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Feathers in the Sand
Savor a breath of fresh salty air in this feel-good story about one woman’s journey back to her daughter . . . back to happiness . . . back to herself.
Single mom Tess Gilmore has been moving so fast to keep her life together that she’s hardly had time to notice how unhappy she is, and how distant she’s become from Eva, her preteen daughter. An unexpected job opportunity offers a chance to leave her Connecticut home for Seahaven, the idyllic coastal Maine town where she spent her childhood summers.
With a reluctant Eva in tow, the two begin to carve out a new life in Seahaven, surrounded by colorful, quirky neighbors and soothing sea breezes. Within weeks, Eva begins to discover mysterious, brightly-colored feathers in surprising places.
As Tess and Eva are embraced by their new friends, they begin to work through their mother-daughter growing pains, but a surprising run-in with Tess’s first love, Luca, has the potential to re-ignite their interrupted romance . . . or destroy her new and improved relationship with Eva.
Will Tess have to choose between Luca and Eva? Where are those beautiful feathers coming from? And how can Tess redefine her life in a way that includes true happiness?
Perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls and loaded with relatable mother-daughter moments and family drama, Feathers in the Sand delivers a sweet escape to charming small-town Maine for a second chance at happiness.
Single mom Tess Gilmore has been moving so fast to keep her life together that she’s hardly had time to notice how unhappy she is, and how distant she’s become from Eva, her preteen daughter. An unexpected job opportunity offers a chance to leave her Connecticut home for Seahaven, the idyllic coastal Maine town where she spent her childhood summers.
With a reluctant Eva in tow, the two begin to carve out a new life in Seahaven, surrounded by colorful, quirky neighbors and soothing sea breezes. Within weeks, Eva begins to discover mysterious, brightly-colored feathers in surprising places.
As Tess and Eva are embraced by their new friends, they begin to work through their mother-daughter growing pains, but a surprising run-in with Tess’s first love, Luca, has the potential to re-ignite their interrupted romance . . . or destroy her new and improved relationship with Eva.
Will Tess have to choose between Luca and Eva? Where are those beautiful feathers coming from? And how can Tess redefine her life in a way that includes true happiness?
Perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls and loaded with relatable mother-daughter moments and family drama, Feathers in the Sand delivers a sweet escape to charming small-town Maine for a second chance at happiness.
- GenresRomance
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2022
18 people are currently reading
2046 people want to read
About the author
Anne Marie Bennett
15 books283 followersWelcome! I write stories that stir heart & soul!
I've been writing stories and novels since the sixth grade when I was assigned to write a short story and instead turned in a 40-page novel about a little girl who stumbles on an underground cat colony! My English teacher (thank you, Mr. Ballantine!) was so impressed, he sent it to a publisher. The publisher did not respond, but Anne Marie decided right then and there to be a Writer (note the capital W).
Flash forward 50 years and I am still writing stories and novels (among other things)!
I have published several books about the intuitive process of SoulCollage®, as well as my two unique cancer journeys. I am now focusing my creative energies on fiction, and you can read my FREE 50-page novella, All You Need is Love...and Lilacs just by signing up for my monthly author newsletter, Inky Blessings: https://AnneMarieBennett.com/newsletter
My women's novel Feathers in the Sand will float onto bookshelves 7/11/22. I am happily blogging about the process of publishing a novel on AnneMarieBennett.com and you can receive updates along with info about extra-ordinary give-aways via my monthly newsletter, Stories That Stir Heart & Soul (link above).
I live with my big-hearted, silver-haired, number-oriented husband Jeff in eastern Massachusetts (with extremely frequent visits to Maine). My daily journey is also accompanied by two beloved adolescent felines (Louis and Seymour) who grace our lives with love and excessive cuddling in their above-ground cat colony of two.
I've been writing stories and novels since the sixth grade when I was assigned to write a short story and instead turned in a 40-page novel about a little girl who stumbles on an underground cat colony! My English teacher (thank you, Mr. Ballantine!) was so impressed, he sent it to a publisher. The publisher did not respond, but Anne Marie decided right then and there to be a Writer (note the capital W).
Flash forward 50 years and I am still writing stories and novels (among other things)!
I have published several books about the intuitive process of SoulCollage®, as well as my two unique cancer journeys. I am now focusing my creative energies on fiction, and you can read my FREE 50-page novella, All You Need is Love...and Lilacs just by signing up for my monthly author newsletter, Inky Blessings: https://AnneMarieBennett.com/newsletter
My women's novel Feathers in the Sand will float onto bookshelves 7/11/22. I am happily blogging about the process of publishing a novel on AnneMarieBennett.com and you can receive updates along with info about extra-ordinary give-aways via my monthly newsletter, Stories That Stir Heart & Soul (link above).
I live with my big-hearted, silver-haired, number-oriented husband Jeff in eastern Massachusetts (with extremely frequent visits to Maine). My daily journey is also accompanied by two beloved adolescent felines (Louis and Seymour) who grace our lives with love and excessive cuddling in their above-ground cat colony of two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 12, 2022
What fun!! And I know the writer! How cool is that??
August 9, 2022
4 stars
You can read all of my books at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a heartwarming story about a mother and daughter rebuilding their relationship. Single mom Tess is overworked and unhappy. Working full-time and going to school part-time has made her estranged from her pre-teen daughter Eva. When an unexpected job opportunity gives her the chance to move to a small Maine town, Tess sees it as a chance to slow down and get closer to her daughter.
As Tess and Eva settle into their new life, they make friends with an eclectic group of friends that start to become like family. Eva, unhappy about the move and missing her brother, starts to find colorful feathers around her home and town. Believing the feathers are a good sign that her brother is safe, Eva keeps them a secret from her mother and friends. Tess, meanwhile, has run into the long-lost love of her youth, Luca. Could the two rekindle their relationship after all this time?
I enjoyed seeing Tess and Eva working themselves back to having an open, loving relationship. Mother and daughter relationships are always difficult, so this is familiar territory for me. Tess had a lot of guilt for being away from Eva so much while she worked and went to school, and this got a bit repetitive at times. Their problems are oversimplified and the resolution predictable, but this is a feel-good book so that is expected. The author did a great job with Eva's character
The minor characters add levity to the book and provide great support to the main characters. Luca is a bit one-dimensional and there was a lack of chemistry between him and Tess. The book was a bit uneven for me and slow in certain places, but overall, I enjoyed it. It's a sweet book that can be read in one sitting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from KateRockBookTours and the author. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my books at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a heartwarming story about a mother and daughter rebuilding their relationship. Single mom Tess is overworked and unhappy. Working full-time and going to school part-time has made her estranged from her pre-teen daughter Eva. When an unexpected job opportunity gives her the chance to move to a small Maine town, Tess sees it as a chance to slow down and get closer to her daughter.
As Tess and Eva settle into their new life, they make friends with an eclectic group of friends that start to become like family. Eva, unhappy about the move and missing her brother, starts to find colorful feathers around her home and town. Believing the feathers are a good sign that her brother is safe, Eva keeps them a secret from her mother and friends. Tess, meanwhile, has run into the long-lost love of her youth, Luca. Could the two rekindle their relationship after all this time?
I enjoyed seeing Tess and Eva working themselves back to having an open, loving relationship. Mother and daughter relationships are always difficult, so this is familiar territory for me. Tess had a lot of guilt for being away from Eva so much while she worked and went to school, and this got a bit repetitive at times. Their problems are oversimplified and the resolution predictable, but this is a feel-good book so that is expected. The author did a great job with Eva's character
The minor characters add levity to the book and provide great support to the main characters. Luca is a bit one-dimensional and there was a lack of chemistry between him and Tess. The book was a bit uneven for me and slow in certain places, but overall, I enjoyed it. It's a sweet book that can be read in one sitting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from KateRockBookTours and the author. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2022
"Feathers in the Sand" by Anne Marie Bennett is a heartwarming story about the important relationships in one's life, and in the case of this book, specifically between a mother and daughter. It really resonated with me personally, as my mother and I had the most amazing relationship. She was a beautiful person both inside and out. I sadly lost her to cancer when she was 62 years old. She was more than just a mother to me, she was my best friend.
That said, the mother and daughter in this book reminded me so much of the time that I spent with my mother, for better or for worse, as many of us experience such ups and downs in life. Whether it's the loss of someone you love or trauma of any kind, relationship within families, between friends and others alike, can be instrumental in life. Anne Marie Bennett brings these relationships into focus as she penned some of the funniest, quirkiest and truest characters to transcend the page. It was so well written and highly descriptive to where I felt such a connection.
I would highly recommend reading this book. It not only held my interest, as I read it in just a few days, but it brought me to tears at times too. It was quite the reminder of how lucky I was to have such a strong relationship in my life, even if it was for just a short time. My hope is that you pick up this book, give it a read, and enjoy the emotional journey that Anne Marie Bennett with take you on.
That said, the mother and daughter in this book reminded me so much of the time that I spent with my mother, for better or for worse, as many of us experience such ups and downs in life. Whether it's the loss of someone you love or trauma of any kind, relationship within families, between friends and others alike, can be instrumental in life. Anne Marie Bennett brings these relationships into focus as she penned some of the funniest, quirkiest and truest characters to transcend the page. It was so well written and highly descriptive to where I felt such a connection.
I would highly recommend reading this book. It not only held my interest, as I read it in just a few days, but it brought me to tears at times too. It was quite the reminder of how lucky I was to have such a strong relationship in my life, even if it was for just a short time. My hope is that you pick up this book, give it a read, and enjoy the emotional journey that Anne Marie Bennett with take you on.
October 27, 2022
I am a fan of The Gilmore Girls, so I appreciated the many references. The settings were beautifully descriptive and the story was heartfelt with goodness at it's core. However, the scenes were overly descriptive and the dialogue did not flow well. The third person all knowing POV took away from the overall story. There was so much in this book that did not help propel the story forward that I feel that this could've been easily been condensed into a charming novella or short story. The added letters gave this book a bit of a epistolary feel which was welcome.
As always, no two people read the same book. What may or may not resonate with me may or may not resonate with you! Books are art, art is subjective and that is beautiful!
Special thanks to @katerockbooktours and to the author for this #gifted copy.
2.5 stars
As always, no two people read the same book. What may or may not resonate with me may or may not resonate with you! Books are art, art is subjective and that is beautiful!
Special thanks to @katerockbooktours and to the author for this #gifted copy.
2.5 stars
September 14, 2023
What a beautiful story. You will feel good while you read it and great when it ends. Feathers in the Sand is a story that will remain in thoughts, long after it is done. When you meet Tess and her children, Micah and Eva, you will feel a kinship with them. This could be your family. As Eva finds the feathers, she believes, with all her heart, that they are more than just feathers. A Mother, who has worked hard to give them a better life, even though the pressure has effected them all. The power of love will survive it all.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.. I am honored to have had the opportunity to read this book.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.. I am honored to have had the opportunity to read this book.
July 11, 2022
I’m so glad this is a series, because I can’t wait to read more about this wonderfully eclectic group of characters. While the characters in this book each have their own struggles, they all come together & help each other through them. This is a feel-good story about new beginnings, family, friends, & friends that become family. If Sea Haven was a real town, I would definitely be visiting! I also enjoyed the Schitts Creek & Gilmore Girls references. Overall, this was a really enjoyable book & I’m glad I got the opportunity to read it.
June 29, 2022
Great story that I really enjoyed. Single mom, unhappy preteen, complicated mother, & finding an old flame. Put those all together and you have a page turner that keeps you reading to find out what happens next. Recommend highly.
July 12, 2022
Another beautifully written novel by Anne Marie Bennett and Even though fiction it is written realistically about families, relationships and life in general which most of us can relate to in one way or another.
I loved the main character Tessa who is gifted with so much wisdom, and is free spirited, creative, fun, metaphysical, spiritual, intuitive etc.…She has a sparkle/charisma that emits from the pages…A light in the darkness so to speak. It’s about her and her journey raising a family as a single parent adapting to challenges/changes that come up along the way with its focus on her relationship with her daughter Eva. Also, I especially enjoyed this novel because I am partial to the seashore and east coast beaches from long Island sound up and thru out Maine and love sunrises and sunsets.
This is a novel that is written with compassion and positivity which incorporates many of “real Life’s” twists and turns depicting how these characters overcame them. With the turn of each page the characters seem to come to life and one can envision being part of the adventure themselves. This is truly another of those novels that once you start reading it you have a hard time putting it down.
I loved the main character Tessa who is gifted with so much wisdom, and is free spirited, creative, fun, metaphysical, spiritual, intuitive etc.…She has a sparkle/charisma that emits from the pages…A light in the darkness so to speak. It’s about her and her journey raising a family as a single parent adapting to challenges/changes that come up along the way with its focus on her relationship with her daughter Eva. Also, I especially enjoyed this novel because I am partial to the seashore and east coast beaches from long Island sound up and thru out Maine and love sunrises and sunsets.
This is a novel that is written with compassion and positivity which incorporates many of “real Life’s” twists and turns depicting how these characters overcame them. With the turn of each page the characters seem to come to life and one can envision being part of the adventure themselves. This is truly another of those novels that once you start reading it you have a hard time putting it down.
July 28, 2022
Anne Marie Bennett has done it again! She’s given us a thoroughly enjoyable novel that honestly portrays relationships – young adult, love interest, friends, single parent, grandmother, eccentric aunt, as well as both healthy and unhealthy work environments. This author excels at portraying relationships from both sides, so that the reader can empathize and ends up rooting for a solution that is best for each person. The mother grapples with what's best for her children without sacrificing her own well-being. She struggles to reach her children emotionally. The daughter and mother both face change with trepidation, fearing the unknown. Some of the older generation acts as inspiration, while others resist change.
Feathers and angels are two enduring symbols in this book. The characters act as angels for each other. Feathers show up anytime and anywhere. Is that a coincidence or not? In any case, it's NO coincidence that Anne Marie Bennett has woven a highly relatable tale, one that allows all characters to be winners, even if it's not in the way that they expect. It's refreshing not to have to divide the world into winners and losers.
Feathers and angels are two enduring symbols in this book. The characters act as angels for each other. Feathers show up anytime and anywhere. Is that a coincidence or not? In any case, it's NO coincidence that Anne Marie Bennett has woven a highly relatable tale, one that allows all characters to be winners, even if it's not in the way that they expect. It's refreshing not to have to divide the world into winners and losers.
August 3, 2022
This is my first Anne Marie Bennett novel and will not be my last! I love all of the Gilmore Girl and Schitt's creek references, they had me smiling throughout the book. This novel presents family dynamics in a genuine way. I empathize with Tess and Eva's mother-daughter relationship and it reminded me of my own relationship with my mother during those awkward years as a teen. I also enjoyed the brother-sister dynamic, I feel like it was a realistic portrayal and the characters are brilliantly written.
This is a fun story with a cast of dynamic characters. I was engaged from start to finish and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you @annemariebennett52 and @katerockbooktours for my #giftedbook!
This is a fun story with a cast of dynamic characters. I was engaged from start to finish and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you @annemariebennett52 and @katerockbooktours for my #giftedbook!
July 9, 2022
When I first began reading Feathers in the Sand, I wasn't sure it would captivate my attention….
That changed and the journey began falling in love with Tess, I could so relate to her and the struggling relationship with her daughter.
The relationship that Evie has with her brother is so relatable and I really enjoyed seeing how things went for them.
I enjoyed escaping to the seaside and seeing the growing relationships. Was so excited and hopeful for Eva's new friends Poppy and Teo.
Loved how things worked out for Tess as she embarked a new journey and gave a new job a try.
I'll be looking for more books by Anne.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
That changed and the journey began falling in love with Tess, I could so relate to her and the struggling relationship with her daughter.
The relationship that Evie has with her brother is so relatable and I really enjoyed seeing how things went for them.
I enjoyed escaping to the seaside and seeing the growing relationships. Was so excited and hopeful for Eva's new friends Poppy and Teo.
Loved how things worked out for Tess as she embarked a new journey and gave a new job a try.
I'll be looking for more books by Anne.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
July 11, 2022
Such a heartfelt story that is relatable as the characters relationships evolve and draw you in. Truly a "feel good" novel which is refreshing to escape with. The surprises and synchronicity in the story are a great touch as to keep you wondering what happens next as you become invested in the characters & story line. I especially love this Author's style of writing as her books flow well and offer unexpected surprises so they aren't predictable. The detailed dialogue helps to bring the characters to life and some you may even see yourself in. Highly recommend for a refreshing escape into the world of Tess in Seahaven, Maine with her family, friends both new & old and potential new love....so happy this is a series!
August 1, 2022
First off the cover is beautiful. I like the scenery and the characters walking down the shore. That's what drew me in. However, I have mixed feeling of this book. While I enjoy the writing and the story of build a better life her daughter and herself, there were things I wasn't too comfortable with. There were some characters I didn't like and their choices. Some things I felt it was unnecessary. I had moments felt dread because there were things bothered me but I read it through. I probably won't read more of following series. But again, this is my personal opinion.
I received an ARC copy exchange for honest review.
I received an ARC copy exchange for honest review.
July 11, 2022
This author has written another wholesome story that centers around a mother-daughter relationship (think Gilmore Girls!). Set in a small town, there are other delightful characters that cross their paths and will leave you wanting to know more about them. (Note, this says #1 in a future series, so I do believe we will read about them in the future.) I was lucky enough to read an early draft of the novel and am delighted to see the final product. On a side note, I still would have preferred the title, Angel Feathers :>
August 3, 2022
Disappointed.
This is an arguably good or even great book.
But I was really checked out of the story.
The long description’s were really tiring, and I’m not a huge Gilmore girl fan so the references felt kinda forced and took me out of the book.
I like a few details of this book. And i feel like there are a lot of people who love this book.
To the author, I’d suggest making the descriptions of slow activities speed up.
And speed up the grammar in general.
I see so much potential though. You write with goodness and that’s talent. ❤️
This is an arguably good or even great book.
But I was really checked out of the story.
The long description’s were really tiring, and I’m not a huge Gilmore girl fan so the references felt kinda forced and took me out of the book.
I like a few details of this book. And i feel like there are a lot of people who love this book.
To the author, I’d suggest making the descriptions of slow activities speed up.
And speed up the grammar in general.
I see so much potential though. You write with goodness and that’s talent. ❤️
August 19, 2022
I really liked the interaction between the main character and her children. Loved the small town feel of the book. The writing was very good. Lots of things going on with this family. Not too many characters to keep track of, but it seems almost everyone has to throw in a gay character or more now. I’m just not enthusiastic about that. Glad I didn’t pay for this. Not a great fit for me.
First in a series if you like the trend might be good to follow, but I won’t be.
I received an advance ARC from the author. I appreciate it but not for me.
First in a series if you like the trend might be good to follow, but I won’t be.
I received an advance ARC from the author. I appreciate it but not for me.
July 11, 2022
This book is sweet and heartwarming. I loved the mother daughter dynamics, family drama, second chance romance, small community feel, and new beginnings. If you’re looking for a charming story, pick this up!
August 12, 2022
Thank you in advance to the author, Anne Marie Bennett, for providing a complimentary review copy through Kate Rock Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Almost two (2) years ago, in September 2020, I read my first book by the author – Dragonflies at Night: More than a Love Story. And, it is interesting that this book shows the readers of that one what happened to Ben Shepherd and Savannah Adams. Ben and Savannah make a prominent appearance in this book towards the last 116 pages of the book. Andi and Jeremy, as well as Savannah’s business are mentioned. While not directly considered part of the series, readers might want to check that book out before this one. I consider it more of a series “prequel” that leads to this.
This “seems” like a clean and wholesome read. For the most part, it is. There is NO foul language and no intimate scenes. There is a kiss or two.
This does have some prominent LGBTQ themes in it, and while they do not dominate the story, they are clearly present. There are three characters, but only two are considered “major” to the story.
🏳️🌈 Micah – Tess’ son, is out as gay (not in a relationship) (has no major appearance until closer to the end, mentioned for most of the book)
🏳️🌈 “Theater” Jasper – gay; in a “on its way to separation” relationship (no intimate scenes at all)
🏳️🌈 Grace – it is mentioned she is “gay” (not in a relationship)
The main characters consist of:
🐚 Tess – single mom of Micah and Eva [never married the kids’ father]
🪶 Eva – Tess’ 11-year-old daughter
☀️ Aunt Kit – Tess’s aunt; Cecilia’s sister
⚓ Luca – Tess met him one summer when they were teens, they had a slight “romance”
☀️ Teo – Luca’s son (mother is deceased)
☀️ Poppy – another friend of Eva and Teo’s
👩🏻🦳 Cecilia – Tess’ mother, the two have a “strained” relationship
☀️ Kalila – Eva’s “sitter” and Glory’s granddaughter
As well as minor characters:
Charli – Eva’s childhood best friend, moves to California
🖥️ Chiara – one of Tess’ friends
🖥️ Quinn – another one of Tess’ friends
☀️ Glory – Kalila and Sam’s grandmother
There are other minor characters within the book as well.
Despite the many characters, there are only two (2) POVs – Eva and Tess. While other POVs might’ve been interesting, the story does work with just Eva and Tess’ POV.
The artsy and sweet cover gives off a different vibe of the story. I thought this was going to be a lighter read than it turned out to be. It isn’t dark, but it is definitely not an easy “light” read either.
The author says this is for fans of the TV show Gilmore Girls, and she is right. Do readers HAVE to watch the series? I would highly recommend it. There are SO many references to it, I felt lost reading this so it slightly impacted my enjoyment of the book.
There is also the mention of Eva watching the TV show SCHITT’$ CREEK with her brother, and mentioning the show to some people. According to Common Sense Media, they rate the show for 14+. Whereas adults rate this as low as 8+ in age (average is 14+), kids rate it about 10+, with 12+ being the average. It too features LGBTQ characters as well. As I haven’t seen the show, I can’t appropriately rate it. It is not discussed at length though.
With that said …
Bennett introduces the reader to Tess Gilmore, a devotee of the series Gilmore Girls. Tess is also mom to Micah and Eva. And, it is Micah’s birthday party that causes an issue right off.
I related to Tess’ 14-year-old Ford (my Chevy is a 2008) and living upstairs at an apartment complex. I’m with her on that – no one wants to have to keep going back downstairs to their car for groceries no matter how close you park. (Thankfully my place has a garage).
But, Tess’ day goes from bad to worse. Her boss has put her down in front of the entire staff for a one-word typo (at that point, I’d be looking for other work, that’s abusive behavior right there). Then, there’s the phone call from her boss about Tess leaving them in the “lurch”. Tess had discussed (the day before) about leaving early for Micah’s party. There is an issue about Tess not filling out the proper form to do so.
I wanted to have a smidge of sympathy for Tess on this, but it was hard. Having had 25 years of experience with time-off (or short-day) requests through my mom’s work, I know how the process works. I really think Tess could’ve said something a bit sooner than the day before she had to leave early – (a week, a month? She knew when she was going to have the party. Usually, PTO or even needing time off and how to request it is discussed during the interview, hiring, or training process. Anyone on a job for 3+ months should know the procedure.
Work isn’t the only issue Tess is facing …
Tess is also experiencing her daughter pushing her away, and seemingly uninterested in the TV show Tess loves, though Eva watches it on her own. The reason she doesn’t watch it with her mom is later revealed.
Eva gets bad news when her friend Charli begins packing to move to California.
Tess’ Aunt Kit calls her with a great opportunity – a dental clinic there needs an office manager, and they’re willing to give Tess a chance. Kit arranges for Tess to visit. It would be more pay, and Tess would have a place to stay for less rent.
Micah encourages his mother; Eva is less excited.
Tess is conflicted about the job despite being “hand-picked” for it – with no competition. Honestly, if I’d been treated the way Tess was – that’d be a hard yes for me with a “when can I start” on the side. More money, lower rent payment? I wouldn’t have to think on it. Yet, Tess does.
That changes when Micah disappears and makes a stunning revelation in a note as to where he is going. With Charli in California, Micah elsewhere; Tess finally decides to act on the choice given to her – move to Seahaven.
It is bittersweet because of the summer she met Luca. They stayed in contact after, but then he stopped replying to her emails. She never learned why.
Tess soon finds a complete support system as soon as she moves to Seahaven. And, even Eva finds something interesting to do with her time.
Eva also starts finding feathers – colorful ones all over, leading her to believe that angels are watching over Micah while he embarks on his new path. She doesn’t know how close she is to the truth of the feathers. Still, they give her something to look forward to and provide a comfort. A comfort that gets her and her mom a smidge closer than they had been.
It isn’t long until Tess is reunited with Luca and learns why they lost contact. Luca wants to rekindle the “what if”, which causes problems between her and his son Teo, who isn’t over the loss of his mom.
As a result of the tension with Teo, Tess makes a decision to focus on her relationship with Eva. A tragedy soon upends Tess and Eva’s lives in this dramatic and stunning story that is reflective and hopeful.
Like most authors, Bennett has a talent for creating believable drama and evoking emotion. Her writing is beautiful and imaginative. There is potentially relatable family drama. I say “potentially” because each family dynamic is unique. My mother and I weren’t the typical angsty mother/daughter dynamic at all, at any stage of my life.
I did not identify with Eva at all, and I felt as though she was a brat for most of the story. She seemed determined to not do things out of sheer spite or because she didn’t want to “like” something. I felt so sorry for Tess in that respect that her daughter was acting the way she was. I think Eva needed some counseling.
Tess seemed ill-prepared for motherhood overall. I admired her furthering her education to enhance her employment opportunities. However, it seemed that she sacrificed her kids in the process. As some say – they’re only little once and you can’t get back those years. I do think that in addition to Eva needing it, Tess could’ve used a bit of counseling as well. They both needed family counseling for sure.
I have to give kudos for Micah’s maturity in caring for his sister and his career choice. There is a scene where he and Eva are making pizza and he makes his half as ham and pineapple, calling it an Aloha pizza. It is actually a Hawaiian Pizza, created in Canada in 1962. The name was based on a brand of pineapple the creator used. I’ve been eating them since I was a kid and it was nice to see other fictional characters enjoy them as opposed to my other favorite – pepperoni.
The best character overall was Aunt Kit, who really seemed to have a grip on life and everything around her. She was definitely the anchor of this story. Glory was another one who had a realistic grip on life despite raising her grandchildren due to her daughter’s choice of a career.
Tess’ mom Cecilia was a nightmare for most of the story with only the “I was doing what I though was best” excuse.
I loved the letters Eva wrote and would’ve liked to have seen Micah’s letters to Eva and his mother. Speaking of that, I wish he’d been truthful with Eva about something given how bad she reacted when she learned the truth towards the end.
The short chapters helped move the story along and didn’t let it bog down in one place for too long. Bennett’s descriptive writing definitely puts the reader there in the middle of the story. Could it have been shorter? For some yes, for others? Perhaps not. I was in the middle. There were some things I wanted expanded and some could’ve been shortened.
There is a disturbing scene in this book that did make me cringe.
Glory mentions her daughter joined the Air Force in 2002 because of 9/11 as her father was killed in the attacks. However, the author something shocking 132 pages later in regard to a thought Eva has in needing to get somewhere – “But what could she do – hijack a plane?”. Given the 9/11 reference, it was a bit shocking and perhaps not a good remark to make. I thought it best to mention the “remark” as a “warning” to other readers; especially coming up on the 21st anniversary of the attacks.
Other that those issues – this was a fairly enjoyable read that held my attention. I do wish more information had been released about the content and a suggestion to watch the references TV shows.
The end is open, meaning no resolution to major plot points, so readers will have to read future books to see where the author is taking the characters as well as the issues they face. I am definitely interested in future books for that reason and.
Given some of the content, this has the potential to clash with some readers’ ideas of “clean and wholesome”. There is no intimacy, only a kiss. The language is very clean. Relationships are mentioned, but not depicted. With regard to religion, there are some mentions of it, especially with Theater Jasper talking about the tenets of his Jewish faith. These are not integral to the story and it definitely doesn’t give off “Christian Fiction/Christian Romance” vibes.
(3.8/4 stars)
Almost two (2) years ago, in September 2020, I read my first book by the author – Dragonflies at Night: More than a Love Story. And, it is interesting that this book shows the readers of that one what happened to Ben Shepherd and Savannah Adams. Ben and Savannah make a prominent appearance in this book towards the last 116 pages of the book. Andi and Jeremy, as well as Savannah’s business are mentioned. While not directly considered part of the series, readers might want to check that book out before this one. I consider it more of a series “prequel” that leads to this.
This “seems” like a clean and wholesome read. For the most part, it is. There is NO foul language and no intimate scenes. There is a kiss or two.
This does have some prominent LGBTQ themes in it, and while they do not dominate the story, they are clearly present. There are three characters, but only two are considered “major” to the story.
🏳️🌈 Micah – Tess’ son, is out as gay (not in a relationship) (has no major appearance until closer to the end, mentioned for most of the book)
🏳️🌈 “Theater” Jasper – gay; in a “on its way to separation” relationship (no intimate scenes at all)
🏳️🌈 Grace – it is mentioned she is “gay” (not in a relationship)
The main characters consist of:
🐚 Tess – single mom of Micah and Eva [never married the kids’ father]
🪶 Eva – Tess’ 11-year-old daughter
☀️ Aunt Kit – Tess’s aunt; Cecilia’s sister
⚓ Luca – Tess met him one summer when they were teens, they had a slight “romance”
☀️ Teo – Luca’s son (mother is deceased)
☀️ Poppy – another friend of Eva and Teo’s
👩🏻🦳 Cecilia – Tess’ mother, the two have a “strained” relationship
☀️ Kalila – Eva’s “sitter” and Glory’s granddaughter
As well as minor characters:
Charli – Eva’s childhood best friend, moves to California
🖥️ Chiara – one of Tess’ friends
🖥️ Quinn – another one of Tess’ friends
☀️ Glory – Kalila and Sam’s grandmother
There are other minor characters within the book as well.
Despite the many characters, there are only two (2) POVs – Eva and Tess. While other POVs might’ve been interesting, the story does work with just Eva and Tess’ POV.
The artsy and sweet cover gives off a different vibe of the story. I thought this was going to be a lighter read than it turned out to be. It isn’t dark, but it is definitely not an easy “light” read either.
The author says this is for fans of the TV show Gilmore Girls, and she is right. Do readers HAVE to watch the series? I would highly recommend it. There are SO many references to it, I felt lost reading this so it slightly impacted my enjoyment of the book.
There is also the mention of Eva watching the TV show SCHITT’$ CREEK with her brother, and mentioning the show to some people. According to Common Sense Media, they rate the show for 14+. Whereas adults rate this as low as 8+ in age (average is 14+), kids rate it about 10+, with 12+ being the average. It too features LGBTQ characters as well. As I haven’t seen the show, I can’t appropriately rate it. It is not discussed at length though.
With that said …
Bennett introduces the reader to Tess Gilmore, a devotee of the series Gilmore Girls. Tess is also mom to Micah and Eva. And, it is Micah’s birthday party that causes an issue right off.
I related to Tess’ 14-year-old Ford (my Chevy is a 2008) and living upstairs at an apartment complex. I’m with her on that – no one wants to have to keep going back downstairs to their car for groceries no matter how close you park. (Thankfully my place has a garage).
But, Tess’ day goes from bad to worse. Her boss has put her down in front of the entire staff for a one-word typo (at that point, I’d be looking for other work, that’s abusive behavior right there). Then, there’s the phone call from her boss about Tess leaving them in the “lurch”. Tess had discussed (the day before) about leaving early for Micah’s party. There is an issue about Tess not filling out the proper form to do so.
I wanted to have a smidge of sympathy for Tess on this, but it was hard. Having had 25 years of experience with time-off (or short-day) requests through my mom’s work, I know how the process works. I really think Tess could’ve said something a bit sooner than the day before she had to leave early – (a week, a month? She knew when she was going to have the party. Usually, PTO or even needing time off and how to request it is discussed during the interview, hiring, or training process. Anyone on a job for 3+ months should know the procedure.
Work isn’t the only issue Tess is facing …
Tess is also experiencing her daughter pushing her away, and seemingly uninterested in the TV show Tess loves, though Eva watches it on her own. The reason she doesn’t watch it with her mom is later revealed.
Eva gets bad news when her friend Charli begins packing to move to California.
Tess’ Aunt Kit calls her with a great opportunity – a dental clinic there needs an office manager, and they’re willing to give Tess a chance. Kit arranges for Tess to visit. It would be more pay, and Tess would have a place to stay for less rent.
Micah encourages his mother; Eva is less excited.
Tess is conflicted about the job despite being “hand-picked” for it – with no competition. Honestly, if I’d been treated the way Tess was – that’d be a hard yes for me with a “when can I start” on the side. More money, lower rent payment? I wouldn’t have to think on it. Yet, Tess does.
That changes when Micah disappears and makes a stunning revelation in a note as to where he is going. With Charli in California, Micah elsewhere; Tess finally decides to act on the choice given to her – move to Seahaven.
It is bittersweet because of the summer she met Luca. They stayed in contact after, but then he stopped replying to her emails. She never learned why.
Tess soon finds a complete support system as soon as she moves to Seahaven. And, even Eva finds something interesting to do with her time.
Eva also starts finding feathers – colorful ones all over, leading her to believe that angels are watching over Micah while he embarks on his new path. She doesn’t know how close she is to the truth of the feathers. Still, they give her something to look forward to and provide a comfort. A comfort that gets her and her mom a smidge closer than they had been.
It isn’t long until Tess is reunited with Luca and learns why they lost contact. Luca wants to rekindle the “what if”, which causes problems between her and his son Teo, who isn’t over the loss of his mom.
As a result of the tension with Teo, Tess makes a decision to focus on her relationship with Eva. A tragedy soon upends Tess and Eva’s lives in this dramatic and stunning story that is reflective and hopeful.
Like most authors, Bennett has a talent for creating believable drama and evoking emotion. Her writing is beautiful and imaginative. There is potentially relatable family drama. I say “potentially” because each family dynamic is unique. My mother and I weren’t the typical angsty mother/daughter dynamic at all, at any stage of my life.
I did not identify with Eva at all, and I felt as though she was a brat for most of the story. She seemed determined to not do things out of sheer spite or because she didn’t want to “like” something. I felt so sorry for Tess in that respect that her daughter was acting the way she was. I think Eva needed some counseling.
Tess seemed ill-prepared for motherhood overall. I admired her furthering her education to enhance her employment opportunities. However, it seemed that she sacrificed her kids in the process. As some say – they’re only little once and you can’t get back those years. I do think that in addition to Eva needing it, Tess could’ve used a bit of counseling as well. They both needed family counseling for sure.
I have to give kudos for Micah’s maturity in caring for his sister and his career choice. There is a scene where he and Eva are making pizza and he makes his half as ham and pineapple, calling it an Aloha pizza. It is actually a Hawaiian Pizza, created in Canada in 1962. The name was based on a brand of pineapple the creator used. I’ve been eating them since I was a kid and it was nice to see other fictional characters enjoy them as opposed to my other favorite – pepperoni.
The best character overall was Aunt Kit, who really seemed to have a grip on life and everything around her. She was definitely the anchor of this story. Glory was another one who had a realistic grip on life despite raising her grandchildren due to her daughter’s choice of a career.
Tess’ mom Cecilia was a nightmare for most of the story with only the “I was doing what I though was best” excuse.
I loved the letters Eva wrote and would’ve liked to have seen Micah’s letters to Eva and his mother. Speaking of that, I wish he’d been truthful with Eva about something given how bad she reacted when she learned the truth towards the end.
The short chapters helped move the story along and didn’t let it bog down in one place for too long. Bennett’s descriptive writing definitely puts the reader there in the middle of the story. Could it have been shorter? For some yes, for others? Perhaps not. I was in the middle. There were some things I wanted expanded and some could’ve been shortened.
There is a disturbing scene in this book that did make me cringe.
Glory mentions her daughter joined the Air Force in 2002 because of 9/11 as her father was killed in the attacks. However, the author something shocking 132 pages later in regard to a thought Eva has in needing to get somewhere – “But what could she do – hijack a plane?”. Given the 9/11 reference, it was a bit shocking and perhaps not a good remark to make. I thought it best to mention the “remark” as a “warning” to other readers; especially coming up on the 21st anniversary of the attacks.
Other that those issues – this was a fairly enjoyable read that held my attention. I do wish more information had been released about the content and a suggestion to watch the references TV shows.
The end is open, meaning no resolution to major plot points, so readers will have to read future books to see where the author is taking the characters as well as the issues they face. I am definitely interested in future books for that reason and.
Given some of the content, this has the potential to clash with some readers’ ideas of “clean and wholesome”. There is no intimacy, only a kiss. The language is very clean. Relationships are mentioned, but not depicted. With regard to religion, there are some mentions of it, especially with Theater Jasper talking about the tenets of his Jewish faith. These are not integral to the story and it definitely doesn’t give off “Christian Fiction/Christian Romance” vibes.
(3.8/4 stars)
July 25, 2022
Eleven year old Eva has a lot to work through. She and her mother have moved to a small coastal town in Maine. She doesn’t have friends and her big brother has left for basic training.
Feathers strangely appear wherever Eva walks. She is convinced that the feathers mean angels are watching over her newly enlisted brother. How will she react when her brother is severely injured?
This book is about relationships. Mothers with daughters. Friends who stand by you. People from the past who never leave you. A romantic relationship that is renewed. People in Seahaven, Maine, come together to help each other through troubled times. Their warmth and caring make Seahaven a place where you would want to live.
July 30, 2022
A nice little story about mothers and daughters, lost loves, new beginnings, and hope. Plus beaches and feathers. Not my typical book I'd choose but I did enjoy this story.
June 27, 2022
Tess Gilmore is a single mother who has been on a fast road to improve lives for herself and her children. But when she stops and really looks at things, she realizes that she's unhappy and she regrets her relationship with her preteen daughter, Eva, which has become distant. When a new opportunity presents itself with perfect timing, Tess moves to Seahaven, Maine with Eva as her son has ventured out on his own. In Seahaven, Tess and Eva are adopted by friendly neighbors and townspeople, and their relationship begins to improve. Eva begins finding feathers everywhere and gives them a special meaning. But when Tess has a run-in with her first love, things take a new turn.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review. This book is first in what promises to be an excellent series judging by this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating story and didn't want to put it down. The book's well-written with well-rounded characters and a well-developed plot. I loved the various relationships, especially the one between mother and daughter. This book has great emotional connections taking you to both lows and highs as you find yourself wrapped up in this exceptional story. I'm really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review. This book is first in what promises to be an excellent series judging by this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating story and didn't want to put it down. The book's well-written with well-rounded characters and a well-developed plot. I loved the various relationships, especially the one between mother and daughter. This book has great emotional connections taking you to both lows and highs as you find yourself wrapped up in this exceptional story. I'm really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
July 4, 2022
Oh, what a joyous book. I truly enjoyed the spirit of this novel, from the beautiful brother-sister relationship to the messages of hope, love, and friends becoming family. Also, being a Gilmore girls and Schitt’s Creek fan, the references always made me smile. I’m glad this is the first in a series because I want more of this world.
July 14, 2022
I sure enjoyed my time spent in Seahaven, Maine. I found many characters to love and care for. I laughed, cried, worried and hoped with them. Through the excellent storytelling, I became a resident of Seahaven. I enjoyed more than one sweet love story, multiple reunions and families of all types.
This beautiful novel was an ode to friendships of all kinds. There is nothing like the tight bonds of childhood friends, who together can conquer and accomplish most anything. Work friendships can sure bring joy to each day. Neighbors who become friends are never lonely. And sometimes, old friends get a second chance, becoming new friends.
Everyone needs an Aunt Kit in their life. She loves well, gently and without judgement. I love how she has close friendships with people of all ages, not just her own. She encourages by using her influence to gently and lovingly guide folks to find better options and make better choices.
There were many splendid, synchronous moments and scenes in this beautiful story. Life’s interruptions and surprises were pivotal moments for many of the characters. So very well done and so very much enjoyed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This beautiful novel was an ode to friendships of all kinds. There is nothing like the tight bonds of childhood friends, who together can conquer and accomplish most anything. Work friendships can sure bring joy to each day. Neighbors who become friends are never lonely. And sometimes, old friends get a second chance, becoming new friends.
Everyone needs an Aunt Kit in their life. She loves well, gently and without judgement. I love how she has close friendships with people of all ages, not just her own. She encourages by using her influence to gently and lovingly guide folks to find better options and make better choices.
There were many splendid, synchronous moments and scenes in this beautiful story. Life’s interruptions and surprises were pivotal moments for many of the characters. So very well done and so very much enjoyed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
July 23, 2022
Feathers In The Sand tells the story of a mother and her eleven year-old daughter as they explore their relationship with each other following the upheaval of moving to a new town and being miles from friends and family.
This is not my normal fare, I’m more a thriller\crime kind of guy but this one grabbed me by the heartstrings straight away and just wouldn’t let go.
The characters are well fleshed out. The interactions and relationships between all of the main and supporting cast are relatable and the story flows very well from start to finish.
With a romantic sub-plot, a missing cat, and a bit of jeopardy, you’ve got the perfect summer read for the beach.
This is not my normal fare, I’m more a thriller\crime kind of guy but this one grabbed me by the heartstrings straight away and just wouldn’t let go.
The characters are well fleshed out. The interactions and relationships between all of the main and supporting cast are relatable and the story flows very well from start to finish.
With a romantic sub-plot, a missing cat, and a bit of jeopardy, you’ve got the perfect summer read for the beach.
July 12, 2022
Lightly written, deep meaning
Because of her years' long experience as a SoulCollage(R) Facilitator, and the depth of her own personal journey, the author does more than tell a heartwarming story. She manages to also convey a healthy, heart- and soul-filled way of living. She teaches the reader, or supports them, in living in a way that includes quiet pauses and deep breaths to help you center yourself, shared sunrises and cobblers and friendship, the resolution of intergenerational mother-daughter trauma through honest sharing and the help of friends and family. The reader gets to be part of a loving community where people look out for each other and build "family." And we learn to watch out for the "synchronicities," those moments when the universe pulls events together to show us we are all interconnected, and there can be a right time for everything. Anyone can find "feathers in the sand" as a path to deep shared meaning. I could see therapists recommending this and other of the author's books to clients who could benefit from a taste of living which affirms love for self and others.
Because of her years' long experience as a SoulCollage(R) Facilitator, and the depth of her own personal journey, the author does more than tell a heartwarming story. She manages to also convey a healthy, heart- and soul-filled way of living. She teaches the reader, or supports them, in living in a way that includes quiet pauses and deep breaths to help you center yourself, shared sunrises and cobblers and friendship, the resolution of intergenerational mother-daughter trauma through honest sharing and the help of friends and family. The reader gets to be part of a loving community where people look out for each other and build "family." And we learn to watch out for the "synchronicities," those moments when the universe pulls events together to show us we are all interconnected, and there can be a right time for everything. Anyone can find "feathers in the sand" as a path to deep shared meaning. I could see therapists recommending this and other of the author's books to clients who could benefit from a taste of living which affirms love for self and others.
July 13, 2022
Anne Marie Bennett has given us another story that draws the reader in and make us cheer for the characters.
This time the Feathers in the Sand story invites us into the emotionally complicated world of three generations of Gilmores. If you've ever stood at a crossroads, feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood and unappreciated at work and home, you will empathize with Tess Gilmore. She is an exhausted single mother of two and frustrated daughter of the Complete Complainer, Cecilia Gilmore. We witness Tess make hard choices and take wise action to heal old and new hurts in her world AND finally open up to receiving the love she so generously gives to others.
Bennett vividly paints Tess's world and her people in New Haven and Seahaven. I loved getting to know them and I'm excited and curious who will be the main character in the next book in the series!
Luca? Aunt Kit? Micah? Eva? Cecilia? Theater Jasper? Glory and Kalila? The Pearls? Carolina?
Whoever we meet next, I'm sure Bennett will continue to delight, move, and uplift us.
This time the Feathers in the Sand story invites us into the emotionally complicated world of three generations of Gilmores. If you've ever stood at a crossroads, feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood and unappreciated at work and home, you will empathize with Tess Gilmore. She is an exhausted single mother of two and frustrated daughter of the Complete Complainer, Cecilia Gilmore. We witness Tess make hard choices and take wise action to heal old and new hurts in her world AND finally open up to receiving the love she so generously gives to others.
Bennett vividly paints Tess's world and her people in New Haven and Seahaven. I loved getting to know them and I'm excited and curious who will be the main character in the next book in the series!
Luca? Aunt Kit? Micah? Eva? Cecilia? Theater Jasper? Glory and Kalila? The Pearls? Carolina?
Whoever we meet next, I'm sure Bennett will continue to delight, move, and uplift us.
July 19, 2022
OMG! What an amazing and beautiful read! Author Anne Marie Bennett does a magnificent job in her character development and story telling that I felt myself being swept up into this beautiful beach side area named Seahaven, Maine. I wish I could actually "meet" the characters!
This is my first book from this Author, but it most definitely will not be the last!
*I was provided an advance reader copy and this is my honest opinion."
This is my first book from this Author, but it most definitely will not be the last!
*I was provided an advance reader copy and this is my honest opinion."
July 12, 2022
Feathers in the Sand is a lovely story of a single mom of two trying to do right by her family and still feeling guilty about not being able to be there for them. I thoroughly enjoyed the light-hearted story of challenges, new beginnings, and hope. The characters are lovely, and the community of Seahaven is a community of which I would love to be part. I loved all the characters, but my favourite was Aunt Kit as she was so supportive and encouraging of Tess. I also loved Poppy. She looks at things in such a positive way! I just wish we had more about Micah. I would love to read their FaceTime conversations and get to know him more and how his new life was unfolding. Maybe in the next book? I also liked the feathers appearing here and there for Eva. As a lover of feathers, I was wondering where the feathers were coming from and who was behind them. All in all, Feathers in the Sand is the perfect book if you want to read something heartwarming.
July 18, 2022
It is filled with many unexpected twisted turns, as Tess and her daughter, Eva (eleven years old), rediscover their relationship as Mother and Daughter. Along with this comes the mystery, the "feather" which gives the opportunity to discover more about family bonds, making new relationships or even rekindle an old one.
I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, as it has much to offer to each.
I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, as it has much to offer to each.
July 16, 2022
This is a feel good read that invites us to curl up on a sofa and enter the lives of the richly drawn characters in the book. A well crafted tale of mother and daughter finding their way back to each other through adversity and love, good friends and a beautiful location. What’s not to like? I found myself wanting more and eagerly wait to read more about all the people in the book. Highly recommend this book.
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