Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson. B&H, 2013. 320p. (9781433679308) Series: Dear Daphne, #1

One thing I really appreciated about this book is that it didn’t solve all her problems in a 320 page time span, it didn’t try to cram in a year’s worth of struggles and life lessons, but rather set a slow and steady pace and didn’t rush the what Daphne was experiencing.

Goodreads Summary:

With high hopes, Daphne Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dee passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Daphne only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dee’s cats.

And if Daphne thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dee's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.

My Review:

When I first spotted this book this summer I knew it would be an interesting read. So I was quite excited when I was able to get a chance from NetGalley to review it. And it didn’t disappoint.

Daphne is a very likable character who has gotten stuck in her life and job – not that she’s complaining though. She’s smart and funny, yet she has very real worries and confusion about life, love and the future. I really enjoyed her Dear Daphne letters to herself and watching her faith and trust in God grow.

copper 1955 corvette

The other characters are just as delightful (well, minus that one guy) and even those this is the first book in the series and lots of people had to be introduced, they are still fleshed out. But I’m still eager to get to know them better. Especially Mick and Ricardo.

Fun fact: The copper 1955 corvette that Aunt Dee had really is a rare car and in 2011 one was found after 45 years in storage. Makes me wonder if the author heard about that while thinking about this book.

Melody Carlson writes clean romance stories and this one is no exception. There are a few kisses and Daphne is caught unawares in her pjs once.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com; Buy it from Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via 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.

  

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