Last One Home (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

17. Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Growing up, Cassie Carter and her sisters, Karen and Nichole, were incredibly close -- until one fateful event drove them apart. After high school, Cassie ran away from home to marry the wrong man, throwing away a college scholarship and breaking her parents’ hearts. To make matters worse, Cassie had always been their father’s favorite -- a sentiment that weighed heavily on her sisters and made Cassie’s actions even harder to bear.
Now thirty-one, Cassie is back in Washington, living in Seattle with her daughter and hoping to leave her past behind. After ending a difficult marriage, Cassie is back on her own two feet, the pieces of her life slowly but surely coming together. Despite the strides Cassie’s made, she hasn’t been able to make peace with her sisters. Karen, the oldest, is a busy wife and mother, balancing her career with raising her two children. And Nichole, the youngest, is a stay-at-home mom whose husband indulges her every whim. Then one day, Cassie receives a letter from Karen, offering what Cassie thinks may be a chance to reconcile. And as Cassie opens herself up to new possibilities -- making amends with her sisters, finding love once more -- she realizes the power of compassion, and the promise of a fresh start.

My Review:

After reaching rock bottom and able to finally rid herself of her abusive ex-husband, Cassie wants to start a better life for her and her daughter Amiee. She also became estranged from her family when she ran away from home at eighteen for all the wrong reasons - to marry the boyfriend her parents didn't approve of just because she was pregnant. After her mom dies, she's given, what Cassie thinks, a chance to mend the relationship with her sisters. They, Karen and Nichole, don't know if they're willing to forgive Cassie and put the past behind them and give Cassie a much deserved second chance. They obviously don't know what Cassie has been through since that night and only know what she put her family through when she left and aren't sure if Cassie has changed. Although it takes some work, time and patience, all three of them begin to realize how much they need each other.

In the meantime, Cassie decides to start volunteer work with a Habitat for Humanity type of company in the community. It's not exactly what she expects at first, as she butts heads with the manager, Steve. Both are stubborn in their own ways, but when an unfortunate accident occurs, Steve starts showing his softer side. As his story starts to unfold, I can see why he was the way he was. You'll have to read this book to find out. Cassie also discovers that it's okay to ask for help and not to just rely on herself for everything. 

Debbie Macomber's books never fail to disappoint. She has a way of creating compelling characters. What I enjoyed about this particular book was that it showcased the importance of family. No family is perfect and we may not always get along with each other, but at the end of the day, they'll always be there for you. Just like Cassie and her sisters, my mom and her sister weren't on speaking terms for a few years. While I won't get into the circumstances, eventually they worked it out and became closer than they ever were, in my opinion. 

 Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥