I really loved Therese Ann Fowlers last book so I was super excited for this one. Unfortunately I found this one to just be ok. I enjoyed the sisters and their relationship and how it grows after their moms death, but I just wasnt as pulled in as I hoped to be.

The Summer Cottage

The story of a dying mother making known her wishes in her will to sell the Summer Cottage in Maine. The three daughters involved Sophie, Beck and Claire. They each have different life styles and different views on the Cottage.

The book was not very interesting to me, I got bored with it real fast. It did start off good with C.J., but they the girls stories just did not interest me at all.

I plodded through the book, but I did have a hard time reading through and finishing it.

Thanks to Therese Ann Fowler for writing it, to St. Martin's Press for publishing it and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review a copy. All words in the review are my own.

Family relationships can be complicated, and the Geller family in Therese Anne Fowler's latest book proves to be just that. When the mother passes away from cancer, she leaves a video for her daughters that reveals her long-held secrets. Her three grown daughters are also keeping secrets from each other and reflecting on the directions of their lives. The family cabin in Maine plays a central role in the story. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I typically enjoy family dramas, but not ones that only contain selfish, unlikable characters which I found to be true of the Geller sisters (including Beck's husband). I think I would have liked C.J. from the little I read of him but I was not willing to sift through the other characters and I found the drama between the sisters to be a bit over-the-top and it just made my eyes roll. This may be more suited to readers who enjoy the drama of soap operas.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eArc. All thoughts expressed are my own.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
It All Comes Down to This is a story about sisterhood, family, grief, and the many secrets we hold dear, even from loved ones. It uses dramatic irony effectively to tell a story of many twists, turns, and revelations.

Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love that this book is written by an NC writer. The cover looks like a water painting of a coastal area complete with a sailboat, which attracts me as I love a setting with water. I noticed that the UK cover is different, which always intrigues me. The UK cover is more like a photo and depicts a mountain cabin on a lake. It's a very peaceful cover, while the US cover is a bit disjointed and requires study to figure out what you're looking at. This makes me uncertain about what to expect since the two covers are so different. From the blurb, I understand that the family's cottage in Maine is at the heart of the story and must be what's depicted on both covers. I imagine there will be dissent among the sisters as to what to do with the cottage and that it will play an essential role in their grief over their mom's passing and toward getting their own lives back on track.

Actual Reading Experience:
My actual reading experience was close to my initial expectations. What I did not expect, however, was my feelings about one of the earliest secrets revealed. This secret and the fact that it carried through the whole book left a bad taste in my mouth. Just imagining it in anything outside of a soap opera is too icky for me to stomach. I love dramatic irony, but not when it crosses that line where it begins to feel in too dark of a morally gray area. Other secrets were more relatable, though not as relatable as I expected. I would have loved for the house to play more of a role, but it sat calmly and quietly in the background for most of the story.

Now that I got all that off my chest, I want to look at what's good about this story.

The many secrets made the story flow and remain compelling from start to finish. How would they be revealed, and what would the consequences be kept me glued to the page. I loved the pace of the revelations as they came one after another at just the right time to hasten the pace.

The sisters lose their mother at the story's beginning, and I loved how their grief was handled. It felt very authentic. At first, I was doubtful, but as their grief progressed, I could more clearly see how each action and feeling is as genuine as any of us experience in such a situation.

I also loved that storytelling plays such a prominent role, especially in the writing and editing worlds. I always love a book about books, and stories play a much more central role than even the lake cabin in Maine. If that beautiful setting couldn't play a more prominent position, I'm glad storytelling had such an integral place.

Characters:
The characters are well-detailed and individualized. I loved that the three sisters are each so different. I can't say that I could relate to any at a level where I could feel empathy for their plight, but I was okay with that. I don't always have to have a character I like and/or can relate to if the story doesn't have room for such a character.

To Read or Not to Read:
If you love family stories about secrets and adore dramatic irony and soap opera-like revelations, It All Comes Down to This is a book you will want to consider this summer.

The story is about 3 sisters who lose their matriarch to cancer.
The story is also (supposed?) to be how C.J. Reynolds comes in and complicates things. But like, he doesn't even connect with them until the very end. He doesn't even complicate things for them, or anyone for that matter.

The story flip-flops between C.J.'s story and the sisters. We get the background on all of them which leads up to the decisions they will make in the book. But they all seemed so....fake? C.J.'s story could have been more believable. From the first introduction to the last page, it was so far-fetched.

And where the heck did the teacher go who was there for like 6 pages? Grr. So all over the place.

The sister's seemed wildly self-absorbed. They barely talk to each other and then meet up and start sharing secrets? Also, the end of the story seemed so wrapped up in a perfect bow that it was truly, not believable.

There wasn't a likeable character. They were all self-absorbed. The more and more I think about this book, the more I dislike it.

But, I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Therese Anne Fowler. I will let this one slide because I know her books are usually amazing but we need to go ahead and forget this one.

This book was incredibly depressing from the start. I loved the cover and the idea of the book but the way it was presented it never gave me anything else other than a depressing story.

THAT ENDING. I loved it. I’m such a sucker for narrators who address the reader. Such a guilty pleasure of mine, and this was no exception. SUCH A GOOD READ.

Sophie, Beck, and Claire are three sisters whose lives are thrown for a loop when their mother dies of cancer. Each strong-willed and in the midst of their own personal struggles, their mother's death, and last wishes put everyone's life in upheaval. Not only will the girls split her estate, but they must also have one last girl's weekend at the family cottage in Mount Desert Island before they sell the property.

As for the sisters, Sophie is a jet setter without a penny to her name. Moving from apartment to apartment, house to house, she has only designer possessions and a mountain of debt.

Beck is living in a loveless marriage. Convinced her husband is gay, and still trying to find her own path, she constantly lives in a state of somewhat unhappiness as she tries to discover just who she really is.

Claire is a pediatric cardiologist, recently divorced with high blood pressure. She needs time to relax, and people to help her find relaxation and happiness.

As their mother's hand inextricably weaves itself into the lives of each of the girls, It All Comes Down will be the family drama of the summer. Love, marriage, death, and family are all poignant themes as each of the women learns to live the life they want and deserve.

It All Comes Down to This is the story of the three Geller sisters. Their mother, Marti, is dying from cancer. She has made her final arrangements and instructions for the sisters to sell the family beach house in Maine. Marti also has made a video for the sisters that throws everything they thought they knew about their mother and her youth is wrong. Beck, Claire and Sophie and each hiding secrets. The story weaves through the sisters lives and even touches on things that happened when they were growing up. I found it hard to like the sisters. My favorite characters were CJ and Arlo. All in all, I’m glad that I read the book. Things worked out for all three in the end

4.5 stars.
I love a story of family, and this one about the Geller sisters is a winner. It begins with their mother Marti, and a secret she has held for all their lives. It was never intended to be a bad thing, just something Marti didn't want to share with her late husband Leo, or anyone else. Marti loses her battle with cancer, and the girls are left to grieve and settle her estate,whch includes the small the small house their parents had on Mount Dessert Island, Maine. The name alone is picturesque and full of stories. Beck, Claire and Sophie are split on what they should do, even though Marti left instructions to sell the house. Beck would love to keep it and use it as her writing retreat.
Naturally the secrets don't end with Marti's. She reveals her past in her final papers and will, and we learn the sisters each have their own secrets, don't we all.
I enjoyed this story so much. While I feel it was more about Beck, each sister had her own journey to face, and in the end they are able to open up more to each other. The story seemed real to me and I didn't want to leave their lives.
Therese Fowler has written Historical Fiction, more literary fiction and then this, a much lighter book full of drama and a few laughs and hope. Therese has proven herself a multifaceted and talented author. Her books are a must read for me, and I hope you'll consider picking up this book.
I was sent a digital copy and audio advance copy from the publisher an also won an ARC from Goodreads. The audiobook was narrated by Barrie Kreinik, whose voice I recognized but had not known by name. She is a very good vocal artist.

BOOK REVIEW: It All Comes Down to This by Therese Anne Fowler
2022 Publication Date: June 7

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Contemporary Fiction
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2022

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
Make your choices with your eyes on tomorrow... Not just today...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW: Therese Anne Fowler's previous book, A Good Neighborhood, continues to be one of my T.I.M.E. Favorite Books. It was also my first read of her work and completely stunning!... And I am happy to report that this author is that rare find that can truly shift gears and provide a fabulous read in multiple genres. It All Comes Down To This is full of wit and delivers insight into who we are (and can be) via a 180 degree pivot in tone and perspective from her previous book... Keep an eye on Therese Anne Fowler... You just may have found an author that can satisfy your book craving for any genre... ✨😎✨

Pages: 352
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Sub-Genre: Sisters Fiction
Time Period: Present Day
Location: Mount Desert Island, Maine

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
Movie: Sisters

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Maybe in a different time? I like the characters and thought I would really get into this one for that reason and also because I'm headed to Mount Desert Island in a few weeks, but the slow pace is not for the reader I am right now.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

It All Comes Down to This
Author, Therese Anne Fowler
Pub date: 6.7.22

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my e- arc! I read A Good Neighborhood when it was published and loved it, so I was very excited to read Fowler's latest novel.

It All Comes Down to This is a character- driven family drama about sisterhood, family bonds, loyalty, and a few secrets. Written with insight, wisdom, and compassion, I appreciated the sister relationships and the unique layers and complexities of each of the women.

The matriarch of the family, Marti Geller, is wrapping up her end-of-life wishes, ensuring that her three girls will sell the family's summer cottage in Maine, and figuring out how to tell her daughters a few secrets that she wants to unburden herself of after her imminent death. Beck, the eldest, is a freelance journalist, who has always wanted to write a novel, but feels a little intimidated to share her work with her editor husband, Paul, with whom she has an amicable marriage that feels more like a sibling relationship. Paul has a few secrets of his own. Beck really wants to keep the "camp" in Maine- it will allow her to pursue her writing dreams and maybe even allow her to live on her own.

Claire, the middle Geller sister, is an accomplished pediatric cardiologist, who recently divorced and is struggling to raise their son David as a single mom and live with her own very big secret- the one that she just can't share and the one that caused the demise of her marriage. Meanwhile, the youngest Geller sister, Sophie, is living the Instagram- worthy lifestyle filled with glamour and luxury, but in fact, is completely broke and homeless. An expert house- sitter, free- spirit, and keeper of all secrets, who may just be the glue that binds them all together.

A compulsively readable and entertaining work of fiction that has all the characteristics of a relatable drama that allows the characters to open their hearts to love, hope for second chances, and learn a lot more about themselves along the way.

Therese Anne Fowler has become one of my must-read authors. I was so excited to get my hands on her newest novel as an ARC and it did not disappoint. Give me a nice, layered family drama any day. I had high expectations of this book after how much I loved Fowler's last novel and I was not disappointed at all.

This story follows a family of 3 sisters after their mother's passing. The relationships between them is not what you would call close. They are as opposite as siblings can be, but they have to come together to deal with their mother's estate and final wishes.

I enjoyed all three of the girls immensely and each one's storyline kept me hooked. It definitely did not end the way that I had expected, but I still loved the ending. Overall, one of my favorite reads of the year so far.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The above opinions are all my own.

I dropped totally and completely with joy into Therese Anne Fowler's IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS. When Marti Geller dies, she leaves behind three daughters and a clear directive to sell their family house on Mount Desert Island in Maine. What might be a straightforward request is complicated by old and new secrets held by Marti as well as her very different children. As longstanding assumptions, memories, emotional distance, and judgments are challenged and resolved, each woman struggles and ultimately resolves her own deep-seated issues and creates a new, more rewarding and honest path for herself. Somehow Fowler made each brilliantly drawn character relatable and imperfectly perfect so that I was cheering for everyone to succeed in facing their darkest, deepest demons and triumph. A young boy, an old lover, and memory add richness and depth to an exceptional novel. Her writing is sensual and so enjoyable, I stayed up way too late reading. I received an advance copy of this novel and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

The Geller sisters' lives are in turmoil. They've just lost their mother to cancer and now have learned her will specifies that they must sell the family's beloved Maine cottage on Mount Desert Island. This all seems to be the catalyst which will reveal the cracks and secrets in each woman's life.

Therese Anne Fowler has written what she calls 'a messy-family dramedy, with wry humor and joyful resolution.' As their father Leo Geller was fond of saying: 'I am confident that the universe will take care of it.' I found this to be a light and humorous read, perfect to to take along on summer vacation. Fowler does sibling relationships so well!

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity to read another interesting tale from author Therese Anne Fowler. Kudos for the gorgeous cover art.

When their mother dies, Beck, Claire and Sophie find themselves at a crossroad in their lives. Each of them seems to be feeling held back from living a full and happy life. When secrets come to light, it may just be the push they need to live a different life.

"It All Comes Down to This" by Therese Anne Fowler is a "Sisters' Story".

After the death of their widowed mother, Marti, the Geller sisters, Beck, Claire, and Sophie come together in Manhattan to mourn their loss. Then the work begins of following Marti's last wish: selling the beloved family summer cottage on Mount Desert Island in Maine.

These three sisters have very complicated relationships with one another. Each sister has painted a slightly skewed picture of their life to the other two. There are hidden truths, deceptions, and secrets, but each one remains hopeful for change in their future.

Good news! There's an anxious buyer for the summer cottage. A southern gentleman with a past and secrets of his own. Could this be the catalyst for the change Beck, Claire, and Sophie are hoping for?

This book proves to be a deep character study about relationships, self esteem, how life plays out versus how you envisioned, and taking back control. The larger story is the Geller sisters' story and the secondary story is everything that takes place on Mount Desert Island in the past and present. How the author fits all the pieces together is what makes this story so satisfying.

This author knows how to create deeply complicated and complex characters and this story is absolutely loaded with them. I may have not liked all of them but each of them contributed meaning to the larger story.

Topics of change, fear of the unknown, and family support are central and common themes for all three sisters while handled in three completely different ways. I loved how each sister's life played out and I loved this well-written story!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Therese Anne Fowler for a free ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

Irresistible!

The talented Therese Anne Fowler returns with an intimate perspective of messy modern families— A delicious summer beach escape of life lessons!

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS is a fitting title exploring the power of family, struggles, mistakes, betrayals, failures, triumphs, and how they shape you. Learning to be true to yourself and not always taking the safe route.

Fowler is at her shining finest with this drama of secrets, family, career, and home. Having read all her books, a longtime fan of the author, she possesses knockout storytelling power.

With a modern contemporary Jane Austen vibe infused with art and literary elements, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS is a splendid novel —engaging, moving, and witty. Rich in character, a perfect book club choice for further discussions.

SETTING: Idyllic lakehouse Mount Desert Island, Maine.

CHARACTERS: I LOVED the mother, Matriarch Marti Geller, as well as C.J., Arlo, and his grandmother.

I resonated with Marti on many levels! Being in the last chapter of your life, single, and facing her terminal cancer, she wants to control things her way and die with dignity. Don't we all? She refused to do the deathbed confession thing. Her girls would find out later. She did not want to die surrounded by the girls and their families. I get it; same here.

Her husband Leo passed away years ago, and they have an apartment in New York with a beloved lake house in Maine. Marti has many secrets from her past.

Rather than confess on her death bed, she is hoping the three daughters and grandchildren will stay away and let her die in peace with Delia, her hospice nurse by her side who knows the drill, and then make a video to confess her past and let her will speak for her.

Being a daughter hadn't gone well for Marti, but being a mother had been much better than she expected. Meet the three daughters: Beck, Claire, and Sophie.

BECK, the oldest is a freelance writer, is stuck in a sexless marriage married to an editor for a large publishing house. She dreams of writing a novel one day. CLAIRE, a cardiologist, is recently divorced and pining for a man, but not just any man. SOPHIE, an art curator, is Instagram famous but drowning in debt but none of the sisters or mom know the real person, only what they pretend to be.

Marti worries most about Beck. She knows her life is not what she wanted for her daughter, and she needs a push. This is what wills were for. "To pull the strings you weren't able to, or willing to, in life."

After Marti's death and the big reveal, the terms are the lake house must be sold and split three ways. Everyone is on board with this plan except for Beck. Beck dreamed of moving in and writing a novel, and starting a new life. But how will she afford to buy her sisters out? She comes up with a plan, but that plan fails.

To make things more intriguing, meet the fabulous (LOVE) C.J. REYNOLDS. From South Carolina, originally from a well-to-do southern family with money and lots of control. He was sent to prison for a crime he did not commit due to his controlling father trying to teach him a lesson.

He is now out of prison and has money left from his grandmother and wants nothing more than to buy a secluded lake home in Mount Desert Island, Maine, to paint since he is an artist.

While searching for a home and working with his local realtor, his former roommate and friend, Joseph from college is traveling in Greece and allows him to stay as a guest at his lake home - the prestigious Callaghan's four-story Victorian while in the area.

However, when he arrives, he finds there are other house guests—Ms. Dierdre Callaghan (Joseph's aunt) and her eight-year-old grandson, Arlo. Not what he planned; however, soon they become friends, and he decides to extend his stay by helping her out.

In the meantime, Arlo looks up to C.J. as a father figure, who lost his parents in a plane crash, and Ms. Callaghan is worried about his future since she is getting up in age and bad health. Arlo and CJ develop a strong bond—love these two together with the grandmother. CJ also has a grown daughter who lives in Portland.

There is an intriguing back story that connects the two storylines from Marti's past and also CJ/Beck (think The Great Gatsby- the haves and the have-nots—class/privilege have consequences).

Things get explosive with sparks and tensions flying between CJ and Beck, and she realizes he wants to buy their lake house. Can she stop him?

The mother's decision to sell the home might be the best thing that can happen to all the girls to get them to come face to face with their current lives and finally give up the facade and find their true path and fate.

I LOVED loved this one! Get this on your summer TBR list.

A novel about breaking rules, secrets, duty, responsibility, and the lengths we will go to protect our children and ourselves. A page-turner about lost opportunities, decades-old secrets, and second chances. The characters' hopes and struggles are totally relatable. Well crafted, the novel is also about womanhood, sisters, motherhood, and female aging. Her fans will be delighted.

I hit the literary JACKPOT! A special thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress #SMPInfluencers for a digital ARC, #MacmillanAudio for an Audio ARC narrated by the talented Barrie Kreinik, and #Goodreads for a beautiful print paperback copy. The audiobook was award-winning and I highly recommend it. I LOVE THIS COVER, huge fan of the author, and this book!

FOR FANS OF: Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, Dorothea Benton Frank, and Jennifer Weiner's That Summer.

Blog Review @ www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5/5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Pub Date: June 7, 2022