Occasionally I read one of those novels that leaves my eyes brimming with tears and staring off into space—hugging the book to me and not wanting to let go of the characters who have become such a big part of my life. 'Is It Any Wonder' is one such story...rife with heartbreaking secrets, angst-filled romance, and complex, colorful characters, set against the backdrop of beautiful Nantucket Island.

I so enjoyed my return to Nantucket—picnics on the beach, hiking, swimming, strolling on the cobblestone streets, and of course, the waves crashing again the shoreline. Louisa, our lovely, speaks-what-she-thinks heroine, is blessed enough to live there. Spunky, ambitious, and smart, her greatest weakness is her past love, Cody Boggs, who works for the local Coast Guard. I can't blame her for that as Cody is quite hunky, but equally as stubborn! As fireworks ignite once again between the two, so do memories of past mistakes, secrets, and tragedy, and those fireworks seem destined to fizzle out.

My emotions were literally all over the page in this wonderful book that's far from being just romantic fluff. Walsh deals with some heavy issues...overcoming panic attacks, forgiveness of oneself and others, guilt, addiction, and grief. However, there were also many laugh out loud moments and happy surprises! I loved every minute of this novel from the very 1st chapter 'til the emotionally-charged conclusion, and highly recommend it.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own & I received no monetary compensation.**

“The sound of the waves drew her in. Louisa loved this island. She’d loved and lost there on these shores.”

Is It Any Wonder, by New York Times best-selling author Courtney Walsh, takes readers back to the beautiful island of Nantucket in a beautiful tale of forgiveness and second chances. As a long-time fan of Courtney Walsh’s, I know I am guaranteed to get a phenomenal story every time I pick up one of her books.

Is It Any Wonder has a similar feel as Things Left Unsaid, which is one of my two favorite books of Courtney Walsh’s, so this book was a pure delight to read. The horrific events from twelve years ago that tore former best friends Cody and Louisa’s families apart are heartbreaking and extremely relatable to the readers.

The spiritual thread perfectly complements the storyline as the characters realize the power of forgiveness and unconditional love through God’s endless grace. Is it Any Wonder is highly recommended for readers of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. You won’t be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

"Is It Any Wonder" is such a REAL book. You are drawn in to the story and the raw feelings and emotions. Cody and Louisa's nervousness at seeing each other again, their dance and tip toe around whether they are friends or if they ever can be pulls you in and makes you feel their hurt and fears.

I love the premise of this book - Cody and Louisa are estranged from each other for a long time, but are still in love with one another. I love these characters, too, and their quirks - Louisa's busybody-ness and Cody's hardness, and how they interacted with one another and the world around them as adults and in the flashbacks, as kids. I missed some of the backstory and was confused by the story about Cody's dad. I'm not sure if I read too fast, but the resolution of it kinda went over my head. I walked away from it wondering whether I had caught everything there was to catch. This did not diminish my enjoyment of the book at all, I think maybe it was just trying to accomplish too much. It will make me go back and read again!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were intriguing and well-developed. I enjoyed the plot, and I loved the location. It's a great read.

"She’d been working how many years to try to make amends for her mistakes? Would it ever be enough ? Would forgiveness ever come?"

"Back when things were simple and it seemed like there would never be a day they wouldn’t be in each other’s lives."

“That’s God making everything new. No matter what, he can always make things new.”

“He did have to die in order for you to live. Don’t you see?”

"This is how we show the world what real love looks like, Son. For some people, all they see is sadness and anger and negativity. If we can shine a little light in their lives, shouldn’t we do that?”

“Love without condition,”

I've never pulled out so much quotes from a book before.

Courtney Walsh! O Courtney Walsh!
Her books are so heart gripping and touching. It feels so much like your own story. Every part of you feels the story. From the beginning there was this tug to my heart. The whole book was on giant thought provoking and inspiring story. The characters were so real and relatable. Their stories and lives jumped off the pages. The inert human desire to be loved and to love, to want to try to fix what's broke even when it is beyond their power, the reluctance to forgive oneself but the freedom and ease to forgive others and the sometimes pain of forgiving.
This book captured the lives of people jarred and jaded by pain and loss and their futile attempts at a new normal. I saw love lived out in so much actions than words. I saw the essence of a life lived in adding value to those around.
This was one huge forgiveness and second chance story. Sacrifice never looked better and touching like it did in this book. I cried both happy and sad tears at different points while reading the book.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

DNF at 38%. I'm so sorry to say that the pacing of this one is just not keeping me engaged. I feel like the conflict is being rolled out in bits and pieces and I just am not all that interested.

This is a beautifully written story about the ripple effects of a tragedy that tore two families apart and one woman's quest to restore the broken relationships between the people she loved most. The setting is Nantucket, and while I enjoyed the delightful descriptions of summer life on the island, this is not a lighthearted beach read. It's deeply emotional and heartbreaking at times. Walsh has penned a powerful novel about the bitterness that takes root when people hold grudges and keep secrets, as well as the freedom that comes from choosing to forgive. This is an intense read. I enjoyed it. My only quibble is the push-pull between Cody and Louisa. For two people who had such an extensive history, they spent much of the novel flip-flopping between almost kissing then giving each other the silent treatment. It was super aggravating.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions shared here are my own.

The problem with reading a book in a place I've never been is that said read inevitably makes me desperately want to go there! :)

Nantucket comes to life in this delicious new release by Courtney Walsh. At times I couldn't help but think of the Kennedys and Camelot, wishing they could have heard some of Walsh's profound prose on forgiveness and faith. (Interestingly, I discovered via Google just now that JFK and co. went for a sail one day in 1963 across Nantucket Sound; while they didn't visit Nantucket itself aside from the surrounding waters, a number of children on board the yacht that day visited Brant Point Coast Guard Station--a prominent feature in this read! Today I Learned.)

As ever, Walsh creates vivid characters and plotlines that make you want to stay up late to finish "just one more chapter"! (Not that I ever did that. Nope. Not at all.) Excellent read -- and while it's book 2 in a series (for which I've even read book 1 already! Amazing!) -- I didn't feel it had to be read in order. Probable spoilers, of course, but nothing mondo.. (Though, I'd certainly recommend all her books anywayyyy ... <innocent look>) I'd love to attend that regatta and might inadvertently bid on a Coastie myself. <whistle>

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Courtney Walsh is a must-read author for me. Her characters are so real, they could be my neighbors (and I wish they were!). Courtney does not shy away from addressing difficult topics or have situations that magically fix themselves. The characters in her books put in the time and effort to work through situations, through past hurts, just as we would need to do in real-life. Courtney's latest book, "Is It Any Wonder," is no exception. Nantucket has been a place of heartache and hurt for two families for so many years and now is the time for healing and moving forward, or so Louisa is hoping. After Cody rescues her and they are forced to work together to improve the Coast Guard's image, she realizes she has her work cut out for her in more ways than one. This is a book that had me smiling, had me crying and left me wanting to read more.

I’ve been a fan of Courtney Walsh for awhile now but this was sadly not her best work.
It was fun to return to the setting of Nantucket and the small nods to the other books in this series were nice to see.
Cody was a decent guy and his desire to save lives was certainly admirable, he was a bit grumpy at first but he softened up some as the story went on.
Louisa was the hard sell for me, she was the daydreamy sort which always bugs me in books and the way that she was always lusting (I honestly can’t call it anything else) after Cody, overly fixated on his looks, and constantly imagining him kissing her or what their kids would look like just kinda had an ick factor for me.
I also wanted more from the “romance” it seemed like there was no actual get-to-know-you depth to their relationship and while they had been childhood friends they had changed a lot and I wanted some real communication. Instead all we got were flashbacks, “he’s hot” “she’s gorgeous” thoughts, and some make out sessions.
Forgiveness was definitely a big theme of this book, like a lot of Walsh’s lately, and while I’d have preferred it more subtly woven in, it was a good reminder to not let bitterness take over our lives!
While this wasn’t the book for me, I know that a lot of the things that bugged me aren’t issues for other people and this is sure to be exactly what some people are looking for!

I so enjoy Courtney Walsh's writing and I have read many of her works. This I believe is her greatest novel so far. The setting is Nantucket Island in the present day. Cody and Louisa are two characters that I instantly fell in love with. I believe my favorite character, would be sassy, older Maggie. She has lived on Nantucket since the beginning of time and no one actually knows her age. She is Aunt Maggie to all the residents there. She says what she thinks and is not afraid to give her advise, often using Scripture to make her point. Here is a small quote from her conversation with Cody, “Don't take away the power of the sacrifice he made by doubting it or wishing it away. The alternative means that you don't get the life your father died for you to have. You owe it to him to live it big and full. Not to stay stuck here in shame and guilt.” This book was not what I expected, but definitely what I needed. I thank Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Books by Courtney Walsh are always a good combination of narrative, romance, and faith. This book, "Is It Any Wonder" is no exception to that rule! Cody and Louisa have a shared history, but after a horrific accident, the two are torn apart. Now they are brought back together as adults and have to decide whether forgiveness is something they're willing to forgive and accept. This book was so heartwarming and enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A very well written second chance romance. Good plot and character dynamics. Loved this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review review.

Tragedy tore them apart but is a promise made as teens stronger than their grief?

Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers grew up as best friends. Born hours apart, their tradition of sharing their birthday wishes with each other at the Brant Point Lighthouse began almost as soon as they could write them. When tragedy shatters the friendship between their parents, Cody and Louisa's friendship also shatters. As their golden birthday approaches, will they be able to put aside the past to create the future they both still long for?

Courtney Walsh has taken a story of great grief and created great beauty. This one had me feeling every emotion under the sun. Anger at Louisa's parents, grief for both Louisa and Cody - Louisa who believes that her error in judgment caused Cody to do something reckless, and Cody who believes that his error in judgment caused his father's death, and subsequently, his family's slide into destitution. This is a story of forgiveness for both big and small offenses. This is also a story of enduring love, and let me tell you, this one will tug on every heart string!!

I absolutely recommend Is It Any Wonder! Courtney Walsh has quickly become a MUST READ author for me. She writes some of the best Christian romance out there, on par with Denise Hunter, or Irene Hannon. Contemporary romance with a tiny bit of time slip to give the background for the main characters. You won't be sorry you picked this one up!

I received a free copy of this from the publisher but every opinion here is MINE!

#IsItAnyWonder #NetGalley

Courtney Walsh just took a little piece of my heart forever with this book. I have loved all of her books before, but this story will stick with my heart forever.

I laughed. I cried. I laughed and cried some more. This story was filled with so much heartbreak and buried emotions but also so much forgiveness and redemption.

The Nantucket setting was absolutely gorgeous and Courtney’s descriptions made me feel like I was there. I absolutely adored Louisa and Cody. Their journey was impactful, gut-wrenching, and all-together beautiful.

Okay, I have gushed enough for now. But seriously go pre-order this book now!! It releases on April 6!

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for a honest review!

Courtney Walsh just knows how to plumb the very depths of her characters’ emotions. Louisa and Cody share a birthday and have always shared their birthday wishes at a certain spot on Nantucket. Then a horrible thing happened and Cody left. Now, ten years later, he is back. Is it possible for them to reconnect? Or will past hurts and in forgiveness stand between them?

I had a very hard time putting this down. One thing that will cause me to give up on a book is wooden characters. Not so with the characters created by Walsh. Not even for a minute. Not even the secondary ones. I felt their pain, joy, and deepest feelings. Watching these folks navigate the turbulent waters of the decade long pain and heartbreak was just so difficult and that’s because of the talent of this author. I loved every minute of this book. Well done.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is my own.

This was a great book to read! A first time for me with this author but look forward to checking out more of her books.

My favorite part was throughout the story more clues were given as to how all of the story parts fit together. Cody and Louisa are the main characters and have been friends since childhood but a tragedy has pulled them apart. Will Codys return to Nantucket bring more pain or reconciliation?

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

2 stars
I really wanted to like this book. I kept trying to but I just couldn't get into it. The premise is good but the books just felt forced and whiny. I did not finish.

I loved this book of second chances and forgiveness.
Courtney’s books just keep getting better (and I’ve always loved them all)!

Cody and Louisa and their families were close friends until Cody’s dad dies in a drowning accident. Because they both feel responsible, guilt drives them and their families apart. Now twelve years later, Cody is back in Nantucket assigned to the Coast Guard station. And Louisa has been living there building her PR business. Because they had always shared wishes on their shared birthday as kids, they had made a pact to meet at the lighthouse when they turned thirty. But sharing wishes this year seemed unlikely at best.

I think it is great how this book and a few others I’ve recently published are being so unique in their storylines. And that there was a mystery in this story that I could not figure out!

But mostly I loved that this is a tale of how important forgiveness is. It is the overriding theme through the entire book.

My favorite quotes on forgiveness – so true:
“Forgiveness is a powerful thing.”
“Being forgiven can change a person.”

And on love:
“When you love someone, you are their biggest cheerleader, a champion of their dreams.”
This book captured by heart and I recommend it highly!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.