When Dahlia Newberry escapes her terrible marriage and returns to Long Island’s North Fork to put her family’s beach house on the market, she discovers the property has fallen into disrepair, and she has no idea how she’ll get it from fixer to fabulous in a month’s time.
Things start to look up when she discovers her neighbor is Noah, a handsome reality TV star known for his Hamptons-set home renovation series. Noah turns out to be quite handy and pitches in to help Dahlia with the renovations and, as chemistry sparks between them, her self-discovery too.
Meanwhile, Dahlia discovers a letter from her Aunt Lil, whose dying wish was for Dahlia to find a key that unlocks a mystery spanning three generations. Soon Dahlia is unearthing mysterious clues buried in the garden that threaten to upend everything she believes about her world.
The truth is supposed to set her free, but excavated secrets have a way of shattering an already fragile life—unless Dahlia can find a way to bloom into the woman she was always meant to be.
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My Review
This Book is about a breezy, beach-set romance that follows Dahlia, a 38-year-old almost-divorced mother returning to her family’s crumbling seaside home to prepare it for sale. What begins as a practical task quickly turns into a summer of renovations, buried family secrets, and an unexpected romance with Noah, a younger reality-TV renovation star next door.
The novel leans heavily into Hallmark-style charm: warm, escapist, and unapologetically romantic. The chemistry between Dahlia and Noah is immediate and sweet, though the relationship develops so quickly that it may feel emotionally rushed, especially given Dahlia’s not-yet-finalized divorce. While the story touches on themes of rediscovering identity and building a life beyond marriage and motherhood, these elements sometimes take a backseat to the romance.
A standout element is the mystery surrounding Aunt Lil’s clues and the family secret they uncover. This subplot adds heart and intrigue, and it’s easy to wish for even more of Aunt Lil’s backstory.
Overall, this is a light, comforting read with strong “second chance at life” vibes—ideal for readers craving sunshine, renovation drama, and feel-good romance, even if it sacrifices deeper personal growth along the way.
My Rating
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