Return to the Island

I jumped into this book, not realizing it was the third of a three part series.  It didn't matter. I never felt like I lost anything from the previous novels in the series.  

Ellen was all but orphaned when she was sent to live with her Aunt Rose and Uncle Dyle on Amherst Island in Ontario. She had been living with another aunt and uncle who were harsh and unwelcoming.  After she stopped attending school, she went to Glasgow to study art, and was even offered a position at the Art Institute to teach art, but World War I intervened.  She trained as a nurse and served in Royaumant, France, during the war.  Now she has returned to the island that was more home than anywhere she'd ever lived. 

Her cousin, Peter, has returned from the war with what was known as shell shock at the time.  Her neighbor, Jed Lyman, has also returned from the war with an arm missing and nursing his own inner wounds. Ellen convinces Jed to talk to Peter to see if he agrees with her impressions.  Ellen has loved Jed and his brother, Lucas, since she was a child.  

When her Aunt Rose is having trouble making ends meet on the farm, Ellen goes to Jed to see if he'd be willing to buy part of the farm, but his own farm was not as productive as it could have been, either.  Lucas has an idea that will help Aunt Rose and the rest of her family--Ellen will teach art lessons to wealthy people who are willing to come to the island for a vacation.  This action will put into play a series of events that lead Ellen to finding what her heart truly wants. 

I've never read a book by Kate Hewitt before, and I did enjoy this one.  It was a slow, meandering plot, with a few bumps and jolts along the way, just to keep the reader awake.  It is not so much of a romance as it is a family history type book.  That is not to say there is no romance in the book, but it is understated and not at all syrupy sweet.  What Kate has done is that she has provided some very tough subjects with dignity and grace. This is a strong four star book. 

Bookoutre and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.