Fifteen summers after Ava and her younger sister Madi escaped a traumatic situation in the mountains of Idaho, they're farther apart than ever. As a way to cope with her past, Ava wrote her memoir of her experiences, never expecting that it would become the bestselling sensation all over the country. It has blown up her relationship with her husband and her sister and she can't escape the fallout as fans hound her for questions and autographs.
Madi has a constant reminder of her traumatic past with the disabilities she deals with every day. She doesn't need everyone in town pitying her and asking questions about her sister's book. Especially her boss and friend who was there that day to help save her. She and her sister are the reason his father died that day, but Luke has never been anything less than a kind friend. Can she help wanting the impossible by wishing he could be hers?
This was an emotional story of healing, hope, forgiveness, second chances, and romance. I liked Madi's parts of the story with her animal rescue and the sweet romance between her and Luke, the town vet. But Ava's story was just so heartbreaking and real with her broken marriage and other events I won't mention for spoilers. I felt really connected with the characters in this book and everything they were going through.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing through Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.

15 SUMMERS LATER –RaeAnne Thayne
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1335009333
June 18, 2024
Contemporary Fiction

Emerald Creek, Idaho – Present Day

Fifteen years ago, two teenage sisters, Ava and Madison Howell, were rescued from an anti-government cult, though their rescue resulted in the death of their father and one of their rescuers. Madi wishes to leave the past in her rearview mirror, while Ava has done the unthinkable in her sister’s eyes. Ava has written a book about their experience, and it has become a national bestseller. The sisters were already estranged, and the book’s success has only widened the gap between them. Madi is a veterinarian’s assistant for her good friend, Dr. Luke Gentry, a widower with a teenage daughter. Meanwhile, Madi is about to quit her job and work full-time at the animal rescue refuge she has opened. Getting it this far has been helped by a recent anonymous donation. Then Ava arrives from Portland. Let’s just say Madi is not welcoming her sister with open arms.

Ava’s marriage is in shambles after her husband read the book, he felt like she held back some of the dark secrets about what happened to her and Madi. The girls’ father had joined the cult after the death of their mother and brought his daughters with him. The girls were treated like chattels, even to the point of being forced to marry men thirty years older than them. They finally escaped and spent days and nights on the run in the mountains, until they stumbled into a camp occupied by Luke, his father, and others. Luke’s father was killed during the rescue, as was the girls’ father. Even after all these years, especially for Madi, it’s hard to talk publicly about what happened. The book reopens all the old wounds. Can the sisters heal and move on with their lives…finally?

15 SUMMERS LATER is an intense and intriguing tale about the aftermath of being a part of a cult. You will find yourself pulled into the drama and emotion as Madi makes it clear to Ava and others that she doesn’t want to talk about the past, while everywhere she goes, someone mentions the book to her. The arrival of Ava only intensifies the interest in the long-ago story. Ava wrote it for a bit of therapy and didn’t intend to submit it to a publisher. A trusted friend did it for her and it was a hit with publishers. It may even become a movie. Ava understands Madi’s pain but feels her sister can’t ignore the past because tackling it would help her heal, much like she did while writing the book. Meanwhile, Ava wonders if she has lost her husband. He is at a nearby dinosaur dig, ironically near the same lake where Ava and Madi were held. Is her return to Emerald Creek also a way for her to be close to her husband? Can her marriage be saved?

Madi has worked closely with Luke, and she considers him to be someone she can rely on. He is protective of her and helps her out at the animal rescue. Deep down, Luke is attracted to Madi, though she hasn’t indicated to him that she returns the feelings. He doesn’t make a move because as a single father, he doesn’t feel like he is available. But with Madi needing him more now that Ava is back in town, will they grow closer? Close enough to realize their growing feelings for each other? Meanwhile, Madi and Ava soon begin to thaw their relationship. Will they again build that special friendship that is there between sisters? Will they have love or a broken heart by the end?

A perfect read for your next summer vacation, don’t miss how the sisters’ lives begin to change in 15 SUMMERS LATER.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

An overall interesting story of the main characters over coming trauma.
It's is different than what I expected based on the cover.
Bonus- dogs are involved through the shelters😊

As someone who adores stories about the unique bond between sisters, “15 Summers Later” by RaeAnne Thayne truly captivated me. This poignant tale of Ava and Madison Howell, two sisters who survived a harrowing past, drew me in from the very first page and held me until the very end.

The novel opens with Ava Howell, who seemed to have it all—she moved away from Emerald Creek, married the love of her life, and published a bestselling memoir. Yet, the secret of what happened to her and Madison fifteen summers ago shatters her seemingly perfect life, further compounded by her husband’s departure for work. Ava returns to Emerald Creek, seeking solace and understanding, only to confront the unresolved tensions with her sister.

Madison Howell, on the other hand, has channeled her past into a positive future, fulfilling her dream of running a no-kill animal shelter. Working alongside Dr. Luke Gentry, the town’s veterinarian, and a long-time friend, Madison’s life appears settled. However, the shadow of the past looms large, especially since Luke’s father died protecting the Howell sisters. Madison’s silent love for Luke and her fear of revealing the truth add layers of emotional complexity to her character.

The heart of the story lies in the reunion of the Howell sisters and their struggle to confront their past while trying to build their futures. Ava’s decision to reveal their traumatic history in her memoir—a decision that Madison cannot forgive—sets the stage for a bittersweet exploration of their relationship. Thayne skillfully unravels the trauma they endured, allowing readers to gradually understand the depth of their experiences and the strength of their bond.

One of the aspects I loved most about this book was the small-town vibe and the beautifully described rural setting of Emerald Creek. The charm of the town and its close-knit community provided a comforting backdrop to the unfolding drama. The developing romance between Madison and Luke was heartwarming, adding a layer of hope and new beginnings to the narrative.

Thayne’s characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and triumphs. Ava’s conflict over her marriage and Madison’s dedication to her shelter work create a rich tapestry of personal and professional challenges that many readers can relate to. The emotional depth of the story, combined with the realistic portrayal of the sisters’ relationship, makes this novel a compelling read.

Final Thoughts:

“15 Summers Later” is not just a story of survival and healing but also of forgiveness and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood. It’s a wonderful reminder that while the past shapes us, it’s the courage to face it together that defines our future. If you’re looking for an emotional, heartwarming read with a touch of romance and a strong sense of place, this book is a perfect choice.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Thank you, Netgalley , Harlequin trade publishing, and RaeAnne Thayne for an advance copy of "15 Summers Later." I was definitely expecting a Feel Good Beach read based on the misleading description and cover pictured for the novel. I think going into the book, I was caught off guard about the plot of two sister coping with the trauma of the childhood experiences and the bitterness they held towards each other. Though I did enjoy the little exerts from the sister book starting each chapter, I was longing for more depth on the topic discussed in the memoir. I did feel like some aspects were drawn out a little bit too much for me, and I didn't feel that pregnancy trauma was something for a feel-good beach read. I think I was just misled by the description and confusing cover , that if I went into the book thinking it was different, I would have had a different perspective of the book. I liked Madi and Luke characters and their story was humble. Ava and Cullen grew on me. Otherwise, I enjoy the writers style of writing and would be intrigued to read her other books as I've heard they have been more romantic.

Thank you again for the opportunity.

Family drama.

I really liked Madi and Luke. Madi is working through her trauma in a constructive way.
Her sister, Ava, on the other hand takes a wrecking ball to everything in a very selfish way. I really did not care for her and her lack of empathy or foresight by writing a memoir (no body cares about memoirs). I also didn't care for Cullen, her husband. They kind of deserve each other.

I stopped this at the 40% mark... it felt cheesy and overly dramatic and I just couldn't relate to anyone. I was curious to hear the girls' whole story but not enough to keep going. Not my cup of tea unfortunately!

I always expect a really good story from this author.
A story of two sisters and all they endured and escaped from. I liked that one was a writer and the other an animal rescuer. It will keep you glued to the story while wiping tears of sadness and happiness away.

4 ⭐️

After enduring a traumatic rescue as kids, two sisters are trying to rebuild their lives despite what they went through together. Ava, working through her own trauma, publishes a book detailing her and her sister’s harrowing experience that left her sister permanently scarred. Madi, a vet tech turned owner of a no kill shelter, hates reliving her past and her sister’s award winning book. She just wants to move forward doing what she does best, helping animals. A rift between the two, Ava returns home as her marriage to Cullen is on the rocks after he discovers how much she kept from him. Madi works through her anger and frustration with that book by taking care of animals with local vet Luke, who just happens to be the son of the man who was killed saving their lives. If Madi and Ava want to reconcile, they will need to face the demons of the past before continuing to build their own futures.

This premise intrigued me in so many ways, a bit of sister drama, harrowing past and romance too… sign me up! This book includes 3 POV which surprised me, I don’t know if we really needed Luke’s POV, but I liked it nonetheless. I think Cullen’s POV would have also been interesting here, maybe then I could understand his thought process. Anyway, here are some thoughts about the individual characters themselves.

Madi - Oof. Her past trauma and seeing how she works so hard to help animals, this woman amazes me. I was really emotional learning about her experience and felt for her. I understood her anger with her sister as it was also her trauma that Ava had dredged up, which wasn’t fair to Madi. Victims should be able to address their trauma on their own terms. I thought she was a strong FMC.

Ava - While I understood why she needed to write the book, I don’t understand how she could go ahead publishing it without her sister’s approval. They went through so much trauma together and it’s sad to see them at odds because of how each chooses to deal with it. I think Cullen was extremely unfair to her, but I don’t get where she thought it was best to hide everything from him? She was a victim and she did nothing wrong. He deserved to know, but she deserved better from him. Throughout the book, I ached for what she was going through.

Luke - A good veterinarian, a good dad, a good man. I liked him from the get go and couldn’t wait to see his relationship with Madi develop.

Cullen- Seriously? Your wife went through a MAJOR trauma and you’re upset with when/how she told you? No concern for her or how writing about it may have brought things up or had been necessary for her healing? Instead he takes time for himself when she needs him most! So disappointing. He has a right to be upset, but I think he takes it a little bit too far.

One thing I loved about the style of this book was instead of making us wait or wonder about what happened, each chapter starts with an excerpt from Ava’s book that explains a little more without the characters having to explicitly bring up. I think this was an interesting and creative way to introduce Ava’s book as well as their history.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. It was more sisterly love than romance, but it still gave me all of the feels. I definitely cried near the end. I didn’t think there was enough between Ava/Cullen in the end, they didn’t feel flushed out enough for me. Honestly though, Madi and Ava both endured so much that they deserve their happily ever afters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an early ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A good book tackling a childhood hardship/tragedy and capturing the struggles of forgiveness while weaving in romance that will take your breath away.

Well-written multi-POV to articulate many pivotal characters throughout the book. Very easy to connect with the personalities and developing plot.

I would recommend simply because the romance melted my heart!!!

Thank you to RaeAnne Thayne, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity to provide my honest feedback.

This was cute easy, summer read. I did find it easy to dive into, but i felt the characters werent super likeable in moments. I would enjoy to read other books by this author to see what their writing style is, and see if i mesh with it more.

Madison and Ava are sisters who went through a horrible ordeal fifteen summers ago. Madison wants to leave it in the past and work on making her no-kill shelter a success with the help of the local vet and family friend, Luke.  Ava deals with the trauma by writing a best-selling book that unearthed everything that happened to them.  Now, everyone knows their dark past, Ava's marriage is on the rocks, and Madsion and Ava stumble to rebuild their relationship.

Thoughts 💭
Wow!  Well, I went into this book blind, thinking it was a sweet summer romance. It ended up being so much more than I expected! We get to read the thoughts of Ava, Madison, and Luke.  The author cleverly weaved the story together through them.  Through their thoughts, we get glimpses of what happened 15 summers ago.  It's shocking and worse than I could ever imagine.  The premise is original and horrifying. The relationships between these characters are deep and complex. It interesting to watch them change and unfold throughout the book.  I enjoyed this one, but just be aware there are a lot of triggering topics.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I found out pretty early on that this book wasn't what I was expecting. From the cover and description I was expecting a fun beach read with some heavier topics discussed, but this book is not a fun beach read. The romance was also lacking in my opinion, but the two main couples weren't the main point of this book.

I am sure that this book will be loved by many people, and honestly I may have like it a lot more if I had gone into it expecting something else.

At this time and Picking up this book when I did and in the mindset I was in, it wasn't my favorite. It wasn't a bad book by any means, but it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

What an incredible story RaeAnne Thayne has penned. This book will hold your interest from beginning to end. The story makes you laugh and makes you cry and the emotional roller coaster you go through while reading it is gripping. The character development in this book is amazing. You fall in love with each and every character. Make sure you set aside time for this book because once you pick it up you won't want to put it down until the last page has been read!

While the story was well written I didn’t mesh with the main characters. I guess it was the fact that I couldn’t relate to how the two sisters treated each other. But then I’m extremely close to my own sister.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: General Fiction, Women's Fiction
Subgenre: Romance
Spice Level: No sex on the page

15 Summers Later is called a romance—I disagree. I'd call it women's fiction because it's all about the journey of two sisters. Both sisters have a POV (point-of-view). The main storyline is about their relationship.

I liked this book, but it wasn't what I expected. I was expecting a romance—and there is a romantic plot, but it's not the primary thread.

The chapters open with snippets of a book written by Ava about their harrowing experience from fifteen years ago. Madi is incensed over the book and all the turmoil it's causing in her life. This is a story of strength, forgiveness, and hope.

If you love women's fiction or other contemporary fiction, this is the book for you!

Happy reading!

Content: Content alert: Rape and abuse is mentioned, cults, survivor guilt, physical trauma

I really enjoyed this book. The cover was deceiving but still a great read. It is more of a sister relationship rebuilding as well as seeing what is going on in both of their personal lives. I enjoyed the multiple POVs.

Madi, Ava, and Luke tell this story of reconciliation and resilience. Something terrible happened to sisters Madi and Ava (no spoilers), something they've hidden from others and something that sent them apart from one another. Now, Ava's marriage is on the rocks because she's written a book about it and Madi's in love with Luke, the vet at the animal rescue facility where she's an LVT. And Ava's come home. Ava and Madi must face up to their past and Luke and Madi must recognize their feelings. Well rounded characters, a believable scenario, and an emotional ride. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's a deeper story than I expected given the cover but it's a good one.

Definitely not the light beach read I was expecting. Although the trauma these two sisters endured was emotional and heavy, I enjoyed the relationships and friendships in this book. A good slow burn!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few books by RaeAnne Thayne and this one was a favorite. I was not expecting the book to be a heavy read. I liked the romance aspects, the ups and downs of the sibling relationship, and the growth that both Ava and Madison go through to heal.