Claire Bennett has recently lost her husband, Phillip, and is finding life hard without him. Claire owns Antiques Unlimited in East Hampton, New York, which has become a success through their joint efforts. At the suggestion of her therapist, Claire is attempting to come to terms with her life by attending a retreat. She's also trying to cope with her estrangement with her daughter, Amanda, and son, Paul. Neither child has had a satisfying relationship with Claire since their younger brother, Terrance, died in an accident at age seven.
When Clair moves to Florida to make an attempt at a new life for herself, she becomes sexually involved while looking for a new husband. She feels this is the only way she can again have her life back. As she travels to North Carolina to attend her daughter's wedding, she must confront the difficulties of the kind of mother she was to her children and attempt to mend the relationships. Her long-time friend and godfather to Amanda, Olden Riverdale, attends the wedding and makes his intentions toward Clair evident. Clair does much soul-searching to see the woman she's been and find the woman she wants to be.
Joan Medlicott has woven an enjoyable tale of a woman living for all the wrong reasons and whose life has been devoid of showing the love her family needs. As she realizes what is really important in life, the pieces begin to fit in approaching a fulfilling existence. I did not like the character of Claire in the beginning, as she was self-centered, rather cold and thought only of the success of her business. She later became a lovable, warm woman with true values.
When Claire Bennett's husband died, she felt
directionless. Their thriving antiques business and
beautiful house in the Hamptons, the social scene and her
volunteer work -- all seemed empty without Phillip.
Estranged from her adult daughter and son, Claire knows
that in the depths of her heart she still mourns a
terrible loss from a tragic accident years go.
Fleeing her memories, Claire moves to a condo in
Florida, then impulsively leaves to visit her engaged
daughter in North Carolina. From the sandy beaches of Boca
Raton to a tiny farm tucked high in the Blue Ridge
Mountains, Claire gains self-awareness through the
unexpected kindness of strangers, and finally forces
herself to confront some hard truths from the past.
Finding a joy in life that has been missing for
many years, Claire at last reaches out to her son and
daughter. And when the healing of old wounds leads her to
a new love, Claire realizes that her travels have brought
her to a place where she will never again walk alone.
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