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4.5
In the sequel to THE CALLAHAN COUSINS #1: SUMMER BEGINS, the four Callahan cousins --- Neeve, Hillary, Kate and Phoebe --- are planning their move into their grandmother Gee's guesthouse, the Dorm. While the first book was truly Hillary's tale, this one is from the viewpoint of Neeve. Kate and Neeve squabble over the redecorating of the shabby area, both wanting to plan the new look. As the girls scout the attic searching for usable finds for their new lair, Neeve discovers a shocking old wedding photograph of her father --- but the bride is not her mother. Completely flabbergasted, Neeve hides the photo and doesn't mention it to anyone.Sloan, the meanest girl on Gull Island, invites the cousins to a sleepover. When Sloan insults two of the cousins, Neeve talks the others into accepting the invitation with the plan of getting even somehow. But Gee gets wind of their revenge plan and squashes it.The girls begin cleaning and painting the Dorm, planning to amaze Gee with a big unveiling of the freshly decorated guesthouse. Meanwhile, Gee delights the cousins by giving them driving lessons "just in case of an emergency."Neeve discovers that Sloan has something that Neeve desires with her whole heart. She trades her case of exotic makeup without telling her cousins what she's trading for, which leaves them confused and worried.The mystery surrounding the puzzling wedding photo deepens when Sloan cryptically mentions the girl in the pictures, adding that her mother says how sad it all ended, and that everyone on Gull Island was upset. Neeve is more anxious than ever. What is the story? Did her father do something wrong? Was he actually married before? Why wouldn't he tell her? Could he have other children?An intriguing mystery, a fabulously cozy setting, and the friendship of "cousins forever" add up to another fresh, fun read in this series. If the conflicts are rather easily solved (as in the averted revenge scenario) and relationships/settings/meals tend to be just a bit too perfect, it all adds to the very high "escape reading" enjoyment factor. --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon [...]
