★ 12/01/2020
Sisters with opposite personalities embark on a strenuous hike through Michigan's Porcupine Mountains in an attempt to reconnect after years apart owing to a family tragedy. Olivia Greene is a successful prosecutor and believes in nothing but her own abilities, while her sister, Melanie, is a social media guru who believes a little bit of every philosophy and religion under the sun. Their bonding hike starts out badly in a rainstorm, and the sisters encounter one mishap after another as they try desperately to rekindle the camaraderie of their childhood. Bereft of modern conveniences, each woman discovers truths about herself, but they must still find the courage to face the past and accept forgiveness. As each reaches the end of her rope, a mysterious stranger named Josh opens their eyes to the possibility of miracles. VERDICT In a modern-day tale of Martha and Mary, Bartels (We Hope for Better Things) proves herself a master wordsmith and storyteller. Fans of Rachel Hauck and David Rawlings will appreciate hints of a world beyond our own, and anyone with sisters will relate to Olivia and Melanie's tumultuous relationship.—Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA