Narelle here. Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for Courtney Walsh’s upcoming release – Is It Any Wonder (A Nantucket Love Story). We’re also giving away a paperback copy to a reader who comments on this post (US mailing addresses only).
Courtney Walsh will be our guest at StoryChats @InspyRomance for Episode 16 which will go live on the podcast and YouTube on April 9.
Book Description:
Can a promise made as kids bring them back together as adults? In this Nantucket-set beach read, “master of the genre” (Midwest Book Review) Courtney Walsh delivers a sparkling inspirational romance about first love and second chances.
Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.
Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Is It Any Wonder, the second book by Courtney Walsh that’s set during summer on the charming island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. In a similar vein to the first Nantucket book, If For Any Reason, the story is a second chances romance that reunites childhood friends who are separated by tragedy and family secrets.
Louisa’s parents and Cody’s parents were best friends who vacationed together in Nantucket every summer until the year Cody and Louisa turned eighteen. They grew up spending their shared July 30 birthday together and never dreamed their lives would split in different directions. The teens, who shared their first kiss on their sixteenth birthday, made a pact to meet up in Nantucket to celebrate their shared thirtieth golden birthday. The summer Cody’s father passed away ended the Nantucket tradition and shattered the close relationship between the two families.
Louisa is an only child who struggles with her strained and distant relationship with her parents. She is a dreamer with big ideas and she’s now living in Nantucket, building her concierge business, and determined to prove the naysayers wrong. She’s still haunted by memories of Cody and the summer his dad died. Louisa has never forgiven herself for the role she played in Cody’s father’s death.
Cody’s moving up the ranks in the Coast Guard and has been transferred to Nantucket, the one place he doesn’t want to live. He carries a load of guilt from the loss of his dad and the life changing implications on him, his mom, and his sister. Cody wrestles with his fear of the ocean and he is stunned, on his first day on the job in Nantucket, to discover the woman he dives in and rescues is his first love, Louisa.
Cody and Louisa are both weighed down by a ton of emotional baggage and unanswered questions about what really happened during that summer twelve years ago when they lost Cody’s dad. Their friendship is slow to defrost, and being thrown together through their work adds more complications and questions from the past that fuels their simmering mutual attraction.
Maggie, an old family friend in Nantucket who’s like a mother to Louisa, is a delightful character who is the catalyst to bringing about the hope for reconciliation. I loved experiencing the beach setting and the relaxing pace of life on the idyllic island with the characters. Louisa zipped around the island on her Vespa and introduced me to lobster rolls (yum!) and coconut milk lattes with stevia – a combination I’m not planning to try, lol. Each to their own.
Cody and Louisa are challenged to pull down their emotional barriers, seek forgiveness, and discover if true love can conquer all the obstacles and secrets from their shared history. I enjoyed journeying with the characters on their long and winding path to forgiveness and new beginnings. I recommend Is It Any Wonder to contemporary romance readers who like fun beach romance reads with a subtle faith element and themes of forgiveness and second chances.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher.
Giveaway
We’re giving away a print book copy of Is It Any Wonder to a reader with a USA mailing address who comments on this post. The giveaway will close on Monday, April 12, and the winner announced in the Sunday Edition.
Questions for you: Do you have a favorite Courtney Walsh book? Have you visited Nantucket or read any books set in Nantucket? Do you read more books during the summer ‘beach read’ season or during winter? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
I’ve been reading about the same amount in Winter as Summer. I do enjoy beachy books more in the summer. I’ve read one of Courtney’s books and enjoyed it.
Hi Kelley, It’s fun to read beachy books during summer. I hope you’ll have a chance to read Courtney’s new release. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I am an avid reader. I especially enjoy reading Christmas-themed books in the summer.
This book looks amazing. I’ve never read one set in Nantucket, but I will definitely add this one to my TBR for the beach!
I would love to read this, as I enjoy second chance books. I’m not reading as much as I usually do as I’m now my mom’s full time caregiver. Thank you for the chance. Blessings
I tend to read more books in the winter and a lot of them take place at the beach. This sounds like a book that I would enjoy reading.
I haven’t read any of Courtney’s books but this one sounds really good.
I read about the same amount of books year around
I haven’t read any of her books, and I read the same amount of books year round. I read beachy books any time, but really prefer books set in fall, winter and autumn in the summer, since I live in FL and it’s HOT!! I prefer books that take me to places where it’s cooler!! We’ve already had some 90’s this year (thankfully, most of March it hasn’t been 90 here on the Space Coast, just in Orlando & other inland areas).
Spoiler alert: we already recorded the episode with Courtney, and it was great fun!
I love beachy books year round. Sometimes it’s nice to feel the warm sun and feel the sand between my toes, and taste the ocean breeze on a cold winter’s day! But I read more in the summer, since we camp a lot well beyond the reach of power lines. I’ll read for hours on end, which I can never get away with at home, since there’s too much to do and a business to run!
No, no, no etc. I do love mocha, chocolate, coconut cake and coconut milk lattes are sweet enough without Stevie, though I prefer almond milk cappuccino with a great book :D
Wow, I love the sound of this book, it sounds very intriguing and I love the book cover! I have never visited Nantucket. I would love to ask her : Do your book characters talk to you , and if they do have you had to change something in the story because of it? Thank you for the chance at this Great sounding read. Have a Great week and stay safe.
I’ve never actually read any of her books, though I have several on my TBR stack. I have never visited Nantucket nor read any books set in Nantucket, that I can remember. The setting is not super important to me, though, so I often forget where a book was set long before I forget the characters. I read about the same number of books during summer and winter, as I’m not an outdoors person. I hate the extreme cold and the extreme heat. :) And we haven’t gone on a vacation in years.
I recently read her Christmas book set on Nantucket and really enjoyed it.
I’ve read several of Courtney’s books and loved them! I’ve never been to Nantucket, but I’d love to go sometime. It sounds like such a lovely place.
I don’t usually care about the season in the books I read, except I usually reserve Christmas books for the fall and early winter.
I have loved every Walsh book I’ve read :-) I’d have to say “Just Look Up” was a favorite of mine. She made a book trailer with her husband about the story and it just drew me in to wanting to read it. It’s about how we often miss what’s right in front of us because we’re too busy with other things or not paying attention to the ones around us.
The other books I’ve read that features Nantucket are Denise Hunter’s “A Nantucket Love Story” series years ago. That’s when I first discovered her writing and fell in love with it.
I read books all the time so I don’t read more or less during any given season of the year. Though during the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays, I tend to read more novellas or short stories since it’s such a busy season and I don’t have a lot of time.
Thank you for the print copy giveaway chance to win “Is It Any Wonder”, this one is definitely on my want-to-read list! The story sounds very familiar to Karen Kingsbury book “The Chance” that came out in 2013.
I haven’t read any of Courtney’s book but this sounds amazing I Love reading all the time Blessings to you!
The synopsis has caught my attention. I definitely want to read this book. I have read her Sweethaven series 1 – 3. I thoroughly enjoyed these.b The books I read depend on my mood, not necessarily the season.
Hi Linda, If I’m reading ‘in-season’, I’m reading Christmas books during summer in December. I enjoy reading about snow and winter settings when it’s hot and sweltering outdoors. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I really like Courtney Walsh’s books, especially the ones set in Harbor Pointe, Michigan. If For Any Reason was really good too. I try to read every day but do read more in the summer. I work at a school so have the summers off which gives me more reading time. Thanks for giving away Is It Any Wonder. It’s on my “must read” list.
Hi Nicki, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Courtney’s books set in Nantucket. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lucy, I agree, second chances stories are fun. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read ‘Is It Any Wonder’. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, I love reading beach settings during winter. I hope you’ll have a chance to read Courtney’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jessica, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read ‘Is It Any Wonder’. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jcp, I’m aiming to be more consistent with my reading – which means I might be able to shorten my tbr list! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trudy, I honestly believe that I can feel cooler in summer when I’m reading about cold weather in a book. I’m sure someone has done a study on this, lol. Wow, your March weather is much hotter than most of our summer this year! When the drought breaks and the rains come, we’ll sometimes have a very mild summer where we rarely see 90F plus weather. I’m not a fan of hot and humid weather, and I really enjoyed the cooler summer temperatures. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Valerie, Yes, the episode we recorded with Courtney is super-fun! Camping and getting away from the online world and work and chores at home… a great way to maximise reading time! 😊
Hi Dianne, I don’t add sugar or sweetener to coffee or tea, and I can drink both without adding milk. American-style iced tea is often too sweet for my tastes. I do like my lattes with milk. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Alicia, It sounds like you’d enjoy tuning in to either our podcast or YouTube for the StoryChats @ InspyRomance episode with Courtney after Easter. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read ‘Is It Any Wonder’. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lila, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Courtney’s books soon. I’m not a fan of extreme weather, either. Being indoors and reading is my preference, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Denise, Courtney’s Christmas book – A Match Made at Christmas – is on my tbr list. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Winnie, I’d love to visit Nantucket in real life, too. I occasionally read Christmas books out of season, and sometimes I’ll indulge in some ‘Christmas in July’ winter reading. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read ‘Is It Any Wonder’. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trixi, I have ‘Just Look Up’ in my tbr list. I also remember reading a book from Denise Hunter’s Nantucket series. I think I borrowed it from the library back in the days before I owned a Kindle. I also enjoy Christmas novellas that are quick, easy reads. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sarah, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Courtney’s books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Bernice, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read ‘Is It Any Wonder.’ Yes, my mood will also influence my reading choices. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Pam, My all-time favorite Courtney Walsh book is ‘If For Any Reason’. I loved the dual timeline story and the inclusion of the letters from Emily’s mother. One of my questions for Courtney in the podcast episode is about her inspiration for the letters to Emily. I tend to read more when I’m on holidays from the day job, too. I hope you’ll have a chance to read ‘Is It Any Wonder’ soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊
If you go to YouTube and type in “Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh” you can watch the book trailer. I just did for the 100th time because I loved it so much! It stars Courtney and her husband, they are so cute :-)
Hi Trixi, I found it (on Tyndale House Publishers channel) and it’s adorable! They’re a beautiful couple and I can understand why you love the trailer. Thanks for sharing. 😊
I definitely read more in the winter, I enjoy curling up in my comforter with my coffee mug and get nice and cozy!
Do you have a favorite Courtney Walsh book? I haven’t read any yet.
Have you visited Nantucket or read any books set in Nantucket? Haven’t visited but read couple stories.
Do you read more books during the summer ‘beach read’ season or during winter? It doesn’t depend on the season for me :) reading year round
This books looks so interesting! I think it depends on how much time I have, I can read a lot one summer and almost no books a different summer.
I’ve never been to Nantucket, but I’ve read many book set there and it’s one place I would love to visit. I read about the same amount year round, since I’m retired. Well, I do work 2-3 days a week at a small used bookstore (work?🤣). Have a wonderful Easter.
Hi Teresa, I love curling up with a good book during winter, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Natalya, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read one of Courtney’s books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Angeline, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Is ‘It Any Wonder’, and time for lots of reading. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kathy, Your bookstore work sounds super-fun! Nantucket is on my travel bucket list, too. Thanks for commenting, and have a blessed Easter. 😊
Love Courtney Walsh and this book sounds like another great read.
Hi Linda, It’s a great read, and won’t be disappointed! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Just Like Home is my favorite book by Courtney. All her books are 5 stars but this one I so related to. Can’t wait for her new one.