Sometimes the happiness we’re looking for has been there all along… Adele and Justine have never been close. Born twenty years apart, Justine was already an adult when Addie was born. The sisters love each other but they don’t really know each other. When Addie dropped out of university to care for their ailing parents, Justine, a successful lawyer, covered the expenses. It was the best … expenses. It was the best arrangement at the time but now that their parents are gone, the future has changed dramatically for both women.
Addie had great plans for her life but has been worn down by the pressures of being a caregiver and doesn’t know how to live for herself. And Justine’s success has come at a price. Her marriage is falling apart despite her best efforts.
Neither woman knows how to start life over but both realize they can and must support each other the way only sisters can. Together they find the strength to accept their failures and overcome their challenges. Happiness is within reach, if only they have the courage to fight for it.
Set in the stunning coastal town of Half Moon Bay, California, Robyn Carr’s new novel examines the joys of sisterhood and the importance of embracing change.
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3.5 stars. I enjoyed it. I’ve been down a few of these roads in the past and enjoyed books like this at that time. One good lesson to take from this book is what love looks like to you. Many times all the fireworks and sparks is infatuation vs real love.
“Sunrise on Half Moon Bay” by Robyn Carr
Another great story from Robyn Carr and narrator Therese Plummer it was like coming home again. If you love a good story, that is well read, then choose this as your next read. No audiobook? Then choose this story anyway, and you get to be the narrator. It will still be a good story with some food for thought and wise bits of wisdom tucked in for good measure. Or, maybe those thoughts and wisdom vary by what the reader brings to the story. Happy Reading ! !
note: I downloaded this audiobook from my state library, after waiting for my turn which seemed like forever but was only about 7-weeks, but it was worth the wait.
So many timely topics! Sisters, a generation apart. A cheating husband. Reverse domestic violence. Caring for invalid parents. Unplanned pregnancy. Teenage angst. Personal fulfillment. Career change. Any one of these could have been the basis for a novel; all of them together made you really think!
Justine the older sister and her ‘perfect in her parent’s eyes’ younger sister Adele, are pleasant to each other. There seems to be no real familial bond other than genetics. Over the course of the book, becoming closer knit as a family, being able to help each other, understand each other, learning to love each other and themselves, while acknowledging their personal faults, seems to be the overarching theme.
I enjoyed the book. As a Northern California resident, I did find discrepancies in the location, but I also understand this is a novel and knew I would have to get past that to enjoy the story.
Another good story by Robyn Carr. Great characters and great storyline. I am so glad I discovered her stories last year!
I’ll be honest – I didn’t particularly like Addie or Justine at first. Justine seemed a little cold & distant and Addie was ineffectual. But as the story moved along I found myself looking forward to seeing how they would grow and where their lives would end up. (And I think it takes a special sort of skill to create characters that, even though you don’t particularly like them, you can’t help but keep reading about them 🙂 )
Part of the appeal was that the sisters had a chance to discover themselves and build a relationship with each other that due to age difference & circumstances they hadn’t had before. The people they become are more assured and more comfortable with themselves & where they are going with their lives, which makes them much more appealing.
While there isn’t a whole lot romance involved, there is a lot of growth and discovery. It may be difficult, and at times unpleasant, but it’s also real and that is one of the things Carr impressively brings her readers every time.
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**
Little slow in beginning otherwise good book
Robyn Carr always delivers. A great read.
Bro in Carr never disappoints.
There was a mixed bag of good and bad in this book. I liked how the author tackled a few subjects that are not often addressed (reverse domestic abuse, for example), and I enjoyed the descriptions of Half Moon Bay. However, I thought there was too much piled on at the beginning. The characters didn’t need that many things to go wrong. And I think the author missed some descriptive opportunities to let Half Moon Bay come to life. But the message about resilience and the bond that sisters can form at any age was strong. Thank you to Harlequin for a digital ARC of the book.
First off, a disclaimer. I have never read a book by Robyn Carr that I didn’t absolutely love, and this one is no exception. It’s a relatively simple premise—two sisters, twenty years apart, the older one a successful attorney. Justine has two teen-aged daughters and a marriage that she’s always thought was okay until she finds out her husband is cheating on her. Adele, the younger sister, dropped out of college and has spent the last eight years caring for elderly parents. They’re both gone now, and she’s essentially floundering.
The thing that makes this story magic is what the author does with those bare bones.
I always close the last page of a book by Robyn Carr feeling as if I’ve been reading about people I know personally. I love her voice and the rhythm of the dialogue, the little nuances that make each character totally unique. I love the interactions between all the characters and how they touch one another throughout the story in a manner so much like the real world that it’s easy to believe that everything you’re reading really happened just as Ms. Carr wrote it.
Sunrise on Half Moon Bay is no exception, and it certainly punched all my buttons. I definitely recommend this book, and everything else Robyn Carr writes. I know when I pick up one of her books, I’m going to lose myself in her world until the last word is done. And then I always go back to the beginning and read them all over again, because they’re just that good.
Addie and Justine are sisters and both are experiencing new aspects of life. Addie has given up her goals to care for her parents. They have recently passed away and now she finds herself floundering. Justine has a fabulous career as a high powered attorney. When she finds her husband has been cheating on her, she realizes she must let her marriage go and discover that life must go on.
These two ladies are both tough in their own way. They are also scared about what life is about to throw at them. However, they show strength and resilience. Neither one will let life beat them.
I loved these two sisters. They are so different. Addie is shy and an introvert. Justine has an outer shell that is hard as a rock but she has a heart that is vulnerable. These two never give up.
I have admired Robyn Carr forever. All of her books keep you engaged and uplifted. She has the best characters and great stories. She will always be one of my favorite authors. And she is a super nice lady. I have met her several times at book expo. She is one of the BEST!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I truly enjoyed the character development by Robyn Carr. The age and personality differenceS between the two sisters created some challenges. How they became a family, along with the daughters/nieces, added to the story. Adele just drove me crazy with her waffling about everything. I realize that was part of her character and she finally did come to understand how much she had to lose. Maybe that was the point all along! Thanks Robyn for another enjoyable book!
This book has it all. Sisters born 20 years apart must learn to depend on each other. After the death of their parents and the demise of Justine’s marriage, the sisters depend on each other to cope and move forward. Tough issues are tackled in the one; re-entering the workforce after an 8 year hiatus and the problems that can raise, domestic abuse where the female is the abuser and the male is the abused, as well as the issues of starting over, cheating and custody battles after a 30 year marriage. Robyn Carr tackles the real life issues and doesn’t shy away. She keeps you connected to the story from beginning to end.
Another Robyn success. A growth book. Follows the dynamics of two sisters lives. How they intertwine and redefine, Overcoming old and developing new ties, supporting through betrayal, heartache, and finding oneself in the ashes.
Sunrise on Half Moon Bay is a story of family and change, lots of change. The characters are interesting, and it was easy to fall into this one and lose track of time as I read. The sisters are easy to root for and I enjoyed their growth throughout the book. I don’t read a lot of women’s fiction and drama because life is usually dramatic enough, but this one was just so engaging from the very beginning. The story is emotional, some parts more so than others, but it also touched me on a personal level with almost 20 years between my youngest sibling and myself. It’s an unusual dynamic and Robyn Carr’s version of that dynamic here intrigued me. I’d certainly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the genre.
***I received an ebook copy from the publisher at no cost***
Sunrise on Half Moon Bay is a sweet story about family, relationships, love, and finding a way back home.
When Addie and Justine’s worlds are turned upside down, the two sisters find themselves navigating through different life struggles together. Though they aren’t close–in age or emotionally—their worlds are entwined. Addie always took care of their parents but now that both are gone, she’s finding herself wondering what to do with her life. Justine lives a life that looks perfect on the outside. She’s always helped Addie get by financially but now Justine’s company is facing a possible merger and that means Justine may no longer have access to the financial resources she currently does. Oh, add in some problems at home for Justine (which Addie involuntarily gets pulled into), and it’s really a recipe for disaster.
This was a pleasant story and very easy to read. The book focuses on both Addie and Justine’s journeys. There was an incredible amount of growth in each of these women as the book progressed. Addie had a lot of soul searching to do and found herself along the way. Justine showed just how strong she truly was and navigated some pretty murky waters with grace. I liked that the relationship between the two sisters morphed as the story progressed as well.
I admittedly haven’t read any of Carr’s other work but I really enjoyed how she was able to create these strong female characters who I felt like I could relate to on different levels. I personally have a large age gap between my own sister and I, so there were a number of things in Addie and Justine’s relationship that hit home for me. Everything about this book felt so authentic and it was just the kind of read that I needed to take my mind off the things going on out in the real world. There’s a nice blend of family, friendships, romance, and just enough angst to keep things balanced.
Four stars to this novel!
I picked this book to review mostly because Half Moon Bay is one of my most favorite places on this earth. I haven’t read this author before so I really didn’t know what to expect. I’m happy to say that this book was fabulous! I may have to read it again.
Sunrise on Half Moon Bay is the story of two sisters at a crossroads in their lives. Adele has spent the last eight years in the Half Moon Bay home where she grew up taking care of her two parents in the last years of their lives. She’s basically put her life on hold to take care of them. When both pass on, she’s left wondering what she will do with her life. Her sister Justine, twenty years older and an accomplished corporate lawyer has taken care of her financial needs for the last eight years, and the college degree she once started is still unfinished. She has a lot to think about, but Adele is a bit averse to decision making and is so fearful of making a mistake, she’s almost paralyzed until she gets herself together and slowly starts to build her life.
Justine thought her marriage was solid and that she was going to grow old with her college sweetheart and husband. But when that doesn’t quite work out as planned, she too has a life to rebuild.
I loved how this story is told in dual point of view between the two sisters. The pace of this book was amazing. I was pulled in immediately to the story and then kept on the edge of my seat wondering how these two sisters were going to navigate the challenges in front of them. But most of all, there were some fascinating themes to this book — sisterhood, friendship, finding yourself, finding love and the one that really had be glued to the pages — love in a long time marriage and how that changes over the course of a thirty years.
I really loved this story. I need to read more from this author as I really liked the writing in this book. Overall, I recommend this standalone if you like a book that has something to say about life and love through the eyes of two sisters who find their friendship in the process.
What did I just read? what an AMAZING book! I haven’t enjoyed a book this much for such a long time since the first words of the first pages I was completely hooked, the characters the story everything was just so fabulous. it made me smile, laugh, cry and hope it is a book that will leave you with so much and will keep you happy.
Sunrise on half moon bay also has so many beautiful scenarios from around California my favorite place in the whole world .. Home!! so what could I asked more.
The story of Adele and Justine two sisters trying to find a steady life after so much heartache and past experiences that were not so kind.
Sunrise on half moon bay, it’s a story that talks about betrayal, about trusting and also about fear, the fear that stops us from moving forward, fear of the unknown of not knowing what life will bring you next, about surprises that were not so kind but also some of them were very pleasant. about having a hard time of change and not knowing how to get accustomed to these new scenarios that were not even planned.
Adele is a beautiful woman who’s life was turned apart by someone who really made her feel insecure, not loved like she didn’t matter at all. she is trying to build a new life, with more hope and faith, light and joy, life is starting to give so much more than that to her a family, the love and support she always needed and wanted before. now Adele is ready to move on and embrace what life is giving her.
Justine is strong, bold and with a lot of determination, she had it all the family, the husband, the work and the house but life always takes different turns and she wasn’t expecting to lose everything the way it happened. heartbroken and lost she starts all over but this time with more support than ever.
Sunrise on half moon bay really brought so many things, the connection and the love of a family, this is the most wonderful thing of the book, how all the women in this book survive and fought so hard to have what the needed and especially that they were strong and were victorious after so many heartaches. I love the feeling of unity, the bond between Justine, Adele, Libby, and Amber is was fabulous and so heart-melting.
The secondary characters were also amazing they gave so much depth to the main characters Scott, Jake, Ross, Logan, and Cat all of them, wonderful characters as well.
I really recommend this book so much!! like, go pre-order all the versions now.
Now I don’t know what I’m going to read next after this magnificent story.
3.5 stars
If you’re looking for a book about women finding themselves after being lost to either work or family obligations or both, here ya go. Many people, especially women, can go years and years thinking they have a great life and that they’re happy, until something “other” happens and knocks them out of those beliefs. Sometimes that’s a wonderful thing, and something it’s very overwhelming and takes a lot of time to dig out of those old thoughts and feelings. These sisters, Addie and Justine, both get their worlds turned upside down in different ways. And they deal with these issues in different ways. Luckily, they also find a connection as sisters they never had before since they are 20 years apart. They finally start feeling like true sisters.
Addie has spent almost a decade being a caregiver to her parents. She barely left the house other than to run errands, and she didn’t mind. She loved her parents very much and was happy to help. But when first her father, then years later her mother, pass away she realizes she’s stuck in a rut. All the dreams she had for herself for when she was free to do her own thing seem like pipe dreams. Her best friend and sister are both concerned and encourage her to do something…anything.
Justine has been married for almost 30 years. Two teenage girls and a stay-at-home dad. She has a high pressure, high paying career that helps keep her husband in toys (golf clubs, ATVs, etc.) and has enabled them to help Addie stay on has their parent’s caregiver all these years. Justine loves her daughters and her husband and thinks all is well…until it isn’t.
The catalyst for both sisters to change their lives is the same, but for different reasons. Justine husband is cheating on her. Let me tell you, I truly hate that man. I don’t believe there is any point in this story where I feel sorry for him or understand what made Justine think he’s been a great father or husband. He’s not a bad father, at least not at first. But he does the minimum of what needs doing. Yet he has Justine believing they are “living the life” and will have many more happy years together. I’ll warn you, if you’ve ever been cheated on there may be parts of this story that are difficult to get through. This man is a real piece of work. He’s selfish and petty and vindictive.
As for Addie, she learns that even though she’s been a caregiver she kind of doesn’t know how to take care of herself. But she changes that and starts to find things she loves to do. Addie gains confidence and expands her friend base. In the beginning of this story there are some things that Justine says to Addie that make me think I may not like Justine, but she comes around. Addie has worked hard for those she loves and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. But that has left her open to people taking advantage, even when they don’t mean to.
Both sisters have their own little romances going on, but I don’t classify this one as a romance. That is so peripheral to what the true story is with these women. And, quite frankly, I didn’t feel the romantic connection with Addie and her beau. I did with Justine and her guy, but it was more like a low simmer. In some ways, especially with Addie, I think the author did that on purpose. Yet it keeps me from looking at this story as a true romance.
Robyn Carr is great at writing real women with real problems, yet make their stories enjoyable. I absolutely adore the way Justine’s girls handle the issues their parents have. I love the coworkers Addie befriends. All of the women in this story are amazing. This is a solid read.
** I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own and given freely. **
I always look forward to Robyn Carr’s new releases, and “Sunrise on Half Moon Bay” did not disappoint.
This story focuses on sisters Justine and Adele, who must attempt to rebuild their lives and navigate changing relationships in the wake of their mother’s death. Born twenty years apart, the sisters have never been close, but as they help each other cope with the realities of their changed circumstances, they come to realize that they have a lot more in common than they ever thought possible.
Both Justine and Adele were well-developed and likeable characters, and it was easy for me to empathize with each of their experiences over the course of the story. Neither of them was perfect, but their flaws just made them seem more realistic and relatable. I also appreciated that this story was not predictable, and several things did not turn out exactly the way I expected. That was particularly true of the arc involving Justine’s husband, Scott, which took a turn that I never would have anticipated.
Overall, “Sunrise on Half Moon Bay” is an excellent addition to Ms. Carr’s body of work, and I recommend it for all fans of contemporary women’s fiction. I look forward to Ms. Carr’s next novel!
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.