Looking for a great story filled with many emotional twists that will book you instantly? This is it! I've read this author many times and I love the way these characters felt so real and relatable. A great beach read!

This is book 2 in the Cape Sanctuary series. This book can be read as a stand alone. Jessica is returning to Cape Sanctuary to help a client downsize her home and get rid of clutter. Her son is very hands on and is watching her with his mother's belongings. Jessica's sister Rachel has stayed in their home town and has a young autistic child that Jessica is helping her with. A scandal from their past has Jessica eager to get back on the road but will love and family help her put down roots in her hometown. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

While this is book two in the cape Sanctuary series by Thayne it can be read as a stand alone. This was a nice light read that would be perfect for the summer or a weekend read. I found the characters to be relatable and charming. The pace was perfect and kept me engaged throughout the entire book. I loved seeing the two main female characters Jess and Rachel overcome their past trauma and renew their bond as sisters. I also enjoyed the budding romance between Jess and Nate and loved that they got their HEA in the end.

This is the second book in the Cape Sanctuary series. I enjoyed the first one, but didn't really love this one. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I also didn't love the romance. IT takes place over a very short period of time and it was too fast. I also didn't care for the sister's story. It was just a so-so read for me.

The Path to Sunshine Cove
by RaeAnne Thayne
Pub Date: March 30, 2021

I am new to reading RaeAnne Thayne, but now I am an avid follower of her books and really enjoy this author.
I do recommend this title. It was sooo good!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

5star

Written straight from the heart, The Path to Sunshine Cove is the latest surefire bestseller from master storyteller RaeAnne Thayne.

Jessica Clayton had vowed to put as much distance as possible between herself and her home town of Cape Sanctuary. Much happier and safe when she is on the road helping others downsize, Jess firmly believes that there should be no space in people’s lives for clutter and has made a career out of this philosophy. Jess never imagined that she would ever set foot back in Cape Sanctuary – until a new client hires her and she is forced to go back to the place she had once called home. Jess has never been able to shake off the shackles of this town for not only is she constantly haunted by memories of the past, but her little sister Rachel had put down roots and settled in Cape Sanctuary. Will the two sisters reconnect after putting old ghosts to rest? And will they realize that despite their differences, their bond will always end up drawing them back together?

While Jess feels happier when she is traveling all around the globe, her sister Rachel cannot imagine living anywhere other than the town she had been born and raised in. Rachel appears to have a life that is as close to perfect as it is possible to get, but behind closed doors, it’s a whole other story. The demands of her youngest child’s disability have ended up driving a wedge between her and her husband and with her marriage in jeopardy, Rachel needs her sister more than ever. However, Jessica has made it perfectly clear that family is not on her list of priorities and that she won’t hang around Cape Sanctuary for long, but will she end up changing her mind when her hometown begins to get under her skin?

Jess had vowed not to get attached to anyone or anything while in Cape Sanctuary, however, that is easier said than done as she finds herself forging a bond with her sister again and she even begins to develop feelings for Nate, her client’s very interfering son. Will Cape Sanctuary end up being just what Jess needs to move on from the past that is still holding her hostage? Can she make a future for herself in her old home town? Or will she end up with no other option but to flee from Cape Sanctuary all over again?

RaeAnne Thayne’s The Path to Sunshine Cove is a poignant, engrossing and emotional tale about second chances, starting over and coming home sure to satisfy this much-loved author’s legion of fans. Hopeful, heartfelt and honest, The Path to Sunshine Cove beautifully explores family ties, the bonds that bind sisters together and the power of love. A book that will make readers cry but which will gladden their hearts and lift their spirits, The Path to Sunshine Cove is a spellbinding contemporary tale from an exceptional writer of women’s fiction: RaeAnne Thayne.

4.5 Stars

I made sure to read the first book in the series before reading this one. I was a little surprised there was no overlap.

Jess leads a nomadic life in her airstream (the dream!). Her sister Rachel’s life seems picture perfect at least according to her Instagram profile.

These two sisters work through their past and their own failings and find love for one and rekindle her marriage for the other.

Would love to get myself an airstream and visit Cape Sanctuary

This just never caught me. I kept expecting to love the but it never happened. Love her other books so this was a surprise.

This was a wonderful story about two sisters who each have their personal issues. They haven’t been close but have the opportunity to fix that when Jess takes a job in the town where her sister lives. There is also a love interest between Jess and the son of her employer. Love this story about Sunshine Cove!

Thanks for the advance NetGalley copy.

Having had a difficult childhood Jessica and her sister Rachel were separated as teenagers and it’s affected them.
Rachel is now married with three children, her youngest was just diagnosed with autism, Rachel is really struggling with everything but online it appears she has the perfect life .
Jessica has served in the military and she nows runs her own business with her partner Yvette who also served in the military . Their business helps older people declutter and organize their homes before they downsize.
Jessica accepts a two week job in the town of Cape Sanctuary for a woman named Eleanor, Eleanor lost her husband six months before and needs help with her home. Hoping to reconnect with her sister since she also lives in Cape Sanctuary she heads to the small town
When Jessica arrives she meets Eleanors son Nate. There’s an immediate attraction even though he came off a bit hostile, Hes a single father with a thirteen year old, he’s struggling with the recent death of his father and raising his daughter neither one is looking for a fling or a relationship but they can’t deny what’s her there. This book covers so much, two families both dealing with trauma and loss, recent and past and pressures of everyday life. Told in multiple POV. I truly enjoyed this book four stars!

I loved this book! It was just what I needed for a light spring read! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and hope to see them in future books by this author. I really enjoyed the setting too, which was described well and made me feel like I was there.

This was a very lighthearted read. Definitely some Hallmark channel vibes going on, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need in your life (and I’m not ashamed to admit it). The story tackles love after loss, tense family relationships, parenting newborns, parenting tweens, parenting autistic children, aging parents, and sick family members. You’d think, with all that, the book would be a downer. But it isn’t. The story stays positive and moves along quickly. The ending was a bit predictable, but I didn’t mind it. The Path to Sunshine Cove is a perfect feel-good book for a quiet spring day.

Small-town romances always pull at my heartstrings, but combine that with a heartwarming story about sisters, great secondary characters, and a charming, idyllic beach setting, and voila, you've got The Path to Sunshine Cove!

This is my first RaeAnne Thayne novel, but I guarantee you it won't be my last! RaeAnne's smooth writing style and beautiful storytelling hooked me from the very beginning, and I absolutely fell in love with sisters Jess and Rachel. The co-owner of a business called Transitions that helps people declutter and downsize (often after a loved one passes away), Jess Clayton is constantly on the go and doesn't settle anywhere for too long. When her latest assignment sends her to Cape Sanctuary, a small town in Northern California where her younger sister Rachel lives, however, Jess is hopeful she can spend some quality time with her nieces and nephew and work on repairing the strained relationship with her sister.

From the outside looking in, Rachel McBride has the perfect life with her high school sweetheart, but this stay-at-home mom of three kids under the age of seven is completely exhausted. An Instagram influencer whose youngest child was just diagnosed with autism, Rachel is trying to juggle her marriage, homelife, social media accounts, three high-energy kids, a book club, and a women's group at church, but when it all comes to a head, will she be willing to accept some help from her big sister?

While this book had a subtle hint of romance, I really loved that the main storylines revolved around Jess and Rachel's relationship, Jess' relationship with Eleanor, Rachel and Cody's marriage, and Nate's (Jess' love interest) evolving relationship with his teenage daughter, Sophie. I could truly relate to Rachel's story, too. As a stay-at-home mom myself, I have certainly struggled at times being the main caregiver to two high-energy, asthmatic boys who have needed some speech and occupational therapy over the years. While they are my heart and I wouldn't trade them for the world, I could completely empathize as I was let into Rachel's life, both through her inner monologue and her conversations with Jess. I too have yearned for things to be perfect, but like Rachel, I've also had to learn how to be more gentle with myself and to accept that I'm only human and hit my breaking point sometimes, too. RaeAnne's portrayal of Rachel and Cody's marriage and how the stress of both having an autistic child and being emotionally, mentally, and physically worn out impacted it was also very realistic.

Last but not least, I adored Eleanor. What an incredible lady, who was able to bring so many characters together in such a beautiful way!

This is one treasure trove of a book you won't want to miss! Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! As for me, I'm off to read more of RaeAnne's books because I've definitely discovered another beloved author! Thank you so much to Berit @berittalksbooks and Erica @whimsicallyme for hosting such a fantastic buddy read, as well as @letstalkbookspromo @getredprbooks @raeanne and @harlequinbooks for my gifted e-copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review!

The Path to Sunshine Cove

Sisters Jess and Rachel were once super close but unfortunate circumstances strained their relationship. While Rachel has settled in small town Sunshine Cove with her own family, Jess is still single and always on the move on her Airstream, taking on jobs as professional “declutterer” a.k.a. helping people downsize, let go and dispose of non-essential stuff that have accummulated over time. When a job in Sunshine Cove presented, Jess saw it as an opportunity to be close to her sister again. When she arrived, she met her employer’s son Nate, who thought she’s a tresspasser and a scammer out to rob his mom! Sparks fly and eventually, these 2 realized their attraction to each other is becoming something more. The only problem is, Jess is a bit of a commitment-phobe. But more than the budding romance between Jess and Nate, what I really liked from this book is the focus on the different types of relationships and how the issues on each one were resolved. Jess and Rachel’s sibling issues were very relatable as well as Rachel’s own marital troubles. I really enjoyed reading how they patched things up. Another focal point in the book is about Eleanor having a hard time letting go of her late husband’s things as well as the multigenerational stuff that had amassed over time in the family home. I know we can all relate with this! I liked the way Jess MariKondoed everything while still being sensitive to Eleanor’s feelings. Plus points too for the author for making Rachel and Cody parents of special needs child. I always laud authors for including mental health issues and presenting them in a realistic way. Although it might seem like there are too many things going on in this book, this wasn’t a heavy book to read and it’s still a feel-good novel for me. It’s actually part of a series but this book can be read as stand alone. This will be out on March 30, 2021 so please watch out for it!

My rating: 🔖🔖🔖🔖/5

Thanks to @letstalkbookspromo @getredprbooks @raeannethayne @harlequinbooks for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.5 Hearts This is a RaeAnn Thayne book so of course it is a great read!!! I might have had more than a passing fan feel to this book since my son has autism. Let me explain.

Jess comes back to Cape Sanctuary where she used to live. Her sister, Rachel, still lives there but their relationship is a bit strained. And while the world sees Rachel’s life as perfect there is a lot more going on. Rachel’s son has just been diagnosed with Autism and it seems her world is unraveling and when she needs her sister the most her sister hasn’t been there. And now Jess is back and Rachel hopes she will have the sister she desperately needs. But Jess doesn’t feel the same…. Or does she? Jess is becoming more attached especially to her nephew and the relationship with her sister is slowly growing.

Now, like I said I have a son who was diagnosed with Autism but thankfully a very high functioning child on the spectrum. I remember the feeling when I was told our lives would be changed and the first person I called was my sister. I couldn’t imagine having the relationship that Jess and Rachel have.

So the story was palpable to me and is so true to life. Thayne is a master at women’s fiction and high on my recommendation to strangers list but this will be the book I recommend at the same time I recommend Thayne.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Not only was The Path to Sunshine Cove a sweet love story, it’s also a story of grit, perseverance and acceptance. Jess has not lived an easy life but has loved being able to travel the country on her RV helping people clean out their homes. When she goes to Sunshine Cove for a job, she is not expecting the growth she ends up experiencing. She grows in her strained relationship with her sister Rachel and also becomes close with Whitaker family! Jess has to have faith that she can be in a relationship that will be different than the relationship her late parents had. The story is told from Nate, Jess and Rachel’s perspective which provides such a great dimension to the story. Eleanor was the sweetest lady and I loved her advice throughout the novel. Definitely a feel good, beautiful story!

This isn't my typical genre but I've been seeing this author a lot on Bookstagram and I needed a change from my typical books. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one and how I felt an emotional connection to the characters.

Super brief synopsis: Jess lives in an Airstream traveling the country for her work. Her sister, Rachel, lives in a quaint seaside town in her perfect home with her perfect family. Jess takes a temporary job in said town in order to reconnect with her sister. And then ALL the history and feelings and struggles play out. Plus some hot guy love.

What I liked about this book: I connected with Jess because of her Airstream, life on the road, desire to just keep moving and to never settle. That was me in 2009-2012. AND, I connected with Rachel being a mom to three kids, trying to aim for perfection all while constantly managing chaos. (That’s me now!)

There’s so much more to unpack in this book than I ever thought and I enjoyed every little bit of it. I liked the characters, I felt a lot of the same emotions. The author does a great job of connecting readers to the characters.

What I didn’t like about this book: Every time a man spoke he said it “gruffly.” I could’ve done without that.

Will I read more of these books? Yes.

3.5 Stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jess travels light and uses her no-nonsense approach when helping her clients downsize and declutter their homes. When she arrives in Cape Sanctuary, with her vintage Airstream trailer in tow, she is combining work with a family visit. Her sister Rachel lives in Cape Sanctuary with her husband and kids and, while they stay in touch, there is a distance between them. Upon her arrival, she immediately has a run-in with Nate, her client's son, and they get off to a rocky start.

Rachel's life may look picture-perfect from the outside, but she feels anything but. She tries so hard to present an Instagram-worthy persona, but her son's recent autism diagnosis has her floundering. Her tight grip of control is slipping and she lashes out at her husband just when she needs him most. With her sister Jess in town for a few weeks, Rachel wants to regain the closeness they once had, but Jess seems content to keep their surface-level relationship as-is.

There was so much to enjoy in this one. The main characters were such good, decent people and their struggles, and their reactions to them, felt so realistic. Jess was independent and could be a little prickly, but still found herself becoming attached to Nate, his mother, and his daughter. I loved Nate's mother Eleanor and how she drew Jess in so quickly, becoming both a friend and a mother-figure. I enjoyed the chapters from Nate's point of view as he navigated his relationship with his teenage daughter as well as his feelings for Jess. And poor Rachel was so overwhelmed... it was easy to sympathize with her. It was obvious she loved her husband, and he adored her, but they were feeling so disconnected from one another. These characters are what drew me into the story so quickly and had me invested in their lives.

This is only the second book I have read from Thayne and both have been such feel-good stories that were exactly what I needed at the time. While these characters were dealing with some serious issues and had heartache in their pasts, the tone was never too heavy. I certainly recommend this heartwarming tale to readers who enjoy stories of family connections with a side of romance.

Jessica Clayton spent life on the road, making a career out of helping others downsize. A new client is in Cape Sanctuary, where her younger sister still lives with her husband and children. Rachel's marriage is stressed, but she knows better than to lean on Jessica for help. As for Jessica, she's starting to get attached to others in spite of herself and will have to figure out what she really wants to do.

Jess and her sister Rachel had parents who were poor role models, so Jess tried to make it so she didn't have relationships at all and Rachel tried to rely on only herself. Neither are particularly healthy outlooks on life. Jess went from job to job to job, rarely even visiting her sister's family, all of her energy spent on her business helping people declutter their homes in anticipation of moving or downsizing. This way, there weren't any emotional attachments or chance of disappointment. Rachel turned into an Instagram influencer, one of those Mommy bloggers who makes everything from scratch and has to look perfect while taking care of three children under seven. On top of that, her youngest has autism, with sensory issues, little ability to speak despite nearly being three, and having tantrums whenever frustrated.

Neither lifestyle is sustainable. Jess makes attachments in spite of herself, enjoying her client's company and having an attraction to her son. Rachel is close to her breaking point, and it's only Jess pointing that out which makes her realize it. Confronting each others' fears means that the sisters aren't as awkward around each other, and are able to let go of the pain they had grown up with and internalized. It's only by embracing family and important people in their lives that they can move on. This is most dramatic for Jess, until we reach our happily ever after at the end.

Jessica Clayton has spent her adult life on the road helping people downsize. She has learned its the best way to keep her heart safe not to mention she loves what she's doing. Jess is on her way to Cape Sanctuary, the town she was happy to leave behind, to help a client reduce the clutter around her home. Her sister Rachel still lives there and she hopes this visit will bring them closer together. Jess soon becomes attached to the older woman she is helping out along with the woman's adult son and his daughter. Emotions soon become to much for her and she doesn't know what she is going to do when her time is up in Cape Sanctuary and her next mob is up. Follow along as Jess works through her issues and tries to open her heart to those around her. This was a lovely and emotional read that takes you on Jess's journey, showing you that true love and acceptance can help break through even the toughest of barriers.