by Kristin Hannah, 2010
Two sisters think their mom is a cold, heartless woman who hates them. Until their dad, beloved, on his deathbed, makes them promise to get her to tell her all of the fairy tale story about the prince and the peasant girl. Finally, they do, while on a cruise to Alaska, and discover the tragic story of their mom’s life, who grew up in Leningrad during Stalin and then WWII and the siege of Leningrad. Their mom lost her whole entire family: Father, Mother, Grandma, Sister, Husband, 2 children. Tragically, of starvation, cold, and the war. Once they know the whole story of their mom, they understand, forgive, and go on with their lives happily now, instead of destructively. But it turns out, on the trip to Alaska, they meet their mother’s long lost daughter – who was thought dead by bombing in Leningrad – but wasn’t – Surprise! And her prince husband – was there in Alaska until 1 year before the Mom got there – just died – still waiting for her. NEAT STORY!