Lily is back on Dune Island because, much to her surprise her aunt Dahlia left her estate to her. A recent widow and single mom to an 8 year old, she's struggling financially so selling the property seems like the solution but there's a pause in her plans as she discovers old secrets and the truth of a misunderstanding that colored her life. Then there's Jake, an old friend. It's very much a novel of second chances and family. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read with fine atmospherics (love a cranberry bog!).

A quick, easy and adorable read that I really enjoyed. It was well written and had a compelling storyline, I would definitely recommend it.

I couldn’t wait for this armchair travel back to Dune Island, Massachusetts! As I flipped over the last page, I felt as though I’d been sitting on the Adirondack chairs on the deck with the characters, enjoying a cranberry ice-cream and catching up on their lives. Kristin Harper writes a deeply evocative and emotional read, making me appreciate my time with her authentic characters.

I loved the setting of a cranberry bog! Where I live, we have cranberry fields and are fortunate enough to get fresh cranberries in the fall. The whole process of harvesting them by flooding the fields amazes me.

Kristin Harper knows how to tap into readers’ emotions. She takes ordinary people and places and puts her spin on it and it’s binge-able fiction. Lily Lindgren faces real issues, has authentic reactions to them and works towards believable solutions. Yes, she doesn’t want to return to the family farm and she doesn’t want to run into old friends. You’ll see that soon enough, but keep reading, there’s a reason for it. My favourite character in this book is Ryan. He brings a different perspective that benefits the book.

Harper highlights the need for understanding, second chances and forgiveness in her heartfelt plot stuffed with secrets and focuses on a character who learns that going home again is most certainly an option. Harper reminds us that the outcome is up to us; do we learn from the past and become better or do we dwell in the past and become bitter? You’ll have to read how Lily prepares for and reacts to heading home again.

I was gifted this advance copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

What a fun story! Loved all the characters too! It was a fast beach read that ended just how I wanted it to end. It’s a story of past, present and future. Issues between family and how they can pull you apart. Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader e-book. I will be reading more books by Kristen Harper and recommending this one.

Lily has to return home to her childhood home after her Aunt Dahlia dies. She left home after high school, and hadn't been back. A recent widow, she plans to spend as little time in the very small town dealing with the cranberry farm and estate, and getting back to her son as soon as she can.

As she spends more time in the small town, the things she loved and hated become apparent to her again. As much as she might want to keep the cranberry farm, she has bills and really can't. Although reconnecting with the man who worked on the cranberry farm when she was a teenager is a nice plus!

As old misunderstandings are corrected, and understood, Lily comes to terms with her past, and is able to begin moving forward with her life.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I inherited everything from Aunt Dahlia?

Why would she leave me everything when we haven't talked in years?

Lily's husband had recently died, and she was left struggling financially.

Inheriting the family's home and cranberry farm would seem to be something Lily would embrace, but she wants to sell it and use the money to pay off her debts even though others are not in agreement.

Lily was upset when she arrived because her family home was turned into a store by her high school heart throb.

Could he sway her to not sell?

Could she really move back to Dune Island?

Does she sell the home and business or move there?

We follow Lily as she considers her options and re-acquaints herself with the town and Jake.

A sweet read that goes back and forth from Lily's childhood until now.

Find out what happens in this sweet read.

This is my third book by Ms. Harper, and all have been lovely reads. 5/5

This book was given to me by Bookouture via NetGalley for an honest review.

“Lily’s Secret Inheritance” is by Kristin Harper. I didn’t realize that it is part of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I liked the descriptions of the island (wilderness areas and shoreline) and learning a bit more about cranberry bogs. I thought the idea for the book was a good one. This book explores the fact that sometimes you can return home - but looking at things through different (and more mature or wise eyes) can help bring peace and further understanding. A bit of a predictable ending and a bit too much repeated actions/mentions of Lily avoiding folks. A 3.25 star rating, rounded down to 3.

A gorgeous read that takes you through the motions. Lily really doesnt want to go back to her hometown but needs must, From the awkward encounters, to the pace of life, I felt fully immersed in this world. Great past unravelling's create an ever fuller picture, as do childhood people who creep back into Lily's life.

Sweet, thought provoking. Just as much about the unsaid as the said. Loved the fresh take her son brought to the area too.

Poignant

Rich characterizations, realistic emotions, and a lovely story make for a can't-put-it-down read. Oh my GOSH!!!!!! I read this emotionally charged, compelling book in one sitting. Second book in the series and I’m looking out for more…..

I have read this author previous books and enjoyed them. This book is a feel good story about family , mistakes and what it takes to come back to the place that you had thought that you would never return to. For readers who like a good satisfyingly read and a predictable ending, this would be my choice

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. Family and friends…love and romance…secrets abound…what was the aunt thinking? This protagonist is likable and quirky. She is not sure what to think or what to do. Enjoy this book written by a talented author…find a cozy chair and spend an afternoon reading an intriguing novel.

Such a fantastic novel! I devoured it and just now finished it! Wow!
This new to me author has captured my attention from page one until the end!
What a story! Made me want to cry and scream at the characters especially Lily because she reminds me of so much of myself acting like that as a teenager.
But later as she grew up I started liking her much better.
Yes, there's always unsavory people in the world but that's life. It's only because they're jealous or they feel insecure.
These two women became my friends. I admired them very much.
Love, understanding, misunderstandings and yes if you want to admit peace and forgiveness. To me, that's the hardest thing of all.
Little Ryan stole my heart. It's through his eyes that I truly enjoyed and loved this amazing novel.
I'm a mother and it's why I could relate to Dahliah and Lily but moat of all Lily because of the past hurts and all.
This book is truly a gem in my opinion. I'm glad for the chance to read it because it made me take a good look at myself and my loved ones from the past.
But to really have peace you must first forgive others. After all, we are human.
This is a clean read from my perspective.
I loved this book and I didn't want it to end.
This is book 2 in a series. I read the one about Aunt Sylvie. It was good too. Aunt Ivy's Cottage.
Thanks for an awesome read.
5 stars for a well written book. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lily Lindgren has been mainly raised by her grandparents on their cranberry farm, on Dune Island, along with her Uncle Martin and his wife Dahlia. Dahlia originally came to the island to be the caregiver for her grandmother in her final weeks.

Because of a disagreement with her Aunt Dahlia, and other circumstances that caused her to feel her entire world had fallen apart, immediately after high school graduation Lily left Dune Island, never to return for nearly 18 years when Aunt Dahlia died and left the entire cranberry farm to her.

Now in her mid-thirties, a widow and the single-mother of an 8 year old son, Lily finds her self back on the island and about to meet with Steve, the attorney who is handling the affairs of her aunt. Steve is also an old friend from high school. Her grandparents and Uncle Martin had been gone for many years, leaving Dahlia and Jake, the farm manager and a friend, a few years ahead of Lily in school, to keep the farm going and profitable. To that end, they had made number of improvements that drew in the tourists. There are secrets and situations that are brought to light that Lily believed to be true that kept her away from her hometown and family for many years.

This is a sweet, heartfelt story of family, second chances and a good reminder not to jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts. I felt some of the chapters were a bit long and circumstances, not really relevant to the story were drawn out a little too much. Lily was obsessed with not running into old friends while back in her home town, which got a little old. She as also a way too protective mother when it came to her son, although she did loosen up some on that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book. All comments and opinions