The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne – a Review

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Description:
She knows what’s best for everyone but herself…

With a past like hers, Jessica Clayton feels safer in a life spent on the road. She’s made a career out of helping others downsize–because she’s learned the hard way that the less “stuff,” the better, a policy she applies equally to her relationships. But a new client is taking Jess back to Cape Sanctuary, a town she once called home…and that her little sister, Rachel, still does. The years apart haven’t made a dent in the guilt Jess still carries after a handgun took the lives of both their parents and changed everything between them.

While Jess couldn’t wait to put the miles between her and Cape Sanctuary, Rachel put down roots, content for the world–and her sister–to think she has a picture-perfect life. But with the demands of her youngest child’s disability, Rachel’s marriage has begun to fray at the seams. She needs her sister now more than ever, yet she’s learned from painful experience that Jessica doesn’t do family, and she shouldn’t count on her now.

Against her judgment, Jess finds herself becoming attached–to her sister and her family, even to her client’s interfering son, Nate–and it’s time to put everything on the line. Does she continue running from her painful past, or stay put and make room for the love and joy that come along with it?

Review:

The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne is the 2^nd book in her Cape Sanctuary series.  Jessica Clayton, our heroine, is on her way to do a job in Cape Sanctuary, and also looking forward to see her sister and her children.  Jess partners with another woman, who run a successful business, Transitions, which helps people declutter/downsize their homes. Jess’s new client is Eleanor Whitaker, who lost her husband about 6 months ago, and hired Jess to help her clean up everything in her house. 

We learn a bit more about Jess and her younger sister, Rachel, as they lost both parents by gunshots.  They became separated, as Rachel was sent to live with a wonderful family, and Jess was sent to a foster care home; when she was old enough to get Rachel to live with her, she is upset that her sister wanted to stay with the family she had.  Jess then joined the Military, and now with her friend, together they built this business as partners.  Over the years, she sees Rachel very little, as she is married with children, and looks forward to see them all again.

Jess parks her trailer by Eleanor’s place, and gets off on the wrong foot, when she is approached by an arrogant man.  Turns out he is Eleanor’s son, Nate, and he was not happy about her parking where she was, and more so since he did not know his mother hired someone.  In a short time, Nate will apologize and find himself attracted to Jess, who plans to be in town only for two weeks.   Jess also finds Nate to be hot, but is determined to not get involved, since all she cares about is her work and no relationships.

Jess begins to see that Rachel seems to be falling apart, which is putting a strain on her marriage.  Rachel’s young son has autism, and Jess pushes her and her husband to take him to be tested, and she would watch over the two nieces.  This also gives Jess a chance to spend some fun time with them, as well as with Nate and his daughter, Sophie.  We could tell that Nate has fallen hard for Jess, and even Sophie loves her.  Will Jess allow herself to open her heart and let love in?

I loved the time Jess spent with Eleanor to help her declutter all the old stuff in her home, as well as her deceased husband’s belongings; which turns out to be an amazing business concept. I got a kick out of the Airstream Trailer that everyone loved.  Over time, it was wonderful to see the sisters relationship change into an inseparable bond, which was very emotional.  Will Jess continue to run from a permanent relationship or will she stay?

The Path to Sunshine Cove was a heartwarming, poignant story that was very well written by RaeAnne Thayne.  Cape Sanctuary was a beautiful setting for this story, and makes me want to go there.  I really enjoyed this story, and suggest you read The Path to Sunshine Cove. If you have not read RaeAnne Thayne, you need to start.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher