I was excited to read this book because I grew up near Half Moon Bay, and it’s still one of my favorite areas to visit. I hoped that the author would be able to capture the quirkiness and beauty of the town. I’d say that it ended up being a mixed bag.
I thought the plot had promise. Two sisters who were far apart in age and life experiences are forced to rely on each other to rebuild their lives. Each sister had distinct personalities and their way of looking at things. I liked the interplay between the two as they got to know each other and learned from each other. I also thought the twist on Scott’s situation was bold. It’s something that occurs but isn’t often talked about, so kudos on addressing it.
I also got glimpses of the town, and I could picture the neighborhoods and areas (which was cool), but I think there were missed opportunities. How can there be a book set in Half Moon Bay that doesn’t mention the Pumpkin Festival? Or any one of the historic restaurants? And the author does not do justice to the drive between Half Moon Bay and San Jose. (That’s probably just a personal nitpick since I am so familiar with the area).
I also thought that the second part of the book was better than the first half. It felt like the author was trying to throw in too much at the beginning. There was just one thing piling on top of another. I understand that the author needed to set the stage, but honestly, it was just too much. More straightforward would have been better and would have gotten to the heart of the plot faster.
Overall, I think it was a good book, but there were a few missteps. I am new to this author and will certainly give her another chance, but I hope it is more direct to the point without extra angst to play on emotions.
Author Bio
Robyn Carr is an award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including highly praised women’s fiction such as Four Friends and The View From Alameda Island and the critically acclaimed Virgin River, Thunder Point and Sullivan’s Crossing series. Virgin River is now a Netflix Original series. Robyn lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit her website at www.RobynCarr.com.
