"The Comfort of Secrets" (Sweet Lake series book 2) by Christine Nolfi
A truly magnificent addition to the Sweet Lake series.
The Wayfair hotel is being renovated and thriving. Linnie has promoted her two best friends, Jada and Cat. Amongst the three they have begun to create a truly remarkable plan to increase patronage, put the Wayfair back on the map, employ more people, and hopefully get the town of Sweet Lake back on its feet.
This is Cat's story. She finally meets the man of her dreams. And he has met the woman of his dreams. But there are many issues which complicate their situation. Are they headed for heartbreak or can they work through things and work toward the future they want?
Ryan has a shaky and difficult past; a mother with many secrets and who is an abuse survivor; a father he only knows as an abuser; and many questions about his past and extended family, amongst other things. Getting answers from his mother...not so easy. She has many secrets of her own...some that could lead to heartbreak or quite the opposite. Living in fear and holding in so many secrets is a tough way to live and to survive.
The Sirens are back in full force. Initially they want to help the Wayfair by teaching classes as part of their activities schedule. Who wouldn't want to attend classes on natural medicine from your spice rack? Or how to reach loved ones who have died, that you are angry and you want to have the last word? Or better yet: "Sex in the Twilight Years: Myth or Magic?" In fact, they would like to fill up the events calendar for the next year!! Cat questions the validity of these in general, but as family friendly classes?? She has reasons to be concerned. But they are the Sirens.
There is a teen band that is planned to play an outdoor concert at the Wayfair. It is becoming the most popular attraction Sweet Lake has had in decades. With a blog, an electronic skateboard with bungee cords, and one player that has to have steak at every meal...it is easy to see where things might become a bit...um...difficult and overwhelming with this crew.
And the old tree house that Linnie refurbished for her brother? Well now it is adult accessible. A great time out place. For talking. Okay and maybe a few kisses. But when Cat and Ryan bump into...her mother and few other Sirens as they are leaving, well, you can guess what they think happened and what rumors may (or may not) be passed along...and the potential repercussions. Let's just say tempers flair, questions are asked, and some Sirens are interested in more than what might have happened in the tree house. Damage control: too late or still an option??
This novel has everything from the Sirens acts of kindness in secret, supporting and helping others through difficult times, and their strong sense of friendship and sisterhood. There is a mystery surrounding one of the sirens, Ryan, Ryan's mother Julia, and a few other characters. When it comes to a head will things work out or totally fall apart for everyone involved?
This novel is full of life lessons, lost loves, the strength of family, familial issues, romance, the strength and benefits of friendship, self-growth, secrets, openness, honesty...but at the root of it all there is love.
Christine Nolfi has written such genuine and realistic characters. They all have their flaws, but wonderful strengths that help guide them on their journey. She has written a gem of a novel with so many subplots that are blended so masterfully that the major plot just seems to have numerous aspects to it.
She has written a novel full of humor, of honesty, with realism, with meaning, and with strength. At the core there is always friendship and love.
The author clearly writes from her heart and has created another enervating novel that wil captivate the reader from beginning to end. A novel the reader won't want to put down. A novel for every woman late teens to late adulthood. A novel not to be put on your TBR pile, but one to be read now (or next).
Fall in love with Sweet Lake and your favorite characters all over again with "The Comfort of Secrets."
Rating: 4.85
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(My only issue: waiting for the next book in the series!! I even re-read "Sweet Lake" (book 1) before reading this novel. It was just as great the second time around...maybe even better.)