This is a slow read...pick it up if you have no other choices available. Nice setting but the story lags.

I was captivated by the story from the very first pages. The characters were so full of life it seemed like the author's life story rather than fiction. The descriptions of life in Hawaii from the bar scenes to events on the sport fishing boat again developed such a depth of realism to the story. I could almost smell the ocean breeze and plumeria blossoms, but even more satisfying was to share and understand Morgan's joy and anguish and then learn to love again. Before I was half way through this novel, I put the author's previous book, Possessed by Shadows on hold at the library so I would have it to dive into when this was done. An ending not neatly sewn up and delivered left me pondering the book long after I was done. Well done!
Highly recommended. ( )

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. I wasn't sure what direction it was going in. Then it started to draw me in to the story. It's one of those that you will keep reading because you want to understand. The main character is Morgan Carey, but the book is not about him. It is more about his relationship with his wife and his guilt regarding their relationship. It is about learning from our relationships and is told with a sensitivity to all the depths of emotion involved. It is about love, death, and finding oneself again. Moving, thoughtful, and inspiring. I also enjoyed the secondary relationships, especially the ones between Morgan and Ben Kamakani, and his family. They befriended Morgan at a time of great loss for him, and then for themselves, and they helped him heal, and gave him hope for the future. Read this book, enjoy the Hawaiian setting, and join Morgan as he finds his redemption. ( )

I received as an ARC a few months ago but had trouble starting it as I had so many other good books in my TBR pile. Once I did finally start it, it was just ehhh. I loved the Hawaiian setting, the people and the culture. The other part was basically a love story between Morgan and Victoria. It’s ill-fated from the start as she was dating his best friend when she cheated on him with Morgan. The book starts when Morgan returns to Hawaii after Victoria’s untimely death, which he blames himself for. ( )

After I plodded through the first part of the book, the characters became more interesting and authentic. The basic plot was believable and the events were convincing. Morgan, a Haole, though he was born and raised in Hawaii, is a published author, but prefers a life of fishing with his childhood friend Tioni. Life is paradise until Tioni falls in love with Victoria, also a Haole, born in Minnesota and raised in Iowa. The inevitable occurs: Morgan falls in love with Victoria, and Victoria with Morgan. No longer able to tolerate a life as outcasts among the Hawaiian community, Morgan and Victoria marry and move to California.

Victoria is a very emotionally insecure and psychologically damaged woman whose childhood was riddled with unimaginable torment by those she trusted. Deserted by the people she thought loved her, she no longer trusts anyone, and requires constant reassurance from Morgan that he will never leave her.
She encourages Morgan to resume his academic life, and on the strength of his one published book, he is hired as a college professor. During his absences, Victoria strives to be the perfect wife and to develop her artistic talent.

Morgan fails miserably in his pursuit of academic acheivements as a professor and as a writer. Victoria experiences a traumatic event that pushes her to the edge. Are accidents really accidents or are they our subconscious pushing us in another direction?

Hawaii is the only comfort for Morgan after Victoria's death. In fact, drinking himself into a stupor each day seems to be the only release from memories and regrets.

Morgan soon discovers that redemption appears in many forms. And so do we.

Is the common bond that often elusive ability to forgive ourselves and move on with our lives? Or is it the realization that we all make mistakes which may alter our lives for better or worse? The common bond that prevails is friendship, love, and forgiveness. ( )