Author: Heather Webber
Publisher: Forge Books
Released: July 20^th, 2021
Received: NetGalley

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove, written by Heather Webber, is a charming novel full of magical realism, healing, and love, and it is such a gentle beast. It is a gentle soul waiting for the right reader to come along.

Sadie Way Scott is a beloved cooking show host. If that had been her entire story, that would have been enough. But Sadie is haunted by her past – a past where she nearly drowned at her family’s lake.

Years later, Sadie and her family must come together to deal with the combined trauma and guilt that came from this moment. Will one family survive, or will they go their separate ways once again?

“Home. The word wound it’s way around my heart and squeezed like it was giving me a hug.”

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove is such a gentle and wonderful read. Before this book, I honestly never would have thought to apply the word ‘gentle’ to any novel or experience within the reading world. Yet that is the best term I can think of here.

Yes, this is a novel that handles grief, love, loss, and guilt. Yet those emotions are all so very human, and Heather Webber handles them all with care. The characters within this novel are fleshed out, scarred, and looking for ways to move on. It’s a note that hit home for me, and I’m certain it will work for many other readers as well.

In many ways, The Lights of Sugarberry Cove felt like it was coming home. It was refreshing, evocative, and worked hard to pull me into the narrative. There were moments in this book that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget – and I’m okay with that.

Thanks to Forge Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.