The Summer We Lost Her by Tish Cohen

The Summer We Lost Her: A Novel by Tish Cohen. Scout Press, Simon and Schuster, 2019. Adult fiction.  On sale 6/4/2019)

Matt Sorenson, a lawyer, and his wife, Elise, a dressage horsewoman destined for the Rio Olympics, have one child, Gracie. Life recently has been difficult with Elise away for weeks at a time and Matt struggling to single parent and become partner in the firm. Gracie's smiles and determination as she navigates her turquoise crutches are lights in their lives.

Matt's now deceased grandfather, Nate, had an estate on Lake Placid, New York. It's here that the little family plan to pack up and sell it all. Elise doesn't realize that Matt's old love, Cass, lives right next door. Matt doesn't realize what Nate's accumulation of land involved. Elise keeps her own secrets close. And, then, Gracie goes missing.

A story of essentially what really matters in life, this novel well describes the small community, the haves and have-nots, the price people pay for what they think they want. Cohen knows the setting well and readers will feel like they are right there. She also is adept at describing the humans and their strengths and foibles. Will they find Gracie? Will their love survive either way?  Full of suspense, simmering attraction, and a parent's worst fear, this is a book to pack in your summer bag!