The Oysterville Sewing Circle - by Susan Wiggs (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Stitched together with love, this is a story just waiting for your favorite reading chair. With her signature style and skill, Susan Wiggs delivers an intricate patchwork of old wounds and new beginnings, romance and the healing power of friendship, wrapped in a lovely little community that's hiding a few secrets of its own."
-- Lisa Wingate, New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

The #1 New York Times bestselling author brings us her most ambitious and provocative work yet--a searing and timely novel that explores the most volatile issue of our time--domestic violence.

At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.

She's come home.

Home to a place she thought she'd left forever, home of her heart and memories, but not her future. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous fashion world of Manhattan. But her success in New York imploded on a wave of scandal and tragedy, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.

And in the backseat of Caroline's car are two children who were orphaned in a single chilling moment--five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She's now their legal guardian--a role she's not sure she's ready for.

But the Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to pass on their thriving seafood restaurant to the next generation. And there's Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who's also returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline's best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.

Caroline returns to her favorite place: the sewing shop owned by Mrs. Lindy Bloom, the woman who inspired her and taught her to sew. There she discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle--where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.

Yet just as Caroline regains her creativity and fighting spirit, and the children begin to heal from their loss, an unexpected challenge tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She's going to stand and fight for everything--and everyone--she loves.

From the Back Cover

The #1 New York Times bestselling author brings us her most ambitious and provocative work yet--a searing and timely novel that explores the sustaining power of women's friendships.

At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.

She's come home to a place she thought she'd left forever. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous world of fashion. But her success imploded on a wave of scandal, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.

And in the back seat of Caroline's car are two child-ren who were orphaned in a single chilling moment: five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She's now their legal guardian--a role she's not sure she's ready for.

The Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to retire. And there's Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who's returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline's best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.

Caroline returns to the sewing shop where she first found her passion, and discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle--where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.

Yet just as Caroline and the children begin to heal from their loss, a new threat tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She's going to stand and fight for everything--and everyone--she loves.

Review Quotes

“Susan Wiggs' gift of allegory is nothing short of masterful in THE OYSTERVILLE SEWING CIRCLE . . . . Caroline is a tremendous character whose story touches your heart and is a joy to follow. ” --FreshFiction

"A lovely read--entertaining, poignant, and meaningful." --Kirkus

"Infused with Susan Wiggs's signature warmth and poignancy, The Oysterville Sewing Circle is a moving, romantic, unforgettable story of accidental families, rediscovered love, and the strength of sisterhood." --Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

"The latest from best seller Wiggs (The Apple Orchard) is a great mix of contemporary women's fiction, an old-fashioned friends-to-lovers story, and a big dose of #metoo reading in one fantastic package. The dialog flows smoothly, the past and present time lines effortlessly tell the tale, and the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest is the perfect setting. The characters are unforgettable, especially Caroline and her two adorable charges. They, along with the author's focus on domestic abuse, are the standouts." --Library Journal (starred review)

“The Oysterville Sewing Circle has it all--romance, heartbreak, new beginnings, and the healing power of sisterhood.”--Bookbub

“A large cast of interesting characters in a picturesque setting. Caroline's struggle to turn her professional life around while falling in love . . . make the pages turn quickly.”--The Seattle Times

“Stitched together with love, this is a story just waiting for your favorite reading chair. With her signature style and skill, Susan Wiggs delivers an intricate patchwork of old wounds and new beginnings, romance and the healing power of friendship, wrapped in a lovely little community that's hiding a few secrets of its own.”--Lisa Wingate, New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

“Wiggs writes with thoughtfulness, gentleness, and realism as she tells the stories of women affected by domestic violence. The gentle romance between two friends reconnecting never distracts from these survivor stories. A topical and excellent book for every library.”--Booklist

“Wiggs's characters are believable not only because of their complexity, but because of their ability to deal with their faults. This story about discovering strength from friends and within is a winner.”--Publishers Weekly

"The Oysterville Sewing Circle is sure to be a book club favorite! You will be swept into Caroline's world, as secrets are revealed and she reinvents her life after loss. This is a rich, satisfying story of a lifelong friendship, forgiveness and the power of love. The great Susan Wiggs writes with grace, insight and wisdom about the things that matter."--Adriana Trigiani bestselling author of Tony's Wife

"This book is a gripping story of women helping women."--Debbie Macomber