***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
"[Thayne] engages the reader's heart and emotions, inspiring hope and the belief that miracles are possible." —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
From the beloved bestselling author of Season of Wonder and The Cliff House comes a poignant and uplifting novel about forgiveness, family and all the complications—and joy—that come with it
As the older sibling to identical twins Violet and Lily, Cami Porter was always the odd sister out. The divide grew even wider when their parents split up—while the twins stayed in Cape Sanctuary with their free-spirited mother, Rosemary, fourteen-year-old Cami moved to LA with her attorney father. Nearly twenty years later, when Cami gets the terrible news that Lily has drowned saving a child’s life, her mother begs her to return home to help untangle the complicated estate issues her sister left behind.
Navigating their own strained relationship, Cami readjusts to the family and community she hasn’t known for decades, including the neighbor who stands in the way of her late sister’s dream, while Violet grieves the loss of her twin and struggles to figure out who she is now, without her other half, as the little girl Lily saved pulls her back into the orbit of the man she once loved.
With poignancy and heart, RaeAnne Thayne once again delivers her charming signature blend of warmth, wit and wisdom.
Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne is a heartwarming, story about sisters, and relationships all set in a gorgeous location on the California coast. This is more than a simple beach read, it has complex characters and addresses grief, loss, and healing.
Cami, a successful lawyer who lives in Los Angeles, received a call from her mother begging her to help her untangle a legal mess in Cape Sanctuary, where her mother now lives. When Cami was fourteen years old, her mother and father divorced, and Cami stayed in Los Angeles with her attorney father, and her younger twin sisters, Violet and Lily moved to Cape Sanctuary with their free-spirited mother, Rosemary.
Cami’s sister Lily died tragically several months ago while saving two little local girls on the Cape Sanctuary coast. The family is still grieving the loss of their sister and daughter, but Lily’s twin, Violet is especially grief-stricken as she’s never known life without her twin sister. Lily and Rosemary started a glamping business on their neighbor’s land that overlooks the bay, but after Lily’s death, they found out there isn’t any official contract with the neighbor, allowing the use of his land. Rosemary begs Cami to come to Cape Sanctuary to help with the legal battle before they get evicted from the prime location.
I just loved these characters. Cami is very self-assured until she goes to stay with her mother and sister in Cape Sanctuary. She’s always thought her mother abandoned her, leaving her with her father after the divorce. And she never felt close to her sisters who were twins, as she always felt a bit left out of their lives. Although she visited Cape Sanctuary in the summer, she never felt like she was part of the community like her mother and her sisters. I enjoyed the way these three women relied on each other as they continued to grieve for the sister they lost, and banded together to fight the legal batted over the glamping location.
As the story evolves, a bit of romance happens for each of the sisters, and a bit for the mother, too. I loved how the family works through their grief and estrangement and they learn to rely on each other’s strengths and gain a better understanding of each other. Even the side characters are complex and well developed.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction and romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
UK Cover
About RaeAnne Thayne
#1 Publishers Weekly, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne has written more than 60 books for HQN, Special Edition, Intimate Moments/Romantic Suspense, and Bantam Loveswept. A seven-time RITA nominee, RaeAnne has received a career achievement award from Romantic Times for a series romantic adventure, as well as a Pioneer of Romance award. She finds inspiration from the beautiful mountains of northern Utah, where she lives with her family.
Her books have been described as “poignant and sweet,” with “beautiful, honest storytelling (that) goes straight to the heart.”
#1 NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber says, “reading these stories of small-town life engages the reader’s heart and emotions, inspiring hope and the belief miracles are possible.”
[…] Book Review: Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne ThayneTuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Haven’t Read, But Want ToTuesday: Book Review: The No-Show by […]
It’s probably been a year or so since I’ve read anything by Thayne. Your review of this one has me itching to pick it up. I always enjoy her emotional but still sweet stories.
I love this time of year because all of the summer-y books start appearing on the shelves; it makes me want to head to a summer beach house with a bag full of books. 😀
Ahh this sounds like such a sweet book – and perfect to read during spring or summer! I absolutely love sweet women’s fiction like this and have a few of them on my TBR shelf right now. I may need to add this to that list!
I’m curious do you review books with only three acorns or lower? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one on your blog. Maybe, you’ve learned what you like so well that you don’t run into books you dislike very much.
When I find a book that is less than three acorns, I just don’t review it on the blog or social media. It’s my own personal preference to do it that way. I’m also much more careful about what I read for reviews as I know what I will like and don’t read anything that I think I would dislike. There have been a few books, that I just haven’t posted a review because I can’t give them a “good” rating but not many. I know many bloggers who don’t mind posting poor reviews, and I appreciate that they are willing to do that. We all do it a bit differently, and I appreciate the differences.
Summer at the Cape sounds like such a beautiful story. I love the cover and can imagine that the author described the California coast beautifully. Incredible review, thanks for sharing!
Oof, this sounds tough with the sister’s passing but also hopeful. I’ve not read this author before though I always see them when I compile my bi-annual romance lists.
RaeAnne Thayne always writes emotional and heartwarming stories! I loved the setting for this one.
[…] Book Review: Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne ThayneTuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Haven’t Read, But Want ToTuesday: Book Review: The No-Show by […]
It’s probably been a year or so since I’ve read anything by Thayne. Your review of this one has me itching to pick it up. I always enjoy her emotional but still sweet stories.
This sounds like a wonderful story. I love a great location and complex characters. I might add this to my summer TBR.
I like both covers.
I hope you enjoy it if you read it.
I like the US cover better. 🙂 I also think this might be a a more touching beach read.
The UK cover is more eye-catching and vivid. But, the US cover depicts the story a bit better.
I like the complex relationships of the characters; it can’t be cookie cutter when there is so much going on and so much background.
You’re absolutely right, Linda. I enjoy the complex relationships.
I will be reading this one soon. Happy you enjoyed it.
I hope you enjoy it, Nadene!
I love this time of year because all of the summer-y books start appearing on the shelves; it makes me want to head to a summer beach house with a bag full of books. 😀
I am loving the summer books too!
Ahh this sounds like such a sweet book – and perfect to read during spring or summer! I absolutely love sweet women’s fiction like this and have a few of them on my TBR shelf right now. I may need to add this to that list!
Thank you, Stephanie!
I’m curious do you review books with only three acorns or lower? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one on your blog. Maybe, you’ve learned what you like so well that you don’t run into books you dislike very much.
When I find a book that is less than three acorns, I just don’t review it on the blog or social media. It’s my own personal preference to do it that way. I’m also much more careful about what I read for reviews as I know what I will like and don’t read anything that I think I would dislike. There have been a few books, that I just haven’t posted a review because I can’t give them a “good” rating but not many. I know many bloggers who don’t mind posting poor reviews, and I appreciate that they are willing to do that. We all do it a bit differently, and I appreciate the differences.
I feel like this might be a tough read, but it does sound good. Glad you enjoyed it!
It was a bit tough, but then turned uplifting.
Summer at the Cape sounds like such a beautiful story. I love the cover and can imagine that the author described the California coast beautifully. Incredible review, thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
It does sound like a good summer, beach read. Lovely review as always Wendy!
Elza Reads
Thank you!
I enjoy this author and love the UK cover!!
That UK cover is so pretty. I love the vivid colors.
I think I prefer the UK cover for this one, great review 😊
I do too, Jenny. It’s more vibrant.
Oof, this sounds tough with the sister’s passing but also hopeful. I’ve not read this author before though I always see them when I compile my bi-annual romance lists.
Yes, it sure was emotional.
This sounds like such a touching story and you know that I adore the setting ❤️ Excellent review, Wendy!
Thank you, Tessa!
Lovely review Wendy! This book was so awesome and I’m reviewing today as well!🤗📚❤
It was so good!
I love coastal locations and I like the sound of this.
Thank you, Cathy! It sure was good.
I have always wanted to be able to spend a whole summer away at a coastal location, not sure why when it would be filled with tourists!
We need to find that perfect location where there are not any tourists!
The UK cover is just lovely. This sounds like such a healing read, great review!
Thank you, Rae.
I like the sound of this book. Great review and thanks for sharing. I am putting this on my TBR.
Thank you, Cindy. I hope you enjoy it!