Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh is the second book in the Nantucket Love Story series, but 
reading it as a stand-alone was no problem. This was a new-to-me author and I was astonished by how emotional and beautifully written it was. Lately, second chance romance has seemed boring to me with a repetitive theme, but this story was unique and memorable. It was a heart-wrenching story of childhood friends, tragedy, broken friendships, community support, and forgiveness.
Cody Boggs and Louisa “Lou” Chambers had known each other since birth and even shared the same birthday. Their parents were best friends and every summer the families returned to Nantucket Island to spend together. They had a tradition of going to Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30th, their shared birthday, and exchanging birthday wishes. As they grew older their friendship developed into love and the summer after they graduated high school, they made a pact that on their thirtieth birthday they would return to Brant Point Lighthouse to reconnect. Unfortunately, before the summer ended, tragedy struck and Cody’s dad, Daniel, drowned creating a falling out between the two families.
After several years, Lou moved permanently to Nantucket and started her event planning business, The Good Life. She loved making people happy, and her job allowed her to share her love of Nantucket Island with others. One morning while out paddleboarding the weather suddenly changed, pulling Lou out to sea and endangering her life. Newly stationed to Nantucket Island’s Coast Guard, Cody manages to rescue her. Lou has spent years regretting her actions and Daniel’s death. Lou hopes the big birthday party she is throwing for the dying Maggie, a close friend to both families, will help mend the rift between the two families.
Cody did not want to be transferred to Nantucket Island and relive the tragedy of that summer, but he was needed to help build morale for the team and strengthen the link between the Coast Guard and the community. He is put in charge of working with Lou to plan a fundraiser to strengthen the relationship between the base and the community. He found himself wanting to know everything about this version of Lou. He admires her openness and genuine goodness. His discovery of his father’s memorial leads him to question the past. Neither of them knew the real reason behind the two family’s conflict. But can the truth destroy the fragile relationship they have rebuilt?
This was such a touching story from the beginning. The characters were genuine and their emotions so intense. My heart went out to them in sympathy for all their losses. They each coped with the tragedy differently, Cody had built a wall around his heart and kept everyone at a distance. He had allowed anger and bitterness to guide his life and he finally realized that his father would not have wanted that for him. Lou spent her time helping people and making them happy, hoping to eventually make things right for everyone. I really loved this book even though I cried the entire time. It is certainly one of my favorite books that I have read this year. I look forward to reading future books from this amazing author.
Book Info:
Publication: April 6, 2021 | Tyndale House Publishers | Nantucket Love Story #2
an a promise made as kids bring them back together as adults? In this Nantucket-set beach read, “master of the genre” (Midwest Book Review) Courtney Walsh delivers a sparkling inspirational romance about first love and second chances. Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.
Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.
