From the Publisher:
From the author of The Book Club Hotel, a widow’s plan to spend the summer in Cape Cod is upended by an unexpected guest and a secret that could change everything… Perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Jennifer Weiner.
Cecilia Lapthorne always vowed she’d never go back to Dune Cottage. So no one is more surprised than Cecilia to find herself escaping her seventy-fifth birthday party to return to the remote Cape Cod cottage—a place filled with memories. Some are good—especially memories of the early days with her husband, volatile artist Cameron. But then there are the memories she has revealed to no one.
After dropping out of medical school, aspiring artist Lily is cleaning houses on the Cape to get by, guilt-ridden for disappointing her parents. Unoccupied for years, Dune Cottage seems the perfect place to hide away and lick her wounds—until Cecilia unexpectedly arrives. Despite an awkward beginning, Lily accepts Cecilia’s invitation to stay on as her guest, and a flicker of kinship ignites.
Then Todd, Cecilia’s grandson—and Lily’s unrequited crush—shows up, sending a shock wave through their unlikely friendship. Will Lily find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new…
I’ve read most of Sarah Morgan’s books and she is a reliably good storyteller. This is a story about an unlikely friendship and romance.
Lily had a crush on her friend’s brother, Todd, and they even kissed once. She never forgot that kiss and no man has lived up her expectations since. Unbeknownst to Lily, Todd was also a fan of that kiss. They haven’t seen each other in a very long time though.
Lily was enrolled in medical school before dropping out and disappointing her parents. Her guilt leads her to run far away, and she ends up on Cape Cod, earning money by taking care of the beautiful summer homes that have absent owners. One of them is Dune Cottage, and she has no idea whose home it is. No one has visited in many, many years so Lily decides to crash there. Island living is very expensive and she cannot afford to pay seasonal, ridiculously high rents. She has a key, she takes care of the place, so it doesn’t feel entirely wrong. Until someone shows up.
An elderly woman, Cecilia, is the unlikely visitor. It turns out that Lily has met her before – she is friends with her granddaughter and has that huge crush on her grandson, Todd. Cecelia is sharp as a tack and she quickly realizes that Lily has been living in the home, and she intuitively understands why. When Lily confesses she dropped out of medical school and wants to be an artist, Cecelia is intrigued. Cecelia’s husband was a world famous artist, and at one time, Cecelia wanted to be an artist, too, but her husband’s success planted her squarely in the muse/helper role.
Cecelia has some secrets, and when her favorite grandson shows up, she eventually shares some of them with him. Meanwhile, Todd and Lily are spending time together, and Cecelia is trying to help Lily with her painting career. Lots of intrigue and surprises make this a compelling read, and the romance is a nice cherry on top. I loved it.
6/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE SUMMER SWAP by Sarah Morgan. Canary Street Press; Original edition (May 7, 2024). ISBN: 978-1335474940. 336p.
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