Sisters of Summer’s End (Summer Resort #2)

Foster’s second Summer Resort novel (after Cooper’s Charm) emphasizes the transformative power of female friendship and true love while whisking readers to an idyllic vacation hideaway. Divorced single mother Joy Lee is proud of her work as the recreation director of the Cooper’s Charm RV Resort. Disowned by her family, fearful of further rejection, and eager to protect her son, Joy finds grounding in a friendship with Maris Kennedy, the owner of the Summer’s End camp store. With Maris’s gentle prodding, Joy decides to take a risk on romance with Royce Nakirk, the new owner of the local drive-in, who has come to Woodbine, Ohio, to escape a recent loss. Maris grew up in poverty and values her security too much to risk a romance, especially one with free-spirited handyman Daron Hardy. But Daron’s persistence and Joy’s encouragement soon have Maris experiencing all the passion her life has been missing. The romantic tropes feel careworn and the treatment of class is simplistic, but the central friendship provides a fresh emotional focus. Foster’s fans will savor this. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Agency. (June)