A HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND EMOTIONAL STORY OF GRIEF, SHAME, SECRETS AND LOST LOVES!

The year is 1900 when lovely, young Dorothy, a new teacher arrives in the small fishing village of Skerry, Scotland with bright hopes and dreams to begin a happy new life full of promise so different from her past.

Now, fifteen to twenty years later villagers see Joseph carrying an unconscious small boy soaked head to foot and wearing only one boot who he found washed up on the wet, sandy beach. Shock and whispers carry through the air speaking of the similarities between Dorothy's young son who was taken by the sea many years before. Dorothy will be the boy's caregiver over the brutal winter as there is no way in or out of the village due to blizzards and frozen ice afterward making any transportation or post service communication impossible. Dorothy grows attached to the strange child who reminds her so much of her own lost boy and her reality becomes blurred and challenged when she begins to to believe that the sea gave back this child to her as a gift to replace the one it took and she sometimes believes he is the same child. Meanwhile gossip continues throughout the village as usual because there is an uncanny resemblance to Dorothy's child which finally brings out secreted deeds and lies that some of the community carried from the past that may have led to the death of Dorothy's only beloved child.

This lovely and heartbreaking novel will stay with me for a very long time if not forever! I absolutely cannot believe this was the author 'JULIA R. KELLY'S' debut novel which was written so beautifully with magnificent and atmospheric storytelling of Skerry, Scotland where I completely lost myself within the pages and I truly didn't want the book to come to an end. It has been quite while since I have felt so much emotion while reading a story and I would find myself sometimes smiling although most of the time my eyes would be welling up with so many tears while feeling a painful ache in my chest experiencing the pain that the characters would be feeling (marvelous)! The author captured the authenticity of all the characters' personalities and feelings plus the isolation of the small community where I felt that I was actually there.somehow in this fishing village observing how everything played out. This was a wonderfully, rich reading experience which was due to the hauntingly, descriptive writing of 'JULIA R. KELLY'!

I highly, highly recommend this beautiful novel and I certainly hope there will many more books to be written by this talented author!

I want to thank the publisher "Simon & Schuster" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given a rating of 5++ MESMERIZING AND HAUNTING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!

3.5 stars. Told through multiple points of view and dual timelines, this story focuses on the small Scottish fishing village of Skerry Sands in 1900, when a young boy mysteriously washes ashore in the middle of a storm. He is taken in by Dorothy, the local school teacher who lost her own son to presumed drowning many years earlier, and he bears an amazing resemblance to Dorothy’s son. A character-driven novel, it looks into the inner substance (and secrets) not only of Dorothy, but also of many of the individual townspeople, all the while focusing on themes of hurt, grief, compassion and forgiveness. It is beautifully written, but too much of a slow burn for me.

A captivating historical fiction novel set in a charming Scottish fishing village, beautifully woven with romance and folklore. The multiple POVs add depth to the story, intricately connecting the plot, though the shifting timelines and numerous perspectives were occasionally a bit tricky to follow. That said, the ending delivered a surprise twist I never saw coming, making the journey well worth it!

The Fisherman’s Gift by Julia R. Kelly explores the multifaceted nature of motherhood and identity, portraying the many roles women navigate throughout life. Yet, rather than a celebration, this story unfolds with a melancholic atmosphere, steeped in longing and introspection.

Set in the 1900s, the novel follows Joseph, a fisherman who rescues a child eerily similar to a boy who once vanished at sea. The incident is observed by the women at Mrs. Brown’s grocery store, including Dorothy, whose past resurfaces in the face of this uncanny event. As she offers to care for the child, memories begin to unravel, forcing her to confront long-buried secrets, ones that could shift the entire village’s perception.

There’s a lot packed into this debut novel, from love and grief to motherhood, identity, and even obsession. The author deftly weaves in the effects of small-town gossip, the skepticism toward outsiders, and the weight of trauma, all while crafting an immersive, atmospheric setting that heightens the story’s emotional depth.

Thank you, SimonBooks, for this book!

Here's how I'm going to start my review...

A few years ago I read a book called Tiffany Blues by MJ Rose. It wasn't my usual genre of reading, but the description sucked me in to giving it a try, needless to say, I was sucked in from the get go. The Fisherman's Gift was absolutely heartbreaking, emotional, thought provocative and something I won't soon forget. It's written in the early 1900s, not something I usually read, but OMG I'm so thankful I decided to read this book. I cried throughout this story, seriously wondered how a small village could possibly treat one person so horribly, and in the end how the full circle of this book could have taught me so much. This is a new author for me, and I plan on reading alot more of her books in the future. Truly enjoyed this very well written, captivating, and emotional book she has produced. There are no other words I can express at this point.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

I really loved the premise of this book and how it came full circle. I think the changing POV's were intriguing because you got the full picture of what happened piece by piece. I really liked the atmospheric elements of this book and how the solitude almost became it's own character in some ways. The struggle I had with this book was the short, choppy, chapters that went nowhere. I think there were concise events that led to the past, however this was not really outlined and plotted well. I felt that the ending felt a bit awkward and seemed to really drag out as well. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Mothers seem to only remember what they could have done better, not what they have done great. Why is this statement so true? This is how Dorothy feels throughout The Fisherman’s Gift.

I have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts I loved, but at times it was slow moving. I felt frustrated with the relationship between a Dorothy and Jacob. The lack of communication was frustrating. Once I got past that, and understood the characters better I began enjoying the book more. The end was very emotional. A good ending can make you change your perspective on an entire book and that is what happened for me. The beginning of the book started slow but I loved the ending. I grew to love the flawed characters once all the secrets came out.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was my first novel by Julia R. Kelly and I will read more.

I really liked the premise of this book and was hooked early on! A small seaside village, an outsider moving in, and the drama that goes along with it -- yes, please! At some point, the plot started to unravel, the mystery elements became tired, and when the resolution was finally revealed, I just felt sad. There was SO MUCH needless suffering by so many characters for so many years, that just a few short honest conversations could have prevented. It wasn't a satisfying ending to me and left me feeling sad.

Beautiful story! Reminding me that everyone has a secret and that respecting each other is a lifetime challenge. All the women in The Fisherman's Gift have some type of maternal instinct of varying degrees. Dorothy is every one of their secrets embraced in one character and yet unaware of her connection to those she feels are ostrasizing her. Julia R. Kelly's setting plays into the story as another Mother Nature character with her own secrets. I highly recommend this novel it will raise many questions for women.

A small Scottish village has secrets, and Dorothy has been keeping one for many years, but the biggest secret and puzzle is did someone have anything to do with the disappearance/drowning of Dorothy’s son, Moses.

When another child who looks like Moses washes up many years later, it brings back all the questions for the village and the emotions for Dorothy.

Dorothy is asked to take care of the child and says no at first - she knows she should help out, but she can’t.

But then she realizes she needs to help out the people in the village and the child. It turns out to be good for her.

The characters were portrayed perfectly for that time period and setting even though some characters caused Dorothy to make decisions she really didn't want to make.

THE FISHERMAN'S GIFT is not an uplifting read, but it is beautifully written, has a pull-you-in storyline, and a main character you don't know if you want to feel sorry for or be angry with for the choices she makes.

A moving, thought-provoking debut that may have you thinking about decisions you have made and/or ones you may make. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Fisherman's Gift, by Julia R Kelly, is a touching story of love and grief. In a small Scottish fishing village, a half-drowned little boy is found along the shore. Dorothy, a local teacher, cares for the child. She knows a mother’s sorrow from loss, for she lost her own son years ago. At times, she it feels that this little boy is her child, somehow miraculously returned to her. I loved the set-up as the story goes back and forth between “now” and “then,” filling in the backstory of Dorothy’s life.

As a young woman, Dorothy arrives at this small village, one so banded together that, even years later, she feels like an unwelcome entruder, judged and even shunned. Fisherman Joseph, a young eligible man, is smitten with Dorothy, but the relationship seems doomed from the start. Interference from the town’s people forces a wedge between them.

The author does an especially good job in describing townspeople, who are gossipy and spiteful. The writing is beautiful, with words that call to be read again and again:

“And a sense of wonder steals over Dorothy as she sits there for a long time, the room lightening with the coming day, and thinks about the sleeping boy downstairs and how God works in mysterious ways.”

What a sad and touching story, one that I will carry with me for a while.

Seriously, this is a DEBUT novel? Can’t wait to see what’s waiting for us next. Set in a small Scottish fishing village in 1900, a small boy washes up on the beach. Years before another boy, remarkably similar, was washed away by the sea on the same beach. Dorothy, the lost boys mother, takes in the found boy. Dark secrets are exposed, human drama, love lost, so much here. Great storyline that is well times and populated with good well developed characters. Get yourself on that library waiting list!

Such a heartfelt story. The Fisherman’s Gift is a dual timeline story taking place around the year 1900 in Scotland with the past timeline following our main character Dorothy and her life after moving to a small fishing village with the present timeline following the mystery behind a boy washing up on shore during a storm later in her life.

It was very character driven and the author handled all of the difficult topics with care. I was very moved by a lot of characters we were introduced to, really pulled at my heartstrings. A lot of ups and downs, but a story of forgiveness in the end. Really well done and I recommend.

Thank you for the gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy for my library!

I just finished 'Wild Dark Shore' by Charlotte McConaghy, so strangely this is the second book I've read recently that opens with a mysterious person washing ashore. In this story, a young boy is discovered (who is unable to speak) several years after a woman's own son disappeared in the same place. Is this boy a changeling sent to replace her son? Or just a stand-in for her immense grief? I loved all of the characters in this, but the novel is one of those where I just wanted to demand that the characters speak to one another because the amount of misunderstandings stemming from no communication is abundant. I also had a hard time distinguishing between time frames because the narrative jumps back and forth quite a bit. There weren't really any surprises with the storytelling, but the setting of a small Scottish village and the descriptive writing helped push aside most of the criticisms I had. I might have liked it even more if I hadn't just read 'Wild Dark Shore' to compare it to.

It’s 1900 and Skerry, a small Scottish fishing village, is destined for an unyielding winter. During a storm, a young boy washes up on the shore. He bears an uncanny resemblance to teacher Dorothy’s son, lost to the sea at the same age many years before, his body never found.

Dorothy is an enigma. She is a character which tugs at your heart strings. But she is also stubborn, refuses help and also makes some bad decisions. So in other words, very true to life.

As much as I loved this setting of a small Scottish fishing village, this story fell completely apart for me about 50 percent into this book. This novel had such a strong start and I was loving it. But then it just got so boring and repetitive. I did finish it and it rebounded a bit at the ending. Now, as I always say, read this for yourself. It has quite a few 5 star reviews. It is emotional and it is unique, so I would read it and form my own opinion.

If you need a story about love, loss and overcoming tragedy…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This is a wonderful story that pulls on every emotion. The atmosphere Julia R Kelly has built around this fishing village adds an extra character to the story, the events that happen could not be without the village's remoteness and harsh weather. Told in two timelines, then when the characters were young and had high hopes and goals, and now where we see them as fate has beaten them down. Emotions swing from guarded hope to love and longing. This is definitely a story to be read when you can give it your full attention. Once started, you'll not want to set it down. I truly loved THE FISHERMAN'S GIFT and would not be surprised if a few of my friends receive an early birthday gift. After all, a good book is better when shared.

This book is beautiful, heartbreaking, tragic, and healing. Dorothy lost her son in the worst way possible, one night when he got out of the house and drowned in the sea. Years later a boy washes up on the shore who looks just like the son lost. Dorothy is reluctant at first to take the young man into her house but when she does falls in love with him and dreads the day that they might find his original family. This book is told from a couple of different perspectives. This book is beautifully crafted through flashbacks, current time, and three main perspectives to allow the reader a much broader view of what happened that fateful night. This book sweeps the reader up into a world where misunderstandings are abundant, but hindsight is 20/20. This is a lovely book and perfect for a book group. I am excited to start recommending it soon.
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This is a beautifully written, deeply atmospheric and heartbreaking novel about a woman, her love, and two children. It moves back and forth in time to tell the story of Dorothy, a teacher, moved to Skerry but struggles to become part of the community-but she's always been apart from others. She falls deeply for Joseph, who is beloved by Agnes but the relationship founders on her own fears. And Her child Moses is lost in the sea and she retreats further into herself until the day Joseph, the fisherman, emerges from the water with a small boy who Dorothy takes in until his parents can be found. Kelly captures the gossip and life of a small town not only from Dorothy's perspective but also from that of Mrs. Brown, the storekeeper, and of Agnes. Thanks for the ARC. I found this mesmerizing and a page turner- no spoilers from me about the answers to the questions you'll have, especially about Moses. It's a terrific read.

Can she learn to let go of her painful past?

In a small Scottish fishing village in 1900 Dorothy lives mourning the death of Moses, the young son she lost years earlier to the sea whose body was never found. She had come to Skerry as a young woman to be the village teacher and never felt truly accepted by the townspeople. She and local fisherman Joseph fell in love but their relationship wouldn't survive the loss of Moses; in fact many in town still suspect that Joseph had something to do with Moses' death. Now in the midst of a terrible winter storm a young boy washes ashore and is found by Joseph, who rushes him to the local minister and his wife to keep him alive. This boy bears a strong resemblance to Moses and is of a similar age to him when he drowned, and although he clearly can't be Moses Dorothy feels compulsively drawn to him. His arrival will prove to be the catalyst both for Dorothy to come to terms with her grief and loss as well as for the revelation of other village secrets; can it bring healing to those who so desperately need it? And who is this boy, who seems to Dorothy to be a gift from the sea?
With its rugged and isolated setting in an insular community rife (as such places generally are) with gossip, The Fisherman's Gift is a haunting work of historical fiction. Dorothy and Joseph are vividly portrayed, two people connected by a deep love yet driven apart by a tragedy from which they have yet to recover, as are the different villagers with whose lives theirs' are intertwined...Mrs Brown, the shopkeeper who knows just about everything about just about everyone, Agnes who is love with Joseph though his heart already belongs to another, and others. The story unfolds in chapters that travel between the present and the past, and between differing characters' perspectives, but is tied together by themes of grief, loss, and love. It is not unremittingly sad, though, as hope glimmers when it is most needed. The raging winter weather will eventually be tempered come the spring, and the emotional storms being weathered by the people of Skerry will similarly have a chance at yielding to calm. This is a story told with beautiful language, striking imagery, and characters who strike a chord of authenticity with the reader. Its pace isn't quick and the pain it portrays is raw, but it is the sort of story that stays with the reader long after the final page has been turned. Those who enjoy the works of Howard Norman, Hannah Kent and Christina Baker Kline should make this a must-read this spring, as should fans of beautifully rendered historical fiction. Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me early access to this poignant tale in exchange for my honest review.

This debut has my heart.

For those who ever wonder "what if" or "if I am an good enough mother" this one is for you. What captivated me originally about this book was the setting (Scotland) and also that it was likened to "The Snow Child" and "The Light Between Oceans" (both of those wrecked me by the way...). I knew this was easily going to be a 5 star read and boy, did Kelly deliver!

The story is about Dorothy, a recently hired school teacher at a small Scottish seaside community. New to everyone, Dorothy navigated complicated relationships and expectations within the community, including Joseph who has been made clear by some of the women in the town, Dorothy is not meant to court. Jumping to the future, Dorothy still deals with grief over the loss of her child, who became lost at sea years ago. All of that changes when a mysterious boy (who doesn't speak) washes up on the shore looking like her lost child. Dorothy and Joseph navigate the unspoken sea of things unsaid between them while trying to get the boy back to his family. Dorothy has been haunted by her lost son's death and the questions of "was it my fault" is a big theme here. The female relationships in this book were so well developed too.

It is told in multiple POV and switches timelines between "then" and "now". I really loved how the mystery becomes unraveled and the writing was simply beautiful. The last 20% was so good and it had me in tears (the chapter on Moses! Gah! My heart!).

I found the relationship between Dorothy and Joseph SO good and it really made me want to move away to a small seaside town in the British Isles. If Julia R. Kelly writes it, I will read it!

Content: some open door scenes (related to marriage, etc.)