Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel

 

From Goodreads

Melissa Henderson is leading a quiet life. Once a bestselling author, she now pours all her energy into renovating a Victorian house nestled in the foothills of rural New England. Six years ago, she lost her young son to cancer, and her marriage dissolved. She stopped writing. It was only when she bought the old house that Melissa found a purpose, and came alive as she made it beautiful again.

After a wildfire that threatens her home appears on the news, Melissa receives a call from her sister, Hattie. They were close once, but that was before Melissa withdrew from the world. Now Hattie, who became a nun at twenty-five, is determined to help Melissa turn a new page, even if it means reopening one of the most painful chapters of her life.

At sixteen, a pregnant Melissa was sent to a gloomy convent in Ireland to have— and give up—her baby, to spare the family shame. All these years later, Hattie feels compelled to embark on a journey that will change both their lives forever, and track down the child Melissa gave up.

Finding Ashley is a masterpiece of contemporary drama and tells a gripping story of the strength of the human spirit to chase an impossible dream. It is the story of two strong, brave women turning wrenching loss into reconnection, and a family reunited after bringing dark secrets into the light.

My thoughts

I borrowed a copy of this via BorrowBox the digital lending side of my local Library.  I found the book when I was randomly looking at other books, as far as I can remember.  

I gave this a 4 stars or 8/10.  It's quite a thought provoking read in many ways and would make a great book for a reading group.  In this book Danielle Steel has tackled some highly emotive topics in my opinion and I would urge people if they get the chance to read it, to do so as it makes you think.  

Hattie becomes a Nun at the age of twenty five, she leaves behind her family and friends to take up a new life.  No one is aware of her reasons for doing so at the time, it's a decision that she has made.  The order that she is a member of allows the Nuns to be involved in things outside the order.  

Melissa is Hattie's sister.  Melissa has a child that she was made to give up as a teenager, it was decided at the time that this would spare her family the shame of her being an unmarried mother.  When Melissa, loses her young son to cancer she gives up on life in many ways.  Her marriage suffers as a result of this loss and she takes up a reclusive life that in some ways mirrors her sister Hattie's life as a Nun.  Melissa buys a new house and she finds that she has a purpose in life again as she turns the house into a home and makes it her own.

As events force the two sisters to reach out to one another, Hattie takes it upon herself to try and help her sister Melissa have something else to live for.  Hattie takes it upon herself to look for the child that was given up.

I don't want to give too much away, but the story takes you on a journey with the characters of Hattie and Melissa, if like me you become invested in them and want there to be happy endings for them both.  The only way to find out if there are happy endings is to grab a copy for yourself.