When two brothers and their wives get a chance to leave everything behind and run a bed and breakfast in Vermont, they leap at the chance, not knowing that what they once knew would forever change. With family relationships damaged by past pains, and a woman with a secret who helps them in exchange for a safe place to stay, their first major booking is a wedding with a spoiled bride-to-be. Sorting out the business end with personal issues can be a challenge, and for this family, it's no different.
A lot of characters fill the pages, and each one has their own backstory and talent to offer the bed and breakfast. The scenery and inn are ideal and the charm of each character blends well with their own desires to artfully run their new business together as a family. Their new employee with a secret brings a quiet mystery to it and even though there's a lot going on, the author deftly combines each story.
Many of you may know I was a big fan of Skipping a Beat so I admit I was hoping for the same emotional intensity and spark, and although there were several moments that tugged at my heartstrings, it did tie up a bit too nicely in the end for my taste. Portions of Dawn's story, a woman with a secret, and the brothers' relationship with each other, didn't feel as authentic as did Alyssa's and Kira's. Alyssa, with her once globetrotting spirit now finds stability as her comfort, and Kira's previously organized and ordered life is thrown upside-down by the business, felt more tangible and heartfelt than the other players to the story. It may not have captured the magic Skipping a Beat held for me, but I do believe Sarah Pekkanen's new novel has a little something for every reader, and is a sure choice for a beach read this upcoming hot summer. Check out other readers' reviews at Goodreads.com.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Washington Square Press, a division of Simon & Schuster
Release Date: 5/6/2014
Pages: 352
Sarah's other books are:
New York Times' bestselling Author Lisa Scottoline says, "Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite authors of women's fiction."
About the Author
Sarah Pekkanen is the internationally bestselling author of The Opposite of Me, Skipping a Beat, TheseGirls, and The Best of Us as well as a series of linked short stories for ereaders. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. She lives with her family, including a rescue dog and cat, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Visit the author:
This sounds good! My in-laws used to be in Vermont so I grew sort of a soft spot for the state. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a few books from this author sitting on my shelf, even though all I ever read of hers is a short story. I think I'll still start with Skipping a Beat, but this one is definitely on my radar now!
I love Pekkanen and will be reading this one for sure.
ReplyDeleteI've read all her books except this one (I thought I was going to get a copy back before I stopped reviewing on the blog, but apparently not!). While I love everything she does, I agree Skipping a Beat was her best. Still I need to get to this one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good beach read!
ReplyDeleteI've got this on my kindle - I figured it would be a great summer read (sounds like it will be). I really liked Skipping a Beat as well and have to admit that the rest of her books have only been so-so. I guess Skipping a Beat was her best work.
ReplyDeleteI've been debating this one. I didn't like her other novel but I want to like her. And what a great cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with this author, but the book does sound like a nice easy read.
ReplyDelete2 Kids and Tired Books