Good morning, fellow bibliophiles!
Today I am so excited to share a wonderful book with you all! This was one of the books I mentioned in my Summertime Bookish Ramblings vlog last month and I finished reading it a few weeks ago. As I was reading the book, one of the characters had a knack for baking and so many times throughout the story, her yummy creations were mentioned...often with delicious details! It could only make the reader wish they could try one of her treats! Well, a reader's wish can come true! As I finished the book, I discovered a recipe for her "Can't Have Just One" chocolate chip cookies on the last page...can you imagine my delight? {{smiles}} You better believe that night I made my way into the kitchen for one of those late-night baking sessions that I love and whipped up a batch of her marvellous cookies for my family to enjoy that weekend. Needless to say, they were a huge hit in our home, and I vlogged the entire baking session.
And if you're interested in learning more about this wonderful, summery story, read on...
(From the back cover)
Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. "Moving on" is Cam's mantra. But there's a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on and one who just keeps on moving.
Cam's full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island- a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam's surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, and so do the locals. One in particular: Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher, who harbors more than a few surprises.
Life was full of simple miracles if you just opened your eyes to them.
-On a Summer Tide-
Meet the Grayson family...dad, Paul and sisters, Camden, Maddie, and Blaine, along with Cooper, Cam's young son. While the Graysons are a family, they are far from a close-knit one. Ever since the girls were little, dad worked many long hours and often travelled for his work, leaving his daughters and wife at home. Then, when their mom passed away, everything about their relationships seemed to crumble to bits. She was sort of the glue that kept everything together.
When Dad calls the girls over one night, they get the surprise of a lifetime. He announces that he has sold their childhood home and has bought a little island off the coast of Maine. All three girls think he has lost his mind, especially Maddie, who is working on becoming a therapist, and who doesn't have any problem putting her two-cents into just about any topic of conversation.
This story is one of healing, forgiveness, love, family, and new beginnings and redeeming beauty. I immediately fell in love with the Grayson family and their unique, quirky characters. Blaine, the youngest daughter, is at a sort of crossroads. She feels pressure to be in college and yet she keeps changing her interests, and deep down wants to walk to the beat of her own drum. It is only when the family finally arrives at what Paul Grayson has named Three Sisters Island, and Blaine meets Peg Legg, the owner of the small restaurant and grocery store on the island, that she realizes her true passion lies in the kitchen...and that she's incredibly talented, too. She rekindles fond, sweet memories of her mother as she helps Peg get her food a bit more edible.
Cam finds herself jobless...and rich after her company gets sold. She and her adopted son, Cooper, have healing of their own to do as well. After he basically gets kicked out of his school, she decides that staying on the Island is best for them both, at least for the time being, especially since she is now helping dad with the business side of his dream....a dream that his wife had for a long time and one that meant so much to them both. When Cam meets the schoolteacher, Seth, she learns that he has a gift in working with Cooper, and brings out things in him she'd never seen before. He starts thriving, and so does she! And a bit more starts to thrive, too...love is in the air.
I found myself completely living on Three Sisters Island as I was reading this book. I was one of the Grayson family, finding bits of myself in every one of the characters' stories and lives. Suzanne Woods Fisher did a marvellous job of writing a story of love and family and healing while including bits of humor here and there, along with hearty doses of faith and trusting life's journey. Truly, this was a heartwarming, beautiful story...and one that I would read again and again. Definitely a title that's since been added to my all-time favorites list.
I would love to hear what you've been reading so far this summer, so please do share below!
Happy reading, friends!
♥