ISLAND GIRLS

A story of family from Thayer (Summer Breeze, 2012, etc.).

Thrice-married Rory Randall dies and in his will leaves his expensive home in Nantucket to his three daughters on the condition that they all live in it together for a summer. Arden and Meg are half sisters. Jenny is the daughter of Rory's third wife, Justine, whom Rory legally adopted when Justine claimed not to know who Jenny’s father was. While Arden and Meg lived with their respective moms, they spent a couple of summers with Rory, Justine and Jenny in the Nantucket home. Then Arden, the oldest, went through that snotty, hostile phase that some troubled teens go through, and Justine responded by putting an end to those visits. The three girls, now in their 30s, meet again at Rory’s funeral and the reading of the will, then embark upon the requisite summer together. After a rocky start, the reunion results in a life-changing summer for all, as they challenge each other to reach their full potentials, stop fearing relationships with the men who love them, share secrets and make discoveries.

In this touching summer read, forgiveness benefits both the person bestowing it and the recipient.