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Celia's Gifts #4
Choosing Again
Celebrate summers at the lake, where great food, timeless fun, and the promise of renewal await in Choosing Again, the uplifting fifth novel in the beloved Gift of Whispering Pines series.
Val cherishes her role as the quintessential boy mom. She enjoys her bustling life with four kids and her husband, Luke. But beneath the surface, she craves something entirely her own. Her dreams—buried under piles of sweaty baseball uniforms and yesterday’s dirty dishes—seem more distant than ever. Carving out time to revisit, much less pursue, her old aspirations seems almost laughable. She has children to raise, and money is tight.
Then the shrill ringing of Luke’s phone in the dead of night splits their world into before and after. Will the harsh realities of life tear her family and marriage apart?
Seeking solace, Val retreats to Whispering Pines, her big sister’s lake resort where they spent idyllic vacations as kids. There, amidst preparations for a nostalgic Fourth-of-July celebration, Val rekindles her passion for cooking. Inspired, she envisions a bold new venture: transforming an abandoned Airstream into a mobile culinary delight with her inheritance from her Aunt Celia.
New friendships at the resort create surprising temptations, and unsolicited advice leads to crushing revelations. Val must confront painful truths and the possibility of repeating past mistakes. This summer will be a time of choice and change. Can she find her path to happiness without losing everything she holds dear?
Join Val and her family in Kimberly Diede’s Choosing Again, where the beauty of Whispering Pines offers the perfect backdrop for a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power to choose a new beginning.
Val cherishes her role as the quintessential boy mom. She enjoys her bustling life with four kids and her husband, Luke. But beneath the surface, she craves something entirely her own. Her dreams—buried under piles of sweaty baseball uniforms and yesterday’s dirty dishes—seem more distant than ever. Carving out time to revisit, much less pursue, her old aspirations seems almost laughable. She has children to raise, and money is tight.
Then the shrill ringing of Luke’s phone in the dead of night splits their world into before and after. Will the harsh realities of life tear her family and marriage apart?
Seeking solace, Val retreats to Whispering Pines, her big sister’s lake resort where they spent idyllic vacations as kids. There, amidst preparations for a nostalgic Fourth-of-July celebration, Val rekindles her passion for cooking. Inspired, she envisions a bold new venture: transforming an abandoned Airstream into a mobile culinary delight with her inheritance from her Aunt Celia.
New friendships at the resort create surprising temptations, and unsolicited advice leads to crushing revelations. Val must confront painful truths and the possibility of repeating past mistakes. This summer will be a time of choice and change. Can she find her path to happiness without losing everything she holds dear?
Join Val and her family in Kimberly Diede’s Choosing Again, where the beauty of Whispering Pines offers the perfect backdrop for a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power to choose a new beginning.
- GenresContemporary
Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2020
33 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Diede
21 books56 followersKimberly Diede writes contemporary and historical novels that weave together family, friends, hope, and romance. She writes family sagas, suspense, and women’s fiction that you’ll find hard to put down. She truly believes we are never too old for second chances at love and life.
Kimberly has always lived in the Midwest and enjoys spending the short summer months on the lakeshores of Minnesota and North Dakota. Nothing is better than time with family at the cabin. Her love of tradition and all things vintage comes through in her stories.
In a world too often filled with sadness and tragedy, her mission is to offer stories of optimism and hope. If she can keep you reading past your bedtime, she has accomplished what she set out to do. As a life-long reader, she loves to get lost in the pages of a great book and strives to give you the same experience.
Kimberly has always lived in the Midwest and enjoys spending the short summer months on the lakeshores of Minnesota and North Dakota. Nothing is better than time with family at the cabin. Her love of tradition and all things vintage comes through in her stories.
In a world too often filled with sadness and tragedy, her mission is to offer stories of optimism and hope. If she can keep you reading past your bedtime, she has accomplished what she set out to do. As a life-long reader, she loves to get lost in the pages of a great book and strives to give you the same experience.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 7, 2021
Lots of chaos in this one. My heart went out to Val. Although I would only hope to have the same strength to hold it together the way she does. I loved her love of cooking and trying to recreate some of those older recipes that had long since been forgotten, but conjured up great memories when the taste hit the tongue!
January 29, 2022
Loved reading this book…..I think most women can identify with mid life crises at some point in their own lives…
I for one love reading about strong woman who can love and live to their fullest potential..
Val’s outlet is her family and cooking
Like Ross ?.Kimberly is a psychologist…well done…can’t wait for the next novel…❤️❤️
I for one love reading about strong woman who can love and live to their fullest potential..
Val’s outlet is her family and cooking
Like Ross ?.Kimberly is a psychologist…well done…can’t wait for the next novel…❤️❤️
March 9, 2025
Good Series -Mostly
I have enjoyed that theses stories are about families and the daily issues we deal with. I did especially notice, however, that this book had many grammatical errors mostly pertaining to things like “her and Ross…” instead of she and Ross as an example. It was a distraction from the story.
I have enjoyed that theses stories are about families and the daily issues we deal with. I did especially notice, however, that this book had many grammatical errors mostly pertaining to things like “her and Ross…” instead of she and Ross as an example. It was a distraction from the story.
July 11, 2020
Midlife Crisis? I identified with this story due to my past life. Well told. Entertaining characters (I do want to know what happens next in their lives). Quote from the book that I am pondering: "Perfection is always an illusion."
July 27, 2020
A novel well worth reading
I enjoyed all of Kimberly 's novels about Ceila's gifts to her neices and nephew and their families. Each one was equally difficult not to put down. Looking forward to reading another of her stories.
I enjoyed all of Kimberly 's novels about Ceila's gifts to her neices and nephew and their families. Each one was equally difficult not to put down. Looking forward to reading another of her stories.
February 26, 2023
Another awesome read! Can't wait to download the next one!!
These books have been so wonderful to read! The characters seem so real and their life stories are just beautifully intertwined! So glad my cousin recommended the series ;))
These books have been so wonderful to read! The characters seem so real and their life stories are just beautifully intertwined! So glad my cousin recommended the series ;))
June 30, 2020
I really enjoy this entire series and this book didn't disappoint!
July 2, 2020
Another great story!
Once again, another great story that kept me smiling and wondering what would happen in the end! I love all the Celia’s Gifts books!
Once again, another great story that kept me smiling and wondering what would happen in the end! I love all the Celia’s Gifts books!
August 20, 2020
Awesome series.
I am anxious to read the 5th book in this series. These books kept my interest. I plan to read more books written by Kimberly.
I am anxious to read the 5th book in this series. These books kept my interest. I plan to read more books written by Kimberly.
March 10, 2021
Love this series
I cannot say enough about this series!!! It makes life seem manageable and promising. Keep them coming Kimberly Diede! I will be waiting for the next one!
I cannot say enough about this series!!! It makes life seem manageable and promising. Keep them coming Kimberly Diede! I will be waiting for the next one!
December 3, 2022
Real Family Stuff
I just love this series about family chaos, love, heart break, togetherness and all that make our imperfect families perfect. And Celia! What a lady!
I just love this series about family chaos, love, heart break, togetherness and all that make our imperfect families perfect. And Celia! What a lady!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews