Series:
Firefly Summer (Book 1)
Marlow Heddings is starting over. She's carried the
outrage of her husband Dylan's affair with a younger woman -- and the
expectations of his family's powerful Chicago holdings company -- long enough.
Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she's unapologetically moving on.
Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her
freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places
to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable
cottage with gorgeous lake views -- and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine
Cort Easton. Soon they're sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly
gazing. Marlow's new life feels like a dream.
Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking
secret.
To Marlow's astonishment, Dylan's "other woman"
is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her
family. Defying her manipulative in-laws' demands, and surprising even herself,
Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then
they'll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows
close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big
sister to Pixie.
Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she
was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive
friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.
Terrific book about starting over, forgiveness,
friendship, and love. After Marlow discovered her husband's infidelity, she
began divorce proceedings. Unfortunately, Dylan passed away before the divorce
was finalized. Now she is stuck with grief-stricken and clingy in-laws and
their unrealistic expectations. Ready to move on, she rents a lakeside cabin in
a small Kentucky town and sets out to rediscover who she is.
I loved how Marlow embraced her new life. Her joy in peaceful
sunrises and sunsets illustrates how she heals from the emotional turmoil of
her marriage. I laughed out loud at her enthusiasm for her new job as a
waitress at the Dry Frog bar. The quirky characters added another layer of
depth to the story's realism. And then there was Cort: former Marine, local
handyman, and her landlord. Cort is a quiet man with a big heart. I loved his
interactions with the locals, who see him as a hero and an essential member of
the community.
I enjoyed watching Cort and Marlow's relationship
develop. Sparks of attraction are there from the beginning, but they don't rush
into anything. Cort joins Marlow for sunrise coffee and shares the peace of
evenings watching fireflies. I loved his sensitivity to her moods and how he offers
quiet support when she has issues with her in-laws. I loved the steady progress
of their relationship and the cautious acceptance of their growing feelings.
Matters become complicated when Dylan's "other woman"
shows up at Marlow's house. Instead of the manipulative homewrecker Marlow
expected, Pixie is a desperate young woman who was used and discarded by Dylan.
My heart broke for what she'd been through. Marlow's reaction wasn't what I
expected, and I loved seeing her take Pixie under her wing. I liked Pixie and
loved the growing closeness between the two women. A confrontation with the
in-laws brings tension, but also closure.
As Cort and Marlow continue their relationship, the town's
unique residency requirements may put a kink in their hopes for the future. The
town meeting was terrific, and I loved how they resolved the issue. I look
forward to the next book and seeing what is next for the residents of Bramble.
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