#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns to sun-drenched Bella Vista, where the land’s bounty yields a rich harvest…and family secrets that have long been buried Isabel Johansen, a celebrated chef who grew up in the enchanting Sonoma town of Archangel, is transforming her childhood home into a destination cooking school–a unique place for other dreamers to come and learn the … for other dreamers to come and learn the culinary arts. Bella Vista’s rambling mission-style hacienda, with its working apple orchards, bountiful gardens and beehives, is the idyllic venue for Isabel’s project…and the perfect place for her to forget the past.
But Isabel’s carefully ordered plans begin to go awry when swaggering, war-torn journalist Cormac O’Neill arrives to dig up old history. He’s always been better at exposing the lives of others than showing his own closely guarded heart, but the pleasures of small-town life and the searing sensuality of Isabel’s kitchen coax him into revealing a few truths of his own.
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I was in the mood for a contemporary romance that had a flare of history in it that was done so well. Susan Wiggs has always been one of my favorite authors so this was great. I highly recommend.
Susan Wiggs never disappoints. Her books have all the feels and The Beekeeper’s Ball is no exception.
Loved this book! All of Susan Wiggs books are great. Each tells a unique story.
This book will have you buzzing with joy!!! What a great read. Loved the storyline and the characters.
I love food and food plus romance is always a win for me. A wonderful journey with two rich characters into their small town lives.
This is the second book in a series, but I think that the author gives enough background that you don’t *need* to read the first book (although that one was better). BEEKEEPER’S BALL is promoted as a modern romance, but there is a second story — Danish resistance to the Nazi invasion — threaded throughout.
I’ve given a lower number of stars because I was bothered by a number of plot “flaws”.
In book #1, the family just about loses Bella Vista because of financial issues. Tess must have made quite a sale/save for the orchard/estate to be able to do the price-is-no-object renovations described in book #2. (Let’s just throw a swimming pool in over there, thank you very much). And they have money to hire staff (resident beekeeper) willy-nilly.
Isabel, a talented chef, is supposedly throwing a wedding for her sister. Yet she has hired a caterer and wedding planner. What exactly was Isabel’s role?
The beehives (and honey, soap, and other related by-products) are supposedly a huge part of Bella Vista’s heritage. Yet Jamie preached to Isabel the ABCs of beekeeping. Who did this prior to Jamie’s arrival?
There was something hinted at (or an opportunity missed) when Mac begins to look at the auto accident. Or is that a teaser for a future installment in the series? And the appearance of an unknown twin in the final pages? Too much of a stretch.
But I did like the story, especially the 1940s parts.
Amazing!
I loved all three books in the series. I have read them twice. They transported me to the wine country each time while I read them at home in the Arizona summer heat.
One of my favorites!
Read a lot of her books. Enjoy them.
Kristin Hannah never disappoints
Susan Wiggs is ALWAYS good! One of my favorite authors.
Susan Wiggs tells stories that are moving, believable and authentic. Her writing is always first class. She is an amazing story teller in so many genres.
I love Susan Wiggs books. They are romantic and easy to read. Characters are well developed as is the setting.
This is the second book in this series, it does need a third book! In my opinion. I loved these books!!!
Entertaining throughout and really liked the characters.
One of the first book I read by Susan Wiggs and it’s one of my favorites written by her!
Not as good as Susan Wiggs usually is. A bit disappointing.
Great book
One of the best books.