There was so little character development in this book that I found it very difficult to empathize with any of the characters or relate to much of the story

Grab a tub of cranberry-chocolate ice cream, a big spoon, and get comfortable because Kristin Harper is going to transport you to the windswept shores of Dune Island in, Aunt Ivy’s Cottage, to be published December 7th, 2020.

Having lost it all, Zoey escapes to her old family vacation home on a beautiful island off Cape Cod to seek healing. Not only has she been laid off her librarian job, but due to her ex-boyfriend’s poor financial advice, she’s lost her life savings and is on the brink of losing her townhouse. This coupled with the death of her parents and her older sister, has left Zoey emotionally drained. Quality time with Aunt Ivy is just what she needs. Unfortunately, her cousin Mark arrives and instantly clashes with Zoey over the extent of care 86 year old Ivy needs as well as the need for upgrading the Federal-style home built in the early 1800s. Suddenly, what was to be a soul-quenching stay ends up adding to her stress. Furthermore, she unwittingly discovers a secret that her great aunt meant to keep buried. Will this secret tear apart the family? Is Mark upgrading the cottage to sell it? Can this handyman be trusted? What connection does the cantankerous old lighthouse keeper have with the family?

It’s been a long time since I’ve been so emotionally invested in fictional characters. Harper has masterfully created such an immersive read with realistic and loveable characters. The depth of her descriptions not only gave me a feel for life in Cape Cod but also made me feel like I was a guest at Aunt Ivy’s, too. Harper loves to educate her readers and it’s obvious when Zoey explains ‘keeping rooms’ and ornate dentil molding to her niece, Gabi. I also appreciated the author’s sense of humour when she’s explaining why Mr. Wetherell only communicates through grunts and what the family did with teeth that fell out. Harper’s success I believe is due to spending so much time on Cape Cod as a child; she knows the quirks and perks of island living, the stunning sea views, unique architecture and the eccentric types of characters who live there.

At the core of Harper’s story is the value of family and what members are willing to do for each other. You’ll be reminded that sometimes what we seek isn’t necessarily what we need and that sometimes appearances are deceiving.

I truly was sad to flip over the last page of this delicious read.

Thank you, Kristin Harper, Bookouture and Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.