A review by bellesmoma2021
Dusk's Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sometimes, I have a really difficult time reviewing books because they’re SO good I’m at a loss for words. Dusk’s Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller is fantastic, and yes, I’m a bit at a loss for words to describe just how amazing this story is. Nothing I say here in this review will do this book justice. However, I can say that this book is now my most favorite that Miller has penned to date. The plot is highly engaging. I could not put this book down and I did read well past my bedtime two nights in a row! The characters are superb. Mary is a great heroine and she 100% wiggled her way into my heart. She is so patient and hard-working and supremely compassionate. I love her genuine heart for others and her ability to self-sacrifice. Mary sees a person in need and she drops everything to help. How Mary interacts with Adam is the BEST! She is kind and understanding but she also won’t let him get away with self-pity and emotional defeat. She encourages him when Adam needs encouragement, but she also gets a bit cheeky with him when Adam needs to calm down and laugh a little. Mary really is an excellent heroine for Adam. And, Adam is a really good hero, too. I love how he sees Mary for the good soul she really is. I love how he sees her when very few really do. In our superficial world where super-model looks appear to be all that matters, it is so refreshing to escape into a beautiful story where character matters more than good looks. The fact that Adam can see Mary for who she is beyond her looks made me love his character all the more. What a great man!

Of the many topics discussed in this book the discussion on prayer and God answering prayers is the topic that resonated with me the most. I think that many people see God as a genie in a bottle. The thought on prayer is that if I ask God for X, He will give me X or it proves God doesn’t exist. God is not a genie who is there at our beck and call to give us whatever we want. Not even Jesus, Himself, got what He wanted (Luke 22:42) and He is the Son of God. Rather, we are told that it is always about God’s Will. There is a great line from Mary: “Sometimes I wonder if trusting in God even despite a lack of seeming answers might be the faith God is really looking for.” I wholeheartedly agree with Mary on this idea. It’s not about getting what we want every time we go to God in prayer. Rather, it’s about trusting God even when our prayers don’t get answered the way we think they should. In the end, it’s more about fostering a relationship with God not about getting things. I really loved this reminder, and may even have needed it!

Dusk’s Darkest Shores is a poignant story that will stick with me long after the final page has been turned. This is definitely a book that is going on my re-read pile. I love it and I truly cannot say enough good things about it. If you are a fan of excellent storytelling, if you love a good Regency Romance, or if you just enjoy a story that allows you to escape into a beautiful fictional world, then I highly recommend Dusk’s Darkest Shores.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Audra Jennings at I Read With Audra through NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.