He Should Have Told the Bees

Sisters who didn't know of each other's existence...each struggling with difficulties in her life...the two men who care for them and want to help...a small girl with problems of her own who brings light and joy...bees, so many bees: a fascinating book and a joy to read. It's a hard story in some ways, but I loved seeing the growth of sisters Callie and Beck. The way they meet and navigate the challenging situation in which they find themselves is beautifully described. The mental health issues each encounters, works through and begins to rise to above were enlightening to me, not having dealt with this kind of thing myself. I love it when a good novel teaches me about a foreign-to-me aspect of life, because it helps me to understand show more others better. He Should Have Told the Bees does that. show less

“He’s gone. He’s not coming back. It’s just me now.”

Two young women, strangers and alone in the world, find themselves thrust into each others’ lives in an irrevocable way. Finding their common denominator brings its own crisis, as each would have given her eye teeth for what she believes the other had. Can the young women with so little in common, work together to forge a better future than the pasts they endured? Will they allow others around them into the deepest parts of their hearts and lives, or will they continue as they were, totally alone, totally “safe”?

With He Should Have Told the Bees, Amanda Cox has penned a poignant, angsty, yet faith-endowed story that will stay with me for a long time after the last page show more swipe. My heart hurts. Yours might, too, and you might need Kleenex. This is really the story of two grown-up children.
Both Callie and Beck have become young adults, but their troubled backgrounds keep their emotional growth stunted. Beck hides out on her farm, continuing to raise her father’s beloved bees, and Callie is trying to get her own small business going when the past comes back in physical form.
I was happy to see that Cox mentions therapy a lot in the book. Some issues are too deeply ingrained for a person to find their way out alone. I was also happy to see how well she describes panic attacks (people that have never had one, often don’t understand the seriousness of one.) And these are serious! I wanted to cry for these little girls grown up so many times.

But… there are many people who are knocking on their heart’s door, trying to get in to offer support, comfort, and a listening ear, if not wisdom. Will either or both girls open their hearts’ door, or had they slammed them too tight years ago?

My runaway fave secondary character is
Katya or Fern. Because of her imagination. Her love for the bees. Her quick “adoption” of Beck, whether Beck wanted claimed or not!!

I highly recommend this book. I received a copy from Revell Reads. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“It’s hard to know the difference between tough love and giving up on someone.”

“…beauty comes from the light. Dust doesn’t change itself. The light does that.”

“Healing is like an onion. It might feel like you’re going in circles, but you’re actually discovering new layers.” show less

I came into this novel with no expectations whatsoever. I didn’t read the synapsis or reviews, and went in completely blind, which is something that I often like to do. I feel like there is no prejudices that way, and it’s easier to give you unbiased opinions on the story.

Melancholy at times, yet hopeful at the same time, He Should Have Told the Bees is the story of two women who are trying to figure out life. Beck has recently lost her father and is in charge of the farm that was partially left to her, which is fine with her. This is Beck’s safe space, especially when she is taking care of the bees, something her and father did together until his passing. Callie is also trying to traverse a rough patch. While trying to get her show more online store moved to a brick and mortar she is also having to take care of her sick mother, an expense she cannot afford. Beck and Callie do not know one another but after one meeting with a lawyer and they both are witnesses to secrets of the past that irrevocability intwine them.

This was a wonderfully emotional story that was oozing originality and charm. All of the characters possess such depth and the world that is created is tangible. You feel what these characters feel and I felt such a kinship to Beck and her struggles with agoraphobia. The mystery that surrounds the entire story intrigued me and kept me picking up the book time and time again. I enjoyed learning so much about beekeeping. It really is such a fascinating subject!

There are some tough subjects tackled, especially in the realm of mental health, but they were handled with the upmost respect and grace, which is appreciated. I won’t spoil anything, but there is a part of Beck’s father’s story that truly broke my heart. I could almost physically feel his anguish as he pined for someone that couldn’t love him the way that he loved her. I know that feeling all too well and it is excruciating.

There is nothing inherently special about He Should Have Told the Bees, and yet there is. This is a story about fear that keeps you frozen, the pain that can come from unspoken secrets, and the deep bonds of family. It is broken. It is beautiful.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

"If she left this evidence of her mourning draped about this field, the sun would eventually fade those stark black mourning cloths to a soft gray. She could only hope that was how grief worked."

Surprisingly this is the first book by Amanda Cox that I have read. I can see why she has won multiple Christy Awards; her writing is beautifully lyrical and tugs at the heart. Though shrouded in grief, loss, pain, and regret, there was a ray of hope around every corner and the secondary characters of Luke, Fern, and Isaac reminded Callie and Beck of that hope. The setting of a farm in TN was quite peaceful and I loved learning about beekeeping and the daily workings of an apiary.

I loved Callie; she was strong but compassionate and survived a show more ton of childhood trauma from living with an addicted and mentally ill mother. She managed her anger and all the crazy secrets that finally came out with maturity and rock solid faith. Beck was a bit less likable - her temper tantrums weren’t endearing, though she did mature towards the end. Little Fern was a hoot and provided that needed moments of laughter and levity when things got heavy. Though their roles were not huge, Luke and Isaac were great spiritual and practical sounding boards for the women and I absolutely adored them.

I received a compliment copy courtesy of Revell via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. show less

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Like many of the books I read, I took a while to really get into this story (it’s not the book; it’s me—I’m a slow-starting reader). But once I was in, I was in! Wow. What a powerful story. One of my favorite things about Cox’s writing is how she writes deep, relatable characters. She delivers on the character front in a big way in this book, making me laugh and want to cry as the different ones in here experienced joy and sorrow. There were a few laugh-out-loud scenes in this story, and some heavier stuff in there that balanced out the humor, but overall, the tone of this story is one of hope, forgiveness, and redemption. It’s not an easy read, necessarily (although I could think of worse!), but oh, it’s a good one—and show more one that you’ll remember long after you read the last page. Cox takes us on a journey—a journey of discovery, untold secrets, and, ultimately, the peace that only the Lord can give. Woven naturally through this book are tips for we can help and support others in what they’re going through, no matter whether it’s lifelong or recent trauma, and I found that especially a blessing. If you’re looking for a deep, rich, encouraging read, pick this book up. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it. show less