Isabel Johansen is finally working on something she loves: turning the house she grew up in into a fabulous cooking school for people who love the culinary arts as much as she does. While there, a writer named Mac comes to work on a story involving her grandfather, a story she hasn't even heard. As her grandfather's story unravels, the chemistry between Mac and Isabel heats up. They both will have to learn to open up about their own pasts if they really want to have a relationship.

THE BEEKEEPER'S BALL by Susan Wiggs has a sweet charm to it. The setting of Bella Vista gives it a very homey feel that makes you want to grab a rocking chair and start reading on the porch. I love the small cooking element in it, as well as the brief historical side with Isabel's grandfather's story. His flashbacks are actually my favorite part of the story, and I love how much emotion is put behind his words.

However, while I like all the unique, individual problems going on with Isabel, Mac, and Isabel's grandfather, I felt left with a lot of unanswered questions by the end. The cook from Isabel's past seemed to be set up as a conflict in the story, but it felt like he just popped randomly in and out at some points. It ended up feeling the same with the grandfather's history and Mac's past marriage. Some excellent starter information is given on both, and some later good detail, but neither felt resolved or closed up. I also expected to see more actual cooking and work towards the cooking school on Isabel's part, but it was hard to gage how passionate she truly was about it until the interview with Mac towards the end.

Overall, THE BEEKEEPER'S BALL may not be my favorite, but I still enjoyed reading it. Fans of Susan Wiggs won't be disappointed with her unique and warm writing style.