When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams Publishes 6/23

 


Winthrop Island not only is a place for second chances but one that might even hold a pirate's treasure. 

Lucy returns to her childhood summer home after her father's disappearance.  She is a widow and has a seven year old daughter. The property needs to be sold to pay off her father's debt but Lucy finds herself falling for her neighbor, Ben, an old flame.  The only problem is that mysterious and strange things begin to happen to Lucy and the house. Lucy has to figure out what she really wants or is she destined just to repeat the past.

The novel is told using three different timelines.  There is the present with Lucy as a single mom, Lucy as a teenager, and a story set in Winthrop Island in 1717.   I really enjoyed all three perspectives.  I liked learning about teenage Lucy and what had happened with her friend Laura and Ben.  My favorite story line was the present.  Lucy had faced a lot in her personal life and trying to raise a child by herself.  Her daughter ,Punkin, added levity and a bright spot to the story.   I also enjoyed that there was a mystery to be solved.  Unlike this author's other books, this was not really a historical fiction book.  There was not as much to the 1717 story line. However I did find it interesting, especially with what happened during the storm.  The romance, mystery, and history made for a great novel. 

5 Stars

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

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