As the story opens, we are introduced to Ronni Sunshine, an aging actress on a mission to end her own life. She is obviously ill, done with all of the drama and angst, ready for peace, but concerned about her 3 daughters, the Sunshine sisters, Nell, Meredith, and Lizzy. Nell, a single mother, lives on a farm near Ronni but seldom sees her. Nell is confused by her inability to fall in love with a man who seems perfect but is lacking something unidentified but important. Meredith, bearing the brunt of her mother's criticism growing up, fled to the UK, became an accountant, and is engaged to a man who is "good enough" because she doesn't believe that she is thin or pretty enough to deserve someone who thinks she is wonderful. Lizzy, the youngest, is most like Ronni in looks and temperament. She is a celebrity chef with a young son and a husband who feels marginalized by her career. Lizzie has also been unfaithful to her husband.
Ronni's summons gives each of her daughters the opportunity to reconnect with her and each other and to explore sides of themselves that they have been denying for years. Does the novel end happily? I suppose it depends on how you look at it. Ronni is unable to convince her daughters to do her bidding, but achieves her own goal in the end. Each of the girls finds a better perspective on life and happiness. Best of all, though, they form a loving family again. This is a wonderful summer read, light enough for the beach but involved enough to keep a discriminating reader interested.
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