NEW RELEASE
The Summer Guest - Emma Hannigan (2014)
Lexi and Sam seem to have everything they want from life - great jobs, a great house that they've poured their soul into and each other. But as life goes on all their friends seem to be having babies and the expectation level for them to take the next step rises, making them wonder if their original decision not to have children was right to begin with. Kathleen is visiting Ireland with a list of three things that she hopes to accomplish - including visiting Lexi and Sam's home where she spent her early childhood years. Together the two women form a friendship that comes at a time when they both need it most. This book was very emotional for me and by midway through to the end I had to take frequent breaks. It was very hard to read Lexi's take on everyone's expectations for her and Sam, and how easy it was for our judgment to intervene in the lives of others. The author introduces a perspective I had never considered and although I do have friends who choose not to have children I never gave much thought into how difficult it must be to know how they may be perceived by society. Totally eye-opening and a must-read. (KARM)
The Summer Guest, by Emma Hannigan, is about three generations of women coming together for summer in a small seaside town. The summary says: "Lexi and her husband Sam have put their heart and soul into renovating No. 3 Cashel Square. Lexi's mother thinks it's high time they had a baby, but Lexi's thriving art gallery keeps her more than busy. Plus her headstrong niece Amelie seems to have practically moved in. And then, just as summer arrives, a mysterious stranger knocks on the door. Kathleen Williams has come from America, longing to see the house in Cashel Square where she was born, over sixty years ago. Kathleen's visit is tinged with sadness but she finds comfort and laughter with Lexie and Amelie. Soon the three women are sharing their hearts, tears and secrets, little knowing their unexpected friendship will touch them all in more ways than they can imagine..." The Summer Guest is out in March 2014.