I love Lincoln's old-aged characters, their fortitude and their generosity. This story lacks that richness, as it focuses on some young people. We get an occasional peek at my favorites, like Theoph, the hired hand; but not nearly enough.

The story wouldn't even be write-worthy if not for the typical romance device of character reticence.

That said, it's still worth a visit, and catching a few good phrases.

This warm and sweet romance set in a seafaring Cape Cod family is told in 3 vignettes, each roughly 10 years apart. It's more of a character study than a story as the ending is telegraphed from the first. The writing is engaging, the characters simple but worth knowing. I liked it more than I anticipated. ( )