This tale of two sisters is the latest in the Blackberry Island series. Nina Wentworth is juggling work as a paediatric nurse with her mother's random organisation of an antique shop that leaves Nina mopping up problems. A rainstorm in the Pacific northwest catches her out and she's given a lift home by Dylan, a previous boyfriend - only he got off the island, made it as a doctor and is now driving a BMW. Not that she still fancies him, but Nina wishes anyone else had seen the shabby comfort of her home.

Averil, Nina's sister, is married and contributing to a California girls' magazine. Her husband wants to start a family, but she's not ready just yet to give up her freedom. She arranges to take some time off to go home to the island, saying she's working on a novel. On the way, she adopts a small stray dog. She doesn't ask Nina, or her husband, if a dog is okay with them.

Being disorganised seems to run in Nina's family as she doesn't get to leaky roofs or car repairs, but she does manage to hire an efficient Korean lady in the store while her mother's away. With a long-needed cleanup under way, Nina's able to take stock - of her life. Then another hot, successful guy walks into her world. Kyle had a crush on her when he was twelve. Now he's a fighter pilot. Do good things come in pairs? Or is Kyle too good to be true?

When both Dylan and Kyle ask Nina out for dates, I was interested to see how she'd sort out this one. Between a home and shop choked with clutter and having to be responsible for everyone else, I can well imagine Nina struggling. She needed her own space, physically and mentally, in which to grow. Her income was also supporting the family. Then Averil walked back in, expecting her big sister to take care of her again, while meddling at will. No wonder there is friction! The human dynamics are well written and amusing. However I did start to find the constant rows tedious.

The girls' mother has a female partner now, while one of the junk items they bring home has unexpected and fun consequences. I liked Cindy, the savvy Korean lady, a lot. There's a lot to like, in fact, in EVENING STARS and Susan Mallery doesn't hesitate to throw in surprises to her adult romances. Visit Blackberry Island and see for yourself.

Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns to Blackberry Island with the poignant tale of two sisters on the verge of claiming their dreams

Small-town nurse Nina Wentworth has made a career out of being a caretaker. More "Mom" than their mother ever was, she sacrificed medical school—and her first love—so her sister could break free. Which is why she isn't exactly thrilled to see Averil back on Blackberry Island, especially when Nina's life has suddenly become…complicated.

Nina unexpectedly finds herself juggling two men—her high school sweetheart and a younger, maverick pilot who also wants to claim her heart. But as fun as all this romance is, Nina has real life to deal with. Averil doesn't seem to want the great guy she's married to or be making headway writing her first book, their mom is living life just as recklessly as she always has and Nina's starting to realize that the control she once had is slipping out of her fingers. Her hopes of getting off the island seem to be stretching further away…until her mother makes a discovery that could change everything forever.

But before Nina and Averil can reach for the stars, they have to decide what they want. Will Averil stay? Will Nina leave? And what about the men who claim to love them? Does love heal, or will finding their happy ending mean giving up all they've ever wanted?