As an irresponsible young mother, Jessie Ryder knew she’d never be able to give her newborn the stable family that her older sister could, and the security her child deserved. So Luz and her husband adopted little Lila and told her Jessie was but a distant aunt. Sixteen years later, having traveled the world with the winds of remorse at her back, Jessie is suspending her photojournalism career to return home — even if it means throwing her sister’s world into turmoil. Where life once seemed filled with boundless opportunity, Jessie is now on a journey to redeem her careless past, bringing with her a terrible burden. Jessie’s arrival is destined to expose the secrets and lies that barely held her daughter’s adoptive family together to begin with, yet the truth can do so much more than just hurt. It can bring you home to a new kind of honesty, shedding its light into the deepest corners of the heart.
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"So good! I've had this book on my shelf for a looong time... To think I could have enjoyed this wonderful book sooner! I didn't necessarily like everything each character did, but it was mostly believable and it was a bittersweet and happy ending."
— Anneka (5 out of 5 stars)
" A great story about a family's ties to one another. "
— Carla, 2/18/2014" My least favorite book by Susan Wiggs. "
— Virginia, 2/15/2014" good book but depressing since one of the main characters have an eye disease and loses her sight so not a book I would enjoy reading but was some happiness in it "
— Janet, 2/5/2014" I've said it before, but there's really no such thing as a bad Susan Wiggs book. This one didn't grip me as much as some. The book centers around a woman who returns home after 16 years to face the daughter whom she left at birth with her sister. I find that now that I am a mother I have a hard time with the missing/abandoned child plots. This book is masterfully done as always with great characterization. I just had a very hard time getting beyond the selfishness of the heroine, but I think that a lot of that is colored by my status as a relatively new mother. I wonder if others have found that certain plotlines no longer work for them as they age? "
— chanceofbooks, 1/21/2014" Loved this story! Couldn't put it down "
— Joann, 1/8/2014" This book was pretty good but predictable. The storylines and characters were all good and it was interesting to leran about blindness. "
— Brandy, 12/9/2013" Wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at first but the characters did grow on me and the story line was good. I enjoyed the dynamics between sisters and mothers and daughters. All in all the story drew me in and I enjoyed the book. "
— Shawn, 11/26/2013" There were several different storylines going at the same time, but it was an engaging and rewarding story. "
— Barbara, 11/6/2013" This was my first Wiggs book "
— Margaret, 10/2/2013" It was pretty good. Had a little trouble with the download but the story was good "
— Debbie, 9/28/2013" A good read although a bit predictable. "
— Abbie, 9/17/2013" I love everything Susan Wiggs writes, but this book still remains my favorite. The writing voice is stellar and I love the positive message of the story. "
— Sheila, 9/12/2013" I'm not sure why or how I finished it. It never really caught my attention. "
— Becky, 6/4/2013" Read this book in two days. First time I have read a book by Susan Wiggs, definitely will read more. "
— Martha-carol, 4/5/2013" Some of the most unsympathetic female characters have ever had the misfortune to read. Dull writing at best and people who are two-dimensional at best, and rather horrible people. Not my cup of tea. "
— Jan, 2/17/2013" Okay book-felt somewhat unsatisfied at the end. "
— Melanie, 1/3/2013" What a poignant story. I loaned it to my mother-in-law and she was so captivated by it she jumped to the end to find out how it ended - she couldn't stand the suspense! "
— Kristi, 10/27/2012" I've forgotten how good an author Susan Wiggs is. So many situations in one family. I highly recommend this book. "
— Nadine, 6/29/2012" Book was interesting, however I enjoy this author so I knew I would probably enjoy the book. "
— Mom, 7/12/2011" Like Susan Wiggs. She most generally writes a good story. "
— Pat, 6/16/2011" I really enjoy Susan Wiggs books and this one was no exception. "
— Kerry, 4/14/2011" Very different than Wiggs's normal novels. "
— Academicsupport, 3/9/2011" Very good!!! Kept my interest and learned new things once again. I truly enjoy Susan's writing style! "
— Karen, 12/8/2010" This book was a real page turner for me. I loved how the truth finally came out and everyone still was family. "
— Jessica, 11/17/2010" Fun book, lighter than may. About following our dreams, or not. About wanting what others have until you realize what you have already. I like her books. Made me cry. "
— Jacquemb4, 7/21/2010" I love everything Susan Wiggs writes, but this book still remains my favorite. The writing voice is stellar and I love the positive message of the story. "
— Sheila, 6/28/2010" This was a heart warming story about a woman who finds out she has a debilitating disease that will soon leave her blind. She leaves her career to go back and make things right with her sister. Great Story. "
— Sheree, 1/18/2010" Susan Wiggs scores yet again. Can she write anything that I will dislike? Doubtful. "
— Lori, 12/29/2009" Really enjoyed this book, wanted to be listening to it whenever I could find the excuse. "
— Kathryn, 12/26/2009" Book was interesting, however I enjoy this author so I knew I would probably enjoy the book. "
— Mom, 11/10/2009" Good, but I had read it before. "
— Sheila, 11/4/2009" This was my first Wiggs book "
— Margaret, 10/31/2009Susan Wiggs is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including the wildly popular Lakeshore Chronicles and the instant New York Times bestsellers Family Tree and The Oysterville Sewing Circle. Her award-winning books have been translated into more than two dozen languages. She lives with her husband on an island in Washington State’s Puget Sound.
Tanya Eby is a novelist and an audiobook narrator who has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards and been nominated for the Audie Award. She has a BA degree in English language and literature and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.