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Mackinac Island Refuge

How could a godly pastor have a secret life with a wife and two daughters no one knew about? Kristy is determined to find the answer to her great-grandfather’s past.

In 1940, Willow Anderson flees her abusive stepfather and takes refuge on Mackinac Island as a hostess at Grand Hotel. There she is blindsided by events beyond her control.

Rob Allen, a student at Wheaton College studying to be a pastor, spends the summer at his family’s cottage on Mackinac Island. Infatuated by the beautiful hostess at Grand Hotel, he knows she is not the wife a pastor needs.

In the present day, Kristy Allen has just completed a horrendous year teaching seventh-grade English. She summers at her family’s cottage on Mackinac Island where Aunt Kathy has unearthed some alarming details about Great-Grandpa Rob Allen from an ancestry website. Although forbidden to pursue it, Kristy simply must know what really happened.

This is a Christian, dual-timeline, stand-alone novel.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2023

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About the author

Beth Livingston

68 books16 followers

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5 stars
45 (75%)
4 stars
8 (13%)
3 stars
3 (5%)
2 stars
2 (3%)
1 star
2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
5 reviews
May 11, 2023
Great book!

This book brought back many memories of Macinac Island. Our family went here for 4 days every summer. Our kids loved it! I could see all the places you described in the book. We went to the little Stone Church, had brunch at the Grand Hotel and rode bikes all over the island.
So nice to enjoy a good Christian book. Thank you.
Profile Image for Lori Koepf.
5 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2023
best story i have ever read!

I read this book in one day as i could not put it down. I cried at Rob & Willow’s end but the author was smart to weave in Mark & Kristy’s beginning to make the sacrifice come full circle & bring gladness where there was sadness. I would recommend this book highly!
Profile Image for Medenna.
971 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the story

Rob and Willow’s story held my attention and I found it difficult to pause reading. I learned a lot too about the island and its history. This is the first book by Beth that I have read and I will be looking forward to another.
430 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2024
Beautiful story

Beautiful story of two people falling in love with God leading the way. You will be swept away....it's one you won't want to end.
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
2,205 reviews
July 7, 2025
Amazing book

This book was so good! It touched my heart. I laughed and cried with the characters. Their storyline was so sweet and so touching. I loved every page of this book.
25 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2025
This book had me intrigued and it was difficult to put down. This was the first book I read from this author. She has wonderful imagination. Her storytelling makes me want to visit the setting. Love the characters. I love how you weave the Lord through out the book. Great job
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews