RaeAnne Thayne is a newer to me author. I have only just started reading her books this year but so far I have loved them! She is such a strong and seasoned writer and that experience shows in her stories.
When this one came up for review, I was on board not only because I have enjoyed her books, but I was also looking for something a little lighter to break things up.
Lately I have been reading a lot of thrillers and more heavy duty novels, and not that she writes fluff (far from it) but there is something so satisfying about a book with a happy ending!
Summary
Three women—two sisters and their aunt—and the cliff house on the northern California coast that served as a beacon to them all…
After the death of their mother, sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport found a home with their aunt Stella in the beautiful and welcoming town of Cape Sanctuary. They never knew all the dreams that Stella sacrificed to ensure they had everything they’d ever need. Now, with Daisy and Bea grown, it’s time for Stella to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from them—a secret that will change their family forever.
Bea thought she’d sown all her wild oats when she got pregnant far too young. The marriage that followed was rocky and not destined to last, but it gave Bea her wonderful, mature, now eleven-year-old daughter, Marisol. But just as she’s beginning to pursue a new love with an old friend, Bea’s ex-husband resurfaces and turns their lives completely upside down.
Then there’s Daisy—sensible, rational, financially prudent Daisy. She’s never taken a risk in her life—until she meets a man who makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and the power of taking chances.
In this heartwarming story, Stella, Bea and Daisy will discover that the path to true happiness is filled with twists and turns, but love always leads them back home (summary from Goodreads).
Review
While this book was a little heavier than I might have liked, that didn’t stop me from enjoying it to its fullest and I was thrilled with the way the book ended—-no spoilers just know that even if this book is a little emotional at times, it was worth the read!
I loved how the story of three women and their journeys were realized. As a younger reader (late teens and early twenties) I often by passed women’s fiction or books like this, mostly because I didn’t feel like I could relate to the characters. Now as an adult in my late thirties, I can totally relate to many of these characters and their journey’s and can appreciate it more than I ever could as a younger woman.
What I loved about this book was not just the journey for each of the characters but the theme of love in this book. Not just romantic love, but the power of love in general whether it be romantic love, familial love, or self love. I felt encouraged and happy about this book even if at times my heart broke for some of the characters.
This was a lovely book and one that I really enjoyed the more that I read it. It would be a perfect beach/vacation read or just something to read on a lazy summer day. Thayne is a fabulous writer and you can’t go wrong with any of her novels!
The Lit Bitch 
This sounds really lovely. Adding it to my TBR!
I know what you mean about feeling unable to relate when you were younger…I often felt like a lot of the most popular fiction just didn’t apply to me and I had no context…now I’m starting to enjoy more of the “older” fiction. Which I guess means I’m getting…old… 😛