Review by Booklist Review
Wedding bells are ringing this Christmas in Henry Adams as Bernadine Brown prepares to tie the knot with Mal July, but the bride and groom are not the only ones in the small Kansas town doing a bit of relationship evaluating. With its strong sense of community and brilliantly relatable characters, the latest life-affirming entry in Jenkin's popular Blessing series is a true gift.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The lives of three couples in small-town Henry Adams, Kans., intertwine over the holidays in Jenkins's easy and optimistic 11th Blessings contemporary (after On the Corner of Hope and Main). Bernadine Brown and her love Malachi July are preparing to walk down the aisle. They both hope to maintain their private homes after marriage and neither is aware that the feeling is mutual, leading to some friction. Meanwhile, high school senior Leah Clark, who suffers from self-esteem issues thanks to her abusive mother, breaks up with her boyfriend, Preston Mays, believing that once they go to separate colleges, he'll find someone better. Heartbroken Preston turns to Reverend Paula for guidance. The reverend is embarking on her own relationship with new resident chef Thornton Webb, a man six years her junior who's "never been very spiritual but understands the concept." Jenkins eschews drama for slice-of-life storytelling that highlights the love and interconnectedness of Henry Adams's tightly knit community. The Christmas backdrop and simple plot make this gentle wish fulfillment. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary. (Oct.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Readers looking for uplifting, old-fashioned, small-town holiday celebrations should start planning out their route to Henry Adams, KS. After being purchased several years ago by Bernadine Brown on eBay, the community known as Henry Adams has become an ideal small town, combining big-city diversity with tight-knit and supportive neighbors. Arriving before the holidays, well-respected chef Thornton "Thorn" Webb hopes to build relationships before he begins detailed planning with the three co-owners of the town's newest eatery, Three Spinsters. Thorn considers a more personal relationship with reverend Paula Grant, and she might also be interested. This 11th "Blessings" story (following On the Corner of Hope and Main) can be read on its own but will likely spur readers to go back to the previous 10 titles. The town is full of charming characters, each with their own backstory that is referenced while the current action unfolds, updating both new and returning readers. The book still spends plenty of time on existing romantic relationships and new partnerships. VERDICT The blend of Fannie Flagg charm and the kindness of Jan Karon's Mitford novels will draw new fans to Jenkins's series.--Stacey Hayman
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
People in a small town evaluate their familial and romantic relationships. Henry Adams, Kansas has a rich historical legacy as a town that was founded by freed slaves. In the first book of this long-running series, Bernadine Brown bought the town on eBay and saved it from dying. She also found community and the love of her life, Malachi July. In this installment, Bernadine and Mal have put past dramas and betrayals behind them and are finally ready to tie the knot. While excited and committed to marriage, they each secretly worry about what will happen when they combine their households. Meanwhile, a handsome new chef named Thornton Webb relocates to Henry Adams from San Francisco. He's attracted to the cool and capable Reverend Paula Grant, an integral member of the community. She helps her flock manage their interpersonal relationships: There's an octogenarian remembering his first crush, a young man hurt by contact with his birth mother, and a pair of high school seniors fearing that college will break them up. Although the town is a thriving place for families and seniors, Henry Adams is losing a dynamic young teacher who feels isolated and cut off from other people his age. This forces Bernadine to contemplate a move she has long rejected: growing and expanding Henry Adams to ensure its future. The book is jam-packed with characters and ongoing plot lines, but Jenkins provides enough background to remind returning readers of past events or enable new readers to jump right in. The books are a testament to the power of community and how love--whether romantic or between family members or friends--can heal all wounds. Strong, capable women are the core of the story, learning to love and speak up for themselves. Or, as one of Thorn's new friends explains to him, "Women here are something else. Nothing small-town about any of them at all." A lovely, affirming novel about the power of love. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
