WINNIE'S REVIEW
The Seaside Homecoming by talented author Julie Klassen is the third book in her On Devonshire Shores series. The series centers around five sisters living in Regency England in the early 1800s. Claire Summers is the oldest sister, and she has been living with an elderly aunt in Scotland after a serious transgression which caused her father to demand the family ostracize her. When her aunt dies, she returns to Sidmouth in answer to an advertisement for a partner in a boarding house. There she meets William Hammond, the proprietor, and his daughter. She also finds that her father has passed away and her mother and sisters are running a guest house in Sidmouth. It was a treat to finally have Claire’s story, and I’m looking forward to Sarah’s tale in the next book. I’ve enjoyed seeing the different sisters mature and change through their experiences.
Filled with the rich historical detail which characterizes Klassen’s stories, this tale is well-written with a stellar cast of engaging, entertaining, and realistically-flawed characters. I enjoyed the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter and especially appreciated the map at the beginning which allowed me to visualize the area around Sidmouth. The author’s notes at the end were also a very interesting addition. There is a powerful message of forgiveness and the importance of family which added depth and inspiration to the story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publish4.5 stars ers through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.
SEE REVIEWS by REBECCA AND PAULA
A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . .
Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.
Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?
Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.
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