Scribbly Gum island in al its enchantment and beauty has quite the history with the Monroe Baby mystery. Connie and Rose allegedly rescued an abandoned baby near their home and raised her as their own. Many theories have surfaced as time has passed and the sisters did not hesitate to allow this mystery to be the center stage for their charming island. It evolved into the family business and as their family extended, more and more wanted to figure out what happened that faithful day when Enigma was found by her soon-to-be new parents, Connie and Rose. The only people who knew what really happened were Connie and Rose. They decided they would only tell their daughter, Enigma, when she turned 40 and so ensued the family legacy of finding out the truth at that age. This extended to Enigma's children, and eventually grand children.
Time has passed and Connie, Rose, and Enigma have all aged. Enigma has two daughters whom each have children of their own and have given her grand children as well. Thomas, one of Enigma's grand children, found the love of his life, Sophie, who would eventually break his heart as the feelings were not mutual. Sophie loved Thomas, but couldn't make up for the passion their relationship lacked. Unfortunately, Thomas would move on, but Sophie had a long road ahead to find "the one." She did however receive the best gift anyone could offer. She got a chance at a new beginning and completely different life which would take her away from the city and back to the island she always loved visiting back in the days of dating Thomas, Scribbly Gum. You see, Connie, Thomas's great aunt passed away and left Sophie her home. She saw something in Sophie those many years ago and knew nobody would appreciate that house as much as Sophie. Yes, this did cause animosity in the family, but everyone knew; what Connie wanted, Connie got, even in death. While Sophie is getting settled on the Island, she meets Grace and Callum, new parents whom were Enigma's grand children. Little does she know what she is about to get herself into.
Grace knows what she should be feeling about her baby, but she just doesn't. She feels nothing. So she does what she is supposed to; bathes him, feeds him, puts him down for a nap, and all of the other motherly things, but that is all she can bring herself to do and even that is torture. What is wrong with her? Callum is more loving and can keep the baby calm, what is she missing? She needs to fix this and finally comes up with her plan when Sophie comes into their lives. Sophie is great with the baby and makes the baby and her husband laugh. She is exactly what they need, not Grace. This is when Grace decides she will help Sophie and Callum connect so that when she makes her final exit, they will live on and raise the baby. To her, a life without her in it is much better than the current scenario.
This book is complex with its multiple twists. We begin with the mystery of what happened when Enigma was found in an empty house as a baby which continues throughout the story, then we have Sophie obtaining a house from the great aunt of her ex-boyfriend, and finally a complex triangle when Sophie falls in love with Grace's husband, which is exactly what Grace wants. What stood out and resonated to me most was Grace. She clearly suffers from post-natal depression and can't get out of her own mind. The more you learn about her and her past, the more you route for her. She's the friend you want to slap silly because she can't wake up from this sad dream. Without giving too much away, I found myself teary eyed as I read the last few pages and felt that peaceful closure of ending a book you were so into. This was definitely on my top 3 list of books by Liane Moriarty. Now I must wait for her next one. Until then.....
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