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Drawing Home
An unexpected inheritance, a promise broken, and four lives changed discover "the gold standard of summertime escapism" from USA Today bestselling author Jamie Brenner (Elin Hilderbrand).
Summer has started in idyllic Sag Harbor, and for Emma Mapson that means greeting guests at the front desk of The American Hotel. But when one of the town's most famous residents, artist Henry Wyatt, dies suddenly, Emma learns he has mysteriously left his waterfront home -- a self-designed masterpiece filled with his work -- to her teenage daughter, Penny.
Back in Manhattan, legendary art patron Bea Winstead's grief at her lifelong friend and former business partner Henry's passing turns to outrage at the news of his shocking bequest. How did these unknown locals get their hands on the estate? Bea, with her devoted assistant Kyle in tow, descends on Sag Harbor determined to reclaim the house and preserve Henry's legacy.
While Emma fights to defend her daughter's inheritance, Bea discovers that Henry left a treasure trove of sketches scattered around town. With Penny's reluctant help, Bea pieces them together to find a story hidden in plain an illustration of their shared history with an unexpected twist that will change all of their lives. Drawn together in their battle for the house, Emma and Bea are forced to confront the past while facing a future that challenges everything they believe about love, fate, and family.
Summer has started in idyllic Sag Harbor, and for Emma Mapson that means greeting guests at the front desk of The American Hotel. But when one of the town's most famous residents, artist Henry Wyatt, dies suddenly, Emma learns he has mysteriously left his waterfront home -- a self-designed masterpiece filled with his work -- to her teenage daughter, Penny.
Back in Manhattan, legendary art patron Bea Winstead's grief at her lifelong friend and former business partner Henry's passing turns to outrage at the news of his shocking bequest. How did these unknown locals get their hands on the estate? Bea, with her devoted assistant Kyle in tow, descends on Sag Harbor determined to reclaim the house and preserve Henry's legacy.
While Emma fights to defend her daughter's inheritance, Bea discovers that Henry left a treasure trove of sketches scattered around town. With Penny's reluctant help, Bea pieces them together to find a story hidden in plain an illustration of their shared history with an unexpected twist that will change all of their lives. Drawn together in their battle for the house, Emma and Bea are forced to confront the past while facing a future that challenges everything they believe about love, fate, and family.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2019
478 people are currently reading
6556 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Brenner
26 books1,649 followersJamie Brenner is the author of The Wedding Sisters, The USA TODAY bestseller The Forever Summer, and several other beach books. Jamie's short story "Gold Party" (Blackstone Publishing) is currently in development as a feature film.
After raising two daughters in New York City, Jamie now lives in Bucks County, PA -- the inspiration for her next book THE WEEKEND CRASHERS (November 4, 2025) about a mother-daughter knitting retreat gone awry.
Jamie grew up on the blockbuster novels by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, the gothic horror of Anne Rice, and political thrillers by Nelson DeMille. Her dream novel combines all three.
Follow Jamie on instagram @jamiebrennerwrites
After raising two daughters in New York City, Jamie now lives in Bucks County, PA -- the inspiration for her next book THE WEEKEND CRASHERS (November 4, 2025) about a mother-daughter knitting retreat gone awry.
Jamie grew up on the blockbuster novels by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, the gothic horror of Anne Rice, and political thrillers by Nelson DeMille. Her dream novel combines all three.
Follow Jamie on instagram @jamiebrennerwrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 502 reviews
August 16, 2019
*3.5 stars*
I’ve had a tough go finding authors who check the boxes necessary to land a spot on my short and very exclusive “beach read” list. My pickiness knows no bounds and comparisons, while wildly unfair, seem to be unavoidable. My trek from one beach town to another littered with starts, pauses and abandoned books. I may have found an author that fits the bill in Jamie Brenner though.
While Elin Hilderbrand had this to say about Brenner’s newest release, “Welcome to the gold standard of summertime escapism”, I can’t say I wholeheartedly agree. Simply because her work is what I consider to be the gold standard. You might even say Hilderbrand is to blame for my sky-high expectations, given that just about everything else feels second best in comparison to her annual jaunts to Nantucket.
Despite the less than 4-star rating I've given here, my first experience with Brenner’s work is not one I regret. While I think there were a few misses, surrounding the emotional depth and the storyline arc, the engaging flow of Brenner’s words went a long way to make up for it. Meaning, it’s likely I’ll give her another opportunity in the future to really wow me.
In Drawing Home, Brenner introduces readers to Emma Watson, a townie, and single-mother who spends most days behind the front desk of Sag Harbor’s iconic American Hotel. Emma’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Penny, is often lonely and suffers from a debilitating case of OCD. Her only reprieve found with a sketch pad and pencil in hand. Penny's love of drawing sparking an unlikely friendship with renowned artist and local celebrity, Henry Wyatt.
Upon his unexpected demise, and to the surprise of everyone, the old man leaves his entire estate to Penny. As so often happens in times of grief, the fate of Henry’s palatial beachfront home sparks a contentious battle. Bea, one of Henry’s oldest friends and longtime manager, leaves New York with plans to spend her summer in Sag Harbor transforming Henry’s home into a gallery.
As one might expect, the battle for Henry’s estate pits Emma and Bea against one another. As each woman vies for control of the estate, Brenner makes an attempt to sell readers on the progression of Emma and Bea's relationship, but it's a stretch. Unfortunately, the house garners more focus than any meaningful moments shared between the characters.
Each and every interaction and relationship found within these pages screams for more. More noteworthy conversations, emotional depth, and logical decision making. I would have liked to see Brenner push the envelope a bit. Instead, it's as if she assembled this cast of characters, placed them in the spots she wanted them to be, yet struggled to make them interact. Intentional or not, a few of the characters provide little more than a cardboard cutout existence (ahem Kyle and Angus). In many cases, Brenner leaves it up to the reader to solidifying the connections, either based on assumptions or a character simply declaring something is so. All that to say, the relationship dynamics presented here are weak.
Even with my lengthy list of issues, and an ending that I in no way found believable, Drawing Home still somehow proved to be an effortless page-turner. I guess it goes to show, in some instances, an author’s captivating voice can be enough to overcome a somewhat disjointed or bland plot. Who knew?
*Thank you to the FCPL for the borrowed copy. #librariesaremagic
I’ve had a tough go finding authors who check the boxes necessary to land a spot on my short and very exclusive “beach read” list. My pickiness knows no bounds and comparisons, while wildly unfair, seem to be unavoidable. My trek from one beach town to another littered with starts, pauses and abandoned books. I may have found an author that fits the bill in Jamie Brenner though.
While Elin Hilderbrand had this to say about Brenner’s newest release, “Welcome to the gold standard of summertime escapism”, I can’t say I wholeheartedly agree. Simply because her work is what I consider to be the gold standard. You might even say Hilderbrand is to blame for my sky-high expectations, given that just about everything else feels second best in comparison to her annual jaunts to Nantucket.
Despite the less than 4-star rating I've given here, my first experience with Brenner’s work is not one I regret. While I think there were a few misses, surrounding the emotional depth and the storyline arc, the engaging flow of Brenner’s words went a long way to make up for it. Meaning, it’s likely I’ll give her another opportunity in the future to really wow me.
In Drawing Home, Brenner introduces readers to Emma Watson, a townie, and single-mother who spends most days behind the front desk of Sag Harbor’s iconic American Hotel. Emma’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Penny, is often lonely and suffers from a debilitating case of OCD. Her only reprieve found with a sketch pad and pencil in hand. Penny's love of drawing sparking an unlikely friendship with renowned artist and local celebrity, Henry Wyatt.
Upon his unexpected demise, and to the surprise of everyone, the old man leaves his entire estate to Penny. As so often happens in times of grief, the fate of Henry’s palatial beachfront home sparks a contentious battle. Bea, one of Henry’s oldest friends and longtime manager, leaves New York with plans to spend her summer in Sag Harbor transforming Henry’s home into a gallery.
As one might expect, the battle for Henry’s estate pits Emma and Bea against one another. As each woman vies for control of the estate, Brenner makes an attempt to sell readers on the progression of Emma and Bea's relationship, but it's a stretch. Unfortunately, the house garners more focus than any meaningful moments shared between the characters.
Each and every interaction and relationship found within these pages screams for more. More noteworthy conversations, emotional depth, and logical decision making. I would have liked to see Brenner push the envelope a bit. Instead, it's as if she assembled this cast of characters, placed them in the spots she wanted them to be, yet struggled to make them interact. Intentional or not, a few of the characters provide little more than a cardboard cutout existence (ahem Kyle and Angus). In many cases, Brenner leaves it up to the reader to solidifying the connections, either based on assumptions or a character simply declaring something is so. All that to say, the relationship dynamics presented here are weak.
Even with my lengthy list of issues, and an ending that I in no way found believable, Drawing Home still somehow proved to be an effortless page-turner. I guess it goes to show, in some instances, an author’s captivating voice can be enough to overcome a somewhat disjointed or bland plot. Who knew?
*Thank you to the FCPL for the borrowed copy. #librariesaremagic
June 7, 2019
I'm between 4 and 4.5 stars.
"Someday you will find your own superpower."
Henry Wyatt was once one of America's most famous artists, but after years of success he decided he was more interested in a quieter life in beautiful Sag Harbor, where he could enjoy fishing, spending time with good friends, and being a regular at the bar at The American Hotel.
Choosing this life over a life of celebrity and excitement in New York City wasn't something his good friend and former business partner, Bea Winstead, ever understood about Henry, and it strained their decades-long relationship.
When Henry suddenly dies while sitting at the hotel bar at the start of Memorial Day weekend, Sag Harbor's residents are saddened by the loss of their most notable neighbor. Much to the surprise of everyone, Henry leaves his entire estate, including the beautiful waterfront home he designed himself, to Penny Mapson, a teenage girl and the daughter of The American Hotel's front desk manager, Emma, who grew up in Sag Harbor and has practically been in the hotel her entire life.
While over the last few years, Henry and Penny had struck up a friendship of sorts, and he gave her drawing lessons at the bar, no one understands why he would make such an impulsive decision about the disposition of his estate. Bea is the most aggrieved party, since Henry had once promised her the house and all of his work, and she descends upon the town, determined to right this most grievous wrong. She's convinced that somehow Emma had gotten her hooks into Henry and defrauded him, and she'll stop at nothing to prove that she's right—no matter who gets hurt in the process.
As Emma tries to figure out what this utterly unexpected windfall could mean to her and Penny's life, everything else seems to be falling apart. Henry's death has made it even harder for Penny, who is struggling with OCD and is becoming more rebellious to express her displeasure at being stuck in this small town. Her boss is unhappy with the burst of publicity that is following Emma as a result of Henry's bequest to Penny. And to top it off, her ex (and Penny's dad) resurfaces, suddenly wanting to be closer to his daughter. (Could it have anything to do with the house she just inherited?) The last thing Emma has energy for is to battle Bea over Henry's will.
In her effort to prove her suspicions, Bea combs through Henry's work that he had done since settling in Sag Harbor. She finds that Henry has left sketches scattered all around the town, and she's convinced that if she tracks all of them down and studies them, she'll find some clue that explains Henry's actions. It isn't until she gets Penny involved, and begins understanding what Henry was working on in his last days, that she starts to realize what Henry's intentions really were.
Jamie Brenner's Drawing Home is a wonderfully compelling story about friendship, love, art, and both the positive and negative aspects of small-town life, not to mention how the family we choose sometimes means more to us than the family we're born into. It's a book about the importance of communication, of second chances, and of not being afraid to lean on others when we're at our most vulnerable—as well as actually admitting we're vulnerable in the first place.
This is the first of Brenner's books I've read and I really enjoyed it. This was such a captivating, beautiful story, full of emotion and even a little intrigue, as I wondered what would possess Henry to leave Penny his estate? I will admit I found two of the characters in particular immensely annoying through a good portion of the book, but in the end, I really appreciated the progress they made.
I've never been to Sag Harbor, but Brenner's use of imagery really helped me envision it, and it couldn't have been more appropriate for a holiday weekend! She is an excellent storyteller, and I'm definitely going to check out some of her earlier books, because I can see why so many people are fans of her work!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
"Someday you will find your own superpower."
Henry Wyatt was once one of America's most famous artists, but after years of success he decided he was more interested in a quieter life in beautiful Sag Harbor, where he could enjoy fishing, spending time with good friends, and being a regular at the bar at The American Hotel.
Choosing this life over a life of celebrity and excitement in New York City wasn't something his good friend and former business partner, Bea Winstead, ever understood about Henry, and it strained their decades-long relationship.
When Henry suddenly dies while sitting at the hotel bar at the start of Memorial Day weekend, Sag Harbor's residents are saddened by the loss of their most notable neighbor. Much to the surprise of everyone, Henry leaves his entire estate, including the beautiful waterfront home he designed himself, to Penny Mapson, a teenage girl and the daughter of The American Hotel's front desk manager, Emma, who grew up in Sag Harbor and has practically been in the hotel her entire life.
While over the last few years, Henry and Penny had struck up a friendship of sorts, and he gave her drawing lessons at the bar, no one understands why he would make such an impulsive decision about the disposition of his estate. Bea is the most aggrieved party, since Henry had once promised her the house and all of his work, and she descends upon the town, determined to right this most grievous wrong. She's convinced that somehow Emma had gotten her hooks into Henry and defrauded him, and she'll stop at nothing to prove that she's right—no matter who gets hurt in the process.
As Emma tries to figure out what this utterly unexpected windfall could mean to her and Penny's life, everything else seems to be falling apart. Henry's death has made it even harder for Penny, who is struggling with OCD and is becoming more rebellious to express her displeasure at being stuck in this small town. Her boss is unhappy with the burst of publicity that is following Emma as a result of Henry's bequest to Penny. And to top it off, her ex (and Penny's dad) resurfaces, suddenly wanting to be closer to his daughter. (Could it have anything to do with the house she just inherited?) The last thing Emma has energy for is to battle Bea over Henry's will.
In her effort to prove her suspicions, Bea combs through Henry's work that he had done since settling in Sag Harbor. She finds that Henry has left sketches scattered all around the town, and she's convinced that if she tracks all of them down and studies them, she'll find some clue that explains Henry's actions. It isn't until she gets Penny involved, and begins understanding what Henry was working on in his last days, that she starts to realize what Henry's intentions really were.
Jamie Brenner's Drawing Home is a wonderfully compelling story about friendship, love, art, and both the positive and negative aspects of small-town life, not to mention how the family we choose sometimes means more to us than the family we're born into. It's a book about the importance of communication, of second chances, and of not being afraid to lean on others when we're at our most vulnerable—as well as actually admitting we're vulnerable in the first place.
This is the first of Brenner's books I've read and I really enjoyed it. This was such a captivating, beautiful story, full of emotion and even a little intrigue, as I wondered what would possess Henry to leave Penny his estate? I will admit I found two of the characters in particular immensely annoying through a good portion of the book, but in the end, I really appreciated the progress they made.
I've never been to Sag Harbor, but Brenner's use of imagery really helped me envision it, and it couldn't have been more appropriate for a holiday weekend! She is an excellent storyteller, and I'm definitely going to check out some of her earlier books, because I can see why so many people are fans of her work!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
December 31, 2018
"There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."
-Jill Churchill, "Grime and Punishment"
Do you have an author you reach for when you're needing a certain kind of fix? I read a large number of dark novels and I find it important to space those out with some lighter reads. I stumbled upon Jamie Brenner 3 years ago when I won a giveaway featuring her novel The Wedding Sisters and instantly knew I'd found my go-to author for all things uplifting and feel good. I found myself picking up Drawing Home on a whim this past weekend while needing a pick me up, and it was just the ticket to send my mood soaring.
"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."
-Aunt Frances, "Practical Magic" (1998)
In typical Brenner fashion, we find ourselves whisked away to a world full of glorious beaches, tense family bonds, and a light mystery that keeps a slight vein of suspense accessible to the reader. I find this compilation to be highly engaging in a compulsively readable way, ensuring these "beach reads" to be a fantastic slump buster and escape from reality, even if just for a few hours. I don't want to spoil anything, and the synopsis gives you everything you need going into this book, but I was highly satisfied with the emotional arc of the family dynamics and relationships in the story, and also pleased with how everything wraps up in the end. Another fabulous read from the New England Queen!
*I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
-Jill Churchill, "Grime and Punishment"
Do you have an author you reach for when you're needing a certain kind of fix? I read a large number of dark novels and I find it important to space those out with some lighter reads. I stumbled upon Jamie Brenner 3 years ago when I won a giveaway featuring her novel The Wedding Sisters and instantly knew I'd found my go-to author for all things uplifting and feel good. I found myself picking up Drawing Home on a whim this past weekend while needing a pick me up, and it was just the ticket to send my mood soaring.
"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."
-Aunt Frances, "Practical Magic" (1998)
In typical Brenner fashion, we find ourselves whisked away to a world full of glorious beaches, tense family bonds, and a light mystery that keeps a slight vein of suspense accessible to the reader. I find this compilation to be highly engaging in a compulsively readable way, ensuring these "beach reads" to be a fantastic slump buster and escape from reality, even if just for a few hours. I don't want to spoil anything, and the synopsis gives you everything you need going into this book, but I was highly satisfied with the emotional arc of the family dynamics and relationships in the story, and also pleased with how everything wraps up in the end. Another fabulous read from the New England Queen!
*I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
May 5, 2019
I love that Elin Hilderbrand, the queen of the beach read, wrote a blurb for Jamie Brenner. The pair could be two peas in the same pod! 🏖 🏖 🏖 🏖
Drawing Home is set in beautiful and quaint Sag Harbor. It’s summer, and Emma Mason is working the front desk at The American Hotel.
Henry Wyatt, an artist and one of Sag Harbor’s most famous residents, passes away and leaves Emma’s teenage daughter, Penny, his waterfront home.
Why? Emma has no idea.
Bea Winstead is a famous art patron in shock over her friend, Henry’s, death. Bea lives in Manhattan and is absolutely flabbergasted by Henry leaving his house to some unrelated child.
Bea, along with her personal assistant Kyle, travels to Sag Harbor to right this wrong and protect her friends’ legacy.
Emma is in place to defend what her daughter has inherited. At the same time, Bea discovers a large number of Henry’s art pieces around Sag Harbor. Penny helps Bea find them all, and through them, they learn a giant secret about their shared history.
Emma and Bea are forced to confront the past.
First off, I loved the characters here. Emma is so sympathetic. She has her hands full as a single mom, and she faces many new challenges as the novel progresses. She has to battle with Bea on top of it. I also loved Bea and Penny.
The tone of the book is authentic, and the writing and storyline are completely immersive, as with Brenner’s other novels. I dove into this story and didn’t come up for air until I read the last page. The plot itself has it all, including family dynamics, mystery, friendship, grief and loss, as well as forgiveness and hope.
Brenner takes what is best about summer beach reads and makes them all her own. She captures the nuances in relationships and handles difficult issues with grace and honesty, while never going too dark or overbearing. I always find her books smart and entertaining with lots of heart.
Thanks for another brilliant book, Jamie Brenner!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Drawing Home is set in beautiful and quaint Sag Harbor. It’s summer, and Emma Mason is working the front desk at The American Hotel.
Henry Wyatt, an artist and one of Sag Harbor’s most famous residents, passes away and leaves Emma’s teenage daughter, Penny, his waterfront home.
Why? Emma has no idea.
Bea Winstead is a famous art patron in shock over her friend, Henry’s, death. Bea lives in Manhattan and is absolutely flabbergasted by Henry leaving his house to some unrelated child.
Bea, along with her personal assistant Kyle, travels to Sag Harbor to right this wrong and protect her friends’ legacy.
Emma is in place to defend what her daughter has inherited. At the same time, Bea discovers a large number of Henry’s art pieces around Sag Harbor. Penny helps Bea find them all, and through them, they learn a giant secret about their shared history.
Emma and Bea are forced to confront the past.
First off, I loved the characters here. Emma is so sympathetic. She has her hands full as a single mom, and she faces many new challenges as the novel progresses. She has to battle with Bea on top of it. I also loved Bea and Penny.
The tone of the book is authentic, and the writing and storyline are completely immersive, as with Brenner’s other novels. I dove into this story and didn’t come up for air until I read the last page. The plot itself has it all, including family dynamics, mystery, friendship, grief and loss, as well as forgiveness and hope.
Brenner takes what is best about summer beach reads and makes them all her own. She captures the nuances in relationships and handles difficult issues with grace and honesty, while never going too dark or overbearing. I always find her books smart and entertaining with lots of heart.
Thanks for another brilliant book, Jamie Brenner!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
April 13, 2019
3.5 Stars
The setting of the picturesque and historic town of Sag Harbor during the summer months was a nice backdrop to the novel.
Emma, a single mom and her teenage daughter, Penny are living their everyday lives when they are "surprised" by an unexpected inheritance. The key to understanding this "mystery" of why Penny was left the inheritance will be pieced together as other characters show up to fight for a piece of the action.
While I enjoyed this one, I do feel it moved at a slow pace and I found myself challenging some of the characters decisions. It did pick up during the last half and I was surprised and satisfied with the wrap up.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for my review copy. This one is out in May 2019
The setting of the picturesque and historic town of Sag Harbor during the summer months was a nice backdrop to the novel.
Emma, a single mom and her teenage daughter, Penny are living their everyday lives when they are "surprised" by an unexpected inheritance. The key to understanding this "mystery" of why Penny was left the inheritance will be pieced together as other characters show up to fight for a piece of the action.
While I enjoyed this one, I do feel it moved at a slow pace and I found myself challenging some of the characters decisions. It did pick up during the last half and I was surprised and satisfied with the wrap up.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for my review copy. This one is out in May 2019
May 21, 2019
A Sudden death, an unexpected inheritance, a business partner and friend battling it out with a single mother defending the inheritance
Drawing Home is a heartwarming, light and entertaining beach read that is just perfect for packing along with you to wherever you might be heading for a relaxing place to read. This one should be sold anywhere there is a lounge chair by the pool or on the beach. It has it all here, interesting family dynamics, unlikely friendships, a charming and inviting setting and a story that explores loss, forgiveness and hope with a little mystery added.
My favorite part of this story is the picturesque historical town of Sag Harbor and the iconic American Hotel. I didn’t read this one on vacation or on the beach however I felt like I was swept away to this charming town and was sitting on a lounge chairs with a drink close by soaking up the sun.
Jamie Brenner does a great job here with the dynamics between the well-developed characters and I really enjoyed just how strong and determined the characters were in their fight to defend what they thought was theirs, making for some interesting and entertaining dynamics between them. I thought it all came together so well, in the end, leaving me feeling quite satisfied after reading it. I highly recommend
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Hachette Canada for my complimentary copy.
Drawing Home is a heartwarming, light and entertaining beach read that is just perfect for packing along with you to wherever you might be heading for a relaxing place to read. This one should be sold anywhere there is a lounge chair by the pool or on the beach. It has it all here, interesting family dynamics, unlikely friendships, a charming and inviting setting and a story that explores loss, forgiveness and hope with a little mystery added.
My favorite part of this story is the picturesque historical town of Sag Harbor and the iconic American Hotel. I didn’t read this one on vacation or on the beach however I felt like I was swept away to this charming town and was sitting on a lounge chairs with a drink close by soaking up the sun.
Jamie Brenner does a great job here with the dynamics between the well-developed characters and I really enjoyed just how strong and determined the characters were in their fight to defend what they thought was theirs, making for some interesting and entertaining dynamics between them. I thought it all came together so well, in the end, leaving me feeling quite satisfied after reading it. I highly recommend
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Hachette Canada for my complimentary copy.
May 8, 2019
The Husband Hour written by the author in 2018 was one of my 5 star favorites last year and I was eagerly awaiting Drawing Home. Mother and daughter, Emma and Penny are living a fairly ordinary life in Sag Harbor. Until the death of an artist who took a shine to the teenaged Penny leaves her his entire estate. As Emma tries to wrap her head around this news, a number of events and people make the single mother's life very difficult.
I felt Drawing Home was a compelling story that I fell into instantly even if I didn't like the characters all of the time. I wasn't as sold on a romance subplot with this one, in terms of Emma and another character. Personally, I felt she just needed to focus on her daughter. Overall, it was a good story that is the perfect beach read.
Goodreads review published 08/05/19
Published on 07/05/19
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
I felt Drawing Home was a compelling story that I fell into instantly even if I didn't like the characters all of the time. I wasn't as sold on a romance subplot with this one, in terms of Emma and another character. Personally, I felt she just needed to focus on her daughter. Overall, it was a good story that is the perfect beach read.
Goodreads review published 08/05/19
Published on 07/05/19
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2019
4 Stars!
Emma is a single mom who lives in Sag harbor and has a daughter, Penny. Emma works as a front desk hotel receptionist and is very comfortable with the way her life is going. Henry Wyatt is a famous artist and has been mentoring Penny while Emma works and Penny hangs out at the hotel. One day Henry passes away and Penny is in his will as inheriting his multi-million dollar estate. How can this be? She's just a little girl, why wouldn't he leave it to someone in his family?
Bea is Henry's close friend and former business partner. She hears of Henry's passing and assumes that since they were so close she would be inheriting his Artwork and the house, I mean who else would he give it to? When Bea learns it's going to a little girl she's never heard of, she tries to find every way to challenge Henry's Will to get what she believes is hers. Throughout this process Bea learns a whole lot more about Henry and even herself. Penny and Emma also learn a lot through this processes and how to navigate a hard mother/daughter relationship.
I was so excited when I heard Jamie Brenner was coming out with a new book. I devoured THE HUSBAND HOUR last year and this next book did not disappoint! The first 100 pages were a little slower for me. However, I realized as I was going through the last half of the book that the background buildup Brenner started with was necessary. I started to read this and thought it would be mostly about history/art, which being honest both are not for me, but this is so much more.
The thing I loved most about this book was the personal journey every single character took. Even if they were a "part-time" character (Angus, Kyle, etc.) they still went on their own journeys. Although these characters were initially pitted against one another, there was an underlying reason Henry put them together and it's amazing to follow along as they all get to the same place. At the end, each character was in a different place - a better place - from when they started and it really made the story feel complete.
I hope this book is on your summer reading list because if it isn't, it should be! This one is not like many other's I've read and I love when new topics are explored. Thank you to Little Brown for my ARC of this book. This one is out now so definitely go pick it up for the summer. You won't regret it!
...the people and places you discover along the way in life can be as significant-sometimes more significant-than the family you're born into.
Emma is a single mom who lives in Sag harbor and has a daughter, Penny. Emma works as a front desk hotel receptionist and is very comfortable with the way her life is going. Henry Wyatt is a famous artist and has been mentoring Penny while Emma works and Penny hangs out at the hotel. One day Henry passes away and Penny is in his will as inheriting his multi-million dollar estate. How can this be? She's just a little girl, why wouldn't he leave it to someone in his family?
Bea is Henry's close friend and former business partner. She hears of Henry's passing and assumes that since they were so close she would be inheriting his Artwork and the house, I mean who else would he give it to? When Bea learns it's going to a little girl she's never heard of, she tries to find every way to challenge Henry's Will to get what she believes is hers. Throughout this process Bea learns a whole lot more about Henry and even herself. Penny and Emma also learn a lot through this processes and how to navigate a hard mother/daughter relationship.
I was so excited when I heard Jamie Brenner was coming out with a new book. I devoured THE HUSBAND HOUR last year and this next book did not disappoint! The first 100 pages were a little slower for me. However, I realized as I was going through the last half of the book that the background buildup Brenner started with was necessary. I started to read this and thought it would be mostly about history/art, which being honest both are not for me, but this is so much more.
The thing I loved most about this book was the personal journey every single character took. Even if they were a "part-time" character (Angus, Kyle, etc.) they still went on their own journeys. Although these characters were initially pitted against one another, there was an underlying reason Henry put them together and it's amazing to follow along as they all get to the same place. At the end, each character was in a different place - a better place - from when they started and it really made the story feel complete.
I hope this book is on your summer reading list because if it isn't, it should be! This one is not like many other's I've read and I love when new topics are explored. Thank you to Little Brown for my ARC of this book. This one is out now so definitely go pick it up for the summer. You won't regret it!
May 19, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5 (4.5/5)
Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner is a lovely book that infuses family, drama, love, and all the best (and worst) things about life into one unforgettable read.
What it's about: It is summer in Sag Harbor and Emma Mapson is a busy, single, working mom. She works very long shifts at the front desk of The American Hotel all while trying to take care of and provide for her fourteen-year-old daughter Penny who has OCD. The only thing that seems to make Penny truly happy is hanging out with a famous eighty-year-old artist named Henry Wyatt. But when Henry dies suddenly, Emma finds out he left his entire estate and almost all of his art to Penny. No one knows why, especially not Henry's old friend (and maker of his career) Bea Winstead in New York City. She heads out to Sag Harbor with intentions to claim what she believes is rightfully hers, but what she finds is a whole lot more than she ever could have expected.
I don't know what is going on lately, but I seem to be on a streak of books that bring me to tears and Drawing Home was no exception. Between the laughter and tears, there are solid characters and life changing stories, all told from multiple viewpoints. We have Bea's, Emma's, and Penny's POVs throughout the book, and I really liked this approach. While Bea drove me insane almost the entire book, I still appreciated being able to see things through her eyes as Henry's old friend and manager of his career for many years. Emma was doing the best she could as a single mom, and I was so moved by Penny's struggle with OCD.
The idyllic setting of Sag Harbor and The American Hotel was so vivid through Brenner's writing that I felt like I was right there. Even though there are some very serious topics touched on in the book, it was also on the lighter side and definitely a perfect read for summer. The chapters were fairly short which made the book seem to fly by even though it took me a bit over 5 hours to read.
Final Thought: This was my first time reading a book by Brenner and I really fell in love with her writing. She knows how to bring both a setting and characters to life, and make you feel like a part of the story and the character's struggles. I really can't wait to read more from her, and I highly recommend making Drawing Home a part of your summer reading list!
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner is a lovely book that infuses family, drama, love, and all the best (and worst) things about life into one unforgettable read.
What it's about: It is summer in Sag Harbor and Emma Mapson is a busy, single, working mom. She works very long shifts at the front desk of The American Hotel all while trying to take care of and provide for her fourteen-year-old daughter Penny who has OCD. The only thing that seems to make Penny truly happy is hanging out with a famous eighty-year-old artist named Henry Wyatt. But when Henry dies suddenly, Emma finds out he left his entire estate and almost all of his art to Penny. No one knows why, especially not Henry's old friend (and maker of his career) Bea Winstead in New York City. She heads out to Sag Harbor with intentions to claim what she believes is rightfully hers, but what she finds is a whole lot more than she ever could have expected.
I don't know what is going on lately, but I seem to be on a streak of books that bring me to tears and Drawing Home was no exception. Between the laughter and tears, there are solid characters and life changing stories, all told from multiple viewpoints. We have Bea's, Emma's, and Penny's POVs throughout the book, and I really liked this approach. While Bea drove me insane almost the entire book, I still appreciated being able to see things through her eyes as Henry's old friend and manager of his career for many years. Emma was doing the best she could as a single mom, and I was so moved by Penny's struggle with OCD.
The idyllic setting of Sag Harbor and The American Hotel was so vivid through Brenner's writing that I felt like I was right there. Even though there are some very serious topics touched on in the book, it was also on the lighter side and definitely a perfect read for summer. The chapters were fairly short which made the book seem to fly by even though it took me a bit over 5 hours to read.
Final Thought: This was my first time reading a book by Brenner and I really fell in love with her writing. She knows how to bring both a setting and characters to life, and make you feel like a part of the story and the character's struggles. I really can't wait to read more from her, and I highly recommend making Drawing Home a part of your summer reading list!
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 7, 2019
3.5 stars
This is my second time reading a book by the author and while I didn't like her novel, The Husband Hour, I did at least think this one was an improvement. There are elements of the story I didn't really care for, but for the most part it was a decent read.
Single mother Emma Mapson has lived in Sag Harbor, a popular summer destination for the wealthy, her entire life. She works the front desk at The American Hotel and is busy raising her teenage daughter, Penny. When a local artist dies and mysteriously leaves his waterfront mansion to Penny, let's just say it comes as a complete shock to everyone, including his lifelong friend and former business partner, Bea. She comes into town with her assistant, Kyle, determined to fight for the house as she knows she is the best person to help preserve her friend's legacy. This is a story about love and family.
Penny and her storyline in my opinion was the best part of the book. I do like how the author chose to explore the topics of anxiety and OCD with this character. I dealt with those issues ,although thankfully it was not to that extreme, back when I was Penny's age so it was something I could easily relate to with the character. I also enjoyed Penny's interactions with Bea.
Emma is the character that in my opinion was kinda a dud. She just was not a strong female lead who I wanted to root for which is actually one of the same problems I had with the other book I read by the author. Emma seemed so wishy washy to me. She just wasn't a fully fleshed out character and some of her side plots seemed pointless and added nothing to the story. (Pretty much anything involving her boss Jack felt set up just for drama's sake and didn't come across as all that realistic.)
Overall the good parts of the story outweighed the bad. I did like the message that a family is what you make of it. Sometimes people can enter your life and have more of a positive impact on your life than some of your blood relatives. I wouldn't say this book is a must-read but it was a decent summer read.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review!
This is my second time reading a book by the author and while I didn't like her novel, The Husband Hour, I did at least think this one was an improvement. There are elements of the story I didn't really care for, but for the most part it was a decent read.
Single mother Emma Mapson has lived in Sag Harbor, a popular summer destination for the wealthy, her entire life. She works the front desk at The American Hotel and is busy raising her teenage daughter, Penny. When a local artist dies and mysteriously leaves his waterfront mansion to Penny, let's just say it comes as a complete shock to everyone, including his lifelong friend and former business partner, Bea. She comes into town with her assistant, Kyle, determined to fight for the house as she knows she is the best person to help preserve her friend's legacy. This is a story about love and family.
Penny and her storyline in my opinion was the best part of the book. I do like how the author chose to explore the topics of anxiety and OCD with this character. I dealt with those issues ,although thankfully it was not to that extreme, back when I was Penny's age so it was something I could easily relate to with the character. I also enjoyed Penny's interactions with Bea.
Emma is the character that in my opinion was kinda a dud. She just was not a strong female lead who I wanted to root for which is actually one of the same problems I had with the other book I read by the author. Emma seemed so wishy washy to me. She just wasn't a fully fleshed out character and some of her side plots seemed pointless and added nothing to the story. (Pretty much anything involving her boss Jack felt set up just for drama's sake and didn't come across as all that realistic.)
Overall the good parts of the story outweighed the bad. I did like the message that a family is what you make of it. Sometimes people can enter your life and have more of a positive impact on your life than some of your blood relatives. I wouldn't say this book is a must-read but it was a decent summer read.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review!
November 5, 2018
With last year’s release of The Husband Hour, Jamie Brenner grew to an absolute must read author for me. With Drawing Home, she has solidified that spot permanently. With unique characters that each spoke to me in different ways, I felt like they were real people to me. I did not want to say goodbye to Emma & Penny and even Bea Winstead! In creating the world that artist Henry Wyatt “drew” as his own with those he loved, Brenner truly has “drawn home”
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2019
Heart-tugging, tender, and sincere!
Drawing Home is an uplifting, engaging tale that takes us to Sag Harbor and into the life of Emma Mapson as she juggles all sorts of highs and lows, including single motherhood, an unexpected inheritance left to her teenage daughter, an ex who suddenly reappears out of nowhere, and an elderly woman determined to contest the final wishes of her oldest friend.
The prose is immersive and expressive. The characters are well-drawn, troubled, likable, and genuine. And the plot is a wonderful mix of life, loss, forgiveness, grief, love, familial drama, friendship, community, contentment, coming-of-age, and art.
Overall, Drawing Home is another lighthearted, beautiful, beach read by Brenner that mixes a side of a mystery with her innate ability to delve into all the psychological and emotional entanglements found in nuclear families.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Drawing Home is an uplifting, engaging tale that takes us to Sag Harbor and into the life of Emma Mapson as she juggles all sorts of highs and lows, including single motherhood, an unexpected inheritance left to her teenage daughter, an ex who suddenly reappears out of nowhere, and an elderly woman determined to contest the final wishes of her oldest friend.
The prose is immersive and expressive. The characters are well-drawn, troubled, likable, and genuine. And the plot is a wonderful mix of life, loss, forgiveness, grief, love, familial drama, friendship, community, contentment, coming-of-age, and art.
Overall, Drawing Home is another lighthearted, beautiful, beach read by Brenner that mixes a side of a mystery with her innate ability to delve into all the psychological and emotional entanglements found in nuclear families.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2019
4.5 ☆ My first book by this author, Drawing Home HAS DRAWN ME IN!!
What can I say other than how VERY much I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the famous artist Henry Wyatt’s will, and then there’s my love of the arts, architecture and building restoration (is all inside the book.) Add to that it has Elin Hilderbrands endorsement.. so of course I knew I had to read it! Brenner magically brought the town of Sag Harbor (in the Hampton’s) and it’s characters to life whom I found all likable with the exception of two (one bitter, the other a wolf in sheep’s clothing so to speak.) This is a fun story in a beautiful setting that I read it in one sitting. Is the perfect summer read!
What can I say other than how VERY much I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the famous artist Henry Wyatt’s will, and then there’s my love of the arts, architecture and building restoration (is all inside the book.) Add to that it has Elin Hilderbrands endorsement.. so of course I knew I had to read it! Brenner magically brought the town of Sag Harbor (in the Hampton’s) and it’s characters to life whom I found all likable with the exception of two (one bitter, the other a wolf in sheep’s clothing so to speak.) This is a fun story in a beautiful setting that I read it in one sitting. Is the perfect summer read!
May 2, 2019
Last year I fell in love with Jamie Brenner’s writing when I read The Husband Hour and I knew after reading just one of her books that I had found a new must read author for myself. From the stunning cover to the very final page this one had me enraptured throughout and only made me even more sure that the author is an auto buy for me.
You know what makes an perfect “beach read” for me? It’s a combination of a few key elements and Brenner has perfected this for me. Setting is obviously huge here, I wanna be swept away to somewhere gorgeous and well described, I also want to connect with the characters, they’ve gotta have depth and dimension, but there’s also gotta be a lighter side too, a tricky balance for some. Finally, I want to be invested in the story, it has to have substance and intrigue. Guess what?! This book has all of that and more.
Sag Harbor was fully brought to life here, there is so much history alongside the charming little town that I found myself wishing I could vacation there this summer. I connected with Emma from the start, she was extremely likable and her daughter Penny was just as easy to love, although Bea was the kind of character I love to hate, but that’s always fun. All three women were complex and interesting, so check off great characterization as well. There’s a light mystery at play as well, why exactly did Henry leave his estate to Penny? And who will wind up with the property in the end? There were many engaging plot points and angles here, deep familial bonds and history and how their dynamics evolved and grew over time, romance, grief and so much more. This one had it all for me friends, I’m calling it a must read for summer and I urge you all to read it on vacation this year!
Drawing Home in three words: Immersive, Intriguing and Genuine.
You know what makes an perfect “beach read” for me? It’s a combination of a few key elements and Brenner has perfected this for me. Setting is obviously huge here, I wanna be swept away to somewhere gorgeous and well described, I also want to connect with the characters, they’ve gotta have depth and dimension, but there’s also gotta be a lighter side too, a tricky balance for some. Finally, I want to be invested in the story, it has to have substance and intrigue. Guess what?! This book has all of that and more.
Sag Harbor was fully brought to life here, there is so much history alongside the charming little town that I found myself wishing I could vacation there this summer. I connected with Emma from the start, she was extremely likable and her daughter Penny was just as easy to love, although Bea was the kind of character I love to hate, but that’s always fun. All three women were complex and interesting, so check off great characterization as well. There’s a light mystery at play as well, why exactly did Henry leave his estate to Penny? And who will wind up with the property in the end? There were many engaging plot points and angles here, deep familial bonds and history and how their dynamics evolved and grew over time, romance, grief and so much more. This one had it all for me friends, I’m calling it a must read for summer and I urge you all to read it on vacation this year!
Drawing Home in three words: Immersive, Intriguing and Genuine.
April 29, 2019
(free review copy) An absolutely gorgeous summer beach story with a wonderful mother-daughter relationship, art, and enough intrigue to keep the pages flying. Incredibly atmospheric- I have never been to Sag Harbor, but now I feel like it’s my long lost home. A must read summer book!
December 21, 2024
Three and a half stars.
Emma Mapson enjoys her job at The American hotel but life is not easy for her as single parent to Penny since her ex husband Mark never is around to share the Load. Plus fourteen year old Penny has issues with anxiety and OCD and is under therapy with Dr. Wang. But then something totally unexpected happens that changes their lives in ways they never imagined. When Henry Wyatt, an artist and one of Sag Harbor’s most famous residents die, he leaves his large waterfront home to the teenage Penny. Penny, like Henry has a talent for art and he has been helping her with her drawings. Penny is devastated by Henry’s death. So is successful art patron Bea Winstead, even more so when she learns Henry has left the house to Penny. Why would he do such a thing. Surely he meant to leave it to her since that had long been friends and she had started his career? Bea is determined to uncover the truth. She refuses to give up her claims to the house. And then she finds drawings Henry has done, scattered all around Sag Harbor. She track them down and fits them together to uncover what he is trying to say with them. They lead to some surprising revelations.
I found this an interesting read, more so as the story unfolded. It is easy to sympathise with Emma with her job, dealing with Penny’s problems and then an unexpected twist thrown in from Penny’s father. Mark is a real piece of work. Easy to dislike as is Bea in so many ways. I loved Emma’s wise, dear, friend Angus who helps Emma care for Penny. And Kyle who has been working for Bea for a few years is an interesting character.
It is a a story of family, friendship, romance, dealing with grief, choices and the consequences of those choices as well as the health issues. Drug taking and peer pressure also make an appearance. The ending was not as I expected and not sure I was convinced about it and a couple of other issues concerned me. Stopped this from being a four star book for me.
Emma Mapson enjoys her job at The American hotel but life is not easy for her as single parent to Penny since her ex husband Mark never is around to share the Load. Plus fourteen year old Penny has issues with anxiety and OCD and is under therapy with Dr. Wang. But then something totally unexpected happens that changes their lives in ways they never imagined. When Henry Wyatt, an artist and one of Sag Harbor’s most famous residents die, he leaves his large waterfront home to the teenage Penny. Penny, like Henry has a talent for art and he has been helping her with her drawings. Penny is devastated by Henry’s death. So is successful art patron Bea Winstead, even more so when she learns Henry has left the house to Penny. Why would he do such a thing. Surely he meant to leave it to her since that had long been friends and she had started his career? Bea is determined to uncover the truth. She refuses to give up her claims to the house. And then she finds drawings Henry has done, scattered all around Sag Harbor. She track them down and fits them together to uncover what he is trying to say with them. They lead to some surprising revelations.
I found this an interesting read, more so as the story unfolded. It is easy to sympathise with Emma with her job, dealing with Penny’s problems and then an unexpected twist thrown in from Penny’s father. Mark is a real piece of work. Easy to dislike as is Bea in so many ways. I loved Emma’s wise, dear, friend Angus who helps Emma care for Penny. And Kyle who has been working for Bea for a few years is an interesting character.
It is a a story of family, friendship, romance, dealing with grief, choices and the consequences of those choices as well as the health issues. Drug taking and peer pressure also make an appearance. The ending was not as I expected and not sure I was convinced about it and a couple of other issues concerned me. Stopped this from being a four star book for me.
December 27, 2018
“The past is never over. The past informs the present and therefore shapes the future.”
3.5 Stars for this quick read. Nice to have a read set in the summer while celebrating Christmas. I really enjoyed the author’s ‘The Husband Hour’ so was looking forward to this book. I was a little disappointed in the predictability of the story. At times I needed to put down the book because I wanted to smack some the characters! Although, I did/do enjoy Ms. Brenner’s writing and look forward to her next book, this one left me wanting more....backbone, anger, drama before the ending. I enjoyed the snippets of history about Sag Harbor.
Emma is raising Penny as a single Mom living in Sag Harbor. Penny befriends a transplanted famous artist, Henry Wyatt. When Henry suddenly passes, he leaves his vaste fortune to Penny. Enter Bea, his friend and person responsible for his fame, who is outraged that this windfall wasn’t left to her. She moves into house that should rightfully be hers, but isn’t. Enter a greedy ex husband, hunky assistant and an exclusive fundraiser.
That’s to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 Stars for this quick read. Nice to have a read set in the summer while celebrating Christmas. I really enjoyed the author’s ‘The Husband Hour’ so was looking forward to this book. I was a little disappointed in the predictability of the story. At times I needed to put down the book because I wanted to smack some the characters! Although, I did/do enjoy Ms. Brenner’s writing and look forward to her next book, this one left me wanting more....backbone, anger, drama before the ending. I enjoyed the snippets of history about Sag Harbor.
Emma is raising Penny as a single Mom living in Sag Harbor. Penny befriends a transplanted famous artist, Henry Wyatt. When Henry suddenly passes, he leaves his vaste fortune to Penny. Enter Bea, his friend and person responsible for his fame, who is outraged that this windfall wasn’t left to her. She moves into house that should rightfully be hers, but isn’t. Enter a greedy ex husband, hunky assistant and an exclusive fundraiser.
That’s to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 19, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Imagine you are a single mom barely making ends meat when suddenly your daughter has inherited a mansion from a man you only know from the hotel you managed. Emma 's life is turned upside down when this happens. This was such a fun and heart warming story. Jamie Brenner has a true gift for bringing fascinating and relatable characters come to life. Very enjoyable!
May 13, 2019
I have to start off my review by saying that I felt drawn to the setting described in the book and I felt like I was at the restaurants enjoying a meal and on the beaches of Sag Harbour while reading this book.
The charming setting, the small town feel and the residents pulled me into the story. This would make a lovely beach read and also if you were to read this book at home like I did, you would be transported on a summer vacation without ever leaving your house.
This is a beautifully written and pleasant book that features elements of family relationships and a bit of family drama, romance, friendships, mother-daughter relationships, an art mystery, and the idea that not all families are composed of people related by blood.
I loved how the characters stood out on the page and I felt like I got to know each of the residents of Sag Harbour. This is the ideal book to add to your beach bag. A heartwarming read. I have The Forever Summer and The Husband Hour on my shelf and I am looking forward to reading these other two Jamie Brenner books in the future after reading this delightful novel.
The charming setting, the small town feel and the residents pulled me into the story. This would make a lovely beach read and also if you were to read this book at home like I did, you would be transported on a summer vacation without ever leaving your house.
This is a beautifully written and pleasant book that features elements of family relationships and a bit of family drama, romance, friendships, mother-daughter relationships, an art mystery, and the idea that not all families are composed of people related by blood.
I loved how the characters stood out on the page and I felt like I got to know each of the residents of Sag Harbour. This is the ideal book to add to your beach bag. A heartwarming read. I have The Forever Summer and The Husband Hour on my shelf and I am looking forward to reading these other two Jamie Brenner books in the future after reading this delightful novel.
Read
April 22, 2019Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner was my first read by her :).
Emma a single mother taking care of her teenage daughter Penny are surprised with an unexpected inheritance one day. The story surrounds the mystery of unfolding the inheritance and many others that pop up along the way to try to get some of the inheritance.
I found it a bit slow moving at times and was super frustrated with the characters at times. I was disappointed as well with the predictability of the story but was very impressed with Brenner's writing style.
I loved Penny!! I was glad that she was one of the main characters and found myself relating to her in some ways which helped the moving of the story for me :).
Overall, this was a fun beach read for the summer. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Little Brown for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 5/7/19
Published to Goodreads: 4/21/19
Emma a single mother taking care of her teenage daughter Penny are surprised with an unexpected inheritance one day. The story surrounds the mystery of unfolding the inheritance and many others that pop up along the way to try to get some of the inheritance.
I found it a bit slow moving at times and was super frustrated with the characters at times. I was disappointed as well with the predictability of the story but was very impressed with Brenner's writing style.
I loved Penny!! I was glad that she was one of the main characters and found myself relating to her in some ways which helped the moving of the story for me :).
Overall, this was a fun beach read for the summer. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Little Brown for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 5/7/19
Published to Goodreads: 4/21/19
May 3, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up. RTC
May 31, 2019
I had read and enjoyed Jamie Brenner's previous two novels, but I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. The synopsis didn't necessarily draw me in as much as the author this time around. I am not an art enthusiast (as much as I am with music and theater), so that might have been the reason. However, I was pleasantly surprised by what was inside and I enjoyed the story from start to finish!
Throughout the novel, Jamie uses great descriptions of scenery and characters, bringing Sag Harbor to life. I liked all the characters (except one, but for a good reason). Both Emma and Penny were extremely relatable in their own ways. I even became teary-eyed toward the end. It's just a really sweet story that has some unexpected challenges and obstacles for the characters to overcome.
While I may not be into art as much, I used to draw a lot when I was younger. This story made me want to draw again, even though I'm not that good at it.
I highly recommend this for a feel-good read this summer (and any other time of the year, just to get back into a summer mood).
Movie casting ideas:
Emma: Felicity Jones
Bea: Holland Taylor
Penny: Eloise Webb
Kyle: Scott Eastwood
Mark: Wes Bentley
Angus: Ron Cephas Jones
Throughout the novel, Jamie uses great descriptions of scenery and characters, bringing Sag Harbor to life. I liked all the characters (except one, but for a good reason). Both Emma and Penny were extremely relatable in their own ways. I even became teary-eyed toward the end. It's just a really sweet story that has some unexpected challenges and obstacles for the characters to overcome.
While I may not be into art as much, I used to draw a lot when I was younger. This story made me want to draw again, even though I'm not that good at it.
I highly recommend this for a feel-good read this summer (and any other time of the year, just to get back into a summer mood).
Movie casting ideas:
Emma: Felicity Jones
Bea: Holland Taylor
Penny: Eloise Webb
Kyle: Scott Eastwood
Mark: Wes Bentley
Angus: Ron Cephas Jones
May 6, 2019
Sag Harbor is a small village at the eastern end of Long Island, NY, that began its life as a major whaling and shipping port during the late 18th century. In fact, Congress declared the village as the first port of entry into the U.S. on July 31, 1789, building the first US Custom House on L.I. The population at this time was 1,723, but various languages could be heard on the streets of this International port town. By the end of the 19th century and into the 20th, Sag Harbor became the destination for the wealthy to summer; and that tide still flows into the 21st.
One of the oldest hotels in town is the coveted place to be; however, The American Hotel only has eight guest rooms. The bar, which seems to be crowded three-deep, continually, is where everyone wants to be seen. Emma Mapson, a native since birth, works the front desk, as she performs guest service magic throughout.
She’s also the single Mom to her 14-year-old daughter, Penny. When Penny is not in school, she spends most of her time in the cozy parlor of the American Hotel with her sketch pad as her mom works. This is how she meets Henry Wyatt, an elderly man that sits at the bar every day and sketches on cocktail napkins, while he sips his martini. Henry never speaks to anyone and only occasionally to Emma, but he patiently joins Penny on the parlor couch as they sketch together under his gentle guidance. Emma worries about this relationship because Penny has no other friendships with kids her age. This is mostly due to her OCD and anxiety that she tries to work on as she sees her therapist twice a week, to no avail. Kids her age just make her nervous, but Henry just calms her.
While Emma is busy with the incoming weekend crowd and Penny steps out to get some yogurt across the street, Henry suddenly falls off his bar stool and collapse on the bar’s floor. Paramedics arrive to fight through the onlookers while the bartender realizes Henry is dead. Penny hears the news from the crowds outside and is devastated. The news reports, “Henry Wyatt, pioneer of the minimalist art movement, dead at 83.” Both Emma and Penny had no idea how famous Henry was, nor did they know how wealthy, when Henry leaves his huge house on the water, and most of his art to Penny. They also have no idea why.
As they’re dealing with this amazing shock, Bea Winstead, Henry’s former agent, storms into town ready to contest the Will and claim what she feels is rightly hers. First, she must prove her statements, which becomes difficult as she speaks negatively of Emma and even Penny all around town. Bea tries to take over Henry’s house by blatantly moving in and starts cataloging his art work. Get ready for a passionate and often illogical fight over Henry’s estate.
Bea will find small pieces of Henry’s donated art all over town, almost like pieces of a puzzle. Is he trying to tell her something? It’s practically a scavenger hunt. In the meantime, Bea gets to know Penny better and realizes what Henry saw in her art talent. What she discovers is bittersweet, but the result it brings to all will be peace. This is a rousing good story where people mistrust first, make quick judgments, but truth and a bunch of well-meaning people work toward a decent solution.
Other than my own impatience of wanting the story to move faster, it was well worth reading to the last page!
Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown and Co. and Jamie Brenner
May 10, 2019
Throughout the course of this novel you really feel for both Penny and Emma but your empathy is really low for Bea. You understand where she’s coming from but your frustration as a reader comes from her lack of wanting to see the other side. I’m not quite sure she ever saw Emma and Penny’s POV it she came around because she finally understood what Henry was telling her through her drawings.
Ms. Brenner has a way with her words that lets you feel like you are in the room with these characters.
I loved every moment I spent reading this novel.
Ms. Brenner has a way with her words that lets you feel like you are in the room with these characters.
I loved every moment I spent reading this novel.
June 13, 2025
This book was fine. It was an interesting snippet into the lives of Hamptons locals, I just didn't care. I didn't like the characters, but they felt genuine in their portrayal, with the note that they disappointingly all shared the same attribute of making poor decisions.
I don't think I was the right audience for this novel - a lot of the detail around food, ambiance, attire were very descriptive, but as someone with no interest in the Sag Harbor lifestyle, these details made the book feel bloated.
I don't think I was the right audience for this novel - a lot of the detail around food, ambiance, attire were very descriptive, but as someone with no interest in the Sag Harbor lifestyle, these details made the book feel bloated.
May 11, 2019
Emma, a single mom and her teenage daughter, Penny live in Sag Harbor, in the Hamptons, as townies. Struggling to accommodate rich Manhattanites, Emma is a hard working employee at The American Hotel. Emma and her daughter, a bit of a misfit, learn one day that a dear friend, who is a famous artist, drops dead and leaves his multimillion dollar estate to Penny. The key to understanding this "mystery" of why Penny was left the inheritance will be pieced together as other characters show up to fight for a piece of the action. Enter ex-partner, Bea, who makes Cruella Da Ville seem a bit warm and fuzzy. Then the ex-husband and father of Penny comes to town to suddenly be a father to Penny.
Great writing, I felt the book had some sluggish parts which I wished I would have skimmed over. The story is a great beach read, and will end in a great place for the reader, but it lacked overall depth. I wanted to know a bit more about Tom, the bartender, which may have lent a bit more meat to the story. I really wanted less of Bea and the story of Bea and Angus simply didn't work for me.
Over all, it was a pleasant read, and I would recommend it as a great little beach/vacation book. Four stars for a great little book.
Great writing, I felt the book had some sluggish parts which I wished I would have skimmed over. The story is a great beach read, and will end in a great place for the reader, but it lacked overall depth. I wanted to know a bit more about Tom, the bartender, which may have lent a bit more meat to the story. I really wanted less of Bea and the story of Bea and Angus simply didn't work for me.
Over all, it was a pleasant read, and I would recommend it as a great little beach/vacation book. Four stars for a great little book.
November 5, 2018
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the review copy of Drawing Home.
Jamie Brenner does it again with a beautifully written tale of family and friendship set in Sag Harbor. Great for book clubs and lovers of smart, women's fiction, Drawing Home tells the story of famous artist, Henry Wyatt, who bequeaths his home to young, budding artist, Penny Mapson. Penny and her single mom, Emma, live a quiet life in Sag Harbor until news of the extravagant gift lures Penny's estranged father to town as well as Bea Winstead, Henry's lifelong friend and business associate. Loyalties are tried and tested while these characters, along with the thoughtful Angus and Kyle, intersect at a scenic beach town. Bittersweet with a satisfying conclusion, we come to understand the true meaning of family--and it isn't always the one we're born into.
Jamie Brenner does it again with a beautifully written tale of family and friendship set in Sag Harbor. Great for book clubs and lovers of smart, women's fiction, Drawing Home tells the story of famous artist, Henry Wyatt, who bequeaths his home to young, budding artist, Penny Mapson. Penny and her single mom, Emma, live a quiet life in Sag Harbor until news of the extravagant gift lures Penny's estranged father to town as well as Bea Winstead, Henry's lifelong friend and business associate. Loyalties are tried and tested while these characters, along with the thoughtful Angus and Kyle, intersect at a scenic beach town. Bittersweet with a satisfying conclusion, we come to understand the true meaning of family--and it isn't always the one we're born into.
October 11, 2018
Thanks to the publisher-Little, Brown and Company- for providing an e-ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved Drawing Home. The characters were so vibrant and relatable.
Emma and her daughter are having problems. Emma works all the time and Penny is battling OCD. Things definitely get worse when Penny’s friend, Henry, suddenly dies. To Emma and Penny’s shock, Henry leaves Penny his beautiful home.
Henry’s longtime friend, Bea, is furious his home wasn’t left to her so she begins a court case to save what she thinks should be hers. What happens next is life changing.
This is a beautiful story about coming into your own, special friendships, and creating new relationships that will change your life. I really loved this book and simply adored the ending.
I absolutely loved Drawing Home. The characters were so vibrant and relatable.
Emma and her daughter are having problems. Emma works all the time and Penny is battling OCD. Things definitely get worse when Penny’s friend, Henry, suddenly dies. To Emma and Penny’s shock, Henry leaves Penny his beautiful home.
Henry’s longtime friend, Bea, is furious his home wasn’t left to her so she begins a court case to save what she thinks should be hers. What happens next is life changing.
This is a beautiful story about coming into your own, special friendships, and creating new relationships that will change your life. I really loved this book and simply adored the ending.
March 31, 2019
Jamie Brenner, Author of "Drawing Home" has written an intriguing, captivating, enthralling, delightful, heartwarming and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this story are Fiction, and Women's Fiction. There is a "dash" of mystery and surprise in this book as well. The story takes place in Sag Harbor on Long Island. I love the vivid descriptions of the beautiful town, and beaches and water that Jamie Brenner has written. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Some are dysfunctional and quirky. I love reading about the summer in Sag Harbor, with historical references, beautiful beaches, and a very traditional hotel in a small town. This is also a coming of age story.
Emma Mapson, single mom to fourteen year old Penny, works hard managing the front desk at the American Hotel. Penny is very artistic, and loves graphic books. Often the famed Artist Henry Wyatt, can be seen working with Penny. Henry Wyatt is an older Artist. When Henry Wyatt passes away suddenly, it appears that Penny and Emma's life will take an interesting turn.
Bea Winstead has been friends and business partners with Henry for over 50 years, and comes from New York City to check on his estate. Bea is a very outspoken woman and is grieving her friend, but is shocked at what Henry's new will states. She is determined no matter what to get to the bottom of the changes to the will, and to find out what is going on.
One of my favorite parts of this story is the "Treasure Hunt" to find some of Henry's drawings that are scattered through-out the town. I appreciate that Jamie Brenner discusses the importance of family, friends, community, honest, love and hope. The contemporary problems of drugs, and Obsessive Control Disorder are also brought up.
I highly recommend this heartwarming and thought-provoking novel for those readers who enjoy a delightful read. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Emma Mapson, single mom to fourteen year old Penny, works hard managing the front desk at the American Hotel. Penny is very artistic, and loves graphic books. Often the famed Artist Henry Wyatt, can be seen working with Penny. Henry Wyatt is an older Artist. When Henry Wyatt passes away suddenly, it appears that Penny and Emma's life will take an interesting turn.
Bea Winstead has been friends and business partners with Henry for over 50 years, and comes from New York City to check on his estate. Bea is a very outspoken woman and is grieving her friend, but is shocked at what Henry's new will states. She is determined no matter what to get to the bottom of the changes to the will, and to find out what is going on.
One of my favorite parts of this story is the "Treasure Hunt" to find some of Henry's drawings that are scattered through-out the town. I appreciate that Jamie Brenner discusses the importance of family, friends, community, honest, love and hope. The contemporary problems of drugs, and Obsessive Control Disorder are also brought up.
I highly recommend this heartwarming and thought-provoking novel for those readers who enjoy a delightful read. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
May 26, 2019
I'm not usually over-critical of beach/family books- I like them, and assume that they're going to be pretty fluffy. But I found the main character to be very unsympathetic, to say the least, which coloured my impressions of the book. We hear a lot of Emma's internal monologue about Penny- she loves her, she misses her, she wants the best for her etc. She's worried about being a single mom and never seeing her, and having her wander around the island all day. But I prefer the show, don't tell story of writing, and very few things that Emma actually does in any way indicate her love or concern for her daughter.
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