Claire Brown is feeling lost. Her mother has just died, her daughter is almost a teenager, she’s separated from her husband and having problems at work. It can’t get worse. Or can it? She opens her door to find Audrey, Audrey who says she is her sister. Claire did have a sister named Audrey who died in a car accident with their father. Or did she? Claire is torn between anger at her mother for keeping this secret and her ever present grief at her mother’s death. Then a discovery complicates her developing friendship with Audrey and threatens a future relationship.

The Summerville Sisters is simply heart-breaking. Claire’s mother has passed on to her a lack of trust for strangers and a desire for isolation. She loves her daughter but has no friends and has pushed her husband away. Audrey is the opposite - open, friendly and trusting. Both have always wanted a sister but they seem to be so intrinsically different that they may never be able connect. This is a story about families, love, grief snd what brings and keeps them together. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Heather Dixon for this ARC.

While grieving the recent loss of her mother, Claire’s world is pulled out from under her when a woman arrives at her door claiming to be her sister Audrey, who died as a girl. Part mystery, part family drama, The Summerville Sisters weaves a gentle and reflective narrative about motherhood, loss, identity and family. Set against the backdrop of a lazy summer by the lake, you feel Claire’s sense of grief and fear as the familiar and safe becomes unknown.

Initially I found the lengthy internal dialogue of Greg and Claire a bit difficult to get used to. However it provided a rich insight to Claire’s experience, and once Audrey and Lilah were introduced I found myself well and truly immersed in the story. I enjoyed the relationship between Claire and her daughter, and the role Lilah played in helping Claire to find her way. While this is the second book in the series it was very enjoyable as a standalone, and I intend to go back to read The Last Summer at the Lakehouse.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

a good novel about loss of family and finding family..and what makes family. Claire loses her mother and might have found a sister

Imagine opening the door to a stranger that looks like your mother(who has recently passed away). This is the premise of this book. Looking forward to reading it but became bored with it quickly. However, there are some interesting plot turners which I didn't see coming. I did finish it but I was not thrilled with the book.

I'm afraid I found this book very implausible in many ways. The almost instant acceptance of a supposed sister into her life, the marriage breakup without an apparent reason, the smothering worry about her daughter. I understand that she was suffering huge grief from the loss of her mother and was overwhelmed by the thought of clearing her mother's house and doing all the admin that follows a death but she could have asked for more help from people she knew rather than coming to rely on a complete stranger. It's difficult to comment on the end without giving spoilers but again I found it completely incomprehensible how a mother could behave in such a way.

Wow what a story. Claire had just lost her mum and a stranger turns up and turns her world upside down. It is a great story with lots of twists . You have a stroppy 12 year old, set in a beautiful place . An estranged husband. You have to read it. I am not spoiling it by saying any more. Loved it .

This book is both emotional and beautiful. Claire (who is relatable, but equally unlikeable!) is reeling from the recent loss of her mother. When a random woman claims to be her sister, they embark on a journey to discover the past of her mother. Beautiful read.

I could not stop reading this book and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next . Claire has recently lost her mother, is on the verge of losing her growing up daughter and has a failed marriage. She meets a woman who claims she may be her long lost sister. The two of them go on a journey to understand their past and what their future holds.
I was intrigued by this story having recently found my birth parents. The author did a great job capturing the grief of losing a loved one and the emotional impact of not knowing where you come from. I found it a bit frustrating towards the end and was hoping for more clarity.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.

Oh my goodness. What a great deal the main character Claire has to cope with, complete turmoil at times. This book is very well written and flows nicely with all characters extremely believable. A truly beautiful story all about how much family means. A truly delightful read. This was my first book by this author but certainly not my last.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Heather Dixon has a way of touching the inside of your soul with her writing. This is the second book in the Summerville series and can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed the first one and I was excited to see there was another.

After the death of Claire's mother, Audrey turns up on Claire's doorstep claiming to be her missing sister. DNA testing reveals a deep secret. After being left with more questions than answers Claire grapples with trying to find the answers while navigating the heartache it causes her. The emotions felt by Claire, Audrey and Claire's daughter Lilah are palpable. This story was an emotional roller coaster with Claire being so angry at times and then learning love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Looking forward to more in this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Claire lives a quiet and ordered life as a midwife and mother to 12 year old Lilah. Claire has just lost her mother to cancer and shortly after, a woman with her mother's face, turns up at her door claiming to be her sister. As far as Claire knew, her younger sister Audrey and her father had died in a car accident many years ago. With the new revelation that her sister is still alive, Claire's world implodes. Further revelations reveal secrets her mother has kept and Claire begins to wonder what in her life is, or ever has been, real.

I very much enjoyed reading this story. It asks the question...what is family? An interesting take on a very emotional subject that kept me reading and wondering to the end.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC on a story that I would highly recommend to other readers.

A sad, engaging, heart-rending family drama with several intriguing twists and turns. Several plot lines could have been further developed for deeper insights albeit in a story deliberately told without all the answers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Claire’s life turns upside down after her mother’s death. Oftentimes she does not handle the stress very well. It’s an interesting set of family dynamics. Secrets are unburied. I enjoyed this book very much. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through Net Galley.

I enjoyed this emotionally-driven, family-oriented novel, the second I've read from the author. Claire, the main character, does a lot to make herself unlikable, but even so, most of her responses seem realistic and plausible. I wish the setting had been explored a little further, but other than that, I found little to criticize. I enjoyed this.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely.

When Audrey turns up in Claire's life and says she is her missing sister, Claire has no idea the turmoil that is to be unleashed. After the DNA reveals an incredible secret, Claire has to reevaluate everything she thought about herself and her mother. The depiction of 12 year old Lilah was really well done. Heather Dixon draws out these complicated feelings well and it is a beautiful story of acceptance, love and forgiveness. I really enjoyed reading this book, and hope to read her earlier work. Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to preview this book.

It’s easy to get caught up in the lives and memories of these two beautiful sisters. While Claire is still grieving the loss of her mother, she discovers the sister who she thought she lost long ago is still alive.

This story is an emotional rollercoaster. It’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.