Paradise Girls

Children’s book author Gingras (100 Hugs) makes her adult debut with a mellow story of loss, forgiveness, and personal growth. At 42, Mary Valley is estranged from her daughter and granddaughter and reeling from a relationship with her boss gone sour. She decides to take a break from New York City, inviting her daughter, CC, and five-year-old granddaughter, Larkin, on a vacation to Florida. CC bails at the last moment, leaving Mary and Larkin headed to the Low-Key Inn, a rundown beach motel, alone. There, Mary meets fishing guide Daniel, a contemplative loner dealing with grief over his son’s death, and befriends the inn’s owner, Ollie, a witchy old woman struggling to keep the business afloat. All at crossroads in their lives, Mary, Daniel, and Ollie draw strength from each other and find new hope in their budding friendship—and, in Mary and Daniel’s case, new romance. The pace is leisurely and the plot sometimes predictable, but Gingras gives her characters quirks, concerns, and backstories that make them well-rounded and believable enough to keep readers invested. The detailed descriptions of the Florida scenery, meanwhile, make Mary’s vacation a delight. Loaded with family, friends, and possibility, this easygoing romance is sure to please. (July)