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From the author of Pack Up the Moon comes a funny, romantic, and deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life’s detours. Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist. Things aren’t going so well. For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up. Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister’s wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice. As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother. Meanwhile, Lark’s mom has moved in with Lark’s flamboyant landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what’s next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren’t planned at all.
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04.5 stars
More than anything, this book is about three women going through big changes in their lives. The brunt of the story is about Lark, a young oncology resident who doesn’t know how to live her life for herself. She lost her childhood love and best friend and has lived her life for him, his parents, and her own family ever since. She may not see it that way, but that is the way it is. Being forced to switch departments at the hospital, and then entering into a strange deal with a man her coworkers call Dr. Satan, has Lark finally opening her eyes to the world around her and how much she has been holding back.
While Lark’s story is heartbreaking yet ultimately inspiring, her mom Ellie’s story filled me with the most emotions. Ellie finds out her perfect marriage actually went through a blip recently without her even realizing it happened. She is devastated and has to figure out how much forgiveness her heart holds. While she figures things out, she befriends Lark’s landlady Joy. Ellie and Joy learn a lot from one another and help each other through the changes going on in their lives.
Joy is so interesting. She’s treading water after losing her beloved brother. Although she’s been married multiple times, Joy’s brother is the only person who ever loved her unconditionally. Yet that love also seems to have enabled her to flit through life without aim. Now firmly in the senior citizen demographic, she spends her days online shopping, sleeping, and playing with her dog.
This story is beautiful all around. There are a lot of tough times. The depths of what Lark and her deceased fiancé went through broke my heart over and over. Yet her deal with Dr. Satan brings a whole new family into her life and she starts to see light in her life once again. I loved how carefully Dante dealt with Lark throughout the book. He’s such a great guy I kept hoping he would find a way to be with Lark. Yet I also ended up sympathizing with Dr. Satan. His story isn’t an easy one and I hope to see another book where he can find his HEA, maybe with Lark’s sister?
I laughed and cried throughout this book, just how I like it. I always remember that I love this author, but somehow forget just how much I get immersed in her stories.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
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