On Little Wings by Regina Sirois

"Jennifer must do the impossible bring her mother home. When a family is torn apart by death, two sisters take violently divergent paths and the story of their family appears to end terribly and abruptly. Two decades later Jennifer never dreams that the photo she finds stuck between the pages of a neglected book will tear open a gaping wound to her mother’s secret past. Abandoning her comfortable life with her parents and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska, Jennifer’s quest for a hidden aunt leads her to the untamed coast of Maine where she struggles to understand why her mother lied to her for sixteen years.

Across the grey, rocky cove she meets Nathan Moore, the young, reluctant genius surrounded by women who need him to be brother, father, friend, provider, protector and now, first love. The stories, varied, hilarious, and heartbreaking, unfold to paint a striking mural of the shattered past. As Jennifer seeks to piece together her mother’s story, she inadvertently writes one for herself." (Back cover copy)

On Little Wings is the beautifully written debut novel of Regina Sirois.  The characters are all flawed which makes them even more interesting and as the back story of each character comes out they just get better. I loved how the author wove poetry through the book as a way for the characters to communicate their feelings and how the lines let us see the dimensions of the characters emotions.

The other thing I loved about this book was the description. I've never traveled to the east coast, but could picture each scene in vivid detail and wish I could see it in person. The "Jacks" were some of my favorite moments in the book. Sirois used just enough description to make them part of the scenery and enough quirkiness to make them interesting characters. 

Sirois skillfully told a story of love and discovery and though I don't often reread a book, this is one I will definitely explore again. You can find On Little Wings here and learn more about Regina Sirois here.