Newly minted computer science graduate, Alyssa, has plans to
obtain work and finally live independently with her son. Summer programming for
Alyssa’s son, who has Aspergers, is tossed when his biological father and new
wife, an attorney, insist on summer visitation. With her plans completely
upended, Alyssa pursues a job on Mackinac Island with the hopes of acquiring an
internship. Young widower, Carter, who has suffered the tragic loss of his
wife, is working remotely on Mackinac Island as a computer programmer and hires
Alyssa as nanny for his baby girl.
Susan, a social worker with unknown links to Alyssa, is also
Carter’s former group therapist. Susan consults at a Mackinac Island
summer-long retreat as she mulls retirement options. With Alyssa’s estranged
grandmother a famous television evangelist, Susan’s mother the senior-most
congressional representative, and a mysterious artist all adding their dramatic
flair to the Mackinac Island mix—what could go wrong?
My Thoughts:
This was a story of two hurting people that really needed a new start with life. The author really put them through their struggles, most of it we see in their past, yet that past still is making troubles for their present. There are some really hard subjects tackled in this novel, yet the author does it all with grace and understanding. Overall, it was a nice visit to Mackinac Island, a place I have not had the pleasure to visit yet; however, the author paints a beautiful picture of it with her words.
Alyssa is a single mom of a little boy with Aspergers. When she was sixteen, she went through a traumatic event that produced Sammy, but oh she loves her little boy, and it shows throughout the story. She is looking for a job to give her and her son a better shot at independence and life in general, when Sammy's father steps back into the picture making demands and issuing threats.
Widower and single father Carter has come back to Mackinac Island to get away from the memories of his late wife. He has experienced his own trauma throughout his marriage and her tragic death, that his family thinks it best he comes back home for a while. In the meantime, he hires Alyssa as his nanny.
That is not the job that Alyssa needs or wants to move forward into her career, but life's demands are breathing down her back. She also genuinely likes Carter, and he is a great dad. Throw in some misconceptions and few islanders with their own issues and you have a story of hope and overcoming.
This is the third in the series and the first I have read, but the other stories sound like a great investment into the whole overarching themes of the series.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.
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