This is the first Cynthia Ellingsen book that I’ve read and have now added her to my list of authors to read more.

The book was well written. I enjoyed the storyline as it progressed and the development of the characters. Human emotion was shown as it really exists. Showing both the good and bad sides of people, although not really bad. Just real. Descriptions of the resort and the city were also well done. It was easy to see and hear the scene and in many cases, wish I was there!

Occasionally I would read a sentence that would make me stop and think....
“It also made me wonder how many women gave up their power in the name of love. Tilly had wanted her husband to be happy, so she’d gone along with his vision for their future. I’d done the same with Tristan, for much too long.”... I reread it few times before I carried on. I think this was a turning point for the main character, Julie.
Or this one....
“The darkness of the night surrounded the porch on all sides. I held my mother as tight as I could, leaning into her shoulder and breathing in the strength of her love. I wondered what I had been doing, what I had been thinking, trying to carry this burden on my own. My mother had always been there, waiting for me, to find the way back home.”.... just so good!

A few times in the first half of the book, I jumped paragraphs because of the repetition of details. The story seemed to have stalled for a couple of chapters but maybe it was just me? Maybe I just really wanted to know what happened next. The second half moved along well and kept leaving little bits to make me want to keep reading to find out more.
I was happy with the Julie’s choice of where she wanted to be. Its the choice I hoped she would make. I would’ve like to have seen more about her relationship with Chase developed instead of a paragraph in the epilogue. And what about Chase’s memory box?!? Where is it?!

Overall, it’s a great story about family, emotion, a bit of mystery and how the choices we make shape our lives and that of others.

Much thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me this opportunity and introducing me to another great author!

My review is also posted at: https://genuinewordz.blogspot.com and https://www.instagram.com/genuinewordz/