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Castaway
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27
Three children with no past and no name were pulled from a life raft off the coast of Maine. Twenty years later, the sea is giving up its secrets — and the past they were spared is coming to collect.
Stay tuned for more about Castaway, book one in the Children of the Sea Christian Romantic Suspense series.
Stay tuned for more about Castaway, book one in the Children of the Sea Christian Romantic Suspense series.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 12, 2027
About the author
Robin Patchen
114 books1,360 followersRobin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Nutfield Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. After college, working in marketing and public relations, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball-and-chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while she homeschooled her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Visit https://robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I didn’t think Robin could outdo herself after the Wright Heroes of Main series but she has. Castaway has everything I love in a book and more: mystery, suspense, romance, angst. On top of this there is the cutest two year old ever placed between the pages.
Elle has lived her life feeling out of sync with her life. After being discovered with her siblings in a life raft and being adopted, she still never quite felt like she fit in. Searching for the truth about the past seems like the right thing to do until murder enters the picture. With a two year old son to care for and his unknowing father suddenly showing up what else could possibly go wrong?
Quinn has returned home to try to make right the past. Particularly concerning Elle the woman he’s thought of every day for the last three years. He’s looking for a second chance but never expected it would entail protecting Elle, having to earn her forgiveness, and finding out he’s the father of the most amazing little boy.
I love the faith thread throughout the story, the characters who are unique and real. They definitely add to the overall small town coastal feel of the story. I can see the craggy faces, taste the lobster rolls, smell the salty sea air, hear the friendly gossip as I journey through the book.
In the epilogue the scene has been set for the next book in this series and I’m all in. Don’t plan to sleep until the very last word. It’s totally worth it. I highly recommend this series.
I was given a copy courtesy of the author and this is my enthusiastic thumbs up.
Elle has lived her life feeling out of sync with her life. After being discovered with her siblings in a life raft and being adopted, she still never quite felt like she fit in. Searching for the truth about the past seems like the right thing to do until murder enters the picture. With a two year old son to care for and his unknowing father suddenly showing up what else could possibly go wrong?
Quinn has returned home to try to make right the past. Particularly concerning Elle the woman he’s thought of every day for the last three years. He’s looking for a second chance but never expected it would entail protecting Elle, having to earn her forgiveness, and finding out he’s the father of the most amazing little boy.
I love the faith thread throughout the story, the characters who are unique and real. They definitely add to the overall small town coastal feel of the story. I can see the craggy faces, taste the lobster rolls, smell the salty sea air, hear the friendly gossip as I journey through the book.
In the epilogue the scene has been set for the next book in this series and I’m all in. Don’t plan to sleep until the very last word. It’s totally worth it. I highly recommend this series.
I was given a copy courtesy of the author and this is my enthusiastic thumbs up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Castaway by Robin Patchen is an enjoyable, romantic suspense novel that serves as an introduction to her Children of the Sea series. The hook of this book is intriguing: twenty years ago, three toddlers were found abandoned on a life raft off the Maine coast. Fast forward to the present, and one of those children, Elle, is a single mom desperately seeking the truth of her identity. When her latest lead is murdered, she is thrown into a dangerous conspiracy. Complicating things further is the sudden return of her ex, Quinn—an undercover agent who disappeared three years ago, completely unaware that Elle gave birth to his daughter in his absence.
Unlike most of her other books, it took me a little while to get into this one. I enjoyed it more after I got further into the story. However, I didn’t like the MFC, so that did take away from the overall enjoyment for me. The central puzzle of this new series is strong enough that I still plan to check out the next book to find out what happened to the other raft children. I do look forward to reading the other siblings’ stories, especially Tessa’s, and finding out what ultimately happened to the children’s parents. I have my own suspicions and I am curious to know if I’m right.
Unlike most of her other books, it took me a little while to get into this one. I enjoyed it more after I got further into the story. However, I didn’t like the MFC, so that did take away from the overall enjoyment for me. The central puzzle of this new series is strong enough that I still plan to check out the next book to find out what happened to the other raft children. I do look forward to reading the other siblings’ stories, especially Tessa’s, and finding out what ultimately happened to the children’s parents. I have my own suspicions and I am curious to know if I’m right.
November 4, 2026
I read Castaway in a single day, and Robin Patchen has once again created an amazing book! After finishing the Wright Family series, I was really interested to see what this new series would be like and how much I would enjoy it, and I absolutely loved it!
This book pulls you in right from the beginning and keeps you intrigued all the way to the very end. I loved seeing Elle and Quinn’s relationship and their growth throughout the story. I also loved the sibling aspect with Elle, Hunter, and Tessa, along with the sweet little boy who added an extra special touch to the story.
This book definitely leans more into the mystery and putting the pieces together to uncover Elle’s past, which was a fun change from some of Robin’s other books. It brought a new element to the story that I really enjoyed. And that epilogue?! It just makes me want the next book as soon as possible!
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and am already looking forward to the next one!
This book pulls you in right from the beginning and keeps you intrigued all the way to the very end. I loved seeing Elle and Quinn’s relationship and their growth throughout the story. I also loved the sibling aspect with Elle, Hunter, and Tessa, along with the sweet little boy who added an extra special touch to the story.
This book definitely leans more into the mystery and putting the pieces together to uncover Elle’s past, which was a fun change from some of Robin’s other books. It brought a new element to the story that I really enjoyed. And that epilogue?! It just makes me want the next book as soon as possible!
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and am already looking forward to the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3 Children found at sea...now adults...wondering about their past...
Castaway introduces us to Elle, Hunter and Tessa. Siblings found 20 years ago, floating on a raft off the Maine coast. Adopted and loved by their new parents and the town that rescued them. But Elle, the middle child, was never content with who they are now. She has wanted to know where they came from, who her parents were, and why they were abandoned. Of course, that causes issues! Not going to give away any of it, just that it does cause her and her high school crush, Quinn, to be thrown together again as they work to find out who is behind the problems happening since Elle started asking about her history.
This story is exciting...heartwarming...mysterious...and generally an excellent read! Robin Patchen's new series will get you hooked from Chapter 1 - so, what are you waiting for? Get the book and read it today!
Castaway introduces us to Elle, Hunter and Tessa. Siblings found 20 years ago, floating on a raft off the Maine coast. Adopted and loved by their new parents and the town that rescued them. But Elle, the middle child, was never content with who they are now. She has wanted to know where they came from, who her parents were, and why they were abandoned. Of course, that causes issues! Not going to give away any of it, just that it does cause her and her high school crush, Quinn, to be thrown together again as they work to find out who is behind the problems happening since Elle started asking about her history.
This story is exciting...heartwarming...mysterious...and generally an excellent read! Robin Patchen's new series will get you hooked from Chapter 1 - so, what are you waiting for? Get the book and read it today!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a wonderful storyline for a new series! I was intrigued by this idea as soon as I knew it was coming, and it did not disappoint! There is so much mystery, intrigue, and danger, as well as all of the unanswered questions. I truly enjoyed getting to know Quinn and Elle as Elle tried to uncover her family’s past, and as they tried to solve a murder without getting murdered! It was hard to know who to trust, so I eventually decided that no one could be trusted!! There was definitely a lot of conspiracy, and there will be more as the story continues to unfold. The author did an excellent job keeping me dialed in (and staying up too late at night), and I am excited for the next book. Great book!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a good read! I had a very hard time putting it down. It has the perfect balance of romance, suspense, mystery, action and tension. It's well written and everything is well developed. I'm not a fan of the second chance trope. But Robin's writing never disappoints. It is such a good start to the series. I am really looking forward to the next one! Clean, no cussing, there's some faith, but it's not preachy. Thanks for the early read Robin! Tropes: second chance, single mom, action, mystery, suspense, found family, family drama
Review of advance copy received from Author
A new series. Once you start, you can't stop. I am like Elle, I need to know. Can't really let it go until understand. I really loved her answer to Quinn's revelation. We never know the full impact of our actions. Like ripples, they keep spreading out. Lots of different characters. Lots going on under the surface. Like how Quinn's Dad got wise.
Enjoyed it immensely.
Like how leads into the next phase of unanswered questions.
Exciting new start to this series.
Enjoyed it immensely.
Like how leads into the next phase of unanswered questions.
Exciting new start to this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Robin has created a winner with this new series. Can't wait for the next book. Has everything you expect from one of her books: romance, suspense, betrayal, secrets, murder, twists and the hunt for the truth. Characters you will love and some not so much. You won't want to put this book down, you will get so wrapped up in the character's lives. You will feel moments of joy but sadness at times too. Recommend. Received an ARC and this is my honest voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! Robin created a great start for this next series. This book pulls you in right from the beginning. You never know what’s gonna happen next and you have no clue who did what. The story is very well written with strong characters. I’m highly anticipating the next book in this series. I was given a complementary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews