Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter

Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter. ThomasNelson, 2007. 298p. (9781595542571) Series: Nantucket, #1

I’ve read the other books in this series and finally got a chance to read the first book. You don’t have to read them in order as the characters don’t overlap. Just the setting, Nantucket island, is the same.

Goodreads Summary:

On the beautiful island of Nantucket, salt and roses scent the air, waves sparkle over hidden currents, and a storm-tossed soul seeks safe harbor.

When Samantha Owen's estranged stepfather dies, she inherits his cottage in Nantucket--a place she left years ago, never planning to return. As a single mom, Sam can't afford to pass up on a financial windfall like ocean-front property. So she travels home to fix up the house and sell it . . . never suspecting that Landon Reed still lives two doors down. As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she left the island. Will the secrets she's hidden all these years tear them apart . . . or is Landon's love really as unconditional as he claims?

Denise Hunter weaves a heart-tugging tale of shattered trust and enduring love . . . all in a romantic seaside setting.

My Review:

For a good part of the book I was wondering if the author had decided to branch out into non-Christian fiction. The characters didn’t have active faiths if they had one at all, there was no mention of church or praying or anything you usually expect.

Nearing the end I realized that she was giving us a picture of what persistent, unconditional love looks like. So it’s a cool visualization of what Christ’s love is like, but if anyone misses the allegory I don’t think it’s a realistic portrayal of human love. Landon was too perfect.

I did enjoy the story though and was reminded that the life of a single mother is a difficult one – a good reminder to pray for the single mothers I know. Samantha who goes by Sam, was nicely written and as with all the books in this series, now I want to visit Nantucket.

There are a number of kisses and once when Sam gets drunk she makes some stupid decisions and goes home with a man. They get interrupted though and there aren’t a whole lot of descriptive details, but still I’d say this is for older teens and up.

Rating: I didn't like enough to say 4 butterflies (i.e. worth the read and reread) but it's not exactly a fluff book either...so, 3.5 butterflies

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $13.14 or $7.19); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99 / $11.99 or $6.29); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($9.99 / $7.99) 

(E-book / paperback prices good as of May 13, 2014 always double check for yourself. The second pb is the value edition.)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

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