Come Back to Me

Seal Island #3

by Daniela Sacerdoti

From the bestselling author of WATCH OVER ME, Daniela Sacerdoti's latest Seal Island novel is a romantic, moving and uplifting story of three different lives, connected by a thread.

** Over 1 million copies sold of Daniela Sacerdoti's novels **

Three separate lives. Three broken hearts.

Haunted by his wife's death, Matt arrives on Seal Island determined to be alone and unable to escape his grief.

In the island's hospital, a young woman named Rose lies in a coma, trapped by the memories of events leading up to her accident.

Grace, the island's doctor, is at the heart of the community. Only she knows how much she regrets turning down the chance of love and a family years ago.

For these three people hope seems gone.

But life is about to offer an unexpected new beginning...

Readers adore the captivating novels of Daniela Sacerdoti

'A love story that will satisfy even the most hopeless romantics' Daily Express

'Beautifully written and atmospheric' The Sun

'A great book' Lesley Pearse

'Emotional. I couldn't put it down' Daily Mail

'I fell in love with this book' Prima magazine

368 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2019

About the author

Daniela Sacerdoti is a mother and a writer. Born in Naples, but brought up in a small village in the Italian Alps, she lives near Glasgow with her husband and sons. She steals time to write when everyone has gone to bed, or before they wake up. She’s a Primary teacher, but she chose to be at home with her children. She loves being with her boys, reading anything she can get her hands on and chatting with her girlfriends. But she also adores being on her own, free to daydream and make up stories.

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting. Haunting. Magical.

Daniela Sacerdoti has written a lyrical story that will completely captivate you. Her words had such a musical quality to them. This is a story that gets into your heart, your bones, your soul. I had no idea what to expect when I picked this book up, but it exceeded all my expectations. This is the third book in the Seal Island series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. And can I just say I was thoroughly bummed out when I found out this is a fictitious location?

Beautifully told the story has an element of magic to it that will require you to suspend belief a bit. Three characters find themselves on Seal Island, all of them dealing with their own guilt and grief. Mathew has recently been released from jail, convicted of manslaughter. He is riddled with guilt for causing the car accident that killed his wife. Grace has taken a job as a doctor on the island, she is single, childless, and convinced that it is too late for her to find love. Grace and Matt are neighbors on the island and forge a friendship. I think they both saw a kindred spirit in their grief. The third character in this book is Rose. Rose is in a coma and reliving events that led up to the accident that put her in a coma. Rose had a complicated relationship with her brother who had some anger management issues that impacted Rose’s life and her family. Now as intriguing as I found Rose’s story I had no idea how it fit into the rest of this book. I knew the story threads connected I just didn’t know how, but all is tied up in a beautiful bow at the end of the book.

The book is full of emotion and vivid language that fully immerses you in these characters lives. The grief was palpable, but the hope was imminent. I really loved all these characters but I think I connected to grace the most I really felt for her and her desire to be loved. This book ended perfectly and left me with such a warm feeling in my heart. I noticed that this is not publishing in the US, and I think that needs to be remedied! This is a well told story that will appeal to people on both sides of the pond!

*** thanks Headline for my copy of this book ***

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniela Sacerdoti is one of my favourite authors and I was eagerly awaiting the third book in the Seal Island series.
I really enjoyed this book every much as the two previous ones set in Seal Island.
Grace is a doctor on the Island who has been unlucky is love and is searching for someone to share her life with.
Matthew is a man who cannot live with a terrible tragedy and arrives in the Island to try and forget.
Can the Island work it’s magic and help these people to start over?
A feel good book with wonderful characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, haven’t read any of the others but felt like I wasn’t missing anything, in fac you felt immersed in the book straight away. Great writing, wonderful plot and characters, a great read all round. I really recommend this and I’m going to be reading more from this author now.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come Back To Me' is the third book set on the fictional Outer Hebrides island of Seal, this time Daniela gives us three compelling narratives in the form of Matthew, Grace and Rose.

Matthew has come to stay in a cottage belonging to the only person who stood by him whilst he was in prison for causing death by dangerous driving. His 3 year sentence is only the beginning, he intends to punish himself for a lifetime for causing the death of his wife Mia.

Grace is his next door neighbour and island doctor, hiding from the world and love as she has been hurt too much in the past, yet part of her still longs for the family she never had.

Rose is a girl in a coma, relating the events that led her to be in that state, something to do with her foster brother, Jacob, whose arrival turned her family's lives upside down.

All 3 of them need a bit of the magic that Seal Island has in its very soil, they just need to hand themselves over to another power and believe...

What ann incredible, amazing book! It is lyrical, descriptive, without being overly wordy so that your mind can fill in the blanks. Juggling a multiple narrative tale is not easy as the voices of the narrators could become entangled, however, in 'Come Back To Me', all 3 of the main characters are present and disctinct.

It's also not overly sentimental, there is a quiet grace and dignity in the way that each character's loss is conveyed, the emotional involvement comes from the reader connecting with this through the pages.

You do not need to read books one and two (but I would suggest them, as based on the high quality of writing , they will be a worthy investment of your time), all you need to bring to Seal Island is a willingness to believe...and be ready to enjoy your time there. All of these characters live there to escape wider society but is an island really an escape? Or are your fears, wishes and dreams exposed to the surface due to the introspective nature of island life?

This is the thrid Outer Hebrides set novel I have read this year and all 3 authors have done a sterling job conveying a unique sense of place and time., It was a pure pleasure to read!
Thanks, once more, to Anne, Daniela and Headline for my gifted copy as part of the blog tour.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully atmospheric tale about three very different people, each facing events that have left them broken and filled with grief.

Consumed with guilt over the death of his wife, Matthew Shearer moves to Seal Island to heal and rebuild something that resembles living. He soon begins to find a place for himself within the small group of welcoming locals and escape from his life in London. Yet as much as he craves the isolation the Island offers he feels alone and desperately misses his wife Mia who was killed there years earlier in a car accident. When a young woman appears at his door in the middle of the night, disorientated and soaking wet, saying she has a message from Mia, Matthew begins to question his sanity and the depths to which he has sunk into despair.

This is my first visit to Seal Island and indeed my first encounter with Daniela Sacerdoti but I have to say I felt like I was returning to an old friend. She writes beautifully and has built up an incredibly memorable set of characters and I will definitely look back at her two previous novels set in this harsh but beautifully landscape. In this, her latest, he weaves the stories of these three characters, each dealing with their own heartbreak and challenges, and brings them together in a haunting tale that is expertly crafted. I love the imagery and the hint of magic that simmers beneath the surface for you to find. The Island and it’s small community are a major part of the story and add so much intrigue and atmosphere to events. I couldn’t help but be enchanted by them.

I enjoyed reading this moving tale ever so much and now that I have fallen in love with Daniela’s writing I very much look forward to reading more of her novels. Oh, how I love discovering a new author!

Come Back To Me is published by Headline Review and is available now in eBook and a paperback edition will be published in July.

Thank you to the wonderful Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for inviting me to be part of this blog tour. I love how diverse the books she offers me are and this is one that I will be thinking of for some time yet.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come Back to Me is the third novel by this author set on the fictional island of Seal in the Outer Hebrides. I have read both the others and really enjoyed them but this can be read perfectly well as a standalone novel, although you will spot some familiar faces if you have read the other two novels.

There are several key characters in this book whose stories overlap and intertwine. Grace is the island doctor who moved there from Edinburgh. She is single, has no children, and with past hurts buried deep inside, is afraid to entrust her heart to anyone. Matthew has recently come to the island and is burdened by guilt and grief following the death of his wife. He is trying to rebuild a life while feeling like he does not deserves one. Selena is a mysterious character appearing only to Matt, often at night. There is an ethereal, unreal quality about her and Matt feels strongly that she has a message from beyond the grave from his late wife.

In a setting familiar to Daniela Sacerdoti fans, we also meet Rose and Jacob in Glen Avich. Jacob is the adopted older sibling of Rose. Over the course of some years, we watch them grow and witness Jacob’s anger problems and Rose becoming fiercely protective of him. We see the effect Jacob has on Rose’s family and Rose’s life but it is unclear, and therefore intriguing, what their connection is to the rest of the story.

What always strikes me from the minute I begin reading a Daniela Sacerdoti novel is her beautiful, poetic use of language. Her creation of Seal Island reveals it to be a place of refuge, a place to heal, a place which works its quiet magic on the lost or lonely souls who find their way there. Her descriptions of the island’s wild and solitary landscape evoke a sense of beauty yet danger.

There is a lot of sorrow and heartbreak throughout this book. Your poor heart will be well and truly put through the wringer! Ultimately though, there is satisfying resolution to each of the storylines. Come Back to Me is a mystical, haunting and atmospheric read. It is a beautifully romantic story which will touch your soul.

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many types of reading experiences, the ones that leave you feeling happy, sad or angry. Now and again you get a book that reaches from the pages and takes a piece of you, even if just for a moment.

It may give you a sense of peace, a few seconds of indignation or fill you with rage. It doesn't really matter what emotion or thoughts linger, but if they do then the author has done their job by extending a hand to invite you inside and you entering their house of words, staying for a while and leaving with some of their powerful words imprinted in your memory forever.

Sacerdoti evokes that kind of magic with her story. It is a perfect fictional exploration of grief, forgiveness, accepting life and the obstacles it throws in your way, and finding your own type of happiness.

This is the third book in the Seal Island series and the focus is on multiple characters who become connected through the island. Matthew is still riddled with guilt after the death of his wife. He welcomes the isolation of and on the island. Grace keeps herself busy to avoid thinking about her all her regrets, about the life and family she should have had. Then there is Fergus and the strained relationship with his teenage daughter, a young girl who feels abandoned and neglected by both parents.

The story of Rose runs alongside the others, but takes place in the past, as we see her navigate the complicated oppressive relationship between herself and her brother.

On the surface that may seem like a normal contemporary story about family, relationships and love, but the author makes it stand out from the crowd by adding a layer of magical realism to the story. It falls over a certain character like a soft, soothing and healing blanket.

It's a contemporary read with elements of magical realism combined with the concept of what family is for each of us. It's a lovely read.
*I received a courtesy copy*

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book begins with three stories which slowly combine into one. Each individual story presents their own personal trials in life. Matthew deals with the loss of his own wife to what he believes to be the consequence of his own actions. After spending three years in prison for manslaughter, he is offered an opportunity to leave his painful past home behind and live on a quiet small island, Seal, in a beautiful home by the sea. In Seal he struggles with reality as he interacts with a spirit he believes to be real. He also meets Grace, the doctor of the island, who’s pain exists as regret for not creating a family while her body naturally had the ability, now as she enters her 50’s she feels the opportunity was robbed from her, without her realising until it was too late. While caring for everyone on the island for 10 years, Grace is finally able to care in a motherly sense, for her ‘could be’ lover’s mystery 14 year old daughter who moves to the island after her biological actress mother carelessly discarded her. The daughter-father relationship is not good either but is resolved at the end of the book when they discover this was due to deceitful actions by the mother. The final story, which seems to be unrelated until the very end, is my favourite. A family decide to adopt a young and troubled boy to upkeep their ‘good deed’ status in the community. While their daughter Rosie builds a relationship with her new brother, he causes many issues at school and home relating to uncontrollable anger, pushing the parents to the edge, ending in the mother leaving and attempting to take Rosie with her, but she will not break loyalty to her brother. Rosie’s story is told as her remembering her life as she lies in a coma after her accident. Through this memory her relationship with her brother is shown to grow more toxic as he struggles to accept she is for anyone else but him.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something very special about having a Daniela Sacerdoti novel to read; I just know I'm in for a treat!

Matthew can't come to terms with his wife's death; when the chance to live on Seal Island is offered to him, he has nothing to lose. A young woman lies in the local hospital, in a coma following an accident and unable to either return or move on. Grace, the local GP on the island, is very happy with her life there but she mourns having missed her chance of motherhood. These three stories are interwoven in a manner the reader could never foresee . . .

This is so good! There's an almost ethereal quality about this author's work and Seal Island is a magical creation. The story unfolds at it's own pace, pulling the reader in and getting you really invested in the characters. I didn't get the connection between the characters until the very end; I was too wrapped up in events and enjoying the wonder of the island. As always, this is a beautifully created novel; well-structured with good, solid writing and an array of believable characters who somehow manage to touch the readers' soul. A sparkling read, and completely worth a full five, golden stars.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an atmospheric read which skilfully weaves together the stories of three very different people and which manages to move back and forth through the years seamlessly. The fictional island is ever present and emphasises how remote their lives there are. Seal Island is a place to retreat to, with a calmness which seems to nurture those who live there.

There are moments which have an other worldly aura and which have a mystical, ghostly feel. The story is told at times through some haunting and atmospheric language and the general tone of the writing is sad and regretful. It is emotional and certainly keeps you turning the pages to the end. Above all, it is an enjoyable read which I was fully involved in.

In short: A mysterious and atmospheric read.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of Come Back To Me by Daniela Sacerdoti by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is the 3rd book in the Seal Island series although it can be read as a stand alone book. It tells the story of Matthew whose has just been released from prison after his wife was killed. He moves to Seal Island. The story is also told by Grace the island doctor. Parts of the story go back to a character called Rose and the relationship between her and her adoptive brother.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others although it was still a good read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to get into a book straight away which I did, but in one part I was not quite sure what was happening. But a bit further into the book it became clearer and I couldn't stop turning the pages.
It is a lovely emotional story and the characters at the end finding their way. This is a stand alone book even though its Seal Island 3.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

An emotional and absorbing story. I found the characters really believable and they came alive in my imagination. I didn't want it to end. Thank you Daniela. More like this please.

[Kathy Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant page turning story. Full of mystery emotions and intrigue

[Stacey Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a beautiful book. It has some mystical/supernatural themes that make for a lovely story rather than one of horror. I'll definitely be reading more of Daniela's books

[Jo L Caunt]

6

[Sarah Goodfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from Daniela. Couldn't put it down. Read it in a few days. She's got a way of reeling you in and getting into your soul. Loved it

[Mrs Maureen Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A really beautiful story of lives intertwined
in such a complex way.
I really couldn't put it down. A must read.

[Sara Griffiths · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 49% just couldn’t keep going. If it does get better soon please let me know and I will attempt to keep going.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't see the ending, I should've, but🫣

[Carrie Cantalupo-Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fast read that kept my attention all day this cold gray day!

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle and emotional story set in a beautiful remote location.

[Andrea Ebanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just brilliant, a bit different from what I normally read but brilliant.

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another magical book, with some tragedy and sadness, but uplifting.

[Linda Rhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book, thoroughly enjoyed. Daniela writes so beautifully, and captivatingly . Although this is the third Seal Island book it also works perfectly well as a standalone book. The characters are ‘real’ in that they are totally believable and each has their own story , a story of loss, heartbreak, romance and optimism. Just beautiful!