Little Island by Katharine Britton Review!

Grace
Flowers
By the water
Have fun! 

These are Joy’s grandmother’s last words—left behind on a note. A note that Joy’s mother, Grace, has interpreted as instructions for her memorial service. And so, the far-flung clan will gather at their inn on Little Island, Maine, to honor her.

Joy can’t help dreading the weekend. Twenty years ago, a tragedy nearly destroyed the family—and still defines them. Joy, Grace, her father Gar, and twins Roger and Tamar all have their parts to play. And now Joy, facing an empty nest and a nebulous future, feels more vulnerable than ever to the dangerous currents running through her family.

But this time, Joy will discover that there is more than pain and heartbreak that binds them together, when a few simple words lift the fog and reveal what truly matters.

About this author

Katharine's second novel LITTLE ISLAND was published on September 3, 2013.

She has a Master's degree in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College and has taught at The Institute for Lifelong Education at Dartmouth and at Colby Sawyer College. Her screenplay, Goodbye Don't Mean Gone, was a Moondance Film Festival winner and a finalist in the New England Women in Film and Television contest. Katharine is a member of the League of Vermont Writers and The New Hampshire Writer's Project.

When not at her desk, Katharine can often be found in her Norwich garden, waging a non-toxic war against the slugs, snails, deer, woodchucks, chipmunks, moles, voles, and beetles with whom she shares her yard. Katharine's defense consists mainly of hand-wringing, after-the-fact.

My Thoughts
Little Island is the story of Grace, her husband Gar and their grown children Joy and twins Roger and Tamar. They are gathered at the inn that Grace and her husband operate in Maine, for the memorial service for Grace's mother Joan. Joan had left a note stating just a few words, Grace, flowers, by the water and have fun. With these words in mind, Grace attempts to put together the perfect service for her mother whom she had a very close relationship with. 

Joy has packed up her car with more than she needs for a weekend at home, but she is having some issues with her only son going off to college, empty nest for sure, and she is not sure if she wants to continue with her marriage. She is feeling unfulfilled and is hoping that this weekend with her parents and siblings will put things into perspective for her. Roger and Tamar have always had a close relationship, as twins are wont to do, to the point of excluding Joy. The adult Roger has a drinking problem and Tamar is overbearing and is often downright mean to those around her. Secrets abound with the whole family and at times these secrets threaten the family itself. The story is told alternately from each families members perspective to the conclusion that was a bit unexpected for me. 

This is a story about a family who have their share of dysfunction due to misunderstandings and secrets hidden far too long. I highly recommend reading this book. Very enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.