarin as being a large, muscular man. For much of the book the listener heard repeated descriptions of his size and physical appearance. I really got tired of the repeated description. For this reason I only gave the novel 4 stars.
June 29, 2020
Well Written if Schizophrenic
I got this on Kindle Unlimited and thought it sounded intriguing--- the quaint cottage inherited from the dead aunt, the garden, the boxes lost over 30 years, but, of course, the quaint cottage and garden are promptly forgotten in the plot, never to appear again. Forgotten like those boxes, one holding a huge diamond ring!! What? Also never mentioned again!!.
The characters of Tarn and Charity were developed, and the book well-written.
The plot was the problem. B. Willis couldn't decide if it was a mystery or a romance, and for me, neither thread was believable. I didn't like the character of Harry Tillman at all, so he was the true villian. His abusive relationship with Nell could have been the alternate story, contrasting an honest, multi-faceted love story of Tarn and Charity. The counterfeit (fake all around) mystery storyline left me cold, but I did like the search for the lost boxes' recipients which could have been expanded and interwoven into the romance, if B. Willis had chosen to make Forgotten Boxes a believable romance. PS Suitable for 14 year olds.
I got this on Kindle Unlimited and thought it sounded intriguing--- the quaint cottage inherited from the dead aunt, the garden, the boxes lost over 30 years, but, of course, the quaint cottage and garden are promptly forgotten in the plot, never to appear again. Forgotten like those boxes, one holding a huge diamond ring!! What? Also never mentioned again!!.
The characters of Tarn and Charity were developed, and the book well-written.
The plot was the problem. B. Willis couldn't decide if it was a mystery or a romance, and for me, neither thread was believable. I didn't like the character of Harry Tillman at all, so he was the true villian. His abusive relationship with Nell could have been the alternate story, contrasting an honest, multi-faceted love story of Tarn and Charity. The counterfeit (fake all around) mystery storyline left me cold, but I did like the search for the lost boxes' recipients which could have been expanded and interwoven into the romance, if B. Willis had chosen to make Forgotten Boxes a believable romance. PS Suitable for 14 year olds.
July 15, 2020
What is the Secret Behind the Boxes
Charity has traveled from Baltimore to Vermont to clear out the small house her Aunt Nell has left her. In the small master bedroom she finds a pair of her uncle's work clothes covered in dust with a bullet hole and blood. Why did her Aunt keep those clothes for 31 years? Even more questionable is a heavy duty black trash bag with four boxes hidden in a corner of the ramshackle shed. Her uncle had driven a delivery truck for a now defunct parcel delivery company. Were these boxes four that had been forgotten the day her uncle had died? And who is the delicious mountain man who delivers yummy maple syrup to the local stores? Becki Willis has written a fast moving mystery/romance novel with well drawn characters and a hint of danger.
Charity has traveled from Baltimore to Vermont to clear out the small house her Aunt Nell has left her. In the small master bedroom she finds a pair of her uncle's work clothes covered in dust with a bullet hole and blood. Why did her Aunt keep those clothes for 31 years? Even more questionable is a heavy duty black trash bag with four boxes hidden in a corner of the ramshackle shed. Her uncle had driven a delivery truck for a now defunct parcel delivery company. Were these boxes four that had been forgotten the day her uncle had died? And who is the delicious mountain man who delivers yummy maple syrup to the local stores? Becki Willis has written a fast moving mystery/romance novel with well drawn characters and a hint of danger.
May 11, 2023
This is a bittersweet story about Charity Gannon, who inherits her aunt's estate, including a sad, old house in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. While cleaning the old house, Charity finds a man's suit of clothes with derided blood and a bullet hole. She also finds four boxes hidden away in an old shed. When she finds out they were undelivered packages from the defunct Kingdom Parcel Service, Charity stews until she decides to deliver them.
All the boxes had the date of March 14, 1984, which was the day of her uncle's death. She also found out that her uncle was supposed to have committed suicide. However, the clues don't add up to suicide. As Charity delves into the past, things get more dangerous.
This was an engaging story; however, the reader went overboard with Charity's voice, making her seem 17 years of age, not 28.
All the boxes had the date of March 14, 1984, which was the day of her uncle's death. She also found out that her uncle was supposed to have committed suicide. However, the clues don't add up to suicide. As Charity delves into the past, things get more dangerous.
This was an engaging story; however, the reader went overboard with Charity's voice, making her seem 17 years of age, not 28.
December 22, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters. The story jumps around from the past and present day as a young woman follows the journey of her uncles last days. Something feels off and she just can't put her finger on it. Somehow the death of her aunt has brought back a 30 year death and some key players. The author managed to tie the pieces together nicely, though I would have loved to read more about the mountain area, the step sister and best friend. I think this is an enjoyable mystery with some romance thrown in, despite some aspects being unrealistic. The mystery itself has some intriguing elements, though not at a depth level of a James Patterson mystery. It is more a curl up and read book, than on the edge of your seat mystery.
September 18, 2018
#17: READ A BOOK WITH AN INTERESTING COVER: I was enjoying the early innings of this novel, as it seemed to be setting the scene for the heroine, Charity, to pursue and sink deeper and deeper into a complex, sinister mystery. The flashbacks to the earlier lives of her aunt and uncle kept that promise going for a while, but then Charity met…Tarn. At that moment she became giddy, almost insipid, and the promise in the mystery began to evaporate until, by the end, it was wrapped up practically as an afterthought to a romance that held no suspense whatsoever. There was so much more potential for this book. Really 3.5 stars and I rounded it up. It's a short read....would recommend.... but plan to be disappointed with the last "several" chapters.
December 11, 2018
Going back into the past, unraveling mysteries of family and the secrets hidden for decades can sometimes spring pleasant, sometimes unpleasant surprises.
Charity wants to get to know the aunt who gave her an unexpected bequest. Coming up and finding a dilapidated cottage she does find surprising stuff. A blood stained suit with bullet holes and four boxes of stuff dating back to 1984 with differing addresses on them. Delving further, she finds out that all were supposed to be delivered on the day her Uncle supposedly committed suicide. Thinking of going a step further, she starts on a quest to deliver the boxes thirty years hence not realising that she is opening a can of worms.
An interesting story throwing up romance, suspense and sadness.
Charity wants to get to know the aunt who gave her an unexpected bequest. Coming up and finding a dilapidated cottage she does find surprising stuff. A blood stained suit with bullet holes and four boxes of stuff dating back to 1984 with differing addresses on them. Delving further, she finds out that all were supposed to be delivered on the day her Uncle supposedly committed suicide. Thinking of going a step further, she starts on a quest to deliver the boxes thirty years hence not realising that she is opening a can of worms.
An interesting story throwing up romance, suspense and sadness.
December 11, 2018
Great Book !
Excuse the pun, but the immediacy of instant romance was a little 'sappy.' However, it was much appreciated and wonderful that Ms Willis' story contains no bad language or outrageous unneeded sex scenes. Some things are best kept for the imagination. The story, character development, and the mystery itself are most engaging. I loved the brisk page turning ending. I rarely read romance / mystery, but Ms Wilkes has captured a perfect Hallmark movie in this novel. For this reason I gave the novel an extra star. In its genre, not to be in the class or compared to serious literature, I would certainly recommend ' Forgotten Boxes ' as a good read. Every now and then you need a happy and satisfying 'Hallmark' moment.
Excuse the pun, but the immediacy of instant romance was a little 'sappy.' However, it was much appreciated and wonderful that Ms Willis' story contains no bad language or outrageous unneeded sex scenes. Some things are best kept for the imagination. The story, character development, and the mystery itself are most engaging. I loved the brisk page turning ending. I rarely read romance / mystery, but Ms Wilkes has captured a perfect Hallmark movie in this novel. For this reason I gave the novel an extra star. In its genre, not to be in the class or compared to serious literature, I would certainly recommend ' Forgotten Boxes ' as a good read. Every now and then you need a happy and satisfying 'Hallmark' moment.
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