Kit Porterfield is coping with the upheaval of her personal life when another shock blindsides her. Maxine Meadows, an aunt she never knew existed, has bequeathed to her a rustic campground in Maine. With it comes a long-buried family secret that Kit’s late mother took great pains to hide for her entire life.
When Kit arrives to tenuously claim her inheritance, she learns the town’s history and finds the lakeside sporting camp and its beautiful wooded acres in need of restoration to their former glory. But it’s Kit’s own history that compels her to stay, and she’s not returning home until she uncovers the secrets that tore two sisters apart so many years ago.
Kit soon discovers clues in old photographs and in the tale of a tragic and enduring love story, but the most startling revelations are yet to come. For Kit, they could be the path to understanding the mystery that defined her mother’s life—and her own.
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My Review
This book is about unexpected inheritances, buried family truths, and the life-changing moments that force us to reimagine who we are. When Kit inherits a wilderness camp in Maine from an aunt she barely knew, what begins as a practical decision soon becomes a journey of self-discovery, connection, and emotional healing.
Mariah Stewart weaves a warm, immersive story as Kit, Beth, and Abby each face personal upheavals that challenge their assumptions about family, identity, and the paths they’ve chosen. The novel’s “wake-up calls” arrive through secrets, heartbreak, and difficult truths, pushing the characters toward growth and renewal. Stewart skillfully balances emotional depth with a comforting sense of hope, ensuring the story feels both poignant and uplifting.
Family, both inherited and chosen sits at the heart of the novel. The wilderness camp becomes a symbol of belonging and new beginnings, where friendships deepen and support systems form in the most unexpected ways. Stewart’s vivid writing brings the setting to life, making readers feel present for every triumph and struggle.
Tender, reflective, and inspiring, this novel beautifully celebrates transformation and the courage to embrace life’s surprises.
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