Reviews

Library Journal
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Left at the altar and emotionally crushed, pediatrician Andi Gordon has moved from Seattle to Blackberry Island in the Puget Sound. Purchasing one of a trio of historic homes known as the Three Sisters, she sets about rescuing her dilapidated house and herself. Andi's neighbor, artist Boston King, is the first to welcome Andi to their tiny neighborhood. The tragic death of Boston's infant son has shut down all of Boston's emotions, and her husband's efforts to help are not working. Andi's other neighbor, Deanna Phillips, is regarded as a stuck-up, frightening mother of five wonderful girls. Deanna's abusive childhood has led Deanna to hold high standards for her family, but Deanna's extreme micromanaging has left her children afraid of her, and her husband has all but given up on her. The three women come to rely upon the supportive bond of the friendship they develop. Verdict In her second "Blackberry Island" novel (after Barefoot Season), Mallery has again created an engrossing tale of emotional growth and the healing power of friendship as these three "sisters" meet life's challenges.-Joy Gunn, Paseo Verde Lib., Henderson, NV (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

After being left at the altar, Andi makes a new life for herself on Blackberry Island. She buys one of the island's Three Sisters, a trio of historic Queen Anne houses, and has it renovated so she can both live and house her pediatric practice there. Soon her life becomes intertwined with those of her Three Sisters neighbors. Boston, an artist, is struggling to cope with the sudden death of her 6-month-old son, and her grief is affecting her marriage and work. Their neighbor, Deanna, has her own troubles: her marriage is falling apart and her children are turning against her as she struggles to deal with the repercussions of childhood abuse. The three women grow inseparable as they help each other mend their broken hearts, and in Andi's case, find love again. Mallery's second novel set on Blackberry Island, following Barefoot Season (2012), is a compelling portrait of female friendship and starting over.--Walker, Aleksandra Copyright 2010 Booklist