Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner – 368 pages
Book Blurb:
Summer has started in idyllic Sag Harbor, and for Emma Mapson that means greeting guests at the front desk of The American Hotel. But when one of the town’s most famous residents, artist Henry Wyatt, dies suddenly, Emma learns he has mysteriously left his waterfront home – a self-designed masterpiece filled with his work – to her teenage daughter, Penny.
Back in Manhattan, legendary art patron Bea Winstead’s grief at her lifelong friend and former business partner Henry’s passing turns to outrage at the news of his shocking bequest. How did these unknown locals get their hands on the estate? Bea, with her devoted assistant Kyle in tow, descends on Sag Harbor determined to reclaim the house and preserve Henry’s legacy.
While Emma fights to defend her daughter’s inheritance, Bea discovers that Henry left a treasure trove of sketches scattered around town. With Penny’s reluctant help, Bea pieces them together to find a story hidden in plain sight: an illustration of their shared history with an unexpected twist that will change all of their lives.
My Review: 4 stars
Drawing Home is the perfect summer escape. Taking the reader to Nantucket, Jamie Brenner has created a story with drama, tension, art, romance and reality.
When a young girl, Penny, is bequeathed an estate filled with valuable art, no one can reason why, especially the older NY socialite who believes it should be hers. Their battle takes on a life of its own and tears lives apart and puts them back together in surprisingly new ways. The dialogue in the book is very realistic, especially from the Penny, the young daughter, who has a hard time fitting in.
Art is a major theme running through the book and acts as a character on its own. Art is soulful, calming, ever-changing and personal to the artist and the viewer. Romance, drug use, divorce, single parenting, secrets, OCD and small town charm are woven into the story. Brenner’s descriptions of how the mind plays tricks with someone suffering OCD were very relatable. I was totally able to get into Penny’s head.
When readers ask for a summer read, this is the perfect pick. It’s an easy read that offers a lot of bang for its buck.
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