BOOK REVIEW - Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester - An emotional read

Title - Gooseberry Island

Author - Steven Manchester

Length - Print - 300 pages

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS

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?

My Review

This was a very thought provoking read, and hit home in some ways having a Husband who is ex military.

David met Lindsey when he was least expecting to meet someone. It was the day before he was due to fly out to Afghanistan in his role as an Army Ranger. Not an ideal day to meet someone who you have an instant attraction to. After breaking the news to her, he promises to keep in touch. 
Once in Afghanistan he kept his promise but never told her the awful things he was experiencing whilst there, although she could tell he was keeping things back from her. Their relationship blossomed from afar whilst he was away and I felt the author captured this extremely well and having been in a similar situation I found things very familiar. It was as if the author had been through it too as it was so well described. 

Once David arrived home it was evident he had been traumatised by events, and couldn't settle back into real life, and couldn't face Lindsey. This was quite an emotional part of the book and it really makes you think about those who's partners have served in war zones and how it must affect their lives and the lives of the returning service personnel.

It was so well written and the author handled an emotional subject very sensitively. Some parts were quite upsetting but I won't add any spoilers. 
A very good read and one that will stay with you.

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