Addison McKnight

For many years of childhood, cousins Angel and Kiki were inseparable when Angel and her brother TJ came from California to stay with their grandparents for 2 weeks every summer on Martha's Vineyard—two weeks of fun, joy, and love. Kiki lived on Martha's Vineyard year-round. That is their history on the island.

Angel King became Angela Miller, and TJ King became Thomas Miller—name changes orchestrated by their grandmother, who brought them to live year-round on the island with their show more grandparents for a fresh start. Kiki's life had changed too. The differences in the changes to Angela and Kiki's lives severed their friendship.

The majority of the story is told from 2 POVs, Angela and Kiki; the novel divided into 2 parts. Part 1 gives a glimpse of the backstory in 1998 and 1999, moving forward to May 2006-Labor Day 2008. Part 2 moves forward to September 2012-January 2018, a glimpse back to December 2006, followed by an Epilogue.

Visions of Martha's Vineyard retain idyllic summer visits from my memories. But this story doesn't focus on idyllic sights and sounds of summer delights and adventures tourists enjoy. This story unearths a darker side of reality. Children trying to navigate their way through family secrets, some in their awareness, some hidden. Even as they've grown older, they are still part of the drama and broken. It takes a long time for the cousins to realize that they have remained a part of each other's story, and through that time, the conflicts widen the gaps between them. To heal from the past, they must learn each other's secrets. But being in sync came to a halt a long time ago. It may be too late for understanding and forgiveness.

Family drama, family secrets, lies, silence, twist, turn, and detour, and there is a wonder if Angela and Kiki will ever evolve or if the only way they know how to live is to let the past control their present and future. Will they ever realize the truth or learn the truth? A story of survival. This is a story filled with decisions, some made with knee-jerk reactions. It is a story of women trying to find a way forward, but sometimes, they get in their own way. Forward doesn’t always mean Happily Ever After. Forward sometimes means acceptance, forgiveness, and inner peace.

I never would have guessed if I had not known the writing was by 2 individuals before reading the book. The book is well-written and flows smoothly. The book’s format with the years clearly indicated allows the story development to be realistic as navigating forward when the past clouds the women’s thoughts, actions, responses, and relationships take time.

Reviewer's Note: Addison McKnight is the pseudonym created by Nicole Moleti and Krista Wells.

Thank you to Addison McKnight, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book. show less