"Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan--to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor's kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn't know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands. As old wounds are opened, Blaine starts to wonder if she made a mistake by coming home. Little by little, she must let go of one dream to discover a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined. Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the coast of Maine for a story that reminds you to release what doesn't matter and cling to what faith, family, and friendships"--
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.
This is the third book in the Three Sisters Island Series set in Maine. Blaine Grayson returns home from cooking school with grand plans to open a fine dining establishment right in Moose Manor. Unfortunately, she finds the kitchen has been remodeled for her by her father and sister as a surprise.. Although it is beautiful, it is not functional as a commercial kitchen. Trying to hide her dismay and faced with a major change to her career plans, Blaine is lost as what to do next. On top of that, her best friend Artie is ignoring her.
This is a great Christian family book about changed plans and looking to God for answers. Communication is also a major theme in this book as family members struggle with some hard feelings and long held secrets. This is another delightful visit with the Grayson family.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I have read only a few of Suzanne Woods Fisher novels. When I read the first story my comment was: I had no idea I was going to like this book so much!! I love the characters and was anxious to see what was happening.
This is Book #3 in the Three Sisters Island series, I did not read the other two however, I found it didn't take long for me to get caught up. Story continues with Blaine Grayson, who left Three Sister Sisters Island to travel through Europe two years ago returning from Paris with a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu. Her Dad a retired sports announcer used his 401(k) and other savings to buy an abandoned camp in a remote ghost town into a successful resort. Now Beth with her training is anxious to take the resort to the next level. However, is disappointed to find that her family has surprised her by remodeling the kitchen into one that is beautiful but is very impractical for a restaurant kitchen.
“Ayup” I enjoyed this story! There is a Christian focus but not preachy nor overwhelming. I loved the advice of “Pray and release, Pray and release”. Yep sounds simple but not easy. I will say my “Please, Please” prayer but continue to worry like crazy. Fortunately my next prayer is usually “Thank You, Thank You, and Thank You!” I was sure this story was going to be so predictable but loved there were some surprises! I am looking forward to the Suzanne Woods Fisher novel.
Want to thank NetGalley and Revell for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for professional review purposes. Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 4, 2021
Three Sisters Island has been a great series and this is the final story-that of the youngest Grayson sister, Blaine. Two years ago she left for Paris and has fulfilled her dream of becoming a chef after attending Le Cordon Bleu. Now she is back on the island off the coast of Maine where her father owns a summer camp that the family is involved in along with their careers. Blaine has a friend, Jean-Paul from Paris with her. He has a future to ponder to see where he is heading. Blaine encounters many changes in the family and small town but it is good to be home. However, when her best friend, Artie, now a local doctor, ignores her, her return starts off badly. In the other books, Blaine was not my favorite character but her time in Paris has changed her for the better. Jean-Paul is responsible for some of the changes in her, especially her faith. In the past, she would return fire when someone made her angry. Now she quotes scripture in her mind. My favorite quote (not scripture) that she repeats is "pray and release." There are many family dynamics in this story of the three sisters, their father, sisters' husbands, and other relationships as well as other challenges to meet. This is a delightful story of healing, overcoming obstacles, new beginnings, fulfilling dreams, love, and faith intertwined. There are some wonderful characters set in this isolated but lovely setting. I recommend reading the books in order to get a good understanding of all the dynamics and background but you should be able to follow if you decide to read this one. I would like to see more stories in this series as there are secondary characters and relationships that would be fun to revisit. I received a complimentary ARC from Revell Publishing via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
"Maybe the tricky part in life was aligning the gift with the vocation. And trickier still was what to do when the gift left."
Ah, the long-awaited conclusion to The Three Sisters Island series. I've been looking forward to Blaine's story ever since the first book and it was fascinating that this book was more about Blaine's journey to self-discovery, forgiveness, healing, and responsible adulthood than romance. There are plenty of flashbacks to give the reader a glimpse of her childhood to see what shaped this young woman. All the three sisters - Cam, Maddie, and Blaine - have a voice in the story as well as their father Paul. It was nice to catch up with Cam and Maddie and their respective husbands and growing families from the first two books. Paul does a lot of soul-searching when his estranged father shows up on the island and it was intriguing to see a different side of his personality.
I understand that the author was trying to tie all the sisters' and their father's stories together for this conclusion of the series (and I loved the subplots involving Cam and her need for control, Maddie and her anxiety, and Paul and his life's purpose) but Blaine's story didn't feel like the centerpiece of the book...or maybe that was the author's intention? It was satisfying to see Blaine grown up, having worked hard to earn her culinary degree in Paris, but still with delightfully glorious dreams and now the motivation to see things through. I enjoyed Jean-Paul, Blaine's culinary French friend, who brought humor and wisdom to the Grayson family. I would have liked more interaction with Artie and was disappointed that he mainly served in the medical professional role for most of the book. The multiple romances and the promise of happily-ever-afters will definitely have you sighing contentedly at the end. I do recommend reading the series in order to understand all the main characters and their backgrounds.
I received the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
I have enjoyed reading this series and will miss it as this is the last in the series about 3 sisters, each one getting her own book. The last one, At Lighthouse Point is the youngest Blaine Grayson's story. She went away to find herself, figure things out with life. Her father didn't think she would stay away more than a few months. She is now returning home after two years. While away she hit rock bottom, had no where to live and ran out of money. As things would turn out she met someone and she was able to get a big break training as a chef. When she returns to Three Sisters Island on coastal Maine she expects change, just not so much. She comes home with grand plans of how things should be and is bitter that things have changed not to her approval. She also isn't as close with her sisters as she used to be and disappointed they did not get her opinion on changes before they were made. The more she is home though she comes to realize what is truly important like family,faith,love and compromise. Very inspirational book that I have enjoyed.
Pub Date 04 May 2021 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Youngest sister Blaine is known for never finishing what she started. She finally completes one of her dreams and returns home to Three Sisters Island in Maine to share her talent. Blaine returns with friend Jean Paul and no one is very clear on his relationship to Blaine nor why he's staying with the Grayson family. While Blaine was gone, her best friend Artie has become a doctor. Blaine's grandfather mysteriously shows up at Three Sisters Island after being estranged for years. Lots of issues to work through for the Grayson family. I especially loved what Jean Paul added to this final novel of the series.
I am enamoured with this series! This family!! These sisters!!! Not to mention all the familiar islander faces and a few new ones besides. Blaine's French sidekick especially tickled my fancy with his gentle, insightful support to the entire family. And I chuckled over the comedic moments provided at his expense. :-)
I had a real sense of coming home the second I opened this book. Not only because this is my third visit to the island but because Fisher does a wonderful job of showcasing the cast and setting in a nostalgic, you-can't-go-home-again kind of way. (At least, not in the way you anticipate you can.)
And by the by, while you could read At Lighthouse Point as a standalone, I think you will get so much more out of the story by reading books one and two first. There are some ongoing secondary character plot threads that carry over from book to book plus the change and growth in the Grayson family is a sight to behold.
But those sisters! Maddie and Cam may have had their individual 'aha' moment in previous novels, but, of course, just like real life, it doesn't always stick. Cam is still micromanaging everybody -- including the entire island and Maddie is still psychoanalyzing people and they both think they know exactly what Blaine should do and how she should do it!
And Blaine's in the middle of it all, older and wiser with a better understanding of who she is and what she wants to do with her life...even if it goes against her family's expectations.
Brimming with the chaos and camaraderie that comes with small town living, At Lighthouse Point is the perfect fictional summer getaway. I'm sad to see the series end...even sadder that I can't actually grab a ride on the never-late ferry and spend some quality time at Camp Kicking Moose.
Spectacularly funny and poignant and full of surprises!
AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT is not the first book I’ve read by Suzanne Woods Fisher and it won’t be the last. She has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go and now I’m kicking myself for not making time to read all of her books! AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT is the third book In the Three Sisters Island series. Camden Grayson thinks her father has lost his mind after he buys an island off the coast of Maine. It is the island where he met his wife, at a summer camp. His wife has passed away and he lets his three daughters know that he is selling the family home and moving to the island. All three sisters join him there and are shocked at the condition of the camp. It hasn’t been used for years and it is very neglected. All the sisters think this island camp is going to be a nightmare to renovate. Such a fun story!
Blaine Grayson returns home from cooking school with grand plans to open a fine dining establishment right in Moose Manor. She is the younger sister to two sometimes overbearing sisters Cam & Maddie. She has struggled to find her place not only in the family, but also in life. Unfortunately, she finds the kitchen has been remodeled for her by her father and sister as a surprise. Oh boy, some surprise!! It was nice to catch up with Cam and Maddie and their husbands and growing families. Now I don’t want to give away too many details, as I truly feel that AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT is a book you need to read for yourself to truly appreciate, but I definitely feel that Suzanne Woods Fisher saved the best for last in this series.
AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT is filled with forgiveness, family, and love and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Suzanne Woods Fisher was taking us and what would happen to this family. There is so much heart in Suzanne’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. Now I need to figure out how to fit more of Suzanne’s books into my reading plans! I can totally see AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT becoming a Hallmark movie that I would love to watch. I loved watching the sisters grow and come into their own. I have two sisters of my own and we used to fight like cats and dogs until one day, we didn’t. Haha if you have sisters you know what I mean. The secondary characters are just as important as the main family and you will come to love them all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The adventure at Three Sisters Island continues as readers experience the long-awaited arrival of the youngest sibling, Blaine Grayson, who has returned from Paris, where she trained at Le Cordon Blue cooking school. She has had a long time to dream about showing off her creative cooking skills for Camp Kicking Moose attendees. Blaine’s dreams are quickly shattered after her father and sister Cam whisk her into the newly remodeled kitchen at Moose Manor. They were tickled pink at what they had accomplished in her absence. Blaine is speechless. They never consulted her about the renovation. Oh, it was a beautiful kitchen, but it was not practical and/or functional to serve the masses. Blaine was hurt. She could not accomplish what she wanted with this limited kitchen. She realizes her family does not see her as the experienced Chef she has become.
Blaine returns with a friend in tote, Jean-Paul. I tell you what this guy made me laugh out loud and other times had me stop and think. He was such a delightful character in the mix of things. He describes to Blaine how to tell a person is a Chef, “True Chef’s cook only with their heart…If not with the heart, one should not cook at all.” He says that Blaine cooks with her heart.
Cam runs into major resistance to change (as usual) on the Island as no one wants a cell tower even though she has figured out how to make it work. Both Cam and her father are going crazy trying to get everything ready for the holiday season at Three Sister Island, which included bringing the Island up to speed with modern conveniences. They are getting the message from the locals that they should slow down and appreciate all they did have and not on what they did not. Cam and her father Paul are starting to listen.
It felt like everyone was home and interacting as usual with the main story line featuring Blaine and Artie Lotosky. It was fun to see how each family member was dealing with something, I felt part of this family, experiencing with them the highs, lows, and everything in between. I liked dreaming with Blaine about a restaurant, and how Artic was a doctor everyone could count on. It was fun to learn that Artie’s role was based on a real roving doctor. She says she was inspired by, …”the Marine Seacoast Mission, founded in 1905 by two Congregational ministers to serve the communities in Marine’s unbridged islands….Such a remarkable way to keep isolated locals cared for and in community.”
I loved the natural spiritual thread throughout this whole series. I also enjoyed what Jean-Paul had to say. He looks at Blaine, “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” He continues, “dissatisfaction…“It’s a gift. It is an invitation. To a new and better dream.”…”Dissatisfaction ..it may not be calling you to go someplace or to something different. It maybe an invitation to something new right her and right now.”
The whole family is looking after Jean-Paul. He shares his thought and insights. Most feel he was correct when he said, “Most things worked out in the end if you leave them in God’s hands and don’t try to meddle. “Pray and Release.”
The author had so many fun surprises for readers. This is a wonderful escape with a family I cared about to a destination I would love to visit someday, with a very satisfying ending to a wonderful series. It left me wanting more! This is a delightful fun read and one that would work well for your next book club pick as the author includes discussion questions and a pretty yummy sounding brownie recipe to make and bring to your meeting. If you have not read a book by this author, I highly recommend this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
At Lighthouse Point was a heartwarming story about the Grayson’s family journey to finding what truly matters—each other. The setting was a quaint little Island with saltwater vibes, a old fashioned community, and realistic main characters who got to call this Hallmark setting “home.” The takeaway message was multi-layered and light enough for most all audiences. I really enjoyed this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to read book one and two, but I felt like this book could also be read as a standalone as most backstory was talked about and I didn’t feel like I missed much except for a couple mentions that were probably discussed in the previous books.
Characters:
Paul Grayson—Paul is the father of three adult children. From his POV, we see him struggle with his relationship with his own father, the somewhat loss of his voice which cost him his career, and witness a budding romance with a dear friend. (Which he somehow manages to keep a secret from his daughters? Knowing those three, I think they would have figured this out sooner rather than later!)
Camden (Cam)—Ah, Cam had quite the uptight, micromanaging side yet she was truly the oldest sister and from a readers perspective, we can see how much she cares and puts a lot of effort into all that she sets her mind to do. I love the slight plot twist to her pregnancy and how her husband (Seth) lovingly brings to her attention some areas that she needs to give to God.
Maddison (Maddie)—Maddie is the middle daughter and I not only can relate to her on that level, but she is also the peacemaker in the family, the quiet one, and the one who worries. I only get a small glimpse of her character but from what the reader does see of her in book three, we can see how she really struggled with letting fear cloud her faith that God would take care of her little family.
Blaine (MC?)—Although Paul, Cam, and Maddie had POV’s, Blaine’s was the most prominent story and the reader also got a special glimpse into her past with small “flashback” stories. We see Blaine grow from being the “baby” of the family into a independent adult who yes, made mistakes, but learned her way through them just like the rest of us. She came back home to find her dream and that she did! She struggled with depression and also with anger towards her siblings (holding grudges from the past). However, with the help of her friend and with some time on her own, she was able to overcome some of those challenges. Her friendship/romance with Artie wasn’t what I was expecting… I’ll touch on that next.
Artie—Sadly, Artie was my least favorite character! This was totally unexpected as all the points added up for him to be a great guy. Supposedly good looking, great career, dedicated to his patients, easygoing name… but his personality was totally buzzkill for me. He was flat out rude and irritating. Maybe in the other books there was more to his character but in what I read, their relationship just wasn’t working. And at the end…. OK, that was too fast.
Peg—She was the typical older lady (with not so typical pigtails!) who offered advice and ran Lunch Counter. She also had a side political role for the Three Sisters Island. Her opinions were much valued with sound reasoning. She actually reminded me a lot of one of the characters I wrote for my WIP.
Jean-Paul—Poor Jean Paul!! The accident prone couch potato with a life coaching side gig. Need I say more?
Concluding Thoughts:
I love all the food talk! Like, coming from a girl who took a cooking class and has 8372021 pins on her Menu Plan Pinterest board, you could say I’m somewhat of a foodie. So having Blaine whip up any of her culinary creations had me craving to do some cooking myself! The grilled peaches and the breakfast omelet especially stood out to me. Great, mouthwatering descriptions! I’m also familiar with Maine’s potato candy (but still a skeptic of it!).
Honestly, this book was on the slower side with small plot twists here and there. It gave me major Chesapeake Shores vibes with family drama and complicated character arcs. However, I did still enjoy these stories and I look forward to future books by this author!
*Thank you Revell Reads Blogger Program for a complementary copy of this new release! These thoughts are my own.
At Lighthouse Point is the third book in the Three Sisters Island series, and it's a wonderful way to catch up with the lives of the Grayson family. It's been two years since Blaine Grayson left Three Sisters Island to attend culinary school in Paris, and there are many changes, but the biggest change may be in Blaine herself. She's back in Maine and she plans to never leave this island again!
This is such a lovely book, and author Suzanne Woods Fisher has once again created a story filled with faith, trust, love, and family. She realistically shows both the strengths and weaknesses of her characters, and I would love to be friends with Paul Grayson and his three daughters. Since this book is Blaine's chance to shine, we're also given a glimpse of the two interesting men in her life. Loving and kind Jean-Paul is a new friend that she found in Paris, and Artie Lotosky is her oldest friend from home, but he now seems distant and indifferent. Is one of them destined to become more than just a friend in Blaine's future?
Engaging characters, an intriguing plot, and a beautiful setting. What more could you ask for in a book? At Lighthouse Point is an inspiring and entertaining read, and I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction.
I received a copy of this book from Revell via Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I was under no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
While this story finished the series and completed the overall story set at Camp Kicking Moose, it fell flat for me. I did enjoy catching up with all of the sisters and seeing what was going on in their lives, yet I was really disappointed in Blaine and Artie’s story. I didn’t feel a connection between and when they finally came together, the romance felt rushed.
Maybe it was simply me this time around, because I truly did enjoy the first two books in the series a lot. In this book, I enjoyed reading about what was going on at the camp and some of the problems that needed to be resolved. I also enjoyed the pregnancy storylines for the older two sisters. Just, overall, I was not invested in the characters in this novel. The quirkiness of the town showed through, once again, and the three sisters had their ups and downs together. I felt frustrated for Blaine as she attempted to gracefully navigate all of the times that her family overlooked her or did not consult her regarding plans that were made.
Although this novel fell flat for me, I highly recommend the first two books in the series. I do enjoy this author’s novels and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
While I missed the previous installment in the series, I found myself able to pick up fairly well with the story of three sisters and their father Paul who purchased Camp Kicking Moose near Bar Harbor, Maine, to bring it back to the glory days remembered by the father. The oldest two daughters are both expecting children. Oldest daughter Cam finds herself at odds with the town over a proposed cellular tower. Middle daughter Maddie's husband endangers his health by stretching himself too then to serve pastoral needs of the area. Recent Cordon Bleu graduate and youngest daughter Blaine returns to find renovations of the kitchen make it impossible to realize her dream of opening a restaurant. Blaine also brings along friend Jean Paul from France who needs time away from his father to reflect on his life's dreams. He seems to be accident-prone, but his mouth voices spiritual wisdom each character needs to hear. Blaine discovers Artie serves the island and several others via a medical transport boat. Paul's father comes for a visit, hoping to get to know his granddaughters and repair a damaged relationship with his son. There's a lot going on in this Christian fiction novel, but it seems to work together pretty well. Readers may wish to begin with the first in the series to see the changes and growth in characters over time. I received an advance review copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)
My thoughts: this is a family drama / women's fiction, light on the romance, must read, beach read. I read it in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down. I do wish there were more romance included in the book, I am a hopeless romantic, but the way she set it up it works. It was great to keep up with the entire family and the French boy was a nice addition. I really love the story, the whole series really, and can't recommended enough. Make sure you include this book in your bag for your vacation this summer. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
The author has a gift of writing sweet, moving stories, packing an emotional punch plus moments that make you laugh! This one was no exception. I loved reading about the Grayson clan and their life on the island! Plus, I appreciated the wisdom of one random character who makes an appearance on the island and is just the listening character everyone needs. A great conclusion to the series!
"Honey, life doesn't always turn out the way we plan."
Isn't that the truth. In other words, could God possibly have an even better plan in store for Blaine Grayson. Her French house guest Jean-Paul seems to think so, telling her that "He has dreams for you that you could not even imagine" . . . . and hopefully he is right, because Blaine is already trying not to question her return home to Three Sisters Island, Maine; where nothing, and everything has changed.
Blaine's notion of returning to her family's island property, Camp Kicking Moose, with a coveted degree from a French culinary school, led her to believe that she could remodel the camp's kitchen in order to offer fine dining for the many guests visiting the camp during peak season. Finding out that her father and older sister, who never cook, have done a terrible job of putting in what they considered upgrades to the old kitchen, has effectively ruined that idea. As if the sister dynamics weren't frustrating enough, the one person whom she considered her best friend is giving her the cold shoulder; in fact, Dr. Artie Lotosky is doing a fine job of totally ignoring her, putting another dent in her tender heart.
Digging deep into her faith, and quoting many precious Proverbs to herself, ("a fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control . . . ") Blaine dares to believe that God may have a new dream in store for her. But in order to reach for it, can she truly, "pray and release"?
This lovely series conclusion has only one flaw . . . . it ended far too soon.
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews.
The youngest of the Grayson sisters returns home after studying abroad with big plans to revitalize Camp Kicking Moose. But coming home is far from easy, as Blaine quickly finds out.
I loved this heartwarming family drama, that delves into the dynamics and the relationships between the various characters, friends and family members. One of my characters was Jean Paul who is an outgoing breath of fresh air, he is passionate about his faith and is excellent at encouraging and supporting others. I loved his selflessness, and how he quickly fits in with Blaine's family.
I really enjoyed how it follows all three of the sisters as they navigate life's challenges and joys, though I wish that there had been more time spent between Artie and Blaine. The author does and excellent job of bringing this beautiful setting to life, with a full cast of characters and a warm sense of community. A highly enjoyable read with a lot going on, and endearing characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
3 Solid Reasons I Hate Saying Goodbye to a Great Series It's like moving away from dear friends. You'd rather stay put and remain a part of their daily lives. You don't always know where your next "fix" will come from. (Anyone have another series for me?) I don't have time for as many rereads as I used to. It could be YEARS before I get to do a full reread again.
What isn't there to love about the ocean, friends, and family? Throw in a lighthouse, some family drama, stir in faith and a guy who knows just when to dish out the best nuggets of wisdom, and you've got yourself a killer book idea.
Put Suzanne Woods Fisher at the keyboard, and you've got yourself a wonderful book.
Look, when I requested a review copy of At Lighthouse Point, I expected to love it. Ms. Fisher has not disappointed me yet. I've loved everything of hers I've read. In fact, I seriously loved this book despite a few things that annoyed me. That takes some seriously amazing writing to pull off.
But I wasn't prepared for the depth and the richness of this story. I can tell the book was written with an eye to being perfect for a stand-alone read. However, I personally wouldn't advise it. First, you'd miss out on so much. Having read the first fabulous book (review HERE) and having missed the second, I know I'd love this even more if I'd read that middle book. Guess what I'm ordering today!
The series is THAT good.
With her usual gentleness and strength, Ms. Fisher tackles some difficult topics in At Lighthouse Point, but not all of them are explored in great depth. That's a good thing. Instead of showing the exact way to handle tough situations, Ms. Fisher shows us that we should handle the situations period. How we do that is left up to us. I think that's rather brilliant.
In the end, you're left with a wonderful, feel-good "beach read" that has depth and grit, too.
So what didn't I like?
Mostly two small things. Jean-Paul is a fun addition to the story, but like most stories with phonetic spellings of accents, it gets old. Fast. It's always so difficult to know just how much of that to put into a book, and I applaud Ms. Fisher for tackling a difficult accent to portray. It just pulled me out of the story quite a bit.
And probably the most important was how the end wrapped up. This I also totally get. When you have three books to tie up finally, it's really difficult not to drag things out in an attempt not to rush things. So, you work hard to ensure you don't drag it out and... well, I feel like the ending, particularly the resolution of the relationship between Artie and Blaine, was definitely rushed. It feels weird to say that since the romance is lowest on my importance scale, but there you have it. Am I sorry I requested and received that free review copy? Nope. Not at all.
Is that going to keep me from buying the second book to find out what I missed? Not on your life. I'll be rereading all three so I can have the "binge" experience. Because I love this series enough to want that.
P.S. On Amazon, this is a clear 5-star read.
Recommended for lovers of Suzanne Woods Fisher's writing, lovers of family stories, and lovers of fiction with substance. Not recommended if you want only fluff.
Fisher created a complex contemporary family drama with the conclusion to Three Sisters Island series. Blaine’s return to the island with Jean-Paul by her side was a surprise to her family. Jean[Paul came with a purpose to America but Blaine didn’t explain that to her family. Blaine encountered multiple happenings that was never shared by her family while she was Europe. The drama among the sisters, their dad and the arrival of grandpa Grayson gave way to unexpected twists and turns. The multiple characters and their wide differences in their point of view was easy to follow throughout the story.
This is Blaine’s story but with so many characters her romance was not really a primary focus in the story until toward the end and it seemed rushed. Jean-Paul’s advice “Pray and Release” to individuals played a role for each family member to see a fresh view of their own life as well as being more open to others. Another aspect the Grayson family needed to learn was trust in God and not their own self. Another quote from Jean-Paul was “God will never give up on you, even if you give up on him. His purpose for your life continues, wherever you are.” Will each family member including grandpa Grayson and Jean-Paul find where and what they should be doing?
I recommend reading the entire series in order to appreciate each character, although, At Lighthouse Point, can be read as a standalone. I received a complimentary copy of this from Celebrate Lit and Revell Publishing without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.
At Lighthouse Point is the third installment of the Three Sisters Island series and focuses on the baby sister of the family, Blaine. Blaine returns to the island after being gone for two long years studying in a world famous French cooking school. She's reinvigorated and looking to make big changes on the island, starting with the summer camp that her family owns. She's bringing along a surprise, her good friend Jean-Paul will be staying for the summer. Her family is taken aback, who is this French boyfriend?! They in turn have some surprises for her, the family kitchen that she was hoping to remodel and use for fancy dinners has already been remodeled by her older sister who doesn't know the first thing about cooking. It's a mess. And to make matters more complicated her former best friend, Artie, is back on the island but he won't even look Blaine in the eye. Her homecoming isn't at all what she expected but she's gotta have faith in her family and hope that everything will turn ot for the best. A clean christian romance.
This book brings us back with dear friends, and we have updates, and surprises, and big surprises, and more.
Blaine is home from Paris and brought a friend with her, and we are there for the misadventures of her friend Jean Paul, he sure is unlucky, but full of wisdom.
I love being back on this island in Maine, and being with some of these colorful characters, and a very rundown camp. I would love to go to Peg Legg's diner, and hope Blaine was cooking that day!
If this is your first visit with this series, you will not be lost, but you will be back for more, these reads are that good!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
'At Lighthouse Point' is certainly a powerful conclusion to the delightful 'Three Sisters Island' series by Suzanne Woods Fisher! I'm surely going to miss this beautiful isle on the coast of Maine—assaulting my senses with the scent of sea salt permeating the air, the screech of seagulls, and the whirring of lobster boats in the distance.
This series chronicles the lives and loves of three female siblings who oftentimes clash, but sisterly love always wins overall. Although it's not necessary to read the series in order (as the author does a great job at recapping), you'll surely want to! With a plot chock-full of colorful, multifaceted characters, whimsy, spiritual truths, romance, and plenty of angst...be sure to put 'At Lighthouse Point' high on your wishlist!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are entirely my own & I received no monetary compensation for this review.*
I have loved this series! I hate to see it end, but I already have plans to reread it!
At Lighthouse Point is the last book in the Three Sisters Island series. Each book is the story of one of the three Grayson sisters, this is the story of the youngest sister, Blaine. She is a gifted chef who has just returned from Paris where she became a world class Le Cordon Bleu trained chef. She has her future all planned out. But soon realizes when she comes home to the island and to Camp Kicking Moose that nothing is going to be as she pictured.
She has also brought home her friend Jean-Paul as support. He is a very spiritual person and provides many insights throughout the book. This book really is a spiritual journey for Blaine and several other characters. I loved that the lessons that helped Blaine the most were that of being silent and self-control.
The sisters and the family are all involved in this story. It was great to follow Cam and Maddie and how their lives had progressed. I would have liked to have seen more interactions with Blaine and Artie though.
I don’t read Amish fiction but I have loved the way Suzanne Woods Fisher writes in these new genres lately. And I love this title so much now that I've read the book!
There are some wonderful quotes in this book, ones I will not forget:
“If loved ones are with God and he is with us, they are not far away.”
“love is friendship on fire.”
“Pray and release.”
I recommend this book highly! Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.
Blaine returns home from cooking school and she has to learn to navigate the surprises that pop up in her way. I enjoyed reading her story and getting to know here and her family. This family will pull at your heartstrings and have you rooting for each of them. We see Blaine grow throughout the book and watch her learn to let go and trust God. There's humour and there's faith but in the end, this story has you filled with warmth and comfort hating to say goodbye to this family that has also taken you on their journey. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine
When Blaine Grayson returns from two years away at Paris culinary school with a guy in tow, everyone is confused. When Blaine arrives at Camp Kicking Moose to discover that the kitchen has been remodeled without her assistance, she is confused. And when Jean-Paul keeps getting injured every time he turns around, he is confused about life in America. (Oh, what comic relief and sage advice that he adds to the storyline!) But the biggest confusion of all is when Blaine's longtime best friend, Artie, will hardly talk to her. This third book in the Three Sisters Island series definitely did not disappoint. I loved returning back to Maine again.
As the youngest sister, Blaine has often had to fend for herself. This book again goes back in time to explain her motivations and what has impacted her character. In Blaine's flashback stories, the reader is given insight into her love of cooking, her relationship with her mom, and also her way of getting her two sisters to notice her. (Or to get back at them). Her story definitely needed to be saved for last because she definitely grew up from a flighty, careless girl into a woman on a mission.
Camden, Seth, Cooper, Rick, Madison, Paul and Peg are definitely still important parts to this storyline. That is one reason why I think I really, really enjoyed this series. While one sister's part is highlighted, all of the other characters continue to move on as well. Paul's Dad and Rick's Mom also matter to the storyline. And steady, faithful Artie is definitely crucial the storyline - I loved how that part played out. I also really liked the fact that his profession of being a roving doctor was based on historic research.
This book tackled some tough topics - depression, trusting God with health issues, forgiveness, finding purpose. In the first book of the series, faith is mentioned, but the Graysons are slower to recognize God's power. In book two, faith becomes more important. By this book, faith is a driving force. I think that element definitely played into the family's growth.
By the way, all three books contain one of "Blaine's" recipes at the end. Chocolate chips, granola and brownies - yum! These books did make me wish that I could eat Blaine's food at the Lunch Counter or at her new dining adventure.
I definitely enjoyed this series and highly recommend it. Now that this third book came out today, you can read them all in a row - I think being able to do that added to my enjoyment. I did receive an early copy of this book. I knew I wanted to review it. I actually already owned the other two books and getting this one motivated me to finally read them. All opinions in this review are my own.
Three Sisters Island is a special place because of the very things you call backward. On this island, time slows down. It gives folks a little space in their life to think and reflect, and to treasure how precious their life is. (Peg to Cam) ~pg 282
It was with great anticipation that I read the last installment of the Three Sisters Island series by Suzanne Woods Fisher! I've been waiting so long for Blaine's story, she was the one I was really rooting for from the very start. Younger sister to two sometimes overbearing sisters Cam & Maddie, she has struggled to find her place not only in the family, but in life. When the author peeled those layers back that made Blaine who she was, oh my heart, it broke for her! I'm so glad that God sent her an angel in the form of her friend Jean-Paul from Paris. He was exactly what she needed at the lowest point of her life.
Jean-Paul had given her the best gift in the world—he'd helped Blaine believe she was worthy of love, care, and respect. ~pg. 77
Jean-Paul, how can I describe him? It's as if he was the very essence of what God is; loving, gentle, patient, encouraging, kind, but so much more too. It's as if he can see right to the heart of a person & know the exact things to say that make a difference. I think we all need our own Jean-Paul in our lives reminding us of the heart of God & His infinite love for us. What encouraged me the most as a reader & reminded me of a truth I need to practice more is this line here:
We trust God to do his work. His work. His time. Our work ezz to pray...and release. ~pg. 85
Let's not forget Artie, Blaine's long-time best friend & confidant....and the one she's been in love with forever. Something happened between them when she went to Paris and can't figure out what it is. When she comes back to Three Sisters Island two years after she left, the change in him is shocking. Not only is he a full fledged doctor for the Maine islands, but he has given her the cold shoulder. Of course you know I was rooting for them all along too, because in my mind, they belonged together! If only they would just stop to listen to each other, they could work out what went wrong & finally have the happily-ever-after that I wanted to see. It was frustratingly funny to watch these two....but that blissful sigh in the end was so worth it.
I hope you've had a chance to read all three of these books, because really, once you start you won't want to miss a minute of the Grayson family. They tend to get under your skin & embed themselves in your heart. Sure each book can stand alone, but I think a reader will have a richer, better understanding if they read from the first one. Each of these characters have to work through some tough things, but Fisher shows that through their faith & reliance on God, leaning on each other, and strong friendships they can overcome anything. Sometimes God takes our dreams, sifts them, and makes new ones even better than we can think or imagine! That is exactly what happened & I loved watching each one unfold and change.
Most things work out in the end if you leave them in God's hands and don't try to meddle. 'Pray and release'”. (Jean-Paul) pg 284
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. *
AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT is a story of family, second chances, friendship, commitment, faith and romance set in an island community in Maine. Readers who have fallen in love with the Grayson family will love coming back to the island with the youngest daughter as she works out her happily ever after.
I couldn't help smiling as I started this book. This series has stuck with me and I was more than happy to come back to Three Sisters Island and see how the Grayson family was doing. I also knew that Blaine was lost in the last book so I was also looking forward to seeing how her story would unfold. I was not disappointed!
There is so much going on in this story. There is the camp that the Graysons have renovated, the town improvements and resistance to change, Cam's and Seth's marriage, Maddie's and Rick's marriage, Paul's own happiness, Paul's father's situation, Jean-Paul's situation, and then Blaine herself. I thought the author did a wonderful job in managing all these moving pieces and keeping the characters consistent. I loved seeing where everyone was at in their lives and still working through their challenges, including making their marriages work. My favorite part of the story was with Blaine, of course. She was trying not to revert to who she used to be and also figure out what God wanted her to do. She had a difficult journey, but I feel like her happiness was so much more rewarding because of it. There were lots of little pieces of wisdom throughout the story (mostly delivered by Jean-Paul) that I also loved, such as "pray and release."
My only complaint is that I wanted more development between Artie and Blaine. It felt like there wasn't much reconciliation or them getting to know each other again. I would have liked more of that in the story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a lovely, heartfelt ending to this series. It's a series I highly recommend for fans of women's fiction and Christian romance. There are so many pieces of wisdom to learn from this family and these three sisters, particularly Blaine who learns to trust in God and find her own path.
Content: Clean Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I read the first book in this 'Three Sisters Island' series, 'On a Summer Tide', and really enjoyed it. Even though I did not read book two in the series, I was able to follow this third book with no trouble due to the author's skilled manner of reviewing past material to bring new readers up-to-date.
As I mentioned in my review of book one: "The author has created a small town filled with quirky characters, each with her/his own role to play in the story. Some of the citizens are lovable and laughable while others are just plain irritating." While the cast of characters has grown since the first book in the series, I feel the same way about the author's innate ability to develop an interesting setting and group of characters.
There are many sub-plots to this story which are cleverly woven together to provide the reader with a satisfying, sometimes fun, read. The themes of family, loyalty, teamwork, love, and working toward a common goal are prominent throughout the book. I truly appreciated the faith thread which is included in just about every chapter.
The main characters in this story truly grew and developed as people and as contributing members of their family unit and the small town. My favorite character was Jean-Paul, Blaine's friend from Paris. His spiritual wisdom and guidance were a bright spot in the story in my opinion.
There are lots of obstacles and regrets from the past to overcome for many of the characters in the story, but with determination and grace they work through those rough spots to lead a better life.
This book is completely clean in language and content.
Highly-recommended for fans of Christian/clean romance, Christian/clean small-town romance, and Christian/clean fiction.
I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher through the Revell Reads Blogger Program. My thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Having completed her culinary schooling in France, Blaine returns home to become the chef at her father’s camp. But so many things are just wrong, wrong, wrong! The camp’s kitchen remodel, which her no-cooking-ability sister Cam surprised her with, could not support any kind of commercial cooking. Blaine's friendship with her longtime friend Artie was decidedly chilly, and she did not know why. Her estranged grandfather had shown up unexpectedly and was quite silent about his reason for coming. Peg’s diner, which Blaine had elevated to a higher culinary standard before her departure had deteriorated to its former inadequate state. Both her sisters are dealing with pregnancies and busy husbands. And the friend she had brought back back from France with her was certainly causing a great deal of curiosity. As usual, Cam is running roughshod over everyone, and trying to force the locals into voting to bring a cell tower to the island. Blaine has her own dream, one that seems impossible, but she can’t quite give up on it. This third book in the trilogy was bitter sweet for me - I didn’t want to say goodbye to this marvelous Grayson family. Everything in this series is delightful, from the island setting to the great characters and their engrossing stories. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a phenomenal storyteller, and her writing does not disappoint. She has an astounding talent for painting pictures with words and weaving together intriguing plots. This entire series is highly recommended.
In At Lighthouse Point, Suzanne Woods Fisher has given us a heartwarming conclusion to her first contemporary romance series, Three Sisters Island.
This series checks off all the boxes in one of my favorite types of series. The characters are alive; they jump off the pages into real life as you share in the ups and downs of their day-to-day lives. The series is built around three siblings; each story highlights one of the Grayson sisters, but the others remain very much involved in the flow of things from book to book. The "supporting characters" add just as much life and importance to the story as the "main characters," causing readers to feel like they are visiting friends in a familiar setting.
Blaine is the sister in the spotlight in this final book. She has learned a lot of important lessons while pursuing her culinary education in France but finds there is much more involved in following her dreams back home than she expected. Her friend Jean-Paul, who accompanies her to Three Sisters Island, turns out to be something of a subtle "angel in disguise" who ends up helping nearly everyone in the family with advice filled with wisdom and faith. "Pray and release" shows itself to be the answer to so many questions.
I highly recommend At Lighthouse Point to fans of great inspirational fiction. This story would best be read after enjoying the first two books in the series.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of the book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.