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Summary
Summary
#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr creates an emotional and uplifting ensemble of characters in this rags-to-riches-to-rags novel about women, friendship and the complex path to happiness In the aftermath of her financier husband's suicide, Emma Shay Compton's dream life is shattered. Richard Compton stole his clients' life savings to fund a lavish life in New York City and, although she was never involved in the business, Emma bears the burden of her husband's crimes. She is left with nothing. Only one friend stands by her, a friend she's known since high school, who encourages her to come home to Sonoma County. But starting over isn't easy and Sonoma is full of unhappy memories, too. And people she'd rather not face, especially Riley Kerrigan. Riley and Emma were like sisters-until Riley betrayed Emma, ending their friendship. Emma left town, planning to never look back. Now, trying to stand on her own two feet, Emma can't escape her husband's reputation and is forced to turn to the last person she thought she'd ever ask for help-her former best friend. It's an uneasy reunion as both women face the mistakes they've made over the years. Only if they find a way to forgive each other.and themselves.can each of them find the life she wants.
Author Notes
Robyn Carr is a best-selling author of romance novels. She studied nursing in college, but because she married her high school sweetheart who then joined the US Navy, Carr never had time to stay in one place and practice nursing. Instead, she became a reader of romance novels and then decided to write her own. Since that time she has written many historical and contemporary-based romance novels.
Robyn's titles include the Virgin River, Thunder Point, and Grace Valley series as well as a number of stand-alone novels. Robyn's titles, A New Hope and Wildest Dreams, made the New York Times bestseller list in 2015. Robyn's titles, Backward Glance, What We Find, The House on Olive Street and The Life She Wants, made the New York Times bestseller list in 2016.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Bestselling author Carr follows a woman who marries a multi-millionaire schemer (who commits suicide after being caught) and ends up as a nearly penniless widow. Emma Shay Compton is unsympathetic in the public eye-though she did nothing wrong and was unaware of her husband's fraudulent practices-and has to start her life all over again. She flees the east coast and returns to her childhood home of Sonoma County, where she confronts her past: Riley Kerrigan, the best friend who stole Emma's high school boyfriend, Jock, and got pregnant; and her difficult childhood with a typically evil stepmother who favored her own children over Emma. Emma ends up working for Riley, whose brother, Adam, intercedes on her behalf (he's had a crush on Emma for years) and Emma becomes part of Riley's professional cleaning service while developing a relationship with Adam. That she readily goes from living the luxurious life to cleaning toilets is a bit of a stretch, as is her involvement with one of the client's daughters, a huge infraction of Riley's professional rules. Too much melodrama, shallow character portrayals, and lifeless romantic scenes unfortunately undercut what could have been an insightful exploration of a woman's world turned upside down by circumstances beyond her control. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
After her financier husband commits suicide rather than face jail time for stealing from his clients, Emma Shay Compton comes home to Sonoma with the shadow of his crimes over her and must reinvent herself in a hostile landscape while reconnecting with friends shed thought lost forever.When Emma married her wealthy husband, she had no idea he was running a Ponzi scheme, but that doesnt make it any easier to convince people of her innocence once hes accused and kills himself. Going from mad wealth to mere sustenance isnt as hard as knowing her husband ruined lives, but when she moves back to her hometown and finds it almost impossible to get a job, Emma begins to wonder if shell be able to survive, much less thrive. With help from a friend she finds a place to live and gets a terrible job that doesnt last, but through it she runs into Adam, the brother of Riley, her childhood best friend. Riley had betrayed Emma in college, having an affair with her longtime boyfriend, which ended the friendship for good. But now Riley runs a cleaning company with better opportunities than anything Emma can find, so Adam encourages her to get in touch with Riley and see if she can help. Emma swallows her pride and asks Riley for a job, which she gives her, but the two still hold grudges from the past, and neither is interested in trying to rekindle their friendship. Riley is surprised to discover, however, that Emma is truly determined to work hard and embrace her new, simpler life, and both women discover they admire and like the older versions of each other. And when circumstances threaten their families and happiness, theyll both question what theyre holding ontofor instance, anger, resentment, and prideand what theyre missing out on. Carrs take on this complicated situation is interesting, though readers seeking a deeper reflection from Emma in the aftermath of her husbands death or her stepmothers spite may be disappointed. A satisfying reinvention story that handles painful issues with a light and uplifting touch. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* When Emma Shay goes off to college, her best friend, Riley, sleeps with Emma's boyfriend and gets pregnant. Despite Riley's pleas for forgiveness, Emma cuts her out of her life. Emma eventually marries superhandsome, superrich Richard Compton, a man too good to be true. And Richard is just that. Unbeknownst to Emma, his great wealth is built on a Ponzi scheme, and many people have lost their retirements and their savings because of his deception. After Richard is arrested, he kills himself, leaving Emma to bear the shame. Nearly broke, she returns to her hometown, but the massive media coverage of Richard's crimes has made her a pariah, preventing her from securing even a minimum-wage job. Ironically, only one person will hire her her nemesis, Riley. Best-selling Carr (What We Find, 2016) deftly explores the complexities of female relationships by contrasting the betrayal of a best friend and the betrayal of a lover; a cruel stepmother and a coldly oblivious one; and the survival of a teenage mother and a maligned widow. With its themes of repentance, forgiveness, and a long-brewing love finally realized, Carr's latest will grab the reader's heart and mind and not let go.--Mosley, Shelley Copyright 2016 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Two friends are torn apart by their love for a single man. Emma, betrayed and hurt, abandons her childhood home in California to seek success across a continent, while Riley goes it alone, raising her child as a single mother and building a business her way. Then disaster strikes Emma, who returns home disgraced by her criminal husband and nearly destitute. Carr builds a story based on female friendship and, as a writer who is known for her strong characters and motivated action, brings together hope, friendship, and love. This is "feel good" fiction at its best. A well-realized sense of place enhances a plot that satisfies the listener's need for rational movement forward as two women explore their own mistakes, rediscover friendship, and find sweet romance. Therese Plummer reads with dramatic effect and perfect pacing. VERDICT Will appeal to fans of gentle romance who want a story with substance. ["For those who relish contemporary family sagas with strong female characters as well as readers who like their stories tinged with romance": LJ 7/16 review of the Mira: Harlequin hc.]-Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
