Release Date : February 14, 2017

Book Blurb from Goodreads.com

Twenty-year-old Abigail Turner has only known her mother, Claire—who died shortly after she was born—through letters, videos, postcards, and journals. Abby’s father, Josh, has raised his precious daughter himself, but his overprotectiveness has become stifling. Abby longs to forge out on her own and see the world after a childhood trapped indoors: she suffers from life-threatening bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which means a case of the sniffles can rapidly escalate into threatening pneumonia.

But when Abby’s doctor declares her healthy—for now—her grandmother Millie whisks her away to Europe to visit the Christmas markets that her mother cherished and chronicled in her travel journals. Despite her father’s objections, Abby and Millie embark on a journey of discovery in which Abby will learn secrets that force her to reevaluate her image of her mother and come to a more mature understanding of a parent-child bond that transcends death.

My Review:

Abigail Turner is twenty years old and has spent the majority of her life concerned about getting an infection. She has chronic lung disease and has had bouts of life threatening pneumonia throughout her childhood. She lives with her overprotective father, Josh, who has raised her on his own. Abby’s mother Claire died when she was born. (This is the sequel to “Saving Abby” published in May, 2016)

After a year without an illness, Abby gets a clean bill of health from her doctor. To celebrate the news her grandmother Millie offers to take her on a trip to Europe visiting the places that her mother travelled.  Abby cannot wait to go but her protective father is reluctant to send her.

During the trip Abby uses Claire’s travel journal as a guide. She obtains a different perspective of her mother’s life through her written thoughts. Abby uncovers a sadness in the journal leaving her questioning her mother’s past.

After reading “Saving Abby”, I was happy to find out what happened after Claire’s death. This is a story about love prevailing over time. It also shows the struggle of a young adult asserting independence and the parent not willing to accept it.

Visit Steena Holmes’ website to learn more about the author and her other books:

http://www.steenaholmes.com