The family saga that restored my faith in family sagas: The Second Home!

On my plane home from Europe last week, I fully expected to read a bit, get a couple hours of sleep, and maybe watch a movie. Instead, I devoured this entire book.

The Second Home is the story of the Gordon family, made up of parents Ed and Connie and siblings Ann, Poppy, and adopted brother Michael. The narrative covers the time from when the three siblings are teens to when they are in their forties and trying to find their footing after the loss of Ed and Connie.

I found the Gordon family lovable, quirky, and completely relatable. They are people with big hearts and good intentions AND plenty of mistakes and miscommunication. I found my heart invested in each of the siblings as their stories unfolded.

Also, the setting of the story, Welfleet, MA on Cape Cod, is very special to me. I spent two weeks in Welfleet almost every summer of my childhood, so it is a spot near and dear. I loved the way the author captured the details — the beach, the vendors, and the snobbiness of the people who vacation on the “Outer Cape”.

It was no surprise to learn she, too, spent many childhood summers there, too! This one comes out on June 2, 2020 and would be the perfect book to bring to any beach destination (or couch!) this summer.

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this one early!

Rating: 4/5 #agrayreviews

Captivating characters are drawn back to their family's funky vacation home in an elegantly described area of the true Cape Cod. Ann and Poppy Gordon are the children of "hippie" parents who provide them with an eclectic and loving family life. Michael is a friend of Ann's who is adopted by the Gordon's when all three children are teens and he is newly orphaned. The family always spends summers on the Cape, but events during their last summer there as a family alter their lives forever. Each child moves on into adulthood in their own way. They become estranged, living very different lifestyles. Fifteen years later, the circumstances of their parents' tragic deaths bring them together in ways they could have never imagined.
Clancy has given her readers a wonderful debut novel with well-developed , three dimensional characters. This reader was drawn into the story, caring about the characters and the outcome. The Second Home was hard to put down even though I read it late into the night. I look forward to more work from this gifted author.

I really wanted to like this book based on the description of the setting and general plot. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. There were editing errors and the characters were too stereotypical. The older “ good “ sister, the off beat younger one...the too good to be true adopted son. Without any spoilers, I will just say that the ending was also just too pat for it to be believable...all the loose ends neatly wrapped up. I think the author has promise and hope her next endeavor will be a true winner.

This book was a wonderful debut novel. The descriptions were evocative. I felt like I was on the Cape and in the vacation home!
I read this book in two sittings and, despite having a 72 hour deadline, I didn't want to put the book down. As mentioned I felt the place but I also attached to the characters and really wanted to know their stories. I think the author did a great job of defining all her characters in depth and uniquely. I was actually interested in all of them, except perhaps one! I thought the plot was well presented, as all scenes were well connected to the story or the characters development. If I had any criticism it was perhaps a bit predictable but I still wanted the details of how the characters reacted to each situation. I also enjoyed the pure storytelling of this novel without the author feeling the need to add unnecessary social commentary. It was purely delightful reading.

I really enjoyed this book. it was a fun read but well written. Will have to check out the authors other work.

If you are looking for a good involved family drama about flawed but very real characters, I think you will really enjoy this book. It was a little heavier/deeper than I initially expected, but the way the story flowed it all eventually fell into place. I really liked the multiple perspectives of the story. The issues laid forth for the characters were creative but still believable. My only critique would be that I felt the ending was a little too abrupt - there was so much time and detail put into the back story that I would have relished seeing the ending play out a little more. Still a very good book and I would recommend it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley for my opportunity to read this book.

The Second Home is a page turner of a tale brimming with family love, lies, and loss. The Gordon family's idyllic summer life at the shore is shattered as their teenager daughter becomes a victim of adult dalliance. Rocking their five lives and generations to come, readers will tear through this book looking for a happy ending. Christina Clancy's descriptions of the shore and the Gordon home delivers the reader just in time to hear the waves crashing.

I just finished this wonderful family story in 2 sittings.
It’s the story of the Gordens and the family home in Wellfleet Ma that had belonged to them for generations.
One summer changed everything for them.
It took many years and a lot of sadness to bring them back together.
They looked upon the house as an anchor that finally brought them home together.

This book was an interesting story that kept me involved to the very end, the subject matter was a little intense, but the story and characters were well written

A wonderful beach read even in the dead of a New England winter! This novel of love, secrets, family and miscommunication kept me turning the pages even when I was supposed to be doing something else. The characters are believable and realistic. Reading this transports you to the time and place described. I really felt for each of the siblings, Poppy, Ann and Michael, as the author wrote with such empathy and truth. Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read #thebeachhouse before publication in exchange for an honest review.

This is a gripping story about how one summer at the family cottage changed the lives of 3 siblings. Due to a tragic event, the siblings are reunited at the cottage 16 years later and hurts are healed.

A definite page turner that you won't regret reading!

THE SECOND HOME - Christina Clancy
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 978-1-250-23934-1 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-250-23960-0 (ebook)
June 2020
Fiction

Wellfleet, MA and Wisconsin - Present day and 1999/2000

Ann Gordon is at her family's summer home on Cape Cod to meet with a realtor. As much as it pains her, she has convinced herself that the two hundred year old house must be sold. With the recent sudden deaths of her parents in a car accident, Ann, the eldest daughter, has been left to clean up the mess of their tragic loss. The only problem is, she cannot find a will, so she has made some individual decisions that may not sit well with her sister, or the adopted brother who has been out of the picture for a while. Her sister, Poppy, is a free spirit who could be anywhere in the world, surfing, teaching yoga, or who knows what. Ann had no way of contacting her except by email about their parents' deaths, and, as far as she knows, Poppy is still unaware. As for their brother, Michael, he disappeared sixteen years ago after a family issue that Ann would sooner forget.

The realtor doesn't have a lot of good news for Ann. The repairs on the house have been neglected for years and, despite its history and appeal, may not bring as much as Ann had hoped. Ann had plans to move to a bigger apartment in Boston, help her son with college, and just not have to live paycheck to paycheck. But upon Poppy's arrival, and Ann's son's appeal to keep the house, things get complicated.

Sixteen years ago, Ann had befriended a homeless boy at school, and soon her parents, both teachers and relics of the sixties, embraced Michael, and then adopted him. For Michael, it was the first time he felt safe, and he especially loved it when the Gordons packed up their car and headed to Cape Cod each summer. Two years later, however, his world crashed around him when an incident with Ann involving a family on the Cape that she babysat for dragged him back down.

Poppy never wanted to settle down, to commit herself to anyone or anything, and she flitted from one country to another, rarely in touch with her family. The horrible news of her parents' deaths drew her back to Wisconsin, where Ann had begged her to go and sell the family home. Unknown to Poppy, her father had moved a man into the house to keep track of Poppy's mother, who had been ill. Brad and Poppy had been students together, The two work out an agreement, and are surprisingly drawn to one another.

Each chapter of THE SECOND HOME is devoted to one character. The family unit has always been free spirited, although Ann has always been a planner (her dad's nickname for her was Ann with a Plan). And now, she is torn by her family's hesitation to sell the summer home. Poppy and Ann's son, Noah, want to keep the house in the family. If only Ann's father had left a will! Things really get complicated when Michael reappears.

I really couldn't put this book down. Readers will want to know what's really going on, who and what caused the break sixteen years ago, and what will happen to the beloved old house. The characters are realistically drawn, all too human, and each has their foibles and strengths. The Cape Cod house is the hero of the story, and every reader will be able to see it in their minds.

The Second Home should be a must read for everyone who loves excellent family drama... and this story has drama and love and heartache and love and loss and love. Centered around an old house on Cape Cod and that summer so long ago that changed the lives of the Gordon family this book is impossible to put down. The story is incredible well written with defined characters that draw the reader to feel their highs, their lows, their joys, their heartaches. These characters become real and even when their choices might make a reader cringe, there is understanding because most of us at one point were young and made stupid choices. I don’t want to give spoilers. Read the book. It is wonderful. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

The Second Home by Christina Clancy is a wonderful fictional novel that is about family, love, forgiveness, acceptance, and second chances.

I enjoyed reading about the dynamics and interplay between Ann, Poppy, and Michael. The paths that they have led to bring them to where they are at this point and how they were able to overcome and move forward was powerful and beautiful. The ending was fabulous and perfect.

The author was able to invoke such passion and emotion for me in the telling of the three siblings from their alternating viewpoints, and I was hooked from beginning to end.

Great book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

A lovely story about family relationships. Ann and Poppie are sisters who welcome Michael into the family. They are all teenagers who live in Milwaukee and have a summer home in South Wellfleet on Cape Cod. Michael and Ann are in love but since they are “brother and sister” they don’t act on it. Ann becomes a babysitter for a wealthy family for the summer while they are on the Cape. She flirts with the husband and ends up being raped by him. She becomes pregnant and when she tells the father he concocts a story implicating Michael. Michael is forced to disappear and take the blame for Ann’s pregnancy. Poppie meanwhile is getting into surfing and drugs. Poppie is a free spirit who leaves and travels the world and doesn’t keep in contact with her family. Michael ends up back at the Cape but in hiding. The parents are killed in an accident returning to Milwaukee. Ann emails Poppie who doesn’t receive the email immediately. When Ann can’t find a will she is forced to sell both residents. Poppie returns 6 months later to sell the Milwaukee property and finds Brad living in the house. Brad and Poppie fall in love but Poppie can’t commit to Brad. Brad eventually decides to buy the property and Poppie leaves to go to Cape Cod. Ann and Poppie are estranged by this time and have different opinions on selling the cottage. Michael has a daughter by this time and finds out that Connie and Ed have died. Ann hasn’t listed Michael as a co-owner of the cottage on the real estate listing. When Michael finds this out there is all sorts of interaction between all three. Eventually the will is found and the cottage has been put into a trust for the grandchildren. Ann thinks good, Noah has got the cottage and she won’t have to let Michael have anything to do with it. That’s when Ann is told about Michael’s daughter. The court rules that Ann and Michael must share the cottage on a biweekly basis. Poppie meanwhile asks Michael received a payoff from mr. Shaw and Michael whose is on a telephone call says yes but Poppie doesn’t give him the chance to explain. Poppie then takes off again to Portugal leaving Brad behind. Eventually the truth comes out about the pregnancy and Ann and Michael work out their differences. Poppie finds out she is pregnant and plans to return to Milwaukee in the future. The story is about lies and how they can effect relationships. Thank you to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This is a beautifully written novel from Christina Clancy, a new author. The Gordons are a nice family with hard working parents, two lovely teenage daughters, and a newly adopted teenage son. They travel each summer from Milwaukee to a family home on Cape Cod. This home is as important as the human characters. Ms. Clancy has a wonderful sense of time and place. You can almost feel the ocean breeze on Cape Cod, either bitterly blowing in the winter or cooling the air in the summer. Each character is very real with flaws and deep emotions. The novel explores what it means to be a family -- through blood, adoption, friendship, or love. Thank you to Goodreads, Net Galley, and St. Martins Press for an early copy.

THE SECOND HOME follows three very different siblings in a summer house on Cape Cod. I was expecting a complex family saga full of secrets and emotion but I ended up with a quite superficial and flat plot. I wanted to read more depth in the characters' development. While I understood a bit the author's intention in focusing the characters, I couldn't connect with them and disliked Ann - I found her actions annoying and childish at times. I felt that the story line was missing something and I was always expecting some truth to be revealed. Although I didn't love the twist in the end, the ending was wrapped up in a realistic and beautiful way. The author approaches some great topics such as grief, forgiveness, family and love.

This book is perfect for readers looking for a slow burn family saga.

A summer home with so many memories .Two sisters who have drifted apart a reunion a time to heal so many emotional moments so much to heal.A warm wonderful read a book I didn’t want to end.#netgalley#The secondhome.

Eh. I wanted to like this a lot but it fell flat for me. The book follows the lives of the Gordon family who have a summer house on the cape.
There were a ton of plot holes and the ending was wrapped too neatly in a bow to be believable. None of the characters were fleshed out enough.

An author to keep your eye on! The Second Home by Christina Clancy is a beautifully written book told from multiple points of view. I predict this will be the book club pick for at least one major book club (Reese’s book club or maybe Read With Jenna?). This will be ideal summer reading as it comes out late spring/early summer. Its books like this which make me want to step up my writing game!

Synopsis:

After a disastrous summer spent at her family’s summer home on Cape Cod, seventeen-year-old Ann Gordon is left harboring a secret that changes her life forever, and creates a rift between her sister, Poppy, and their adopted brother, Michael.

Now, fifteen years later, her parents have died, and Ann and her sister Poppy are left to decide the fate of the old Wellfleet home that’s been in the Gordon family for generations. While they both love the house, they decide to sell it and move forward. But then Michael re-enters their lives with a legitimate claim to a third of the estate. He wants the house. But more than that, he wants to set the record straight about that long-ago summer.

Reunited after years apart, these very different siblings are forced to decide if they can continue to be a family–and in the process, they’ll discover that the house might be the glue that holds them together.

What a gifted storyteller Christina Clancy is! Im already looking forward to her future books.

June 2, 2020