He Should Have Told the Bees - by Amanda Cox (Hardcover)

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox is the amazing story of two strong and confident women. Beckett is a beekeeper, learning all that she has from her father. Her mother left her and her father at a young age. Suddenly her father passes away. Beckett receives information about a trust. She has no idea what is happening or why she received this information. Callie is helping her mother recover from addiction yet again. Will her mother successfully complete treatment? How many more times can Callie go through this. Why did Callie receive information about a trust? I have to admit when I first started the book I was rather confused. After a few chapters, however, I was intrigued. I could not put the book down. I couldn’t wait to continue and read on. This is an amazing story well crafted by the author. I highly recommend. I can't wait to read more book by Amanda Cox!

He Should Have Told the Bees isn't a lighthearted read that you can read and set aside. It is, instead, a deep, thought-provoking book that deserves to be read again, slowly! Author Amanda Cox shares a story of love lost, hope regained, and the pain that comes from learning truths that have been hidden. Callie Peterson never knew who her father was and her life with her mother hasn't been happy or fulfilling. How will she deal with the knowledge that she has a half-sister she didn't know existed? Why is she mentioned in a stranger's will? Cox has created complex characters who are victims of mental illness, alcoholism, and neglect, but she makes sure that they also experience points of light! I loved the references to beekeeping and the joy that Beckett Walsh derives from carrying on her father's life work. There are some suggestions of romance for both Callie and Beck but this isn't a romantic love story. This is a story of family, faith, and friendship, and there are many emotional moments that made me cry. I recommend He Should Have Told the Bees to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction and I will be placing it on the keeper shelf in my bookcase! I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

This book was a very slow burn for me. A lot of time was spent building up the back stories about each of the women and their lives and struggles. It wasn't until about 40% through the book that I started to care about the plot and became interested in the new revelations and decisions that had to be made. Usually I give up on a book by then, but I'm glad I didn't.

I love reading Amanda Cox's books. Why? Because they are deep, thought-provoking, and profound. They change you. He Should Have Told the Bees is difficult to review because I have no words. "...My name is Katya Amadeus Cimmaron. I hail from the planet Zirthwyth of the Vesper Galaxy." There are many layers to He Should Have Told the Bees. Like a ripe onion, the first layers sting but don't quite bring the tears. It's the later layers that get you. This story deals with grief from loss, loss of dreams, unstable family, found family, and so much more. There are secrets upon secrets, and the more you read, the more you learn. There are also little doses of humor mixed in, which keeps the book from being too heavy. Our main characters are Beckett and Callie, who meet when they are both named in Beckett's father's trust. Beckett is grieving, and Callie sees it as an answer to all her problems. But things are not as they seem. You also have an excellent cast of supporting characters, from the precocious ten-year-old Fern (aka Katya), Isaac, Annette, Luke, Lindy, and the bees. This story would not be complete if you removed even one of them. While I wasn't as fascinated by all the details of the bees and their care, I still learned quite a bit. I was amazed at the profoundness the author conveyed from the bees, especially later in the story (this might not make sense, but once you read the story, you will understand what I am trying to say). Beckett and Callie both experience great character growth, as do Fern and Isaac. I really enjoyed this story and wasn't quite ready for the book to end. Thank you to Revell and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! A story of compassion, courage and family. This story certainly tugged on a few of my heartstrings. The subject of anxiety was brought up throughout the book. Amanda dealt with the subject of anxiety with a gentle and understanding touch. Beck is just AMAZING! She faced enormous difficulties but she persevered and became stronger! I loved learning about beekeeping! It's fascinating! A beautifully written book that is a must read! I was provided a copy of the book by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

He Should Have Told the Bees, by Amanda Cox, is a delicately written story that touches on subjects such as loss, drug abuse, abandonment, anxiety and family secrets. This is a wonderful story that is easy to read and visualize. The mysteries and secrets of Beckett’s and Callie’s pasts are interesting to read. I enjoyed the characters and how strong they are to go through the different struggles in their lives. I found the subject of the honeybees interesting and liked how Beckett shared her knowledge with the little neighbor girl. Beckett has so much to do each day, but still finds time to watch the little girl. I found it interesting that Beckett and Callie had never met but both shared different aspects of the bees. I especially enjoyed finding out the family history and the reason behind Beckett’s father’s will. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this wonderful book, this is my honest review.

A story that navigates through family secrets and childhood traumas, He Should have Told the Bees is heartfelt read. While looking back in time to find answers of why they’ve been brought together, Beck and Callie find healing, hope, and fellowship for the future. Amanda Cox has written such real characters that you are able to connect to and root for. I loved taking a deeper look at beekeeping woven through the book. There are also two beautiful budding love stories. ⁣⁣

This is the third book that I have read by Amanda Cox. While it may be my least favorite of the three, that by no means means that it is not a worthy read. I give He Should Have Told the Bees four stars. It is a well-written family drama with a very original plot. As usual, this author's skill with character development shines through. I was definitely satisfied that the time spent reading this book was time well spent. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is a complex story of relationships and family. Beckett Walsh’s father has passed, and she is summoned to appear at a meeting to discuss her father’s trust. During the meeting she discovers she has a sister. Her sister, Callie Peterson is finally about to realize her dream of starting her own shop when her mother appears needing financial help. Callie too is summoned to the same meeting to discuss the trust of George Walsh, a man she has never met. However, Callie is intrigued thinking perhaps now she can help her mother without interrupting her business plans. There are several twists and turns in this narrative, both in the plot but also in the relationships between the characters. There is also the mystery over who Callie’s father is. The author did a nice job of building both Callie and Beckett’s character and setting up their present by describing their past. The supporting characters were also well developed and added dimension to the overall story, especially, Fern who was also struggling with family issues and belonging. This book dealt with some heavy issues such as mental health and addiction. I liked the way the story was organized. There was a chapter about Callie then a chapter about Beckett. I did get a little impatient wondering how their lives were going to intersect. Overall, it was a very well written novel which I would recommend reading.

Thanks to the author and Revell/Baker Publishing Group for an advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own. Wow! Five stars isn’t enough. This really was an amazing novel – the writing was excellent, the multidimensional characters were memorable and vivid, the romance was sweet, and the different levels of meaning from the themes to the symbolism to the imagery were outstanding. I was so impressed with how it all fit together. With themes of family, forgiveness, and faith, this dazzling novel unites three women into the family they’ve all longed for. As one of the characters says: “It's possible for treasured things to come out of the brokenness. Even if it doesn’t happen the way any of us would have wanted. Even if it comes through loss.” Author Amanda Cox used her hobby and personal knowledge of bees and beekeeping to craft this heartwarming and remarkable story. It’s a winner and another poignant Amanda Cox story of hope, healing, and home. I highly recommend this, and it’s one of my new favorites.

This is a story that is filled with emotions, of all kinds, and it will tug your heart strings! The acts of others and how they ultimately affect you, that is shown here and how it has affected generations. We meet Beckett as she is reeling from the sudden death of her father, and the sudden appearance of a little girl, if we listen to her she is an alien from another country. Beck is trying to explain to the bees that her father is no longer there, and we soon learn a lot about bees, most I never knew! There is more heartache around the corner for Beck, but it can be a life changer! Then there is Callie, a girl that more or less brought up herself, and is still taking care of her mother, but you wonder if anything is ever going to help. What do these women have in common? Well, we are going to find out, and I did guess partially wrong, but the journey for answers is quite bumpy, and sad at times, but in some way we really learn a lot about this family. There are gifts here to be received and we hope these wounded individuals will received what is offered! You will be page turning for answers! I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

There are so many layers to this lovely, sometimes heartbreaking, book. Beckett is at a loss when her father dies suddenly of a heart attack. This is the father who has sheltered Beck for all of her twenty-eight years after another significant loss and enabled her to live a contented, though isolated, life on their bee farm. To say Beck is shocked when she's informed her father left half the property in trust to a woman she'd never heard of, is an understatement. Around the same time, a charming little girl appears on Beck's farm and becomes her shadow and apprentice. She and her uncle are spending the summer on a neighboring farm. Beckett is strong and hardworking but also struggles in some areas. I loved seeing her open up to others and begin to heal as she and Callie try to discover why they are now co-owners of the Walsh farm. Callie has her own issues to work through in her journey to healing. I very much enjoyed He Should Have Told the Bees and highly recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

“Uncovering long-held family secrets may sting at first–but the result can be sweeter than honey,” states the bi-line on Amazon for Amanda Cox’s novel, He Should Have Told the Bees. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-thirty-six-page advance reader copy targets those who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction regarding family relationships, secrets, and abandonment. With no profanity, topics of addiction, disease, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes a teaser of the author’s next book, acknowledgments, a biography, and advertisements. In this current-day story set in Tennessee, twenty-eight-year-old Beckett is devastated when her father passes away. When she learns that Callie, a woman she doesn’t know and a few years older, is the co-trustee of the family farm, she cannot understand her father’s reasoning to share the farm. While Callie keeps secrets of her own past that involve Beckett’s mom, Beckett fears the worst that her cherished bee apiary will be taken away from her. ~ Why ~ Dealing with abandonment, addiction, or agoraphobia can be earth-shattering to a victim, especially if they cannot move onward in life or only try to please others. I like how the brokenness of the women was weaved together with bees, a young precocious girl, an obtrusive aunt, and several men with heartfelt intentions. The story is tender in its approach to relying on God for the answers, even when one does not understand why. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not like the Christian undertones that include praying to God. Others might not like the sensitive subjects of parents rejecting and neglecting their young ones or turning to alcohol for temporary relief. ~ Wish ~ I wish the ending were not predictable. ~ Want ~ If you like a contemporary Christian read about how being stung by the past forces two women to leave their comfort zone, this is a deep, loving read. Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

He Should Have Told The Bees is a beautiful story and I loved every page! Author Amanda Cox takes the reader on an amazing journey and makes you feel like you are right there experiencing everything with the characters. And her pretty descriptions of Walsh Farm make me wish I could visit! I learned about the lives and habits of bees, I learned about how good counseling sessions can turn people's lives around. I learned about Callie Peterson and her dysfunctional upbringing, and Beckett Walsh and the anxiety she experiences every time she leaves the farm. Then a life changing event happens, and their lives are unexpectedly thrown together where they both search for answers and healing. Like a beautiful puzzle, this story takes shape as each piece is discovered. What a compelling, page-turning, fantastic story of finding family when you thought you had none, and finding courage and healing. This book will resonate with many, I highly recommend it! Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this unforgettable story!

Amanda Cox's first two books quickly made her a must-read author for me, and her newest novel, He Should Have Told the Bees, easily added confirmation to that decision. I love reading books that go beyond surface-level entertainment and dig into hard subjects people struggle with and provide hope. This latest offering by Amanda Cox meets all those desires and more. I recommend you give this one a read. I don't think you'll be disappointed. *Thanks to the author and Baker Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

What a beautiful, poignant, heartfelt story that met everything I need to make it on my top ten books of 2023 list. I was immediately swept into the life of Beckett and her heartbreak of losing a father she adored. Navigating life after the loss of a parent is difficult enough without learning secrets that could shatter the only life you have ever known. I loved how the story is shared from each sister that didn’t know the other one existed until a will brings them together but also threatens to separate them. I enjoyed the healing aspect of caring for the bees and how therapeutic it can be to mental health. I took a bee keeping class so it was nice to realize the research that went into making this story realistic. One of my favorite parts was the addition of the child Fern who brought that added spark to the story. It was refreshing to see how honestly mental health was addressed and how important faith plays into healing of family relationships. I can’t sing the praises of this book enough without spoiling it so I will just say it still resonates like the hum of the bees to my heart. I encourage you to pick up a copy and settle in for a book you will not want to put down. Mine will go on my keeper shelf of other beloved books to revisit again. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

What if starting over means losing part of your past, your heritage that you had always counted on? Beckett Walsh is a beekeeper, working contentedly alongside her father, until his sudden death. Now her plans for her future, keeping the apiary on Walsh Farms going and living a solitary life are in flux because a stranger has arrived and presents a claim to the farm, also. Beckett and Callie never met each other before and have to work at discovering their connection to Beckett’s dad George. Together, they face difficult challenges of finding out about the past and about each other as they also have to decide what to do about the apiary that is part of Beckett’s security. The characters in this book were so realistic that they had me crying real tears over their dilemmas. This is a book that is emotionally rich and it totally placed itself right into my heart. It is an extremely powerful story of family secrets, alcoholism, broken relationships and the courage it takes to create a new path in life. This is a poignant story of learning to adapt, with a hidden mystery and a lot of authentic details about beekeeping. The characters tugged all of my heartstrings, especially a little girl who was a secondary character and who brought humor at the best times. The writing was sharp, eye-opening and thought-provoking. The insight provided by the author into depression, anxiety and substance abuse was profoundly moving and brilliantly woven into the central story. There is absolutely nothing that I did not like about this story, and I would rate it ten stars if possible. As it is, I plan to re-read it just for the sheer pleasure of visiting with the characters again. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”