🌊 🏖️ 🏘️ "On A Summer Tide" (Three Sisters Island Book #1) 🏘️🏖️🌊 (2019)

MY REVIEW

Series: Three Sisters Island (Book #1)

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Revell (April 30, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 080073498X

ISBN-13: 978-0800734985

⬅️ Click Picture for Purchase Information

“Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam's mantra. But there's a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on … and one who keeps moving.

Cam's full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island--a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam's surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals--and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.”

As part of the Revell Blogger Program, I was really excited to be chosen for the second book in this series, “On a Coastal Breeze” to review. So, in anticipation of getting that book, and having an Amazon gift card – I decided to get this novel to see how the series begins.

Fisher is best known for her Amish fiction; and despite having heard of her – this is the first book of hers I have ever read.

I have to hand it to the staff at Revell for designing such a calm, relaxing, and gorgeous cover that draws you right to it. Three Sisters Island looks like a place you want to visit or to live. As long as there is internet – I’d personally live there!

So, I can’t imagine any kind of discord that could come to or result from this peaceful, tranquil scene.

As previously mentioned, this is part of a series, but this particular book is a standalone read. “On a Summer Tide” is Camden’s story.

The island gets its name from a translation of the “Native” name. As the Native name was too difficult to pronounce, Paul Grayson – the new owner – decides to use the translation – Three Sisters. And, it also works out quite nicely since he has three daughters. Although the islanders are wary at first, they warm up to the idea.

Paul, a widower, is doing something he and his late wife had planned to do – buy the island (or rather camp) where they first met. I found this remarkably romantic and tragic at the same time. And, his daughters’ reactions were what I would’ve expected – shock, disbelief, as well as curiosity. They not only thought he’d lost his mind, but were also keen on helping him keep his investment.

For me, the story started off slow it wasn’t until chapter seven (7) where I felt it began gaining traction.

Also, the only characters I really liked from the beginning were Peg, Paul, and Seth. The sisters were annoying, but I saw such progression with Blaine that I came to admire her more than the others. It was nice to see Maddie even out and not overly analyze each minute detail. Cam was the one who really needed to progress, which was slower than anticipated.

Cooper was one that I felt advanced quicker than Cam, despite his “issues” which are never fully disclosed or dealt with. It was interesting how the middle sister, Maddie, seemed more in tune to what Cooper needed. However, I also felt she was far more stifling. Her training as a therapist comes in handy at times.

Cam’s character is a perfect example of success and money does not equal happiness. Watching her struggle as a single mom was heart-breaking. She truly cared about Cooper, her adopted son. But, it also seemed like she took it on more as an obligation since his deceased mother, Libby, had been her best friend.

Despite the success and substantial money from the sale of a company she helped become successful, she isn’t truly happy in her life. She insists she is moving on – but she is only moving, though getting absolutely nowhere.

And, the reader learns how their mother’s death and Libby’s are connected. That in itself is tragic, riveting, and keeps the reader engaged with this story.

The overall plot was darling! I loved the idea of buying a camp or island and building it up for improvement, but still maintaining the original concept.

As I kept reading it, I wanted to continue, more so towards the end. I wanted to see where Fisher was taking this trio of sisters, their father, and those in their lives. I wanted to see how Seth and Cam were going to go with their relationship.

The story was beautiful and endearing.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks of the sisters which showed how they became who they were and why they interacted with each other the way they did. There was a clear divisiveness between the sisters and you could easily see how the dynamics played out even into adulthood. Fisher’s realistic writing puts the readers in the middle of the conflict. And, she did so in a way where you could not only sympathize with each sister, but be annoyed with them as well.

What was also interesting was the inclusion of a mystery of sorts regarding a “disappearance”, along with a startling revelation about Cooper’s parentage.

The mystery is solved by the end of the book, and it is timid Cooper who ends up putting it together. But, Cooper’s parentage will carry over to the second book as that is not entirely revealed by the end of this one.

This doesn’t wrap up neat or tidy, but definitely ends on a positive note. The writing was superb, especially for the beginning of a series. Even if I hadn’t gotten a complimentary copy of the second book, I definitely would’ve wanted it. The events in this book set up how the second book begins and progresses.

As this is distributed by Revell, which is a Christian/faith themed company, there will be Christian tones to it. There are references to God as well as a sermon from a church service. Seth is not only the school teacher, but also interim pastor. So, this does use faith as a central theme to it. Some of Revell’s books don’t rely this heavily on faith. It wasn’t a problem for me as I don’t mind it.

For those who want less “preaching”, they may want to pass it up. This is also a clean read which means there are no sex scenes or foul language.

Recommended for fans of Christian fiction who enjoy strong faith and church themes.  

The second book; On a Coastal Breeze (Three Sisters Island #2); was released on May 5^th, 2020.

RATING:

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including Mending Fences, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.