Hemmer, Emily. Wynn In Doubt. Seattle, Washington: Lake Union Publishing, 2015.

I continue to explore the new adult genre in this title. I was drawn immediately in with the author's prologue about her great grandmother. That the main character is named Wynn, my grandmother's name surely didn't hurt. Wynn's story is likely a common one. At 28 when just isn't where she had hoped to be in life. Her career has gone nowhere. She isn't in a relationship, still pining over a boy who kissed her just once in high school. But, she makes a discovery. She learns of her gram's mom Lola who left her daughter behind to find a new life. Her own mother hates even the thought of this woman who hurt her mother. Her sisters side with her mom, but Wynn just finds that she needs to know. She feels a connection, off she goes with Oliver (the kiss...a bit of a coincidence that he is back in town and looking for her...) to find out what she can about Lola and her life. This quest is the beginning of her coming of age.

Wynn's journey resonates me she gives hope to the young person who struggles. Hope to be bold. Hope to try new things. Hope that it is never too late to redefine who you are. I can overlook the romance that doesn't completely work for me - my age perhaps? I seem consistently jarred by the relationships of the genre. But I like Oliver and I like how things work out...no spoilers. I like to read about women who insist on charting their own course, the historical story, the research, the diary all add to the narrative I love the lesson of learning from the ones who precede us. The lesson that urges forgiveness. Much to be admired in this work.