Let me tell you, this book grabbed me by the heartstrings from page one. Barbara O'Neal's writing isn't just words on a page - it's like she's painting with emotions. I found myself reading late into the night, completely immersed in the sisters' world.

The way O'Neal switches between the two sisters' perspectives is masterful. I'd be wiping tears one moment (that scene where Kit first sees Josie on TV? Gut-wrenching!) and smiling the next. The New Zealand setting is so vivid I could practically smell the salt air.

What really got me was how real the characters feel. These aren't perfect people - they're messy, complicated, and so human. Their flaws make their journey toward reconciliation all the more powerful. That said, I do agree with some reviewers that certain childhood memories are described with unrealistic detail.

The surfing scenes? As someone who's never surfed, I'll admit they lost me a bit. But the emotional core of the story - that universal need for connection and forgiveness - shines through regardless. This isn't just 'women's fiction' - it's a beautifully crafted story about what it means to be family.