"That Certain Summer" Book Review

Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her gorgeous sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their relationship with each other, and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each learn how to forgive, how to let go, and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven, and the complicated process of finding love.

MY REVIEW:
      I am a fan of Irene Hannon's mystery/suspense books. They are some of my favorites in that genre. When I saw that she was writing a women's fiction with no suspense I was worried. Worried because I was afraid that it couldn't possibly be as compelling as her other books. But I wanted to check it out anyway. Thank goodness that this book was one of my biggest surprises of the year. It was a big surprise because it was every bit as compelling as one of her mystery/suspense books, but not for the same reasons. The characters in this book are some of the most real I have read lately. Good, bad and ugly. The relationships are almost eerily true to life, sister to sister, daughter to mother, daughter to dad, new love... the conversations are engaging and the situations are real. There is forgiveness, finding new purpose in life, finding new love, following God's plan... this book is so much more than I could ever have predicted. As much as I love Irene Hannon's mystery/suspense... I am looking forward to her next women's fiction book and I'd love for her to bring these dear friends back again.