The Castaway: Shipwreck Key Book One

Shipwreck Key #1

by Stephanie Taylor

Forty-nine-year old widow Ruby Hudson, former First Lady of the United States of America, wants to start the second act of her life by moving to Shipwreck Key off the Florida Panhandle. As she mourns the loss of her beloved husband, she turns her lifelong love of books into a whole new career, opening a little bookshop on the charming, pirate-themed island. Her daughters think she’s crazy, but Ruby can finally breathe again without the constant scrutiny and pressure that come with a high-profile life in the White House. Just as she’s beginning to feel at home on Shipwreck Key, Ruby receives a surprise visit from her husband’s former Chief of a scandalous biography about her husband’s presidency—and about their marriage—is about to come out and rock her world. Ruby is worried that the book will destroy her husband’s legacy, but as she grapples with the idea of going public with her own story, she realizes that she’s found a new sense of purpose in her life on Shipwreck Key. Will the new friendships that Ruby’s made on the island, along with the love of her family, keep her afloat? If she fights back against the rumors and defends her husband’s memory, will she finally and truly be able to move on?

The Shipwreck Key Series The women of Shipwreck Key are strong and resilient, and they all want the same happiness, friendship, and love. They bond through their book club meetings and their shared love of sisterhood, supporting one another through thick and thin, and honoring each other’s unique stories and personalities. The Shipwreck Key series will be eight books long and will have intertwining stories and characters, both sad and hopeful moments, beautiful friendships, romances involving women of all ages, and plenty of laughter. The series launches in June of 2023, and all books will be available in both digital and paperback formats. Book The Castaway Book The Runaway Book The Throwaway Book The Hideaway Book The Breakaway Book The Takeaway Book The Fadeaway Book The Holiday This Women's Fiction series is all about love, life, and found friendship on a tropical island. For fans of Jan Moran, Hope Holloway, Rachel Hanna, and Maggie Miller.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Amazon, Contemporary, Ebooks, Fiction, Womens Fiction

212 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2023

About the author

Stephanie Taylor writes a romantic comedy series about a fictional island called "Christmas Key," as well as several other standalone romance, YA, and middle grade titles.

You can check out her website at: www.redbirdsandrabbits.com

Reviews

[Cheryl Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did like Ruby and the visual descriptions of Shipwreck Key. However, there were too many negatives to like the book. It was the longest 200-page book I've read in a long time. It took too long to find out the aftereffects of the nightclub shooting and way, way too long to find out how Jack died. The girls ages didn't line up with the storyline either. They were 23 & 22 when the book started, which would have made them 18 & 17 when their father was elected. How does this mean they grew up in the White House? Needless to say, I will not be continuing with the series.

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing Women’s Fiction novel. Very emotional life of a former First Lady and her two daughters after her husband, the President, betrays her. Beautiful island setting. great cast. I loved that she opens a bookstore and begins making good women friends. looking forward to the next story in the series.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

emotional support

This book is amazing and emotional. We have a First Lady who has been dealt a bad hand by a cheating President. Many women are drawn to a powerful man. I feel bad for Julien because he got dealt a bad hand with a part time father. Ruby has to deal with her emotions but really doesn’t know how to deal with them so she deals with other things. However with her daughters dealing with their emotional traumas it is hard to keep her emotions in check. Now, on top of it there is Dexter who wants to write a biography. In the end all of this helps her.

[Vee.Garnettverizon.Net · Rating 5 out of 5]

not what I expected

I haven’t cried at the end of a book in ages. Ms Taylor is a new author to me and this is just the beginning for us!
This is truly a book about women, young old and middle aged. How we cope with and with the curve balls life throws at us. How men are NOT the center of the universe. Our female friends are. I am looking forward to the rest of the series because I know I won’t be disappointed.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

the Castaway

As a fan of the Christmas Key series, getting this new series on my TBR was a given. I went into this story not really knowing what to expect. What I got was an entertaining read filled with lots of strong, personable characters who all have a lot going on in their lives. I really enjoyed reading this first book.

[Patti Yuliano · Rating 2 out of 5]

wrong ending

This was a waste of my time, the ending was ridiculous!! As someone who was in a similar situation the letter he wrote was so lame and so unfair to his wife and daughters. The only thing it clarified was why he died, his wife and daughters would still have so many questions, and saying one went left and the other right explains nothing.

[Irene Beattie-Donegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

This was one of those books that I couldn’t wait to finish as I was so invested in it. When I actually finished it I was so sad. Looking forward to the next in the series

[Lynn Runyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fabulous

What a remarkable story… one that I shall gladly share with friends & family. Having previously read the Christmas Island books, it was a joy to have them included as well. Thank You

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great summer read. Loved the new characters and the new depth they bring. The more she writes the better she gets. I literally HAD to get to the end of the book.... I wanted to read the 2nd in this series but won't be available until the end of the month.

[Tammy Leonhardt]

Excellent

I love anything beach related. Ms. Taylor kept me interested the whole time. I can't wait for the 2nd book.

[Marsha]

The story was very engaging and interesting. However, the virtual narrator was a bit distracting to me.

[Betty Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel compelled to comment on this. I enjoyed reading it. But at one point towards the end of the book, while she was talking to an author about her memoir, she mentions about being at Woodstock and getting a tattoo. I believe the book takes place in present day or close to it because the Obamas are spoken of about their time in the White House. I know Ruby is almost 50 in the book. I’m 70 and I was too young to be at Woodstock, so that’s a disappointment for me. I got the whole series and I’m hoping that’s not the case with the rest of the books.

[P]

Downloaded as a freebie but I do not like that it's written in third person 😭 so I'm DNFing it

[Lyndsey Allender · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IT!!!! I love the more dramatic route Taylor has taken with the start of this series, but her development of female friendships and each character is just as thorough as in her Christmas Key series. These women have class, intelligence, emotions and gusto. A dramatic, easy but thoughtful read that is an escape from life.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great series

Stephanie Taylor is amazing. Just when I think I’ll never love a character as much as Holly Baxter she creates another new series that I can’t stop reading

[Judy Latham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspension of Disbelief Required

Regardless, this is an entertaining story and I'm considering buying the next book in this series.

I recommend watching the movie 'Guarding Tess' for a bit more realistic scenario of a First Lady's Secret Service detail.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't want to bash the author. I am sure she put her heart into writing this. It is easy to give negative criticism—sometimes much easier than others. In the interest of reviews which inform both reader and writer, let's stick with the highlights. Reading the blurb is like reading a synopsis, not because the blurb tells too much (which it does) but because the story doesn't go anywhere deeper than the premise and the big reveal. The book uses frequent dialogue, all of which is fluffy chit-chat that rarely advances the plot and carries no subtext. For example, someone may ask the main character how she likes something after which there will be a few sentences about what she is thinking, then what she actually says out loud. There are plenty of ways to show this with dialogue—gorgeous loaded dialogue: cardinal rule#1 Show don't Tell. Again, the dialogue doesn't deepen the premise. The use of physical markers and direction, while readers can pinpoint exactly where and what the characters are doing while they speak, carries no deeper meaning. No one clutches their delicate tea cup or rattles it on the saucer ever so slightly as they replace it, belying their outward calm. Rule #1. I would hardly call this a romance—which is fine by the way—more of a women's fiction, but buyers ought to know. There was much more that I personally didn't connect with concerning privilege, credibility, appropriate reactions to physical and emotional betrayal, feminism, motherhood, which might garner higher marks with other readers, so I've left them out in favor of focus on craft. By far the most difficult hurdle for me was the pov and the voice which in this case deeply intertwined. The author is/was a reporter. The style of narrative is akin to reporting—third person omniscient in present continuous tense. That continuous tense puts so much distance between me and the emotional core of the story that I had to fight not to hear Walter Cronkite in my head. That is not the sound I want to hear narrating a women's fic about kitschy themed islands in the Florida keys and a bunch of book club ladies. These are manageable fixes which can be improved by study of principles of fiction available everywhere on writing craft blogs across the web. As is? Sorry. Not for me.

[Casey Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out very strong - we are thrown right into the action with the main character, Ruby, on a morning talk show discussing her future one year after her husband's untimely passing. Oh and did I mention he was the President of the United States? I was instantly hooked by the premise, and the extremely easy and accessible writing - it felt very casual and conversational, but not at all in a bad way. The author really excelled at writing detailed descriptions that put me right in the room with the characters. I could see the details on Ruby's polka-dot blouse and feel the crumpled paper in her fist. From the first chapter I thought this book would be easy to adapt to the screen. The author builds a nice foundation for the main three characters, Ruby and her daughters Athena and Harlow. Honestly I was expecting this to be more of a rom-com so when the first few chapters passed without any romantic action I was stumped. Then I thought it would be more of a family drama - but then the two daughters moved in with their mother on Shipwreck Key and their individual crises just kind of... resolved? As I continued reading I kept waiting for the big climax or a huge struggle for the characters to face but nothing really happened. Every obstacle that came Ruby's way was quickly dispatched and wrapped up nicely just in time for the next one. And then it just ended. When I saw that there are eight (eight!) other books in this series, I looked ahead to see if the next one continued the story but it looks like a completely different character is center stage in the next few books. So I'm left feeling a little misled. Kind of like seeing a beautifully dressed turkey on your dining table, but when you cut it open there is nothing inside but bones. (Sorry for the metaphor, I have Thanksgiving on the brain!) The detailed descriptions in this book were great, but unfortunately that's not what makes a good story. Maybe my expectations were too high. Overall it was a cute book, so if you don't mind the meandering lackluster plot and just want a feel-good short read then this is the one for you. It just doesn't cut it for me. Maybe the rest of the series gets better but I don't know if I really care to find out.

[Debbie Lesley]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the others in the series.

I realize this could easily be considered a summer beach read but I found it to be much more. Many of the so-called beach reads follow a set format of sorts but this book offered a new main character along with supporting characters.

Our main person is Ruby Hudson, whose husband was the president of the US. He dies unexpectedly and Ruby discovers so much about him and their lives. She must make a plan for her future and not let it be one of pity and sorrow for the poor grieving widow. Her daughters, both in their twenties, have to come to terms with their father’s death and still find a way to follow their adult lives. Both have grown up in the public eye and continue to be there as the public watches to see what they do.

As for Ruby, she doesn’t stand down to anyone and makes sure people who want info on her need to get it from her and not via gossip. She follows a dream and seems very confident in what she wants to do. I found myself quite jealous of her…. She did have the money to buy a beautiful home in a beach area and start her life anew. She found supportive friends and more strength than she knew she had from her family and some who had known her during her husband’s political life.

I don’t want to share much more as sharing of secrets was done quite well by the author. The only thing I missed was if the VP was as serving as president. I assume he was but when his wife showed up to visit Ruby, nothing was said indicating that. While that might not have affected this book, it might make a difference in the next two books in the series.

[Danielle T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one I apparently borrowed in Kindle. Unfortunately, this is not my cup of tea- I spent 80% of the book trying to place when the Hudson administration happened (it's when she flashes back to finding out about his death we learn: he died a year ago and she was in the midst of determining the campaign due a second term). Obama is mentioned, but presumably the book is contemporary so it's in place of Biden's, and I wonder if Jack was governor of California prior or something with the way Ruby acts like they were Prez & First Lady for far longer in their daughters' lives.

While I get the whole premise is "Former First Lady walks away from DC and starts over fresh in Florida", I have a hard time believing a former First Lady would be relatively so apolitical, and there's an annoying centrist vibe overall (at one point she describes Jack as "socially liberal, fiscally conservative" and my eyes rolled so hard). I also would've preferred to see more from the daughters in how they recover from their personal traumas (and I'm particularly annoyed that for Harlow, an accomplished Black man dies for purposes of being stuffed in a fridge tropewise). I also had geography issues when Ruby goes to visit the island town of her Christmas Key series- if Shipwreck Key is supposed to be on the Gulf Coast near Destin, it is not a cute day trip by boat to go to the Florida Keys (unless Christmas is supposed to be elsewhere?)

I have no plans on continuing with the series, but maybe others might find it to be light, readable, inspirational in a "you go girl" kind of way?

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegant and Inspiring

I am sure I am not the only one who has had someone they love disappear out of their lives with no clue it was going to happen. And I am sure I am not the only one who has been blindsided with an incredible betrayal. So to read just how this fictional former lady dealt with her loss and betrayal, to see it happening in real time, to see her reclaim and rebuild her life, is incredibly comforting and uplifting.

Yes, it's fictional. Yes, she has seemingly unlimited funds, is well educated and experienced through her role as Jack's wife. Yes, she drew on her support system.

That said--she did it!! She found where she wanted to live, found work she loved, strengthened her relationships, and took joy from her life to knit her inner self back together. That is something, in real life, all of us can do. And if I can do it, so can you.

It just helps to recognize in this fictional example, the same struggles and accomplishments I've experienced. It helps to know whatever real life examples Writer Stephanie drew from to create this main character, they did it--rebuilt their lives--too!

I was not just encouraged by this read, I enjoyed the writing, the world building, and all the people who make the islands their home.
Book Two awaits!

Content: clean

Have a good read!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This was an amazing read. I didn't really know what to expect from a book about a fictional first lady...but I ended it with tears in my eyes and feeling all the feels. The situation seemed so real and so poignant. The time line was a little off as I'm not sure that the author got that quite right. [As in...her girls are 22 and 23 in this story that takes place one year after the President died and he was working on his second bid at the white house when he died...so maybe he was 3 years into his presidency... those girls didn't "grow up" in the white house, they would have been 18 or 19 at the youngest, maybe they were still at home but they weren't the young girls the story makes them out to be. The story also always refers the the illegitimate son as being 12...at all points of the story, maybe he was 12 when she found out about him, but that would make him 13 when the story is taking place...it's those little things that bother me]. So, besides the timeline inconsistency, it was a great book. It feels like it could have really happened. I enjoyed reading it.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby Hudson, the former First Lady of the United States, needs a fresh start. As she mourns the loss of her husband after his mysterious death, she turns her love of books into a whole new career, opening a little bookshop on a charming, pirate-themed island called Shipwreck Key. She soon finds out that her husband’s Chief of Staff wants to write a book about the presidency and their marriage. Ruby is afraid it will tarnish her husband’s legacy. Then the mistress shows up with a 12 yr old son, who Ruby has no desire to meet. She also brings a letter he wrote to Ruby before his death, and she is conflicted on whether to open it. Will she read it and get closure, or will his betrayal haunt her forever? The book focuses on female friendships, but I can’t get over the bad ending and being left without any resolution. This is part of an 8 book series, but I am not into it enough to read them all to get answers about the women of Shipwreck Key. One & done. 3 ⭐️

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

The former first Lady, Ruby, is trying to make a life for herself after her husband's unexpected death in rather mysterious circumstances. She leaves DC for a small island where she and her secret service man relocate to live and open a bookstore and start a new life. Then her two daughters arrive with their own past histories and it starts to get interesting . Ruby starts a book club for woman and it seems that she may just be getting to a good point in her life when the mistress of her husband shows up at her house with her son. She has a letter from Ruby's husband for her. Up until this point it is a pretty good read but after the letter.....well just a few observations:
The president visits his mistress numerous times but there are no rumors about this.
The president is flying his plane by himself(?) when he crashes??
and the president does not seem too upset/disturbed by the fact he has lived a lie for quite a few years and that is the part that I have trouble with!

[Alison Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a series set in a small Florida town, Shipwreck Quay. Former First Lady Ruby Hudson decides to set up home and a bookshop business here, a town themed on pirates and shipwrecks. News follows Ruby wherever she goes, and she's found by her deceased husband's mistress and son. Adult daughters Athena and Harlow come to stay and Ruby is more than happy that she made the move. When she's contacted by tell all celebrity journalist Dexter North, she decides to embrace her story. A letter from her late husband provides the final piece of the jigsaw. I want to live in this charming community! #bookclub #thecastaway

[Stef O'connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book for what it is, an easy, quick read. It isn’t a romance which is fine by me, but it was still a light, holiday type of story. I might be nitpicking but two things about the DNA test that I found irritating were 1) an 11 year old child wouldn’t be able to test without his parents permission, and 2) in France, DNA testing is only legal through a court order or for science or medical research - I doubt that an 11 year old’s science experiment while being home schooled falls into scientific research! But still, I’ll buy The Runaway, book #2 in the series, because I did like this book

[Priscilla A Finkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

No One Is Perfect!!

This was such an interesting story delving into the personal lives of such a powerful family! The raw pain exuded from each family member is quite realistic considering how the outside world speculated on the what and the why a man beloved by the world and his family would make the choices he made during his short life. This certainly gave me insight that everyone has secrets that affect their lives! Thank you Ms. Taylor for authoring one of the most interesting stories I have read!

[Maud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I would have realized that this book is not a complete story. Nor is it a romance. It is full of lies, sadness, betrayal , heartache, and starting over, but no real romance. I enjoyed the beach setting, and the characters, and there is an explanation of certain things at the end, but no real resolution, and for sure not a happy ending. Don't know where anyone ends up, it just ends. Apparently a person has to read all bazillion books to get a full story. Im not into it. I wouldn't have started had I known that each book wasn't independent.

[Lettie Loo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book that hit me right where I needed it. I didn't realize I had to read a girly, not quite romance-y, book...But I did. And "The Castaway" was perfect for that.
I loved how the main character was NOT a vapid young 20-something, suffering a "mid-life crisis" that required her to run away to Shipwreck Key and start over. No. Our protagonist is in her late 40s, and a widow to the late President of the United States. Ruby loves books and decides to open a small bookstore on the island; a far cry from being the "Stepford Wife" of her late husband who worked his way up the political ladder to become President before suddenly dying; a death that reveals he had a completely unknown life to Ruby and their daughters.
Her two daughters, both in their 20s, suffer their own crises in Washington, D.C. and New York City, and join their mother on Shipwreck Key. The support and love for one another is strong, and is referenced quite a lot in this book, as is the amazing friend network Ruby already has and then creates on the island.
The book club is an unlikely group of characters who don't realize it at first, but they all complement each other's strengths and weaknesses...traits that are desperately needed when Ruby finds out a famous author is angling to write a tell-all about her late husband.
All in all...I really enjoyed this book, and now I'm going to have to add in the other books in the Shipwreck Key series to my rotation, because I'm invested in these women and can't wait to see where their stories take them.

[Karen Derr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

This book was fantastic! As I finished this book, I had tears running down my face. This book has so many emotions that play on your heart. I loved this book and can't wait to read the second book in this series. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more! The characters in this story were so true to life and I came to know all of them and felt their smiles, tears, and heartaches. Kudos Ms. Taylor!