Love the cover. Immediately drops you right onto the beach. In this case the beach off Penobscot Bay on the coast of Maine. Louisa is taking her three children to her parents’ home in this dreamy part of Maine. She’s trying to escape all the stress and drama at home in Brooklyn. Her husband is staying behind trying to wrap up a seemingly never-ending circle of searching for funding for his Podcast start up. It’s been going on for a very long time and Louisa is at her wit’s end. She’s way behind writing her book and the deadline clock is ticking louder and louder in her head every day.
Another young woman, Kristie, much younger, is riding a Greyhound bus to this same destination. She’s carrying a small suitcase and $761 in cash. And a lot of baggage. Her mother recently passed away and left her with a lot of questions and this address.
They both have issues that will come to a complete meltdown at the end of the book. Meanwhile, Louisa discovers her dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is basically in and out of his own life. Her mother is in denial. The cottage which is huge, is a big part of the story. And Louisa’s three children add so much to the story. Mysteries are solved. Kids run away. Where is hubby? Wasn’t he coming to visit at some point? And is there an old love interest in the picture. And we continue to hear the loud ticking clock in Louisa’s head as she strives to finish her manuscript.
Moore has certainly nailed the sense of place. She’s delivered believable characters you will be drawn to. And some pretty great food for summer.
My physical review copy arrived from the generous people at William Morrow Publishing, a division of Harper Collins, in exchange for an honest review. Another big hit. I loved it. Definitely add it to your summer pile! And thanks William Morrow.
Maurice on Books 