Two couples jump on the chance to take over a cozy BnB in Vermont. The husbands, Peter and Rand Danner are brothers and are gung-ho about making it work. Peter’s wife, Kira sees it as a wonderful change after working in corporate laeyer in Florida. Alyssa just hopes it will be a quiet place for her to process her apparent infertility as well as Rand’s suspicious doings that have her believe he has turned to other women in this difficult period.

Then you add not only small-business panic as they do their best to turn this small startup into a success while navigating their new living quarters with their in-laws and all that etiquette/history it entails, but a withdrawn young woman, Dawn enters the inn and clearly she’s hiding secrets and from someone.

Told from the perspectives of the ladies, the book gets into the tricky aspects of motherhood and marriage. 

Kira’s story was ddecent. It was mainly centered around self-care and the strain of workplace status climbing has on one’s sense of self. She wants to feel useful, to climb up but she also needs time to slow down and try to get over the (let’s face it) capitalistic messaging that you have to be pushing yourself to get somewhere when it is perfectly okay to be content where you are. She also learns to lean on others, befriending Alyssa who she had previously saw as just a sister-in-law and also listening more to Peter who is dealing with his fraught relationship with his irresponsible younger brother. Their marriage was pretty solid although there were a few bumps in it that came from their similair personalities of being the ultra responsible golden people that don’t want to ask for help. Not to mention unresolved issues that Kira has to face concerning her father and how it affects her trust in others.

Alyssa’s marriage is not so happy. Rand is the classic younger brother archtype as charming, life of the party, full of adventure and irresponsible. Alyssa enjoyed the adventure, enjoying the travel and whatever new ideas that popped into Rand’s head, but now when she needs him most, she finds his concern lacking. Her story was the most interesting as she seems put together, but she is suffering alone as she comes to terms that she is infertile. Rand is all up for adoption, but is insensitive to Alyssa’s current feelings. She is still in the part where she blames herself and hates her body for not doing what is so “natural” for others. She feels like a failure and just needs the emotional support that rand does not seem capable of. Like I said Rand is for fun times and when Alyssa goes for time for herself, he hangs out with others, bringing back Alyssa’s old suspicions that he is cheating on her just like he might have years ago during his bachlor party. It is quite an emotional exploration and I really rooted for Alyssa even though I feel like she can do way better than Rand.

Dawn’s story adds some suspense and tragedy to the book as it slowly unveils her past and her secrets, explaining her withdrawn nature and the scars on her face, and the man she’s running away from. Which is pretty much all I can say without giving it away. But her softening and getting close to Alyssa and Kira was a sweet mark of companionship that she so desperately needs.

While the intial plot seems contrived especially as why would Peter and Kira who don’t really like or trust Rand to hold down a job, just accept Rand’s offer to own an BnB together and live in close quarters? And of course, there are requiste disasters that come with bad guests that is a bit cliche, but the emotional arc and the characters keep you hooked as they all begin to appreciate each other and find new values in themselves.

4 stars.