The Firefly Hour - by Annie Rains (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For a fractured family, a beloved inn becomes a place of healing in a bittersweet novel about loss, transformation, and second chances by a USA Today bestselling author.

After a hurricane barrels down the North Carolina coast, three estranged siblings reunite to repair their late grandmother's bed-and-breakfast. The Shelter Inn still stands, suffused with childhood memories of pink-lemonade days and firefly-dotted nights. But the bonds between Amelia, Maggie, and Duncan are broken.

Amelia, the high achiever of the family, disapproves of Maggie's aimless life, which has left her without a job, home, or vision for the future. Maggie resents Amelia's need to control everything. Duncan, usually the peacekeeper, is preoccupied with his own problems--he's been hiding a devastating secret from his stepsisters, and time is running out for closure.

Luckily, Grandma Laverne left behind a box of recipe cards offering wisdom on everything from curating the perfect summer day to mending a broken heart. As the family rebuilds the storm-damaged inn, the recipes help them come to terms with life's misunderstandings--and missed connections. Can they let go of the past and forgive one another before another storm shakes them apart?

(c) 2026 by Annie Rains, all rights reserved.

Review Quotes

"Rains succeeds in branching out into a family drama while keeping the story in her familiar North Carolina setting. Annie, Maggie, and Duncan feel like realistic siblings with complex histories and emotional depth." --Booklist