The Comeback Girl (Those Sullivan Sisters)

Rating:
Summary: Number 3 in the Sullivan Sisters Trilogy
Review: The Comeback Girl by Debra Salonen

The third book in her three part series of the Sullivan sisters, THE COMEBACK GIRL is the story of Kristin, the triplet that didn't quite live up to their small town's expectations. The three sisters were practically raised by the town of Gold Creek, but mostly by their great aunt Ida Jane, who by the third novel is having health problems, including memory loss and other signs of Alzheimer's.

In the mean time, Kristin has come back to town to stay, after having left for Oregon over ten years ago. The reason for her departure was learned in the previous installment, when at the end of the book Kristin arrives in town with her son Zach. No one knew about Zach, let alone that Kristin had a child in the first place. It was a complete shock to everyone, but as families go, the two other triplets Jenny and Andi, along with their husbands and their beloved Ida Jane, prepare for Kristin and Zach's arrival and welcome them both to the family.

As Kristin tries to make a new life for herself and Zach in the town that initially drove her away, she becomes reacquainted with an old love, Donnie Grimaldi, the deputy sheriff. He too has a son from a previous marriage, but is now raising Lucas on his own with very little help from the ex-wife. Donnie never stopped loving Kristin, and knowing that she needs some help, he has a plan that could help the both of them, and their sons.

THE COMEBACK GIRL was yet another enjoyable novel by Debra Salonen. I didn't feel, though, that it was as good as the other two in the series, but the book redeemed itself by the end of the story. I have a feeling that Salonen will be writing more about the sisters and the fictional town of Gold Creek, and I will be looking forward to reading them.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific series finale! Very highly recommended
Review: Twelve years have not erased the bitter memories of Gold Creek for Kristen Sullivan. In an effort to protect her son, Kristen never told Zach of the family and town that they left behind. Certainly, she never told him about his biological father, who does not know of his existence until they return to Gold Creek. Consequently, Zach responds with detachment and anger to the changes in their lives. Worse, his father threatens to sue for custody. Moreover, Kristen's high school boyfriend Donnie Grimaldo refuses to be forgotten.

After Kristen's betrayal, Donnie married someone else. Jaded by his subsequent divorce, and disillusioned by his work, Donnie dreams of becoming an Air Marshal and making a real difference. But his ex-wife's flaky decisions and new husband interfere with plans, and suddenly their son will continue to be his responsibility. Donnie needs a wife to care for his troubled ten-year-old son while he is gone, and Kristen needs the stability of a marriage to man like Donnie to win a custody battle. But a marriage of convenience may be too limiting for two people who once loved each other deeply, despite their protestations.

Author Debra Salonen concludes her Those Sullivan Sisters series with an evocative tale in THE COMEBACK GIIRL. Of the sisters, Kristen faces the most difficult challenges by confronting the father of her child and his mother, even as she also faces the man who still holds her heart. Her relationship with her son, once idyllic, now extremely troubled, deftly portrays the most heart rending aspects of motherhood with grace. Kristen and Donnie are wonderful together as they rediscover life on a more mature level. Aunt Ida's inevitable decline adds a touching realism as well. It is the struggles of the both sons, however, that truly add a punch to the tale with their struggles of identity, need for attention, and challenges of integrating families. Indeed, Gold Creek has become a wonderfully real place that readers will deeply miss. A richly textured novel of surprising complexity and emotional depth, THE COMEBACK GIRL comes very highly recommended.