Sunday, May 13, 2012

Heat Wave-Nancy Thayer

Heat Wave


Nancy Thayer

Ballantine, May 29 2012, $15.00

ISBN: 9780345518323



On Nantucket Island, thirty-two year old Carley Winsted is unprepared to suddenly become the single mom of her daughters (five years old Margaret and twelve years old Cisco), but has no choice when her spouse Gus dies from an undetected heart defect. However, besides having to take care of their devastated children, Carley is shocked to learn what a financial disaster Gus left her in spite of his being a lawyer.



Gus’ parents (Annabel and Russell) push their daughter-in-law to leave the expensive historical home and move in with them. Though she respects them, Carley prefers for her and the kids to remain in their present residence as a move on top of their father’s death would cause more harm than good for the children and she knows for her self-esteem. Over the objection of Annabel who feels she demeans her family home though Carley owns it, she decides to convert the historical house into a bed-and-breakfast with the help of friends like Gus’ partner Wyatt.



This is an entertaining family drama that focuses on moving on after an unexpected death of a loved one. The cast is fully developed including Carley’s close friends Maud and Vanessa, but the well-written character-driven storyline never veers off a cause straighter than the Bonneville Salt Flats even with a further death and a newborn.



Harriet Klausner



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