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Serenity Bay
Quaint island life in the Puget Sound offers everything Patricia Koehler desires for her husband and children, including the chance to share in the music of her beloved cello. But Patricia harbors a secret she can reveal to no one-until Susan drops into her life with a heart even larger than her love of life and laughter. But neither woman is prepared for the events set in motion when Patricia's secret is revealed...
Can Patricia trust her instincts, or will the sacrifice be too heavy to bear?
Can Patricia trust her instincts, or will the sacrifice be too heavy to bear?
323 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2024
Another great book I read while living with my grandma. She had me reading all kinds of books to which I’m grateful for. This book is about a woman that is married to an abusive man. The author did a great job with character development and taking us on a journey with the characters. This book is definitely a great read.
December 6, 2010
Heavy reading. Traces the life of an ordinary woman who blindly-in-love marries a disturbed and abusive man. The progression from happy bride to bewildered victim to terrified slave is very well portrayed, although it is still hard to understand how easily it seems that a life can be so altered in such a short time. Very well written and insightful; though disturbing, I would recommend it.
October 23, 2017
Great book! Nordberg does a great job taking the reader on a journey inside the life of a young woman whose life isn't all that it appears.
When I started this book I liked the title and was looking for a light read. Although the book wasn't the light read I was looking for, I felt drawn to the main character and her struggle to fit in, to be a good wife, a good mother, I liked her sweet sincere nature and her love of the cello.
As I got deeper into the novel, it was not lost on me that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for hope in the darkness.
When I started this book I liked the title and was looking for a light read. Although the book wasn't the light read I was looking for, I felt drawn to the main character and her struggle to fit in, to be a good wife, a good mother, I liked her sweet sincere nature and her love of the cello.
As I got deeper into the novel, it was not lost on me that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for hope in the darkness.
May 26, 2025
This book was fantastic, even more so because it was a debut novel. This is a very hard story about domestic violence so please be aware before you go into it. The faith content is very subtle, but in my opinion, powerful and realistic. It shows what a good friend who is a believer can do for you.
You cannot help but care about Patty, be horrified along with her during the terrible and hard things, and triumph with her in the end. I would recommend this book if you are in the mood for a heavier read. It is definitely worth it.
You cannot help but care about Patty, be horrified along with her during the terrible and hard things, and triumph with her in the end. I would recommend this book if you are in the mood for a heavier read. It is definitely worth it.
June 26, 2022
Was this book a bit predictable? Absolutely. But I still cared, very much, what happened to Patty & Leah & RJ.
Patty ("Pet") is a sweet young woman that is pursuing a nursing career. We follow Patty through the journey she makes in finding her true career path, meeting her true love & moving to the Puget Sound. There she meets Susan, the friend who sees beyond the surface that Pet shows.
Trigger warning: domestic violence, kidnapping, abuse
Patty ("Pet") is a sweet young woman that is pursuing a nursing career. We follow Patty through the journey she makes in finding her true career path, meeting her true love & moving to the Puget Sound. There she meets Susan, the friend who sees beyond the surface that Pet shows.
Trigger warning: domestic violence, kidnapping, abuse
February 27, 2026
Not your ordinary book. Praises to those extraordinary woman who fight for their rights and stand on what they believe in.
January 18, 2012
Story Description:
A charming island village in the Puget Sound seems like the perfect place to raise their children when Patricia Koehler and her husband move in. And the slow pace of life might be just the thing to bring the peace and quiet Patricia longs for. When she discovers a wonderful friend in Susan – a woman as outgoing as Patricia is shy – she knows she’s made a friend for life.
Yet all is not as it seems, and the Koehlers are not a perfect couple. When Patricia shares her secret agony with Susan, she finds the courage to face the problem with the love and support of her friend…but neither woman is prepared for the consequences unleashed by revealing the truth.
This moving story deals with contemporary family issues that come straight from today’s headlines.
My Review:
Ms. Nordberg introduces us to the sad subject of abusive relationships. Patricia was so happy and so in love with her doctor husband and he was the guy every girl would want. Taking Patricia on the most beautiful dates, attending to her every need, and lavishing her with flowers and words only endeared her more and more to this wonderful man. However, once married, the good doctor began to change and became an abusive and obnoxious man. I found it so hard to read through the beatings he laid on Patricia.
With the help of God, her good friend Susan and a new community, Patricia is able to begin life anew. There are so many twists and turns in the novel making for a very suspenseful read. People often assume because someone is a Christian and has a relationship with God that they would never be in an abusive relationship and that is just not true. You need more than a relationship with God you need courage and community as well to help you walk back into the light.
This was one book I just couldn’t put down and ended up reading it in one sitting!! Don’t miss out on this excellent book that provides us with a very important message.
A charming island village in the Puget Sound seems like the perfect place to raise their children when Patricia Koehler and her husband move in. And the slow pace of life might be just the thing to bring the peace and quiet Patricia longs for. When she discovers a wonderful friend in Susan – a woman as outgoing as Patricia is shy – she knows she’s made a friend for life.
Yet all is not as it seems, and the Koehlers are not a perfect couple. When Patricia shares her secret agony with Susan, she finds the courage to face the problem with the love and support of her friend…but neither woman is prepared for the consequences unleashed by revealing the truth.
This moving story deals with contemporary family issues that come straight from today’s headlines.
My Review:
Ms. Nordberg introduces us to the sad subject of abusive relationships. Patricia was so happy and so in love with her doctor husband and he was the guy every girl would want. Taking Patricia on the most beautiful dates, attending to her every need, and lavishing her with flowers and words only endeared her more and more to this wonderful man. However, once married, the good doctor began to change and became an abusive and obnoxious man. I found it so hard to read through the beatings he laid on Patricia.
With the help of God, her good friend Susan and a new community, Patricia is able to begin life anew. There are so many twists and turns in the novel making for a very suspenseful read. People often assume because someone is a Christian and has a relationship with God that they would never be in an abusive relationship and that is just not true. You need more than a relationship with God you need courage and community as well to help you walk back into the light.
This was one book I just couldn’t put down and ended up reading it in one sitting!! Don’t miss out on this excellent book that provides us with a very important message.
August 7, 2016
I could not put this book down.
Life on the quaint little island of Serenity Bay in Puget Sound is peaceful and quiet. To all appearances, Patricia Koehler has everything she could ever want in a husband and two young children. But Patricia harbors a terrible secret she can share with no one--she is battered wife whose children are in danger too. Then she meets Susan, a Christian woman with a heart even larger than her love of life and laughter and their friendship literally becomes Patricia's lifeline.
When 5 year old Leah has to be hospitalized, Patricia knows she must leave but the consequences turn out to be more severe than she ever imagined. Leaving her husband and hiding becomes almost more than she can bear. Always afraid, Patricia wonders what will become of her and her children.
Life on the quaint little island of Serenity Bay in Puget Sound is peaceful and quiet. To all appearances, Patricia Koehler has everything she could ever want in a husband and two young children. But Patricia harbors a terrible secret she can share with no one--she is battered wife whose children are in danger too. Then she meets Susan, a Christian woman with a heart even larger than her love of life and laughter and their friendship literally becomes Patricia's lifeline.
When 5 year old Leah has to be hospitalized, Patricia knows she must leave but the consequences turn out to be more severe than she ever imagined. Leaving her husband and hiding becomes almost more than she can bear. Always afraid, Patricia wonders what will become of her and her children.
August 21, 2007
Bette Nordberg is a friend of my family and I have always appreciated her books. Set in the San Juan islands, the scenery is familiar to me and she her ability to tell a fascinating and powerful story while remaining very entertaining is impressive.
November 22, 2008
One of the best rated books of all time in our Book Club! Sad, very real, and just couldn't put it down.
Read
June 18, 2011read this once and started to read again several years later but couldn't get into it. Gave it away.
September 16, 2014
Just don't like books about abused women whose husband kidnaps kids. Great story about trusting God, but very depressing.
January 25, 2017
Tough look at spousal abuse targeted to Christian women. Eye opening and suspenseful. The author came to our book club discussion and was delightful and informative.
June 8, 2022
Good storyline, very wordy but kept my attention.
June 11, 2010
A story about battered women. Religious story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews