Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester Review

They met at the worst possible moment...or maybe it was just in time. David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable, or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?

Gooseberry Island is the most nuanced, dramatic, and romantic novel yet from a writer whose ability to plumb the depths of human emotion knows few peers.


About the Author:
Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers, Twelve Months and The Rockin' Chair. He is also the author of the award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian, as well as the critically-acclaimed novel, Pressed Pennies, A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Wilbur Avenue (novella), Just in Time (novella), The Thursday Night Club (novella, released November 2014) and Gooseberry Island (novel, released January 2015). His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.

Visit: www.StevenManchester.com

My Review:

There are only a few authors that I stop what I am reading and read immediately. That means a lot coming from me, because I read more than one book at a time. With that being said, Stephen King is one and so is this author Steven Manchester. I have read three of his other books and am EAGERLY awaiting until I get my hands on the rest. There are so many things about this book that I do not know where to start. The plot is heart felt and relates to a lot of people. Who doesn't have a loved one overseas? The love story is long distance and not based on physical attraction like so many other books out there today. Instead it is about a mutual love and camaraderie that bond these two people together through thick and thin. This is also a drama as well. The drama and loss of war is a huge part of this book. The author doesn't hold back and I cried at the cost of war. 

However that is not my favorite part of the book. My favorite part is that the author tells it how it is and he is spreading awareness for combat related PTSD. We have so many soldiers that give their lives for our freedom. 

Between the romance and war there is a great lighthouse "scene", a father looking for redemption and family ready to move forward. 

I had a question about the end of the book, about a who character's family was. Te author answered my question! That made the book all the more interesting to me. I am giving this book a 5/5 (really want to do a 6/5, but amazon only goes up to 5/5). I was given a copy to review from the author and The Story Plant, however all opinions are my own.