Tag Archives: © 2021 Book Chatter

Review: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island
By Colleen Oakley
Berkley, 9781984806482, May 25, 2021, 368pp.

The Short of It:

This book was everything I wanted and needed in a story.

The Rest of It:

Piper Parrish lives on a tiny island in the Chesapeake Bay. She is well-loved by the island inhabitants and is overall, a very happy person. She works a few jobs and spends her days going back and forth between those obligations. But no matter how she keeps busy, she is constantly reminded of the one morning her husband Tom went out on his crab boat and never returned. The boat capsized, and his body was not found.

Anders Caldwell is a struggling journalist trying to garner a little bit of a following by hosting his own podcast and writing about local events. One such event takes him to Frick island. Frick is small, less than 100 people call the place home and it’s disappearing. Literally disappearing due to climate change and erosion. Anders decides to spend some time on the island to get the scoop but what he finds if much more interesting.

You see, Piper’s husband never returned but in her mind, he’s never left and is still by her side. The entire island goes along with it and Anders decides that this, THIS is his next big story. The story that will take his podcast to new levels and he’s not wrong.

Oh my word, what a book. I loved this book to pieces. It’s a sweet story about love, loss and moving on with your life. I could SEE these characters so clearly. Their quirkiness, their sense of humor but mostly the love they have for Piper. You could call this story a romance, but it’s so much more. It’s about community and loyalty and watching out for the ones you love. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy. It comes out this week! I highly recommend it.

Source: Review copy sent to me by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Sunday Matters: One Door Closes

Sunday Matters

Hello and Good Morning to you! I hope this finds you well with a cup of your favorite beverage, in hand. For me, that’s creamer with a little bit of coffee. I am very heavy handed when it comes to my creamer use.

Today is the last meeting for my 12th grade youth group. It’s been very difficult to connect during COVID but right before that, we dealt with the shooting at one of our local high schools so it feels like a very long, tedious journey to get to where we are today. I really wish we could have connected more given this is our last year as a group but I am happy for the opportunities we have had. There have been some wins. On that note, I will not be headed to summer camp this year because it falls during my son’s graduation. They couldn’t go last year so hopefully they will enjoy this last hurrah.

Right Now:

Since today is the last meeting for the group, we have a little lunch thing planned for after church. I am getting things together for that right now. We will sit outside and enjoy some time together.

This Week:

Lots happening this week. My daughter will hopefully get to perform in Sweeney Todd on Wednesday evening. Performing outside has its challenges. Wind, mic issues, lighting issues, etc. It’s all they are allowed to do so whatever they do will be wonderful. She is Mrs. Lovett. I will try to share a photo of her in hair and makeup after the show.

The school could not do prom or grad night so Universal Studios offered local seniors a discounted rate for their Grad Bash. That is this week and she is going with a good friend.

I’ve scheduled my review for The Invisible Husband of Frick Island for Monday but I will tell you now, you will want to read this book. It’s everything I want in a book right now.

Reading:

Next? Perhaps this one, People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry.

People We Meet on Vacation

Watching:

Not much of anything. Too distracted. Stanley Tucci has a new book coming out and I have all his cooking shows recorded so maybe I will dive into those. I need comfort TV right now.

Grateful for:

  • This beautiful weather. It’s been cool in the mornings and evenings and sunny and warm during the day.
  • I feel like the extra activity I’ve been adding to my day is paying off. Slowly, I am coming out of the weird mood I’ve been in.

Here’s a question for you. Have you been to a movie theatre yet? I know there isn’t much playing but the other day I had such a desire for movie theatre popcorn and we have a lovely Indie theatre that just opened in our city. If there was something really good to see I think we’d go. You? Too soon?