Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

This is the story of the Quinn family who own an inn on the island of Nantucket.  It is late December and the family is falling apart.

The characters in this novel include four adult children, a first wife, a second wife, two lovers, a Dad, an innkeeper and a prospective husband or two.

There are pending relationship disasters, an unannounced pregnancy, a possible prison term, a rekindling of the fire of two old flames and everything seems to be  wrapped up in the inn.  This novel epitomizes the term "dysfunctional family" but one can overlook all of the things that go wrong because the story also brings forth feelings of empowerment, love, and all the bindings that tie a family together.

Ms. Hilderbrand has written fourteen novels in all.  Her attention to details and characterizations make the reader feel as if they are part of the story.  It seemed as if  I was observing everything that was happening from a front row seat.  I felt like I wanted  to partake of the Christmas dinner or wrap my arms around Ava.

If you have never read this author before, I'd like to suggest her book The Blue Bistro as a starting point.  If you love it, as I did, you'll want to read everything she has written.  Her books talk about ordinary lives and leave you feeling as if they are extraordinary. You may find yourself looking at your own life from a new perspective.

Ladybookbug!