In Search Of Sam

      This beautiful novel, In Search of Sam, by Kristin Butcher is technically a sequel to the novel Truths I Learned From Sam, but it works well as a stand alone novel as well. I did not read the first novel, and never felt confused or like I was missing any important details. However, I will probably seek out and read the first novel since I enjoyed this one so much. Also, throughout this novel I had to remind myself that it is in fact fiction, because some of the happenings going on are a bit far-fetched for an 18 year old girl to make happen.
     Dani is a fierce, independent 18 year old girl who lives with her mother and step-father. She spent the past summer with her biological father - not nearly long enough - before he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died soon after. Upon his death, Dani learns that she is to inherit everything that belonged to her father Sam. So Dani decides to take a solo trip to meet the lawyer who handled Sam's affairs, much to the concern of her mother. The story doesn't stop here though, because Sam wants more information. Her father was an orphan, left on the doorstep of a family in a small city named Farrow, before he was removed by Canadian Services at the age of six due to not being properly adopted by the family he stayed with. Dani wants answers - Where did her father come from? Who were his real parents? What else can she find out about Sam that will bring her closer to him?
      In Farrow, Dani becomes charmed with the decaying city and has hopes and dreams of turning the place around. She meets Alex, an incredibly talented artist, who ends of being an essential piece of her family tree. She befriends the lady at the bed and breakfast she is staying at and comes up with dream and ideas to resurrect Farrow. Then, while still searching for anything linked to her father, she puts her plans in motion. She calls upon Sam's good friend to help organize the town's revival, her step-father in hopes he will set up a distribution center in Farrow to create jobs and more.
     But does Dani get the answers she's looking for about her father, Sam? And is she able to pull off resurrecting the almost ghost-city Farrow? This novel is one of determination, self-discovery and coming of age. The story line was great, the ending was perfect. I did not want to put this novel down. I'm looking forward to more novels by Butcher in the future!