Sisters Ava and Madison lived through the unthinkable and are each struggling in adulthood and their relationships as a result. In order to move forward, they must lean on each other while they face their shared past. A beautiful, touching story of sisterhood and healing.

I tend to avoid the synopsis of most books because I feel they ruin my reading experience by revealing too much of the story.
So I picked this ARC based on the pretty cover for a nice light, beachy type read.
It's definitely more of a family drama, but a good story none the less.

The book's focus is on two sisters, Ava and Maddie, who endured extreme trauma when they were in their teens. 15 years later, Ava publishes a book about the event, upending Maddie's quiet life and her own marriage.
They must find their way back to each other and overcome the past so they can face and build their future.

Raeanne did a wonderful job crafting such relatable and interesting characters. The story flows nicely with the POV from the two sisters and Luke, who is the town veterinarian and Maddie's best friend. We also see a sweet romance brewing between them, which I loved.

It's a wonderful story of love, moving on, and forgiveness.

Overall, the book was a wonderful read. I just wish there had been more on the event the girls went through. It felt glossed over, so a little more detail would have brought the story together more.

If you're a fan of family drama and Raeanne Thayne, this book will not disappoint.

4.5/5 stars

First off, this cover is very deceiving. The book is not like this at all, and it covers lots of heavy topics such as on page miscarriage, confinement, abandonment, and past trauma.

Despite the trigger warnings, I really really liked this book! I was very invested in it and couldn't wait to come back to the characters to find out what happened next. This book is very emotional, healing, powerful and beautifully written. It does have romance, but it is more about sisters and healing after past trauma. It is told in three different perspectives, Madi, Ava and Luke and they all flowed together so well.

Madi and Ava have a gut-wrenching past and are both healing from that summer, 15 years later. Madi writes a book (memoir) about their summer and Ava does not take it well, having their story out in the world. They both have different ways of healing and moving past it and I loved seeing their relationship unfold. Now I want to read more books by this author if they are all this emotional!

You'd like this book if you like:
-deeply emotional books
-small town settings
-sisterly bond and relationships
-friends to lovers
-marriage healing

This book was not what I was expecting! It told a deep story about two sisters finding their way back to each other while dealing with a traumatic experience they shared while they were teenagers. There is a romance subplot but it is not the main focus of the book. And then there is also a subplot dealing with a marriage having some issues which I also very much enjoyed. I thought that the sister relationship was super complex and thoughtful and I absolutely loved that aspect of the book. I found the romance subplot to be lacking development but since the main focus of the book was on the sister relationship it didn’t matter as much to me. Overall this is a great, deeper summer read. It is not a light little romcom, but in a good way!

I read a Christmas-themed RaeAnne Thayne book a few years ago & enjoyed it, so I was grateful to get an advanced copy of 15 Summers Later. The title made me think of young lovers reunited, but the events of 15 summers ago were much darker. Sisters Ava and Madison were brought into a cult by their father, & they escaped 15 summers ago. The story is about their adult lives. Madison is opening an animal shelter and exploring her relationship with her vet friend. Ava has just published a book about their experiences 15 summers ago and dealing with the fallout of telling her story. Definitely NOT heavy on the romance, but the characters felt real and nuanced, and you'll find yourself rooting for both women as they navigate life 15 Summers Later.
Thanks to NetGalley and RaeAnne Thayne for the advanced reading copy-

I love this book ! I went into this thinking it was a cute summer romance book but it's way more than that .. I completely loved the characters and their development. It's deeper than what I expected but loved everything about it .

Quote:”Bruised and battered, we rise again, our determination unbroken, a testament to the strength that has emerged from our shared ordeal.”

Summary 📚 15 years ago two sisters lived through and survived capture that changed their lives forever. 15 years later they learn to understand each other POV of the ordeal.


Experience 🤔 GREAT READ… my attention was captured from the synopsis. Madison doing her best to be independent and have a high quality of life. Ava chose to write a memoir of their experience, but why? Who would have thought that it would become a bestseller?!?! The flashbacks kept you straddling the fence from then and now. Clinging to each other to survive ended up driving them apart both struggling to heal. But all it takes for them to heal is accepting each others POV which was an amazing journey.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC of Such 15 Years Later by RaeAnne Thayne.

Madi and Ava survived a dangerous coalition camp escape as young teens. Madi spent her entire life trying to move on despite her physical scars and limitations. Ava used that part of her life in a thesis that was published and Ghost Lake became a national best seller.

Madi has stayed in Emerald Cove building her dream of working with animals and opening a no kill shelter. She has worked beside Dr. Gentry and is unknowingly falling for him. Ave moved away and started a life with husband she couldn’t image living without.

Will Ghost Lake and Ava’s memories bring her back to a low point in her life? Madi isn’t talking to her because of the novel. Ave kept that part of her life from her husband who, after reading the book needs space.

Can Madi and Ava find common ground, is Ava’s marriage over, and is Madi capable of finding and accepting love? As usual Thayne has written an amazing novel that was hard to put down. The story line flowed well and the themes were relevant.

Pub Date: June 18, 2024
🌟🌟🌟

This book appears to be a light summer read with its summery cover however do not be fooled. This book is deep, and definitely comes with some trigger warnings. This is a different book for RaeAnne Thayne and I actually really enjoyed it, but was not prepared for the heaviness that it comes with. This could be in part due to not really reading synopses in full and going in blind to novels.

This book focuses on Ava and Maddie two sisters who have grown up and experienced extreme childhood trauma. One of the sister publishes a book about their childhood despite the other sister’s disapproval. There are family secrets that play out in this novel as well. There is a slow burn factor as well within these pages.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel but did find it difficult to read a lot of at one time. I also really liked the passages that were captured at the beginning of each chapter that were from the referred to memoir.

I was able to read an Advanced Reader’s Copy courtesy of the publisher and also Netgalley

15 Summers Later" is a novel that, despite its potential, is hampered by slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a meandering plot. While it occasionally offers beautiful descriptions and nostalgic moments, these are not enough to overcome the book's overall sluggish and drawn-out nature. Readers looking for a dynamic and emotionally engaging story may find themselves disappointed and wishing for a quicker, more compelling read.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and RaeAnne Thayne for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

Madison and Ava go through a traumatic and heartbreaking summer 15 years ago.

Ava has since moved away and gotten married. However, since publishing a memoir her marriage may be at risk.

Madison is furious about her sister’s bestselling book rehashing their difficult time and does her best to ignore its out there, instead focusing on her no-kill shelter that just is opening up. Working side by side with Luke, who helped save Ava and Madison from that terrible summer and who lost his father in the process, has been so enjoyable for Madi until something shifts in their relationship and they both seem to see each other differently.

The story is told in third person from Madison, Ava and Luke’s perspectives.

It was a story of family, found family, overcoming trauma and reconnection. The cover makes it look like a light summer read so that felt a little disconnected from the story. I was distracted by the multiple mentions of Madi’s hand that was injured - it brought me out of the story a few times. The girls grandma and Luke’s daughter were my favorite characters and they weren’t that prevalent in the book so that tells you something. The book was enjoyable but I feel like it could have went deeper, further to really pull out a more complete story.


**there also were a few weird placements of the authors name within the story, I’m assuming this was just an issue with the NetGalley copy**

I read lot of books. Occasionally, one makes such an impact on me that I can’t get it out of my mind. 15 Summers Later is that book. Ms. Thayne has written a story that deals with a very serious subject and done it very well.

Ava and Madison are sisters who have lived through a horrific time during their childhood. Both are deeply affected by the things that happened to them and they handle it in very different ways. This is a heartrending story, not Ms. Thayne's usual light-hearted romance. I won’t say any more because I don’t want any spoilers. You have to read this book for yourself.

I enjoyed 15 Summers Later and highly recommend it. If you read it at night, be prepared to stay awake. You won’t want to stop reading.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story and the multiple POVs we get to experience. The exposure to sensitive topics was handled with care and the characters are very lovable. I love how the MMC supported Madison’s desire for independence. I also love a single parent trope. I appreciated the growth between the two sisters are they dealt with the trauma of their past. I was engaged quickly and stayed glued to the story from start to finish.

Madison and Ava are sisters who endured a major trauma together. Ava has written a book about the experience and Madi is livid about it because it has the whole town talking about it all over again.
I loved this book! It was a fairly clean but still exciting and engaging! The romance storyline was complicated but clean and sweet. I will be looking for more books by RaeAnne Thayne.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

15 Summers Later is the story of two sisters who share a traumatic past. Madi was left with physical and emotional scars. She has just realized her dream of opening a no kill animal shelter. Her older sister Ava returns turns home after publishing a best selling book detailing the trauma of their past. Feelings of betrayal cause friction between the two sisters. This is my first novel by this author but I will now read more. I recommend this book of survival, betrayal and redemption with a little romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read 15 Summers Later, an emotional, thoughtful novel.

This is definitely not a beach read. It’s dealing with more emotional themes than you may expect. It’s a lot of family drama between two sisters and their trauma from when they were younger. There’s nothing outstanding about this book but it’s a fine read.

⭐️: 3
🌶️: 0

✨ sisterly bonding
✨ friends to lovers
✨ small town
✨ past trauma

A bit of a heavier read that’s follows two sisters who are working to mend their relationship following trauma that will bond them forever.

I liked the is book but didn’t love it. I wish we learned more about their experience at Ghost Lake to help us connect better to the characters. I also felt there was a great opportunity to intertwine the two sisters and their very different love stories, but honestly both stories fell a bit flat for me. I really wanted to love this one, I just found it lacking a lot of depth.

** I highly recommend reading any trigger warnings before diving into this book. The number one being on-page miscarriage.

📚Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and RaeAnne Thayne for the ARC of 15 Summers Later

15 SUMMERS LATER
RaeAnne Thayne

15 SUMMERS LATER was not what I was looking for, but it just might be the one for you.

Ava just published a memoir, and the most amazing thing is it’s very successful. Much more successful than Ava anticipated but instead of congratulating her both her sister Madison and her husband are mad at her. Madison feels like in expressing her truth Ava outed part of her life and Madison feels she had no say in it.

Part of reclaiming her life led Madison to open a no-kill shelter for animals and she spends her days taking care of the dogs and cats and lusting after the local veterinarian. Upon the release of Ava’s memoir, she has a lot to reckon with. She must discover her truth and learn to write her own story.

I was looking high and low for a few books to add to my summer escape weekly booklist. I was looking for easy, breezy, fiction, that felt like an escape from dreary weather if perhaps you were stuck staying exactly where you were but wanting to be anywhere but.

This was not that.

This is a serious story that features tense familial relationships, escaping cults as children, and weird, hurtful withholding of information from people close to you. It didn’t feel like an escape to me, and I can’t imagine it would be for anyone else. Unless by escape you meant escaping from a cult, in that case, this is the perfect pick.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the advanced copy!

15 SUMMERS LATER...⭐⭐

A heartfelt story of love and the healing power of time and perspective, perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Nancy Thayer, and Jill Shalvis. Ava, author of a successful memoir, is shocked when her husband walks out on her over a secret from her past. She returns to her small Idaho town after 15 years away, where her sister, Madison, has stayed. Madison has struggles of her own. She's in love with the town veteranarian, and is afraid to show it. Little by little the sisters heal and grow, blossoming into the full lives they were always meant to have.