Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Darcie Chan returns to the enchanting town of Mill River in a heartwarming novel of family, self-discovery, and forgiveness. Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy.
Josie DiSanti is starting over. Recently widowed, she has fled her New York City home with her two young daughters—spirited Rose and shy Emily—in tow. She takes refuge in Mill River, Vermont, to live with her only remaining relative, Ivy Collard, the local bookstore owner and a woman Josie barely knows. There, the young mother and her girls build a new life for themselves—until a shocking tragedy tears the sisters apart.
Years later, Josie’s still-estranged daughters return to the quiet town for the reading of their mother’s will, which stipulates that they must work together to locate a hidden key to a safe-deposit box containing their inheritance. Even from the great beyond, it seems Josie will do anything to bring about her daughters’ reconciliation. Having no choice but to go along with their mother’s final wishes, Rose and Emily move back to Mill River for the summer to begin the search—discovering that, in the close-knit community known for magic and miracles, an even greater treasure awaits them.
Review
A few years ago a friend lent me her copy of Mill River Recluse. I posted a review of that book and Darcie even contacted me to thank me for the review. How cool is that?! Darcie even consented to a short interview for my blog about her book. At the time, the book was self published and she sold over 700,000 copies of that book. Obviously she made someone sit up and take notice! Fast forward to September and I happened to be skimming an email listing new books and what do I see but Mill River Redemption by Darcie. I immediately contacted her because I remembered enjoying the first book and wanted to wish her well with this one too. She remembered me and put me in touch with her publisher for a copy of the book to review here. So here we are with my thoughts on Mill River Redemption:
I enjoyed this book so much I stayed up until midnight to finish it! This is a story about family, forgiveness and trust.
MRR is a follow up to Mill River Recluse but they can be read separately and while some of the characters do make an appearance in this book, they are supporting characters. That is ok because it is very nice to see these characters and catch a glimpse into their life just a little into the future.
The two sisters, Emily and Rose, have some major issues with each other and act out in childish ways to “get at” each other. It is a shame that their past didn’t allow them to continue to be close to one another as family should be but then it wouldn’t be this book! Their mother tries to bring them back together to resolve their issues, which makes for an interesting story! And then there is Alex, Rose’s son. He is 9 and caught in the middle but wants to help his mom figure out the clues left behind by his grandmother.
The book is well written and I lost myself in the story and imagined myself in Mill River….made me want to move there! Well other than the winters in Vermont.
We give this book 5 paws and hope that maybe Darcie will write a 3rd book about Mill River. There are still so many characters that need their story told!
About the Author
Darcie Chan is the New York Times bestselling author of the eBook sensation The Mill River Recluse and the novel The Mill River Redemption. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. For fourteen years, Chan worked as an attorney drafting environmental and natural resource legislation for the U.S. Senate. She now writes fiction full-time and lives north of New York City with her husband and son.
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Giveaway
The publisher had kindly given me a copy of this book to give away to a lucky reader! It is open to US Residents only
The review of this book made me feel as though I was a resident in Mill River and living part of the story. Just the thought of their mother reaching out to her daughter’s even after she has gone in hopes they will once again be close is very touching. I am drawn by interest in what this little town can do to help these sisters find closure to their to the tragedy that once tore them apart.
Thank you for sharing your unique talent as an author for so many.
Sounds like a. Good read.