It had been many years since I read April & Oliver, but when I saw that Tess Callahan was reuniting these characters in her latest novel, I knew that I just had to read it. I pondered over whether or not to give April & Oliver a reread, but as it turned out, I was pulled back into the lives of these characters as if no time had passed.

This novel takes place years after April & Oliver. April and Oliver, their spouses, and their children meet every summer at Oliver and Al’s father’s house on Cape Cod. April and Oliver had been very close growing up, however, something happened between them years ago, and now April is married to Oliver’s brother. It is a jam-packed week of various activities, family meals, and a torrent of tension. Each couple is experiencing their own set of issues, they have teenaged children, and there are secrets that are on the precipice of being revealed.

Tess Callahan writes beautifully. Her vivid descriptions and emotive writing just made the whole story come to life. Despite the beauty of her words, she never lost sight of the raw, intense, angst-filled nature of the story. The heartache and the longing were palpable, the emotions were running rampant, and I felt as though it was all playing out right in front of me.

Dawnland was a captivating read. There was never a dull moment, but that was what I had expected from this family. Tess Callahan did an extraordinary job of following up with this family and all of their complexities.

I sincerely hope that this wonderful author writes another novel in the near future. It will definitely have a spot on my to-be-read list.

*5 Stars

 

 

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Contemporary Romance & Fiction