This book was so sweet. I absolutely loved the story and the characters and the way everything was done. Heather did a beautiful job. I need more books just like this in my life.Something I deeply appreciated with this book is that there were no overblown reactions to things that happened. A couple of times I worried the story was going to spiral with some blame or someone blowing up, but that didn’t happen. It was low drama, high emotions. I know that doesn’t sound like it could work, but it does. Heather proves it can be done.The relationship between Anita and her daughter, Carly, is really cute. They have their struggles, as parents of teenagers all can affirm happens, but they worked to overcome them together. Anita was so patient. I liked that she didn’t let her high emotions get the better of her. And I wish I could see her artwork. It sounds fascinating.Sam is the cutest old man you’ve ever met in a book, and you’ll be jealous that Carly gets to be his friend. And Wyatt is a genuinely good guy. Maybe a bit misguided, but I loved his humility, his ability to communicate with Carly as well, and relationship with his grandfather.Also the romance is just sweet. It just is. I love romance with slightly older protagonists. So good.A lot of things happen in this book. It’s a great one for showing how to handle complicated relationships with grace and poise.I’m not doing this book justice. I’m afraid I’m just making it sound stilted, which it absolutely is not. It is lovely. It felt like real people, navigating real challenges, and trying to do so in kind, ways. People making mistakes and saying sorry. People growing closer together. People healing in ways they didn’t realize they needed. It was really beautiful. Honestly, my only hang up with it was I kept forgetting it was set in the 80’s and had to remind myself they couldn’t use cell phones to make all those phone calls because they didn’t exist! Ha!Really, everything else was wonderful. If you want a book that feels like looking in the lives of real people, without high drama, choose this one. And now please excuse me while I go check on some more of Heather’s books for more of the same vibe, because I am here for it.**Thanks to the author for the copy. A positive review was not required and these are my genuine thoughts.
