🐝🍯 “The Beekeeper Next Door” (LaGrasse, Georgia #1) (2024) 🍯 🐝 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW 

 

Series: LaGrasse, Georgia (Book #1)
Paperback: 208 pages 
Publisher: Love Inspired (June 25, 2024) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1335597484
ISBN-13: 978-1335597489
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“Facing his fear
 
 Could give him the family he’s always wanted.
 
 Returning to his hometown to clean up his late parents’ home, professor Heath Underwood has no intention of making his stay permanent. Especially when he discovers his neighbor is a beekeeper. But avoiding widow Ali Harding proves difficult when her eight-year-old son bonds with him and his dog. As Heath spends more time with them, his fear of bees—and heartbreak—could stand in the way of his happily-ever-after…” 

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Danielle Thorne, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

 

I’ve actually read one book by the author, and have another on my TBR stack which is never-ending. 

 

And, after reading a few lackluster books (one I’m still trying to draft a review for), it was refreshing to get back to books that I thoroughly enjoyed.

 

That said …

 

I absolutely love the Love Inspired line. It’s my second favorite behind the Love Inspired Suspense. Most of the books are pretty formulaic – the leads are troubled, they have certain things in their past, and they have to overcome some hurdles in order to be together. 

 

But, despite that – each story is unique, as is the author who tells the stories. And, the characters are just as unique. 

 

Thorne has an interesting story right off – a beekeeper. And, let’s be honest – some of us are afraid of bees. If anyone has seen the 1991 movie, My Girl, anything “bee” related can be traumatizing. I’ve only seen snippets of that movie, and what I’ve seen – it hits ya in the feels. So, it’s easy to sympathize – if not empathize – with Heath over his bee concern 🫣

 

Thorne introduces readers to:

 

🐝 Ali

👦🏻 Charlie

👨🏻‍🏫 Heath

🐕 Trooper

🛒 Tam 

 

Most books have content or topics that might be triggering for some readers. This one includes a swarm of bees attacking Heath when he was younger, a wasp swarm attacking bee hives, and a motorcycle death (before the story). There is also a reference to Heath’s mother being a hoarder. 

 

Thorne starts off the story with Ali hearing a barking dog, which belongs to her neighbor’s son. Turns out her neighbor had died and her son Heath is in charge of cleaning up the place. But, he’s tearing down the fence so his dog, Trooper, doesn’t get hurt. However, a new fence isn’t in his budget. It’s needed to protect crops and hives. Ali is hoping her bees can become a primary source of income for her and her son.

 

At the mention of “hives”, Heath grows uneasy (remember what I said about the movie). He remembers his own bad incident with bees. A fence won’t keep them on her side though. And, that adds to Heath’s woes. 

 

Charlie not only likes Heath’s dog, Trooper, but he enjoys hanging out with the teacher. He also discovers a tire swing and a treehouse, which isn’t safe for several reasons. 

 

Ali is desperate to erect a fence between the properties, especially after Trooper gets stung, which is not the only problem she’ll have with the dog. Setting boundaries between her and her neighbor is also difficult, especially as they’re seemingly drawn to each other. Even her cousin, “Tam” (short for Tamara) can see the attraction. 

 

However, Heath has been stung before – in more than one way – and all Ali wants to do is be the best mother to her son, as well as make up for all the promises his father made before his untimely death. 

 

Heath, learns in his cleaning, that it takes a village to clean up; Ali learns that lesson as well during a tragedy involving her bees. For her, LaGrasse has become a home; for Heath, it is beginning to feel like home. 

 

The Beekeeper Next Door is a sweet and delightful faith over fear story. It is endearing and emotional. 

 

I absolutely loved this little read except for a few tense moments. I was drawn right in and except for some “life stuff”, I couldn’t hardly put it down. It had great pacing – didn’t feel rushed or even slug along. The short chapters (for the line) were an added bonus. There wasn’t too much to dislike except my usual pet peeve of lack of communication between the two principles, as well as some “repetitiveness” about their issues. And, I had a feeling this was going to be my kind of book from the premise. I absolutely loved the reference to Piggly Wiggly. Some might remember the store from the 1989 movie Steel Magnolias. My mother said during the time she spent in Dallas, Texas (especially when I was born), she used to shop at one. 

 

It was also a bit challenging because I felt for Heath and understood where he was coming from regarding the bees. He was only there temporarily (isn’t that always how it starts). Yet, Ali was there first – it was her second chance – and it was her income.

 

I definitely empathized with Heath when it came to cleaning out the house and his parents’ “collections”. Like his father, I also collected “trading cards” up until about 2018 – only they’re NASCAR cards. Some cards go back to 1988. I also collect other things – model cars, journals, and pens – just to name a few things of interest to me. And, it is interesting to think about where the collections will end up upon our passing, especially if we don’t have kids, or the kids aren’t as attached to the items as we are. 

 

I’m also in the middle of decluttering, and having to make some decisions for my mom’s stuff (along with my own). While she is still living at home, there is some stuff she has that is no longer practical to keep. We’ve also been discussing the “future” which will eventually transition into a group home or some kind of nursing facility for her. That means she won’t be able to have all her “stuff” with her. 

 

Speaking of kids, it was absolutely sweet how well Heath and Charlie got along however, it did cause some problems for Ali. Not only was Charlie seeming to mind Heath more, but Ali was concerned how Charlie was going to be once Heath went back home to Alabama. Thorne didn’t shy away from the realities of borrowing and credit, as well as other real-life issues. 

 

There was a slight bit of confusion – for me – when Ali refers to taking out an unsecured loan for her business, however she then states she used her home as collateral.  According to MyCreditUnion.gov, “unsecured loans do not use property as collateral” (https://mycreditunion.gov/life-events/consumer-loans/secured-unsecured). However, despite that hiccup – loans, secured or otherwise – are definitely stressful. It isn’t about being irresponsible, but life tends to happen. The reality is the same for most people – having to choose what expenses are more important and even prioritizing among them. It’s worse when it involves children. Their birthdays and holidays add additional stress, and many families don’t have a community to lean on or step up to help. 

 

In the end, the cute friends – or rather neighbors – to more is certainly sweeter than honey, and pollinates the soul with love and good vibes. It is as endearing as it is emotional. It was also a great way to learn about the smallest little farmers and how much they contribute to the food chain. 

 

This wasn’t the first book I’d read about bees, but it was one of the first where I learned how invasive and destructive wasps are to bee colonies. 

 

Since this is distributed by the Christian line from Harlequin, there are going to be elements of the faith demonstrated. The themes in this book are mild, but the reader will not feel as though they’re being preached to. 

 

This is the first book in a new series, so readers will get to revisit some of the characters and places again in LaGrasse, Georgia. Which I am eagerly awaiting. 

 

Fans of the author and genre are sure to enjoy this read.

 

 

 

RATING:  

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads  

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub  

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

 

Danielle Thorne is a Southern girl who treasures home and family. Besides books, she loves travel, history, cookies, and naps. She’s eternally thankful for the women she calls friends. Danielle is the author of over a dozen novels with elements of romance, adventure, and faith. You’ll often find her in the mountains or at the beach. She currently lives south of Atlanta with her sweetheart of thirty years and two cats.

 

 

She can also be found on the following social media networks:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanielleThorne/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordaniellethorne/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanielleThorne

 

Website: https://www.daniellethorne.com/

 

 

* This post contains Amazon affiliate links