Kristina Anderson
The Room with the Second Best View by Virginia Smith is the third book in Tales from the Goose Creek Bed and Breakfast. Millie Richardson has convinced her husband, Al to sell their home and buy this beautiful, big Victorian home. It will be a bed and breakfast that they will run after Al retires (in about two years). In the meantime, Millie and her friend, Violet have been working on each room along with the handyman, Justin Hinkle. Justin had been staying in the house, but now he is moving into his own home and his marrying the local veterinarian, Dr. Susan Jeffries (of Goose Creek Animal Clinic). The two have planned a simple wedding, but Justin’s Aunt Lorna has some different ideas (and she always gets what she wants). Millie is going down the steps in her bunny slippers one morning, slips, and falls. Millie sprains her wrist and her caboose. This puts a wrinkle in some of Millie’s activities and the burden is going to fall to Al. Millie agreed to let Justin and Susan’s wedding guests to stay with them. Millie considers it a trial run for the B&B (she is going to find out how unprepared she actually is for this new venture). Al is not thrilled especially now that the works is going to fall on him. Millie assures him that the guests will only be there for a few days. But then Aunt Lorna shows up three weeks early with a mountain of luggage (demanding the best room in the house). There is no other place in town for Aunt Lorna to stay. Justin’s new home is not furnished. This is just the beginning of the problems for Al, Millie, Justin, and Susan. Will the four of them make it to the wedding day? What is going to happen to Justin and Susan’s “simple” wedding? What else is in store for Millie and Al? You will have to find out by reading The Room with the Second Best View. The Room with the Second Best View is a must read. It had me laughing frequently throughout the story (especially Aunt Lorna’s antics). While it is the third book in the series, it can be read alone (background information on characters is provided). The writing is very good, and the book has a good flow. I was totally engrossed in this book while reading it (and I got annoyed every time my mother interrupted me to ask why I was laughing). The characters are entertaining and very relatable. Ms. Smith really brings them to life through her writing. I did not want the story to end. I give The Room with the Second Best View 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). I am definitely getting the other books in the series to read. I especially like that there is no foul language or sex in the books (it does not need it). The author achieved just the right tone with her humor (it is not over the top and the incidents are things that could happen to any of us). I hope I have nudged you in the direction of reading this charming book! I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions provided are strictly my own.
