Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

Dear Daphne series

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:
I enjoyed this first book in the series, and I'd like to read the next one. The author cleverly wets the reader's whistle without creating a frustrating hanging non-ending. Daphne inherits her aunt's estate with a few strings attached. She is to live in the old, Victorian house and care for two cats. Secondly, she is to write her aunt's advice column, Dear Daphne; and thirdly, she is to marry--within a year! This promises to be an interesting year for Daphne and for the reader.

Daphne is an easy person to like. She makes friends quickly when she relocates back to her childhood home. The people of Appleton are typical small town folk. I think it'd be a nice place to live.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

Discussion questions included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B&H Publishing Group for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.