The Path to Sunshine Cove: A Novel

RaeAnne Thayne

Mar 2021 · Cape Sanctuary Book 3 · Sold by HQN Books

About this ebook

“Thayne is a master at creating richly dimensional and kind characters from different generations who find themselves facing difficult challenges.”—Booklist

With the emotional pull of Debbie Macomber, Barbara Delinsky and Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne brings readers an uplifting, brand new story told with her trademark charm and heart.

She knows what’s best for everyone but herself…

With a past like hers, Jessica Clayton feels safer in a life spent on the road. She’s made a career out of helping others downsize—because she’s learned the hard way that the less “stuff,” the better, a policy she applies equally to her relationships. But a new client is taking Jess back to Cape Sanctuary, a town she once called home…and that her little sister, Rachel, still does. The years apart haven’t made a dent in the guilt Jess still carries after a handgun took the lives of both their parents and changed everything between them.

While Jess couldn’t wait to put the miles between her and Cape Sanctuary, Rachel put down roots, content for the world—and her sister—to think she has a picture-perfect life. But with the demands of her youngest child’s disability, Rachel’s marriage has begun to fray at the seams. She needs her sister now more than ever, yet she’s learned from painful experience that Jessica doesn’t do family, and she shouldn’t count on her now.

Against her judgment, Jess finds herself becoming attached—to her sister and her family, even to her client’s interfering son, Nate—and it’s time to put everything on the line. Does she continue running from her painful past, or stay put and make room for the love and joy that come along with it?

Don't miss New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne's new heartwarming beach read, 15 Summers Later, a novel of sisterhood, love's resilience, and finding the courage to confront the past.

Get lost in more stories by RaeAnne Thayne:

• 15 Summers Later - Coming June 2024!
• Christmas at the Shelter Inn
• The Café at Beach End
• All is Bright
• Summer at the Cape

Ratings and reviews

The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne, book two in her Cape Sanctuary series, grabbed me and held me hostage until I turned the last page, finishing the story, leaving me wanting more. This heartwarming, emotional story takes us on a journey into the lives of one sister allowing the hurt and guilt of her past to control her life, another sister trying to live with the stress of life demands, while trying to be the perfect wife and mom. With her troubled past, Jessica Clayton feels safer living life on the road. She’s created a life of helping others downsize, after learning the hard way that the less “stuff” the better; also applying it to her relationships. A new client has Jess returning to Cape Sanctuary, a town that was once home and where her little sister, Rachel, still lives. Jess and Rachel were best friends until that fatal night when they lost their parents; separating the girls, forcing them to live in different foster homes, changing everything between them. Aging out of the system, Jess couldn’t wait to leave Cape Sanctuary while Rachel found a loving family to live with and a man to love and create a future with. Rachel lets everyone believe she has the picture-perfect life, but the demands of her autistic son has Rachel stressed thin; causing her marriage to unravel at the seams. Rachel badly needs her sister, now more than ever; but has learned from painful experience that Jess doesn’t do family and doesn’t believe she can rely on her now. Despite believing she shouldn’t get involved, Jess finds herself becoming attached, not just to her sister and her family, but also her client’s interfering, available, and handsome son, Nate. All of these connections force Jess to open up and put everything on the line; time for her to make some life-changing decisions. Jess has to decide if she can continue to run from her painful past or stay in Cape Sanctuary, making room for the love of her sister and Nate. Ms. Thayne wrote a story that reaches the soul; the soul of her characters as well the soul of her readers. This wonderful and amazing story was emotional, moving, tear inducing, filled with wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is must read. I highly recommend The Path to Sunshine Cove to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read by RaeAnne Thayer and The Path to Sunshine Cove didn’t disappoint. This is the story centered around Jess Clayton and Nate Whitaker. When they first meet, they don’t get off to a great start because his mom, Eleanor, failed to tell him she’d hired Jess to downsize her home. Nate, Eleanor, and Nate’s daughter, Sophie, are still grieving for Jack, his father. Jess also took the job because her sister Rachel and her husband and kids live nearby in Cape Sanctuary. She’s hoping to mend their relationship, but things don’t look promising when she pays them a visit. Grab your copy and get to know these wonderful characters and fall in love with this book like I did. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

Life is messy. Relationships are messy. Family life is complicated. This book was fantastic and covers all of these things in such a truthful, honest way. Jess and Rachel are sisters who went through a traumatic childhood and were split up when their parents died. It left scars. They each handled it differently. Jess is a loner who doesn't form lasting relationships, even her chosen profession moves her from place to place. Rachel is settled with a loving husband and children but she strives for perfection in everything and it's driving her to the brink of a breakdown. They used to be so close but now they hardly see each other. Now, Jess is finally in the same city at Rachel due to a temporary job and things are going to come to a head - they just don't know it! Meanwhile, the job Jess is on is going to change her life - romantically, personally and professionally. I loved every character in this book. The sisters were great! Nate, the love interest, was also wonderful, along with his daughter! Rachel's kids and husband, Cody, added so much to the story. Nate's mom was truly a gift. This is a definite reread!!!

About the author

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website.