A Haven on Orchard Lane

Much-Loved Lawana Blackwell Delivers Another Charming Victorian-Era Tale

In difficult circumstances, Charlotte Ward, once a famed stage actress, tries to restart her career--only to experience disaster. Against her better judgment, her estranged daughter, Rosalind, comes to her mother's rescue and moves her to a quiet English coastal village.
Charlotte is grateful to get to know Rosalind after years apart. As one who has regrets about her own romantic past, it's a joy for Charlotte to see love blossom for her daughter. For Rosalind, however, it's time away from teaching--and now she must care for the mother who wasn't there for her. And what could be more complicated than romance?
Together, mother and daughter discover that healing is best accomplished when they focus less on themselves and more on the needs of others.

My Review: 8.5/10

I was SO excited to get this book! I have waited such a long time for a new Lawana Blackwell novel. And it doesn't disappoint.

There is a lot of leaning on God (and learning to trust Him) in this book, which I loved. There is a little intrigue and a lot of forgiveness and God-driven purpose. I respect that Ms. Blackwell does not feel the need to tie up every loose end and doesn't have every character change for the better, no matter the effort and prayer involved. It makes it easier to relate to.

*spoiler*
The only criticism that I have is that the mother-daughter relationship seemed to have been resolved very quickly considering the circumstances. I mean, I'm glad it didn't drag on unnecessarily. It's just that I really felt for Rosalind and didn't think I'd forget as easily. Children desperately desire relationships with their parents, and will forgive them almost anything. But the effects still last- trust issues, bitterness, jealousy, insecurities, whatever forms the abandonment takes. So to have Rosalind just immediately jump into a healthy and happy relationship with her mother alienated me a bit as reader. But just a bit.

From the way it ended, I don't think we can expect this one to turn into a series, but I sure hope this means there will be more of her books to look forward to in the near future. There are just none like her.