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The Boat House Cafe: Book One of First Light
The islanders of Chappaquiddick have a saying: "Some come here to heal; others come to hide." Above a crumbling sea wall at the isolated northern tip of Chappaquiddick Island sits a weathered cottage that gives shelter to Mae Keaney, who returns to the island at the beginning of World War II determined to distance herself from a past filled with pain and regret. Fiercely independent, she defies both the societal conventions of the island and its unforgiving natural world until a catastrophic fire threatens her livelihood, the Boat House Cafe. After reluctantly accepting help from a Wampanoag tribal member, she forms an uneasy alliance that leads her to an understanding of the wisdom of the "People of the First Light" and restores her faith in herself."
344 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2014
8 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Linda Cardillo
29 books46 followersLINDA CARDILLO is an award-winning author of historical fiction and historical romance. She writes about the old country and the new, the tangle and embrace of family, and finding courage in the midst of loss.
From the time she was in high school, Linda held in her heart the dream of writing the Great American Novel. But she was also brought up to know that she had to be “practical” and make a living. After graduating from college, she found a job as a secretary at a venerable Boston publishing house (barely passing the typing test). Within a year she had moved into an editorial position for college textbooks in the sciences and social sciences. It still wasn’t the Great American Novel, but she got to immerse herself in American intellectual and social history.
After earning her MBA from Harvard Business School—where she wrote comedy for the annual student musical and performed in a platinum blonde wig while seven months pregnant—she got divorced and gave birth. She then became circulation manager for the launch of Inc. magazine and got a crash course in magazine marketing. Unfortunately, she also crashed head-on into her boss and got fired a year after the magazine’s successful start.
Around this time she got an invitation to her tenth college reunion, signed up to attend and fell in love with a man she hadn’t seen since freshman year. On an excursion to a zoo, her son got carsick and threw up. This wonderful man calmly got him out of the car, cleaned him up and took him for a walk in the fresh air, and she knew she had a keeper.
Linda and the keeper moved to Germany for a few years with their children. While living in Europe, she received an unexpected gift of love letters that became the seeds for her first novel, Dancing on Sunday Afternoons.
Linda has been married for over forty years to the keeper, a brilliant scientist and sailor, and is the mother of three children of whom she is enormously proud. She loves to cook and is happiest when the twelve chairs around her dining room table are filled with people enjoying her food. She speaks four languages, some better than others. She tries to play the piano every night—sometimes by herself and sometimes in an improvisational duet with her younger son. She does The New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in ink, a practice she learned from her mother. From her mother she also absorbed a love of opera, especially those of Puccini and Verdi, whose music filled her home when she was a child. She once climbed Mt. Kenya and has very curly hair. Linda and the keeper live in Western Massachusetts.
From the time she was in high school, Linda held in her heart the dream of writing the Great American Novel. But she was also brought up to know that she had to be “practical” and make a living. After graduating from college, she found a job as a secretary at a venerable Boston publishing house (barely passing the typing test). Within a year she had moved into an editorial position for college textbooks in the sciences and social sciences. It still wasn’t the Great American Novel, but she got to immerse herself in American intellectual and social history.
After earning her MBA from Harvard Business School—where she wrote comedy for the annual student musical and performed in a platinum blonde wig while seven months pregnant—she got divorced and gave birth. She then became circulation manager for the launch of Inc. magazine and got a crash course in magazine marketing. Unfortunately, she also crashed head-on into her boss and got fired a year after the magazine’s successful start.
Around this time she got an invitation to her tenth college reunion, signed up to attend and fell in love with a man she hadn’t seen since freshman year. On an excursion to a zoo, her son got carsick and threw up. This wonderful man calmly got him out of the car, cleaned him up and took him for a walk in the fresh air, and she knew she had a keeper.
Linda and the keeper moved to Germany for a few years with their children. While living in Europe, she received an unexpected gift of love letters that became the seeds for her first novel, Dancing on Sunday Afternoons.
Linda has been married for over forty years to the keeper, a brilliant scientist and sailor, and is the mother of three children of whom she is enormously proud. She loves to cook and is happiest when the twelve chairs around her dining room table are filled with people enjoying her food. She speaks four languages, some better than others. She tries to play the piano every night—sometimes by herself and sometimes in an improvisational duet with her younger son. She does The New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in ink, a practice she learned from her mother. From her mother she also absorbed a love of opera, especially those of Puccini and Verdi, whose music filled her home when she was a child. She once climbed Mt. Kenya and has very curly hair. Linda and the keeper live in Western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 19, 2024
A truly beautiful book with a good story and ending. I plan on reading the second book in the series.
February 20, 2015
The Boat House Café is a delicious read, which I devoured in a single sitting. Linda Cardillo’s writing is sensuous and full of feeling without being sentimental. The beautiful prose carried me to the island community of Martha’s Vineyard and into the lives of Mae Keaney and Tobias Monroe. The principal characters evoke compassion with their flaws and inspire with their strength. The supporting cast adds the rich texture of conflicting cultures. Although set in the 1940’s, the challenges of identity, loyalty and authenticity make this story more than relevant for today’s reader. If you have been to Martha’s Vineyard, this is a must read. If you have not set foot on Chappaquiddick, The Boat House Café will bind you with the spell of “First Light”. Cardillo’s sense of place mixed with genuine emotion is a recipe that truly does “nurture the soul.” I am hungry for the sequel.
January 31, 2015
The Boat House Café is set in a time and place where even though the world is at war there are places where tranquility reigns. It’s a story of redemption and love, of culture clashes, of relationships that are difficult but not insurmountable. Mae’s journey to carve out a new life will make you laugh and cry, but you’ll always be her advocate. Tobias is a man of the sea who’s torn between love and his responsibilities. The Boat House Café is a “must” for your reading list.
October 4, 2015
I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.
A timeless story even though the setting was in the WWII era.
A story of strength of character, steadfast relationships, allegiance to one's own people and to family.
"Some come to heal, some come to hide" is a very good synopsis of this book. Hard to put down!
A timeless story even though the setting was in the WWII era.
A story of strength of character, steadfast relationships, allegiance to one's own people and to family.
"Some come to heal, some come to hide" is a very good synopsis of this book. Hard to put down!
November 4, 2014
I very much enjoyed this latest book by Linda Cardillo. The development of the characters, the capturing of the history and personality of the island, the progression of life, all come through to stay the your reader (at least with me!) long after finishing the book.
June 9, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
https://theboatyacht.com/everglades-2...
https://numberoneboats.com/everglades...
April 5, 2023
I especially enjoyed the setting of this story on “Chappy” Martha’s Vinyard in the 1940s. I plan to read the next book in the series to see how the story unfolds.
November 25, 2025
Great read. I am so happy I bought the series. Will be reading the second book in the morning. I love the author’s writing.
October 25, 2015
A well written book with an interesting story. Mae returns to the area of Chappy which she fondly remembers from her childhood. She goes with the intention of buying an old fishing camp property that is for sale and living a protected life. She decides that the property fits her needs and she can even open a cafe for the locals to earn a living. After she is there a while she meets Tobias and even though the last thing that interests her is a relationship with a man they hit it off. It isn't too long until their love is tested through a series of events. Can they find a way to make it work?
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2016
I really liked this book all the way up to the last 50 pages or so when the author introduced the cancer issue. I wish there was another way for her to continue the storyline. I almost gave it three stars because of that but liked it so much until that point and the way it ended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2019
Life is what you make it
A story of strength and determination that will keep you tiring pages.
I could not put this story down. I recommend this book to anyone who needs to be inspired.
A story of strength and determination that will keep you tiring pages.
I could not put this story down. I recommend this book to anyone who needs to be inspired.
January 5, 2015
Especially interesting since it takes place in the area of Martha Vineyard. Good read
September 28, 2015
Very interesting Chappy and Wampanoag history woven into a heartfelt story.
Read
October 2, 2015this book was excellent! I loved it from the first page to the last. looking forward to more books by this author. this was a goodreads giveaway that i won and im glad that i did.
December 18, 2015
Wonderful story
April 2, 2016
Love this book.
March 21, 2018
Excellent
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews