Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela Kelley

Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela M. Kelley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Claire Shipman never imagined she'd be the single mom of a teenager, going through a contentious divorce, and unexpectedly pregnant. On the bright side, at least she's on Nantucket, where she grew up, and where her mother and grandmother welcome her home with open arms.

For years, Claire lived an enviable Manhattan lifestyle. Until her ex had a marriage-ending affair and also lost his job and all their money. Claire's high school friends invite her to their book club and an off-hand joke that she could sell one of her Hermes bags sparks a business idea.

Her friend's brother, Cody, is a furniture builder with a spare storefront. He's initially skeptical about the prospects of a "used handbag shop".

But Claire is determined. With the support of Lily, her mother, grandmother, old friends and new, she begins to build a true second chance at a new life.
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I have long been a fan of Pamela Kelley's books set on the island of Nantucket, and this latest offering gave me a welcome opportunity to escape once again to the summer destination of my dreams. As a divorced woman myself, I felt some empathy for Claire's need to start over after her ex-husband's affair ended their marriage, and I was all too ready to see him as a really bad guy (You will have to read the book to see if I was right!). And I was happy to root for Claire as she picked herself, moved back home to her mother's house in Nantucket, and came up with a plan to support herself, her teenage daughter, and her surprise new addition on-the-way all on her own.

Luckily for Claire, she found waiting for her on her return home the welcoming arms of some old friends, an unexpected business opportunity, and maybe even a new chance for love in her life someday. This is a real story of a Phoenix rising from the ashes of her former life, and I really enjoyed being a spectator as Claire took her victory lap. This is a perfect beach read, even if you don't make it to the beach this summer, because Nantucket is the perfect place to visit in your imagination through the pages of this very enjoyable book.

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