Review: The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs

Genre:
Women’s Fiction

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
William Morrow

Release Date:
August 13, 2019




Synopsis from Goodreads:

The #1 New York Times bestselling author brings us her most ambitious and provocative work yet—a searing and timely novel that explores the most volatile issue of our time—domestic violence.

At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.

She’s come home.

Home to a place she thought she’d left forever, home of her heart and memories, but not her future. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous fashion world of Manhattan. But her success in New York imploded on a wave of scandal and tragedy, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.

And in the backseat of Caroline’s car are two children who were orphaned in a single chilling moment—five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She’s now their legal guardian—a role she’s not sure she’s ready for.

But the Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to pass on their thriving seafood restaurant to the next generation. And there’s Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who’s also returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline’s best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.

Caroline returns to her favorite place: the sewing shop owned by Mrs. Lindy Bloom, the woman who inspired her and taught her to sew. There she discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle—where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.

Yet just as Caroline regains her creativity and fighting spirit, and the children begin to heal from their loss, an unexpected challenge tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She’s going to stand and fight for everything—and everyone—she loves.

My Review

Years ago Caroline Shelby left her small town of Oysterville, Washington behind for the bright lighst of New York City. Her fashion career is just starting to take off when suddenly things take a turn for the worst causing her career to crash and leaving her as guardian of two young children. With nowhere to turn, she heads back to her hometown.

Her parents and siblings welcome her home with open arms. They promise to help her as much as they can, although she prefers to do it all herself. She also meets up with her first childhood crush, Will Jansen. Although Caroline always thought there could be something more between them, he married her best friend Sierra.

Caroline quickly learns that even in a small town like Oysterville, people have problems and secrets. She creates the Oysterville Sewing Circle. It’s a safe haven for women to open up and help each other. It’s perfect for her as she strives to revive her career and take care of the children, who have demons of their own to deal with.

Susan Wiggs creates a huge slice of life with this book. It features realistic characters from everyday life. They are sympathetic and I really cared what happened to them, especially Caroline and the two children.

Oysterville is your typical small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, but it’s surprising how many secrets are being kept. This book teaches you that you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

The story is told in the present day, but it also goes back to Caroline’s earlier days. It gives the reader the entire outlook on her life. I preferred the present day story, but it was nice to read how it all began for her.

It’s an emotional, heartwarming story. It’s been awhile since I read a Susan Wiggs book, but I’ll be reading more in the near future.

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.