The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs

Photo Credit: William Morrow

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Oysterville Sewing Circle

Summary: “Stitched together with love, this is a story just waiting for your favorite reading chair. With her signature style and skill, Susan Wiggs delivers an intricate patchwork of old wounds and new beginnings, romance and the healing power of friendship, wrapped in a lovely little community that’s hiding a few secrets of its own.”
— Lisa Wingate, New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

The #1 New York Times bestselling author brings us her most ambitious and provocative work yet—a searing and timely novel that explores the most volatile issue of our time—domestic violence.

At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.

She’s come home.

Home to a place she thought she’d left forever, home of her heart and memories, but not her future. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous fashion world of Manhattan. But her success in New York imploded on a wave of scandal and tragedy, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.

And in the backseat of Caroline’s car are two children who were orphaned in a single chilling moment—five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She’s now their legal guardian—a role she’s not sure she’s ready for.

But the Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to pass on their thriving seafood restaurant to the next generation. And there’s Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who’s also returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline’s best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.

Caroline returns to her favorite place: the sewing shop owned by Mrs. Lindy Bloom, the woman who inspired her and taught her to sew. There she discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle—where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.

Yet just as Caroline regains her creativity and fighting spirit, and the children begin to heal from their loss, an unexpected challenge tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She’s going to stand and fight for everything—and everyone—she loves.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This was my first Susan Wiggs book, but won’t be my last.

First, I know it’s weird to say that I enjoyed a book that dealt with domestic violence- but Susan used the topic of domestic violence in a careful way- it was not graphic- it was to remind us that behind closed doors- some women are suffering…. maybe even the woman you would never think is a victim.

Also, can I just move to Oysterville? Seriously!

What I liked:

Caroline. Tough. Scrappy. Has been dealt some hands and is still fighting. Yes, she has some internal monologues about not being sure she’s ready for the kids in her life- BUT I dare anyone that is in her position to not be questioning/wondering about their own capabilities. It just gave her an extra real feel.

The town of Oysterville. I could smell the air. See the sights. I want to at least visit if not move. It was that detailed.

How Susan showed that domestic violence can happen to anyone.

Bottom line: This book at times had a breezy feel to it- but the serious subject matter was handled in a way that showed she did her research and put careful thought in how she was going to handle the topic of domestic violence.

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*