Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this title. This seemed more like a 'beach read', which isn't usually what I read, but having read other Jamie Brenner titles, and being drawn to the storyline, I gave it a go, and I'm so glad I did. There was a little mystery, a lot of drama and a relatable, creatively struggling teenager just trying to find her way. I fell in love with the characters (well, most of them anyway) and Jamie has a way of describing scenery that is hard not to picture yourself there. I am for sure going to check out more of Jamie's titles; I feel a book hangover coming on after this one.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was a lovely view into the art world and the the close knit community of Sag Harbor. It was also a great story of family, friends, and friends that feel like family I loved how fiercely Emma defends and fights for her daughter Penny. Perfect summer read, but would be great all year long.

The Husband Hour written by the author in 2018 was one of my 5 star favorites last year and I was eagerly awaiting Drawing Home. Mother and daughter, Emma and Penny are living a fairly ordinary life in Sag Harbor. Until the death of an artist who took a shine to the teenaged Penny leaves her his entire estate. As Emma tries to wrap her head around this news, a number of events and people make the single mother's life very difficult.

I felt Drawing Home was a compelling story that I fell into instantly even if I didn't like the characters all of the time. I wasn't as sold on a romance subplot with this one, in terms of Emma and another character. Personally, I felt she just needed to focus on her daughter. Overall, it was a good story that is the perfect beach read.

In Drawing Home, author Jamie Brenner transports the reader to the village of Sag Harbor in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York, that follows the summer of change for single mother Emma Mapson, her fourteen year old daughter Penny, and legendary NYC art patron Bea Winstead.

Emma Mapson is a single mother born and bred in the idyllic village of Sag Harbor, a popular summer destination for the wealthy. Emma is the front desk manager for The American Hotel, and she is raising her fourteen year old daughter Penny, who has been diagnosed with OCD and anxiety.

Penny has befriended renowned artist Henry Wyatt, who frequents The American Hotel's bar, and has been giving Penny drawing lessons for the past two years.

When Henry unexpectedly drops dead at the hotel bar, his will stipulates Penny as the beneficiary of his estate which includes a waterfront mansion and expansive art collection. No one is more shocked by this than Emma, that is until Henry's lifelong friend and ex-business partner, legendary NYC art patron Bea Winstead finds out that she is not the beneficiary of his will, and along with her assistant Kyle Dunlap, they go to Sag Harbor to reclaim the estate and preserve Henry's legacy. What ensues is a summer of change for Emma, Penny, and Bea, as they uncover the mystery behind Henry's inheritance, and discover the meaning of love, friendship, and family.

In Drawing Home, author Jamie Brenner easily captivates her readers' attention with this beautifully written tale through a seamless and flowing storyline, a wonderful description of a tranquil seaside village setting, and characters who draw you into their lives with a strong emotional pull, along with their complexities, flaws and secrets.

Drawing Home is a wonderful story that engages the reader to follow along as this summer of change will bring plenty of drama as Emma and Bea fight over the rights to Henry's inheritance. As Emma and Bea engage in the trials and tribulations over Henry's will, Penny deals with the challenges of her OCD and anxiety diagnosis, Emma is challenged with family issues, and Bea discovers the true meaning behind Henry's inheritance when she puts the pieces of Henry's illustrations of their lifelong friendship together.

The reader will be kept engaged as this wonderful story unfolds. With a cast of interesting characters, and a richly vivid description of Sag Harbor, Drawing Home is a compelling story about love, friendship, family, and second chances in life.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via NetGalley, and I also purchased a copy via Bookcase Club monthly book club subscription.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/07/drawing-home-by-jamie-brenner-book.html

One of my favorite books. Such a complex story with characters I’ll
Never forget

For fans of Gilmore girls

4 stars! Jamie Brenner just has a way of drawing the reader into her books. I loved this book so much. This book has it all; a mystery inheritance, beautiful beaches, compelling characters, family dynamics, and multiple POVS. I also loved the theme of art in the book. This is a perfect "beach read".
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Drawing Home was good, I'd recommend it if you want a book that is easy to read, interesting enough, and doesn't require too much of a commitment. It takes place on Sag Harbor, where Emma works the front desk at the American Hotel. Her 14 year old daughter Penny suffers from OCD and anxiety, and one of her best friends is an old man (Henry) who hangs out at the hotel where they draw and discuss art. Henry unexpectedly dies and leaves Penny his estate which includes a gorgeous house and all the artwork within. Thus begins a battle between his old friend Bea, who thinks she is entitled to all his worldly goods, and Emma, who is fighting on behalf of her daughter. I'm sure you can see how the story will play out--it's pretty transparent. Nevertheless, it's entertaining and not a bad way to spend a few hours.

As always, Jamie Brenner delivers a fabulous book. I think Drawing Home is probably my favorite book of hers yet. I have recommended it to so many people!

Jamie Brenner's Drawing Home is a quick read that had a great island setting, a bit of mystery and of romance, and a fantastically well done mother daughter relationship that really captures the difficulties of being a teenager and the difficulties of parenting one. In addition, Brenner tackles anxiety, OCD, and trying to understand how to find one's place in the world both as an adolescent and as an adult. This is an outstanding women's fiction title that is perfect for book groups and I purchased a copy and have already led a disussion group about the book. I think that come January this will be perfect for a imagine it's summer read!

Emma Mapson is ready for the busy summer season in Sag Harbor. Her job at the historic The American Hotel puts her in constant contact with the tourists who will invade the quiet little community. The American Hotel has a few regulars that like to hang out at the quaint little bar, including the world-famous artist, Henry Wyatt. Henry has been a regular at the bar for decades but has only been in the last few years that he has befriended Emma's teen daughter, Penny. When Henry dies unexpectantly at the bar Emma doesn't mourn Henry, but instead, she fears for how her fragile daughter is going to handle the news that her friend and mentor is gone. But then the world is stunned with the news of Henry's will. He left his art, his mansion, everything to Penny. News of Henry's death brings a lot of people to Sag Harbor, including his old friend, Bea Windstead, who cannot believe that a child was left in charge of Henry's legacy. But it is the news of Henry's will that brings other people to Sag Harbor, like Penny's father. He claims to not have known that Penny inherited a multi-million dollar estate, but Emma is doubtful. Emma would rather give it all away than to subject Penny to the pain that comes with wealth. Will Emma be able to shield Penny from life's disappointments?

Drawing Home is the very definition of a "Beach Read." You have a single mother, a stressful situation, a jerk of an ex, and a handsome "stranger" that comes on the scene. Emma Mapson is very good at being a single mother. She has had to juggle her daughter's care and her career for many years. Penny has some issues that make parenting her a little more challenging, you see, Penny has OCD. Emma has the support of close friends and an elderly man who is like a part of the family. In a way, the author pushes the definition of "family" and "home" with Drawing Home. Having said that, there were times that I got so annoyed with Emma. She made some poor decisions that were really kind of annoying and had an impact on her daughter. Bea Windstead was the "perfect" foil for Emma and Penny, but even then she didn't turn out to be that bad. The ending was just a *little* different than what I expected, but it still ended in a way that was good and happy. Just the way a "Beach Read" should end.

Bottom Line - I was reading another book recently where the main character couldn't wait to get home and read the latest Jamie Brenner book. And I get it. Jamie Brenner writes a different kind of "Beach Read" with topics and characters that are unique and fresh. Drawing Home is a great one to throw in your beach bag this summer.

Details:
Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner
On Facebook
Pages: 368
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Publication Date: 5/7/2019
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of the author's previous work and was thrilled to receive this for review. My opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley.

This was a departure from her previous work and a charming story of family, friendship and the Mother daughter relationship. Set in beautiful Sag Harbor its the story of Emma and her daughter Penny. Emma manages a old hotel and her daughter is bored with her summer and befriended a elderly man who is wealthy and connected in the art world as a famous artist. When he passes away Emma and Penny find out he has left his waterfront home full of expensive art to Penny. Soon the will is contested and Emma finds herself fighting for her daughter's rights as well as consoling her confused grieving daughter . As they experience the legal battle their relationship grows and they depend on each other .

This was a interesting fun beach read with great charcters and pleasing to conclusion. I like the authors style of fast paced writing and the multi faceted charcters that she creates . Very well done to the author !

Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner is a perfect summer read. It is about a single mother and her daughter who live in Sag Harbour. I enjoyed reading this novel and found the premise about the inheritance of a beautiful home and how it effects certain characters to be interesting . Drawing Home was an easy and unusual summer novel. Without giving away any details I did find some parts of the novel to be too predictable . If you want to read a novel that will make you ponder your values and how others react to inheritance and the social interactions thus inheritance produces then thus is the book for you..

Drawing Home is the perfect summer escape. Taking the reader to Nantucket, Jamie Brenner has created a story with drama, tension, art, romance and reality.

When a young girl, Penny, is bequeathed an estate filled with valuable art, no one can reason why, especially the older NY socialite who believes it should be hers. Their battle takes on a life of its own and tears lives apart and puts them back together in surprisingly new ways. The dialogue in the book is very realistic, especially from the Penny, the young daughter, who has a hard time fitting in.

Art is a major theme running through the book and acts as a character on its own. Art is soulful, calming, ever-changing and personal to the artist and the viewer. Romance, drug use, divorce, single parenting, secrets, OCD and small town charm are woven into the story. Brenner's descriptions of how the mind plays tricks with someone suffering OCD were very relatable. I was totally able to get into Penny's head.

When readers ask for a summer read, this is the perfect pick. It's an easy read that offers a lot of bang for its buck.

Author Jamie Brenner follows up The Husband Hour with a perfect summer beach read set in Sag Harbor, New York. Emma Mapson is a native. Like her father before her, she has works for years at The American Hotel where, as the front desk clerk, she welcomes guests and ensures that their needs are met during their stay. Famed artist Henry Wyatt has been a resident for a number of years and a regular in the hotel bar. However, he dies suddenly, leaving behind a mystery that touches not only Emma's life, but that of her young daughter, Penny.

It seems that instead of leaving his estate to his best friend and former gallery partner, Bea Winstead, Henry has bequeathed his architectural masterpiece, a lush waterfront home, as well as the remainder of his assets to Penny! Emma was aware, of course, that Penny and Henry had a special friendship and the elderly gentleman was serving as a mentor to Penny, a talented and budding artist.

But Bea is outraged and convinced that Emma and Penny somehow managed to coerce Henry into changing his will. She swoops into Sag Harbor with her assistant, Kyle. Worse, she takes up residence in Henry's house!

Determined to uncover Henry's secrets -- and successfully contest the will -- Bea embarks on a search for the truth, and finds that Henry created sketches -- valuable in their own right -- and left them all over town. Some are framed and hanging in the hotel bar, some are in the local museum . . . Eventually, Bea realizes that the sketches tell a story -- one that Henry was certain Bea would piece together, because he knew her so well.

Drawing Home is a charming, emotionally rich, if predictable, tale about enemies finding commonality and coming together with a united purpose. Each of the five key characters -- Emma, Penny, Bea, Kyle, and Henry -- is fully developed with a rich backstory that informs their current motivations and desires. The town of Sag Harbor is virtually a character in itself, owing to Brenner's descriptions of its history, landmarks, and what it means to residents and visitors alike.

As Bea moves closer to solving the mystery and it becomes clear that Penny is the common denominator, the two women, Emma and Bea, must come to grips with their own pasts in order to forge a meaningful future. As noted, the ending is fully predictable from the outset, but that does not detract from the enjoyment of experiencing the characters' journeys. Readers should abandon their preconceived notions about what it means to be a family, and throw Drawing Home into their beach bags this summer. They won't regret going along on Bea's scavenger hunt with her and Brenner's other characters.

It's not summer until I read a Jamie Brenner book! This was such a wonderful story and I was instantly transported to Sag Harbor, Long Island. Her writing evokes such a strong sense of place. Well drawn characters rounded out the story. I enjoyed the character of feisty Bea Winstead and learning about the early days of the NYC art scene. Penny and her OCD was a real charmer and I loved Penny's mom Emma who gets to partake of a little romance. I was sorry to have the story end, but it was a satisfying end. Thank you to the author for the ARC.

Well written perfect for summer read! I am a fan of Brenner and I wasn't sure what to expect from this one based on the description. I am not a huge art person so I was hoping that it wouldn't be a deterrent to the book and it wasn't. Overall a good read, strong characters and perfect for anyone looking for a good summer read.

Drawing Home is the third book that I've read so far by Jamie Brenner, (the first two being The Forever Summer and The Husband Hour), and I was so excited to read this book! I seem to be starting a yearly tradition of reading Jamie's books every spring or summer, as this is the third year, I've read a book of hers around this time, and I love this new tradition I have started! Also, the book did not disappoint!

One of the things that I love about Jamie's books (that I have read so far), is that they are set at the beach, (and, if I'm thinking correctly, during the summer as well.) I am all about beachy, summer books at the moment, and I want to read as many of them as I can right now as I wait to go on my beach vacation. This book definitely hit the spot with it summer storyline set at the beach, and it makes me want to be there even more! The storyline for this book was really great as well, and I was hooked as flew through the pages to see what would happen next.

This book also has a lot of interesting characters as well. I related so much to Emma as a mom, and also to her daughter, Penny, for her anxiety and OCD. They had such a great relationship, even though Emma was crazy busy most of the time, and Penny, being a teen, rebelled and acted out some times. I've been there, in both of their shoes, so that was definitely relatable. Bea is the character that I really had to warm up to, but she won me over by the end, and I'm so glad that she did. Kyle and Angus were great secondary characters as well!

Overall; I really, really enjoyed Drawing Home, and I am SO glad I had the opportunity to continue my yearly summer reading tradition by reading this book! It's great storyline and interesting characters had me hooked from the beginning, and I flew through the pages a lot quicker than I expected to. Jamie Brenner is definitely becoming an auto-buy author for me, and I absolutely can't wait to read more of her books in the future!

Happy Reading!

Summer has started in idyllic Sag Harbor, and for Emma Mapson that means greeting guests at the front desk of The American Hotel. But when one of the town’s most famous residents, artist Henry Wyatt, dies suddenly, Emma learns he has mysteriously left his waterfront home – a self-designed masterpiece filled with his work – to her teenage daughter, Penny. But Bea Winstead, one of Henry’s lifelong friends, isn’t about to let that happen and she is making it her mission to make sure she gets what should rightfully be hers! Drawn together in their battle for the house, Emma and Bea are forced to confront the past while facing a future that challenges everything they believe about love, fate, and family. Review: I discovered Jamie Brenner last summer when I read The Husband Hour. I enjoyed her writing and this book was no different! She has a great writing style that easily transported me to The American Hotel and the glorious beaches! I loved the very real, yet tense family bonds and the mystery that occurred in Sag Harbor. I think my favorite part was the way she addressed the family relationships and the difficult issues within it with such grace and wrapped it up with a great ending. rating: 3.5 out of 5 ⭐️