Amelia Bae-Wood spent the last 20 years working odd jobs, traveling the world, and building up one of the most famous and revered Michelin-Star restaurants in the world with her long-time boyfriend Nils. But it all came crashing down. And even with her incredible success, all she has to show for it now is her childless, single, unemployed life and a new criminal record. After finishing up community service at a Buddhist Monastery, she gets an email from her sister Eleanor that their newly widowed mother is being kicked out from her estate. Apparently their deceased father had a Korean son they never knew about, who is now inheriting everything their father owned. With nowhere to go, all three women move into the Master’s Cottage at Arcadia Cancer Retreat Center. And while the women try to figure out how to handle the legal battles and their living situation, they meet a charming crew of volunteers – and single men. But as Amelia slowly comes to terms with her past, she soon learns that she’s not the only one with secrets. And if the truth comes to light for any of these new friends, more than just friendships and relationships will be disturbed. Relative Strangers by A. H. Kim is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility in which the Bae-Wood women deal with loss and grief while finding love and forgiveness along the way.
Book
Upon first arriving at Arcadia, Amelia barely has anything to her name, despite being a former hotshot in the restaurant industry. Trying to find a way to her family, the new chef Jett finds her on the road and gives her a ride. And upon meeting him, all of the Bae-Wood women can’t help but notice how handsome he is. Soon they get to know the other volunteers – Gisela, a yoga instructor who confides her own secret to Amelia, and Gisela’s stunning twin brother Hari. There’s also Leo, Arcadia’s owner and Eleanor’s friend. And Brandon, an expert on local fauna and school headmaster who is on a year-long sabbatical to help Leo. With the exception of Leo, all men are eligible bachelors and have eyes for the “Bae-Wood Beauties.” And while Hari makes his intentions with Amelia clear, the other men seem to be holding back. And as Amelia learns more about Gisela, Hari, Jett, and Brandon, she learns that their pasts are more complicated than they let on. Throw in inheritance issues with their long-lost half-brother Chong Bae, and readers are treated to a roller coaster of emotions throughout Relative Strangers.
Review
Kim delivers a heartfelt and authentic story with this one. The Bae-Wood women are grieving for their loss of love and home, yet find comfort and connection with Arcadia’s guests and volunteers. Readers who can relate to losing a loved one from cancer will undoubtedly understand how complicated healing from that loss can be – especially the legal disputes that sometimes accompany such events. Not only that, but the secrets and love twists will have readers guessing who pairs up in the end. There’s more than one “Happily Ever After” in Relative Strangers.
A. H. Kim joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about the challenges of writing a Jane Austen retelling and plans for the future. Keep an ear out for the interview in an upcoming episode and preorder Relative Strangers available April 2.
