The driving force in this novel is the secrets held by Emma and Jamie, which could be deal-breakers for either of them. The weight of the secrets that hold Emma and Jamie back pervades the whole story and keeps a dark atmosphere over the whole thing and makes it hard to read and stay engaged in the story. For me, I wanted to just say, "Get on with it!"
Emma has a cottage on Nantucket Island that has been in her late husband's family for many years. Over the garage of the cottage is an apartment that she hopes to clean up and get ready for renters to supplement her income. She has newly acquired a job as the assistant to the owner of an art gallery on the island.
Jamie has come to Nantucket to see Emma, mostly to apologize for his role in the death of her husband. Guilt has weighed on him ever since the incident and he's trying to do whatever he can to assuage his feelings. In light of that, he chooses to help Emma refurbish the apartment and does some minor remodeling.
There are a few redeeming parts to this novel--first is that Emma reawakens the artistic photographer in Jamie, and by the same token, Jamie reawakens the water-color artist in Emma. Also there is the love that Jamie develops for Emma's son, CJ.
I have read other books by Courtney Walsh and did not get the overwhelming feeling of darkness in her other books. This one is just a bit off for me. Three Stars.
Tyndale House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
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