My rating: 3 stars / I liked it
When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?
My Review
This is a sweet story that reunifies a young woman with the grandmother she has estranged herself from. We discover the reason for their separation as the story progresses, and it is sad that Alyssa turned away from her family instead of leaning on them for support. The writing style has a chick-lit feel as it describes the feelings of the main character and her interactions with her best girlfriend and others. I was compelled to skip over several paragraphs in the beginning of the book describing Mackinac Island as if it were a travel promotion- I would have rather learned about it gradually as Alyssa visited the location. Her love interest Scott was adorable and sweet, just what her character needed since she definitely had issues with men. Sometimes the dialogue was stilted when the author gave them unusually descriptive words that aren't normally used in casual conversation. The quilt block collection quest introduced several wise mentors for Alyssa who imparted loving words of advice.
(Thank you to Abingdon Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
