A Little Ray of Sunshine

By Kristan Higgins  

ISBN:  9780593547618

Website: kristanhiggins.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

A kid walks into your bookstore and… guess what? He’s your son. The one you put up for adoption eighteen years ago. The one you never told anyone about. Surprise!

And a huge surprise it is.

It’s a huge surprise to his adoptive mother, Monica, who thought she had a close relationship with Matthew, her nearly adult son. Until he secretly arranged a vacation to Cape Cod so he could meet his birth mother… without a word to her.

It’s also a surprise to Harlow, the woman who secretly placed him for adoption so many years ago. She has built a quiet life, running a bookstore with her grandfather, and is happily single… though she can’t help gravitating toward Grady Byrne, an old friend who has moved back to town, three-year-old daughter in tow, and no wife in the picture.

When Matthew walks into Harlow’s store, she faints. Monica panics. And all their assumptions about what being a parent really means explode…

This summer will be full of more surprises as both their families are redefined…and as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love. (Goodreads)

Review:

Kristan Higgins is a relatively new author to me. I have read, at this time, only one other book written by her and quite enjoyed it. But nothing like how much I have enjoyed (really…loved) this newest title – A Little Ray of Sunshine. Ms. Higgins storytelling is wonderful and so much so that I was totally engaged throughout the entire story.

The story encompasses the tale of an adopted boy (Matthew) orchestrating his family’s yearly vacation to Cape Cod so that he can meet his birth mother (Harlow), unbeknownst to his mother (Monica), father and little sister as well as Harlow herself. Harlow, along with her grandfather, own and run a bookstore (Open Book) in Wellfleet MA, on Cape Cod. When Harlow was younger, she went to university on the west coast. What her immediate family does not know is that she got pregnant at 18 and gave the baby up for adoption.

As I was guided through the ups and downs of Harlow meeting her biological son and Monica having to deal with this situation, I was empathetic to both of these women. I can’t even imagine being on either side of this! Both women having to deal with their emotions and at the same time, be strong for their own family members as well as Matthew. I found that Ms. Higgins dealt with the issue of adoption and all its ramifications in a sensitive manner – taking into account all sides.

Matthew has a mind of his own and as we traverse this journey with him (meeting his biological mother) we see a young man at crossroads. He loves his family but feels betrayed by Harlow. He wonders “How could a mother give away her child?”. As understanding is gained, he then has to deal with how he has inadvertently hurt Monica, his mother. I must say, some of the family gathering where Matthew learns more about his relatives are both wildly entertaining and heartfelt.

Many secondary characters added a bit of relief from the heaviness of the main storyline. I got a chuckle out of Harlow’s grandfather. And Cynthia – well – she was definitely a curmudgeonly character who eventually softened a bit (that was good to see). Her side story was entertaining and for the longest while I thought, why is she so involved in the story. It was all crystal clear by the end of the story 🙂

And lest we forget, there is a wee bit of a romance going on between Harlow and Grady Byrne, an old friend who has recently moved back to town with his three-year-old daughter (and no wife in tow). I quite enjoyed this element as it was subtle and understated, not overpowering the main storyline.

My favourite quote:

“Being a mother wasn’t one thing. It was an indefinable, eternal state of love and acceptance, sacrifice and forgiveness. And hope. Because being a mother was nothing if not hope.”

Kristan Higgins has written a powerful and engaging story which kept my interest throughout. I can truly say – I am a fan and will continue to seek out other titles by her. I highly recommend A Little Ray of Sunshine for your future reading endeavor.