#Book Review #An invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart @Montlake

An endearing novel of friendship, forgiveness, and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart.
It was a lifetime ago that recently widowed Maggie Flynn was in Wyndham Beach. Now, on the occasion of her fortieth high school reunion, she returns to her hometown on the Massachusetts coast, picking up right where she left off with dear friends Lydia and Emma. But seeing Brett Crawford again stirs other emotions. Once, they were the town’s golden couple destined for one another. He shared Maggie’s dreams—and eventually, a shattering secret that drove them apart.
Buying her old family home and resettling in Wyndham Beach means a chance to start over for Maggie and her two daughters, but it also means facing her rekindled feelings for her first love and finally confronting—and embracing—the past in ways she never thought possible. Maggie won’t be alone. With her family and friends around her, she can weather this stormy turning point in her life and open her heart to the future. As for that dream shared and lost years ago? If Maggie can forgive herself, it still might come true.

My thoughts:
If I had to choose one word to describe what this book is about, it would be Life. Lifelong friendships, unexpected changes that pull the rug from under you feet and make your world tumble over, families with their complex dynamics, second chances in love, growing into yourself and discovering your own strength, coming home wherever it is and whatever it means to you.

Maggie Flynn is coming back to her home town of Wyndham Beach, Massachusets, for her fortieth school reunion. She has been widowed for two years after having given her all totaking care of her terminally ill husband. Maggie and her friends Lydia and Emma finally have a chance to spend some time together. Even Maggie’s best friends don’t know what exactly happened forty years ago to split the golden couple of their school, the Prom King and Queen, Brett Crowford and Maggie. It is clear that the old hurt is still there,when Maggie gets very upset about being asked to dance with Brett. We also get a gimpse into Maggie’s grown-up daughters’ lives, who have also had their disappointments in love and marriage and who are trying to move on.

The writing was extremely engaging. The conversations between the three friends sounded realistic. The characters are well-differentiated and the same is true for Grace and Natalie, Maggie’s daughters. While I appreciated having all these different generations and their perspectives, what made this book so attractive was it’s focus on Maggie and her life, both in the past and the present. Her age group tends to get little (or at least not enough) representation in romance and it was nice to read this well-written exception.

Friendship is complicated. Families are complicated. Love is complicated.

But still and always, waves of the same sea.

An Invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart

I loved the way Mariah Stewart showed the atmosphere of a little seaside town. Emma and Liddy have lived all their lives in Wyndham. They got married and raised their children there. They also suffered through their own personal tragedies. Maggie made a choice to leave. It wasn’t for better or worse, just different, and she can make a new choice now, as she is at standing at a new kind of crossroads.

For anyone who loves stories with strong, realistic female protagonists, complicated friendship and family dynamics, and a small town setting. Can’t wait to read Book 2 in Wyndham Beach series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.