Book Description:
A young mother filled with regret returns to Sullivan’s Island to rebuild her life and finds compassion in the most unexpected places in this heartfelt women’s fiction story of self-discovery and second chances from bestselling author T. I. Lowe, whose novels have been described as “soul-stirring, unforgettable romance” (BookPage).
When Juniper Wilder’s grief spiraled into addiction, leading first to an arrest for drunk driving, then jail and court-ordered rehab, she lost the most important thing in her life: her baby girl. Now, sober and on probation, Junie is determined to prove she can be the mother Fern deserves. But she’s burned a lot of bridges, ones that can’t be easily rebuilt.
Not every road is closed to her, however. Exiled to her late grandmother’s South Carolina beach house, Junie starts over, ready to pay off her debts and prove to her brother that he can safely return custody of Fern. She works hard and finds surprising grace in an eclectic recovery community. There’s an unexpected friendship, too—and maybe more—with her neighbor, Henry, a quirky college professor who helps her believe in second chances.
Still, it’s hard for Junie to imagine ever forgiving herself, let alone receiving forgiveness from those she’s hurt . . . particularly when her past rears its ugly head and threatens to undo every bit of progress she’s made.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading South of Somewhere, a contemporary southern fiction novel set in South Carolina. Junie’s life hasn’t been easy and she’s living with the consequences of her mistakes. She’s a young widow in her mid-twenties who, at the start of the story, is exiting an eight month court-ordered rehab program.
Junie is on twelve months probation that includes mandatory drug testing and attendance at AA meetings. Her sponsor and probation officer is a seventy-something retired law enforcement officer who mentors Junie as she transitions into life after rehab.
Junie stays at her late grandmother’s beach house on Sullivan’s Island. She’s determined to stay sober and get her life back on track in order to regain custody of her two year old daughter who’s in the care of her older brother and his wife.
I loved journeying with Junie in the story as she encounters obstacles and difficult situations mixed in with lighthearted moments. She has a lot of emotional baggage to unpack from her dysfunctional childhood and complex family relationships. Redemption and forgiveness themes are explored in the story.
Junie’s sweet friendship with her next door neighbor, Henry, is complicated by secrets and romantic sparks. The quirky side characters were fun and I appreciated the found family themes in the story.
I recommend South of Somewhere to contemporary fiction readers who like second chances redemption stories that address substance abuse issues and include family drama, found family, romantic elements and relevant faith threads woven into the story.
Many thanks to Tyndale and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
