This book opens with the main character, Clementine, losing her memory in an airplane crash. She wakes up in a hospital, scared and alone, and not sure who or where she is. This story follows her journey as she chooses to start a new life in a foreign country. The ups and downs and in betweens of trying to remember who you are, while trying to create someone new. I thought the characters were dynamic and the sense of place was well thought out!
This book took me a while to get into, but really started catching my attention in a few chapters in. Penelope is a pulled-from-all-sides, working mom of two. Her best friend, Jenny, runs a very successful, high-end blog and is winning at life from all angles. Until she isn’t. This book is a heartbreaking reminder to check in on your friends, stand up for yourself, trust your gut and be honest.
This was a really beautiful and heartwarming account of the small community, Gander, Newfoundland, that took in so many stranded travelers during the tragedy of 9/11. I was young when 9/11 happened (7th grade), and always heard the bad things, as most of us did. But almost 20 years later, this book really opened my eyes at how much good happened among the terrible. I’ll never forget reading about the big hearts of the people of Gander.