Families and sisters can be complicated…Jill Conroy is tricked by her sister into becoming the housekeeper and cook for the summer at Seashell Cottage where Greg Campbell and his nephew, Brody, have been hired to do maintenance projects on the house. Annoyed at first, Jill soon realizes how wonderful it is to be away from her home in New York and the memories of her deceased, emotionally … emotionally abusive husband.
Soon the magic of the beach heals Jill enough for her to decide to move to Florida permanently to make a new life for herself. Her part-time work at a summer camp and the promise of a new job as a third-grade teacher in the fall make it seem as if her future is set. But a visit from her sister, followed by her mother, reveals secrets that surprise them all. Jill learns to accept the idea of love not only from Brody but from his daughter, Kacy, as the summer brings even more surprises.
This book is a standalone novel that is one of others based at the Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Different stories, different characters, same location.
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This was a great summer read. I liked the characters and could relate to some of the issues in her life. I even liked the spoiled little girl after she got some friends and started liking herself.
It was contrived bore
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Nice read.
Jill, her sister Cristal and their mother have a love hate relationship. Cristal was always the beautiful child while Jill was the smart one. Her mother played both of them against each other through their entire lives. While this is the story of Jill and her quest to become a stronger person who believes in herself, the theme of this book is so topical for today. There is much said about physical abuse but not much dealing with emotional abuse which is just as devastating. Ms Keim uses this book as an amazing platform to show that with hard emotional work, belief in yourself and love, the scars of abuse can be conquered. It in no way preaches, it’s a lovely story with a happy ending. The struggle Jill faces to overcome that emotional abuse gives hope to anyone who has suffered any kind either emotional or physical. Well worth the read.