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A review by jess_mango
The Second Home by Christina Clancy
4.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!
The Second Home is a family drama that centers around a family summer house in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. The old cottage has been in the Gordon family for several generations and the family still ventures out from Wisconsin every year to spend the summer. The family is made up of the 2 parents who both work at a school and their 2 daughters Anne and Poppy. The family adopts Michael, a high school classmate of Anne's, after he becomes orphaned. Michael falls in love with Cape Code during his first summer there with the Gordons. During Michael's 2nd summer there, some events set wheels in motion that will drive wedge between the family for more than a decade.
Cape Cod holds a special place in my heart. I've gone there almost every summer since I was a kid. Lots of memories there. I love reading books that help transport me there and this one definitely helped bring me to Wellfleet. It had all the stuff I needed to get that sense of place: local businesses, landmarks, flora & fauna, etc.
The story definitely showed how keeping secrets and not being open with your family can cause lasting misunderstandings. The chapters alternate between Anne, Poppy, and Michael. The first part of the book is set during their teen years and the latter part is set about 15 years later. It is sad to see how their great family dynamic was hurt by the events of that one summer. While this may not be a light and fluffy beach read, I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good summer read.
The Second Home is a family drama that centers around a family summer house in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. The old cottage has been in the Gordon family for several generations and the family still ventures out from Wisconsin every year to spend the summer. The family is made up of the 2 parents who both work at a school and their 2 daughters Anne and Poppy. The family adopts Michael, a high school classmate of Anne's, after he becomes orphaned. Michael falls in love with Cape Code during his first summer there with the Gordons. During Michael's 2nd summer there, some events set wheels in motion that will drive wedge between the family for more than a decade.
Cape Cod holds a special place in my heart. I've gone there almost every summer since I was a kid. Lots of memories there. I love reading books that help transport me there and this one definitely helped bring me to Wellfleet. It had all the stuff I needed to get that sense of place: local businesses, landmarks, flora & fauna, etc.
The story definitely showed how keeping secrets and not being open with your family can cause lasting misunderstandings. The chapters alternate between Anne, Poppy, and Michael. The first part of the book is set during their teen years and the latter part is set about 15 years later. It is sad to see how their great family dynamic was hurt by the events of that one summer. While this may not be a light and fluffy beach read, I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good summer read.