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Rose Harbor #0.5

When First They Met

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Debbie Macomber’s Blossom Street and Cedar Cove series have won thousands of fans, thanks to her signature blend of heartfelt romance, delightful humor, and warm wisdom. Now, in this original short story available exclusively as an eBook, Macomber shares a sneak peek into her new series set in Cedar Cove, which features Jo Marie, before she becomes the owner of the beloved Rose Harbor Inn.
 
From the moment Jo Marie sits next to Paul inside the Seattle Seahawks’ stadium, she feels a spark. Paul’s striking blue eyes and kind smile tell her that he’s someone special—different from any man she’s met before. When they strike up a conversation, Jo Marie and Paul realize how much they have in common, yet there’s one thing keeping them from a fairy-tale ending: Paul is in the military and will ship out of Seattle within the next six weeks. As Jo Marie wonders if she should once again open her heart, she decides that, no matter the stakes, she can’t forgo her chance at true love.
 
Includes an excerpt from Debbie Macomber's Last One Home.

27 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Debbie Macomber

822 books19.1k followers
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

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5 stars
1,934 (38%)
4 stars
1,497 (30%)
3 stars
1,100 (22%)
2 stars
275 (5%)
1 star
158 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
Profile Image for Cara.
417 reviews781 followers
May 11, 2022
This review won't be very lengthy because this book was so short, it was just a meet the characters type of thing. When First They Met is book 0.5 in the Rose Harbor series written by Debbie Macomber. Debbie has become to be one of my many favorite authors, so I'm excited to start this series!! I'm loving it so far, so I highly recommend anyone to read it!!!

Jo Marie worked at Columbia Bank in Washington, but they soon transferred her to Denny Wash in Seattle Washington. At this bank Jo Marie is the account manager and junior vice president. Growing up in Washington, Jo Marie and her father love the Seattle Seahawks, so when Jo Marie's job gives out tickets to the upcoming game, she knows she has to get them, so she can take her dad with her. Jo Marie and her dad attend the game when she notices sitting right next to her is a super attractive person, Paul. Paul has the most perfect smile and the most amazing blue eyes that attract Jo Marie to him.

Paul is in the military and is shipping out in six weeks. Love and romance can happen anywhere, but Jo Marie never expected to discover it at a Seattle Seahawks game. When Jo Marie meets Paul, it's love at first sight. However, Jo Marie isn't ready to give her heart completely to Paul after failed past relationships. But as Jo Marie and Paul leave the stadium they start getting to know each other and instantly fall in love. When Paul and Jo Marie go to the bar after the game, they realize they both have so much in common.

They both love Mexican food. They both have the same favorite author. Jo Marie lost her aunt and godmother,Teresa to breast cancer, Paul lost his mother to breast cancer as well. This part absolutely just broke my heart, I never expected to bawl my eyes out reading such a short story. They both love football. I love how Paul just wants to serve this country, and he has so much respect for it. Super excited to continue this series, I can't wait to read about Jo Marie and Paul's marriage. Please don't break my heart Debbie Macomber😭!!!
Profile Image for Marianne.
3,801 reviews273 followers
July 1, 2012
When First They Met is an eShort prequel to her new series set in Cedar Cove, The Inn at Rose Harbor. In this prequel we meet Jo Marie, before she becomes the owner of the beloved Rose Harbor Inn and learn how she and Paul met. The eBook also contains the first chapter of The Inn at Rose Harbor. As always, Macomber’s skill in developing characters and building the plot is apparent, even in this very short taste of her new series. A delightful start that will leave readers eager for the new series.
Profile Image for Vivone Os.
639 reviews22 followers
November 11, 2023
Jao što ne volim ovakve stvari. Ona nije htjela bilo koga, željela je muškarca koji će „voljeti Boga, Ameriku, nju i obitelj“. Tim redom. De dobro. Ispast će mi oči od okretanja. Tipično američko preseravanje.
Ali luđakinja u meni skakuće od sreće jer sam pročitala još jedan dio nekog serijala na popisu pa makar to bila samo kratka pričica.

Spookoplathon 2023. – Feed Scroll
Profile Image for Sheree.
572 reviews110 followers
August 10, 2012
I actually picked up When First They Met after reading The Inn At Rose Harbor, the first book in a new series set in Cedar Cove. This short ebook story shares how Jo Marie and Paul of the striking blue eyes first meet at a football game, their mutual attraction and Paul's Thanksgiving marriage proposal. It also includes the first chapter of The Inn At Rose Harbor and a yummy recipe for the biscotti Jo Marie serves to guests at Rose Harbor Inn. Not much to this one but still a sweet treat.
Profile Image for Nevena.
77 reviews38 followers
May 13, 2021
This was short but wonderful. The story between Jo Marie and Paul is too beautiful to be true, and I like that everything that is important is written in such a short reading, without over-describing it. Nice start and introduction to the series.🤗
Profile Image for Kelly.
619 reviews97 followers
September 30, 2019
Introductory novella.

A nice introduction to the Rose Harbor series. As a reader of the Cedar Cove series, this new series takes us down the road, so to speak, from our beloved Cedar Cove characters. The feeling is comfortable yet new and exciting.
Profile Image for Anna.
1,200 reviews118 followers
September 6, 2013
A short introduction to Jo Marie the new owner of the Inn At Rose Harbor. Seeking peace and purpose after the death of her husband, she buys the Inn in Cedar Cove.
Profile Image for Carla.
6,658 reviews152 followers
July 17, 2014
A very short story that quickly let us in on how the main character of the Rose Harbor Inn series and her husband met and married.
Profile Image for Jonel.
1,717 reviews311 followers
August 1, 2015
Absolutely priceless! I loved getting to know more about Jo Marie. This is the perfect introduction to Rose Harbor.
Profile Image for Diane.
640 reviews33 followers
April 18, 2020
Cute story and i already love Jo Marie and Paul. Can't wait to start the series
Profile Image for kaotickitten.
216 reviews12 followers
July 9, 2018
What a sweet way to show two peoples love. They meet and are swept away by a feeling they need to get to know each other.
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
2,964 reviews429 followers
May 24, 2013
An original short story available exclusively as an eBook, Macomber shares a sneak peek into her new series set in Cedar Cove, which features Jo Marie, before she becomes the owner of the beloved Rose Harbor Inn. (read this prior to the Rose Harbor Inn) - great to learn of the couple's past, prior to his death.

From the moment Jo Marie sits next to Paul inside the Seattle Seahawks’ stadium, she feels a spark. Paul’s striking blue eyes and kind smile tell her that he’s someone special—different from any man she’s met before. When they strike up a conversation, Jo Marie and Paul realize how much they have in common, yet there’s one thing keeping them from a fairy-tale ending: Paul is in the military and will ship out of Seattle within the next six weeks. As Jo Marie wonders if she should once again open her heart, she decides that, no matter the stakes, she can’t forgo her chance at true love.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,206 reviews255 followers
October 22, 2014
Love and romance can happen anywhere, but Jo Marie never expects to discover it at a Seattle Seahawks’ game. When she meets Paul, it’s love at first sight as they get to know each other and continue getting to know each other once they leave the stadium.

However, Jo Marie isn’t ready to give her heart completely to Paul. He’s in the military and will be shipping out soon. She’s not sure a long distance relationship can survive.

This is a short story which introduces characters in Debbie Macomber’s new series, “Rose Harbor”. I’ve been wanting to read this series for a long time since I loved her Cedar Cove series and this one features characters from that series as well. It’s not a continuation of the series, readers just get to catch a glimpse of old friends.

This is a sweet romance that can be read quickly. It’s enjoyable, although I’m ready for more and a longer story. I can see this is going to be an addicting series.
Profile Image for Margaret Chind.
3,188 reviews252 followers
September 8, 2014
It amazes me how Debbie Macomber can write something that makes the characters so real. This is a very short eBook eShort and really I think it should have been free to give a taste (like I had with Gentleman of Her Dreams) but in borrowing it from the Overdrive Library as an eBook it was definitely worth the wait. I read it split between falling asleep last night and finished it in a short span this afternoon. It is like a letter describing how Jo Marie met her Paul and it's just heart squeezing. Especially for me, as I already know what happens next in having read (and really enjoyed) The Inn at Rose Harbor . I am eager to read the next book in the Rose Harbor series this fall.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
2,866 reviews27 followers
October 29, 2012
This is an ebook only novella that introduces us to Jo Marie and Paul and how they first met. Jo Marie's story is told in the full length novel, The Rose Harbor Inn set in Cove Harbor.
I liked the storyline but was disappointed that this story is only available to those with ereaders and that it was not the prologue to The Rose Harbor Inn.
I'm disappointed when my favorite authors do this since it costs us more money if we don't want to miss out on the story and it can't reach all their fans. It was only 27 pages which included an introduction and an excerpt from The Rose Harbor Inn. There was a lot packed into a few pages but it should have been part of the novel not set on its own.
Profile Image for Jackie Lane.
1,132 reviews614 followers
September 9, 2012
I find it very dificult to rate prequels and short stories because there just never seems to be enough detail. I am giving this one a 4 star rating because of uniqueness.

This was such a quaint story of how Jo Marie and Paul met and fell in love. I am anxious to get on with the story. I love the football connection and Paul's connection to the Military (as it hits close to home) together with Paul's love and immediate connection with Jo's family. What made it even a bit better was that it wasn't all roses and there was a little bit of seriousness in it.
Profile Image for Emma.
271 reviews
July 19, 2013
Very short story on how Jo Marie and Paul met. Very sweet. I would've liked it to be longer, but I'm thinking that some of the questions and wonders I have errol be answered in The Inn at Rose Harbor. Can't wait tio get my hands on it.
Profile Image for UberApril.
620 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2019
Oh another first person story!!!!!!! This story is just too perfect. The family get-togethers, the asking of parents for hand in marriage, the fated lovers. Thank buddha this was short it was annoying me.
Profile Image for Laura.
653 reviews18 followers
March 28, 2016
No depth, no substance, no real descriptions of the characters. All seemed very rushed. Not impressed.
184 reviews
September 20, 2019
Cap

I've read Ms Macomber for years. I have enjoyed this story very much. There is a lot of love And romance in her novels. The best.
Profile Image for Alice.
1,411 reviews27 followers
January 31, 2024
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Notre Rencontre ?
"J'ai adoré toute la série de la Villa Rose alors je suppose que j'avais téléchargé ce court prequel à l'occasion d'une offre quelconque et il végétait depuis sur mon Kindle."

Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Jo Marie nous raconte comment elle a rencontré son mari, l'amour de sa vie, celui qu'elle a déjà perdu au moment où la série commence, Paul Rose..."

Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"L'idée de nous raconter comment ces deux personnages se sont rencontrés est sympathique mais il ne faut pas oublier que nous, c'est brisé que nous avons découvert Jo Marie, et c'est notamment grâce à un autre homme que nous l'avons vu se reconstruire... C'est peut-être en partie pour cela que cette histoire n'a pas vraiment fait battre mon coeur. J'ai aimé replonger dans la plume de Debbie Macomber mais j'ai trouvé ça mignon, sans plus, un peu daté aussi. J'ai parfois tendance à oublier à quel point cette autrice représente quand même un certain conservatisme américain. Ce n'est pas une critique en soi, disons que ça dépend des sujets qu'elle évoque, ici ça donne juste un résultat un peu tiède et déjà vu à mon goût."

Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"J'ai l'impression que cette nouvelle n'est plus disponible, je n'ai pas réussi à vous la retrouver pour vous en partager le lien et j'ai envie de vous dire, ce n'est pas grave, vraiment, elle est tout à fait dispensable."

http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
Profile Image for January.
1,969 reviews91 followers
June 9, 2022
When First They Met by Debbie Macomber 32 pages Kindle, story ends on 23
Rose Harbor #0.5
Related series Cedar Cove

Genre: Womens Fiction > Chick Lit; Romance > Contemporary Romance; Adult Fiction, Short Stories, Inspirational

Featuring: Puget Sound Washington, Seattle, Spokane, Football, Seahawks, Military, Thanksgiving, Book Preview - Last One Home ch. 4, 4 pages

Rating as a movie: PG

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts: This story was very short and didn't add much to the Paul and Jo Marie story, it's pretty much the extended version of what she recounts in the beginning of The Inn at Rose Harbor. I don't think I needed to know this story, I found some of the interactions more cringey than sweet so I think I would have been better off without knowing Paul in the flesh. I was also a bit disappointed that the same chapter 4 preview from Last One Home (New Beginnings series) was used, as it was used again for #1.5 Lost and Found in Cedar Cove.

Recommend to others?: Nope. Not only is this short story skippable, I think you should skip it, unless you're a die-hard Debbie Macomber fan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews

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