peetan's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so cute and funny! I laughed out loud several times and smiled throughout!! I definitely want to read more books by this author (: I really enjoyed her writing style!
Anders, a newspaper journalist and a wanna be Clark Kent, visits frick island for a short story and finds that everyone on the island is pretending that Tom (a waterman that passed away) is there with them. As anders tries to learn why everyone is seeing this invisible man, he learns about love and hope and all those cheesy things
Anders, a newspaper journalist and a wanna be Clark Kent, visits frick island for a short story and finds that everyone on the island is pretending that Tom (a waterman that passed away) is there with them. As anders tries to learn why everyone is seeing this invisible man, he learns about love and hope and all those cheesy things
k1berry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Suicide
michellekmartin's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars | This was a really cute and unique romance! This one caught my attention because it's set on a small island off the coast of Maryland in the Chesapeake Bay. The island in the book is fictitious but based on a natural island where a small community of people still live - mainly off the grid! So interesting. This was a very heartwarming love story that was just my speed with not a lot of steam. Piper's husband, Tom, has died in a boating accident. Everyone on the island is playing along that he is still alive. Anders, a local journalist, visits the island and gets wind of the story. He starts a podcast about this community of people giving in to Piper's delusion and, inevitably, falls in love. I read this one poolside and it's an excellent, fun, unique summer read.
mimosaeyes's review
4.0
I nearly finished this whole book in a single setting. It's really absorbing - not only because of the central mystery around Piper's "invisible husband", but also because of the cast of endearing characters and the atmosphere on Frick Island. The twist is good, gently surprising.
I wasn't sure about the romance angle between Piper and Anders because of the whole podcasting ethics thing, but it works out quite well. Overall, this is a light and entertaining read with some heart to it.
I wasn't sure about the romance angle between Piper and Anders because of the whole podcasting ethics thing, but it works out quite well. Overall, this is a light and entertaining read with some heart to it.
jenleah's review
5.0
How much I loved this Hallmark movie-esque book is a complete surprise to me! It was just so witty and the characters so well-written, I couldn't put it down.
mindfullibrarian's review
5.0
(free review copy) What a unique story and setting! It did take a little bit of time for me to fall in love with this book, but once I did, I was all in with the characters and the island itself. Anything that features a simpler form of living is something I want to read about. Recommended to anyone who likes quirky characters, small town stories, and stories about overcoming grief.
CW: death of a husband, mentions of possible suicide
CW: death of a husband, mentions of possible suicide
spaceforcewife21's review
3.0
This book is perfect for a Lifetime or Hallmark movie- a cutesy small town romance. Right up their alley. While I usually like a Hallmark movie or two on occasion, I don't usually like Hallmark like books. They are usually too sappy and cutesy for my taste. I found myself really moved by the step father and his love for his step kids.
That being said, this book was not took bad. Plus, it was a quick read which made it even better, I have a short attention span for cutesy romance novels. It would be a good palette cleanser between heavy books.
That being said, this book was not took bad. Plus, it was a quick read which made it even better, I have a short attention span for cutesy romance novels. It would be a good palette cleanser between heavy books.
ajkremer's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
smilesgiggle's review
4.0
An island helps a young woman cope with the loss of her husband - beautiful display of humanity and love.
Piper and Tom have been together for seven years - through childhood to adulthood. Tom goes out on his boat and doesn't return.
Piper closes herself up in her house- only to come out for breakfast for her and Tom.
Shocked, Frick Island supports her - no one tells her Tom is dead; they even greet Tom as Piper walks by.
Anders is sent to the small island to cover the annual cake walk. It's a miserable experience- Anders vows to never return. Until he receives a mysterious email telling Anders he missed the real story.
After exploring the island and trying to talk to people about climate change, Anders discovers the town's devotion to Piper.
He begins a podcast about this woman's grief.
A beautifully written story about grief, acceptance and change. Highly recommend.
Piper and Tom have been together for seven years - through childhood to adulthood. Tom goes out on his boat and doesn't return.
Piper closes herself up in her house- only to come out for breakfast for her and Tom.
Shocked, Frick Island supports her - no one tells her Tom is dead; they even greet Tom as Piper walks by.
Anders is sent to the small island to cover the annual cake walk. It's a miserable experience- Anders vows to never return. Until he receives a mysterious email telling Anders he missed the real story.
After exploring the island and trying to talk to people about climate change, Anders discovers the town's devotion to Piper.
He begins a podcast about this woman's grief.
A beautifully written story about grief, acceptance and change. Highly recommend.
fuzzywuzzy's review
2.0
This had such a unique premise and I was so excited to read it. Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. Colleen Oakley’s last book blew me away. It was beautiful. This one had such great promise and it was just not pulled together at all. I found the characters to be dry, the setting to be dry, and the story dragged terribly.