On A Summer Tide – Suzanne Woods Fisher – Three Sisters Island #1 – Revell – Published 30 April 2019

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Synopsis

Sometimes love hurts–and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.

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 keeps 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, along with the locals–and one in particular. Sam Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.

My thoughts

A refreshing and charming contemporary novel, On A Summer Tide brings together a story of family bonds broken and now given the space to heal, a dream unrealised and now given time to grow, and the sparks of a new romance all set against the gorgeous backdrop of coastal Maine. On A Summer Tide is funny, surprising and a joy to read.

Three sisters, with not much in common, their own separate lives and constant conflict hanging over them, are forced to work together when their father buys a summer camp on a small island off the coast of Maine. At first very reluctant to be drawn into their father’s crazy scheme, each soon finds the island gives them something they weren’t looking for.

Oldest sister Cam has a highly successful career but everyone tells her she should be worried about her adopted son, his list of worries and obsession with string. Cam is torn between staying on the island and helping her father bring his dream to life and following her career wherever it takes her. Yet, the island, its slow pace and inhabitants, from the quirky diner/general store owner to the charming school teacher Seth, challenge Cam to see her life and what’s best for Cooper in a new light. Maddie, middle-child, is on track to be a family counsellor, is recently engaged and just needs a training placement. Looking after her family has always helped assuage her constant worrying, but Maddie is not sure what step she should take next. Youngest sister Blaine feels the most removed from her sisters, has just been asked to leave her ongoing university studies, and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. The island and an unexpected opportunity to dust off her cooking skills and work for Peg in the diner, may be just the chance she needs.

While On A Summer Tide features the story of each of these three sisters and each have chapters written from their perspective, it is Cam who gets the most page time, the romance story and the “happy ending”. Each sister has a lot of growing to do. The first few chapters are very amusing and the girls seem almost comical with their bickering and crazy lives. Yet the island and lots of hard work give the girls everything they need to start breaking down the walls between them and starting new directions in their lives.

I enjoyed the renewing of family bonds in this book, loved the way each and every character grows and changes. The book touches on some series topics but retains a lightness and gentle humour that is refreshing. The little snippets dedicated to romance are sweet, and the discussions of faith are thoughtful. And that twist! It was right there in front of my eyes and I didn’t see it. I love when a book surprises me and this one delighted me at every turn. I look forward to continuing the story of this island and the three sisters as they grow into the women they were meant to be.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Adult fiction

Genre: Christian – contemporary.

Themes: Family, relationships, parenting, children, anxiety, island, romance, renovation.

Published: 30 April 2019 by Revell.

Format: Hardcover, paperback, ebook. 320 pages.

ISBN: 9780800736286

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