Welcome to Honey B&B is written by a long-time favorite Melody Carlson. She was one of the Christian YA authors that I fell in love with in junior high and have been reading on and off for years. When I see a book is by Melody Carlson, I instantly know it is going to be a good book. And this was no exception. I was swept into the story from the vert start.

The character development was amazing. Seeing the decline of CT was so hear breaking. But getting to see how each character interacts with him was so telling of who they were. I loved seeing Honey’s love for her husband, but also being torn by her hopes and dreams. I loved getting to know Jewel seeing her interact with her father’s decline and navigating two different love interests. I also loved seeing Cooper step up to help her mom and grandma with her grandpa, while also moving to a new state and trying to make new friends.

The setting and storyline were perfect. I loved being on a little bee farm in the country. Helping Jewel turn the farmhouse into a little B&B was a cute hallmark storyline and setting.

The romance element was cute. Very closed door and low spice, which I appreciate. It was fun that she had two men interested in her and Jewel had to decide between the two.

Melody Carlson did a great job intertwining faith throughout the novel. It was really encouraging. I also appreciated the personal touch to this story. Make sure to read the authors notes on this story.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Welcome to the Honey B&B is a sweet story of family overcoming challenges and growing together. It was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. When the last chapter is finished, and it’s time to say goodbye, you’re going to feel like Honey and Jewel have imprinted on your heart forever. Knowing that the author wrote from her own experiences, makes this even more of a precious treasure.

Welcome to the Honey B&B

This story covers a serious subject. Jewel McKerry returns to her childhood home, trying to help her parents, Honey and CT, and give her daughter a new direction. Honey is dealing with early onset dementia of her husband CT. The daily challenges and struggles of memory loss were taking a toll on Honey. Trusting God when things don't make sense, this story is heartbreaking yet inspirational.

Melody Carlson has written a compassionate story reflected by her own ongoing experience. Her characters are believable and reflect her ability to bring the story to life.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

I really enjoyed this book. It deals with a serious subject early-onset dementia. We meet Honey and CT who is suffering from early-onset dementia at the beginning of the story. They live on a farm and one of CT’s favourite things is honey from his bees. We can see Honey’s struggles with CT’s memory. Their daughter Jewel and granddaughter Cooper live in California and make the choice to move back to Oregon to help.

Cooper is 13 and having teenage issues which the city isn’t helping. Jewels needs a change of scenery and Honey needs the help. CT thinks their neighbour is trouble which causes some interesting encounters. Jewel has the idea to turn the house into a B&B to generate some income.

This book shows how early-onset dementia affects everyone in a family not just the affected person. While this is a story it highlights what it is like caring for someone with dementia. There are times I can feel the frustrations of the characters. Seeing how the characters learn coping skills as the book goes one mirrors real-life. Personally, my dad suffered a stroke that affected his ability to make decisions. Reading this story I could see my mother in how Honey handles many situations.

This would be a great book for a book club wanting to talk about a serious issue and how it affects us in different ways. This book can help educate people as to how it is to live with someone with dementia. How there are no easy answers, and everyone has a different response.

I enjoyed that the story was told from the point of view of the two female characters, Honey (mom) and Jewel (daughter).


Jewel returns to get childhood home with her teenage daughter to help care for her dad, CT, who has dementia. The author's personal experience for caring for a loved one with dementia, shines through in this story and makes the experiences much more realistic. The story really centers on CT and how the family tries to support him best.

Cooper, the teenage daughter, was probably my favorite character. Once they made the move to Oregon, she seemed to be the one who adapted the best. Cooper also worked so well with her grandpa and seemed to have a calming presence for him.

I would have liked to see more of the bed and breakfast and how that worked out for the family.

Thanks to netgalley and Revell for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I liked how the author gave us a peek into the main character’s head space, throughout the story. Melody Carlson’s novels are outstanding because they never fail to inspire me and transport me to fascinating places. This novel is deeply moving as the author shared (through her characters) some of the challenges she faced with her husband when he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. The author beautifully depicts how this illness affects the entire family.

Since Jewel McKerry’s mother is the only caregiver for her father Jewel can't help but feel an urgent need to help her mother. She also thinks that this will be very good for her thirteen-year-old daughter, who just started to hang out with the wrong group of kids.

.As Jewel and Cooper begin to assist her mom, Jewel has a brilliant idea that she believes will benefit the family. I thought Jewel's idea was fresh and innovative. I like how the author drew the reader into her experience as her plan unfolds. I thought it was wonderful that she took the time to visit the county fair and witness the incredible sense of community there.

In many ways, Jewel's plan would represent a fresh start for the whole family. I liked how the author had interwoven a lighthearted approach to dealing with weighty issues. This novel is a thought-provoking, inspiring read, mixed with honesty, humor, and faith. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I had the opportunity to be on the launch team for this upcoming release, and I found the book to be a pleasant and meaningful read. Because Honey is the caretaker for her husband, who has a form of dementia, I think this book will especially resonate with women in the caregiver role. My favorite aspect of the novel was how the cloud of memory loss in a loved one was ringed with the silver lining of Honey and CT's daughter and granddaughter moving in to help and make the most of life together.

Welcome to the Honey B&B by Melody Carlson

In Welcome to the Honey B&B, Honey and CT are navigating the challenging waters of FTD (frontotemporal dementia) in the farmhouse they've called home since their marriage. When their daughter, Jewel, and granddaughter, Cooper, find themselves in need of a fresh start, they sell everything and move in to help out. However, change and dementia don’t always mix well, and Jewel’s ambitious idea to turn the old farmhouse into a bed and breakfast may prove to be more than she can handle. Throw in an attractive, single father neighbor, and you have the perfect blend of real-life struggles and cozy romance.

This book touched my heart deeply with its portrayal of Honey and CT’s daily challenges with memory loss. Having witnessed my own parents experience this heartbreaking disease, I feel Melody Carlson did a fantastic job capturing those raw emotions and moments, skillfully weaving them into the narrative of the romance and personal growth of their daughter and granddaughter. It’s a heartwarming, faith-filled read, offering a genuine depiction of dementia/FTD, and it left me with a newfound respect and appreciation for Carlson’s storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An easy to read, well written book that deals with the subject of dementia in a compassionate way; while telling a lovely, multi-family tale.

I have read many of Melody Carlson‘s holiday books and I’ve enjoyed all of them. They are usually light reads that are fairly quick paced and easy to get through but this one was a bit heavier of a topic. With CT losing his memory it brought up a lot of sad realities that a lot of people face. It wasn’t as light and fluffy as her others, but it was still very well written book. I enjoyed it, but this wasn’t a book I would’ve picked if I was looking for a light fun read.

Melody Carlson's finest book to date. The beautiful country setting, the wonderful strong and realistic characters, the painful topic of frontotemporal dementia (ftd) and how it affects so many lives, and the overwhelming themes of love, faith, family, friends, and resilience all blend together brilliantly to make this a book I'll never forget. Finding out after reading it that ftd is part of Melody Carlson's life shows why she was able to write the characters of CT and Honey so beautifully. I have a dear friend with this brutal disease and I thought of her and tears fell quite often while reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone touched by this terrible disease and also for anyone who has been blessed not to have it in their life.

Wow! Welcome to the Honey B&B is a sweet, provocative, and heartbreaking look at how frontal temporal dementia affects families. This tender story has it all - romance, laughter, and redemption.

Carlson brings her signature sweetness to the Honey B&B and flavors the whole story with her bee-loving character CT. His strength reflects the iron will it takes for his wife Honey to deal with the consequences of his condition, but it's the grace with which Honey herself faces each day that make this story shine. As the matriarch of this family who's suddenly thrust into the leading role, her job is impossibly difficult, but the example she sets for her family is one that will bless everyone who reads the story.

I don't know how to characterize this book: it's so much more than a romance or a contemporary women's fiction story. Those labels leave too much out. Welcome to the Honey B&B reminds us all that life is difficult but sweet, to make the most of every day, and that it's okay to dream. If you're a reader who enjoys books that teach the sweet lessons about life, then Welcome to the Honey B&B is definitely the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this poignant novel! Three generations come together - to laugh, cry, fight, and figure out life together. Honey and CT are in their 60's and looking forward to retirement or slowing down at least and enjoying life on the farm. But a debilitating disease comes knocking and changes all their plans. Their Daughter Jewel is experiencing her own trials in the busy city and dealing with her teenage daughter Cooper's angst. Will returning home to help with her parents be the best solution for everyone? She admits she's impulsive but selling everything and heading out on a road trip from CA to OR - is it too much? Add in a helpful handsome neighbor, an old flame, and bees that have a mind of their own and things get interesting. A delightful tale that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for this sweet family.

Gracefully written book focusing on early onset dementia in a fictional setting. Funny, sad, touching, heartbreaking, hopeful and inspirational. Melody Carlson beautifully tackles a tough condition using her magnificent writing skills. Definitely worth the read. This book was provided through #NetGalley for me to read and review, These are my own personal opinions.

Welcome to the Honey B & B
By Melody Carlson
Pub Date: March 4, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I loved this story. You’ll find romance, friendship, hope, and joy bundled with determination and reality.
As a reader, I have personally experienced family members with dementia. This story gave me hope and insight, even as I felt some sadness. The one thing I was reminded of was to love the individual and treat them as the person they are. I love that Jewell and Honey respected CT as a person even though he could no longer do the things he used to do.
One of the other aspects of the book I enjoyed was the bees. CT’s bees play a significant part in the story. And neighbor Miguel—he’s wonderful.
Great women's fiction offering!

An inspirational heartfelt story centered around family and friendship. Set in Oregon on a family farm, a daughter's return to help out her parents brings more than she had bargained for, and a new beginning for her own story.

The personal side of caring for aging parents and a spouse with dementia was told in an authentic way, showing how difficult it can be, yet rewarding with gentle loving care and respect. The author's own personal experience makes this story extra special. I especially felt for Honey as she had so much adjustment and loss. Jewel is a great example of a woman in the 'sandwich generation', with a teenager of her own, and the special needs of her dad. I love how the author used her character to show the struggle between caring for each one and realizing her own dreams.

Meaningful moments worked into the story brought many inspirational lessons: Trusting God when things don't make sense. Taking life one day at a time and practicing an attitude of thankfulness. Finding joy in the little victories each day. Taking the time to rest and draw in a deep breath when life is stressful. Grieving the loss of our dreams and learning to let go. Giving each other the gift of grace. Forgiving others and also forgiving ourselves. It made me think and stuck with me long after the last page.

An uplifting read for those who enjoy a contemporary story with inspiration, a bit of romance, and hope. Recommend! 4. 5 stars

Melody Carlson writes books with a light-hearted hand, but this one is a bit more serious and true-to-life. At the end of the book she tells her readers that this comes from a place in her heart that makes the story more real and deeper than some of her others. This depth creates a thoughtful story that touches the soul.

At the heart of this novel is CT, a man suffering from Frontotemporal Dementia. It's a devastating illness because the sufferer knows something is wrong but can't do anything about it. CT's hobby has been keeping bees and when his daughter and granddaughter came to help his wife, his granddaughter picked up his hobby of keeping bees.

Welcome to the Honey B&B really delves into some real-life situations and gives them a humane treatment. While the book is promoted as a romance, what little romance there is, is understated and quite quiet.

This is the best Melody Carlson book I've read. It presents real struggles with real personalities. This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a honeybee hive.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

What a wonderful read about family supporting each other through their dreams and their reality. FTD was a hard topic to read about, but I love that the author didn't gloss over it or make it seem easy. Reading her notes at the end and you can understand why. What a wonderful, heartfelt book.

When I pick up a Melody Carlson book, I have no doubts that I am in for a beautiful story that is filled with so much heart... and that was absolutely the case with this one, though admittedly it wasn't quite what I expected either. In many ways, this was a tough story to read--- let's be honest, dementia is not an easy topic to read about. And yet, Melody created this story that was both humorous and heartfelt, not shying away from the difficult reality of FTD that so many face in a really genuine way. Those lighter hearted moments kept it from feeling too heavy overall, while still being very informative. You could certainly see the author's heart in this story. While this book was listed as romance, I would say it really does read more like women's fiction than romance in many ways. There is definitely some romance there still (and I loved this example of a true love story in CT and Honey), but I didn't feel like it was as much at the center of the story. If you're looking for a beautiful Christian fiction read, this is certainly one to check out.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Welcome to the Honey B&B was a sweet story about a family (& found family) working together to keep up with their day to day, while also caring for CT, who has early onset dementia. This story had a bit of romance, a lot of heartache, and characters who persevere through it all.

I enjoyed this book, but I do feel like the book description was not aligned to the story. To me, HB&B was a story of heartache & survival, despite what life might bring along the way. CT was described as goofy/humorous and, while we saw glimpses of that, it didn’t resonate with me. I enjoyed the multiple POV story, but was left wanting more on a few of the plot lines presented throughout.

Readers who love Christian fiction, rural / farm life, and resilient characters will enjoy this book.