The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
"A boat washes up on the shore of a remote lighthouse keeper's island. It holds a dead man and a crying baby. The only two islanders, Tom and Izzy, are about to make a devastating decision. They break the rules and follow their hearts. What happen next will break yours."
Love demands everything.
Tom Sherbourne dream only of a quite life, to go far away from people - to run away from the haunting of his past. So when a call for a lighthouse keeper from a lighthouse at Janus Rock off the coast of Western Australia, Tom found himself walking the gangplank of the boat with nothing but a kitbag. There was nothing much to organize. He doesn't have a family, no one to say good bye too. So days later he found himself hands full with chores around the light house. And when he was plagued with nightmares of his past, he found freedom wandering in the island exhaling the rich breeze of the ocean. He thought he would come to the island, live in solitude, no concern about living but his own but he was wrong.
"I wonder if you'd do me a favour Tom... I was wondering if you'd kiss me.
Then he met Isabel and after months of writing to each other, they fell in love, got married and Tom Shebourne came home to the lighthouse with his beautiful wife Isabel and life was perfect. Isabel was happy. She instantly adapt to the life in the island making sure that Tom was happy. She perfectly settled in their cozy home which Tom spent days restoring making it nice and homely. Izzy soon became pregnant and they were so happy and excited. Tom was the typical expecting father always hesitant and doubted himself if he would ever be a good father considering the relationship he had with his father. But Izzy was always there to assure him that everything will be fine... and so they thought. After two miscarriages and a stillbirth, Izzy was desperate and torn with sadness until one day she thought she heard a cry of a baby. A boat was washed up on the shore with a dead man and a baby.
So I am not going to giveaway too much to spoil the book but so far this is one of the best books I have ever read. It was captivating that I didn't want to put it down even to pee (TMI LOL!) This is a first novel from M.L. Stedman. This book introduce us to a life where decisions were haltingly made ignoring the consequence because it seems that fate has a way of getting you out of it. It would make you think that Izzy's decision was selfish and Tom did not deserve of the misery he had to endure because of that decision yet you also feel that it was all justified because of her sufferings. She brings out the worst in him and it wasn't fair. But then there was that part where we also welcome the thought that maybe the child was a gift, a replacement for the lives they lost. This book gripped my heart because probably it hit close to home - losing a child, infertility and that longing to cradle a child in your arms, that longing of someone calling you mum. Yup I cried buckets on this one. The end was also unexpected and I wish it had a different ending but...(I promise no spoiler alert)!
I also love that this book is a kaleidoscope of elements. The scenes are magnificent and are put in a subtle yet so engaging that you get sucked in not only because of the characters and the emotiong but also because of the beautiful setting. The backdrop is so gorgeous that you feel in every text the sentiment of the story.
I must say I am in constant lookout for another M.L. Stedman. This is definitely a must read and I give it five stars out of five.
"a lighthouse warns of danger--tells people to keep their distance. She had mistaken it for a place of safety.
So I am not going to giveaway too much to spoil the book but so far this is one of the best books I have ever read. It was captivating that I didn't want to put it down even to pee (TMI LOL!) This is a first novel from M.L. Stedman. This book introduce us to a life where decisions were haltingly made ignoring the consequence because it seems that fate has a way of getting you out of it. It would make you think that Izzy's decision was selfish and Tom did not deserve of the misery he had to endure because of that decision yet you also feel that it was all justified because of her sufferings. She brings out the worst in him and it wasn't fair. But then there was that part where we also welcome the thought that maybe the child was a gift, a replacement for the lives they lost. This book gripped my heart because probably it hit close to home - losing a child, infertility and that longing to cradle a child in your arms, that longing of someone calling you mum. Yup I cried buckets on this one. The end was also unexpected and I wish it had a different ending but...(I promise no spoiler alert)!
I also love that this book is a kaleidoscope of elements. The scenes are magnificent and are put in a subtle yet so engaging that you get sucked in not only because of the characters and the emotiong but also because of the beautiful setting. The backdrop is so gorgeous that you feel in every text the sentiment of the story.
I must say I am in constant lookout for another M.L. Stedman. This is definitely a must read and I give it five stars out of five.
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