‘Exquisite… a clear head and shoulders above the rest’ Sunday Independent 1838: when a terrible storm blows up off the Northumberland coast, Grace Darling, the lighthouse-keeper’s daughter, knows there is little chance of survival for the passengers on the small ship battling the waves. But her actions set in motion an incredible feat of bravery that echoes down the century.1938: when nineteen-year-old Matilda Emmerson sails from across the Atlantic to New England, she faces an uncertain future. Sent away in disgrace, she must stay with her reclusive relative, Harriet Flaherty, a lighthouse keeper on Rhode Island. Once there, Matilda discovers a discarded portrait that opens a window on to a secret that will change her life forever.This top-rated novel by Hazel Gaynor is a masterful blend of historical and romance genres, offering a unique perspective on the coming of age experience. The story, which has been short-listed for numerous prizes, is a poignant exploration of family ties and personal growth.For fans of Heather Webb (Strangers in the Night), Susan Meissner (Only the Beautiful), Barbara Davis (The Wishing Tide), Ariel Lawhon (When We Had Wings), and Anna Lee Huber (Secrets in the Mist).
