Rating 4 out of 5 stars.
Rena is 38 and basically an old maid. She's been living with her brother in Mississippi since her parents died in a house fire when she was 14. While she loves them, the work she does knitting and sewing for charity just seems like such a small offering. When Rena becomes aware of a need for a director at a children's home in Oklahoma, she is convinced it's what she's meant to do. It's in a town called Daisy...and that's her favorite flower. She quickly writes and accepts the position.
However, the actual job of caring for 17 rambunctious children is more than she thought it would be. Not to mention that half the town is convinced that the orphanage should be closed. Thankfully, she has the support of the local sheriff, a widower who just happens to be kind and pretty good looking. Can Rena win over these children and get a handle on this orphanage director thing? And what does she do about the secret love letters showing up occasionally?
This was a very sweet and fun read. One unique part was that each chapter begins with "parenting tips" from one of the characters in the story which is something I have not seen before.
The characters were likable and even the most grouchy softened over time. I didn't give this five stars because the first 2/3s of the book was just OK. Fun enough to read but not terribly exciting. It really did pick up in the last 1/3, however. I wouldn't read it a second time, but I'm glad to have found it for this once. It would be a great summer or beach read!
