I found "The Sea Glass Cottage" to be an enjoyable read, reminiscent of one of Debbie Macomber's or Emily March's novels. There were a lot of plot threads and characters involved in the story, but everything was woven together nicely and easy to follow. Each of the characters was likeable and well-developed, and their complicated relationships plus the various secrets they kept from each other made for a compelling story.
I particularly enjoyed the book's overarching themes of healing and forgiveness, as well as how the three generations of Harper women came to better understand each other and how to navigate their complex family dynamics. Juliet, Olivia, and Caitlin were much closer by the end of the book and had learned to relate to each other in new, healthier ways. Their individual journeys were quite interesting as well, and Juliet's and Olivia's romances with Henry and Cooper, respectively, added yet another emotional layer to the plot.
In addition to the central story involving the Harper family, I was also drawn into the plot thread involving Cooper's sister Melody, whose husband had abandoned her and her three young boys a few months earlier. Melody seemed like such a lovely person, and her boys added a bit of fun to the narrative. It would be great to see Melody's story continue in a future book. She deserves to find love again, and her boys deserve a father figure besides their Uncle Cooper.
Overall, I am pleased to recommend "The Sea Glass Cottage" for anyone who enjoys stories about the complex nature of family relationships and learning how to forgive the ones we love even when it's a challenge. I look forward to Ms. Thayne's next book.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "The Sea Glass Cottage"
From the New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne comes a brand-new novel for fans of Debbie Macomber and Susan Wiggs. RaeAnne Thayne tells the story of an emotional homecoming that brings hope and healing to three generations of women.
The life Olivia Harper always dreamed of isn’t so dreamy these days. The 16-hour work days are unfulfilling and so are things with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when she hears that her estranged mother, Juliet, has been seriously injured in a car accident, Liv has no choice but to pack up her life and head home to beautiful Cape Sanctuary on the Northern California coast.
It’s just for a few months—that’s what Liv keeps telling herself. But the closer she gets to Cape Sanctuary, the painful memories start flooding back: Natalie, her vibrant, passionate older sister who downward-spiraled into addiction. The fights with her mother who enabled her sister at every turn. The overdose that took Natalie, leaving her now-teenaged daughter, Caitlin, an orphan.
As Liv tries to balance her own needs with those of her injured mother and an obstinate, resentful fifteen-year-old, it becomes clear that all three Harper women have been keeping heartbreaking secrets from one another. And as those secrets are revealed, Liv, Juliet, and Caitlin will see that it’s never too late—or too early—to heal family wounds and find forgiveness.
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Check out an excerpt from "The Sea Glass Cottage" here!
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