Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of a book by one of my favorite authors! Hazel Gaynor smoothly writes the most interesting and emotional historical fiction stories, and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter is another favorite and placed on my Huggable Bookshelf. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter is a William Morrow publication and is available now!
My Thoughts:
When you have a favorite author, you count the days until her next release. The day came for Hazel Gaynor and The Lightkeeper’s Daughter, and it lived up to my every expectation!
First of all, in case you didn’t know, I am obsessed with lighthouses. I grew up near one, my husband proposed to me there, and we later married near another. There is something both mystical and majestic about them, along with their steadfast beaming light signaling support to all those who need it.
Told in dual narratives, of which I loved both in equal measure (which is not always the case with dual narratives!), the first is set in Northumberland, England in 1838. The Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands is tended by the Darling family, which is where we meet young Grace Darling. She witnesses a shipwreck in a horrific storm and convinces her father that they must help the survivors, which in turn puts their own lives in jeopardy.
Grace is strong and cares for the lighthouse better than any of her siblings, but when it comes down to who is next in line for the job, it will be her brother, and not her because she is female. Even though she is celebrated as a hero throughout England for her efforts in saving the shipwrecked survivors, no matter; she still cannot inherit the job at the light.
The second timeline is in 1938 Newport, Rhode Island at another lighthouse. Just 19-years-old, pregnant, and unwed, Matilda Emmerson is sent from Ireland to live with a distant relative in the United States. There are connections amongst these characters and across timelines that are unexpected and beautifully-executed.
Hazel Gaynor is a natural storyteller. Her books are emotional, charming, and heartwarming. Inspired by the true story of Grace Darling, in The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter, Gaynor has given us several formidable, memorable, and inspiring female characters who are the epitome of bravery and sacrifice that know no bounds. This book gets my highest recommendation. Don’t miss it!
Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own. The physical copy was purchased by me. This beauty had to go on the shelf next to my other Hazel Gaynor books!
Synopsis:
“They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.”
1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her twenty-two years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads, and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart.
1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen-years-old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love.
Loved the hibiscus flower… Feels like the book was read in a tropical island in the midst of nature..
I loved knowing your affinity for lighthouses. Have you lived in a lighthouse ever, or spent a night?
Beautiful review ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Shalini! I haven’t been able to do that yet. Most of the ones locally are owned by the state and used as parks. I do have it on my bucket list though! One day I will! ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome picture and review Jen! I’ve never read this author before. I will see what my library has! Have a great day!😊💕👻
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Sus! Oh, you have to try this author! My favorite is The Cottingley Secret, but I think this one might be right up there. You will love her storytelling. Happy Wednesday! 💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
This sounds really good! I love lighthouses too. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was wonderful, Holls! Happy you love lighthouses, too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I find lighthouses mystical and mysterious, too, and love your connection to them. Beautiful review and presentation.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much, Jonetta! Two of my favorites are the old and new Cape Henry in Virginia Beach!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never seen them and that’s close to my hometown (Newport News).
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remembered and was hoping maybe you had seen them. 😊 I was an adult before I saw them the first time- at least I think so.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great review Jennifer. Love the sound of a huggable bookshelf! x
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much! All my favorite books go there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like to the perfect book for you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it really was! ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely review 🙂
It’s nice when you just click with an author and you know whatever he/she writes will be right up your alley ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Norrie! It really is the best to have a reliable author! 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely pictures and review. I want to read this one. I read Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and enjoyed it. Happy Reading! ❤️🌹📚
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Virginia! Last Christmas is Paris was so good! I’m happy you loved it too! 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
I haven’t read anything by this author yet, but your review has me intrigued! I do have this one added and will be reading it eventually. Love you’re review, Jenn! Beautiful pic too. ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, favorite M! You definitely should try this author. She’s a wonder! I think she’d tug on your heartstrings. 💕 💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful review, Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed reading it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Darinda!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So pleased you loved this!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! It was so special!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is high on my TBR! I loved Last Christmas in Paris!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, Carol, you are in for such a treat! Now I’m ready for Gaynor and Webb’s Meet Me in Monaco!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh I don’t know about Meet Me in Monoco!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My husband proposed to me at a lighthouse in our hometown 🙂 BTW, am I right to say that you have a really gorgeous garden filled with beautiful blooms?? You seem to have the most beautiful flowers in all of your pictures!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, how special, Jee! I love that! Thank you for your kind compliments. It’s getting to the end of my growing season here, and the two hurricanes did not help things, so I just have a few pretties left to show off. Some of these pics are taken in advance, but this one was taken yesterday with some tulips I bought! 🌷 ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Tulips are one of my favs! Sunflowers too! LOOOVE sunflowers! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
I need to grow some sunflowers! We had a random one from birdseed that tried to root and bloom, but I don’t know what happened to it! 🌻 And tulips (and orchids!) are my favorites!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Omg please please plant some sunflowers! Would love to see them in your future pix! 😍😍😍
LikeLiked by 2 people
I saw my first lighthouse when we moved to the island five years ago. I LOVE them! So tall and stately, saving lives with their guiding light. We live about five minutes from a lovely historic lighthouse and my phone is filled with pics, lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, Jacquie! I bet your lighthouse is gorgeous! Aren’t you on the west coast of Canada? I was able to see a beautiful one in Vancouver! Everywhere is so pretty there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I’m in Victoria. It’s Fisgard lighthouse 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s right- we talked about it because I wanted to make it over to Victoria, but we didn’t have enough time. I will definitely have to come back because I want to see the gardens (and the lighthouse!)! What a beautiful place!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We moved here five years ago when my daughter came for university, (marine biology major-proud momma!) and stayed 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, you should definitely be proud of that! Amazing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you loved this one; it’s definitely one of my favorites ever! I didn’t know about your love of lighthouses! How romantic that you got engaged at one ❤ I have a room decorated in just lighthouse paintings and decor at our beach house and have a few lighthouse things here at home; I've always loved them too and we love going to the Outer Banks and visiting the lighthouses. There's just something special about them. Fantastic review! ❤ Happy Wednesday!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Steph! I lived in Atlantic Beach for a few years growing up, so I’m partial to the Crystal Coast area. Oh, I love that you have a room decorated that way! We have some decor spread throughout the house. I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday and so happy you loved this special book too! Xoxo ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome! I didn’t know that..how fun! I have never been to Atlantic Beach or the Crystal Cove in the 2 decades that I have lived in NC…crazy, huh? We always went to Pawley’s growing up and then Hilton Head after my parents divorced. Hubby and I have done the Outer Banks and Wilmington, but that’s it in NC. We need to go to the Crystal Coast one weekend. I do love lighthouses and the way they make you feel. Thank you…happy Friday now…It’s been a crazy, crazy week. I hope you have a good weekend. Yes, you too. It’s a fave book! xoxo ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, you definitely need to go. When I was growing up, it was famous for private beaches and not being quite as touristy or busy as Myrtle Beach, Nags Head, or Wilmington, but not as remote or slow as Duck or Hatteras. It’s probably still about there, but it’s much more developed than it was. Hard to believe how much they can pack on to one 20 mile long island! You have to take a boat over to see Cape Lookout where my husband proposed! It’s amazing over there! Wild horses on the nearby islands! I hope you have a great weeked, too! Xoxo 💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
We will plan on it! Make a weekend out of it. 🙂 I can’t stand Myrtle, lol. When we go to Pawleys, we might grab dinner in Myrtle a time or two, but I hate going to the attractions-I feel like if you’ve seen them once you’ve seen them enough. We’re a private beach type people, and both hubby and I hate crowds, which is another reason we like the Outer Banks. We spent our 15th anniversary in Rodanthe at that was beautiful, romantic, and remote…right out of Sparks’ book, lol. We’ll definitely have to check out Cape Lookout and the wild horses! We are horse crazy in our house. I grew up with horses and used to ride competitively when I was a teen and now have a very horse-lovin’ daughter…she’s obsessed and has been taking lessons since she was 5. We’ve seen the wild horses at Currituck Outer Banks-is that near Cape Lookout? I can barely get from one end of Raleigh to the other, haha! Thanks…I hope yours was awesome! Mine has been interesting….xoxo ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, Cape Lookout is part of the Crystal Coast way south of there. 😊 I took lessons and had a Tennessee Walker growing up. Love horses! ♥️ Happy week ahead! Xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, lol. I said I didn’t know my geography, LOL! We must be twins. My family has 200 acres in Bristol that has been in our family since the early 1800s; it’s mostly tobacco, cattle, etc now and my dad’s brother live there in my grandparent’s old house and his sister built her house there. We’ve always kept horses in the stables there and I had a Tennessee Walker named Daisy growing up! My older cousin had one too, and she is the reason why I got into equestrian competition. I did dressage with Daisy and jumped competitively and then taught horseback riding to little kids over the summers while in high school and college; that was the greatest job!.Daisy lived to be 28 yrs old, so she just passed away about 9 years ago and I was heartbroken. My daughter wants a horse but I don’t think our HOA board would like that! Dad has a horse for her in the country in Zebulon, but he has 5 acres (he misses the country in Bristol, lol). Horses are the best. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like a lovely book and a super review, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Marialyce! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds really interesting! I’m really picky about historical fiction, but this sounds very charming and bleak at the same time, which is coincidentally what I’ve always thought about lighthouses, perched on top of cliffs starting out at the roiling sea, they’re really beautiful and desolate at the same time. It’s so wonderful that you got proposed in one, it’s such an unusual and special setting, getting married near one must have been amazing too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Carolina! It’s hard to explain without a picture but because our coastline is sandy and not as rocky as some other places, lighthouses tend to be placed a little differently and sometimes not as desolate. That said, they are there because of our jagged coastline where a huge number of shipwrecks occurred without lighthouses (called the Graveyard of the Atlantic), so they were put where absolutely needed.
Yes, charming and bleak is a wonderful description. This author’s fiction tends to be on the uplifting side in the end after an emotional journey, and I would say that this was ultimately that, too, but it has quite a tragic start. Thanks for all your kind words, Carolina!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh I just love this photo, Jennifer! And you’ve written another great review which makes me want to read this book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Darina! I adored this book, and I’m so happy that came across!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful review. The premise is quite enchanting as well. Your site is being terrible for my TBR tonight. lol.
And I love those tulips!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Nina! I think you’d love this one. Enchanting is a great word for it. Those tulips – I sometimes wish we could just fast forward to spring to miss the cold! 😂 ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahahaha. From all the reports it almost seems as if we went from winter to summer and now back to winter again!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful review! This book looks so good!💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Berit! ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
I must try and read this author at some point. It sounds very interesting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, you really should, Chrissi! She’s pretty special!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely review Jennifer! It’s always nice to find those reads that bring in something meaningful to you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Carrie! It really is- connects you to the story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jennifer I love your story about lighthouses and your special memories there (um, now I can’t live with myself if I’m not proposed to at a lighthouse). I absolutely love this review!!! Sounds like a book I’d enjoy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Mack! I forgot to mention my husband loves lighthouses, too. 😂 All kinds of lighthouse love. When I met him, he’d already traveled to many and then we’ve traveled to some together. I think you’d enjoy this book, too! ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just love that story!!! I want to hear the whole thing sometime 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Who DOESN’T love lighthouses?? It sounds like you had a very personal tur to this book. It really does sound emotional and charming!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay, another lighthouse fan! I think some just aren’t as obsessed as in lighthouses all over the house?! 😂 It was a wonderful read. Thanks for coming to see me, Nicole. ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ya, I’ll be trying to come by for a visit more often! ….Life just seems to keep getting in the way, lately!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love lighthouses too! This one is definitely on my list & great review, Jennifer! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay, Sarah, and thank you! You have some BEAUTIFUL ones on your side of the world! ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
First of all, I love that you have a huggable bookshelf!! That’s all kinds of awesome. Secondly, I love the personal info you’ve slotted in here about what lighthouses mean to you – how romantic about you and your husband! 😍 Thirdly, as always, amazing review! 😘
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aw, thanks, my friend! Everyone needs a huggable bookshelf right?! I think you’d like this book and Chrissi seemed interested too! 😉 😂 ♥️ (Not trying to add to your TBR or anything!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s already threatening to take over my house, what are you trying to do my friend?? 😉😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just want another shelfie! 😂 ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful review! So glad to hear that this author has continued to meet your expectations. I also love the special connection that you have with lighthouses. Glad you enjoyed this one, Jenn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Diana! She is such a lovely and reliable author, and it was a charming read. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review Jennifer. I am on the library waitlist for this one. I love lighthouses, but you have such a connection. I would also love to spend a night in a lighthouse, I wonder if anyone has ever turned one into a bed and breakfast?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, that really would be wonderful. I know there are some where you can spend the night. Thanks, Carla. I hope it gets to you soon. It’s such a lovely story, and I hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jennifer.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely review! This book seems to be on everyone’s list! Never read the author before, but it sounds like I should. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Myndi! Oh my, YES, you definitely need to try this author! She is something special.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This book sounds like a good one and how significant lighthouses are to you which I’m sure added to your reading experience. I’m going to add this one to my library list!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Shell! I highly recommend this one. It’s definitely a favorite this year. This author’s books have a touch of classic flair I think you’ll enjoy.
LikeLiked by 2 people