Review: The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

The Country Guesthouse (Sullivan's Crossing #5) by Robyn Carr

Publication Date: January 7th 2020 by MIRA

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher & Audio Book Purchase

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible

About the book:

A summer rental, a new beginning…

Hannah Russell’s carefully crafted plans for her life have been upended without warning. When her best friend died suddenly, Hannah became guardian to a five-year-old named Noah. With no experience at motherhood, she’s terrified she’s not up to the challenge. She and Noah need time to get to know each other, so she decides to rent a country house with stunning views on a lake in rural Colorado.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by the owner, a handsome man who promises to stay out of their way. But his clumsy Great Dane, Romeo, has other ideas and Noah immediately bonds with the lovable dog. As Hannah learns to become a mother, Owen Abrams, who is recovering from his own grief, can’t help but be drawn out of his solitude by his guests.

But life throws more challenges at this unlikely trio and they are tested in ways they never thought possible. All three will discover their strengths and, despite their differences, they will fight to become a family. And the people of Sullivan’s Crossing will rally around them to offer all of the support they need.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers an emotional and triumphant novel about the fierce power of a mother’s love.

My Thoughts:

As usual with Robyn Carr’s stories, The Country Guesthouse sucked me right in from the first chapter. 

Hannah’s life is turned upside down in more ways than one when her best friend, Erin, dies unexpectedly and she’s named as the guardian to her five-year-old son, Noah.  Erin and Hannah had been best friends since college, bonding over shared goals and horrible mothers.  Of course, when Hannah agreed to take care of any of Erin’s future offspring should something happen, Hannah never dreamed she’d have to carry out that promise.  She’s determined to cherish and raise Noah right, and to get better acquainted and smooth the transition Hannah takes them on a vacation to a secluded Colorado house. Little does she know that due to a scheduling mishap, the owner, Owen Abrams will be staying on the property as well, but this turns out to be the best thing for Hannah, Noah, and Owen.

Owen Abrams is no stranger to loss, and so Hannah and Noah’s situation tugs at his heart.  His big Great Dane, Romeo, immediately breaks the ice and lifts Noah’s spirits, but it’s Owen’s help and friendship that truly make their vacation special. Days swimming and fishing in the lake and nights spent making dinner and relaxing on the porch make it so Hannah and Noah never want to leave. Hannah and Owen grow closer and closer making leaving a painful prospect. Never fear, love finds a way!

The situation was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I was captivated from page one. As with real life, there were bumps in the road.  There’s usually a little suspense and danger with Ms. Carr’s stories, and there’s a situation that definitely put me on edge and had me worrying for Noah’s safety, but Hannah and Noah had love, support, and protection from Owen, as well as many of the residents in Sullivan’s Crossing, most I’d met in the previous installments. 

Characters from past stories pop in, but I think The Country Guesthouse can be read as a standalone since this is very much Hannah, Owen and Noah’s story.  Sullivan’s Crossing has been a thoroughly enjoyable series, and I love digging into every new installment! Set in the Colorado mountains, where the Continental Divide Trail and the Colorado Trail intersect, Sullivan’s Crossing sounds like a beautiful small town, and I’ve grown to love the colorful characters.

I had an ARC e-copy of The Country Guesthouse, but I usually can’t resist buying an audio copy of Robyn Carr’s books because of Therese Plummer’s superb narration.  I alternately listened and read, and loved the story!

4 Suns