Publish Date: June 23, 2026 by Lake Union Publishing
When Bess Rollins’s parents die in a tragic accident, she is forced to abandon her dream job overseas. After three years away, she returns to her family’s estate in the Finger Lakes, a veritable monument to her brilliant late grandmother, and a reminder of the wreckage Bess left behind.
There’s the guilt over leaving her younger twin siblings, Casey and Caleb, and she struggles to rebuild a bond that may be irrevocably broken. Amid the grief, resentment still looms toward her reckless and self-indulgent mother and father. And then there’s Luke Monticelli, the devoted man Bess walked out on but never stopped loving.
Haunted by her regrets at every turn, Bess soon realizes that the past is far more complicated than she ever knew. With each secret that she uncovers about her family, Bess comes closer to healing their wounds, seizing a second chance at love, and fulfilling dreams that can lift them all—right here at home, where she belongs.
My Thoughts:
The Museum of Lost Dreams is the second book in a row I’ve read about family, and this story does not disappoint. Christine Nolfi gives the reader a realistic view of a family who is fractured by tragic circumstances, and we are shown the mindset of everyone, and their journey of opening their hearts to understand each other’s experiences, and how forgiveness and healing begins.
My heart went out to Bess and her siblings. They were severely neglected by their parents and when tragic strikes Bess’s younger brother, she goes through extreme quilt for what happened to him and her mother’s blaming Bess was unwarranted, but typical of her behavior. Essentially her drug addicted mother blamed her for many things and there was no self-accountability for the actions of herself, nor from her husband which ultimately, their recklessness and disgusting behavior, and lifestyle was their demise in my opinion.
This story has a dual timeline which really helped the premise and gave me clarity in the family dynamic. There are also historical elements that were intriguing and helped keep me invested in the story even more. I absolutely love dual timelines and when they are done right, it is a guarantee, I’m giving the story a high rating.
A thought provoking, emotional, and moving story of second chances.
Stephanie
I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.
Side Bar: I maybe counted three curse words in the entire book? Also, there is low spice in this book, but no actual description of-ahem-spice scenes.
Layered Pages 