New Beginnings in Lavender Bay — Michele Brouder

DeeDee Cook, the spirited youngest of the Cook sisters, left Lavender Bay with big dreams and no intention of looking back. Eager to escape the shadows of her older sisters, she set out to make a name for herself in the world of acting. But when her career unravels in spectacular fashion, it's her sisters who come to her aid, bringing her back to the one place she thought she'd left behind for good. Now, standing at a crossroads, DeeDee must find the courage to rebuild her life-and rediscover what truly matters.As she nears her 100th birthday, heiress Grace Gibson reflects on the life she's lived-the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the choices that defined her. Once a young woman who felt like an outsider in her lakeside hometown, Grace longed to escape the gilded cage of privilege that set her apart. Her chance came during World War II when, as a young woman, she volunteered as a Red Cross worker, leaving behind the comforts of home to serve overseas. In a world ravaged by war, Grace found herself tested in ways she could never have imagined. What she witnessed, endured, and discovered during those years reshaped her understanding of life, love, and courage-and forever changed the woman she would become.