Gritty and magical, angst-ridden and sweet, this coming-home story by bestseller Mallery (Only His) pulls no punches. Veteran Michelle Sanderson has survived multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, but she's never forgotten the little island inn on Puget Sound where three generations of her family have welcomed visitors. After Michelle's mother dies, onetime friend Carly Williams-whom Michelle betrayed by sleeping with her fiance-is left to manage the inn until Michelle returns. Michelle wants nothing more than to fire Carly and reclaim the family legacy, but with a shotup hip, PTSD, and an unforgiving bank loan, she has no choice but to make their uneasy reunion work. This is only the beginning; Mallery adds layer upon layer to the women's history, while revealing the raw core of each with expert pacing guaranteed to keep a reader up way past bedtime to see how it all works out. There's a touch of romance, too, but it's secondary. This first installment in the Blackberry Island series is about the journey from girlhood to womanhood to sisterhood, and the simple power of an honest apology. Agent: Annelise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

The close childhood bond of Michelle Sanderson and Carly Williams suffered shocking blows that sent Michelle running to join the army, leaving Carly behind. After two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and her mother's death, Michelle returns to her newly inherited bed-and-breakfast on Blackberry Island in the Pacific Northwest to find a host of changes and a mountain of debt. Struggling from PTSD and a recent gunshot wound, Michelle must also deal with her feelings of guilt and distrust about Carly, a single mom who has been managing the B&B. While sunny Carly has every right to distrust the dour Michelle, they must work together to bring the inn out of financial ruin. Verdict With this debut volume in her new series, best-selling author Mallery (Already Home) skillfully reveals insights into each woman's life to create a poignant tale of forgiveness, friendship renewed, and family. For Mallery and Debbie Macomber fans.-Joy Gunn, Henderson Libs., NV (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.