THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE
by RaeAnne Thayne
ISBN: 9781335045164
Publication Date: 3/17/2020
Publisher: HQN Books
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From the New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne comes a brand-new novel for fans of Debbie Macomber and Susan Wiggs. RaeAnne Thayne tells the story of an emotional homecoming that brings hope and healing to three generations of women.
The life Olivia Harper always dreamed of isn’t so dreamy these days. The 16-hour workdays are unfulfilling and so are things with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when she hears that her estranged mother, Juliet, has been seriously injured in a car accident, Liv has no choice but to pack up her life and head home to beautiful Cape Sanctuary on the Northern California coast.
It’s just for a few months—that’s what Liv keeps telling herself. But the closer she gets to Cape Sanctuary, the painful memories start flooding back: Natalie, her vibrant, passionate older sister who downward-spiraled into addiction. The fights with her mother who enabled her sister at every turn. The overdose that took Natalie, leaving her now-teenaged daughter, Caitlin, an orphan.
As Liv tries to balance her own needs with those of her injured mother and an obstinate, resentful fifteen-year-old, it becomes clear that all three Harper women have been keeping heartbreaking secrets from one another. And as those secrets are revealed, Liv, Juliet, and Caitlin will see that it’s never too late—or too early—to heal family wounds and find forgiveness.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
… she had seemed jumpier than a bag full of frogs.
Don’t make any jokes, but I really did fall and couldn’t get back up.
We’re all afraid, Olivia… You can’t make it through life without it. The trick is figuring out that the thing you need is just on the other side of that fear. The only way you can reach it is by going right through the center of it.
My Review:
While the premise of the story was interesting and topical, I struggled with this book and not that the writing wasn’t up to par, as the author’s writing style was easy to follow. My issue is more to do with my personal preference as high angst and constant discord just isn’t my jam, and this tale was heavily loaded with both internal and interpersonal conflicts as well as annoyingly stubborn characters. The storylines were relevant and relatable yet developed ever so slowly with considerable repetition and retreading of the five characters’ inner turmoil and protracted grief, which had me tapping my little foot while waiting for the tale to progress and the storylines to advance. It was at the 90% mark when all systems finally hit their boiling point and – Whoa Nelly! The secrets were uncovered and feelings were revealed at a rather furious and frantic rate as I thankfully hurdled toward that highly prized HEA conclusion.
About the Author
Twitter: @RaeAnneThayne
Facebook: AuthorRaeAnneThayne
Instagram: @RaeAnneThayne
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/116118.RaeAnne_Thayne
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New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.
I enjoyed this book and was also on the tour.
Sorry this wasn’t perfect for you, but I’m glad it resolved well.
I am sorry you had a hard time with the book. I loved it!
I understand completely, has happened a few times to me. Hopefully the next will be better. Great review.
Great honest review my friend, I am glad that overall you did enjoyed reading the HEA ending. I know the feeling you had as well when you sometimes read a book that is a little bit to much for you and you just want to give up on it, believe me I dnf some books that just was not my kind of book to read. I’m glad you stuck through it and read the whole book you are much stronger reader than me. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
I know what you are saying about too much discord.. I would have given up earlier..