What do you think?
Chicory Inn #1
Dochterlief
Een goede gastvrouw zijn voor je gasten én voor je kinderen - gaat dat wel samen?
De droom van Audrey Whitman gaat eindelijk uitkomen. Nu haar vijf kinderen volwassen zijn, gaat ze met haar echtgenoot Grant haar huis aan Chicory Lane omtoveren tot een knus bed & breakfast. Maar vlak voor het feestelijke openingsweekend slaan de zenuwen toe als haar dochter Landyn met een verhuiswagen het erf op rijdt. Lukt het Audrey om haar droom na te jagen met de Chicory Inn en tegelijkertijd het warme thuis te bieden dat haar dochter nu zo hard nodig heeft?
De droom van Audrey Whitman gaat eindelijk uitkomen. Nu haar vijf kinderen volwassen zijn, gaat ze met haar echtgenoot Grant haar huis aan Chicory Lane omtoveren tot een knus bed & breakfast. Maar vlak voor het feestelijke openingsweekend slaan de zenuwen toe als haar dochter Landyn met een verhuiswagen het erf op rijdt. Lukt het Audrey om haar droom na te jagen met de Chicory Inn en tegelijkertijd het warme thuis te bieden dat haar dochter nu zo hard nodig heeft?
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2014
About the author
Deborah Raney
72 books718 followersDEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
August 13, 2014
Deborah Raney's books just make you feel good. Simple as that. I've been reading her books since her very first, A Vow To Cherish and some I've read more than once.
In Home To Chicory Lane, Audrey and Grant Whitman have spent most of their retirement funds on turning their home into a bed and breakfast inn. On opening day, they are surprised to see their youngest daughter, a newlywed of 6 months, pulling into the drive way with a U Haul behind her car. What in the world? Have their dreams just went up in a cloud of smoke? Not now, not when they've got everything figured out.
Landyn, the Whitmans' daughter, and her husband Chase have a ton of problems and Landyn just ran away from them. Where is Chase? What in the world is really going on?
I read this book in less than 24 hours. I just couldn't tear myself away from it. Housework waited, everything waited till I finished. I even read while on the treadmill and stationary bike. Had to. It pulled at me every time I put it down!
Deborah Raney has a way of writing that plumbs the absolute depths of human emotion. I don't know how she does it. Well, yes, I do. God gave her this unique ability to write books to bless her readers' hearts. And bless them she does. I was crying my eyes out several times, reading how God's grace and mercy flows to His children.
I got to know a wonderful family, who I'm sure I'll get to know even better with the next few books in this series. And what a family they are. I'm very eagerly awaiting the next books, too.
What I got from this book is this: God has everything under control, even when we feel like the entire world is in disarray. No matter how frantic we feel at the way things 'seem' to be spiraling out of control, God has it all in His very capable hands. And He has a plan for our lives. A plan that perhaps we can't see because we are so busy looking at the circumstances we see with our natural eyes. Sometimes Jesus just steps into our situations like He did on the Sea of Galilee and says, "Peace, be still."
He does that for this family more than once and it is a joy to behold. What a blessing this book was to me. It ministered to me in a situation I'm facing and I'm sure it will to others who read it, too.
Deborah Raney is one of a few authors whose books I will always buy just on the strength of her name alone. My only regret is that I'll have to wait so long for the next one!
**I was provided an early copy of this book by the publisher, which in no way influenced my review. **
In Home To Chicory Lane, Audrey and Grant Whitman have spent most of their retirement funds on turning their home into a bed and breakfast inn. On opening day, they are surprised to see their youngest daughter, a newlywed of 6 months, pulling into the drive way with a U Haul behind her car. What in the world? Have their dreams just went up in a cloud of smoke? Not now, not when they've got everything figured out.
Landyn, the Whitmans' daughter, and her husband Chase have a ton of problems and Landyn just ran away from them. Where is Chase? What in the world is really going on?
I read this book in less than 24 hours. I just couldn't tear myself away from it. Housework waited, everything waited till I finished. I even read while on the treadmill and stationary bike. Had to. It pulled at me every time I put it down!
Deborah Raney has a way of writing that plumbs the absolute depths of human emotion. I don't know how she does it. Well, yes, I do. God gave her this unique ability to write books to bless her readers' hearts. And bless them she does. I was crying my eyes out several times, reading how God's grace and mercy flows to His children.
I got to know a wonderful family, who I'm sure I'll get to know even better with the next few books in this series. And what a family they are. I'm very eagerly awaiting the next books, too.
What I got from this book is this: God has everything under control, even when we feel like the entire world is in disarray. No matter how frantic we feel at the way things 'seem' to be spiraling out of control, God has it all in His very capable hands. And He has a plan for our lives. A plan that perhaps we can't see because we are so busy looking at the circumstances we see with our natural eyes. Sometimes Jesus just steps into our situations like He did on the Sea of Galilee and says, "Peace, be still."
He does that for this family more than once and it is a joy to behold. What a blessing this book was to me. It ministered to me in a situation I'm facing and I'm sure it will to others who read it, too.
Deborah Raney is one of a few authors whose books I will always buy just on the strength of her name alone. My only regret is that I'll have to wait so long for the next one!
**I was provided an early copy of this book by the publisher, which in no way influenced my review. **
February 22, 2017
What a good start to this series about the Whitman family. I really enjoyed that the family were real people with real faults and problems, and yet, the love that a family should have for one another was prevalent. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I received this book in a giveaway but was not required to give a positive review. Full review is at my website.
August 26, 2014
Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://tinyurl.com/lpu83ul
With Home to Chickory Lane, book one in the Chicory Inn series, Deborah Raney has created my kind of story - small-town setting, a family that I cared about, and plenty of romance and drama. The setting is the beautiful Whitman family home/B &B, located on 50 acres with a creek running through it. There's good character depth and Deborah's prose flows smoothly. A good bit of this story is told from the male perspective, making its appeal reach beyond that of women readers. The first page captured my interest and I'm eager to delve even more into this family's life as the series unfolds.
Deborah has a gift for creating realistic characters, and Landyn is kind of hard to like in the beginning. She initially comes across as the spoiled and selfish baby of the family, resenting anyone who tries to tell her what to do, and is willing to walk out on her marriage of six months. Chase, who had been raised by a single mom, was drawn to Landyn's family, yet never felt he measured up in their eyes. I especially enjoy stories about a couple working at their marriage, and Deborah does a great job in showing the problems - insecurity, lack of communication, financial strain - as well as the maturity and growth that comes when love and commitment are in the picture.
Chase was almost terrified of being a dad, which made him such a sympathetic character to me. These words express that fear so well: "The only thing he knew about fathers was that they left town the year you started T-ball, when all the other kids' dads were teaching them how to swing a bat and field a ball. And every few years they promised to come visit and take you to the zoo, or the rodeo, or Disneyland. And then you packed your bag and sat on the front stoop from morning till dark, waiting for an invisible hero who never showed up."
One theme of Home to Chicory Lane is about seeing the God-given blessings in our lives, for it is so easy for us to focus on the negatives, even as Christians. I loved the road-trip scene where the beautiful hymn, Count Your Blessings, became a springboard for Chase and Landyn to begin putting a name to all that they had.
But it was the theme of following God's leading that spoke strongest to me, and all who have struggled with whether what they felt was from God or not can relate to this story. These words spoken by Landyn's grandmother to Chase sum it up well: "God rarely works in ways that make sense to us while they're happening. All too often, it's only after we look back, sometimes many years later - often, truth be told, peering over heaven's balcony - that we can make sense of the way He was working."
I enjoyed Home to Chicory Lane very much and recommend it to all who enjoy relationship drama/romance. This is a great beginning to a series that will focus on Grant and Audrey's children, with Corinne & Jesse being featured in the next story, Two Roads Home.
Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
With Home to Chickory Lane, book one in the Chicory Inn series, Deborah Raney has created my kind of story - small-town setting, a family that I cared about, and plenty of romance and drama. The setting is the beautiful Whitman family home/B &B, located on 50 acres with a creek running through it. There's good character depth and Deborah's prose flows smoothly. A good bit of this story is told from the male perspective, making its appeal reach beyond that of women readers. The first page captured my interest and I'm eager to delve even more into this family's life as the series unfolds.
Deborah has a gift for creating realistic characters, and Landyn is kind of hard to like in the beginning. She initially comes across as the spoiled and selfish baby of the family, resenting anyone who tries to tell her what to do, and is willing to walk out on her marriage of six months. Chase, who had been raised by a single mom, was drawn to Landyn's family, yet never felt he measured up in their eyes. I especially enjoy stories about a couple working at their marriage, and Deborah does a great job in showing the problems - insecurity, lack of communication, financial strain - as well as the maturity and growth that comes when love and commitment are in the picture.
Chase was almost terrified of being a dad, which made him such a sympathetic character to me. These words express that fear so well: "The only thing he knew about fathers was that they left town the year you started T-ball, when all the other kids' dads were teaching them how to swing a bat and field a ball. And every few years they promised to come visit and take you to the zoo, or the rodeo, or Disneyland. And then you packed your bag and sat on the front stoop from morning till dark, waiting for an invisible hero who never showed up."
One theme of Home to Chicory Lane is about seeing the God-given blessings in our lives, for it is so easy for us to focus on the negatives, even as Christians. I loved the road-trip scene where the beautiful hymn, Count Your Blessings, became a springboard for Chase and Landyn to begin putting a name to all that they had.
But it was the theme of following God's leading that spoke strongest to me, and all who have struggled with whether what they felt was from God or not can relate to this story. These words spoken by Landyn's grandmother to Chase sum it up well: "God rarely works in ways that make sense to us while they're happening. All too often, it's only after we look back, sometimes many years later - often, truth be told, peering over heaven's balcony - that we can make sense of the way He was working."
I enjoyed Home to Chicory Lane very much and recommend it to all who enjoy relationship drama/romance. This is a great beginning to a series that will focus on Grant and Audrey's children, with Corinne & Jesse being featured in the next story, Two Roads Home.
Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2017
Nothing outstanding and memorable but nice quiet read after a few I've had that weren't
A great start to a series about family and values they have together. I look forward to meeting the other parts of the family. This one focused on the youngest daughter and her newlywed husband.
A great start to a series about family and values they have together. I look forward to meeting the other parts of the family. This one focused on the youngest daughter and her newlywed husband.
August 1, 2014
Romance fiction is a huge genre, and takes the reader through those early stages of a relationship and usually ends with an engagement or a wedding and the promise of happy-ever-after. But we all know that’s not the end. That’s only the beginning, and there’s more to marriage than roses and candlelit dinners. There’s life, and it’s not always happy. Home to Chicory Lane explores this from different perspectives, and it’s good to see fictional characters exploring real issues without it becoming angsty.
Audrey and Grant Whitman have spent the last year renovating their family home to turn it into a B&B, and it’s opening weekend. Landyn, the recently-married youngest of their five children, turns up on the doorstep needing a place to stay—she’s left her husband, Cory, because he made a major decision without consulting her—because he was sure God told him to do it.
My initial feelings towards Landyn were frustration. Yes, I could see what Cory had done wasn’t good, but immediately running home to Mommy and Daddy didn’t show Landyn in a good light. She came across as selfish and whiney (never attractive qualities), but this was the basis for her personal growth, both as an individual, as a Christian, and as part of a marriage. While I didn’t like her at first, I did by the end, and I could see how the youngest of five could be that way. Home to Chicory Lane did a good job of showing how she learned that there is more to a good marriage than, well, you know.
Cory was a good character. He never thought he was good enough, because of his family upbringing, so he had that to deal with, along with a flighty wife. His background meant he felt inferior to the Whitman family, and this came across in the way he interacted with Audrey and especially Grant. Meanwhile, Audrey and Grant had their own issues, with the financial stretch of starting a new business and Landyn’s unexpected arrival.
Home to Chicory Lane was a little confusing in the beginning, with Audrey, Grant, five children, spouses and grandchildren. But it soon settled into the main story: Landyn and Cory, and Audrey and Grant. It’s definitely a book written for the Christian market, as there is a central spiritual issue around Cory’s desire to be obedient to God despite Landyn’s uncertainty and frustration. There are a lot of lessons in here for newlyweds, and perhaps those with more established marriages. I’ll look forward to reading future books in the series.
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. You
Audrey and Grant Whitman have spent the last year renovating their family home to turn it into a B&B, and it’s opening weekend. Landyn, the recently-married youngest of their five children, turns up on the doorstep needing a place to stay—she’s left her husband, Cory, because he made a major decision without consulting her—because he was sure God told him to do it.
My initial feelings towards Landyn were frustration. Yes, I could see what Cory had done wasn’t good, but immediately running home to Mommy and Daddy didn’t show Landyn in a good light. She came across as selfish and whiney (never attractive qualities), but this was the basis for her personal growth, both as an individual, as a Christian, and as part of a marriage. While I didn’t like her at first, I did by the end, and I could see how the youngest of five could be that way. Home to Chicory Lane did a good job of showing how she learned that there is more to a good marriage than, well, you know.
Cory was a good character. He never thought he was good enough, because of his family upbringing, so he had that to deal with, along with a flighty wife. His background meant he felt inferior to the Whitman family, and this came across in the way he interacted with Audrey and especially Grant. Meanwhile, Audrey and Grant had their own issues, with the financial stretch of starting a new business and Landyn’s unexpected arrival.
Home to Chicory Lane was a little confusing in the beginning, with Audrey, Grant, five children, spouses and grandchildren. But it soon settled into the main story: Landyn and Cory, and Audrey and Grant. It’s definitely a book written for the Christian market, as there is a central spiritual issue around Cory’s desire to be obedient to God despite Landyn’s uncertainty and frustration. There are a lot of lessons in here for newlyweds, and perhaps those with more established marriages. I’ll look forward to reading future books in the series.
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. You
April 27, 2014
Title: HOME TO CHICORY LANE
Author: Deborah Raney
Publisher: Abingdon Press
August 2014
ISBN: 978-1426769696
Genre: women’s fiction
Landyn longs for home, but her mother may have other plans
Audrey Whitman's dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband Grant are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast, just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey's daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she's pulling makes it clear she's not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn's husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
HOME TO CHICORY LANE is really the story of Landyn and her husband Chase. Chase is chasing his dreams but jumping without talking to his wife, just presenting her with fait accompli. And, of course, Landyn is rebelling, not wanting anything to do with his plans. To make matters worse, things are going from bad to worse, quickly.
HOME TO CHICORY LANE is a compelling story that will draw you in and make you care about the characters even when you want to throttle them and sit them both down and have a serious talk. Not that they’d listen. Both Chase and Landyn are hardheaded and selfish and need to grow up—for more reason that one. Don’t miss HOME TO CHICORY LANE for a compelling read that will make you thankful for home and family. $14.99. 352 pages. 5 stars.
Author: Deborah Raney
Publisher: Abingdon Press
August 2014
ISBN: 978-1426769696
Genre: women’s fiction
Landyn longs for home, but her mother may have other plans
Audrey Whitman's dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband Grant are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast, just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey's daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she's pulling makes it clear she's not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn's husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
HOME TO CHICORY LANE is really the story of Landyn and her husband Chase. Chase is chasing his dreams but jumping without talking to his wife, just presenting her with fait accompli. And, of course, Landyn is rebelling, not wanting anything to do with his plans. To make matters worse, things are going from bad to worse, quickly.
HOME TO CHICORY LANE is a compelling story that will draw you in and make you care about the characters even when you want to throttle them and sit them both down and have a serious talk. Not that they’d listen. Both Chase and Landyn are hardheaded and selfish and need to grow up—for more reason that one. Don’t miss HOME TO CHICORY LANE for a compelling read that will make you thankful for home and family. $14.99. 352 pages. 5 stars.
August 30, 2014
Present Day, Missouri
Home to Chicory Lane is about Audrey Whitman, her husband Grant and their five grown children. Audrey has dreamed of turning their three-story home into a Bed & Breakfast and now that the kids have all left home she is finally seeing her dream come true. Her B&B is complete and her first guests are pouring in. But it's soon realized that Audrey's B&B is so much more than a place for weary travelers to lay their heads.
This is a book that really draws you into the story and into the lives of each character. I loved Audrey, Grant and all of their kids and extended family. The fact that Deborah Raney used a B&B as the setting was perfect for this story. The Whitman's are a down home family in a small town setting. I believe anyone can relate to the story. The characters dealt with issues that families have to cope with each and every day and the guests of the B&B are like extended family and add a lot to the story. I was, honestly, drawn in from the very first page and I hated to see it end. And, I have to admit, it's not often I read a book that I don't want to end. This is good, clean fiction that the entire family will enjoy reading. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series and I highly recommend reading Home to Chicory Lane so you can kick off what, I think, will be a great series!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review and no monetary compensation was received.
Home to Chicory Lane is about Audrey Whitman, her husband Grant and their five grown children. Audrey has dreamed of turning their three-story home into a Bed & Breakfast and now that the kids have all left home she is finally seeing her dream come true. Her B&B is complete and her first guests are pouring in. But it's soon realized that Audrey's B&B is so much more than a place for weary travelers to lay their heads.
This is a book that really draws you into the story and into the lives of each character. I loved Audrey, Grant and all of their kids and extended family. The fact that Deborah Raney used a B&B as the setting was perfect for this story. The Whitman's are a down home family in a small town setting. I believe anyone can relate to the story. The characters dealt with issues that families have to cope with each and every day and the guests of the B&B are like extended family and add a lot to the story. I was, honestly, drawn in from the very first page and I hated to see it end. And, I have to admit, it's not often I read a book that I don't want to end. This is good, clean fiction that the entire family will enjoy reading. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series and I highly recommend reading Home to Chicory Lane so you can kick off what, I think, will be a great series!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review and no monetary compensation was received.
July 9, 2014
Audrey and Grant are opening up their family home as a cosy bed and breakfast. The weekend before opening their daughter Landyn unexpectedly arrives with most of her belongings in a trailer. She's newly married and her husband isn't with her. They want to find out why she's turned up and how long she's likely to stay whilst they are stuggling to make the rooms pay for the major work they had done. Landyn husband wants to make it as an artist and had decided to take a studio in Brooklyn without asking his wife who was supporting them financially- meaning a 2 hour commute for her.
I loved the bed and breakfast and can imagine a series with further guests stories expanded and more about the family. A lovely story to read and I'd be keen to read more by this author.
I loved the bed and breakfast and can imagine a series with further guests stories expanded and more about the family. A lovely story to read and I'd be keen to read more by this author.
June 16, 2014
Deborah Raney's Home to Chicory Lane is her best novel yet, with characters you wish lived on your street. The Whitman family will quickly find a home in readers' hearts, and Grant Whitman is the best male point of view I've read in a novel. Home to Chicory Lane has earned a spot on my All Time Favorites list and my Top Ten for 2014. Novel Rocket and I give it our highest recommendation. It's a 5-star read and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
September 5, 2014
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Book Description:
Audrey Whitman's dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband Grant are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast, just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey's daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she's pulling makes it clear she's not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn's husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
My Thoughts:
Home To Chicory Lane is the first book in Deborah Raney's newest series, The Chicory Inn and I really enjoyed it. As a fan of Deborah Raney I was excited to have the opportunity to read this latest series. It has been a while since I have read Deborah Raney so it was refreshing to have this opportunity. Audrey Whitman has always dreamed of running a bed and breakfast out of their family home and now with all of they children grown and on their own, Audrey and Grant Whittman put their all into The Chicory Inn, a mile outside of Langhorne,Missouri. The Whittman's have an open house for opening weekend, enlisting help from some of their children. Their youngest Landyn makes a surprise visit from New York hauling a U-Haul truck behind her. When Audrey and Grant finally get to talk to Landyn they find out she has left her husband Chase after he subleased their apartment, moved them into a studio apartment for his art, and he quit his job to be an artist full time. This move would force Landyn to have to quit her job to find something closer. As The Whittman Family circle around Landyn trying to help her make decisions, her husband realizes he needs to be Landyn.
Home to Chicory Lane is a great book. I am a huge fan of Deborah Raney and I am so excited that she has a new series out! My dream has been to own a bed and breakfast or resort since I was in high school so this book really spoke to me about having those dreams and making them come true, having the faith to believe this is where God is leading you and trust His calling. So much of this book is about that faith and God's leading and what happens when you listen to that calling. Deborah Raney writes with authority about Missouri, New York, the Art world, marketing,and running a B&B.
I really enjoyed meeting the Whittman family, Grant and Audrey, their 5 children, their son in laws, and their grandchildren, oh and Grants Mom CeeCee (there is a story there I hope to read). This book was mainly about Audrey and Grant and Landyn and Chase but it was great to get to learn about the others in the family and the dynamics within their family, which I can't wait to learn more. I found it hard to put this book down once I got into it, wanting to know what would happen with Landyn and Chase. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Contemporary Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I absolutely look forward to the next book in this series (there's a few pages of the new book in this one). I give this book 5 STARS
Book Description:
Audrey Whitman's dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband Grant are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast, just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey's daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she's pulling makes it clear she's not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn's husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
My Thoughts:
Home To Chicory Lane is the first book in Deborah Raney's newest series, The Chicory Inn and I really enjoyed it. As a fan of Deborah Raney I was excited to have the opportunity to read this latest series. It has been a while since I have read Deborah Raney so it was refreshing to have this opportunity. Audrey Whitman has always dreamed of running a bed and breakfast out of their family home and now with all of they children grown and on their own, Audrey and Grant Whittman put their all into The Chicory Inn, a mile outside of Langhorne,Missouri. The Whittman's have an open house for opening weekend, enlisting help from some of their children. Their youngest Landyn makes a surprise visit from New York hauling a U-Haul truck behind her. When Audrey and Grant finally get to talk to Landyn they find out she has left her husband Chase after he subleased their apartment, moved them into a studio apartment for his art, and he quit his job to be an artist full time. This move would force Landyn to have to quit her job to find something closer. As The Whittman Family circle around Landyn trying to help her make decisions, her husband realizes he needs to be Landyn.
Home to Chicory Lane is a great book. I am a huge fan of Deborah Raney and I am so excited that she has a new series out! My dream has been to own a bed and breakfast or resort since I was in high school so this book really spoke to me about having those dreams and making them come true, having the faith to believe this is where God is leading you and trust His calling. So much of this book is about that faith and God's leading and what happens when you listen to that calling. Deborah Raney writes with authority about Missouri, New York, the Art world, marketing,and running a B&B.
I really enjoyed meeting the Whittman family, Grant and Audrey, their 5 children, their son in laws, and their grandchildren, oh and Grants Mom CeeCee (there is a story there I hope to read). This book was mainly about Audrey and Grant and Landyn and Chase but it was great to get to learn about the others in the family and the dynamics within their family, which I can't wait to learn more. I found it hard to put this book down once I got into it, wanting to know what would happen with Landyn and Chase. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Contemporary Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I absolutely look forward to the next book in this series (there's a few pages of the new book in this one). I give this book 5 STARS
August 25, 2014
Even though I've never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast, it has always been something I could dream doing if I simply had a home big enough and support from my husband to give it a go. For best selling author Deborah Raney, she uses this as the setting for her latest series, A Chicory Inn. In the first novel, Home to Chicory Lane, we get a sense for how and why it all started for Audrey and Grant Whitman, who have a sprawling 5500-square foot home on the lushly wooded acres in Langhorne, Missouri. Now that all their children have grown up and begun their own life, it seems silly to have this big old house all to themselves. So rather than sell it off, they decide to forgo the empty nest, and fix it up as a Bed and Breakfast so that they can continue to tradition of taking care of people looking for peace and relaxation while Grant begins retirement to help Audrey in fulfilling her dream.
Like all good dreams, Audrey wonders if she can really pull it off. How to get out the word and keep this dream afloat enough to make a living out of it without depleting their savings. However like all great families when you all pull together you can make it work. Yet the one thing they hadn't bet on was their youngest daughter, Landyn arrives home with a U-Haul attached. After only being married for six short months, Landyn is ready to throw in the towel but first she will need to find a way to tell her parents and odds are they aren't likely to be pleased with her reasons and more than likely neither will Chase, once he finds out what she is hiding.
Audrey and Grant wonder if they're opening weekend will be a boom or a bust, but with Grant's blood pressure being more than a challenge, he feels this is just what the doctor recommended when he diagnosed a reduction in his stress levels at work. Retiring and helping his wife manage the Inn sounds like a dream in comparison to the rigorous hours at a high pressure job. But how will they be able to help Landyn if all their rooms are booked solid. Where does one send your child when they need help but they can't exactly move back into their childhood home again?
I received Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a beautiful story about how Grant and Audrey are attempting to solve the dilemmas left when you enter the empty nest chapter of your life and how their experience at whether challenging times in their own marriage will be the foundation that Landyn and Chase will launch their own resolution from. They aren't the pushy parents but want the newly wed couple to be able to see the wisdom that age often brings during challenging times in their own marriage. It's not an easy fix, but in the end it shows how helping our spouse achieve their dreams can be challenging and worth while in the end. Deborah embodies the struggles on both an older and younger married couple so there is truly something the reader can relate to. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel in the series, Two Roads Home which we are given a sneak peek at the conclusion of this one. A readers discussion guide is also included.
Like all good dreams, Audrey wonders if she can really pull it off. How to get out the word and keep this dream afloat enough to make a living out of it without depleting their savings. However like all great families when you all pull together you can make it work. Yet the one thing they hadn't bet on was their youngest daughter, Landyn arrives home with a U-Haul attached. After only being married for six short months, Landyn is ready to throw in the towel but first she will need to find a way to tell her parents and odds are they aren't likely to be pleased with her reasons and more than likely neither will Chase, once he finds out what she is hiding.
Audrey and Grant wonder if they're opening weekend will be a boom or a bust, but with Grant's blood pressure being more than a challenge, he feels this is just what the doctor recommended when he diagnosed a reduction in his stress levels at work. Retiring and helping his wife manage the Inn sounds like a dream in comparison to the rigorous hours at a high pressure job. But how will they be able to help Landyn if all their rooms are booked solid. Where does one send your child when they need help but they can't exactly move back into their childhood home again?
I received Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a beautiful story about how Grant and Audrey are attempting to solve the dilemmas left when you enter the empty nest chapter of your life and how their experience at whether challenging times in their own marriage will be the foundation that Landyn and Chase will launch their own resolution from. They aren't the pushy parents but want the newly wed couple to be able to see the wisdom that age often brings during challenging times in their own marriage. It's not an easy fix, but in the end it shows how helping our spouse achieve their dreams can be challenging and worth while in the end. Deborah embodies the struggles on both an older and younger married couple so there is truly something the reader can relate to. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel in the series, Two Roads Home which we are given a sneak peek at the conclusion of this one. A readers discussion guide is also included.
September 11, 2014
Empty nesters Audrey and Grant Whitman have raised their five children in a stately home just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Each book in the Chicory Inn Series will focus on one of their children – the first being Landyn Whitman Spencer, the baby of the family. This heartwarming story begins with the excitement and tension of opening weekend of the Chicory Inn. It was Audrey’s dream of renovating the home built by her grandparents over a hundred years ago into a bed and breakfast. Her husband Grant, now retired, had been a bit averse to sinking most of his retirement into the project, but did so without grumbling much… because after all….Audrey had grown up in this house…and he lovingly gave Audrey her way.
The Inn was completely filled by reservations and Audrey was having opening day jitters. It did not help that Corrine arrived toting fussy baby Simone. Simone was teething, and Corrine did not want daddy Jesse to deal with that. Corrine cut in that her dad could watch Simone if need be. Her excuse was irritating to Audrey and she pushed down her resentment, even when Simone wiped her nose on Audrey’s apple green jacket and Corrine laughed saying “Well, at least it matches. “ Corrine then dabbed Simone’s nose with a tissue which made her screech like a banshee – causing the dog Huckleberry to come running and barking. Deborah Raney’s prose is transparent and humorous initiating my attention to be held captive from the first page.
Little do Audrey and Grant suspect their stress level has only begun. Daughter Landyn Whitman Chase is pulling a U-Haul trailer from New York City arriving home at an ill-timed moment with no explanation. She does have valid reason – to herself anyway – as to why she has come home. Landyn and Chase have been married a mere six months and Chase made a rash decision – without discussing it with her – no less. He had let their apartment on the Upper West Side be sublet, rented a fleabag studio apartment in Brooklyn because God was leading him in this way to further his art career. This made no sense to Landyn…she had much to think about – including a bit of information she was withholding from Chase. I had better stop right here and let you read the story for yourself.
Deborah Raney’s plot was well rounded with heartaches to joys. I could identify easily with Audrey as a mother. As I read through the book I could relate to each side of conflicts. If you are ready to laugh and cry, then read this lovely story about family life based on Godly principles. Ms. Raney writes realistic drama with deep feeling and wisdom. This is the first book by Deborah Raney I have read…and it will not be the last. I don’t want to hurry a great writer….she needs time to develop her stories with aplomb and eloquence. I will be patient and wait…keeping my ears and eyes open for the next novel about the Whitman family. Who will be in trouble next?
"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."
The Inn was completely filled by reservations and Audrey was having opening day jitters. It did not help that Corrine arrived toting fussy baby Simone. Simone was teething, and Corrine did not want daddy Jesse to deal with that. Corrine cut in that her dad could watch Simone if need be. Her excuse was irritating to Audrey and she pushed down her resentment, even when Simone wiped her nose on Audrey’s apple green jacket and Corrine laughed saying “Well, at least it matches. “ Corrine then dabbed Simone’s nose with a tissue which made her screech like a banshee – causing the dog Huckleberry to come running and barking. Deborah Raney’s prose is transparent and humorous initiating my attention to be held captive from the first page.
Little do Audrey and Grant suspect their stress level has only begun. Daughter Landyn Whitman Chase is pulling a U-Haul trailer from New York City arriving home at an ill-timed moment with no explanation. She does have valid reason – to herself anyway – as to why she has come home. Landyn and Chase have been married a mere six months and Chase made a rash decision – without discussing it with her – no less. He had let their apartment on the Upper West Side be sublet, rented a fleabag studio apartment in Brooklyn because God was leading him in this way to further his art career. This made no sense to Landyn…she had much to think about – including a bit of information she was withholding from Chase. I had better stop right here and let you read the story for yourself.
Deborah Raney’s plot was well rounded with heartaches to joys. I could identify easily with Audrey as a mother. As I read through the book I could relate to each side of conflicts. If you are ready to laugh and cry, then read this lovely story about family life based on Godly principles. Ms. Raney writes realistic drama with deep feeling and wisdom. This is the first book by Deborah Raney I have read…and it will not be the last. I don’t want to hurry a great writer….she needs time to develop her stories with aplomb and eloquence. I will be patient and wait…keeping my ears and eyes open for the next novel about the Whitman family. Who will be in trouble next?
"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."
September 26, 2014
Not a thriller, not a page burner, not a I can't put it down book. BUT, it is a wonderful story of the first year of marriage for a young couple who are trying to decide exactly what God wants them to do with their lives. They are faced with decisions on where to live, where to work, whether the Artist in Chase is going to be good enough to provide an income?
Along with that Landyn's parents are opening a bed and breakfast and every thing at home in Missouri is going to change. No longer will Landyn feel as though she has a place to call home and to rest her head when life gets tough. No longer will her parents be able to give her the undivided attention that she is use to. They now have a business that demands much of their time and effort.
Landyn and Chase have gotten married and moved to New York City. Those are two major adjustments for a young couple to make. The marriage is a tough one, but for two country small town kids to move to New York is a huge change. Not to mention that finances are extremely tight because of the Art profession that Chase is running after.
Will they succeed? Will they fail? Will their marriage be able to handle the pressure? These are all topics that will be played out in the novel. The topic of communication styles will also come to the surface. Not to mention the main topic of "God's Will."
Chase believes he is following God's will, Landyn not so much. This causes the main stress. But will prayer and communication (as well as their love for each other) be enough to rescue this young marriage.
The books is well written with good themes. It is a good first book for a new series. You can see where other issues will arise that will give a good chance for the new books in the series.
I'm sure you will enjoy this book from Deborah Raney, she has a good way of making you feel like home is where your heart will always be.
Along with that Landyn's parents are opening a bed and breakfast and every thing at home in Missouri is going to change. No longer will Landyn feel as though she has a place to call home and to rest her head when life gets tough. No longer will her parents be able to give her the undivided attention that she is use to. They now have a business that demands much of their time and effort.
Landyn and Chase have gotten married and moved to New York City. Those are two major adjustments for a young couple to make. The marriage is a tough one, but for two country small town kids to move to New York is a huge change. Not to mention that finances are extremely tight because of the Art profession that Chase is running after.
Will they succeed? Will they fail? Will their marriage be able to handle the pressure? These are all topics that will be played out in the novel. The topic of communication styles will also come to the surface. Not to mention the main topic of "God's Will."
Chase believes he is following God's will, Landyn not so much. This causes the main stress. But will prayer and communication (as well as their love for each other) be enough to rescue this young marriage.
The books is well written with good themes. It is a good first book for a new series. You can see where other issues will arise that will give a good chance for the new books in the series.
I'm sure you will enjoy this book from Deborah Raney, she has a good way of making you feel like home is where your heart will always be.
September 8, 2014
This book is about pursuing God given talents and dreams. It's about a family that loves one another but also understands each other's weaknesses.
Audrey has always wanted to run a bed and breakfast and when they become empty nester's, she is finally able to pursue this dream. Her husband, Grant, doesn't necessarily share this dream, but he loves his wife and he does all he can to turn their family home into a beautiful Inn and helps her in any way he can.
On opening weekend, they get a shock when their youngest daughter, Landyn, shows up from New York and announces she has left her husband, Chase, of six months. If this isn't shocking enough, Audrey soon realizes that Landyn is pregnant.
Chase is an artist who has felt led by God to pursue his art and an opportunity arises that he prays about and decides that God wants him to do it. Unfortunately, he can't get a hold of his wife before making a life altering decision.
This situation turns into a comedy of errors on Landyn's and Chase's part. Sometimes I just wanted to reach through the pages and give them a wake up call as to what they were doing to themselves and to each other. Of course, a lot of their decisions were made because of their age and I'm sure most of you will relate to doing some of the same crazy things whenyiunwere young, just as I did.
I really fell in love with this whole family, but especially liked Audrey and Grant. Their love for each other was so evident and sweet. They also loved their children but knew when to get involved and when to back off. I also loved the faith of all these characters and how they really turned to God in all situations.i give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
Audrey has always wanted to run a bed and breakfast and when they become empty nester's, she is finally able to pursue this dream. Her husband, Grant, doesn't necessarily share this dream, but he loves his wife and he does all he can to turn their family home into a beautiful Inn and helps her in any way he can.
On opening weekend, they get a shock when their youngest daughter, Landyn, shows up from New York and announces she has left her husband, Chase, of six months. If this isn't shocking enough, Audrey soon realizes that Landyn is pregnant.
Chase is an artist who has felt led by God to pursue his art and an opportunity arises that he prays about and decides that God wants him to do it. Unfortunately, he can't get a hold of his wife before making a life altering decision.
This situation turns into a comedy of errors on Landyn's and Chase's part. Sometimes I just wanted to reach through the pages and give them a wake up call as to what they were doing to themselves and to each other. Of course, a lot of their decisions were made because of their age and I'm sure most of you will relate to doing some of the same crazy things whenyiunwere young, just as I did.
I really fell in love with this whole family, but especially liked Audrey and Grant. Their love for each other was so evident and sweet. They also loved their children but knew when to get involved and when to back off. I also loved the faith of all these characters and how they really turned to God in all situations.i give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
September 27, 2014
Deborah Raney’s “Home to Chicory Lane” introduces the family of Audrey and Grant Whitman, empty-nesters who have spent the last year renovating their family home to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. On the day of their open house, all of their children are expected to help with the inn tours except their youngest, Landyn, who is a newlywed living in New York City with her husband, Chase. Just as their first guests arrive, Landyn pulls into the drive, alone, towing a U-Haul.
I loved how real the Whitman family was in this book. The conflicts seemed like something I might encounter with my own kids. Raney shows this family with all their foibles, quirks, and personality clashes. There’s older sister, Denae, trying her best to be happy for her baby sister when all she really wants is a baby of her own. There’s Grandma Cee-Cee who’s not afraid to tell it like it is. There’s steady as a rock, Grant, who’s trying really hard not to pass judgment on his brand-new son-in-law because he knows there is always another side to an argument (and he knows his daughter!) There’s hyper-in-control Audrey who worries almost constantly about making the B & B a success. Over all of this, Raney pours love. Husband/wife, parent/child, and brother/sister all love each other, and it is obvious throughout the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Home to Chicory Lane.” It spoke to the empty-nest mama in me and made me feel like I had pulled up a stool at the breakfast bar in the inn’s kitchen to watch the family circus going on around me. It was a very cozy place to be!
I loved how real the Whitman family was in this book. The conflicts seemed like something I might encounter with my own kids. Raney shows this family with all their foibles, quirks, and personality clashes. There’s older sister, Denae, trying her best to be happy for her baby sister when all she really wants is a baby of her own. There’s Grandma Cee-Cee who’s not afraid to tell it like it is. There’s steady as a rock, Grant, who’s trying really hard not to pass judgment on his brand-new son-in-law because he knows there is always another side to an argument (and he knows his daughter!) There’s hyper-in-control Audrey who worries almost constantly about making the B & B a success. Over all of this, Raney pours love. Husband/wife, parent/child, and brother/sister all love each other, and it is obvious throughout the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Home to Chicory Lane.” It spoke to the empty-nest mama in me and made me feel like I had pulled up a stool at the breakfast bar in the inn’s kitchen to watch the family circus going on around me. It was a very cozy place to be!
January 9, 2015
Home To Chicory Lane ( Chicory Inn Book #1 )
By: Deborah Raney
I did not know what to expect when starting to read Home to Chicory Lane, but I was not disappointed. Deborah Raney now has me hooked. I will be reding more of her books. I did not have any problems following the story or the characters. Audrey and Grant have spent most of their saving on their home remodeling it into a bed and breakface, Chicory Inn, this is a new start for both of them .Opening day is a big success with family and friends. Driving up the drive way was their daughter, Landyn, driving her car and pulling a trailer . What is going on, where is Chase, her husband of six months. Landyn is a little upset about some of the changes to her old home. Now Grant and Audrey have more worries beside the Inn. What would send their daughter home without her husband , Chase ? Where will they put her. The guest are being toured through the Inn. Home to Chicory Lane main characters are Landyn and Chase. It is a very long ways from New York to Missouri. I fell in love with these two and felt sorry for both of them. I wanted to tell them to stop and grow up. A few times I caught myself saying NO NO and tears in my eyes. Will things work out for Audrey and Grant with their new Inn. What will happen between Landyn and Chase.
Faith is the main theme in Home to Chicory Lane.
I was given a copy of this book and was not told That I had to give a positive review.
By: Deborah Raney
I did not know what to expect when starting to read Home to Chicory Lane, but I was not disappointed. Deborah Raney now has me hooked. I will be reding more of her books. I did not have any problems following the story or the characters. Audrey and Grant have spent most of their saving on their home remodeling it into a bed and breakface, Chicory Inn, this is a new start for both of them .Opening day is a big success with family and friends. Driving up the drive way was their daughter, Landyn, driving her car and pulling a trailer . What is going on, where is Chase, her husband of six months. Landyn is a little upset about some of the changes to her old home. Now Grant and Audrey have more worries beside the Inn. What would send their daughter home without her husband , Chase ? Where will they put her. The guest are being toured through the Inn. Home to Chicory Lane main characters are Landyn and Chase. It is a very long ways from New York to Missouri. I fell in love with these two and felt sorry for both of them. I wanted to tell them to stop and grow up. A few times I caught myself saying NO NO and tears in my eyes. Will things work out for Audrey and Grant with their new Inn. What will happen between Landyn and Chase.
Faith is the main theme in Home to Chicory Lane.
I was given a copy of this book and was not told That I had to give a positive review.
June 30, 2014
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Home to Chicory Lane delightfully begins Deborah Raney’s new Chicory Inn series and offers a sweet story of a loving, inviting family. Grant and Audrey Whitman decide to transform their family home into a cozy bed-and-breakfast inn to relaxingly enjoy their empty nest and retirement. Yet, life as inn owners proves more challenging than the couple anticipated – especially when their youngest daughter, Landyn, returns home alone from New York indefinitely. The novel alternates between the perspectives of Grant, Audrey, Landyn and Landyn’s new husband, Chase, and as their storylines intertwine, Raney addresses themes of family, dreams and learning to trust and follow God’s plan and direction. Home to Chicory Lane is a quick, heartwarming narrative, and I would recommend it for fans of contemporary family novels. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to seeing more of the Whitman family in the future.
Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Home to Chicory Lane and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Home to Chicory Lane delightfully begins Deborah Raney’s new Chicory Inn series and offers a sweet story of a loving, inviting family. Grant and Audrey Whitman decide to transform their family home into a cozy bed-and-breakfast inn to relaxingly enjoy their empty nest and retirement. Yet, life as inn owners proves more challenging than the couple anticipated – especially when their youngest daughter, Landyn, returns home alone from New York indefinitely. The novel alternates between the perspectives of Grant, Audrey, Landyn and Landyn’s new husband, Chase, and as their storylines intertwine, Raney addresses themes of family, dreams and learning to trust and follow God’s plan and direction. Home to Chicory Lane is a quick, heartwarming narrative, and I would recommend it for fans of contemporary family novels. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to seeing more of the Whitman family in the future.
Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Home to Chicory Lane and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
August 29, 2014
I LOVE Deborah Raney, so when I saw this was the 1st book in her new series, I was so excited! I so enjoy staying at a Bed & Breakfast, and felt right at home at the lovely Chicory Lane! I love the message that came through loud and clear from the Whitman family...God is in control ALWAYS, especially when we feel everything is out of control, it is then that we see HIM move on our behalf! Thank you Deborah for sharing your gift of writing with all of us and letting us see the many examples of how God moves in our situations and our lives via the Whitman family! I felt like a part of their family! I know the value of coming together as a family and working hard helping those you love when they need you.
I cannot wait until the next book comes out!! We get a glimpse of this next novel, Two Roads Home, at the end of Chicory Lane! Don't you just love it when authors provide that!
Thank you LitFuse for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!!
A definite 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s for sure!
I cannot wait until the next book comes out!! We get a glimpse of this next novel, Two Roads Home, at the end of Chicory Lane! Don't you just love it when authors provide that!
Thank you LitFuse for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!!
A definite 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s for sure!
January 30, 2015
I loved this book! Audrey and Grant take all of their retirement savings to make their family home a B&B after their 5 children have all grown and left the home. On the day of their grand opening open house their daughter Landyn arrives in their driveway pulling a uhaul with all of her furnishings. She tells them she has left her husband of 6 months. She tired of struggling while he tries to find himself as an artist. He makes decisions without consulting her. Can they work through their differences and save their marriage? Will Audrey and Grant make a go of the B&B or lose their life savings? Read the book to find out. This is an amazing story!
September 13, 2017
Good thing I stuck with this one since I ended up liking it fairly well near the end, but boy in the beginning I was just irritated with Landyn and with her parents for not setting her straight more quickly. You're telling me a couple who went to "intense" pre-marriage counseling, rather than the "normal" session would have made these decisions, and taken these actions?? Sorry, I don't buy it, but once we got past all of that, the conclusion of the story was good enough that it's possible I'll check out the second book. Maybe.
September 11, 2015
This contemporary novel is about everyday people making wise and poor choices along life's journey. Home to Chicory Lane focuses on Grant and Audrey and their youngest daughter Landyn and her new husband Chase. Their stories are filled with financial struggles, surprises, power struggles and dreams.
It was an enjoyable read. I look forward to Two Roads Home, the next novel in the Chicory Inn series.
I recommend Home to Chicory Lane for readers that enjoy contemporary fiction.
It was an enjoyable read. I look forward to Two Roads Home, the next novel in the Chicory Inn series.
I recommend Home to Chicory Lane for readers that enjoy contemporary fiction.
January 13, 2016
Loved it
I loved the first book in this series and can't wait to read the next two. I enjoy reading Deborah's books and am glad she came out with the Chicory Inn series.
I loved the first book in this series and can't wait to read the next two. I enjoy reading Deborah's books and am glad she came out with the Chicory Inn series.
August 1, 2025
Ik kende deze schrijver nog niet en moet eerlijk zeggen dat ik in het begin wat moeite had om in het verhaal te komen. Het boek had voor mijn gevoel een langzame start, waardoor het even duurde voordat ik echt gegrepen werd. Maar dat veranderde gaandeweg – hoe verder ik las, hoe meer het verhaal me trok. Het werd zo'n boek dat ik telkens weer oppakte, dag na dag.
Wat me vooral aansprak, is de manier waarop het familieleven wordt neergezet: warm, herkenbaar en vol diepgang. Ik hou van verhalen waarin geloof een centrale plek inneemt, en Dochterlief stelt daarin zeker niet teleur. De thema’s en vragen waarmee de personages worstelen, zijn levensecht en herkenbaar. Juist hoe zij in hun geloof omgaan met moeilijke situaties, raakte me. Het fascineerde me én het bemoedigde me.
Kortom, na een wat trage start is Dochterlief uiteindelijk een boek geworden dat ik met veel waardering heb gelezen. Voor wie houdt van geloofsverhalen met echte mensen en echte worstelingen, is dit zeker een aanrader.
Wat me vooral aansprak, is de manier waarop het familieleven wordt neergezet: warm, herkenbaar en vol diepgang. Ik hou van verhalen waarin geloof een centrale plek inneemt, en Dochterlief stelt daarin zeker niet teleur. De thema’s en vragen waarmee de personages worstelen, zijn levensecht en herkenbaar. Juist hoe zij in hun geloof omgaan met moeilijke situaties, raakte me. Het fascineerde me én het bemoedigde me.
Kortom, na een wat trage start is Dochterlief uiteindelijk een boek geworden dat ik met veel waardering heb gelezen. Voor wie houdt van geloofsverhalen met echte mensen en echte worstelingen, is dit zeker een aanrader.
July 10, 2018
I just loved this story of Grant and Audrey and their youngest daughter Landyn and her husband Chase. Grant and Audrey turn their home into a B&B much to the dismay of Landyn whom after a fight with her husband runs back home, but not really her home anymore. This is a story of love, hope and faith, especially with Landyn pregnant and homeless? Chase tries to convince himself and especially Grant he is good enough for Landyn. This book reminds me of the vows taken in marriage "For Better and Worse". Remembering we all have our own thoughts and feelings that although you might not think are important, they are! I can not wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
October 2, 2023
This is the first book by Deborah Raney I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it . A nice family drama with some unfortunate twists to cause tension among the family , but with strong connections the issues are worked through . I loved the cover showing the family home which Audrey and Grant have converted into a bed and breakfast business , and then their youngest daughter returns home with all her goods to store. A refreshing read about a family working together to resolve issues , a story of hope which I picked up from our library and I will be going back to see if there are more by this author
June 4, 2017
I really liked that we had 4 viewpoints: Audrey, Grant, Landyn, and Chase in this story. I think having the parents' perspective was an interesting way to get some 'outside' views on what Landyn and Chase were going through.
I also liked that this story spanned several months' time. Sometimes, in the interest of moving things along, it seems like a resolution is made 'too quickly' in novels. That wasn't the case with Landyn and Chase, and I appreciated seeing them grow up 'in real time', as it were.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next at the Chicory Inn.
I also liked that this story spanned several months' time. Sometimes, in the interest of moving things along, it seems like a resolution is made 'too quickly' in novels. That wasn't the case with Landyn and Chase, and I appreciated seeing them grow up 'in real time', as it were.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next at the Chicory Inn.
March 14, 2019
This was an easy-to-read, lovely book about a family with people who do have their flaws. Exactly that fact makes this a different read than several other Christian novels I read. It has a more modern feel to it, and God is more a part of the family lives of the characters.
The pace of the book is something I am not too pleased about. It starts of slowly and suddenly there are a lot of things going on which sometimes develop a bit too perfect...This is therefore not one of my all-time favourites!
The pace of the book is something I am not too pleased about. It starts of slowly and suddenly there are a lot of things going on which sometimes develop a bit too perfect...This is therefore not one of my all-time favourites!
April 20, 2023
A good read for those who love contemporary fiction. This is the first in the Chicory Inn series, and with five young adult children, sets up the potential for this large family to have plenty of challenges. Running a bed and breakfast and taking care of a young adult child in crisis gives plenty of twists and turns, as the daughter tries to make sense of the disagreements with her husband in her young marriage.
March 31, 2021
Sweet story
An enjoyable, quick read.
Grant and Audrey Whitman have changed their century old home (and now empty nest) into a bed and breakfast. But when their youngest daughter shows up with a Uhaul and no husband things get a little tense.
I enjoyed the family dynamics, which weren't always good, like most families but the love and faith was strong.
An enjoyable, quick read.
Grant and Audrey Whitman have changed their century old home (and now empty nest) into a bed and breakfast. But when their youngest daughter shows up with a Uhaul and no husband things get a little tense.
I enjoyed the family dynamics, which weren't always good, like most families but the love and faith was strong.
July 2, 2020
This a family book about the struggles we face in life. Emptty nest parents are opening an inn and the youngest decides to move back home. She has only been married six months and has left her husband. Oh the adventures of young love.
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