As I celebrate the 5th Anniversary of completing the Annie Crow Knoll Trilogy, it occurs to me that the middle book, Sunset, doesn’t get my attention as much as Sunrise and Moonrise do. Today, as the Anniversary Sale continues, I’d like to share a favorite part of Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset.

Although this book is primarily Nate’s story, the friendship that develops between June, Nate’s wife, and Beth Ann, his childhood friend, is special to me. Both women are dealing with huge challenges which bring them together.

June’s desperation to have a child and Nate’s devotion to his restaurant business in Manhattan have taken a toll on their marriage and on June’s fragile mental health. After her deep depression drives her to desperate measures, Nate gives up his business and brings her back to Annie Crow Knoll in hopes of saving her and their marriage.

Beth Ann won her battle against cancer in Sunrise. It has returned, and this second round of treatments has been unsuccessful and taken away any quality of life. She returns to the Knoll seeking hope and healing on the bay.

Here’s a short selection between Beth Ann and June when they have taken a sunset canoe paddle and pulled over on a beach.

****

“The bay always improves everything.” Beth Ann removed the bandana she’d worn covering her patchy downs of hair. “Won’t get sun burned now.”

Without thinking, June reached over and touched the top of Beth Ann’s fuzzy head.

“No one is as comfortable around me as you are,” Beth Ann said.

“That’s funny because most people make me uncomfortable.” June let her hand drop back into her lap.

“But not me?”

“No.”

“I usually feel like I have to help people to be at ease around me.”

“How’s that?”

“They look at me, and they don’t know what to do or say.” Beth Ann leaned back on their beach blanket.

“They’re sorry for you.”

“No. It’s something else. I see fear in their eyes. Like they’re afraid this might happen to them. So I end up trying to assure them that they’ll be okay even if it does. But I don’t see that kind of fear in your eyes.”

“That’s because I’m not afraid to die. Sometimes I think it would be a relief.”

*****

Here’s an Amazon review on Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset.

Victoria Marie Lees 5.0 out of 5 stars Learning to Let Go Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset by Gail Priest is the second novel in this contemporary three-book series. Sunset continues the reader’s relationship with the loveable characters who vacation at the summer rental cottages at Annie Crow Knoll in the Chesapeake Bay area. Sunset is the story about Annie and her friends’ children coming of age. It’s about Annie’s relationship with her son, Nathan Bo Bidwell.

But Priest doesn’t stop there. Many characters “come of age” in this moving story. And they are not all children. The characters have their own arcs with desires, experiences and learning all their own.

Priest doesn’t shy away from difficult topics in her book; such as, racism, divorce, depression and cancer. She offers tangible experiences. But she also offers hope. And hope is what many people look for in life. Priest allows for people to be loved for who they are and not what others want them to be.

Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset by Gail Priest can be read as a standalone book. But the characters are so interesting; I suggest you read the series.