summer secrets. New York: St. Martin's Press. 308 pages. ****
"For as long as I can remember, I have always
had the feeling of not quite fitting in, not being the same as everyone
else." Throughout her life, Cat Coombs discovered that alcohol was the
equalizer that helped her fit in and made her feel beautiful. Having spent her
teenage years with a cold, distant father and a mother in a deep depression,
did nothing to dispel Cat's feelings about herself. After her father's death,
Cat's mother comes alive again and drops a bombshell on Cat, which changes her
life forever. Cat takes stock of her life, decides to quit drinking and meets
who she believes is the love of her life, Jason. Determined to discover the
father she never knew and the sisters she didn't know she had, Cat travels from
London to Nantucket. Convinced she has control over her drinking and one won't
hurt, Cat shatters her fantasy life in one night. Fast forward to a sober,
divorced, single mother with a thirteen-year-old daughter. Determined to make
amends, Cat and her daughter, Annie, travel to Nantucket to confront Cat’s past
and earn forgiveness.
Green spins a story on many levels that delves into
the life of an alcoholic masking her feelings of inadequacy with the struggle
to understand family secrets, betrayal and the need to be accepted. I enjoy
Green's style of writing and really enjoyed reading this book. Cat has so many
issues as do many of the characters in this book, but she is so likable that
you will find yourself cheering her on and groaning when she screws up. Her
tenacity is what is so endearing and her honesty about who she is carries the
story until the end. It's a great beach and summer read.
Jane Green is the author of sixteen previous
bestsellers. Originally from London, she now lives in Westport, CT, with her
husband, children and a menagerie of animals. Visit her website at
http://www.janegreen.com or join her Facebook at
facebook.com/authorjanegreen.
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