Pages: 286
Released On: 25/07/2024
Haunted by the memory of a devastating accident that claimed the lives of her husband and oldest daughter, Marissa’s life is struck by another tragedy. Her thirteen-year-old daughter, Maisy, suffers a perilous fall under mysterious circumstances. Marissa finds herself desperately hoping her deepest fear—the loss of another child—will not be realized.
While Marissa paces the emergency room, her brother Owen searches their town on Princess Island for his son, Charlie, who hasn’t come home from school. Hours later, Charlie shows up unwilling to explain where he’s been. When he skips school a few days later, and is spotted in town with a strange woman, Owen comes face to face with his own greatest fear—the return of Charlie’s mother.
As Marissa and Owen confront their worst fears and navigate the treacherous waters of the unknown, they realize that while the path forward might be fraught with pain, the potential for healing is immense.
*****
I have been lucky enough to get to read a number of Rebecca’s books in the past and they have all been wonderful. She doesn’t hide away from the pain and sadness and cruelty and hurt and anger and confusion that life can bring. But she paints it with hope and joy and love and beauty that I find really moving. So when she contacted me to ask if I would be interested in reading an early copy of her newest book, I couldn’t have said yes quick enough.
This is part of the Princess Island series and it just felt like coming home. They’re not identical characters in identical situations, of course. But there are enough reminders of the previous books that feel so warm and familiar that it was lovely. It was like catching up on your friends’ story.
Even though they are part of a series, I can tell you know that they can be read as standalone books. Sure you get something out of it if you have read them – familiarity, characters, scenery etc. – but they would be just as enjoyable if you pick and choose which one you read.
What is Rebecca doing to me?! Her books are fabulous but heart-breaking. The first 2-3 chapters of this really throws you right in. You know your main players, what’s happened, and it gives you a lot of questions you’ll try to answer as you go. But she has this ability to write as if you’re the only person reading it, like it was written solely for you, like she knows exactly what it is each individual reader needs from that book.
Like I’ve said, she’s not shy at talking about the tough parts of life, and this does include some difficult themes, such as grief, death, bereavement, serious injury, mental health issues, deceit, drug abuse, abandonment, teenage angst, suicide attempts, secrets and lies. I know that makes it sound like this book is really morose, and sure there are some tough moments (that’s a given considering the synopsis), but it never feels overwhelmingly sad or too unreal.
It’s a great look at different relationships: parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, siblings, parents and in-laws, friends, strangers, patient to doctor, cousins etc. Whilst the main crux of the plot isn’t familiar to most people (thank goodness), these relationships are, and that’s where I think Rebecca excels. For me, the going-ons of the plot is in the background; for me, the heart of this story is in the relationships – good and bad – and how the characters develop.
I devoured it in less than a day, I just couldn’t part with it. It might not be an overly short book, but it might as well have been a handful of pages long for how quick it went. I cannot wait for her next one.
It is a fabulous book and she’s a fabulous author. And whilst there’s nothing at all “less” about self publishing or indie publishing, I find it so hard to work out why a major publisher hasn’t snapped her up, as her books deserve to be read by so many people. They are easily as good as any book gracing the front window of Waterstones or Foyles or Barnes & Noble.
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