After growing up in privilege and marrying into money, Lila Alders has gotten used to the good life. But when her happily-ever-after implodes, Lila must return to Black Dog Bay, the tiny seaside town where she grew up. She’s desperate for a safe haven, but everything has changed over the past ten years. Her family’s fortune is gone—and her mother is in total denial. It’s up to Lila to take care of everything...but she can barely take care of herself.
The former golden girl of Black Dog Bay struggles to reinvent herself by opening a vintage clothing boutique. But even as Lila finds new purpose for outdated dresses and tries to reunite with her ex, she realizes that sometimes it’s too late for old dreams. She’s lost everything she thought she needed but found something—someone—she desperately wants. A boy she hardly noticed has grown up into a man she can’t forget...and a second chance has never felt so much like first love.
It seems I keep picking up these contemporary romances, where the heroine seems to lose everything and hit rock bottom, but you know what? It was a lot of fun watching Lila pick herself back up. It's never easy going home, but at least Lila's return had her crossing paths with not just one, but two exes, both of whom seemed to still have a little interest in her. I was very pleased with the direction Kendrick took on that romantic front, and I really enjoyed the vintage clothing storyline. I, like Lila, earned my fashion chops by watching Project Runway, but I can still appreciate good, quality clothing.
Overall: Fun, light, and breezy with a lot of laugh out loud moments for me.
