The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen

When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers convinces her sisters to open their seaside home to guests to provide for their ailing mother. Emily and Georgiana agree, but Viola, who wears a veil to cover a scar, detests the idea. Determined to stay together, the sisters begin the new venture. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family. Meanwhile, the new situation exposes Viola's scars--both the visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

I've seen some people liken this book to Little Women, and I think it's a fair comparison. The setting is different, of course, and the Summers sisters have distinctly different personalities from the March sisters. But the spirit is similar; it's a family of women shifting for themselves, with all the love and squabbles to be expected amongst sisters. It's a relaxing read, where it never feels like the stakes are too high, but it's also comforting in its stark contrast from our anxiety-inducing world of today.

The point of view follows three of the sisters, though I would say the focus is more on Viola. I don't think I've ever encountered a heroine with a cleft lip (though I've known both men and women with it in real life), but it was heartening to see her come into her own as she learns to give of herself (though I also enjoyed it when she and Major Hutton would spar and push each other over their respective scars). I look forward to seeing what happens with Sarah and Emily in future books, and I hope we get to meet Claire!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

On Devonshire Shores
1. The Sisters of Sea View
2. Winter by the Sea