Genre
Audience
Adult
Author’s Worldview
Catholic
Year Published
2016
Themes
Reviewed by
M.S. Ocampo
Katherine “Kate” Middleton (not to be mistaken for the Duchess of Cambridge)’s life changes with a single phone call from a woman she has never met. The man she thought was her husband has a whole different life apart from her, including another wife and kids. Her marriage is not even valid.
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Get Weekly Catholic Books for as little as $1
Longing to escape this false life and start fresh, Kate leases a house on Chincoteague Island, off the coast of Virginia. She takes on a new job writing for the local paper, a step up from selling advertisement space for a Washington D.C. magazine. Kate quickly makes friends within the Chincoteague community. Sparks start flying between her and Aaron Kelly, a member of the Coast Guard.
Unfortunately, Kate quickly discovers that she’s pregnant with her ex-husband’s baby. She never considers abortion as an option, in spite of not being religious. However, she avoids the responsibility of telling her former husband about it until well into the pregnancy.
Motherhood brings on many new responsibilities. Lucky for Kate, the people of Chincoteague Bay as well as her family are ready to help her. Even her brother, who has been on tour with the Army, eventually arrives to help her out. But Kate still has to face the responsibility of telling her former husband and dealing with whatever consequences come from it.
A few interesting subplots revolve around the burdens other characters are carrying. One of Kate’s friends deals with single motherhood and the stigma of being married to a man who ended up murdered. Kate’s brother and Aaron Kelly are both processing major trauma from the time they served in the military. The story has an overall theme of everyone having skeletons in their closets, but being able to overcome their pasts with the help of a supportive community.
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Get Weekly Catholic Books for as little as $1
I would recommend this novel for fans of Lifetime movie dramas as well as Hallmark Channel’s romantic comedies. Kate starts out not being a religious person, but finds comfort in the local Catholic community. This novel also handles themes of past trauma in a very relatable way.
Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal
Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors
The Poppy and The Rose by Ashlee Cowles
While abroad in England, Taylor discovers a mystery linking her to an heiress and passenger aboard The Titanic.
Falling Into Place by Susan Brinkmann
She’s New Age; he’s Catholic—can their romance survive? And can she survive their investigation into their city’s Satanic hate crimes?
Someday by Corinna Turner
Ordinary schoolgirls face a terrible fate: abuse, forced marriages, and even death at the hands of Islamic extremists.
A Changing of the Guard; Three Last Things Book 2 by Corinna Turner
A priest to Death Row inmates, Fr. Jacob must face the earthly consequences of ‘love thy enemy’
All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk
A truly healthy romance that will STILL leave you up at night
Hold Fast By Spencer K.M. Brown
Will a small rowboat on Lake Superior awaken the stalled lives of a father and son?
Shooting At Heaven’s Gate, by Kaye Park Hinckley
How does an ordinary boy become a mass murderer?
Cinderella by Charles Perrault
The true story of the Catholic saint who inspired the myth of Cinderella
Bullet Proof Vestments by Jane Lebak
Fr. Jay left his criminal past behind him, but it’s coming back for vengeance and it might take his parish down with him.
The Book of Jotham by Arthur Powers
Experience Christ through the eyes of Jotham, his disabled disciple.
Lying Awake by Mark Salzman
A cloistered nun confronts her faith when she realizes that the private revelations she has been given might be the product of epilepsy.
680 Miles Away By Tara J. Stone
Will Evie run away for good, or will she fight for Finn?
Freeing Tanner Rose by T.M. Gaouette
Hollywood Starlet meets Kung Fu Country boy with a God obsession.
Blink and We’ll Miss It by Ginny Kochis
Back amongst her estranged best friends and former love, Mae tries to hide her time-hopping secret.
Relic of His Heart by Jane Lebak
An atheist midwife has no idea what she’s in for when she makes a deal with an angel.
Live and Let Bite Review by Declan Finn
The battle with the demons of San Francisco left Marco broken and now Amanda isn’t answering his messages.
The Blackbird and Other Stories By Sally Thomas
How does the human heart cope and soar from within breakage?
Revelation by Flannery O’Connor
Flannery O’Connor takes us into the mental experience of one of those people Jesus condemned.
Ornamental Graces by Carolyn Astfalk
A great romantic drama about how authentic love can restore life to two people who have been hurt in the past.
The River of Life by Diana González Tabbaa
The death of little Anthony’s father shakes his faith until a heaven-sent friend helps him find his way back to God.



