All That We Are (Wyndham Beach Book Three) by Mariah Stewart

 

All That You Are (Wyndham Beach Book Three) by Mariah Stewart.

Published 13th December 2022 by Montlake.

Audio book narrated by Linda Jones.

From the cover of the book:

In the decade since Emma Dean’s husband died, she’s maintained a peaceful and organized life in her hometown of Wyndham Beach—until she finds evidence of her husband’s longtime affair. How, Emma wonders, can a man who’s been gone for ten years still break her heart?

Still reeling from the betrayal, Emma must focus on the group of artists she’s invited to take up residence at the art center she founded, one of whom is secretly seeking refuge from her abusive ex. Toss in a charming businessman who’s returned to town with eyes for only Emma, and it’s becoming a most interesting summer.

And the biggest surprise of all is about to ring Emma’s doorbell and turn her life completely upside down yet again.

As Emma struggles between what was and what is, she discovers that the life she really wants—however unexpected—is just within reach, if she’s willing to fight for it.

***********

This is the third, and final, book in the Wyndham Beach series following the lives of three old friends (Maggie, Liddy and Emma) in this quiet town on the coast of Masschusetts - which focuses on each of them in turn as they negotiate their triumphs, tragedies, second chance love stories, and find strength in the close bonds of their long friendship. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Maggie and Liddy's stories (bookstore proprietor Liddy is my favourite), but I have actually been putting off this final book about Emma for some while, because I have never connected with her like the other two women.

The time finally came to bite the bullet, and give Emma a chance to change my mind... but this book proved to be a mixed bag, perhaps as expected. There are problematic plotlines here, mostly when it comes to some of the decisions deeply religious pastor's daughter Emma makes around the curve balls Stewart throws her about the shock discovery that her late husband had had a longterm affair she knew nothing about, and the twist relating to a possible love child of her rock star son, Chris. There was way too much turning the other cheek and misplaced guilt when it came to the affair, and an odd acceptance of the second situation (let's not even get started on the Chris issues around this, or the change in personality of his girlfriend, Maggie's daughter, Natalie).

However, there are lovely things as well. It was a joy to be back in Wyndham Beach among old friends connected with Maggie and Liddy's stories, catching up with the latest developments in their lives, and Stewart continues to excel when she writes about enduring female friendships, small communities, and being brave enough to give love a second chance. There is an interesting thread about domestic violence and controlling relationships too.

Overall, I have loved this gentle, warmhearted trilogy, and am sorry to say goodbye to (most of) the characters. It seems Stewart has no plans to return to Wyndham Beach, but I would love to be back wandering its streets, visiting the bookstore, and ambling along the beach again in the future... fingerscrossed I will get the chance! 😁

All That We Are is available to but now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

About the author:

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of several series, including Wyndham Beach, the Chesapeake Diaries, and the Hudson Sisters, as well as stand-alone novels, novellas, and short stories.

A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life, tends her gardens, and works on her next novel.

She’s the proud mama of two fabulous daughters, who—along with her equally fabulous sons-in-law—have gifted her with six adorable (and, yes, fabulous) granddarlings.