What happens when a DNA test reveals more than ancestry? This gentle summer read dives into family, truth, and the unexpected bond between sisters.
Title: The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne
Publish Date: June 3, 2025
Genre: Women's Fiction, Contemporary Family Drama
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
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Book Summary
From New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne comes a brand-new story about two women, a family secret and a lost manuscript that changes everything...
Raised by her literary icon father Carson Wells, Alison Wells always felt loved, even though her mother died when she was a teen. But when she takes a DNA test on a whim and discovers she has a sister she never knew about, it's clear there are things her father didn't tell her before he died. Determined to meet Juniper—her half sister—and unravel the truth of what happened all those years ago, Ali finds herself taking a job as Juniper's intern. She'll eventually figure out a way to tell Juniper the truth of their relationship. But she never could have imagined what would happen next...
Juniper Connolly has always been incredibly healthy...until she wakes up in the hospital after experiencing cardiac arrest, with her new—and recently fired—intern to thank for saving her life.
Why You'll Love This Book
Sister drama, buried secrets, a Wyoming cabin, and the power of forgiveness — perfect for fans of feel-good fiction with emotional layers.
My Review
RaeAnne Thayne returns with a heartfelt tale about identity and the meaning of family. The premise—two women discovering they're half-sisters through a DNA test—instantly hooked me. Ali's quiet strength contrasts beautifully with Juniper's high-powered world, and I enjoyed how the story explored emotional healing.
While I appreciated the emotional beats and sisterly connection, the story felt like it could have been expanded into a multi-book series. Juniper's complex journey with stress, burnout, and medical trauma could have easily carried one full novel, while Ali's emotional unraveling after the DNA reveal deserved deeper exploration in its own right.
That said, the pacing was slow. Some chapters leaned too heavily into inner monologue, which caused the story to lose momentum at times. I found myself wanting more interaction between the sisters and less reflection. The Wyoming setting provided lovely atmosphere, but I craved more genuine sister bonding beyond surface-level acceptance.
Ali's potential romance with Xander, her childhood best friend turned globe-trotting travel vlogger, felt particularly underdeveloped. Their history runs deep—school days, secrets, shared grief—and the chemistry between them hints at something more than friendship. But because so much of their reconnection happens off the page, their relationship felt more like a subplot than the emotional thread it could have been.
Juniper Connolly
"If there was one thing June had learned since her cardiac arrest, it was that broken hearts didn't mend. A person simply had to learn how to accept the scars."
What Could Have Been Stronger
Several plot elements felt rushed or underdeveloped. The sisters' matter-of-fact acceptance of their newfound relationship lacked the internal struggle you'd expect—no wrestling with questions of identity, inherited health concerns, or the complexity of building family bonds as adults.
The mysterious lost manuscript felt like a significant missed opportunity. The buildup was compelling—June reading through journals, the tantalizing mystery of finding this lost work—but once discovered, it was literally shelved with little revelation about its contents. I found myself pulled into the mystery only to have it fizzle just when it should have delivered emotional payoff.
Beckett Hunter's tragic backstory—his wife's death at the hands of "one angry, revenge-filled, psychotic mother"—was glossed over in a single paragraph when it could have added meaningful depth to his character development. The romance subplot between June and Beck showed promise but needed more space to breathe.
Carson and Elizabeth's love story, full of secrets and sacrifices, could have made a powerful prequel. Understanding their relationship would have added crucial context to both daughters' struggles with identity and family. Each character felt worthy of deeper exploration—and deserved the space to truly simmer.
Still, the story had genuinely poignant moments that brought tears to my eyes. Thayne's signature warmth shines through, and the emotional payoff in the final third helped redeem some of the slower pacing in the middle sections.
My Favorite Quote
"Books connect us across time. Across blood. Sometimes they reveal more truth than we're ready to hear."
My Final Thoughts
While this wasn't the emotionally complex family saga I hoped for, it had genuinely touching moments and Thayne's signature warmth. The small-town Wyoming setting provides lovely atmosphere, and readers seeking gentle stories of healing and connection will find comfort here. Just don't expect deep dives into the messy, complicated work of building new family bonds.
A gentle, introspective story that will resonate with readers who enjoy books about second chances, family secrets, and slow-building relationships. Perfect for a reflective weekend or book club discussion.
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I was waiting for this book to be published. Nothing ever works out if you start a relationship with lies. Purchasing my copy today.
ReplyDeleteHi Raven,
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t agree more—starting with secrets always complicates things! I hope you enjoy the emotional twists and sister dynamics in this one as much as I did. If you have any thoughts on this story—or ideas for future book reviews you’d love to see—I’d really enjoy hearing them!