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sfbookgirl 's review for:
The Second Home
by Christina Clancy
↓ About the book
In present-day America, Ann and Poppy’s parents tragically die in a car crash. They are left to pick up the pieces, which includes selling their house in Wisconsin and their summer home on Cape Cod. They are both agree to sell the Cape Cod home, a home passed down from generation to generation in their family.
Michael, their adopted brother, who had all but vanished after an incident when they were teens, suddenly appears back in the lives of Ann and Poppy. It appears as though Michael wants the house, and the three siblings are stuck with the dilemma of how to approach this delicate situation. The book begins with the siblings’ childhood, and slowly brings the reader back to the present day.
↓ My thoughts
I found myself flying through this book and ended up finishing it in a little over a day. The dialogue is quick and easy to follow, and I was intrigued by the character development. I didn’t feel that there is a strong event or story arc to encourage the reader to find out happens next or keep reading to discover that “ah-ha!” moment, as the book kind of just meanders on like a slow-moving river…but for some reason, I couldn’t put the book down.
There are quite a few incidents that occur in this book that I found to have taken away from the power struggle between these three siblings. The sibling bond between Anne, Poppy, and Michael is beautifully articulated but I found a key plot decision to be unnecessary. That said, this book isn’t exactly light, but the setting of the Cape Cod definitely gives it some beachy vibes. The story also showcases a realistic sibling-dynamic which I found to be authentic and meaningful and I applaud Clancy for really nailing this relationship. If you are looking for a book set on a beach with some family drama, this one is definitely for you!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for an advance reader copy!
Trigger warnings: rape, child abuse, drug use
In present-day America, Ann and Poppy’s parents tragically die in a car crash. They are left to pick up the pieces, which includes selling their house in Wisconsin and their summer home on Cape Cod. They are both agree to sell the Cape Cod home, a home passed down from generation to generation in their family.
Michael, their adopted brother, who had all but vanished after an incident when they were teens, suddenly appears back in the lives of Ann and Poppy. It appears as though Michael wants the house, and the three siblings are stuck with the dilemma of how to approach this delicate situation. The book begins with the siblings’ childhood, and slowly brings the reader back to the present day.
↓ My thoughts
I found myself flying through this book and ended up finishing it in a little over a day. The dialogue is quick and easy to follow, and I was intrigued by the character development. I didn’t feel that there is a strong event or story arc to encourage the reader to find out happens next or keep reading to discover that “ah-ha!” moment, as the book kind of just meanders on like a slow-moving river…but for some reason, I couldn’t put the book down.
There are quite a few incidents that occur in this book that I found to have taken away from the power struggle between these three siblings. The sibling bond between Anne, Poppy, and Michael is beautifully articulated but I found a key plot decision to be unnecessary. That said, this book isn’t exactly light, but the setting of the Cape Cod definitely gives it some beachy vibes. The story also showcases a realistic sibling-dynamic which I found to be authentic and meaningful and I applaud Clancy for really nailing this relationship. If you are looking for a book set on a beach with some family drama, this one is definitely for you!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for an advance reader copy!
Trigger warnings: rape, child abuse, drug use