Sandy M’s review of Chance Harbor by Holly Robinson
Women’s Fiction published by NAL 6 Oct 15
Holly Robinson has a way of reaching out and grabbing a reader by the shirt and never letting go, throwing curves, twists and turns at you, all interspersed with messy but honest emotion. And this family is definitely a mess. Each character has survived everything life has thrown at them so far, but the question is how well have they really survived when all is said and done.
Though they are sisters who look alike, they’re at opposite poles when it comes to temperament, personality, and responsibility. Catherine has always been the good girl, even helping her mother keep younger Zoe in hand when her wildness and impetuousness would have her knee deep in trouble. Zoe disappeared five years ago, she’s now presumed dead, and Catherine and her husband Russell have been raising Willow, Zoe’s daughter. Catherine finally has the daughter she’s been denied all of her married life. After a number of good years together, however, now their world is knocked off its axis when Russell announces he’s probably going to be losing his teaching position because of a dalliance with a student. He’s out on his ear as fast as Catherine can toss him.
Then there’s Eve, Catherine’s mother, who lost her husband recently, and she’s in the midst of packing up their vacation home at Chance Harbor on Prince Edward Island. Eve has her secrets when it comes to marriage, and those are revealed at pivotal moments to give Catherine food for thought as she deals with the worst time of her life. I really like that Eve meets Darcy at Chance Harbor – older characters in featured roles and basking in a bit of romance – especially when she believes she won’t have a chance at love or a new life again. Having been through her own hell when it comes to matrimony, Eve now has an ethereal calmness about her, which she needs when the next bombshell drops.
Willow is turning out to be a good girl too under Catherine’s influence, but that changes dramatically when Zoe returns from the dead. Having turned her life around, free of drugs and alcohol, she just wants to see her daughter, but her reappearance is not the joyful occasion for all involved. Eve and Willow are quite happy she’s back, but it’s Catherine who has more to lose now that her sister appears to have finally become the woman she’s meant to be. But Catherine doesn’t trust Zoe, after all of her past shenanigans, and she’s going to fight for Willow, if that’s what it comes to.
The bombs keep coming, even late in the book. Zoe’s story eventually comes out, forcing a sort of peace between the sisters. At least enough peace that they can each see more clearly what needs to be done for others in the family. But I have to say that Ms. Robinson keeps it very real when emotions between them come to a head. Jealousy and distrust swirls all around this family. Another twist I like is Catherine throwing caution to the wind – finally – and giving in to a bit of lust with Gray, a friend of Zoe’s. Though the romance reader in me wanted more closure when it comes to their relationship, but I realize that kind of happily ever after isn’t the point.
Aside from such a range of characters, what I love most when it comes to Ms. Robinson’s writing is her imagery. I’m usually not much of a visual reader, but there are points in this book, whether on a hike or walking the shoreline, that come alive for me. She is an author that will keep you glued to the page, no matter what the scene, from sweet lovemaking to ranting meltdowns to anything and everything in between. An author well worth your time. Read this book soon.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Catherine and Zoe are sisters, but even their mother, Eve, admits her daughters are nothing alike. Catherine is calm and responsible. Zoe is passionate and rebellious. Nobody is surprised when Zoe gets pregnant, drops out of college, and spirals into drug addiction.
One night Catherine gets a call from Zoe’s terrified daughter, Willow, saying her mother has abandoned her in a bus station and disappeared. Eve blames herself, while Catherine, unable to have children, is delighted to raise Willow as her own.
Now, five years later, Eve is grieving her husband’s death and making plans to sell the family’s beloved summer home on Prince Edward Island. But a series of unexpected revelations will upend the family and rock three generations of women.
No excerpt available.
