I usually dont read "religious" books, or books that make me cry...but I couldn't put this one down. Something about the way Walsh writes kept me going. I had figured who the father would be so that was not a surprise...but the relationships were so strong and woven quite nicely. It was a surprisingly happy book despite the teary parts. Full of forgiving and the act of enjoying the moment.and scrapbooking is my favorite hobby... I needed a light read in the midst of a heavier non-fiction book and national drama (also commonly referred to as the election). This fit the bill. And just because it was a lighter read doesn't mean Walsh didn't tackle some weighty heart matters. But somehow everything about the beach makes even the weighty things seems easier to manage. Maybe it's the salt air. Regardless. Campbell Carter's mom has just passed away and left Campbell with some large and looming questions. Questions such as: who is my dad? who are these people in these pictures found? etc. In order to find the answers to these questions Campbell finds herself in Sweethaven, a little lake/beach town where her mom spent summers growing up. But Sweethaven holds more secrets than Campbell realizes and she is taken on a journey of discovering her mom and hopefully the identity of her birth dad. Aid comes to Campbell through her mom's old childhood friends who have their own regrets and memories to work through. In this novel Walsh tackles the topic of forgiveness in several different forms, through several different kinds of relationships. Forgiveness is a tough topic for any of us to face. Walsh writes well enough. It's not writing that I am gushing about but I certainly didn't feel like I wasted my time, it was a good book. Good enough that I added her other two Sweethaven titles to my "to read" list.
Loved this book. Such an easy read -- I couldn't put it down. Read it in one night.
—darknerd
Perfect book for a day at the waterpark. Loved the story, town, and characters.
—purplegirl1920
Loved everything about this story!!! Couldn't put the book down.
—Peyton
