Review: Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis

Summer at Hideaway Key

by Barbara Davis

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 416

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Pragmatic, independent Lily St. Claire has never been a beachgoer. But when her late father leaves her a small house on Hideaway Key—one neither her mother nor she knew he owned—she’s determined to visit the sleepy spit of land along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Expecting a quaint cottage, Lily instead finds a bungalow with peeling shutters and mountains of memorabilia. She also catches a glimpse of the architect who lives down the beach….

But it’s the carton of old journals in the front room that she finds most intriguing. The journals were written by her mother’s sister, an infamous beauty whose name has long been banned from the St. Claire home. The journals tell a family tale Lily has never heard, of her mother and her aunt as young girls in Tennessee and the secrets that followed them into adulthood. As she reads, Lily gains a new understanding: about her family and about herself. And she begins to open her heart—to this place, these people, and the man next door. But can she ever truly learn to trust, to believe that love is not a trap but a harbor? And is it true that hearts, even broken ones, can be forged anew?

Kritters Thoughts:  A combo of mystery (not murder mystery!) and family drama with a little historical fiction thrown it made this book one that I literally read in 12 hours!  Lily St Claire was named after an aunt that she never met and she really didn't know why her mother never mentioned her and why they never saw her.  After her father dies and leaves her this mysterious beach cottage she comes to find out who her aunt really was and all the secrets in both her aunt's and mother's lives.  

I loved that Lily's aunt, Lily-Mae, had a voice through her journal entries and how they were seamlessly woven into the story as Lily discovered them.  They didn't just appear within the story and I appreciate the author taking the time to really make them work for the story.  

Throughout the story I had my thoughts of how the conclusion would go and in some thing I was right and in others I was wrong and I was completely satisfied with both!  I don't mind knowing the end if the journey is still satisfying.  

This is my second Barbara Davis read (also read The Secrets She Carried) and will definitely have to read The Wishing Tide soon!  I am adding Barbara Davis to my auto buy list and won't even need to know a synopsis!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from NAL.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.