“Stitched together with love, this is a story just waiting for your favorite reading chair. With her signature style and skill, Susan Wiggs delivers an intricate patchwork of old wounds and new beginnings, romance and the healing power of friendship, wrapped in a lovely little community that’s hiding a few secrets of its own.” — Lisa Wingate, New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were … author of Before We Were Yours
The #1 New York Times bestselling author brings us her most ambitious and provocative work yet—a searing and timely novel that explores the most volatile issue of our time—domestic violence.
At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.
She’s come home.
Home to a place she thought she’d left forever, home of her heart and memories, but not her future. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous fashion world of Manhattan. But her success in New York imploded on a wave of scandal and tragedy, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.
And in the backseat of Caroline’s car are two children who were orphaned in a single chilling moment—five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She’s now their legal guardian—a role she’s not sure she’s ready for.
But the Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to pass on their thriving seafood restaurant to the next generation. And there’s Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who’s also returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline’s best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.
Caroline returns to her favorite place: the sewing shop owned by Mrs. Lindy Bloom, the woman who inspired her and taught her to sew. There she discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle—where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.
Yet just as Caroline regains her creativity and fighting spirit, and the children begin to heal from their loss, an unexpected challenge tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She’s going to stand and fight for everything—and everyone—she loves.
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Although it dealt with the important topic of violence and abuse, it was predictable and ultimately not very satisfying. Nothing surprising in a good, deserving girl getting the good deserving guy in the end after many soul searching struggles.
Not quite what I was expecting when I first got it. But really rather realistic, maybe, definitely readable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great story. Enjoyed it but wish she would have left out the bad language in parts of the book and the longated sexual descriptions.
I just love this book! It is just so spot on for the current times, well of all times! There is some tragedy but there are also plenty of laughs. Susan knows how to write a perfect story. The kind you just don’t or can’t put down. The kind that will go in your “I will read this again shelf”. Thanks for the awesome book Susan!
Loved the book!
Don’t let the name turn you off like I did for a time. Great story as always from Susan Wiggs.
I got this book in a contest and I am so glad that I won!! It is a wonderful book and the characters could just step off the page into your life. It is a well written book. I am going to pass it around too all of my friends.
Dealt with tough but real topics. A well-written book.
Another winner
I loved the characters and the juxtaposition between the main character’s life. I loved the back stories and the romance as well. Somewhat predictable, and yet, had some twists. Also liked the inspiration in some of the backdrop of the book.
Definitely a book I looked forward to picking up!
It was an interesting combination of readability and fact sharing. The romance line of the story was fun, but the information shared about the issue of domestic violence was valuable and timely. The format presented for an abuse support group was interesting.
One of those books that you can read for an “escape”. Sometimes you just need one of those cozy, curl up and read books.
I really enjoyed this book. I was more than a little surprised that it wasn’t about a sewing circle at all, but a domestic violence support group (not a spoiler as this is in the description). This book shows that domestic violence happens in every demographic no matter your race, religion or financial status. Sometimes, you just need to go home in order to grow as an individual.
Fun read with well-written character. Predictable yet satisfying. Brain Candy without the cavities.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting is a place unfamiliar to me in some ways (geographic location), but – at the same time – it was quite familiar (on the water) to me. What strikes me about this book is the good hearts on display – the main character who – in the midst of her own tragedy (personally and professionally) – is moved to learn more about something she had little awareness of. It wasn’t her battle, but it was a battle that needed to be fought.
A fine writer- I want to read all her books.
As with all her books, her characters come alive in a book filled with twists and truths woven through an unforgettable story!
Brings into the forefront domestic abuse.
Susan Wiggs is a wonderful writer, who always gives us characters we come to care about. This story has interesting family relationships and friendships from childhood to adulthood and shows how people can change for the benefit of others. There is mystery, romance, failure and success. Very good read.
It dragged for me and got boring.