Review: The Island of Doves

The Island of Doves

by Kelly O'Connor McNees

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Pages: 384

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Susannah Fraser lives in one of Buffalo’s finest mansions, but her monstrous husband makes the home a terrible prison. When a local nun offers to help her escape, Susannah boards a steamship headed for Mackinac Island and a chance at freedom.

Magdelaine Fonteneau has seen her share of tragedy—a husband murdered before her eyes, two sisters lost—and she sees offering Susannah refuge in her island home as atonement for her many regrets. This act of kindness changes Susannah in ways she never could have imagined as she finds solace in the company of others who carry their own secrets and scars. Only together can they untangle their pasts—and find a future bright with the promise of new life….


Kritters Thoughts:  Susannah left her parents to cling to her husband and a sudden death of both of her parents and a husband who isn't living up to the marriage vows plunge her into a place that she doesn't find the hope.  A woman in 1835 doesn't have many options and through an interesting avenue is able to find a way out of her situation, but will her past come and get her. . .

Without this book set in 1835, the women's issues would be different, so the time was vital but also so very interesting.  I loved that even though it was set in a different time it was still easy to read, the author didn't make the language to out of it; although the setting and the dress of the time were described in perfect detail!  I can not say enough good things about how the time in history was set up so well, I got lost completely in it!

My second Kelly O'Connor McNees book and loved this one the same if not more than the previous one I read.  If you are a historical fiction fan, then this is an author to put on your immediate read list!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 23 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Penguin.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.