15 Summers Later

“When you don’t know what to do, just do the next right thing.”

RaeAnne Thayne is a master at creating charming small-town settings and populating them with realistic, engaging characters. She’s also a pro at dreaming up captivating plots that keep the reader turning pages. This book is no exception, and I felt it was one of her best stories.

The main characters, Madison Howell, her sister Ava, and Luke Gentry were beautifully drawn, courageous, and interesting. Their journeys to overcome their difficult pasts were inspiring, and I was cheering for them to succeed, and for the sisters to heal their relationship.

This is a deeper, more serious-feeling book than a lot of Thayne’s stories, and it’s a beautiful, moving tale of show more healing, forgiveness, and hope. If you’re looking for a light beach read, don’t let the cover fool you. I don’t feel that it fits the story very well. This seemed to me to be more of a women’s fiction book with some added romance. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. show less

So many feelings, and not all of them rage!

15 Summers Later was like walking into a Hallmark movie… but one where the characters actually have depth and some long-buried emotional damage. I went in thinking I was just here for a light, breezy read and somehow ended up emotionally invested and low-key rooting for literally everyone (even the ones I wanted to shake a little).

The dual timeline was done well—past and present weaving together like a cozy quilt that sometimes pokes you with a sharp emotional needle. The sisters? Complex. The drama? Real. The pacing? Pretty much just right, though it did take a few chapters to find its groove. Once it got going, though? I was in.

Is it a little neat and tidy in the end? Yes. But honestly, show more sometimes life is messy enough and I like a happy ending that doesn’t make me feel like I need therapy.

Would recommend to: people who love second chances, complicated families, and stories that make you cry just a little bit but still leave you feeling warm inside. show less

Good story about two sisters who survived a traumatic event as teenagers and how it continues to affect their lives. The story is told from Ava and Madi's points of view, supplemented by that of Luke, who was also a participant in the event that changed all their lives.

The story opens with Ava. She moved away from Emerald Creek, married a man she adores, and made a career as a middle school English teacher. But haunted by the events of that long-ago summer, she writes about it as part of her therapy. She later expands her writing into her master's thesis and eventually into a bestselling book. However, the book's publication strains Ava's marriage as she had never shared many of those experiences with her husband, Cullen. Hurt by what show more he feels is her lack of trust, Cullen uses an archaeological dig to distance them while he deals with his feelings. Ava is devastated by his departure and plans to spend the summer in Emerald Creek with her grandmother. She also hopes to mend the rift with her sister, Madi, caused by the book's publication.

Madi has tried to put the events of that summer behind her despite the physical and mental scars. She followed her dream of helping animals, first by becoming a vet tech and now by opening the Emerald Creek Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter. She's not happy about Ava's book. Madi doesn't understand why Ava brings up those terrible memories and worries about how people will look at her now. Her friendship and working relationship with Luke is vital to her, as he never treats her as though she were broken. Her feelings for Luke are stronger than friendship, but because his father died while protecting Madi and Ava, she doesn't believe anything can come of them.

Luke is an all-around nice guy. A widower with a teenage daughter, he is also the town veterinarian. He volunteers his services to Madi's shelter. I loved how well he understood Madi and her fears and didn't treat her differently than anyone else. He doesn't expect the chemistry that flares between them and hesitates to pursue it because he doesn't want to ruin their friendship.

A lot is going on in this book, but the central theme is the relationship between Madi and Ava. Madi is so angry at Ava's publication of their ordeal that she can barely stand to be in the same room with her. She doesn't understand why everyone is so interested in what happened and hates feeling like the center of attention. I got a little frustrated with her refusal to read the book and maybe get an idea of its appeal. I wanted to lock the two in a room until they talked everything out. It doesn't help that Ava also keeps a secret that could further affect their relationship. Their relationship is a roller coaster of ups and downs as each gains a little empathy with the other's feelings. A crisis at the end is a make-or-break point.

We also have a rocky relationship between Ava and Cullen. I understood Cullen's hurt at Ava's keeping the details of her past from him. But I could also see Ava's need to be seen for herself, not as a product of her past. Through it all, there was no question about their love for each other; it was mainly a matter of restoring trust. An unexpected event boosts their efforts, but will it be enough? Their story was heartbreaking, heartwarming, and emotional.

The development of the relationship between Madi and Luke was a slow growing one. They've been friends since that devastating day fifteen years ago. We see plenty of camaraderie and ease with each other as they work with the animals and during their other interactions. But two years after the death of his wife, Luke suddenly discovers his feelings for Madi have changed. There were a couple of heated kisses that they backed away from before realizing their feelings for each other were reciprocated. I loved the final push that brought them together.

The epilogue was terrific.

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