Drawing Home

March 1, 2019
Having grown up in Sag Harbor, a historic Long Island town dependent on summer tourism, Emma Mapson thrives on hard work. But when a near stranger bequeaths his multimillion dollar estate to her daughter, Emma's world spins out of control.Years of long shifts at The American Hotel left Emma with little time for her 14-year-old daughter, Penny, who suffers from OCD and anxiety. Penny's absentee father, Mark, who divorced Emma to pursue his dreams of acting and producing, hasn't helped much; even his child support payments are late. Luckily for Emma, they have Angus, an elderly neighbor who moved in with them after the death of his wife. Luckily for Penny, she has Henry Wyatt, an artist who fled the New York scene for serenity in Sag Harbor and who has taken her under his wing, teaching her to draw while she teaches him about graphic novels. When Henry dies unexpectedly, he inexplicably leaves Windsong, his gorgeous house full of priceless artwork, to Penny, not his longtime manager and estranged best friend, Bea Winstead. And Bea is angry. She sweeps into town with her reluctant assistant, Kyle, who seems more interested in Emma and ship renovation than Bea's crusade. While threatening Emma with a lawsuit, Bea illegally takes up residence in Windsong. She soon discovers, however, that Henry had been giving his drawings away to the residents of Sag Harbor, and those drawings might just tell a story explaining why Henry left Windsong to the wrong person. Brenner (The Husband Hour, 2018, etc.) skillfully ratchets up the tension as Bea searches for answers and the Mapsons struggle to gain control of not only the estate, but also Penny's OCD. And then Mark shows up, ready to fight dirty for custody and money.Smart, full of curveballs, and perfect for the beach.

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April 1, 2019

Single mom Emma Mapson is fond of her Long Island hometown, Sag Harbor, but her daughter Penny feels stifled by the tight-knit community. Penny's friendship with well-respected artist and local Henry Wyatt gives her the sense of being understood, but his unexpected death changes her world. When Penny is named beneficiary of Henry's will, everyone is surprised, especially Bea Winstead, a longtime friend and former business partner of Henry's who thought she would inherit his estate and art-filled house. Bea heads to Sag Harbor to investigate. Readers hoping to make more fictional friends will find plenty of options in these pages. Complex characters and probable connections turn a pleasant story into something special. The author provides a small-town ambience with realistic access to the New York art world and a solid selection of historical facts about the area that add interest. VERDICT Fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Nancy Thayer, or Claire Cook will soon be fans of Brenner (The Husband Hour; The Forever Summer) as well.--Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2019
When celebrated artist Henry Wyatt dies at the bar of the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, hotel clerk Emma Mapson is sad but doesn't expect her life to change. Yet that's exactly what happens in Brenner's fourth novel (after The Husband Hour, 2018). For some reason, Henry left his beautiful home by the water to Emma's daughter, Penny. Teenage Penny is dealing with anxiety and peer pressure, but she's a talented artist in whom Henry saw promise. Meanwhile, in New York City, Henry's longtime friend and art collector, Bea Winstead, is furious that she hasn't inherited the estate. Bea rushes to Sag Harbor to take what's hers, but as she and Emma collide, their new relationship has ripple effects across town and in all the residents' lives. This lovely and poignant story delivers a calming setting and fine description that transports the reader. While the plot developments are not earth-shaking, the connections that form between the characters are unlikely and satisfying. An exquisite beach read, perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Jane Green.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)