Gift from the Sea

Nantucket provides the backdrop for this introspective story about a young nurse, recently bereaved of her fiance, and her reluctant journey to love again. Maggie Hunter hides from the world behind a nurse's cap at work, and tucked away in her parent's cupola overlooking the January Atlantic at home, until her world collides with a young German sailor washed ashore from a U-boat. Stephan Witte is badly frost-bitten and suffers pneumonia, which requires every ounce of Maggie's skill and dedication to heal. Her reticence to render care to the enemy softens as he tells her, in the English he has mastered, his tale of suffering, privation and loss which leads him to defect with information vital to bringing the American troops in to end the war. The gradual way she falls in love with this man who defies all of her stereotypes flows organically and sparkles with the renewal of faith in her God and in love. I especially liked the glimpse into the European front and Stephan's quiet force of character. Jeanne, Maggie's eccentric Dutchess aunt, added an enjoyable element, if a bit predictable to the plot. Aspects of setting rang true, and provided an authentic arm-chair journey to New England's blustery coast. Gift from the Sea is a nice, light beach read with a spot of history on the side.

I really enjoyed this book. Not only did it have a satisfying romance, but the drama of the storyline (WWI Nantucket, mysterious German stranger washes ashore in the dead of winter) was interesting. The religion was integrated so well into the story (was actually vital to it). All the different parts of the book fit well together. I read this book in one sitting--couldn't put it down! This story didn't seem to heavily rely on the *romance* to carry it through. Don't get me wrong--this is a Love Inspired Romance novel, so it's got romance. But there seemed to be so much more going on as well, so it didn't seem to drag, at least not for me. The writing was top-notch, I liked the characters, and I'll be looking for more work by this author. I'm already halfway though this book's "prequel," Seaside Cinderella, which is about how the heroine's parents met.