Cover Image: Goodbye Again

Goodbye Again

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Member Reviews

This book was good, the characters and the story had a certain amount of depth, which I thought was great, though it did bring definite moments of heaviness. The main character is trying to put her life back together after her adult daughter’s suicide, and the divorce from her husband just a year after that. I like the way 5hat she is trying to move on, but without having to “forget” her daughter, or leave her in the past; she is seeking fulfillment while also honoring her daughter along the way. There is some romance, but this one leans more toward women’s fiction.

I can’t wait to read the next one! This book is a part of a series, but a I didn’t read the first one, and didn’t feel like it took away from the story at all.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

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I really enjoyed this second book in the Wyndham Beach series. The relationship these three women share is a treasure. The way they care for and support each other is touching. The book is overflowing with a myriad of emotions … hope, pain of loss, joy, forgiveness, empathy. This was a wonderful second chance at love and an opportunity for growth and to begin to feel a sense of accomplishment! I can’t wait for the next installment with Liddy, Maggie, and Emma.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2023 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2023/01/2023-reading-list-announced-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

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Liddy has lost a lot in the past few years, and she needs something to refocus her life. When the opportunity to buy Wyndham Beach’s bookstore presents itself, she jumps in with both feet, despite having no experience running a bookstore. Luckily, she has faith, two best friends, one friend’s older daughter, the whole town, and Tucker, the contractor who, though he has a full plate and is getting ready to retire, will drop everything to help her get the store ready to open. It’s time to find a new direction and start living her life. With sparks flying with Tuck, the last thing she expects is her ex coming back into her life and complicating things.
Liddy has gone through the worst thing that could happen to a parent, losing a child and even worse because it was by her own hand with no flags, and she was left with so many unanswered questions, guilt, and grief. In the midst of this, her husband left her. Despite the hurt and anger, his return gives them a chance to finally talk about their daughter and the feelings that led to their split, but she’s grown and has her own direction now, is she ready to step back into her old life? Or is Tuck her future?
What I love about GOODBYE AGAIN and the Wyndham Beach series is that while one character is the focus of the novel, there are other characters and stories that are woven into the novel. Grace continues to find her place, literally, with a little help from Liddy. We still have Maggie, Grace’s Mom involved, as well as Emma, Liddy and Maddie’s best friend, and her son, Chris who is involved with Maggie’s younger daughter. The younger generation plays a big role in the novel, as they have always been friends because of their mothers’ bond. There is a small mystery when it comes to the bookshop, and its unraveling also shows what a wonderful person Liddy is. Grace also plays a key role in helping Liddy find answers about her daughter’s state of mind before her death.
I am enjoying Mariah Stewarts focus on mature characters that have lived their lives and dealt with the messiness and are now in their second act, looking for and finding a new direction. The characters are well-written and feel as if they could be someone I would run into, and I would love to be friends with Liddy, Emma, and Maggie, their bond is amazing. I, also, now want to find a small beach town with a main street full of supportive businesses and open a bookstore! Though GOODBYE AGAIN is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone, though, honestly, if you haven’t read the first book yet, you’ll want to go back and read it! I am excited that there is at least one more in the series … Emma’s story!
Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#GoodbyeAgain #WyndhamBeach #MariahStewart #montlake

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Mariah Stewart is a new author to me, but she has immediately become one of my favorites. I fell in love with her realistic characters in the first book of the Wyndham Beach series and immediately dove into Goodbye, Again. The second book provides a seamless continuation of the stories of three lifelong friends and their grown children. Each book could easily be read as a stand-alone novel, but I am enjoying reading the series all at once. Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for a copy to read and review.

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I really enjoyed this book! I will definitely be looking for more from this author. Just a sweet book. I would recommend this book!

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Although this book was part of a series, I felt like I didn’t miss a beat despite not reading the first book. This book follows Liddy that’s been dealing with not only grief but confusion over the suicide of her daughter, Jessie. Not only that, she’s also dealing with the fact that her husband left her on the anniversary of her daughter’s death. She’s going through heavy emotions - anger and doubt in herself to go on. With the help and support of her friends, she’s ready for a new beginning. In her “rebirth” she buys a local bookstore and pours herself into it.

This book took me through so many waves of emotions - love, disappointments, grief, sadness, and happiness. There are also so many great characters and character building involved. I was in awe of the sincerity of the characters. I actually want to pick up the first book and read about Maggie as well. I love the friendships that were portrayed. It was a really authentic story with real life issues (the ups and the downs). It also incorporates other characters and their stories as well (teen pregnancy, sexual assault, infidelity, addiction, etc.

This was a very moving story and I definitely recommend.

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Wyndham beach is a fabulous series about three lifelong friends, each one with a complicated, tough story to tell. It is about families, time, and changes that make up life.
To be honest, knowing a little about Liddy's story from book 1, I was very apprehensive about how the author was going to deal with the subject. I needn't have worried- if anyone can discuss this painful topic with utmost sensitivity and realism, it is Mariah Stewart.
The writing is extremely engaging- you feel like you're privy to real-life conversations of three real-life friends. There's a lot of depth in these characters and, of course, it is absolutely fascinating to read about complex family dynamics and different perspectives. Can't wait to read Emma's story!

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What a FABULOUS read!

Oh how I enjoyed revisiting Wyndham Beach. This was such a wonderful and hard story. It’s every parents worst nightmare to lose a child. And to lose them to suicide, I can’t imagine. This book was so well written. I loved hanging out with Liddy and her besties. And how cool that these woman are my age.

This book has a huge heart. And so much love, family, friends, romantic…it has it all. I’m so excited for book 3. Mariah Stewart is such a fantastic story teller. She writes with a huge heart!

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Beautiful written story about life, missed chances and friendships . I enjoyed it so much and I will always recommend the author’s books because they are always full of heart and emotions.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

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Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

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THe Wyndham series is based on three lifelong friends in their fifties. This is Liddy';s book, she is dealing ith a divorce nd the death of her daughter. There are no answers for her at the moent and she doesn't know where her life is going. SHe however turns her life around and has some big decisions to make.

I love this series, I feel it is well written. THere is joy, sorrow, and everything else needed in my opinion for a great book. I souldn't put it down once I start reading it.

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I love Wyndham Beach #1 and was pleased to find #2! I enjoyed this continuation of the 3 friends and their families. The struggles and the happiness of women in their 50’s who have been connected to each other since their teen years. It is so very nice to read a story about women from my own age group. I was sad when the story came to the end and so very happy to find out that there will be a 3rd.
My only criticism of this story is there wasn’t as much of a story about the three friends as there was in book 1.

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A good read
You will laugh and cry
It’s an uplifting story
Will definitely read more from this author
Thanks NetGalley

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This second book in the Wyndham Beach series brings us Liddy's story. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but the story of these three friends; Lydia, Maggie and Emma, starts in An Invincible Summer and continues with this book. Liddy is still dealing with the suicide of her daughter and her husband leaving her within the same year, but trying to start a new life. She buys the local bookstore that was closed, renovates it and opens to wonderful fanfair. Mariah Stewart creates wonderful family and friends, so is not just content to tell Liddy's story. Maggie's family are also an integral part of the story. Maggie's daughters are both dealing with changes in their own lives, with Grace moving to Wyndham Beach to figure out what she wants in life. Natalie's life has revolved around her daughter Daisy, but when Emma's son, Chris comes back into her life, she suddenly finds herself involved with someone for the first time since Daisy's father walked out. There is more as well. Romance, family drama, secrets revealed and decisions to make all bring us on another wonderful visit to Wyndham Beach.

I can't say enough about this cast of characters. They all have issues, situations and tough decisions to make that are extremely realistic and relatable. Almost all of them are wonderful, likable characters. The story flows so well, and all the various situations and storylines mesh into a great story. There are some serious themes in this story including teen pregnancy, adoption, grooming, sexual assault (not described but a court case is ongoing), suicide, infidelity, addiction and more. Having said that, this is not a depressing story. The characters lift each other up, support and care for one another, are extremely generous and empathetic and love one another. I think I enjoyed this book more than the first one. Once again, I loved the set up for Emma's story and look forward to meeting up with these characters in the next Wyndham Beach book.

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Libby struggles to come to terms with events in her past but decides to take on some new challenges with the help of her good friends. Warm hearted,uplifting story.

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I am loving this contemporary series. The characters have a lot of depth and I love getting to know them. While it could be read as a standalone, I personally think the experience is better if you read them in order as each one, so far, focuses on a different person in the group. I loved the small-town setting and the very close friendships. There is some new self-discovery as Liddy’s tries to heal from what happened the past couple years. I love romance but I enjoyed how it was not the center of Liddy’s story. It was a light feel good read and just what I needed at the time.

Thank you @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for the gifted copy.

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This is a beautifully written story of friendship, loss, and starting over. If you like books about small town life this is it! It was very well written and each character was well developed from their back story until present. I really enjoyed this book a lot. I will definitely check out more from this author.

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Liddy is trying to move on with her life after her daughter's suicide and her failed marriage. She has bought a bookstore and is determined to make it a success. But it's hard to move forward if you haven't completely dealt with the events of the past, but with a new romance and support from her good friends, Liddy is able face a more hopeful future. This is the second entry in the Wyndham Beach series, and as with the first, the author brings up a lot of emotions for the reader, and I found the book both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.

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