Continuing the story of the people in Sunset Cove, this fourth installment is definitely worth reading. I have enjoyed getting to know Anna, Dr. Daniel, Anna’s daughter, and the other residents. They seem to come alive through the pages of these stories. I found it timely to read about the Spanish Flu coming to the United States. I also found the reminders of what people endured both on the homefront and on the frontlines comes through the pages of this book.

I have enjoyed reading each of these stories, and I feel this does the series justice. I have to say I would love to see another book in this series, however, if it stopped here, I could understand. So if you enjoy reading books about the World Wars, check out this book for yourself. I definitely recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review. ( )

There are so many reasons why I've loved the Legacy of Sunset Cove books by Melody Carlson and this fourth book may be my favorite. Carlson introduced us to some memorable characters in the first book and Turning Tide allows us to see how they've grown and changed during the years. Readers are entertained and enlightened as she continues to write about World War I, American society as it was during those years, and the Spanish Flu epidemic that ravaged the world in 1918. How ironic that many of the things that Carlson mentions are just what we are hearing and seeing today during our Corona Virus 19 outbreak! But through all of their trials and adversity, we see the citizens of Sunset Cove relying on faith and prayer to see them through.

If you are looking for a book that will fill you with many emotions as you learn about our country during the last year of World War I, you will want to read Turning Tides. I love that hope, faith, and family are stressed and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I wasn't required to post a positive review and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions. ( )

What I think you should know:
Turning Tide is the fourth book and final in the Legacy of Sunset Cove Series by Melody Carlson. This series is best read in order as the books do not give enough information about past events to be standalones. Carlson picks up the story after Surf Smugglers and if you have not read the previous books you will be lost.

What you might need to know:
Turning Tide takes place during The Great War, the story includes loss, PTSD and briefly mentions the Spanish Flu.

What I thought about this book:
By the time you get to the fourth book in a series you feel like you are visiting old friends and this is no exception. I love to read about strong women and this book is full of them. Anna is still a brave and inspirational woman, and I was thrilled with how Carlson allowed Katy to mature. Katy begins the story as the pregnant wife of a deployed serviceman and a successful business owner. I was very interested in how what we now call PTSD was discussed and treated as shell shock.My heart ached at the losses in the book, but was thrilled at the new life and joy that was found. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and although this is the end of Sunset Cove, I look forward to whatever Carlson decides to write about next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

This is my fourth visit to Sunset Cove, and am hoping it won't be the last!
Now if you are picking up this series for the first time, there is a lot of back information provided, and you should be able to continue the story.
As the story opens most of our female characters have their loved ones either in or on the way to fight in the Great War, and we experience life with them gone.
While we deal with WWI I could see the affects of all of our previous wars had on our young men, and yet from here life repeats itself.
While a lot of this story is wrapped up in this book, I've come to love the characters here, and I would love more! You will find your answers here, and some are hard, but the author has done a wonderful attention grabbing job with all of these books!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

I always find it interesting, and a little bit divine, when a book I’m reading aligns with what’s happening in my life right now. And in Turning Tide, the fourth and final book in Melody Carlson’s The Legacy of Sunset Cove series definitely contains some similarities to what American’s are currently dealing with. More on that in a bit.

Life in Sunset Cove isn’t always idyllic, especially with so many of their men fighting in the first World War, but the community knows how to pull together when times get tough. Anna and Katy have overcome a lot with the help of their friends and family, now they face challenges many others are struggling with as well.

While the story starts out somewhat slow with a lot of the daily life details, things definitely pick up near the halfway point of the book. Carlson doesn’t downplay the horrors of the war, including the losses of life and the mental status of the men who return home different and distant. And then there’s the Spanish flu pandemic and the quarantine requirements which many are experiencing right now with COVID-19.

Almost everything is wrapped up, though I did feel like the final reunion was rushed and would have enjoyed more development there. Overall, Turning Tide is a satisfying ending to this series.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )