I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
15 Summers Later by RaeAnne ThaynePublished by Canary Street Press on June 18, 2024
Genres: Friends to Lovers, Romance, Small Town & Rural
Pages: 353
Format: ARC, eBook, Paperback
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15 summers ago, everything changed…
Ava Howell seemed to have it all. She moved away from Emerald Creek, Idaho, married the love of her life and published a bestselling memoir. But she never expected that her husband would feel so betrayed by a secret from her past—the truth of what happened to her and her sister all those years ago—that he’d walk away. Now Ava is back home and trying to move on with the only person who can truly understand…
Following years of healing, Madison Howell is finally happy. After college she built a no-kill shelter where she works with animals every day, and she’s in love with the town veterinarian, Dr. Luke Gentry. But she can’t ever bring herself to tell him. Years ago, his dad died protecting Madi and her sister, so how could he ever love her back?
With the truth laid bare, and the past that Ava and Madison have worked so hard to leave behind threatening everything they have built for themselves, the Howell sisters’ reunion is bittersweet. And as Ava and Madi attempt to remedy the rifts in their lives and reconcile their futures, they must face the demons of their past together.
The author has nicely written a story of love, family and forgiveness. ~ Amanda – Simply Love Books
15 Summers Later is a story of overcoming trauma and finding yourself on the other side. 15 years ago, two teen sisters dealt with a horrible trauma which forever has scarred their life. Madison Howell has the physical signs of her trauma after she was shot, and has moved on with her life and wants the past to stay in the past. Ava Howell Brooks didn’t really think beyond having her book about their ordeal published, or how it would adversely affect her marriage and the people she cares about. Now they are both trying to navigate the present and they have some real obstacles to work through if they are to repair their relationship.
The author has taken a conflict between two sisters and travels their road to reconciliation. She gives both sisters ample time to work through their issues and hopefully come to a better understand about the other. Madison is also trying to open her lifelong dream of a no-kill animal shelter, and with the help of veterinarian friend, Luke Gentry, she finds it hard to let go of the one good thing in her life. Ava now sees that she needs to open more to her husband and not compartmentalize her life and need to be honest with him. Overall, I thought it was a solid read with depth and emotions and not at all the summer light read that the cover portrays. Following both storylines of Madison and Ava, we see them at different stages of their lives, and that it isn’t easy to be open and honest with the ones you love. The author has nicely written a story of love, family and forgiveness.