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Holmes Crossing #1
The Only Best Place
When her husband moves her and their two children from her great career and her life in the big city to his boyhood home back in Holmes Crossing, Alberta, a.k.a., nowhere, to help with the struggling family farm, Leslie feels disoriented and lost. Her five year plan had never included being a farmer's wife but now she's helping move cows, feed chickens and trying to find her way through the VandeKeere family interactions where she doesn't feel she fits in. The fact that the move was only temporary helped her go along with this detour in their life. That and the fact that their marriage was on shaky ground. Leslie hopes taking a break from their previous life will help her and her husband rekindle their marriage. But when her husband hints that the move might be permanent, she has to decide what to do. As she faces questions about her marriage and her faith in a God she didn't know much of before, Leslie has to struggle to find the only best place for her heart.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2006
1304 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Carolyne Aarsen
213 books723 followersEven with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com
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March 31, 2021DNF!
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Our heroine resigns herself to a marriage that's no longer good. The husband besides cheating still loses all the money they were saving to buy a house. They end up moving to his family farm which is controlled by his mother with an iron fist. He keeps making the wrong decisions and making me more and more irritated by the passivity of the heroine who just keeps accepting everything quietly. The husband is useless and not worth so much sacrifice. I didn't finish reading.
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Our heroine resigns herself to a marriage that's no longer good. The husband besides cheating still loses all the money they were saving to buy a house. They end up moving to his family farm which is controlled by his mother with an iron fist. He keeps making the wrong decisions and making me more and more irritated by the passivity of the heroine who just keeps accepting everything quietly. The husband is useless and not worth so much sacrifice. I didn't finish reading.
When her name showed up too often on our call display, I confronted Dan. He admitted he'd been spending time with her. Told me he was lonely. He also told me that he had made a mistake. That he was trying to break things off with her. He was adamant that they'd never been physically intimate.
I pulled out another excuse, determined not to get railroaded by his crooked smile and soft voice, something I hadn't seen or heard since what’s-her-name.
November 18, 2016
Meh. I skimmed my way to the end, but I wouldn't recommend it. It seemed like the main character was letting everyone talk/bully her into things and she wasn't speaking up for what she wanted. When her husband spent half of their savings ($19k!) on a used tractor for a farm that wasn't theirs, I would have been livid enough to leave him, or at least force him to sell the damn thing. She stewed a bit in silence, then let it go. Huh? Really? Oh, but then you find out that it's a Christian author who is showing us that the (agnostic) main character is turning into a good little submissive Christian wife. Now I get it. Don't bother reading this. The whole plot is ridiculous.
April 1, 2021
Christian Women's Fiction
I liked this more than I expected.
This is one unhappy couple.
She's a city girl with no understanding of farming, he's a transplanted farmer, living the city, that left home because of his step-father.
The book opens with an angry, frustrated wife, who in an inner monologue doesn't trust that her husband didn't have a physical affair with an employee, at best he has been emotionally cheating. Bad business decisions on his part have left them in rough shape financially. They (he) decides they need to move home to his family farm for a year to help his mother and regroup; she reluctantly agrees. She gives up her career as an ER nurse, again reluctantly and they head to Alberta, Canada, and the family farm with their 2 children and the expectation of being there for a year and then going back to Vancouver to resume their lives and eventually be in a position to buy her dream home.
She has a massive chip on her shoulder, not happy that she's going to spend a year dealing with a MIL and SIL that openly dislike her and a husband that doesn't even acknowledge or deal with this. The husband's family is very devout, he's not lived a Christian life since moving away, at best the wife is an agnostic, her sister is an outright atheist and has no issue telling the wife that basically religion is a crutch. The sisters had a horrible childhood with an alcoholic, single mother.
Once back on the farm, the MIL controls the budget, which is slim at best and the husband starts to use their dream home savings to pay for farm expenses, without discussing this with her first. He's happy to be home and she continues to be angry and frustrated. He also goes back to church and brings their daughter with him. He sides with his family over her over and over, all of this adds to her anger and frustration and she eventually goes back to work in the ER of their local hospital, to replenish their dream house savings. No one in his family is happy about this, particularly when a new friend (instead of family) babysits the children while she's working.
The new friend is good for her and helps her through the process of becoming a farmer's wife, convinces her to try and get along with the controlling in-laws and gets her to go to church. And the family seems to be muddling along. There's a doctor that's flirting with the wife and she enjoys the attention until one of her SILs witnesses it and even though the wife was kind and helpful to the SIL, she tells the husband about the doctor. This leads to a blow up between the couple where he again sides with his family and says very unkind things about her childhood, knowing fully well she had no control over her mother or how she was raised.
The day after their blow up, the husband rushes their son to the ER while she's working. He has meningitis and is airlifted to Edmonton and with this everything clicks into place, reality check of reality checks. There's a wonderful scene between the couple where he apologizes for everything that he's done, admits that he's sided with his family over her, put the needs of the farm and family before her needs and regrets the relationship he had because he was lonely and she was working so hard to hold them together financially. And, after seeing her care for their son in the ER, he has a new appreciation for her job as a nurse, understanding that it's not just a job. It's heartfelt (I found it believable) and he promises to go back to Vancouver.
Only she's not so sure she wants to go back to Vancouver. He and their children are happy on the farm, she likes working in the small local hospital, she puts her faith in God and their lives fall happily into place.
I liked this more than I expected.
This is one unhappy couple.
She's a city girl with no understanding of farming, he's a transplanted farmer, living the city, that left home because of his step-father.
The book opens with an angry, frustrated wife, who in an inner monologue doesn't trust that her husband didn't have a physical affair with an employee, at best he has been emotionally cheating. Bad business decisions on his part have left them in rough shape financially. They (he) decides they need to move home to his family farm for a year to help his mother and regroup; she reluctantly agrees. She gives up her career as an ER nurse, again reluctantly and they head to Alberta, Canada, and the family farm with their 2 children and the expectation of being there for a year and then going back to Vancouver to resume their lives and eventually be in a position to buy her dream home.
She has a massive chip on her shoulder, not happy that she's going to spend a year dealing with a MIL and SIL that openly dislike her and a husband that doesn't even acknowledge or deal with this. The husband's family is very devout, he's not lived a Christian life since moving away, at best the wife is an agnostic, her sister is an outright atheist and has no issue telling the wife that basically religion is a crutch. The sisters had a horrible childhood with an alcoholic, single mother.
Once back on the farm, the MIL controls the budget, which is slim at best and the husband starts to use their dream home savings to pay for farm expenses, without discussing this with her first. He's happy to be home and she continues to be angry and frustrated. He also goes back to church and brings their daughter with him. He sides with his family over her over and over, all of this adds to her anger and frustration and she eventually goes back to work in the ER of their local hospital, to replenish their dream house savings. No one in his family is happy about this, particularly when a new friend (instead of family) babysits the children while she's working.
The new friend is good for her and helps her through the process of becoming a farmer's wife, convinces her to try and get along with the controlling in-laws and gets her to go to church. And the family seems to be muddling along. There's a doctor that's flirting with the wife and she enjoys the attention until one of her SILs witnesses it and even though the wife was kind and helpful to the SIL, she tells the husband about the doctor. This leads to a blow up between the couple where he again sides with his family and says very unkind things about her childhood, knowing fully well she had no control over her mother or how she was raised.
The day after their blow up, the husband rushes their son to the ER while she's working. He has meningitis and is airlifted to Edmonton and with this everything clicks into place, reality check of reality checks. There's a wonderful scene between the couple where he apologizes for everything that he's done, admits that he's sided with his family over her, put the needs of the farm and family before her needs and regrets the relationship he had because he was lonely and she was working so hard to hold them together financially. And, after seeing her care for their son in the ER, he has a new appreciation for her job as a nurse, understanding that it's not just a job. It's heartfelt (I found it believable) and he promises to go back to Vancouver.
Only she's not so sure she wants to go back to Vancouver. He and their children are happy on the farm, she likes working in the small local hospital, she puts her faith in God and their lives fall happily into place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2017
This book was amazing! Absolutely well-written in a way I haven't seen in a long time and was able to draw me into a genre I don't normally read. There are so many layers to this novel that I enjoyed exploring. This was a believable and heartwarming story that hit close to home. I related to the main character on many levels. There are some life lessons that any women would do well to take home after reading "The Only Best Place." And one of the things I loved most about this novel was that it focuses on an established and committed romance instead of a new and just-flourishing one. The event of finding Mr. Right doesn't equal a "happily-ever-after." There are struggles and realities to deal with, and Carolyne shows us how holding onto love and faith will get you through tough times.
I highly recommend "The Only Best Place" for anyone looking for a well-written and heartwarming tale!
I highly recommend "The Only Best Place" for anyone looking for a well-written and heartwarming tale!
June 3, 2016
Carolyne is a long time acquaintance. We both started writing for love inspired romance about the same time. I have read her first love inspired romance but haven't read anything by her since. But when I saw this book on sale on bookbub, I decided it was time to sample Carolyne's more recent writing.
What a delight! In the intervening years, Carolyne has only become an even better author. Her characters are lifelike, three-dimensional, and most of all interesting and likeable.
She has set up an interesting conflict between a marriage couple and between the wife and her in-laws. All very believable. All very compelling.
I now plan to read the rest of the series. Hope you'll take a chance. I rarely give 5 stars! You won't be disappointed!
What a delight! In the intervening years, Carolyne has only become an even better author. Her characters are lifelike, three-dimensional, and most of all interesting and likeable.
She has set up an interesting conflict between a marriage couple and between the wife and her in-laws. All very believable. All very compelling.
I now plan to read the rest of the series. Hope you'll take a chance. I rarely give 5 stars! You won't be disappointed!
January 23, 2013
Where do I even begin?
This book was not good. The story idea had potential, but the characters were awful - I don't remember the last time I read a book in which I hated nearly every single character.
Leslie and her husband, Dan are broke (the details on this are sort of given in the book, but not super-clearly). They decide to move back to Dan's hometown and live on the family farm. Before they arrive at the farm, they have solidly agreed that this will be for 1 year, no more, no less.
Leslie, who comes off as a socially inept, spoiled princess is super-pouty about the whole thing and honestly, is kind of a spoil-sport bitch about it all. Things have gone downhill in their marriage and she has a right to be upset, abosolutely, but at the same time, she agreed to make the move, so maybe it's time to get over her dislike of all things country. If you say you want to rebuild your marriage, maybe you want to let go of the resentment. Otherwise, nothing will change, nothing will get better. Leslie and Dan don't seem to understand this.
Dan isn't much of a husband. He's the type of guy to sit back at the breakfast table and watch his wife deal with their children's terrible behavior without lifting a finger. He also lied to his wife and brought her to the farm under false pretenses. It quickly becomes apparent that he agreed to a year to get Leslie out to the farm but had no intentions of ever leaving.
In the end, Leslie gets worn down enough not to care anymore and they decide to stay. Seriously. That's pretty much it.
One other note - this book could use some serious editing. At one point, the youngest child, Nicholas, is renamed Ben for about 3 pages. At another, a woman Leslie meets at the hospital also undergoes a name change. The writing throughout is repetitive and weak. With better characters and stronger writing/editing, this could have been a much better book.
This book was not good. The story idea had potential, but the characters were awful - I don't remember the last time I read a book in which I hated nearly every single character.
Leslie and her husband, Dan are broke (the details on this are sort of given in the book, but not super-clearly). They decide to move back to Dan's hometown and live on the family farm. Before they arrive at the farm, they have solidly agreed that this will be for 1 year, no more, no less.
Leslie, who comes off as a socially inept, spoiled princess is super-pouty about the whole thing and honestly, is kind of a spoil-sport bitch about it all. Things have gone downhill in their marriage and she has a right to be upset, abosolutely, but at the same time, she agreed to make the move, so maybe it's time to get over her dislike of all things country. If you say you want to rebuild your marriage, maybe you want to let go of the resentment. Otherwise, nothing will change, nothing will get better. Leslie and Dan don't seem to understand this.
Dan isn't much of a husband. He's the type of guy to sit back at the breakfast table and watch his wife deal with their children's terrible behavior without lifting a finger. He also lied to his wife and brought her to the farm under false pretenses. It quickly becomes apparent that he agreed to a year to get Leslie out to the farm but had no intentions of ever leaving.
In the end, Leslie gets worn down enough not to care anymore and they decide to stay. Seriously. That's pretty much it.
One other note - this book could use some serious editing. At one point, the youngest child, Nicholas, is renamed Ben for about 3 pages. At another, a woman Leslie meets at the hospital also undergoes a name change. The writing throughout is repetitive and weak. With better characters and stronger writing/editing, this could have been a much better book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2017
Excellent writing, but I had issues with the characters.
April 19, 2018
Not totally enthralling, but a sweet story. It was nice reading a story about a couple with problems who chose to fight through them to stay together. Life is hard, love is a choice, and this story did spotlight that well for me.
July 3, 2017
Dan is a jerk and very insensitive to his wife. He makes promises and breaks them because of what he wants. He has moved the family often, and now they are on his family's ranch. His wife, Leslie, is really out of her element. She is a highly trained ER nurse. However, she id expected to stay home and do things a farmer's wife does and for which she has not interest or clue.
Dan lets his mama take over and do the things Leslie should do. Mama is a control freak, egotistical, and always meddling into everybody's business, including run the ranch and handle Dan's finances.
I was rather ticked at Leslie for not standing up to her mother-in-law, and always trying to prove herself to Dan though he's broken so many promises. When Dan spends half of the money that Leslie had saved to buy a new house on an old broken-down tractor, without consulting her, Leslie goes back to the ER with or without Dan's permission.
Fortunately, the last few chapters are somewhat redeeming, but I did not kike the ending. We never know what happened with Keith's demand for money so we are left wondering.
The only reason I gave it three stars was because of the few chapters near the end.
Dan lets his mama take over and do the things Leslie should do. Mama is a control freak, egotistical, and always meddling into everybody's business, including run the ranch and handle Dan's finances.
I was rather ticked at Leslie for not standing up to her mother-in-law, and always trying to prove herself to Dan though he's broken so many promises. When Dan spends half of the money that Leslie had saved to buy a new house on an old broken-down tractor, without consulting her, Leslie goes back to the ER with or without Dan's permission.
Fortunately, the last few chapters are somewhat redeeming, but I did not kike the ending. We never know what happened with Keith's demand for money so we are left wondering.
The only reason I gave it three stars was because of the few chapters near the end.
September 7, 2016
This story was not what I expected. It started out kind of slow, but interesting. As the story goes on and you get to 'know' the people involved. It really pulls you in. This a great story with an interesting plot.
This is about Leslie and Dan. Leslie has been a city girl her whole life and loves her crazy hour job as an ER nurse. They are already having a lot of marital problem but then Dan's business goes under. At this same time, Dan's stepfather leave his mother in a bind and they go back to the family farm to help her out. Even though Dan and their children love the country life, Leslie just wants to get back to the city. They agree to stay for one year to help then she wants to find a nice house in Vancouver and finally settle down. Dan and his family have other ideas....
The characters were so fleshed out that I really got a feel of their personalities. I was once the city girl thrust into country living and I had to laugh a few times at the things she noticed that ONLY happen in the country. Going to an auction or church picnic and see the entire town attending. Not for the auction/picnic itself, but to visit with your neighbors and family. The huge family farms that have been around forever. The family ties that are almost impossible to wiggle your way into.
This story is also strongly steeped in religion and what their Savior means to them. I personally am not a religious person, per se. I believe there is a Creator and higher power, I just never met them to get the correct name. LOL I'd hate to call the Creator by a name my whole life just to get to the ever-after and find out I was wrong and I've offended them. LOL So I can totally relate to Leslie having to deal with a community that is totally committed to their Savior and wants nothing more that to suck her in. I always felt like a heathen and hypocrite when I attended the church picnic but not the church. But I held my head up high and partied with the church folks. LOL
This book made me laugh and cry harder than I have in awhile. It's nicely written and flow really nice. I think I read the last 10 chapters in one night because I couldn't put it down. It's also really hard to read through tears.
This is about Leslie and Dan. Leslie has been a city girl her whole life and loves her crazy hour job as an ER nurse. They are already having a lot of marital problem but then Dan's business goes under. At this same time, Dan's stepfather leave his mother in a bind and they go back to the family farm to help her out. Even though Dan and their children love the country life, Leslie just wants to get back to the city. They agree to stay for one year to help then she wants to find a nice house in Vancouver and finally settle down. Dan and his family have other ideas....
The characters were so fleshed out that I really got a feel of their personalities. I was once the city girl thrust into country living and I had to laugh a few times at the things she noticed that ONLY happen in the country. Going to an auction or church picnic and see the entire town attending. Not for the auction/picnic itself, but to visit with your neighbors and family. The huge family farms that have been around forever. The family ties that are almost impossible to wiggle your way into.
This story is also strongly steeped in religion and what their Savior means to them. I personally am not a religious person, per se. I believe there is a Creator and higher power, I just never met them to get the correct name. LOL I'd hate to call the Creator by a name my whole life just to get to the ever-after and find out I was wrong and I've offended them. LOL So I can totally relate to Leslie having to deal with a community that is totally committed to their Savior and wants nothing more that to suck her in. I always felt like a heathen and hypocrite when I attended the church picnic but not the church. But I held my head up high and partied with the church folks. LOL
This book made me laugh and cry harder than I have in awhile. It's nicely written and flow really nice. I think I read the last 10 chapters in one night because I couldn't put it down. It's also really hard to read through tears.
August 5, 2009
Leslie moves to Montana thinking she is just here to help out her husband’s mother and then go home after a year. Oh and her relationship with her husband is on the rocks and maybe the country life will do their relationship some good. Surprise, surprise, it does. Oh and the mother is a control freak and Leslie’s husband is her favorite child. This story was unbelievably predictable.
The author obviously knows nothing about any-other religion. She writes that Leslie is a Pagan. I guess she thinks that Pagan’s don’t believe in a higher power? I’m not sure. But for her to put that in there went against the character she built as Leslie. Leslie hates wide open spaces, animals and dirt… It would have been more believable if the author said Leslie was a city-built atheist. I guess she wasn’t expecting a diverse reading base.
Also, a huge annoyance… there was a single page where Leslie’s son Nicolas became Ben (oops), and some of the names she thought up were quite odd to read.
On a positive note, with the whole religion aspect aside, I did like a lot of attributes given to Leslie’s character. She often made reference to “if this were a movie the music would be like this…” It was cute. I also liked how Leslie never had a sense of family and she finally found that, not only in her in-laws, but also within the community.
The author obviously knows nothing about any-other religion. She writes that Leslie is a Pagan. I guess she thinks that Pagan’s don’t believe in a higher power? I’m not sure. But for her to put that in there went against the character she built as Leslie. Leslie hates wide open spaces, animals and dirt… It would have been more believable if the author said Leslie was a city-built atheist. I guess she wasn’t expecting a diverse reading base.
Also, a huge annoyance… there was a single page where Leslie’s son Nicolas became Ben (oops), and some of the names she thought up were quite odd to read.
On a positive note, with the whole religion aspect aside, I did like a lot of attributes given to Leslie’s character. She often made reference to “if this were a movie the music would be like this…” It was cute. I also liked how Leslie never had a sense of family and she finally found that, not only in her in-laws, but also within the community.
February 6, 2016
I love that this is a romance of a married couple with kids facing major changes in their lives. Leslie has a hard time adjusting to life on the farm and to Dan's family; Dan doesn't seem to understand why she can't love their farm life as much as he does. Dan and his family are Christians, but Leslie doesn't have faith to sustain her. As she develops faith, she sees her circumstances in a new light. The Christians are portrayed as real people, with imperfections like all of us, but they are sincere in their beliefs.
May 15, 2008
Poorly written, predictable crappy Christian fiction. Need I say more?
September 12, 2014
Woman moves from big city reluctantly with husband and kids to run his family farm. His intrusive family is annoying, as is their lack of communication.
August 25, 2020
A quick read but not very enjoyable. It was a hard book to enjoy as many of the characters were annoying and selfish with no real redemption or growth by the end. I do not recommend
August 16, 2022
A teaser
I would not have downloaded this
had I known it was not a full book. Total waste of my time.
I would not have downloaded this
had I known it was not a full book. Total waste of my time.
December 23, 2020
I so identified with this book!
Deciding to follow your heart instead of your head can be a very difficult thing, especially with more than one failure lurking in the background to remind you of exactly why you should NOT. With deep reservations Leslie follows her husband back to his roots, knowing that she will again struggle to find her own place in the small town and within his close-knit family. They have agreed to take a year in Holmes Crossing to help his mother with the family farm. The agreements she thought were so!id soon began wavering as Leslie watches her husband change into a dutiful son who appears to side with his mother against their plans on virtually every issue that comes up. When he strips money from their nest egg to buy a tractor without even discussing it beforehand, Leslie feels betrayed. Nothing she does is ever good enough to compare with his family, she knows nothing about farming, gardening, or raising cattle. She goes back to a place where she feels secure, a job in the local hospital as an ER nurse. It was apparently not the choice her husband and his family thought the right one, but Leslie was drowning, feeling lost in a country setting after growing up in the city. Even as she keeps telling herself that it will only be for a year, her husband lets her know that he has no.plans for leaving. She slowly begins to make a few friends, being ever mindful that she cannot really say anything tnat might get back to her husband's family, but her life seems to be a trainwreck. And then her youngest child gets deathly ill. That changes everything.....
Great book, Ms Aarsen.! Because I couldn't put it down, wondering how the misery would be eliminated, given how many things were pulling at Leslie as she tried desperately to reconcile all the changes forced upon her as well as save her marriage. The 365 pieces of chocolate were lifesavers!!!
Deciding to follow your heart instead of your head can be a very difficult thing, especially with more than one failure lurking in the background to remind you of exactly why you should NOT. With deep reservations Leslie follows her husband back to his roots, knowing that she will again struggle to find her own place in the small town and within his close-knit family. They have agreed to take a year in Holmes Crossing to help his mother with the family farm. The agreements she thought were so!id soon began wavering as Leslie watches her husband change into a dutiful son who appears to side with his mother against their plans on virtually every issue that comes up. When he strips money from their nest egg to buy a tractor without even discussing it beforehand, Leslie feels betrayed. Nothing she does is ever good enough to compare with his family, she knows nothing about farming, gardening, or raising cattle. She goes back to a place where she feels secure, a job in the local hospital as an ER nurse. It was apparently not the choice her husband and his family thought the right one, but Leslie was drowning, feeling lost in a country setting after growing up in the city. Even as she keeps telling herself that it will only be for a year, her husband lets her know that he has no.plans for leaving. She slowly begins to make a few friends, being ever mindful that she cannot really say anything tnat might get back to her husband's family, but her life seems to be a trainwreck. And then her youngest child gets deathly ill. That changes everything.....
Great book, Ms Aarsen.! Because I couldn't put it down, wondering how the misery would be eliminated, given how many things were pulling at Leslie as she tried desperately to reconcile all the changes forced upon her as well as save her marriage. The 365 pieces of chocolate were lifesavers!!!
October 18, 2017
This was the first book I had read by Carolyne Aarsen and I don’t anticipate it being the last. The Only Best Place is written with a depth to the characters and story that I enjoy and don’t often seem to be able to find. Leslie is a very real woman with real problems, hopes, and fears – things that are very easy to relate to. I felt that the author really drew me into Leslie’s head. The relationships between Leslie and her husband, Dan, and his various family members are particularly astutely written and very realistic. The faith element of the book is quite low-key, but central to the story at the same time. Leslie’s journey to finding that faith is very gentle and believable.
The only negative thing that I can find to say about the book is that if I were writing this as a professional reviewer, I would knock half a star off the rating due to the fact that a little proofreading is needed. There are also two or three persistent grammar issues that could be improved on. However, unless one is quite a grammar nerd (like me), these things might not even be noticed, and, even for me, they did little to detract from my enjoyment of the story.
One thing that I really enjoyed about the book is its location. Although my husband and I are British we spent a year in the Alberta area, and I felt that the author really managed to portray not just what the place looks like but also how it feels. I could sense and relate to Leslie’s feelings as a city girl moving to the wide open spaces and tightly knit small town community.
In conclusion, I highly recommend The Only Best Place and am looking forward to reading further books in the series.
The only negative thing that I can find to say about the book is that if I were writing this as a professional reviewer, I would knock half a star off the rating due to the fact that a little proofreading is needed. There are also two or three persistent grammar issues that could be improved on. However, unless one is quite a grammar nerd (like me), these things might not even be noticed, and, even for me, they did little to detract from my enjoyment of the story.
One thing that I really enjoyed about the book is its location. Although my husband and I are British we spent a year in the Alberta area, and I felt that the author really managed to portray not just what the place looks like but also how it feels. I could sense and relate to Leslie’s feelings as a city girl moving to the wide open spaces and tightly knit small town community.
In conclusion, I highly recommend The Only Best Place and am looking forward to reading further books in the series.
October 27, 2017
I was actually surprised by how much I liked this book because this is not the type of book I usually read. I'm so glad I read it though! I found Leslie and the other characters to be so realistic and relatable! She could easily be a friend telling me her story over coffee. Many of the issues she faced and the emotions she felt are the same that many women experience, myself included. I do feel that I missed something with it being in 1st person. I really wanted to get into Dan's head to see if he really was sorry for his mistakes. Because I was seeing him through Leslie's eyes it was hard to like him at first, although Leslie made some mistakes too That being said, I was happy with the ending. I mostly read books with couples falling in love then getting married so I enjoyed reading about a married couple and seeing them work through their struggles to build their marriage up again.
There were a couple of mistakes in the kindle version that I read. Missing words and names changing. However, that didn't take a way from the story for me.
There were a couple of mistakes in the kindle version that I read. Missing words and names changing. However, that didn't take a way from the story for me.
December 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. The author does a wonderful job creating a descriptive cast of characters who are very relatable. There were those I loved and others whose behaviors and attitudes were questionable.
Leslie and Dan VandeKeere are struggling both financially and in their marriage. They struggle with urban living in Vancouver and Leslie's dream of owning a home. She works long hours as an ER nurse as well as caring for a toddler and 4 year old. Dan's auto repair business has failed. He chose to stray in their marriage which Leslie can't forgive.
They move to Holmes Crossing, Alberta to help Dan's mom on the family farm for a year.
Living on the farm tests them to the core. An overbearing mother in law and an extended family are both welcoming and frustrating to Leslie. Dan is comfortable being a farmer. Leslie dreads being a "farmers wife".
A family crisis is the turning point for this couple as well as a faith
journey which is very prevalent throughout the book. The themes of family, faith, infidelity, forgiveness and reconciliation are interwoven in this novel. Don't miss it.
Leslie and Dan VandeKeere are struggling both financially and in their marriage. They struggle with urban living in Vancouver and Leslie's dream of owning a home. She works long hours as an ER nurse as well as caring for a toddler and 4 year old. Dan's auto repair business has failed. He chose to stray in their marriage which Leslie can't forgive.
They move to Holmes Crossing, Alberta to help Dan's mom on the family farm for a year.
Living on the farm tests them to the core. An overbearing mother in law and an extended family are both welcoming and frustrating to Leslie. Dan is comfortable being a farmer. Leslie dreads being a "farmers wife".
A family crisis is the turning point for this couple as well as a faith
journey which is very prevalent throughout the book. The themes of family, faith, infidelity, forgiveness and reconciliation are interwoven in this novel. Don't miss it.
October 1, 2017
Dan just goes along making decisions, MAJOR decisions, without consulting his wife. Leslie, naturally, resents this. They have issues in their marriage that need working on, and that's one of the reasons why they move from the city to a farm. Leslie is NOT a farmer's wife. Dan and his family just DON'T get that. Wilma doesn't like her from the minute she set eyes on her. Gloria is just like Wilma. Everyone is condescending towards Leslie. I liked Kathy, at first, but when she suggested that Leslie go to church because it's a place of reconciliation and that's a place to start to reconcile with Dan's family, she angered me. Leslie should WANT to go on her own, not because it might heal the rift between her and Dan's family.
She doesn't necessarily believe in God, but she doesn't totally disbelieve, either. It's amazing how her son getting deathly ill magically brings her to God and also helps their marriage.
It was too.....much. Poor Leslie. I really felt for her.
She doesn't necessarily believe in God, but she doesn't totally disbelieve, either. It's amazing how her son getting deathly ill magically brings her to God and also helps their marriage.
It was too.....much. Poor Leslie. I really felt for her.
October 3, 2017
Down to earth. I didn't get pulled in to this story immediately, but I liked it. I especially found Leslie the main character, very easy to identify with.
She's a city girl, not a farmer's wife. Now they've moved 'home' to her husband's family. On the farm. She's left out because she has no idea what they expect of her. And feels like they don't even like her. Her mother-in-law is controlling. And so on...
Then, she finds a part time job she enjoys. She starts making friends...and she begins to ponder the possibility of staying in this farm country.
Leslie & her husband Dan have struggles in their marriage, like all marriages do. They work to understand each other and overcome their hard times.
I found myself crying as I neared the end of the book. Yes, I said earlier I wasn't pulled in right away...but it happened--sometime around the middle of the book!
This is a nice, heart-warming story about love, marriage, sacrifices, and more.
She's a city girl, not a farmer's wife. Now they've moved 'home' to her husband's family. On the farm. She's left out because she has no idea what they expect of her. And feels like they don't even like her. Her mother-in-law is controlling. And so on...
Then, she finds a part time job she enjoys. She starts making friends...and she begins to ponder the possibility of staying in this farm country.
Leslie & her husband Dan have struggles in their marriage, like all marriages do. They work to understand each other and overcome their hard times.
I found myself crying as I neared the end of the book. Yes, I said earlier I wasn't pulled in right away...but it happened--sometime around the middle of the book!
This is a nice, heart-warming story about love, marriage, sacrifices, and more.
March 2, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much. It was very well written and there were so many different layers to this book. I like seeing it from the Woman's side and the Man's side of things. I like how God, faith, and scriptures were used in this book without being too preachy. At no time did this book feel rushed and it ended well. I got the next book in the series based on reading this one. I look forward to reading it. This book left a lot for one to think about. Also, it shows how anyone can be tempted to go to far. One must work at a marriage. Too many people once they are married begin to take it for granted; but for successful marriage it must be worked at. This book shows that clearly. It also shows that it takes two to have a marriage and it usually takes two to make it crumble.
This book was definitely worth the read. I liked it very much. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This book was definitely worth the read. I liked it very much. I look forward to reading more from this author.
May 10, 2019
The Only Best Place by Carolyne Aarsen
Holmes Crossing Series Book One
Dan and Leslie Vandekeere have moved to Holmes Crossing so Dan can run the family farm.
And so they can hopefully repair their marriage. Then, in one year, they can return to Vancouver and build their dream home. That was the plan.
This is told from Leslie's point of view only. Leslie and her older sister, Terra, had grown up with an alcoholic mother. Dan on the other hand, has family...a lot of family. Leslie is overwhelmed at the acres of nothing but sky and land—and not in a good way. What's worse, Dan seems so at home on the ranch with his controlling mother and his sisters and their families.
Things go from bad to worse for Leslie. Family, church, open land, and her own guilt. Wonderful story. If you cry easily, you may want tissues nearby. I went through plenty of them. Terra's story is in book two; All in One Place.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Holmes Crossing Series Book One
Dan and Leslie Vandekeere have moved to Holmes Crossing so Dan can run the family farm.
And so they can hopefully repair their marriage. Then, in one year, they can return to Vancouver and build their dream home. That was the plan.
This is told from Leslie's point of view only. Leslie and her older sister, Terra, had grown up with an alcoholic mother. Dan on the other hand, has family...a lot of family. Leslie is overwhelmed at the acres of nothing but sky and land—and not in a good way. What's worse, Dan seems so at home on the ranch with his controlling mother and his sisters and their families.
Things go from bad to worse for Leslie. Family, church, open land, and her own guilt. Wonderful story. If you cry easily, you may want tissues nearby. I went through plenty of them. Terra's story is in book two; All in One Place.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
January 20, 2020
The Only Best Place
I received a free copy of this book from the author, Carolyne Aarsen, and this is my voluntary and honest review. I had a little trouble getting into this book, but after a couple of chapters I started enjoying it. This was Leslie's viewpoint on how she was dealing with her and her family’s move from the city to her husband's farm where he grew up. Dan, her husband, lost his business and had an affair so they were hoping the move would strengthen their marriage. Leslie also had to give up her full time job as a nurse to being a full time Mom to their two children. Dan ' s Mother and sisters lived close by and kept stopping by to help, but left Leslie feeling like her life was out of control until tragedy struck giving her time to let God have control. I liked the way the book ended, and I am glad I read it. It is a good start to the Holmes Crossing series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, Carolyne Aarsen, and this is my voluntary and honest review. I had a little trouble getting into this book, but after a couple of chapters I started enjoying it. This was Leslie's viewpoint on how she was dealing with her and her family’s move from the city to her husband's farm where he grew up. Dan, her husband, lost his business and had an affair so they were hoping the move would strengthen their marriage. Leslie also had to give up her full time job as a nurse to being a full time Mom to their two children. Dan ' s Mother and sisters lived close by and kept stopping by to help, but left Leslie feeling like her life was out of control until tragedy struck giving her time to let God have control. I liked the way the book ended, and I am glad I read it. It is a good start to the Holmes Crossing series.
August 31, 2022
This book came to me as a library discard; an oldie, but a goodie (published in 2006).
If I could give every chapter five stars, I would.
The story is told by Leslie VandeKeere, a mother, wife, nurse, and a thorough city gal with a complicated past. Circumstances force the VandeKeeres to move from Seattle to a struggling family farm in Montana, and straight into the arms of a large, meddling VandeKeere clan. There has never been much love lost between Leslie and, especially, her mother-in-law. So, from the get-go things are spicy, but very realistic.
Leslie struggles with every relationship she has, including her husband and her small kids. And God. As Leslie gets to know her husband's large family and the local community, and they learn more about her, things start changing. Surrendering her control on life to God brings Leslie peace and also, finally, a sense of belonging.
This book may have been a discard, but it is staying in my home library. ❤️
If I could give every chapter five stars, I would.
The story is told by Leslie VandeKeere, a mother, wife, nurse, and a thorough city gal with a complicated past. Circumstances force the VandeKeeres to move from Seattle to a struggling family farm in Montana, and straight into the arms of a large, meddling VandeKeere clan. There has never been much love lost between Leslie and, especially, her mother-in-law. So, from the get-go things are spicy, but very realistic.
Leslie struggles with every relationship she has, including her husband and her small kids. And God. As Leslie gets to know her husband's large family and the local community, and they learn more about her, things start changing. Surrendering her control on life to God brings Leslie peace and also, finally, a sense of belonging.
This book may have been a discard, but it is staying in my home library. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
she is a nurse, two kids, older daughter and younger son. the son wont stop crying for her
her husband lost his garage business and cheated on her
they agreed to move to his family farm for one year, then go back and build the house they saved for
but they get there and it seems like his mom is taking over and he seems to think they are going to stay there. she doesnt like it there. he doesnt want her to go back to work. shes in the middle of nowhere with just his family coming around who dont like her
she has a sister she only emails with, no other family
she misses working as a nurse and she made good money too
she got a job as pt nurse, the dr was coming on to her but she knew she had to be true to her husband
she went to church
her son got very sick and almost died
a family member wanted his share of the farm now, she agreed to stay and gave her house money to him
it was such a good book, i would read the rest of the series
took place in Canada
her husband lost his garage business and cheated on her
they agreed to move to his family farm for one year, then go back and build the house they saved for
but they get there and it seems like his mom is taking over and he seems to think they are going to stay there. she doesnt like it there. he doesnt want her to go back to work. shes in the middle of nowhere with just his family coming around who dont like her
she has a sister she only emails with, no other family
she misses working as a nurse and she made good money too
she got a job as pt nurse, the dr was coming on to her but she knew she had to be true to her husband
she went to church
her son got very sick and almost died
a family member wanted his share of the farm now, she agreed to stay and gave her house money to him
it was such a good book, i would read the rest of the series
took place in Canada
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2024
This was a very compelling story showing true-to-life struggles that go on in a marriage.
The author did a very good job of portraying someone who believes there is a god but doesn't practice any faith and how they become a believer.
Leslie has not truly forgiven Dan for his interest in another woman and finds it difficult to regain the closeness & intimacy they once shared, until she begins to become attracted to another man. Although it never had a chance to go anywhere, thanks her sister-in-law, Leslie is knocked off her high horse and that is the start of true reconciliation. A life-threatening illness in the family makes her realize her need for a relationship with God.
I found the story realistic and the characters well rounded & relatable.
The author did a very good job of portraying someone who believes there is a god but doesn't practice any faith and how they become a believer.
Leslie has not truly forgiven Dan for his interest in another woman and finds it difficult to regain the closeness & intimacy they once shared, until she begins to become attracted to another man. Although it never had a chance to go anywhere, thanks her sister-in-law, Leslie is knocked off her high horse and that is the start of true reconciliation. A life-threatening illness in the family makes her realize her need for a relationship with God.
I found the story realistic and the characters well rounded & relatable.
July 24, 2017
The test of faith
Leslie and her husband are at their rope. With every thing going south, business and marriage. This troubled family pack it up and head
Back to her husband's family ranch. Here Leslie learns faith and healing with her husband. His family help teach both of them what marriage
Faith are all about. Having to trust GOD and family now as she lives a ranchers life. This book really touches your heart as you see their lives unfold.
Their faith and trust in GOD building trust and love in each other as they find their path home and to GOD. This is a must read book of true family victory.
Leslie and her husband are at their rope. With every thing going south, business and marriage. This troubled family pack it up and head
Back to her husband's family ranch. Here Leslie learns faith and healing with her husband. His family help teach both of them what marriage
Faith are all about. Having to trust GOD and family now as she lives a ranchers life. This book really touches your heart as you see their lives unfold.
Their faith and trust in GOD building trust and love in each other as they find their path home and to GOD. This is a must read book of true family victory.
November 12, 2019
Leslie feels her marriage is not working since her husband cheated on her.
Dan has messed up big time and now that his step father has walk away from their life now demanding his fair show of money from the farm. Dan hasn't told his mom and other family members his living on the farm is only temporary. More then 1 discussion is heated about the things Dan does or doesn't do or say. When Leslie stands up for her family Dan not happy about it. In the end when they pay off the step father she saves them money. This book is full of good high and bad lows about what can happen in real life. .....once you start reading you won't want to put it down.
Dan has messed up big time and now that his step father has walk away from their life now demanding his fair show of money from the farm. Dan hasn't told his mom and other family members his living on the farm is only temporary. More then 1 discussion is heated about the things Dan does or doesn't do or say. When Leslie stands up for her family Dan not happy about it. In the end when they pay off the step father she saves them money. This book is full of good high and bad lows about what can happen in real life. .....once you start reading you won't want to put it down.
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