Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

In The Daphne Project by Jacqui Lents, Daphne Patterson, a thirty-something librarian, faces her lowest point. She is betrayed by the man she thought would be forever; she is unemployed, and she is living with her overbearing mother. She needs a new start. But how can she start from rock bottom? Her desperation for change finds the perfect answer when she learns that she has inherited a house in Cobb, Maine, left to her by her great-aunt Florence. She plans to sell the house and start her life anew somewhere else, but all her plans end when she steps into the house. She is flooded with memories of a summer there, and as secrets about her enigmatic aunt begin to surface, Daphne is shocked by another discovery. Her aunt’s suicide might have been murder. Follow her as she connects with townsfolk, probes into the mystery, and even finds romance.

The Daphne Project is a story of a woman rising from the ashes, and her grit and determination to change her life were inspiring. Jacqui Lents’ characters are realistic, and apart from Daphne, who is flawed and utterly likable, I enjoyed characters like Phil. The fishing date was exceptionally written, and I found myself asking questions about a possible future between Phil and Daphne, which kept the suspense consistent in the story. The connection between Fitzy and Daphne is also emotionally rich, infusing the writing with suspense. The mystery about the death of Aunt Florence keeps you turning the pages, wondering if Daphne will find answers. This well-plotted, fast-paced story is the perfect read, and I will be looking out for more stories from this author.