The Summer of New Beginnings
Bette Lee Crosby
Contemporary Romance
One family learns that love is the greatest miracle of all—from USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby.
Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.
Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been the rebellious type, without much direction in life. But in the wake of her latest romantic disaster, she finds herself moving back home as a single mother.
As Tracy experiences the difficulties of new motherhood, Meghan faces her own struggle: trying not to fall for the stray puppy she rescued. This is no time for attachments—not to the adorable “Sox,” whose owner is bound to turn up any day, and certainly not to the handsome new vet in town. But as the summer unfolds, she discovers that, like Sox, she may need rescuing, too.
As both sisters navigate unexpected challenges and exciting new relationships, they’ll find that putting the past to rest can make way for beautiful new beginnings.
Uncaged Review: Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible daughter in the family, and an aspiring journalist. Tracy has been the rebellious daughter, wandering aimlessly and making bad choice after bad, impetuous choice. When their father expectantly passes away, it’s Meghan who steps up to take over his at-risk newspaper, even when it means putting her own dreams on hold. Tracy returns home as a single mother, with a bad breakup behind her.
This is the story of two sisters, and their widowed mother, and how they navigated unexpected challenges and forged new relationships over the summer and created new beginnings for themselves.
This is a strong family story, dealing with gritty realities. It is interesting to consider whether the story started at the right place as the entire first section of the book is all backstory told in past tense, or if it’s simply the author’s writing style. Much of the book is telling instead of showing, abounding with backstory and internal reflections from all three major characters. The pace is slow, like a meandering stream, with all day to move along.
The secondary characters—notably the male interests for the sisters—bring a freshness to the tale. Like the sisters, they are opposites. One is a veterinarian and one is trouble. Meghan is a strong character, with a good head on her shoulders. Tracy grows considerably from the start to the end. Reader’s interested in a deep, reflective, and deliberate story will enjoy this installment from the Magnolia Grove series. Reviewed by Ryan Jo
4 Stars
