The ingredients for a pleasurable summer read are all found in The Space Between Sisters, Mary McNear’s latest novel in her Butternut Lake series.
Take a scenic and charming lake community, add in two sisters and two eligible bachelors, combine with the allure of summertime, sprinkle in a bit of nostalgia and a few secrets, finish off with a dash of whimsy with a cat named Sasquatch, and voila.
The Space Between Sisters
Poppy and Win have the same parents but couldn’t be more different. Now adults, Poppy is impetuous and flighty and Win, a widow, is organized and steady. They haven’t lived together in 13 years, but one day Poppy appears on the doorstep of the Win’s lakeside cottage in Butternut Lake — jobless, out of money, and having nowhere to go.
The cottage, once owned by their grandparents, had been their summertime destination when they were children. The sisters both have fond memories of idyllic summers spent in Butternut Lake. When the grandparents died, Win — the more responsible sister– inherits the cottage, and she decides to live there year-round.
Poppy and Win were close as children, relying on each other perhaps more than most siblings do. Their household was chaotic. The parents were negligent and for large chunks of time the girls were on their own, even at a young age. They yearned for a stable home environment but the parents were unable to provide it.
Now adults, the love is still there. But it’s complicated.
Living together for the first time in many years, the sisters still love each other but find new tensions in their relationship. Win is frustrated with Poppy’s lack of initiative and her messiness. Poppy is irritated by Win’s OCD type of organization. At the same time, they are trying to reframe their broken lives: Win, reeling from the death of her husband, and Poppy, struggling with a painful secret she has been harboring for years.
But the bonds of sisterhood prove more durable than the adversity each has faced. Poppy and Win realize they are both ready to find closure with the past. Willing to move on, to accept what is and put it behind them, they find strength in the ties that bind them. In doing so, they find that they have much more in common than they once thought.
This is a breezy, easy read that definitely meets the requirements for a great beach book (even if you’re not at the beach). And if you haven’t read the three prior books in the Butternut Lake series, no worries. The Space Between Sisters is fine as a standalone.
One of my lucky readers will receive a copy of The Space Between Sisters. Please leave a comment below and enter the giveaway.
I received a copy of The Space Between Sisters from William Morrow for an honest review, which is the only kind of review I write.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Helene Cohen Bludman
I can picture myself reading this at the beach and swallowing it in one day. It sounds wonderful and it’s the kind of book I love for summer reading. Thanks for another great review, Helene.
A good book to take on vacation, Cathy!
I just love the cover!!! So yes, this is a beach book for me….even if I can’t be at the beach, I’ll feel like I”m there. I just love your reviews, Helene!
Thanks, Cath! It is a beach book, a mountain book, even a staycation book!
Wow, time for beach books. I love a diverting read. Looking this one up!
Carol Cassara recently posted…No limits to the soul
It is the season, Carol! Thanks.
Your last few reviews could fill up my bedside table with amazing summer reads. How to choose? Since I have a sister (I’m the responsible one . . . just kidding!), this could hit the spot. Or I could just spend the summer reading your reviews!
Meg Root recently posted…A Mom’s Summer Safety Primer
Meg, you are the best. Thank you so much!
Sounds good! I’m in for the giveaway. Fingers crossed!
Good luck!
I love beach reading! And, if you can judge a book by its cover, this definitely looks like a good one!
It is a great cover, isn’t it?
I love beach reads and go through them like Tic Tacs.
Now that I live near the beach beach book season begins in April and ends at Thanksgiving.
Sisters are one of my bazillion areas of interest. Because I think it’s the most complex relationship so this sounds great!
pia recently posted…I Cried
You are right, Pia. Beach books do not have to be read just in the summer.
Do you know if they have this book available for download on kobo?
I would love to download it for the train ride. I will have hours on uninterrupted reading time!
I don’t know, Heather, and I am not familiar with Kobo. Sorry I can’t help with this one!
Ahh, a series? I’m in. We go to Cape Cod every July and I intend to devour a few books.
Tamara Bowman recently posted…Free To Be Making a Fairy Garden
I love Cape Cod! Have a wonderful vacation, Tamara!
This sounds like a perfect summer read. I’m adding it to my Goodreads list right now!
Cathy recently posted…U.S. Cellular MyAnywhere Contest – Win a Trip Anywhere in the U.S.
I need a book for an upcoming vacation. This looks like the ticket!
I agree!
This looks like a great book I could give to my wife as a gift. She definitely loves family books!
Nice!
This sounds like my type of book and perfect for Summer reading (even though it is Winter in Australia). I’ll be checking it out thanks for a great review. Sue from Sizzling Towards Sixty.
sue recently posted…Our Nonna Celebrates 90 years!
Thanks, Sue!
This book looks like a great summer read! Sisters and bachelors… sold!
Haha!
This could be me and my sister. Looks like a good read.
I would be interested to hear your take on their relationship, Pat.
Reading is such an escape for me. This one is one I’ll add to my list. Thanks so much for the review!
The perfect summer read. I entered to win (the Twitter link is broken on Rafflecopter, but I entered using the FB entry). THanks for hosting!
Awesome, Rosey, thanks!
That sounds exactly like the kind of book I’d pick up to read. I am so intrigued with their relationship!
It is a complicated and true-to-life relationship, for sure, Liz!
this sounds like a great summer read. I love the photo for the cover too
laura londergan recently posted…ART PRINT :: Summer Summer SummerTime
I am always looking for a good read about two sisters. My sister and I are very close and share everything. Reading stories like this strengthens our relationship!
I can’t wait to read this one!
Ahhh, I always wanted a sister. I hope you enjoy the book!
This looks like a great read. I am very close to my sister and it peaked my interest by the title alone. Thanks much for the heads up. I’ll have to add this to my summer reading list.
Thanks, Carolann!