I think this book just touched a nerve - in this time of the covid-9 pandemic, it is a novel that contains stories of hope. I became teary eyed at least three times. : ) It is the story of a beach cottage in Santa Cruz, CA that is used as a summer rental and the people who rent it one summer. First, you meet neighbor to the beach cottage, Andrew, nervously waiting at his 20 year high school reunion to see the woman he had callously thrown aside at the age of 21. At first Cheryl is angry at Andrew, but eventually decided to make him work for her love and trust. Their story runs throughout the novel. The June renter is a young lawyer, sent to Santa Cruz to take a class from an environmental warrior so that they would be able to defend against him successfully in court. (loved it) The July renter is a young family devastated by the loss of their three-month-old baby during the previous year. They are healed by guardian angels and a feral cat (tears). The August renters are Cheryl and three inner city teenage girls from Oakland. Cheryl is hoping to show them that all life is not the hard streets of Oakland.
If you are in the mood for something to show you that there really are wonderful people in the world and hope for humanity, this is an excellent choice.