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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
The Gordon family, every summer heads from their hometown in Wisconsin out to their cottage for two weeks, in Cape Cod. A cottage that has been built by their ancestors and kept in the family for decades. It is the two weeks that everyone forgets about life for a little while, enjoys the sun, sand, and summer. It's a vacation looked forward to every single summer, by all.
Ann, the older of the two girls befriends a loner in her grade and doesn't have the best family situation at home. He soon starts staying at their house for more than just dinner and after his mother passes, the Gordon's decide to adopt him. He feels as if he is part of the family after all, and he has never given any reason for them not to take him in as one of their own.
Poppy and Ann cannot wait to show Michael the cottage at Wellfleet. It will feel like learning everything all over again out there, with showing Michael what family and vacation is all about. Things change once they get there, Ann see's a post for a babysitting position and jumps at the chance to take it to make as much money as she can before college.
Poppy feeling a bit neglected finds a group of kids she starts hanging out with, not the best of sorts but it keeps her days busy and she is learning how to surf. Something she has always wanted. Ann gets Michael a job with a landscape guy who does the yard work for the family that Ann has been babysitting for. More so, carting the kids around then babysitting. Although Michael had not expected to take a job on while on vacation, he accepts but is not a fan of the husband.
One night, Ann comes back to the cottage and Michael knows something is wrong. She won't talk, but wants to just lay down by him. Her father walks in, and assumes something else is going on. They pack up and leave, their vacation cut short and silence all the way back to Milwaukee.
How the hell could one misconception go so wrong. Nothing happened! Ann and Michael both say the same thing, but how do you trust that? They are just teens and hormones are raging. Her parents were teenagers once themselves. Months later, a dark secret is revealed and Michael and Ann find themselves backed against the wall with no other option but to agree to this solution.
Over a decade later, and Ann now has to handle the estate of her parents and figuring out what to do with the house, and cottage. She cannot find a will anywhere, and she knows her father had one but she also might have neglected to be truthful when filing the paperwork as well. Michael hasn't been heard from in years, there is no way he will find out, and try and stake a claim.
The three of them are finally forced together, back where everything started and the truth of a decade slowly starts to unfold as comments and snide remarks are made. Can the three of them become siblings again, or will the past always keep a wall between them all?
Very good read! I feel like I have said that a lot lately, but it's true! I have read a lot of well written books the last year or so. I also am a tad biased being a Wisconsinite myself! :) I want to thank the author for sharing her story, as well as St. Martin's Press and Shelf Pro Awareness for sending me an arc. I look forward to seeing what her next novel will be.
Ann, the older of the two girls befriends a loner in her grade and doesn't have the best family situation at home. He soon starts staying at their house for more than just dinner and after his mother passes, the Gordon's decide to adopt him. He feels as if he is part of the family after all, and he has never given any reason for them not to take him in as one of their own.
Poppy and Ann cannot wait to show Michael the cottage at Wellfleet. It will feel like learning everything all over again out there, with showing Michael what family and vacation is all about. Things change once they get there, Ann see's a post for a babysitting position and jumps at the chance to take it to make as much money as she can before college.
Poppy feeling a bit neglected finds a group of kids she starts hanging out with, not the best of sorts but it keeps her days busy and she is learning how to surf. Something she has always wanted. Ann gets Michael a job with a landscape guy who does the yard work for the family that Ann has been babysitting for. More so, carting the kids around then babysitting. Although Michael had not expected to take a job on while on vacation, he accepts but is not a fan of the husband.
One night, Ann comes back to the cottage and Michael knows something is wrong. She won't talk, but wants to just lay down by him. Her father walks in, and assumes something else is going on. They pack up and leave, their vacation cut short and silence all the way back to Milwaukee.
How the hell could one misconception go so wrong. Nothing happened! Ann and Michael both say the same thing, but how do you trust that? They are just teens and hormones are raging. Her parents were teenagers once themselves. Months later, a dark secret is revealed and Michael and Ann find themselves backed against the wall with no other option but to agree to this solution.
Over a decade later, and Ann now has to handle the estate of her parents and figuring out what to do with the house, and cottage. She cannot find a will anywhere, and she knows her father had one but she also might have neglected to be truthful when filing the paperwork as well. Michael hasn't been heard from in years, there is no way he will find out, and try and stake a claim.
The three of them are finally forced together, back where everything started and the truth of a decade slowly starts to unfold as comments and snide remarks are made. Can the three of them become siblings again, or will the past always keep a wall between them all?
Very good read! I feel like I have said that a lot lately, but it's true! I have read a lot of well written books the last year or so. I also am a tad biased being a Wisconsinite myself! :) I want to thank the author for sharing her story, as well as St. Martin's Press and Shelf Pro Awareness for sending me an arc. I look forward to seeing what her next novel will be.
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
I think this family story is an excellent summer read, but for me there was so much personal resonance that really made me connect with this story. While my life is definitely quite different from that of the characters, the feeling of a special, family place that holds a lot of history- both personal and familial - is one that I related to deeply. My family has a cabin that my great grandfather built, and while it is definitely showing its age and needs so much work, I can't imagine it not being in our lives (despite having little interest in taking responsibility for it). I really enjoyed this one and hope others find it meaningful as well.
I think this family story is an excellent summer read, but for me there was so much personal resonance that really made me connect with this story. While my life is definitely quite different from that of the characters, the feeling of a special, family place that holds a lot of history- both personal and familial - is one that I related to deeply. My family has a cabin that my great grandfather built, and while it is definitely showing its age and needs so much work, I can't imagine it not being in our lives (despite having little interest in taking responsibility for it). I really enjoyed this one and hope others find it meaningful as well.
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On top of that, the book description here does not match the story given. The explanation for the book makes it sound like the story will revolve around the present, with an explanation of what happened in the past. However, as mentioned above, the story doesn't play out that way. Due to the way that the past plays out on the page, all the suspense is taken out of the story. The story point where the three siblings talk about what happened in the past doesn't occur until you are well into the last quarter of the book.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On top of that, the book description here does not match the story given. The explanation for the book makes it sound like the story will revolve around the present, with an explanation of what happened in the past. However, as mentioned above, the story doesn't play out that way. Due to the way that the past plays out on the page, all the suspense is taken out of the story. The story point where the three siblings talk about what happened in the past doesn't occur until you are well into the last quarter of the book.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Every now and then I crave a good dramatic mystery. Especially one that’s focused on family, since family ties always hold something special in a way. The Second Home by Christina Clancy felt like it would fulfill that need seamlessly.
The story started out very strong. Many new occurences were presented tot he reader from the beginning, and new characters were introduced. I couldn’t wait to discoverhow everything would fit together. The best thing that could happen for me in a book like this is when it keeps me questioning the outcome until the very end. Unfortunately, about halfway through I saw exactly how the entire story would play out, and I ended up being right. However much I love being right, I always prefer to be surprised when it comes to a book.
Looking back on my reading experience, I do have to say that I did enjoy this book a lot. Especially the different characters who told the story managed to capture my attention, and the relationships between them were definitely interesting to read about.
Every now and then I crave a good dramatic mystery. Especially one that’s focused on family, since family ties always hold something special in a way. The Second Home by Christina Clancy felt like it would fulfill that need seamlessly.
The story started out very strong. Many new occurences were presented tot he reader from the beginning, and new characters were introduced. I couldn’t wait to discoverhow everything would fit together. The best thing that could happen for me in a book like this is when it keeps me questioning the outcome until the very end. Unfortunately, about halfway through I saw exactly how the entire story would play out, and I ended up being right. However much I love being right, I always prefer to be surprised when it comes to a book.
Looking back on my reading experience, I do have to say that I did enjoy this book a lot. Especially the different characters who told the story managed to capture my attention, and the relationships between them were definitely interesting to read about.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book was incredible. i cried so hard at the end, i feel like i grew up with the characters. would def recommend and will read again soon! edit: changed this rating from 5⭐️s to 4⭐️s. This is one of the first books I read when I rly started to get into reading again about a year ago, and I think I rated it highly bc I was very interested in the book, but I don’t think it compares to some of my other favorites.
I did not know what to expect going into this book but I become 100% hooked on the Gordon family.
I feel like a while ago this book could have easily bored me but it didnt at all. I devoured it in a couple of days and was actually quite sad to finish it.
This book follows the life of the Gordons, written in multiple perspectives of the childers Ann, Poppy and Michael. Following such a large timeline there is obviously alot going on and alot of character change and growth.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing of this book and highlighted a fair amount of gorgeous quote and stand out sentences. The characters were so well written and with each having their time to be loved, and disliked it made it feel all the more raw and realistic.
I loved the main setting of Cape cod and the secondary setting of Milwaukee also the numourous other snippets of locations. But the cape cod setting and home especially, really stood out and with the turn of some events became a sad place for a time even to me as a reader.
I became so interested and intrigued by this family which really does not happen that often for me in these styles of books, so that's saying something. I would 100% pick up another book by this author and highly recommend.
If you have read the Forests by Emily perkins and enjoyed it I think you would enjoy this one but this one is better!
Thank you netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
I feel like a while ago this book could have easily bored me but it didnt at all. I devoured it in a couple of days and was actually quite sad to finish it.
This book follows the life of the Gordons, written in multiple perspectives of the childers Ann, Poppy and Michael. Following such a large timeline there is obviously alot going on and alot of character change and growth.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing of this book and highlighted a fair amount of gorgeous quote and stand out sentences. The characters were so well written and with each having their time to be loved, and disliked it made it feel all the more raw and realistic.
I loved the main setting of Cape cod and the secondary setting of Milwaukee also the numourous other snippets of locations. But the cape cod setting and home especially, really stood out and with the turn of some events became a sad place for a time even to me as a reader.
I became so interested and intrigued by this family which really does not happen that often for me in these styles of books, so that's saying something. I would 100% pick up another book by this author and highly recommend.
If you have read the Forests by Emily perkins and enjoyed it I think you would enjoy this one but this one is better!
Thank you netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second home in this novel is a beach house on Cape Cod where the Gordon family has spent their summers for generations. This book “is about second homes, second families and second chances.”
At the beginning of the book, Ed and Connie Gordon, adopt a teenaged boy that becomes a sibling to their daughters, Poppy and Ann. One summer everything goes wrong and the siblings go their separate ways.
Poppy surfs and travels all over the world and rarely returns home to visit. To her, “Nothing quite compared to the intoxicating sensation of living a life that was always changing, always moving.” “She liked being disconnected.” She left home because she felt like she’d become invisible to her family. “She’d always defined herself as someone who could continually expand outward, never needing to return,” but when tragedy forces her to return back to the family’s beach house she “felt like she was reuniting with an old friend.”
Ann was always been the confident one in the family. Poppy’s long absence makes Ann feel rejected and abandoned by her sister. The summer that everything fell apart, Ann suffered from a traumatic event that still haunts her to this day.
Michael was orphaned when his own mother died and the Gordon family took him in as one of their own. He treasured the family and his place in it and the beach house was a magical place to him. He felt like that house was “the only place where his life ever felt like it made any sense.” “The houses he once inhabited now inhabited him. They were witnesses to who he once was, to the people he’d loved-and hated.”
“Is that what houses really were, containers for family? And once the containers were gone, the people inside were just set loose in the world, particles.”
In the end, the second home ends up being the anchor that brings the family back together. I highly recommend this book. I loved it!! Three of my favorite things: #beach read, #literary fiction, #dysfunctional family.
At the beginning of the book, Ed and Connie Gordon, adopt a teenaged boy that becomes a sibling to their daughters, Poppy and Ann. One summer everything goes wrong and the siblings go their separate ways.
Poppy surfs and travels all over the world and rarely returns home to visit. To her, “Nothing quite compared to the intoxicating sensation of living a life that was always changing, always moving.” “She liked being disconnected.” She left home because she felt like she’d become invisible to her family. “She’d always defined herself as someone who could continually expand outward, never needing to return,” but when tragedy forces her to return back to the family’s beach house she “felt like she was reuniting with an old friend.”
Ann was always been the confident one in the family. Poppy’s long absence makes Ann feel rejected and abandoned by her sister. The summer that everything fell apart, Ann suffered from a traumatic event that still haunts her to this day.
Michael was orphaned when his own mother died and the Gordon family took him in as one of their own. He treasured the family and his place in it and the beach house was a magical place to him. He felt like that house was “the only place where his life ever felt like it made any sense.” “The houses he once inhabited now inhabited him. They were witnesses to who he once was, to the people he’d loved-and hated.”
“Is that what houses really were, containers for family? And once the containers were gone, the people inside were just set loose in the world, particles.”
In the end, the second home ends up being the anchor that brings the family back together. I highly recommend this book. I loved it!! Three of my favorite things: #beach read, #literary fiction, #dysfunctional family.
2.5 Stars
I went into The Second Home expecting a nice beach read with some family drama. Unfortunately it was way heavier than what I was expecting and I found it difficult to get through.
I found the family dynamic really strange. Ann and Poppy's parents adopted Michael but let the three of them run all over Cape Cod doing their own things, while their parents stayed home and got high. I also wasn't a fan of the relationship between Ann and Michael because event though he was her adopted brother, he was still her brother and it was uncomfortable to read.
There were a few inconsistencies with the characters but overall I enjoyed Christina Clancy's writing, just not the specifics of this story.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book
I went into The Second Home expecting a nice beach read with some family drama. Unfortunately it was way heavier than what I was expecting and I found it difficult to get through.
I found the family dynamic really strange. Ann and Poppy's parents adopted Michael but let the three of them run all over Cape Cod doing their own things, while their parents stayed home and got high. I also wasn't a fan of the relationship between Ann and Michael because event though he was her adopted brother, he was still her brother and it was uncomfortable to read.
There were a few inconsistencies with the characters but overall I enjoyed Christina Clancy's writing, just not the specifics of this story.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes