#Review: Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester #novel, #AdultBooks

Summary:
They met at the worst possible moment...or maybe it was just in time. David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable, or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?

My review:
Before I started reading this novel, I did something I normally do not do...read the summary. I thought at first this might be a book about being in war and worse yet, being killed in war and loved ones dealing with the after affects.

What I found out was two-fold, I was right and I was wrong, in a sense. Moreover, I was so engrossed in this book that I did not want to put it down. However, I had to. Not because I wanted to get some sleep but because I had to breathe. This book touched too close to home, at least in some ways it did.

Yes, the male character lead in this book did go off to war, in fact, he went to Afghanistan. This was the first time I had to breathe a bit. One of my brothers was there, not once, but twice. I do not even want to imagine what he has seen there, yet, the author made a clear picture of what he might have seen or heard. There are atrocities in this book that two main characters must deal with due to their service for our country. Again, I picture those that have come home and what they deal with...yet, another of my brothers.

Yes, there were people killed in the book and sadly, there have people been killed in real life. A tragedy of war. I am grateful that my brother returned but so many have not. Again, this was pointed out in the book.  For the record, I lost a student of mine in the Iraq war. (Another breather...)

Then there was love. Love that transcended all things in the universe. All though, I thought some times it read so sappy I could gag but the point was made. Love can conquer all, even when demons are alive and well, love, true love, can barrel right through everything. (Another breather and some tears...)

Have I said enough here? Have I drawn enough of a picture of what I felt by reading this book. I hope so. This book is well worth the 5 stars and more than I am giving it.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon


Where to find the author:

Facebook       Amazon     Goodreads