“Shyla?”
“Bea?” She laughs and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I thought you moved away.”
“I thought you did, too.” I try to remember when I last saw her. She came to our wedding, and we kept in touch on Facebook, but it’s been years since I’ve even opened that app.
“Just moved back. My parents are getting older. You know how it is.”
I smile. I wonder if she heard about Jake’s death through the grapevine, but she doesn’t say anything, and I’d rather not announce my widowhood today.
“Is this your family’s store? It looks amazing in here,” she says.
I hear the compliment like it’s from a megaphone because my parents and Simon are all within earshot.
“Thanks.”
“I wondered if your family still owned it. I’ll have to swing by.”
Nothing could have prepared Beatrice for her husband’s untimely death. But somehow it triggers and reveals even more complications than she could reasonably expect for her life and her kids.
Official synopsis:
After her husband’s sudden death, Beatrice Bell retreats to her childhood home in California’s Sierra mountains with her rebellious teenage twins in tow. Her plan is to take over her parents’ antique store, ensure it survives another generation, and build a new life from the rubble of the old one.
But Bea didn’t plan on Simon, the gruff store manager with his own ambitions for the business. As they’re forced to work together, animosity gives way to grudging respect and ignites an unexpected spark. Before Bea can find her footing, everything is upended. First by River, a local boy who bears a striking resemblance to her late husband. Then by her estranged mother-in-law, who reveals devastating secrets that will test everything Bea believed about her marriage.
As Bea navigates grief, betrayal, and an unexpected connection with Simon, she finds that it may be possible to begin again, but only if she confronts the truth of her past.
Bea expected moving away from their home of many years and enrolling her kids in school in her old hometown to be the hardest part of starting over. Moving was enough of a shock for them, since Bea had found less money than expected in their personal and business accounts. More change was suddenly inevitable.
Bea and her children’s stress and pain were palpable, as unexpected drama and obstacles lurked around every corner. Going back to the home where she grew up was also challenging, since she’d left because her desires for her life did not align with what her parents thought was best.
Bea’s twins, Tess and Miles, were as surly as teens may be when moved away from their regular lives. Simon remains a bit mysterious, but kind at heart, and his dry sense of humor became more obvious through continued interactions. The real show stealer and comic relief was Bea’s grandmother, Gigi, who lived at an assisted living facility in the same community.
The characters were well-developed and evoked the feelings intended. Their emotions and relationships with each other supported a natural progression of the plot, including the unexpected twists. The book earned 5 out of 5 stars and will surely be appreciated by readers who enjoy family dramas and romance with adult characters.
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Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who enjoys LEGO, jigsaw puzzles, and keeping up with her teenagers’ activities. She tries to share her own life stories on her blog, SweetlyBSquared.com.
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