Jennifer must do the impossible – bring her mother home.
When a family is torn apart by death, two sisters take violently
divergent paths and the story of their family appears to end terribly
and abruptly. Two decades later Jennifer never dreams that the photo she
finds stuck between the pages of a neglected book will tear open a
gaping wound to her mother’s secret past. Abandoning her comfortable
life with her parents and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska,
Jennifer’s quest for a hidden aunt leads her to the untamed coast of
Maine where she struggles to understand why her mother lied to her for
sixteen years. Across the grey, rocky cove she meets Nathan Moore,
the young, reluctant genius surrounded by women who need him to be
brother, father, friend, provider, protector and now, first love. The
stories, varied, hilarious, and heartbreaking, unfold to paint a
striking mural of the shattered past. As Jennifer seeks to piece
together her mother’s story, she inadvertently writes one for herself.
My Review:
I grew up in a small town in Idaho. Small towns are charming, but secrets don’t stay secret for long.They have such a unique flavor that they draw you back, many years after you have left. The setting of On Little Wings, is a small town in Maine. Main character, Jennifer, stumbles upon an explosive, family secret that threatens to tear her world apart. Jennifer finds out that her parents haven’t told her the truth about not having any extended family members. She has an Aunt Sarah, whom she eerily resembles, more than her own mother. Jennifer sets out, on her own, to contact her Aunt and go visit her in the town of Smithport, Maine. While there, Jennifer learns about life and love.
This story is beautifully written. The town is brought to life with amazing descriptive writing. You could almost feel the wind blowing the ocean water on your face, and smell the salty fragrance of the sea. It is so captivating as you fully experience this journey! I also loved how all of the characters are so well developed. You meet a neighbor boy, Nathan, who Jennifer starts to fall for soon after arriving there. He is a complicated character for being only an 18 year old young man. I loved Aunt Sarah, and her willingness to love so many people unconditionally, even her long, lost niece. The old woman, Little, a former actress, who carries many hidden stories within her own soul, but willing to help Jennifer heal wounds in her family. You also can’t help but be amused by the old men, The Jacks, who spend all of their time in a fishing boat. They made me laugh many times. You can understand why Jennifer is pulled into the drama of this quaint town, and doesn’t want to leave.
The best part of the story is when you see the healing that takes place in her family. There are so many broken hearts from life happenings and misunderstandings. You will also be surprised at who’s the catalyst behind this coming together of family.
I really loved, On Little Wings! Teens and adults, will find this book to hold many messages, as you reflect on your own life and family relationships. This is a clean book, funny characters, and also a few tears shed as Jennifer grows and changes. You won’t want to miss reading this YA literary fiction.
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