Lisa Wingate's Dandelion Summer ~ Reviewed

Dandelion Summer (Blue Sky Hill Series)
Lisa Wingate
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade; Reprint edition (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451233271

Description:

The latest in the inspirational and heartwarming Blue Sky Hill series from Lisa Wingate.

All her life, Epiphany Salerno has been tossed like a dandelion seed on the wind. Now, at sixteen, she must move to the low-rent side of Blue Sky Hill and work where she's not wanted: in an upscale home on The Hill.

J. Norman Alvord's daughter has hired a teenager to stay with him in the afternoons. Widowed and suffering from heart trouble, Norman wants to be left alone. But in Epie's presence, Norman discovers a mystery- memories of another life and a woman who saved him. As he and Epie take an unexpected road trip through sleepy Southern towns, they form a life-changing friendship-and uncover long-held family secrets.

Review:

Dandelion Summer revolves around a sixteen year old girl named Epiphany, who has had an unfulfilling life with a mother who seems to care nothing for her. The story also involves J. Norman Alvord, a widowed man with a bad heart. He has a poor relationship with his daughter, Deborah, whom he feels is trying to take everything away from him due to his recurring heart problems. Deborah hires Epiphany to come work a few nights a week to keep an eye on her father. An unlikely pair, Epiphany and J. Norm form a friendship, as Epiphany takes an interest, not only in J. Norman’s previous work with NASA, but with his hunt for what he thinks is his real family that he might have been separated from at a young age.

I really, really enjoyed this book. One wouldn’t expect J. Norman and Epiphany to find common ground, but their friendship changes each of their lives forever. J. Norman teaches Epiphany that she is a smart, beautiful young woman who shouldn’t have to settle for the life she is currently living. Epiphany, in turns, teaches J. Norman how to love again. It’s such a wonderful book, and it keeps you in suspense. I would love to see a sequel written!

Reviewed by: Sarah Porter