To Light the Way Forward

 I first met Nancy Naigle's writings when I read The Shell Collector and she became one of my favorite authors.  Her writings have a depth to them that is not often encountered in other authors. 

To Light the Way Forward continues The Shell Collector with some new characters introduced, as well.  At the beginning of the book Hurricane Edwina is on her way toward Whelk's Island, North Carolina. In Pennsylvania, Rosemary is at loggerheads with her daughter who is playing the role of a helicopter parent to her mom. Rosemary has reconnected with a high school friend who has invited her down to visit her in Whelk's Island. So Rosemary packs up her car and goes south.  When Rosemary stops for gas, she runs into Amanda, Hailey, and Jesse.  Hailey and Jesse pretend they are British Royalty and thus begins Rosemary's first friendship on Whelk's Island. Soon after arriving on the Island, she meets a plethora of Island folk and forges relationships with many that she meets.  

When the hurricane comes, the devastation it brings is heartbreaking, especially for Tug, the diner owner.  It's been all he's done for most of his life. He's at loose ends and doesn't quite know what to do with himself, his time, or his skills.  

Nancy Naigle has written a book that takes friendships to a whole new level, throws in a touch of elder romance, and gives the reader a lot to think about.  Life is a lot more than just working a job or dealing with family drama.  It's about relationships that build and make us better people. This is a strong four star book that hits all the feels for the reader. 

WaterBrook and Multnomah provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

Everything's Coming Up Rosie

 Rosie wants to be a successful actress on the stage, but she is in a place of stagnation.  Her roommate kicks her out of the apartment for nonpayment of rent on the same day she loses her job.  In desperation, she moves back to her parents' home--but she was going to be going there for a baby shower for one of her best friends. She hasn't been totally honest with her friends about how life has been in New York.  When she gets an offer from one of her blind applications for the summer she takes the offer without thinking.  She finds out she's taken a job in a retirement center to direct their summer musical. 

Rosie's summer gets off to rousing start when she sinks her golf cart into the mud. Life at the senior community has its charm and its mishaps. It also has Booker Hayes, a physical therapist and handyman who is called on to help out in a myriad of ways. 

There is a romance that brews between Booker and Rosie, but it develops slowly and organically.  I liked the way Rosie's dreams developed.  I really appreciated the way Courtney Walsh pulled that part of the story together. This is the kind of book that readers will not want to put it down and will lose sleep to finish the novel.  Four Strong Stars.  

Thomas Nelson Fiction provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

What Not to Do on Vacation

 This is a fun read, it has the classic romance novel formula with a few twists thrown in for good measure.  Savannah, Cora, and Bianca are sisters who are meeting at their favorite beach house they visited as children in order to fulfill a wish their dead mother had.  Bianca comes with the news that she is getting married to a man she met online but not in real life.  Savannah has her own secrets that she's bringing to the sisters' vacation.  Cora isn't bringing a secret but she's not totally buying what Bianca is selling.  

It is through Bianca's machinations that Cora meets Jax and eventually they become an item.  Cora never really wanted the relationship to work to prove a point to Bianca.  That it did become a relationship surprised Cora. Where the romance novel formula breaks down is that Jax is not the one who throws a spanner into the works, but someone else who had nothing better to do than gossip.  

Rachel Magee has written a cute rom-com that gives her readers the escape they need for an afternoon or to take to the beach for a vacation read.   Strong Four Stars

Thomas Nelson Fiction provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.