When you’re ready to move on, but the past apparently isn’t…

Synopsis

This is the first book in an exciting new trilogy (‘The Sunshine Sisters’, part of the Little Duck Pond Café series) about three sisters, who are all – in their different ways – searching for something missing in their lives. They haven’t been close since a shocking incident years ago sent them spinning off in different directions. Will the village of Sunnybrook work its magic and finally reunite the family?

In this first story, Rori has escaped a desperate situation by fleeing to the village. But can she really leave her past behind, or will it come back to haunt her, as she fears it will? Can she find the peace and happiness she craves in Sunnybrook?

My review

Aurora, Rori for friends, moved to Sunnybrook to have a brand new start after a bad relationship. She loves her new friends and meeting Kurt may make her believe in love again, perhaps. But when things start to happen, bad things, Rori is afraid that her past has come back to haunt her. Fearful of what may come, but also determined to not let that fear take over her life, Rori and her friends are ready to solve the mystery. But is her fear directed in the right direction? And will it all be uncovered on time, before something disastrous happens again?

There are authors that write long series and it’s often that with the next book in the series, the quality somehow diminishes, or the story seems like a repeat of a previous book. So being Book Nr. 32, you would think that the Little Duck Pond Café would have somewhat lost a bit of its charm, right?
WRONG, YOU ARE SO SO SO WRONG!!!
Because this book is just as delightful as its predecessors and just as wonderful!

I admired Rori from the first moment, because she has been through a lot in the past, with a relationship that was anything but a good one. But also the relationship with her mother and sisters isn’t an easy one.
Yet she shows such a strength, having found the courage to start a new life in Sunnybrook, making new friends and looking brightly ahead at her future.

But she isn’t just a little ray of sunshine, because of how her previous relationship went, made her wary. Even if she tries to move on, she never loses that wariness over her. And seeing how the story evolves, it’s a good thing that she keeps both eyes wide open. Because you never know in what corner the danger may lurk…

Even her meeting Kurt, doesn’t take that wariness away. And I found that a good thing, because she didn’t let her feelings get in the way of using her common sense. No matter how delightful Kurt may seem.
And yes, he absolutely is a great character, especially at moments where Rori seems to be at her lowest, he shows his worth! Specifically at one occasion perhaps he didn’t act in the mature way he should have, but hey, I would have done exactly the same thing! 😊

Although I have to admit one thing… With the bad things happening to Rori, I stared to become very suspicious of everyone, and yes, of Kurt too…
I can only imagine how terrible Rori must feel, having the feeling trying to come back at her, with a vengeance.
But I also knew somehow that things weren’t that straightforward as Rori thinks it is. I knew that this author would have something up in her sleeve, leaving me a bit flabbergasted when it all came out!

Yet this is not only about Rori and her new start, but also about Rori and her family. Rori is clearly the peacemaker in the family, and just wants all her siblings getting along. Her family is a special one, with very different characters, passions and dreams. So in a way, it makes sense that they don’t all get along that very well. But I also felt that there is so much more to yet discover in this family.

This was absolutely a wonderful story to read, with so many different layers. But also with so much love and strength in it. As there is still so much still to be discovered and secrets ready to be revealed, I cannot wait to get to know Rori’s sisters better! 😊