Tully Hart has always been larger than life, a woman fueled by big dreams and driven by memories of a painful past. She thinks she can overcome anything until her best friend, Kate Ryan, dies. Tully tries to fulfill her deathbed promise to Kate--to be there for Kate’s children--but Tully knows nothing about family or motherhood or taking care of people.
Sixteen-year-old Marah Ryan is devastated by her mother’s death. Her father, Johnny, strives to hold the family together, but even with his best efforts, Marah becomes unreachable in her grief. Nothing and no one seems to matter to her . . . until she falls in love with a young man who makes her smile again and leads her into his dangerous, shadowy world.
Dorothy Hart--the woman who once called herself Cloud--is at the center of Tully’s tragic past. She repeatedly abandoned her daughter, Tully, as a child, but now she comes back, drawn to her daughter’s side at a time when Tully is most alone. At long last, Dorothy must face her darkest fear: Only by revealing the ugly secrets of her past can she hope to become the mother her daughter needs.
A single, tragic choice and a middle-of-the-night phone call will bring these women together and set them on a poignant, powerful journey of redemption. Each has lost her way, and they will need one another--and maybe a miracle--to transform their lives.
I really loved reading this story; I have read 1 other book Ms. Hannah had written and I loved it as well. This story really made me look at my relationship with one of my cousins. Granted “Kate” and “Tully” were just best friends; my cousin and I were like that as well with the extra bonus of being related. I love how evolved “Tully” became by the end of the story. I didn’t think she would become such an interesting character, but I was wrong in that assumption. Tully’s character did as much “soul searching” as the other 2 women in the story and I think she became a stronger person by the end of the story.
The one character I didn’t think I would particularly care for was “Marah” the 16 yr. old teen. I didn’t like her much through part of the book, but I started taking a look at her character and her point-of-view and situation through my daughter’s eyes (who happens to be close in age with “Marah”) and by taking approach to this character I was able to relate to the girls’ grief throughout the rest of the book. I was glad to see that the 3 female characters all had to face issues that were relevant to their lives and situations and they were able to become more bonded and connected with each other as well.
As I read this story it also made me take a look at my relationships and my friendships; I am now more appreciative of the family and friends I do have. I really enjoyed this story and I think any woman would especially anyone who has a friend’s forever friendship. I think this would be a wonderful read for a book-club as well. If anyone has read Firefly Lane by the author then I think they will love this sequel to it. I have never read the first book to this series, but I plan to get the first book as well and read it and reread this one as well. Overall I give this book an “A” and the author an “A+.”
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Tiffany
Looks like a great story of love, family and friendship. I will have to check it out. :)
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