15 Summers Later is a complex and heartwarming story. Ava and Madison are sisters who survived a traumatic event. 15 years later one sister wrote a book about what happened. There’s tragedy and a romance that happens as well.

“When you don’t know what to do, just do the next right thing.”

This was such an easy story to sink into. The mystery behind what happened 15 years earlier definitely kept me turning the pages, even though this book is not a mystery or thriller. It was the undercurrent of the tension between the sisters, however, and I was so curious to know what happened. I was very surprised when the situation was revealed.

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Read if you like:
Complicated sister relationships
Stories with a cult element
Light romance
Dual POVs
Disability representation


Thank you Uplit Reads and Canary Street Press for the #gifted copy.

Thank you to my partners, UpLit Reads, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley, and the author. I appreciate the gifted ebook and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 - Such a unique story…Ava has written a book about the traumatic events surrounding the childhoods of her and her sister, Madison. Both of them have to grapple with the fall-out due to the book’s release.

2. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 - Truly terrifying times in their young lives. The things the two sisters experienced are some that no human should have to suffer from. Not only was their time with the cult awful, but their escape and what happened at the end of it - things that many of the characters still deal with several years later.

3. 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 - The sisters never quite seemed to have had a close relationship; however, Ava’s book truly sends it spiraling. Not only that, Ava has to find a way to heal the wounds of her marriage after the truths come out in the book.

4. 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 - This was such a heartwarming part of this story. Luke and Madi have been close friends since the day they met, despite those circumstances. The reader can feel the sparks that have always been there and then gets to see the love blossom.

5. 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - With the events that unfold as the story progresses, the healing that is needed for these characters comes to the surface. This is just a true testament to what real life is like. The ebbs and flows as we move along our paths.

I wanted to like this one. I mean, just look at how gorgeous the cover is! It's giving Carley Fortune. It's giving cute beach read. Unfortunately it was none of those things... and I still tried to get into the story because it was somewhat interesting, but the CHARACTERS. They were horrible. Every single one of them. Not a single redeeming quality.

Ava and Madi have gone through a lot in their lifetime. As teenagers, their dad forced them into a cult where they had to marry men 30 years older than them. Their bravery led to a successful escape, but it left lifetime injuries and trauma on their way out. Each sister has handled the pain differently - Madi, choosing to ignore it the best she can and fighting to show she's not broken, while Ava is more open about her experiences, writing a best-selling book about their time in Ghost Lake.

Madi is less than thrilled by Ava's decision to share their story, feeling like now everyone is DEFINITELY looking at her differently. When Ava returns to their small town, she makes sure her anger is known. But maybe the two sisters can finally find healing, together.

Both Madi and Ava are whiney, rude, and uncommunicative. Literally every single aspect of drama in this book could be solved if they just said what they were thinking. Instead they act like toddlers, holding grudges and emphasizing their "woe is me" attitude. Sure, they've lived through a LOT, but that doesn't give them an excuse to not speak up like adults!

The other issue I had here was the way the dialogue was written. There's no way people would speak like this in real life. It almost feels like if you asked AI to write dialogue because it's stilted and just does not flow like a normal conversation. I *hate* when books are like this, so beyond the characters being unlikable, this really sealed the deal that this book was not for me.

Like I said, I wanted to like the plot because it was interesting, but there were too many elements here that made this read less than enjoyable for me unfortunately. I think there is potentially an audience who would enjoy this, but I'm not part of that demographic.

Thank you so much @uplitreads @raeannethayne @canarystreetpress for a #gifted copy of this book!

🐱 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🐶
I couldn’t put this book down! This is a story of two sisters who went through a very traumatic time in their adolescence, which they are still dealing with as adults. Ava published a best selling memoir that told of the sister’s time, that her sister Madison isn’t happy about. Also, Ava’s husband feels betrayed by what he learns in the memoir that his wife didn’t tell him before.

Madison is opening an animal sanctuary in their hometown, and is just trying to move forward in her life without reminders of the past. She has a close relationship with the vet Luke, a family friend who literally saved her life years ago, who she is developing feelings for.

Luke is a sweet, caring widowed single father of a teenager. He cares deeply for Madison and I loved seeing the two of them work out their feelings for each other.

I enjoyed seeing the animals featured in the book, and their part in giving the sisters comfort when needed. The sisters still have a lot of grief to work through with each other in their adult lives from their past, and I enjoyed seeing them learn to lean on the people in their lives that care for them.

🐈‍⬛ 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🐕 Complicated Family Dynamics
🐈 Sister Friendships
🦮 Animal Rescue/Sanctuary
🐈‍⬛ Traumatic Past/Healing
🐕 Found Family
🐈 Friends to Lovers

Thanks for the ARC of this book. This was my first one by this author. Everyone carries scars from traumatic events in their life. It’s how you press ahead that determines your life. This novel takes place 15 years after a traumatic incident. It’s a story of resilience and hope highly recommend.

This was the perfect book club read! I highly recommend to all. The cover is also beautiful which is always a bonus!

Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC of this book. Wow! It was incredible and the story was so interesting. That being said, it was not what I was expecting at all! If you're thinking this is a fluffy beach read, it definitely is not. The story follows two sisters, Ava and Madi, who narrowly escaped a traumatizing situation as well as Luke, the town vet, who was there 15 years ago and helped aid on their rescue. All three characters have moved on with their lives but carry scars from the experience. Ava has moved away and recently published a memoir about the harrowing ordeal so many years ago. The memoir has caused a rift in her marriage as well as in the relationship with her sister, Madi, who has tried desperately to move on. Madi has learned to deal with the physical scars from from the rescue, and has started a no kill shelter with an angel investor. Her dreams are finally a reality and suddenly people are sniffing around trying I get the stoey behind the memoir first hand. Meanwhile, Madi, realizes that she loves Luke who has been a constant in her life for the past 15 years. Luke carries trauma of his own that he has worked through as well.
I truly enjoyed reading about the sisters relationship and watching them make amends and realize that they love each other so much. Madi and Luke's relationship was possibly my favorite part of the story. This book was truly unexpected and so beautiful. RaeAnne Thayne absolutely knocked it out of the park.

This was my first encounter with this author, and I am an immediate fan! This book takes place 15 years after a tragic event. It is a story of brokenness and survival, forgiveness, and healing. We have the older sister Ava, by all outward appearances thriving in her career and happily married. Until she publishes a book about the dark past that she and her sister, Madi, lived through. The full story never told to her husband, and he only learns of her history from the book. Madi has not only emotional scars, but physical reminders of that terrible time. The book brings back all the history of a time better left forgotten especially for Madi who lives near the place where everything happened.

Oh, my heart hurt for both of these women. I enjoyed the rebuilding of their relationship and the slow unraveling of truths. I wish the two would simply have communicated freely from the beginning to lessen the heartache and assumptions both believed of the other.

There are many interesting storylines: the sisters' relationship (and grandma!), Ava and her estranged husband, Madi and Luke (and his daughter) ...The chapters feature different points of view, plus snippets from Ava's memoir and each part keeps you invested. I wonder if the author will pen the rest of the memoir in its entirety! I would love to read more than just the pieces we got.

5 stars

I enjoy stories about sisters. This is a story of two young ladies who overcome childhood trauma but later are not seeing eye to eye when one sister writes a best selling memoir about their harrowing experience.

There is a lot going on in this with the family. Also there is a no kill animal shelter which helps break up the more dramatic parts. Throw in a separated meatier couple and a budding romance. Somehow the author makes it all work. Definitely not a dull moment.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this enjoyable read. This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author, but I definitely would like to read another one by her. The opinions expressed are my own.

I wanted to love this one so bad. It was my first Thayne I’ve read and having seen such good reviews for all her other books I thought I’d be hooked.

I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but usually the storyline and the cover somewhat relate, and maybe that’s why I had a hard time engaging in the story.

Ava & Madi’s tragic past was the most interesting part of the 100 pages I read. However, the only information I got of what happened were the snippets of Ava’s book, Ghost Lake, at the beginning of each chapter.

Yes, I know I only gave it 1/3 of a chance by only reading 100 pages but quite frankly I was bored. Nothing really happened besides two sisters being anxious to see one another after 15 summers since their traumatic escape from a survivalist coalition cult. Maybe it’s because I came at this one off a fast paced thriller but this was a DNF for me at 38%.

Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

You know, 15 Summers Later by RaeAnne Thayne has a bit of a deceiving cover. It looks mellow, relaxed, and easy.

And it is!! But there is a major back story to this story that is full of trauma. Main character (one of the sisters) is disabled as result of the events that took place 15 years ago.

This is a story of healing, forgiveness, community, family and sisterly love. There is a romance bit in it but it is not the main thing. I’d also consider it a little bit of a mystery since we gradually descend into the darkness of what happened 15 years ago. Don’t worry, the author is very delicate with every bit of it.

The writing is calm and respectful. I felt like I was wrapped in a cozy blanket and was handed my favorite beverage.

So hey, if you are looking for a hug in a book with a little bit of mystery and romance, check this one out. Would recommend!!!

I was given a free ARC of this via #netgalley for an honest review. This book has been out for a while, I’m just behind in reading & writing my net galley reviews.

Two sisters that endured extreme trauma growing up navigate their lives 15 years later after one sister publishes a book about that trauma… and from someone that had a rough childhood I really appreciated how this topic was covered.

Based on the cover, you would think this is a beachy romantic read, but it is much more than a beach read… and the romance is very much a slow burn.

I also enjoyed the passages before each chapter that were from the book about their childhood trauma as this part of the book held a lot of emotional impact for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my review.

Incredible. Heartwarming. Well written. Cozy. Emotional. Beautiful. ALL THE THINGS!
A perfect mix of romance, sisterhood, finding oneself. I loved that while reading the sister's current journeys the book flipped back and told their story of survival. Add an animal rescue and hot vet to that and it really could not get much better. This should be a stand out and a high pick in any book clubs! It has something everyone can enjoy. It will make you smile, cry and laugh! This is one I will be thinking about for a long time.

This charming book is the story of two sisters, Madison and Ava, who collide over the publication of Ava's book. Her book was the saga of how she and Madi escaped a horrible cult and, in spite of horrendous odds, survived. Madi couldn't understand why Ava chose to go back 15 years and dig up those horrible memories and place Madi in the line of fire. The book became a bestseller and everywhere Madi turned she was confronted with it. Ava had moved to Portland and it seemed everyone in Madi's small town had read the book. Madi's whole issue was that Ava hadn't bothered to consult her before publishing the book.

Madi worked for Luke, the town veterinarian and had established a no-kill animal sanctuary. After Madi and Ava's escape, they stumbled upon Luke's family campsite. The people who were after them had tracked them down with dogs. The people invaded Luke's campsite and in the melee had killed Luke's father. Although the girls went to live with their grandmother who lived in the same town as Luke, his mother had sort of adopted them and included them as part of their family. Nicole was Luke's sister, and she became Madi's best friend. Someone had died and bequeathed a sizable property to Madi for her animal sanctuary and on that property was a house. She and Nicole moved in together.

Ava's husband, Cullen, was a college professor and a paleontologist. Their marriage was troubled because Ava hadn't been honest with him about her past. At any rate, It was the summer time and he went on a dig for dinosaur fossils at the lake where Maddie and Ava's dreadful fate had occurred. Not wanting to be alone in Portland, Ava, who was a school teacher and was out for summer break, decided to go to her grandmother's house. This proved to cause tremendous grief for Madi. She didn't want to be anywhere near her sister.

Overtime and still holding a grudge, Madi softened a little bit toward her sister. She invited her to volunteer at the animal sanctuary, which Ava agreed to do. Because she had been mauled by large dogs in the cult, she was petrified of them.

After learning she was pregnant and wanting Cullen to be the first to know, she asked Madi to take her to the lake so she could tell him. It seemed the baby just might be the key to healing their relationship.

Over time, the rift between Madi and Ava seemed to disappear. And Ava had done something very special for Madi, something that Madi had no clue about.

This story was quaint. It didn't have the angst that I'm usually drawn to but I enjoyed it nevertheless. The rivalry between the sisters drew me in. I wouldn't say that I couldn't put it down, but I was compelled to continue reading. And by the way, Madi hadn't read the book but with some prodding from Luke she finally did. It wasn't at all what she thought it was. I gave this book four stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. By cover I thought this was going to be a light hearted beach read... boy was I wrong. This is the story of 2 sisters that endured extreme trauma growing up navigate their lives 15 years later after one sister publishes a book about that trauma.

This was the first book I have read by this author. It was a solid, quick read. The trauma these sisters shared shaped their lives, tore them apart, brought them together and taught them some hard, but important lessons about moving on.

From the cover, I thought this was going to be a cozy beach read. That is what the cover made me think I was going to get. Sad to say, this story did not draw me in.
The characters were not likeable in any way!
I normally love books written by RaeAnne Thayne…..she’s one of my go to authors. This didn’t read like her previous books.
I’d like to reread this one day….maybe it’s me?
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was such a wonderful ride of emotions, past trauma, sisters and love.

I flew through this book in a day and just didn’t want to leave this small town of Idaho with its wonderful characters and love of animals.

Maddy is content with her life. Except that her sister published a book detailing their childhood trauma and now everyone knows all the gory details they endured.

Ava is back in town. She ran away years ago and hasn’t looked back. But with her novel’s massive success causing a strain on her marriage and her relationship with her sister, she has no where else to turn.

There is so much love in this book. Parental love, romantic love, sibling love, love of community, love of animals, and the love of friends. And yet, I wouldn’t label this a romance. It was a beautiful journey of healing that I devoured.

Such a wonderful read but it does cover some incredibly delicate topics and I would suggest checking content warnings 🫶🏼

Title: 15 Summers Later
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

15 summers ago, everything changed…

Ava Howell seemed to have it all. She moved away from Emerald Creek, Idaho, married the love of her life and published a bestselling memoir. But she never expected that her husband would feel so betrayed by a secret from her past—the truth of what happened to her and her sister all those years ago—that he’d walk away. Now Ava is back home and trying to move on with the only person who can truly understand…

Following years of healing, Madison Howell is finally happy. After college she built a no-kill shelter where she works with animals every day, and she’s in love with the town veterinarian, Dr. Luke Gentry. But she can’t ever bring herself to tell him. Years ago, his dad died protecting Madi and her sister, so how could he ever love her back?

With the truth laid bare, and the past that Ava and Madison have worked so hard to leave behind threatening everything they have built for themselves, the Howell sisters’ reunion is bittersweet. And as Ava and Madi attempt to remedy the rifts in their lives and reconcile their futures, they must face the demons of their past together.

This was a sweet read! I had some problems understanding why Maddie was so bitter towards Ava, and why she refused to even consider Ava’s point-of-view about the book, though. That came across as really selfish to me, so it was a bit off-putting, but I did enjoy both sisters. All the secondary characters were likable and believable, too, and this was a solid read.

RaeAnne Thayne lives in Utah. 15 Summers Later is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin Trade/Canary Street Press in exchange for an honest review.)