Where Grace Appears is the first book in Heidi Chiavaroli‘s new series The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast. In a modern take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, this book follows Josie Martin’s return to Maine and her renewed friendship with her childhood best friend, Tripp Colton.

I love the story of Little Women, so I couldn’t wait to read Heidi Chiavaroli’s contemporary version of the old story. I wasn’t disappointed! The author brought the characters to life in such a way that I felt like visiting old friends. And while the story held similarities to the original, there were twists that gave it a fresh new telling.

Josie returns home with a secret that will change her life and the life of everyone she’s close to. Recognizing she might not be able to fulfill her own dreams, she decides to fulfill her mother’s instead. But the risky business decision takes the whole family and Tripp, and it could still fail, just like Josie has.

Tripp never stopped loving Josie, even though she broke his heart. He knows she’s hiding something and he wants to help. But faced with his own downfalls, he could ruin any hope he has of winning Josie in the end.

One of my favorite parts of this story is how real the characters felt. They had quirks and failures, even as they tried to be adults who responded as they felt God wanted them to. This real-ness endeared the characters and made me root for them even more.

The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast series is just beginning and I can’t wait to read Maggie’s story, which comes next. If you love Little Women, definitely give this story a try! You can read my First Line Friday post featuring Where Grace Appears here.

---

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.