Warning – This review contains spoilers
This is far from the type of book I would typically read and is the first of Rosie Goodwin’s I have come across. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish and will certainly be exploring her other works. My one criticism is that is would have been nice to learn more about the character of Luke and experience his relationship with Grace develop in greater detail. Considering the detail with which we followed the lives of the other characters it felt a little disappointing not to have more time with Grace and Luke as a pair.
I was easily transported into Rosie’s world from the first page. Her writing style is enticing, descriptive and colourful and I found it easy to picture the characters and scenery, smell the sea, the food and the flowers, and feel the joy and the fear of the various women throughout the story. It was exciting to grow up alongside Grace and watch the relationship with her father develop, becoming more twisted as she grew. Grace, much like her mother Madeline, is kind-hearted and good-willed but ultimately human and therefore far from perfect. She makes many a mistake in her life, but none more so than marrying Dylan. Following her father’s stroke, Grace leaves home to move in with her Aunt Gertie in Wales and meets the young fisherman Dylan. Dylan quickly falls for Grace, but her heart belongs only to God. Leaving to join the local nunnery Grace tries to leave temptation behind and devote her life to the Lord but is distracted by the handsome Priest Luke who also quickly falls under Grace’s charm. Temptation soon becomes too much to resist and Luke and Grace come together in the Church; an ashamed Luke flees the village, leaving a pregnant Grace to face the consequences. Expelled from the convent Grace reluctantly agrees to marry Dylan in order to protect her unborn child from the shame of being born out of wedlock. Dylan promises to love her and the child as his own, however reality proves quite different and Dylan finds himself resenting Grace’s young son and soon turns violent. Grace is unable to develop feelings for Dylan and quickly finds herself in a loveless and abusive marriage. The only hope for salvation is the birth of their daughter Myfanwy who Dylan loves more than life itself. However, Myfanwy was born premature and doesn’t survive infancy, leaving Dylan even more angry and hateful towards both Grace and her son, who he blames for her death. Dylan eventually leaves to fight in the war and is seriously injured, finally succumbing to his injuries with the help of their neighbour Grace is finally free. After many years, Luke returns and is surprised to find out he has a son, he quickly rekindles his short relationship with Grace and the pair marry, finally getting their happily ever after.
This is far from the type of book I would typically read and is the first of Rosie Goodwin’s I have come across. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish and will certainly be exploring her other works. My one criticism is that is would have been nice to learn more about the character of Luke and experience his relationship with Grace develop in greater detail. Considering the detail with which we followed the lives of the other characters it felt a little disappointing not to have more time with Grace and Luke as a pair.
I was easily transported into Rosie’s world from the first page. Her writing style is enticing, descriptive and colourful and I found it easy to picture the characters and scenery, smell the sea, the food and the flowers, and feel the joy and the fear of the various women throughout the story. It was exciting to grow up alongside Grace and watch the relationship with her father develop, becoming more twisted as she grew. Grace, much like her mother Madeline, is kind-hearted and good-willed but ultimately human and therefore far from perfect. She makes many a mistake in her life, but none more so than marrying Dylan. Following her father’s stroke, Grace leaves home to move in with her Aunt Gertie in Wales and meets the young fisherman Dylan. Dylan quickly falls for Grace, but her heart belongs only to God. Leaving to join the local nunnery Grace tries to leave temptation behind and devote her life to the Lord but is distracted by the handsome Priest Luke who also quickly falls under Grace’s charm. Temptation soon becomes too much to resist and Luke and Grace come together in the Church; an ashamed Luke flees the village, leaving a pregnant Grace to face the consequences. Expelled from the convent Grace reluctantly agrees to marry Dylan in order to protect her unborn child from the shame of being born out of wedlock. Dylan promises to love her and the child as his own, however reality proves quite different and Dylan finds himself resenting Grace’s young son and soon turns violent. Grace is unable to develop feelings for Dylan and quickly finds herself in a loveless and abusive marriage. The only hope for salvation is the birth of their daughter Myfanwy who Dylan loves more than life itself. However, Myfanwy was born premature and doesn’t survive infancy, leaving Dylan even more angry and hateful towards both Grace and her son, who he blames for her death. Dylan eventually leaves to fight in the war and is seriously injured, finally succumbing to his injuries with the help of their neighbour Grace is finally free. After many years, Luke returns and is surprised to find out he has a son, he quickly rekindles his short relationship with Grace and the pair marry, finally getting their happily ever after.