Disclaimer: I received an eARC through HTP Book Tours and NetGalley in exchange for a spotlight post and review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Please visit the spotlight post for an excerpt.

This one is a bit messy and full of complicated relationships. Some of them are completely understandable, others not so much. I don’t want to rehash all of the plot points in the story and give away any spoilers, so I’m mainly going to talk about the primary characters and their motivations.

Let’s start with Ava. She comes across as very rigid and aloof. She is wealthy and very proper and likes things a certain way. She adores her husband, and seemingly tolerates her daughter. When the past comes to light and we learn about Cindy and Shannon, it fills in a few pieces, but not enough. Her actions repeatedly disrespect and cause pain to Victoria, whether she meant them to or not. Yes, she had a difficult childhood, yes, she was grieving the loss of Shannon when Victoria came into her life so suddenly, but I don’t think that really makes up for the way she acts towards Victoria. And I think her husband is an enabler.

And then there’s Cindy. I completely understand her guilt, both towards Ava and towards Shannon. It makes sense that she would continue to question if she did the right thing as she struggled financially throughout Shannon’s childhood. But now that Shannon is adult, she needs to let go and quit hovering. Shannon needs to be able to have her own life. I also felt like Cindy’s reluctance to plan anything for her wedding was quite odd and wondered at her relationship, though that wasn’t really explored in the book, just barely touched on.

Now the daughters.

Shannon was someone I could definitely relate to, she wanted so much to please everyone and have her own life, but she felt stuck and had no self-confidence. I figured out the correct career for her long before she did. And while some might think that her hesitation to tell Cindy about her engagement was a red flag for her relationship, I saw it more as a red flag with her mother than her fiance. He seemed to support her unconditionally.

I could also relate to Victoria, who is fiercely independent. She is so independent that she shuts everyone out of her life to keep from being hurt again. And after having been hurt repeatedly trying to connect with her mother, and then again in her first relationship, I get it.

There is definitely some growth and understanding that happens throughout the story. Cindy and Ava are reunited as friends, sort of. Cindy and Shannon work through their issues. Victoria and Shannon become friends. And while Ava and Victoria will never be close, I think there is more understanding there. And I do like that there is the hint of a relationship in Victoria’s future.

I did feel like the ending was very abrupt. I felt like there should have been one more chapter or an epilogue to tie things up, but that’s my opinion and I’m not the author.

All in all I enjoyed the story.