By anyone’s measure, Emma London has had a tough start. Her mother committed suicide when she was eight years old, her father literally abandoned her to be raised by his wealthy mother, Genevieve who threw her out when she became pregnant at eighteen. She left Connecticut for Chicago to live with her father and daughter and was later dumped by her baby’s daddy (you get most of this in the first chapter lest you think I’m being spoilerish). Despite all this, she’s an accomplished therapist with a doctorate in psychology and she’s raised a wonderful child. So when Genevieve calls her after almost seventeen years of silence with a request for them to spend the summer in Connecticut because she’s dying, Emma’s inclination still is to hang up the phone. However, after some wrangling, she and daughter Riley make their way to Connecticut.
I’ve made no secret of my love for this author’s books, embarrassingly so. I’ve felt from the beginning that they were more closely aligned with contemporary fiction than romance and I’m thrilled that she’s now full out embraced the genre. This story sunk its tentacles into me from the first page and I wasn’t ready for it to end when I reached the last page. Her characters aren’t just likable, they’re relatable and resilient. The storytelling is outstanding, lacking big dramatic twists but chock full of compelling plots. Emma, Genevieve, Riley…all of them and others are so well defined you’re able to vividly imagine them.
This was my first time listening to a Higgins book and it was a great decision to do so with this one. There are four narrators who all delivered excellent performances, especially the voice for Emma. She got the character with all of her sass and vulnerability and knew the difference. I started this for a long road trip and the miles just melted away as I became engrossed in this story of redemption and forgiveness.
I’ve given you the setup and that’s all I’ll share about the story because you should read or listen to it for yourself. Know that you’ll be engaged from the start and be rewarded with a wonderful reading experience. It’s a fascinating story that has mystery, betrayal, love and romance. I loved this book and it just reinforced why Higgins still remains an auto read for me.
Book Info
- Release Date: August 6, 2019
- Narrators: Barbara Caruso, Dion Graham, Suzy Jackson & Xe Sands
- Audio Length: 13 hours, 15 minutes
- Publisher: Recorded Books
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(Thanks to Recorded Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
Very anxious to read this book especially after your glowing review, Jonetta. Glad she is off in a new direction in her stories.
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I hope you do give it a try, Marialyce! She’s moved toward this genre in the past few books and still keeps romantic elements but that’s not the main thrust.
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I’ve read such great reviews of this book, it’s a must for my reading pile 🙂
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I had high expectations and it still surpassed them, Cathy.
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Good to know!
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I love ‘likeable’ and ‘resilient’ characters too, Jonetta. And, when done right, I enjoy a good contemporary especially if it has heart and humour.
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Alexandra, it has everything💜
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Excellent! 😀
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I had this one on my TBR for so long! I will look for it at my used bookstore or library!
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I sure hope you find it, Kris💜
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Fantastic review! I’m so glad you enjoyed this too. The characters were perfect, how they interacted, the different storylines. It was all so good. Little Tess stole my heart ❤️.
I love your review!
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Thank you, Deanna💜 Tess was wonderful!
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Super review! I loved this too. I can’t believe you haven’t listened on audio before. I read this one but Xe Sands is a favorite. I call it life fiction now. It deals with the real stuff.
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Thanks, Anne💜 I’ve been reading Higgins for almost 10 years now and typically inhale the books. I’ve just never thought about audio as many of the books came from NetGalley. Xe Sands was awesome as Emma. I like life fiction, so much better than women’s fiction.
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This is one I really want to read. After reading your review I think I should go the audio route as well.
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Suzanne, I just loved the narration. If you can get the audio, go for it!
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I love when they have multiple narrators performing an audiobook. I have read several reviews of this book and have it on my TBR, but your review has convinced me to find the audiobook.
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I think you’ll love it on audio, Carla!
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