The Light Between Oceans by M.L Stedman

Okay.  So I bought this book on a whim at Target one day.  I’ve been seeing the trailer for the movie for the past few weeks now, and I was intrigued.  The story is about a couple who live out on an isolated island near Australia while the husband works the lighthouse.  After the end of WWI, Tom Sherborne comes back a changed man.  When he meets Isobel and they start a courtship through the mail while he is out on the lighthouse, he thinks live might be different now.  Through hardships, miscarriages, and loneliness, the book follows what each character is thinking and feeling.

One day, a rowboat washes ashore with a dead man and a live baby.  Convincing herself that it’s a sign from God, Isobel convinces Tom that the baby was sent to them and they need to take care of it.  After returning to the mainland two years later, they find out the mother is still alive and the circumstances of how her husband and baby end up in the boat are heartbreaking.  This starts the unraveling of Tom and Isobel.  The book reaches a satisfying conclusion, even after their secret comes out.

It was a beautifully written book with gorgeous description of scenery and of the inner turmoil of the characters.  I finished it in a weekend, and don’t know if I can go see the movie.  The book was that affecting.

On a side note, next week I’ll be attending the Bouchercon Conference down in New Orleans thanks to a helpful fellow Sisters in Crime Guppy.  I can’t wait!  As I’m now at 41,000 words in my first cozy mystery, I’m ready to get some more information and hopefully get this sold soon!