Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Never Forget

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY
NEVER FORGET

June 1880 -- Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island -- Will she betray his trust to stay on the island she loves?

Abbie Watson is content to spend her days clamming, crabbing and tending Rose Island Lighthouse. Her grandpa is the head light keeper, but his senility may lead to their eviction. Since leaving the island would kill her beloved Gramps, Abbie will do anything to keep him in the one place he knows and loves.

Wealthy Nathaniel Winthrop III's wild living has gained him a reputation as the 'bad boy' among the elite social circles of Newport. After a blow to the head in a yachting accident washes him up on Rose Island, Nathaniel has no memories of his past.

Abbie tends the wounded stranger in her home only to realize he assumes they're married. Although she knows she needs to correct Nathaniel's mistake, his presence calms Gramps and provides a way to prevent eviction from the lighthouse.

The longer the charade continues, the harder it gets for Abbie to tell Nathaniel the truth, more so as she begins to fall in love. Everyone she's ever loved has abandoned her. Will Nathaniel leave her too, since he discovers he's not really her husband?

My Review:

A resounding conclusion to the Beacon of Hope series. I love the way the author honoured female lighthouse keepers in these books. Such an unusual angle for a historical romance. And there's something so alluring about life in the old lighthouses!

Abbie and Nathaniel's story is fraught with sorrow and complications that seem insurmountable. Just when I felt a glimmer of hope it would be dashed as sure as the waves against Rose Island's rocky shoreline. And, oh my goodness, but Hedlund kept me on tenterhooks the entire read.

I admire Abbie's gumption when it comes to eking out a living while tending to her ailing grandfather. Her dedication is both commendable and alarming. And that's because it clouds her judgment and infringes on Nathaniel's rights. He washes up on shore, injured with no idea of who he is or how he got there. Yes, Abbie rescues him, but in a sense she holds him hostage by allowing him to believe he's her husband because it plays into a wild and desperate scheme to help her grandfather. I had such a hard time justifying her actions the longer the pretense went on and that made it hard for me to cheer on their blossoming romance. To be fair to Abbie, she tried to keep her distance but Nathaniel isn't easy to ignore. :-)

He has a vague disquiet about the kind of man he once was and grasps this opportunity for a second chance to be the kind of man Abbie can be proud of. He reconnects with his faith and there's a beautiful inspirational thread that celebrates the power of forgiveness and God's loving grace.

And then it all comes tumbling down as I knew it would and things get a whole lot worse before they get better and there were twists that truly gutted me so I'm a bit of an emotional wreck now that I've reached the end. An emotionally charged conclusion to an awesome series.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Never Forget please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

59 comments:

  1. I had to stop reading your review, because even that was nearly too much to bear. Although, I know that Jody Hedlund is faithful to her happy endings and I'm mentally preparing myself for the journey that leads me there. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Bwahahaha! Be prepared to squirm and gasp quite a bit, Terrill. Good luck.

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  2. I LOVE her books! I'm really looking forward to reading this!
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. She's such a talented author. So many great books. Good luck, Elly.

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  3. Ahhhhhh! I love, Love, LOVE Jody Hedlund books!!!
    Campbellamyd At gmail dot com

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  4. Jody Hedlund is an exceptional author. I would love to read this book. Thank you for your exceptional review!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  5. Love this author! I have yet to read this one, though. :) lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  6. WOW, Kav, after your review I hopped over to Amazon and downloaded this! Not a bad price. Just could not wait to read it; have read all of her books (except some YA) and loved them! Thanks for your review!

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    1. Yay -- glad I could inspire you to get the book. I'd love to hear what you think after you read. I'm dying to talk to someone about certain plot points.

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    2. Jackie, her YA books are just as amazing. Although written for young adult girls, the message, conflict and romance are just as meaningful to us older women. I'm in my 40's and I still enjoy reading well written YA books. And you already know how well written Jody's books are.

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    3. Yes -- I've read her YA series too. I think I've missed out on the third one though. Must check into that. So many books, so little time!

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    4. Thanks, Ladies....Just realized I did read her first YA and enjoyed it. So I will try to read the other 2 YA's when I can!!

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  7. I always enjoy her books! Thanks for another great review. I'm looking forward to reading this!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  8. This series sound amazing! I only read the prequel, but I loved it! I'm really glad it got a conclusion even if the final 2 books were published independently.

    Thanks for the chance!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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    1. Such a great premise for a series. Good luck, Samantha.

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  9. Love reading her books. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. I need this one to complete the series. 💕 her books. TY
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You absolutely must complete the series, Lucy. Good luck.

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  11. Wow! Sounds like an emotional book! Your review was very interesting, and I look forward to reading this book. I think Lighthouse Keepers is an interesting topic.

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    1. Yes -- my emotions were raging! LOL Good luck, Becky.

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  12. I LOVE Jody. If you haven't read Luther and Katerina, you're missing a great read! I have Polly and Newton coming in the mail!
    Love her other books as well. Would love to win this one. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. Isn't she a versatile author? Different historicals -- young adult too and now starting on the fictional biography. And yes, I read Luther and Katerina. Amazing research. Good luck, Paula.

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  13. Sounds amazing! I love a unique take on a story, and Hedlund knows how to do tension.
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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  14. These amnesia plots always give me mixed feelings! Lol I'm curious to read Jody's take on it. I guess this will be one of those novels where the characters are very realistic, flaws and all! 😉 mylittlebirdie (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  15. I have always been fascinated by the idea of living in a lighthouse, so I'm really looking forward to reading this book. I will keep my fingers crossed and add it to my request list at my local library. I enjoy the mixed emotions of a good amnesia storyline because you know the deception will be revealed and there will be fireworks ahead when the truth is revealed. Thanks for the chance, Kav!

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. yes -- deception and fireworks. Good luck, Diane.

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  16. Would love to read this one.

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  17. Sounds like an emotional read that I would love to dive into. :)

    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

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  18. I have read most of the Beacon of Hope series and have enjoyed both the stories in general and, also, the interesting education regarding the profession, location, and conditions during that time period. Thanks for the review! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

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  19. Wow!! Never Forget sounds like another story I need to read asap. Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  20. I love Jody's books, can't wait to read this one!

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  21. I have read several Jody's earlier books, but it's been a good while since I have read any of them. I haven't read any of this series yet.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. Her lighthouse stories, yes!!! Enter me, Please. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  23. I'm a huge fan of Jody's books! truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)Com

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  24. I read her Light House series and really enjoyed it. Would love to try this one by her!
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  25. I love Jody's stories! Kav, thank you for the chance!
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. All her stories are so wonderful and she keeps them coming for us eager readers. Good luck, Caryl.

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  26. Looks like a great read. I always hear about Jody's books. 😀 Thanks iamabho (at) gmail (.) com

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  27. You're welcome, Kate. Good luck.

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  28. What an intriguing cover! I would love to get my hands on this book. Thank you for the giveaway!
    dguz55 AT gmail DOT com

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