In her debut novel, MOONGLASSS, author Jessi Kirby delivers a delightful coming-of-age novel that includes a sweet love story plus a heart-wrenching mystery.
Anna Ryan's life is turned upside down when her lifeguard father accepts a job offer far from her home, her friends, her beach, and the waves that took her mother's life. Now, in Crystal Cove, she is even more haunted by the loss of her beloved mother, as she discovers it is the same place her mother and father met and fell in love. Although she and her dad have always maintained a good relationship, Anna has felt that mentioning her mother and her loss is taboo.
So instead of dwelling in the past, she makes plans to try and enjoy her dwindling summer. After all, she has a new beach to swim in, new boys to fall for, and new friends to make. But maybe uncovering a few family secrets may be just what she and her father need to finally begin to truly live.
As Anna adapts to her new surroundings, she makes new friends with the perky Ashley who is determined to help Anna fit into their new school, and fellow running fan Jill. She also finds a bit of love with handsome seasonal lifeguard Tyler, who soon holds the reins to Anna's heart. It makes the adjustment easier with these new friends. And Anna also has the simple joy of searching for the pieces of sea glass along the beach -- a tradition her mother and she shared - and one that brings back so many memories.
As she explores the new beach, she finds herself drawn to a dilapidated old beach cottage that seems to have mystery and intrigue surrounding it. Hoping that this old home might hold the answers to the questions Anna has always had about her mother, and why she felt compelled to walk into the ocean and never come back, Anna explores despite her father's warnings to stay away. She discovers a hidden message that seems to resonant within her heart -- three words painted in one of the upstairs rooms -- Beauty, Grace, Strength. Could this be a message from her mother, left behind so many years ago?
MOONGLASS is a sweetly perfect end-of-summer read for both young adults and adults alike.
Anna’s plans for junior year are washed away when her father
accepts a job transfer. There’s no denying that living in a
cottage on the beach has its perks, and it happens to be the
town where her parents met and fell in love, but Anna is
none too eager to rebuild her life from scratch. She already
did that once, after her mother passed away years earlier.
Despite her reluctance, Anna is slowly won over. But even as
she makes new friends and relishes the gorgeous ocean view,
she is confronted by her family’s history. Everyone around
Anna seems to know more about her own family’s past than she
does…and she begins to realize that she and her father can’t
outrun the painful truths of her mother’s death.
Anna’s sea glass collection proves that time can smooth
rough edges—but what about when the jagged hurt of loss
remains as sharp as ever?
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