This story is told over a dual timeline. There are various mysteries and family secrets. The characters are well developed. The writing is beautiful. This book has been well researched

This was such a lovely read I could not put it down. The writing and the story were both superb!! I will look for more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Loved it
About half way through this book I was so intrigued I couldn't put it down.
The story was fantastic and had me gripped,
Set a hundred years apart it tells the story of Mari who is hired to try and find a lighthouse that might have fallen in the sea and if swan the lighthouse keeper trying to keep the lighthouse going.
One of my favourite books this year

A riveting and beautiful story of family, secrets, history, and a lighthouse.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was raised just a few short miles from an iconic lighthouse, so I retain an inexplicable fondness for lighthouses of all shapes and sizes.

Set on the rugged eastern coast of Newfoundland, Canada, this debut novel spoke directly to my heart.

Mari Adams 2014 - A young woman who is an oceanographic diver and researcher. She is obsessed with finding the wreck of the SS Californian in Greek waters when she receives a message that a woman in Newfoundland, Canada wants her to investigate the disappearance of a lighthouse said to have been located on the rugged cliffs below St. John's. It was rumoured to have collapsed into the Atlantic a century ago.

"...all these saints of shallow waters that kept the sea from taking its dues."

Silvestre Swan 1913 - An eighty-three year old lighthouse keeper. He saw Swan Light built from local stone and remains as its only keeper. With coastal erosion, he fears that Swan Light won't be able to sustain her position much longer... Having lost his beloved wife Grace, he cannot bear the thought of losing Swan Light as well. Silvestre petitions the nearby townsfolk to help him get Swan Light moved back from its precarious position.

"Lighthouses exist because people are so afraid of the sea
that they forget to be afraid of the shore."

As Mari Adams and her assigned Captain, marine scavenger Julian Black, search for remnants of the lighthouse, other less ethical divers are looking for gold from an alleged shipwreck in the same vicinity.

Told via dual timelines, this was a novel that had everything. Rich history, suspense, romance, sound storytelling, and of course a lighthouse. I was completely immersed in the story while reading.

In summation, Swan Light is an accomplished debut novel that will definitely be on my best of 2023 list. I absolutely loved it.

I LOVED this book! Steeped in history with an incredibly intricate plot, this story had be completely absorbed until the last page. It had everything I love - historical fiction, dual plot line, with adventure and a quick moving plot. It was such a unique read and I want all my friends to read it.

The strength of this book is in its writing. It is evocative, and both timelines have an oppressive atmosphere of something that hovers throughout the tale. I think I expected more from the ending than I ultimately got, which is the reason for my final rating.
I think most people will better appreciate this book than I did for several reasons. As I mentioned earlier, the writing brings both timelines to life in different ways. The present timeline is in 2014, I guess, in order to make the past and the present meet in a more appropriate fashion.
In 2014 we have a woman who is searching for a particular wreck, floundering for funding. A mysterious benefactor seeks her out by name and asks her to find a missing lighthouse. In the past timeline, we have the lighthouse still standing, and we move back and forth in that timeline to learn the history of the lighthouse.
There are powerful families who once lived in the small town, each with their own stake in the progress and change that visited the area. Now, in 2014, a few names are still living in the area but are not well versed in the events that led to an entire lighthouse being lost to history.
There are several characters that make up the entire narrative, and each with their own role to play.
Although this had all the pieces that usually work for me, and I read it in a few sittings, I wanted something more from the present timeline. The past felt deeper and more meaningful, and although the tie-up made sense, I was hoping for something more (mostly because of the writing!).
I would recommend this to fans of dual-timeline narratives. I would love to pick up another of the author's works.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This impressive debut Swan Light by Phoebe Rowe captured my attention for a few reasons. I love historical fiction, dual timelines, a Newfoundland setting and lighthouses! This gripping story contains some wonderful poetic descriptions enhanced by a moody atmosphere. Plenty of drama, mystery and mayhem fill these pages that kept my interest soaring and my imagination engaged with the characters. The action and danger heat up to such a frantic pitch in both timelines towards the climax, I was on the edge of my seat! These chapters are side by side so there’s no chance to let your racing heart slow down. I felt pulled back and forth between the two eras as if I was a time traveller. In many ways it was like diving off a steep cliff into the silent sea depths below. But once plunging into the turbulent waters, things begin to happen. In this case, family secrets rise to the surface like tiny air bubbles. For the stories of two people divided by a century on the stormy eastern coast of Canada, come together in a perfect blend. But not before the shock of strong coastal winds, startle and shake the reader’s mind from any complacency that may have occurred. I am happy to say, the experience rendered some wonderful plot surprises and unexpected character outcomes. So, Phoebe Rowe has achieved results with her unique writing style.

As mentioned, there are two timelines. The 2014 story focuses on marine archaeologist Mari Adams who is searching for the SS Californian. Mari is in need of serious finances to continue her expedition when she is contacted by a wealthy 104 year old woman from Newfoundland to find the remains of a lighthouse (Swan Light) that has been said to have fallen into the sea over one hundred years ago. After talking with the elderly lady (who does not seem her age) Mari decides to take on the task as it will be of great benefit to her. But to complete this task she teams up with salvager Julian Henry. A lot of interesting things unfold on their quest and it even leads them into some danger when they are confronted by some treasure hunters.

But there is more to the story of why elderly Evangeline has sought out Mari to take on the search for the lighthouse. This mission includes learning more about those that were involved with the lighthouse in 1913. We have the advantage of getting a full view of that time period mostly through Swan (the eighty-three year old caretaker who passionately protects the lighthouse and petitions for it to be moved) and Clara, a young lady determined to help him. This time period felt authentic and it was obvious Phoebe has done extensive research to make this happen.

The transfer back and forth from 1913 and 2014 is seamless and authentic. What Mari uncovers is quite surprising and the two timelines become intertwined in unexpected ways. The presentation of both was enlightening as we learn the story behind the lighthouse and the man who looked after it. But his warning to the town that it needed to be moved was unheeded. The lighthouse is very much a character in this story with its groans and desperate warnings.

There are some wonderful lines in this novel and a great explanation of what drives some to find shipwrecks. It is a fascinating thing to seek out lost ships and other relics claimed by the sea. Years of history lie silent in its depths. And as the narrative states: ‘There was so much the sea had seen…It was a strange twist of human curiosity…that pushed people to want to look…That pushed them to dive into waters despite their darkness. That made them search for things they might never find.’ I am reminded that it is the endless allure and pull of mystery to touch something precious from the past.

I really enjoyed Swan Light and I am very glad I read this sweeping, moving, family mystery where the veil is pulled back so that one woman’s memory is sharpened into focus before she makes that last journey outside of time. And so that another woman’s dream can come true. 4 Strong Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.

I have always loved light houses and the history behind them, so this book was perfect for me. I found the story so moving and uncovering the past is my favorite part. It was a quick read with past and present coming together.

This is story of hope, love and family, a lighthouse and lost treasure. Told in two different timelines, the life of Silvestre Swan light housekeeper of Swan light and present marine archaeologist Mari Adam and her love for uncovering the past.

Mari teams up with salvager Julian Henry and cover more than they bargained for. The past and present come together and danger.
Can they uncover what happen all those years ago before time runs out?

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for copy of this book for my honest review..

DNF - There are so many aspects to like and appreciate about this story but, I think that another reader might better appreciate them. Though, I'm not the target reader in this case, I will be keeping this in mind for other readers whom I know will greatly enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. This is my honest review.
I am normally not a person who reads historical romance but I was giving this one a shot because I was curious about the description. This book has two timelines and you can tell it was researched very well. A cute mystery that I will go back and read again in the summer on the beach. Unlocking the mystery behind the lighthouse and what happened to it was very intriguing.

As debut novels go, this was a nice, quick read. I loved the idea of looking for the lighthouse and other ship wreaks, it makes you think more about what is lost at the bottom the sea, and it made me read up on SS Californian. The dual timelines worked well with links to old and new relatives too, but I particularly liked reading about Silvestre Swan and Stay. I also loved the way the author made the lighthouse speak. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for letting me read and review this book. Not quite 4 stars for me but a good 3.5 ⭐️

There was just something about Swan Light that caught my attention immediately. It's probably between the lighthouse setting and the diving angle, but the premise itself sounded too promising to pass up on. I've been looking forward to read it; especially after the glowing reviews started popping up. BUT. Sadly, I don't think this is the book for me. I actually tried starting this story twice before, but I never made it past the first chapters. Now that I finally sat down and forced myself to keep reading, I can't say my reading experience was exactly positive.

I have to say that I still love the premise of Swan Light with its dual timeline and the past slowly being linked with the present. I loved the lighthouse setting and I wish there would have been more descriptions of the Swan Light and the town itself... As it is, I don't think its potential was truly met. That said, I had mixed thoughts about both timelines. There were times where I much preferred the 1913 storyline, and Silvestre is without doubt the more interesting character of the two. There were other times the past storyline highly frustrated me though, and I was more interested in the present timeline with the diving angle and salvaging details.

I think part of my issue with this story lies with its characters. I thought that most of them were rather underdeveloped and one-dimentional, and I felt like I never truly got to know any of them. There are so many different characters introduced beyond Silvestre and Mari, and it became really annoying having to keep track of them all (especially when some were only mentioned briefly only to never appear again). I also hated the introduction of the romance in the plot. The romance felt awkward and unnecessary, and it didn't add anything to the plot itself. I just never believed their chemistry, and the story would have been a lot better without it; as it is, it felt more like an afterthought rather than a proper addition to the story.

My main issue would probably be with the writing style though. I know reactions to a writing style are subjective and I'm not saying that Swan Light is badly written... But the fact is that the writing style and me clashed considerably, and the tone was too laborious and forced to flow properly. I ended up struggling considerably to keep track of the story, and I even had to reread certain parts to properly understand what was going on. Add the fact that I caught myself skimreading more than once, and it's easy to say that the writing style and me most definitely didn't get along. To make things worse, the pace was also considerably slow in especially the first half of the story.

All in all, sadly Swan Light wasn't the story for me despite its promising premise and my interest in salvaging and the lighthouse setting. Most people do seem to have a better time with this story though, so don't give up on my account if you think it's your cup of tea.

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me access to this ARC!

3.5 stars
Swan Light was an extremely compelling historical fiction and dual-timeline novel that, for the most part, did what it set out to do! It was an exciting, heartwarming story about a small, Newfoundland community resolving to build a lighthouse to save sailors from the rocky crags of their island. We follow Silvestre Swan, an 83-year-old man in the early 1900’s and Mari Adam’s, a marine-archeologist in the year 2014. In both timelines, we are introduced to a cast of warmhearted, supportive characters – more so in the 1913 plotline, I’d argue – and dive head first into a National Treasure-esque adventure plot following the lighthouse’s demise, and Mari Adam’s endeavor to uncover the truth behind the night it fell.

I think this book did a lot right! But a few things fell short for me, particularly in the second half of the book. The book draws you in slowly in the beginning and reaches a fever pitch in the last third of the book, and then feels like it fizzles out slightly. The romance also felt a little strange, not fully fleshed out, and not convincing enough for me to be able to fully enjoy it. It felt like an afterthought to an otherwise complete plot! Additionally, as someone with family from Newfoundland who is familiar with the people, I think it would have been a lot more enriching for that to be further fleshed out, including the culture, dialect, historical financial state, etc.

This was my first encounter with Phoebe Rowe, but I was really impressed by her writing and I’d be really interested in reading more of hers!

Swan Light by Phoebe Rowe a very well written book about trying to find where a lighthouse (did it fell into the sea or was in torn down and moved elsewhere) went in the early 1900s. The story takes you on a journey.

Swan Light, a compelling novel by Phoebe Rowe, takes readers on a mesmerizing journey that seamlessly blends two timelines, transporting us to the breathtaking world of a Newfoundland lighthouse in 1913 and a modern-day search for answers beneath the ocean's depths in 2014. With its vivid characters, atmospheric setting, and a suspenseful plot, Swan Light offers a satisfying blend of historical fiction, mystery, and adventure.

The story begins with Silvestre Swan, an eighty-three-year-old caretaker of the Swan Light lighthouse. Silvestre's unwavering dedication to preserving the lighthouse leads him to petition for its relocation, but his pleas go unheard until a devastating storm introduces an unexpected ally into his life. As Silvestre's efforts to save the stone lighthouse unfold, readers are transported to the charming coastal town and the enigmatic world that surrounds it.

In a parallel narrative, we meet Mari Adams, a marine archaeologist with an ambition to uncover the remnants of the ill-fated SS Californian. Her pursuit of funding for her project takes a fortuitous turn when she accepts a job to search for the remains of Swan Light, rumored to have succumbed to the sea a century ago. Joined by the resourceful salvager Julian Henry, Mari and Julian embark on a thrilling exploration that unearths more than they ever anticipated. However, as their quest for truth intensifies, they find themselves in a perilous race against treasure hunters who will stop at nothing to claim their prize.

Phoebe Rowe masterfully intertwines these two narratives, seamlessly switching between past and present, as secrets buried beneath the ocean's depths rise to the surface. With each chapter, the suspense deepens, and readers find themselves immersed in the enthralling world Rowe has crafted. The richly detailed descriptions of the Newfoundland landscape evoke a strong sense of place, enveloping readers in the rugged beauty and harsh realities of the coastal environment.

The characters in Swan Light are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story. Silvestre Swan, with his unwavering determination, serves as a poignant symbol of resilience and devotion. Mari Adams and Julian Henry form a compelling duo, their contrasting personalities and shared passion for discovery bringing an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. Supporting characters, including town patriarch Cort Roland and the menacing treasure hunters, contribute to the escalating tension and keep readers on edge.

Rowe's prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of both time periods and effortlessly transporting readers between the past and the present. Her meticulous research shines through, enriching the story with historical authenticity and a genuine appreciation for the maritime setting. The pacing is expertly handled, with the alternating timelines building momentum and culminating in a climax that leaves readers breathless.

Swan Light is a captivating novel that seamlessly weaves together elements of history, mystery, and adventure. Phoebe Rowe's storytelling prowess shines, making this a compelling and memorable read. Whether you're drawn to tales of maritime history, enthralling mysteries, or tales of resilience in the face of adversity, Swan Light is sure to satisfy your literary cravings.

Attention all historical fiction and historical mystery fans! You must add Swan Light to your reading list. As soon as I heard about it, I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed. The novel alternates between two timelines, following Swan, a lighthouse keeper in 1913, and Mari, a marine archaeologist in 2014. Mari is offered a deal to fund her research if she can find out what happened to the lighthouse, its keeper, and anyone else involved. The story is captivating, the writing is beautiful, and the mystery is intriguing. I was hooked from the very first page, and I couldn't get enough. The author pays attention to details such as the lighthouse being a character on its own, and I loved how everything was woven together. This book is perfect, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and mysteries.

A dual time line novel that never really launched for me and ended too soon (aka it's short). I like the concept but the two characters-Swan and Mari- don't mesh well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A. miss from me.

Thanks to the publisher and author for this ARC

I devoured this book as it just couldn’t put it down, it’s the perfect holiday read I think.

You can wile away the hours in glory and adventure and a captivating story.

Thanks again

I wasn't crazy about this story and felt that through all the danger and romance, there was a sense of impatience and plot that didn't sit well nor connect with. I was quickly invested however there felt like some irrelevant plot points that dragged me out way too much.