Is It Any Wonder – Courtney Walsh

Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh
Also by this author: If for Any Reason
Published by Tyndale on April 6, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance
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five-stars

Can a promise made as kids bring them back together as adults? In this Nantucket-set beach read, "master of the genre" (Midwest Book Review) Courtney Walsh delivers a sparkling inspirational romance about first love and second chances.
Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they'd return to Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.
Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa's fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody's father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.

Courtney Walsh does it again.

I laughed, I cried, I empathized. I loved these people.

Louisa Chambers was a heroine I absolutely loved.

And her relationship with Cody Boggs…smashingly sweet.

They’d been best friends growing up, then something bad happened (Cody’s dad Daniel drowns), and they went their separate ways.

Fast forward to just before their 30th birthdays. What makes this date special is that it was the year for their golden birthdays, and long ago they’d made a pact to meet again at their favorite place on Nantucket, on that special day. But it’s been so long that Louisa convinced herself that Cody has forgotten all about her.

Well. Louisa almost drowns…and guess who rescues her? Yep! None other than… Cody!

And thus begins the reawakening of their relationship.

They have both had some hard years. Especially Cody. And it seems like there is no way possible for them to be friends again. Or forgive.

And yet, deep down in, they both long for it.

So, in order to move forward, they decide to dig in to the past. Find out what really happened all those years ago. But, when Louisa asks her parents, they are not interested in talking about any of it.

And Cody. Well, there’s his mom. And he hates to even mention the word Nantucket to her, because after some tremendous grief, it seems that she is finally in a better place.

But, you see, there’s Maggie. A special person to both Louisa and Cody. She filled in for Louisa’s mom where her own mother was lacking. And now, Maggie is dying, and her one last wish is to bring all her old friends back for a birthday party. (or maybe it’s Louisa’s wish, to try and make everything right again…) So, Louisa goes against Cody’s wishes and sends an invitation to his mom.

What will happen when those adults, the very ones who used to be such good friends, and then became enemies, when they all get in the same room again?

 

Courtney Walsh deals so beautifully with some deep, dark, difficult things, including forgiveness. This is a story that is both fun to read, and a bit humorous at times, and yet, also a very thought provoking and life changing encounter.

If you love books that make you think, that might change you, and force you to grow, than I highly recommend this one!

five-stars