He Should Have Told the Bees
A Novel
About
"A heart-deep journey of courage, compassion, and connection."--Amanda Dykes, bestselling and award-winning author of All the Lost Places
Beekeeper Beckett Walsh was living her dream, until her father's death sent her world into a tailspin. She suddenly finds she must deal with a new part owner of the family apiary--one who is looking to sell the property--and she cannot fathom why her father would put her in the position to lose everything they built together.
When Callie Peterson is named in the trust of a man she's never heard of, she's not sure what to do. Her fledgling business has just taken wing and her mother has reentered her life asking for help, making Callie's financial situation rather . . . precarious. She's sure she has no right to someone else's farm, but the money from the sale could solve her problems and give her the stability she's always craved.
With an entangled past behind them and an uncertain future ahead, Beckett and Callie must discover why they've been thrown together before all is lost.
"This novel speaks to each heart's yearning for home--but one that is more than just a place on a map. A beautiful and poignant must-read."--Jennifer L. Wright, author of If It Rains and The Girl from the Papers
"He Should Have Told the Bees is the type of book that is destined to become an often-visited friend."--Kimberly Duffy, author of The Weight of Air and A Tapestry of Light
Endorsements
"Cox has a gift of creating characters who, no matter how outwardly different, can resonate with a reader at the deepest level of the soul. Callie and Beckett, the two women at the heart of He Should Have Told the Bees, are no exception. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, this novel speaks to each heart's yearning for home--but one that is more than just a place on a map. A beautiful and poignant must-read."
Jennifer L. Wright, author of If It Rains and The Girl from the Papers
"Amanda Cox has woven an enchanting story about two women who find they have more in common than it first seems. With family secrets that are gently nudged into the open, an honest look at anxiety and recovery from childhood trauma, and two charming romances, He Should Have Told the Bees is the type of book that is destined to become an often-visited friend."
Kimberly Duffy, author of The Weight of Air and A Tapestry of Light
"With its compelling characters, riveting family drama, and illustrations of God's redemptive love, He Should Have Told the Bees is a honey of a tale! This is contemporary Christian fiction at its finest. Amanda Cox has crafted another winner!"
Amanda Wen, award-winning author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been
"He Should Have Told the Bees is a heart-deep journey of courage, compassion, and connection. With an expert hand, Amanda Cox offers a tale that resonates with masterful metaphor, captivating story, and a conclusion that wraps reader and characters alike in a cloak of belonging, hope, and healing. A powerful offering, rich with themes of trust, sacrifice, and treasure unexpected."
Amanda Dykes, bestselling and award-winning author of All the Lost Places
"Buzzing with emotion that brought me to tears, He Should Have Told the Bees will keep you turning its pages until the very end. Cox's hope-filled approach to generational trauma frames the complex relationship between brokenness and the faith that sustains us. With true-to-life characters and an unpredictable plot, this redemption story will challenge you in the very best ways as you root for the characters to find reconciliation and healing. Sweet as honey, beautiful as nectar, sharp as a sting--I never knew I could love bees so much. My favorite read of the year!"
Ashley Clark, acclaimed author of The Heirloom Secrets series
The Author
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Sarah Swainson Photography Amanda Cox
Amanda Cox is the Christy Award-winning author of The Edge of Belonging, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, and He Should Have Told the Bees. She holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in...
Continue reading about Amanda Cox
Reviews
"Cox is a brilliant writer, and her characters feel like old friends. With humor and a tenderness for the struggling, the novel explores what happens when people let the light in on their journey to healing."
Library Journal
"Cox's hopeful, heartwarming novel touches on complicated relationships, the value of friendship, and the impact of trauma with great heart and kindness."
BookPage