In The Hampton House, the first book of an enthralling new women's fiction series, Mandie Kelton, Alicia Halverson, and Suzette Paxman are drawn together by the allure of forgotten elegance and the shadows of the past. They'll have to learn to get along if they have any hope of keeping their jobs, and as they restore an abandoned mansion in The Hamptons, they'll also discover the lost and hidden parts of themselves that make them into the women they're meant to be.
Working for a prestigious New York City historical building restoration and conservation firm, Mandie, Alicia, and Suzette embark on a journey to breathe new life into abandoned mansions along the Eastern Seaboard. Their latest project, an enigmatic mansion in The Hamptons, promises more than just a restoration challenge; it offers a journey of self-discovery and an unfolding mystery that will bind them in ways they never anticipated.
Mandie Kelton, with her keen eye for architectural beauty and a deep-seated belief in the stories walls can tell, is the heart of the team. She hasn't had a field assignment for months, and after being encouraged by her husband and then her best friend, Mandie volunteers in a meeting where people have been fired for less.
Alicia Halverson is the accounting genius on the team, and she also brings her unparalleled restoration skills, ensuring no detail is overlooked. She's recently divorced and caring for two small children alone, so she also needs a local project. She and Mandie have always gotten along well despite their age differences, and Lish is thrilled to be working with her best friend in The Hamptons.
However, after their third team member, a "bulldozer" who goes into the dirtiest of places inside the abandoned mansions the firm carefully restores, suffers a fall, Suzette Paxman is assigned to Mandie and Lish's team.
Suzie is a whirlwind of innovation and energy, whose initial friction with Mandie and Alicia masks her deep-seated fear of not belonging. She knows she's not well-liked, and she's always lived up to her role as a bulldozer.
But as she, Mandie, and Lish peel back the layers of the Hampton House, they uncover a tapestry of secrets that challenge their perceptions of history, love, and friendship.
The sixteen-thousand-square-foot mansion, with its grandeur and mystery, becomes a character in its own right, as every abandoned mansion Mandie's ever entered has its own story to tell.
Who lived there? Why did they leave it? Why didn't they take anything with them?
The Hampton House reveals clues to a bygone era and a forgotten love story that mirrors each woman's own evolving bonds. Mandie, Lish, and Suzie navigate through hidden passages, decode ancient letters, and restore long-lost beauty, all while grappling with personal demons and professional rivalries.
As the walls of the Hampton House come alive with tales of yesteryears, Mandie, Lish, and Suzie find themselves facing truths about their own lives. They learn that real strength lies in vulnerability, true friendship is forged in adversity, and the most enduring love stories are those that survive the test of time.
The Hampton House is not just a journey through the corridors of a forgotten mansion; it is a voyage into the heart of friendship, resilience, and the enduring power of love. Join these three women as they discover that restoring a house is akin to mending one's soul, and in the process, uncover a mystery that will forever link their destinies to the Hampton House–and each other.
