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The Light on Farallon Island
From debut author Jen Wheeler comes a spellbinding tale about the dangers a nineteenth-century woman encounters as she flees a tragic past to the menacing Farallon Islands.
Thirty miles off the coast of San Francisco lie the Farallon Islands, known to sailors as the Devil’s Teeth. Despite their fearsome reputation, their remote nature appeals to young Lucy Riley, who in 1859 seeks a new start as a teacher to the lighthouse keepers’ children.
But Lucy brings treacherous secrets with her, including a name that isn’t hers and a past she can’t escape. On the island, she meets Will Sisson, a mysterious man who seems to recognize her name—but not her face. Wary of Will at first, Lucy slowly starts to trust him.
As Lucy embeds herself in the island’s community, she discovers numerous dangers: deadly cliffs, shark-infested waters, and disorienting fogs. A dark presence of another sort, too, disguises an encroaching threat.
In this forbidding place, Lucy must find the courage to confront the perils of her past and the ever-present dangers of the world around her for the new life she’s sought to finally begin.
Thirty miles off the coast of San Francisco lie the Farallon Islands, known to sailors as the Devil’s Teeth. Despite their fearsome reputation, their remote nature appeals to young Lucy Riley, who in 1859 seeks a new start as a teacher to the lighthouse keepers’ children.
But Lucy brings treacherous secrets with her, including a name that isn’t hers and a past she can’t escape. On the island, she meets Will Sisson, a mysterious man who seems to recognize her name—but not her face. Wary of Will at first, Lucy slowly starts to trust him.
As Lucy embeds herself in the island’s community, she discovers numerous dangers: deadly cliffs, shark-infested waters, and disorienting fogs. A dark presence of another sort, too, disguises an encroaching threat.
In this forbidding place, Lucy must find the courage to confront the perils of her past and the ever-present dangers of the world around her for the new life she’s sought to finally begin.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2023
4688 people are currently reading
8054 people want to read
About the author
Jen Wheeler
3 books57 followershttps://www.instagram.com/pdx.hon
Jen Wheeler is a former managing editor of Chowhound and lives in Oregon.
The Light on Farallon Island is her first novel. A second novel, Tenderhearted Executioner, will follow.
Jen Wheeler is a former managing editor of Chowhound and lives in Oregon.
The Light on Farallon Island is her first novel. A second novel, Tenderhearted Executioner, will follow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
May 31, 2025
Will the Real Lucy Riley
Please Stand Up...
THE LIGHT ON FARALLON ISLAND
by Jen Wheeler
4 stars. In 1859...
Amelia Osborne sailed from San Francisco to the Farallon Islands with her diary in her carpetbag and a valuable necklace sewed into the hem of her dress...
Lucy Riley...
... was the alias Amelia assumed to become someone new, the name stolen from her lesbian lover...
The Farallon Islands were nicknamed the devil's teeth for the way in which they chewed up unlucky vessels on their rocks...
Three families and bachelor, Will Sisson, were stranded on the feral rock island; hired to tend the lighthouse...
Amelia felt as if she'd been harpooned and yanked onto island to join the others as their children's teacher...
The Farallones were strung over 12 miles of open ocean, the sea crashing around their outpost with tremendous power...
As Amelia begins her new life as Lucy, someone on the island knows she's an impostor...
Amelia is running from someone...
This novel, advertised as historical fiction, was really a Victorian style story. I chose this novel because I like stories about the sea and lighthouses, but it was heavy on the Victorian influences.
The story was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages, but as a mystery, it left too many unanswered questions. The last third of the book slogged a little and was a bit repetitive.
Good story if you like Victorians. I think it appeals more to women than men, and I believe mystery lovers will be disappointed with the loose threads.
Please Stand Up...
THE LIGHT ON FARALLON ISLAND
by Jen Wheeler
4 stars. In 1859...
Amelia Osborne sailed from San Francisco to the Farallon Islands with her diary in her carpetbag and a valuable necklace sewed into the hem of her dress...
Lucy Riley...
... was the alias Amelia assumed to become someone new, the name stolen from her lesbian lover...
The Farallon Islands were nicknamed the devil's teeth for the way in which they chewed up unlucky vessels on their rocks...
Three families and bachelor, Will Sisson, were stranded on the feral rock island; hired to tend the lighthouse...
Amelia felt as if she'd been harpooned and yanked onto island to join the others as their children's teacher...
The Farallones were strung over 12 miles of open ocean, the sea crashing around their outpost with tremendous power...
As Amelia begins her new life as Lucy, someone on the island knows she's an impostor...
Amelia is running from someone...
This novel, advertised as historical fiction, was really a Victorian style story. I chose this novel because I like stories about the sea and lighthouses, but it was heavy on the Victorian influences.
The story was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages, but as a mystery, it left too many unanswered questions. The last third of the book slogged a little and was a bit repetitive.
Good story if you like Victorians. I think it appeals more to women than men, and I believe mystery lovers will be disappointed with the loose threads.
April 8, 2023
This book was okay. It contained a lot of graphic material involving killing animals. There is also an intense scene involving a murder. I liked the ending.
I was provided a copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided a copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 14, 2023
I don’t understand the negative reviews for this book…I thought it was incredible! The character development was very rich and the author made you really feel for and understand the main characters. Some people have mentioned graphic animal deaths descriptions but I felt they were valid, considering the entire book takes place on an island where a lot of sea life exists. There is a lot of history throughout the story, as well as a love story but I certainly would not consider this a romance. I throughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the author’s next book!
June 12, 2023
In 1859, Lucy Riley takes a job on Farallon Island, it's located thirty miles from the coast of San Francisco and she will be teaching the lighthouse keepers children. Called the Devils Teeth, the remote islands landscape is rugged, the home to thousands of seagulls and once a year murre birds lay their speckled eggs amongst the rocky cliffs and outcrops.
Lucy has multiple secrets, she isn’t using her real name and the island is the perfect place for her to hide. Will Sisson has lived on the island for eight years, he’s confused when he sees Lucy for the first time and later she discovers why. He's in charge of the murre egg collection enterprise, he overseas the eggers, while working they wear special egg shirts so not to crack their fragile shells, once washed in sea water, the eggs are stored in a shed, and transported to the mainland and eaten.
Lucy lives in a cottage called Stonehouse, she enjoys her job teaching Mr. Pollard's and Mr. Clifford’s children, while the third light housekeeper Mr. Salter refuses to let his wife and daughter mix with the others and his daughter doesn't attend school.
The island is a creepy place, full of deadly cliffs, the waters are infested with sharks, the seagulls constantly attack people and Lucy thinks it might be haunted? While parts of the story are fascinating and based on real facts, the narrative is rather confusing and due to it constantly going back to Lucy's troubled past and having to piece it together.
I really liked Will Sisson and his dog Banquo, the information about how goods, people and animals were transported by ship and transferred to the island, the murre birds, whale migration, operating the lighthouse and these facts were interesting. I wish Jan Wheeler's debut novel, The Light on Farallon Island wasn't full of doom and gloom, maybe there was a hidden meaning that I missed and three stars from me.
Lucy has multiple secrets, she isn’t using her real name and the island is the perfect place for her to hide. Will Sisson has lived on the island for eight years, he’s confused when he sees Lucy for the first time and later she discovers why. He's in charge of the murre egg collection enterprise, he overseas the eggers, while working they wear special egg shirts so not to crack their fragile shells, once washed in sea water, the eggs are stored in a shed, and transported to the mainland and eaten.
Lucy lives in a cottage called Stonehouse, she enjoys her job teaching Mr. Pollard's and Mr. Clifford’s children, while the third light housekeeper Mr. Salter refuses to let his wife and daughter mix with the others and his daughter doesn't attend school.
The island is a creepy place, full of deadly cliffs, the waters are infested with sharks, the seagulls constantly attack people and Lucy thinks it might be haunted? While parts of the story are fascinating and based on real facts, the narrative is rather confusing and due to it constantly going back to Lucy's troubled past and having to piece it together.
I really liked Will Sisson and his dog Banquo, the information about how goods, people and animals were transported by ship and transferred to the island, the murre birds, whale migration, operating the lighthouse and these facts were interesting. I wish Jan Wheeler's debut novel, The Light on Farallon Island wasn't full of doom and gloom, maybe there was a hidden meaning that I missed and three stars from me.
May 24, 2023
do not recommend
I’m so tired of religious people being cast as hateful abusers who twist the scriptures to their advantage. There wasn’t really anything I can say that I liked about this book—besides that it was free.
Amazon First Reads, May 2023
Content: language, sex, violent murder, deaths of children, witchcraft, slaughter of animals
I’m so tired of religious people being cast as hateful abusers who twist the scriptures to their advantage. There wasn’t really anything I can say that I liked about this book—besides that it was free.
Amazon First Reads, May 2023
Content: language, sex, violent murder, deaths of children, witchcraft, slaughter of animals
May 8, 2023
Interesting historical facts included, which I really enjoyed. Unfortunately the author felt it necessary to include homosexuality, the occult, the portrayal of Christians as wife abusing hateful men, adultery as a positive thing, sexual immorality, teaching children to lie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
In the 1850’s, a young woman with a secret accepts a job teaching school to the children of lighthouse keepers on the isolated and treacherous Farallon Islands, off San Francisco.
DNF at 68%. I just can’t go on.
At first, the setting was unique and fascinating to me, as I had never heard of the Farallon Islands, aka The Devil’s Teeth. The first of the book was well written and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions. I learned about life on the island and the “eggers” who arrived once a year for the dangerous job of collecting eggs to supply the people of San Francisco. The descriptions of the sea life there, as well as the birds, was an education! It was a bit slow moving, but the setting made up for it.
The downfall of this book was the pacing. The recollections the protagonist has that unfold her past to the reader frustrated me. It might have been better (for me) as a coherent story, rather than a mystery that supplies the reader with one tidbit at a time. There really wasn’t much actual story. There was a tragic past, but there wasn’t anything done with it other than for the reader to slowly learn about it.
There was so much introspection by the protagonist that she became tedious. Even her romance and the love scenes were tedious. The book drug along until I finally had to raise a white flag and surrender.
I did not connect with any of the characters. They were described well, but I felt they needed more “soul”. This is a debut novel. It’s a nice first try, but I cannot recommend.
DNF at 68%. I just can’t go on.
At first, the setting was unique and fascinating to me, as I had never heard of the Farallon Islands, aka The Devil’s Teeth. The first of the book was well written and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions. I learned about life on the island and the “eggers” who arrived once a year for the dangerous job of collecting eggs to supply the people of San Francisco. The descriptions of the sea life there, as well as the birds, was an education! It was a bit slow moving, but the setting made up for it.
The downfall of this book was the pacing. The recollections the protagonist has that unfold her past to the reader frustrated me. It might have been better (for me) as a coherent story, rather than a mystery that supplies the reader with one tidbit at a time. There really wasn’t much actual story. There was a tragic past, but there wasn’t anything done with it other than for the reader to slowly learn about it.
There was so much introspection by the protagonist that she became tedious. Even her romance and the love scenes were tedious. The book drug along until I finally had to raise a white flag and surrender.
I did not connect with any of the characters. They were described well, but I felt they needed more “soul”. This is a debut novel. It’s a nice first try, but I cannot recommend.
May 4, 2023
Romance
I was expecting an historical novel, but this is a romance novel even though it is set in a real place. Too much was intimated for too long at the beginning without any real knowledge of the characters. I did read more than half the book. That's enough to decide whether to finish it or not. Some of the descriptions were well done, but usually there was too much.
I was expecting an historical novel, but this is a romance novel even though it is set in a real place. Too much was intimated for too long at the beginning without any real knowledge of the characters. I did read more than half the book. That's enough to decide whether to finish it or not. Some of the descriptions were well done, but usually there was too much.
June 4, 2023
I liked the story but it was slow at times. There isn’t a ton going on so I was occasionally a bit bored until things picked up again plot-wise. The Farallon Islands are such a unique setting and I appreciated the descriptive prose and historical accuracy the author took when describing the harvesting of murre eggs on the island. I do think the character depth was lacking despite spending so much time with our main characters. I didn’t really feel much when it came to the romance. It just happened and I had no emotional reaction to it.
I found Amelia’s mysterious backstory to be the most intriguing aspect of this book and why I kept reading. In terms of the ending, I wasn’t completely satisfied. I had come in expecting a different ending and I struggled with how one of the character’s was painted so cartoonishly evil. Overall, there was some interesting aspects to this book but I do think it was too long and could have been condensed.
I found Amelia’s mysterious backstory to be the most intriguing aspect of this book and why I kept reading. In terms of the ending, I wasn’t completely satisfied. I had come in expecting a different ending and I struggled with how one of the character’s was painted so cartoonishly evil. Overall, there was some interesting aspects to this book but I do think it was too long and could have been condensed.
July 10, 2023
First half of the book: 2 stars. Second half: 4 stars. The pace of this book could have been better. All the back story the author kept sprinkling in would actually have made a more exciting novel. But it did hold my attention, and loved the Farallon setting.
October 27, 2022
While well-written, I did not care for this. I gave it two stars for her talent as a writer, but I found the story bleak and filled with mostly repugnant characters. I also felt aspects were too modern for the time period — just my personal opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 4, 2024
Damned, delighted; Amelia wavered between the two, was both at once. Was, for the time being, alive. That would have to be all that mattered.
A very enjoyable read with more layers & depth than I’d expected—a modern Phyllis Whitney mixed with Megan Chance, plus a splash of Sarah Waters. But rather than a traditional review, I decided it was easier to list the ingredients of the book sorted by reminiscent authors.
*shuffles paper, clears throat*
🐦⬛ Phyllis Whitney elements: slow building of the plot, a unique, vivid setting + unusual hook, a cast of characters who are all a bit off-kilter regardless of whether they’re good, bad, or neutral.
🐋 Megan Chance elements: surreal flourishes to backstories, various gothic imagery that may or may not be explained, strong emotional component with an imperfectly beautiful love story.
🦭 Sarah Waters elements: bisexual heroine who was involved with another bisexual woman in her past, toxic families, brief splatters of violence, themes of death, loss, & grief.
These three authors are favorites of mine, so I loved peeling away the layers of FARALLON to reveal similar nuggets. But it’s a genuine slow burn of a story, so be warned; it’s a book that refuses to be hurried & the author allows things to unspool at a leisurely pace. There are also nods at classic literature, Melville in particular, though also New England gothics & Victorian sensational fic in general, & the natural-world violence has bothered some readers. (Personally, I didn’t find it any worse than what you’d see in a BBC nature show like Patagonia, but YMMV. Nature can be cruel & humans are wasteful of natural resources—some things haven’t changed since the 1850s.)
Sidenote: I loved all the whale cameos. Whales are awesome. 🐳
I do think there was one subplot too many, & a few passages had Debut Syndrome—i.e. felt a tad overwritten—but overall this was quite good, an unusual & yet comfortably familiar gothic-lite historical. Solid 4 stars, & I’m looking forward to the author’s next novel. 👻
A very enjoyable read with more layers & depth than I’d expected—a modern Phyllis Whitney mixed with Megan Chance, plus a splash of Sarah Waters. But rather than a traditional review, I decided it was easier to list the ingredients of the book sorted by reminiscent authors.
*shuffles paper, clears throat*
🐦⬛ Phyllis Whitney elements: slow building of the plot, a unique, vivid setting + unusual hook, a cast of characters who are all a bit off-kilter regardless of whether they’re good, bad, or neutral.
🐋 Megan Chance elements: surreal flourishes to backstories, various gothic imagery that may or may not be explained, strong emotional component with an imperfectly beautiful love story.
🦭 Sarah Waters elements: bisexual heroine who was involved with another bisexual woman in her past, toxic families, brief splatters of violence, themes of death, loss, & grief.
These three authors are favorites of mine, so I loved peeling away the layers of FARALLON to reveal similar nuggets. But it’s a genuine slow burn of a story, so be warned; it’s a book that refuses to be hurried & the author allows things to unspool at a leisurely pace. There are also nods at classic literature, Melville in particular, though also New England gothics & Victorian sensational fic in general, & the natural-world violence has bothered some readers. (Personally, I didn’t find it any worse than what you’d see in a BBC nature show like Patagonia, but YMMV. Nature can be cruel & humans are wasteful of natural resources—some things haven’t changed since the 1850s.)
Sidenote: I loved all the whale cameos. Whales are awesome. 🐳
I do think there was one subplot too many, & a few passages had Debut Syndrome—i.e. felt a tad overwritten—but overall this was quite good, an unusual & yet comfortably familiar gothic-lite historical. Solid 4 stars, & I’m looking forward to the author’s next novel. 👻
November 16, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this e-ARC.
3.5/5 stars, but this book deserves a rounding up!
I surprisingly enjoyed this novel! The beginning was a bit confusing, but once I got further into the plot, I found myself sucked in. The romance was an excellent amount of yearning and passion, but I do feel that some of it was a little too modern. The history was explored excellently and I enjoyed the detailed description of the islands.
My biggest concerns lie with the pacing of the plot. At times it felt too slow and at times it felt extremely fast. I think if certain events had been spread out from one another, then the pacing would have felt more even. I also struggled with the constant cliffhangers at the end of every chapter. It felt less like foreboding and more like a "stay tuned..." at the end of a TV episode. The ending felt rushed, but it kept me guessing where it was going!
For a debut novel, I really enjoyed this and I hope to see more of Wheeler's work in the future. I would definitely recommend this to a historical fiction lover.
3.5/5 stars, but this book deserves a rounding up!
I surprisingly enjoyed this novel! The beginning was a bit confusing, but once I got further into the plot, I found myself sucked in. The romance was an excellent amount of yearning and passion, but I do feel that some of it was a little too modern. The history was explored excellently and I enjoyed the detailed description of the islands.
My biggest concerns lie with the pacing of the plot. At times it felt too slow and at times it felt extremely fast. I think if certain events had been spread out from one another, then the pacing would have felt more even. I also struggled with the constant cliffhangers at the end of every chapter. It felt less like foreboding and more like a "stay tuned..." at the end of a TV episode. The ending felt rushed, but it kept me guessing where it was going!
For a debut novel, I really enjoyed this and I hope to see more of Wheeler's work in the future. I would definitely recommend this to a historical fiction lover.
July 1, 2023
I tried this as an audio book and it was very well done. I liked the narrator. The beginning was very compelling - I wanted to know more about the friend, the name and why she was went to the island. I liked her getting to know the residents, the secrets and lore. I love the spooky stories. But somewhere in the middle, it slowed down. I found the possible fire story interesting but even that mystery seemed to get derailed. I found the parts about the birds gory and gross and a bit over-the-top with detail. The story did pick back up and I found the race to ending good. It was an interesting read, I enjoyed it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 31, 2022
I always enjoy reading debut novels but this was not one of them. I struggled to keep reading about a woman who assumes the identity of her friend and goes to teach on an isolated island off the coast of California. I thought that the book was too long and I kept getting lost in the back story of the character. The scenery descriptions however were beautiful. I will not be recommending this book.
June 23, 2023
2⭐️ While I did enjoy the authors writing and it got my interest at first, now that I’m done reading it, I’m not sure what the whole point of it was. There were many interesting things that began the story and started to shape as i read- the history of Farallon Island as Amelia got acquainted with it, the stories of ghosts and peculiar things that happened, her friend having a past that Amelia was unaware of, the mystery of Amelia’s own past with her heartless whale hunting father and her mother dabbling in witchcraft- all these interesting threads were woven into the story yet by the end nothing ever came of it. I also found it strange that Amelia had a relationship with Lucy and then went on to also have feelings for Lucy’s brother. It confused me at first because their relationship was hinted at but not confirmed until later in the book and it just felt like a weird dynamic. And what exactly happened at the end with Mr. Salter and Gertie? Again, a lot of hinting at things but nothing confirmed. Lots of potential with this one but missed the mark for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2023
Well, I read the Farallon Islands book to the end, even though it frustrated me.
It is well written. The author writes beautifully. And it is interesting, but it is exhausting. A new trauma/drama every chapter. And the heroine was madding, her behavior wavering up and down all the time.
So, I am only cautiously recommending it.
This is a first book for this author, so hopefully she will work to control her excessiveness in the future.
It is well written. The author writes beautifully. And it is interesting, but it is exhausting. A new trauma/drama every chapter. And the heroine was madding, her behavior wavering up and down all the time.
So, I am only cautiously recommending it.
This is a first book for this author, so hopefully she will work to control her excessiveness in the future.
June 15, 2024
DNF at 30%
I don’t care for gothic literature with supernatural elements. It is starting to get creepy.
I don’t care for gothic literature with supernatural elements. It is starting to get creepy.
May 25, 2023
Awesome setting, unfocused plot, mild lgBt+.
The Farallon Islands isn't something I knew about, and it was interesting reading about life there in the mid-19th century during the era of lighthouse keepers. The heroine and other characters were engaging enough, but my main quibbles -- and why I didn't give this more stars -- was with the pacing and lack of focus on any particular plot line.
What seemed to be about people escaping their pasts turned into stories about revenge, proper childcare, animal slaughter (mostly as setting), and how to keep jewelry sewn into clothing, with two different necklaces no less. Some supernatural elements were sprinkled in for no real reason (hints of witchcraft and ghosts).
The characters, while pleasant enough, were as confusing as the plot. Actual backstory scenes were doled out far past their relevant date, for no discernable reason (we'd already been told all the info depicted.) Other facts were kept close to the vest also until well past relevance -- we learn about the heroine's sexual past (besides hints she was possibly in a physical relationship with another woman) well after she was jumping the hero's bones.
There was no overall mystery or big reveal, so if you're expecting that as I was, you'll be disappointed.
[[SPOILERS FOLLOW]]
The whaling discussion was painful, but it did remind me I need to read Moby Dick. And how did elephant seals end up on the marine terrace when people had to use a lift, it was so high up?
The Farallon Islands isn't something I knew about, and it was interesting reading about life there in the mid-19th century during the era of lighthouse keepers. The heroine and other characters were engaging enough, but my main quibbles -- and why I didn't give this more stars -- was with the pacing and lack of focus on any particular plot line.
What seemed to be about people escaping their pasts turned into stories about revenge, proper childcare, animal slaughter (mostly as setting), and how to keep jewelry sewn into clothing, with two different necklaces no less. Some supernatural elements were sprinkled in for no real reason (hints of witchcraft and ghosts).
The characters, while pleasant enough, were as confusing as the plot. Actual backstory scenes were doled out far past their relevant date, for no discernable reason (we'd already been told all the info depicted.) Other facts were kept close to the vest also until well past relevance -- we learn about the heroine's sexual past (besides hints she was possibly in a physical relationship with another woman) well after she was jumping the hero's bones.
There was no overall mystery or big reveal, so if you're expecting that as I was, you'll be disappointed.
[[SPOILERS FOLLOW]]
The whaling discussion was painful, but it did remind me I need to read Moby Dick. And how did elephant seals end up on the marine terrace when people had to use a lift, it was so high up?
August 17, 2023
I’m unsure how I got this book, and despite it being long in several places, I liked it a lot. I hadn’t heard of the Farallon Islands, but I’m often a sucker for a good historical fiction story.
May 10, 2023
Period drama, rather than historical fiction, but after a slow start it came around to being a decent story. The island, lighthouse and San Francisco of the era came across realistically, the people probably as well, although I have no way of verifying that aspect.
May 12, 2023
Spoiler Alert:
I recently finished reading an Amazon Prime 'First to Read' book "The Light on Farallon Island" by Jen Wheeler. I was absolutely caught up by this story of a woman who has had many calamities in her past and the lengths she has gone to in overcoming them.
From the first page, I was intrigued by the hints of danger and menace, and the tension built as the story went along. Every time I had to put it aside for the night I couldn't wait to get back to it. I feel that it is one of the stories which will stay with me for many years and I am grateful to the author, Jen Wheeler, her publishers, and Amazon Prime for making it available to me. This is the author's first novel and I am amazed by her brilliance and inventiveness!
The expected publication date is June 1, 2023. My advice is to get your name on the wish list at your local library fast because once it arrives the buzz will keep it out on loans for ages. Or, ask your local bookstore to make sure they reserve a copy for you to buy!
I recently finished reading an Amazon Prime 'First to Read' book "The Light on Farallon Island" by Jen Wheeler. I was absolutely caught up by this story of a woman who has had many calamities in her past and the lengths she has gone to in overcoming them.
From the first page, I was intrigued by the hints of danger and menace, and the tension built as the story went along. Every time I had to put it aside for the night I couldn't wait to get back to it. I feel that it is one of the stories which will stay with me for many years and I am grateful to the author, Jen Wheeler, her publishers, and Amazon Prime for making it available to me. This is the author's first novel and I am amazed by her brilliance and inventiveness!
The expected publication date is June 1, 2023. My advice is to get your name on the wish list at your local library fast because once it arrives the buzz will keep it out on loans for ages. Or, ask your local bookstore to make sure they reserve a copy for you to buy!
May 27, 2023
Great Tale
Though seriously lacking historically, this was a well written, lovely story rife with romance and intrigue. It was a most enjoyable read and is suitable for any mature audience (although I feel females will find it more appealing than males). Some of the story was predictable,but most of it was not, making the read all the better. There were several complete surprises that enhanced the story. It would be hard for any reader not to admire the main character, Amelia and her tenacity in triumphing over the many obstacles she faced in life. Toward the book's end, I feared it would close on a disappointing note. To my delight, it did not!
Though seriously lacking historically, this was a well written, lovely story rife with romance and intrigue. It was a most enjoyable read and is suitable for any mature audience (although I feel females will find it more appealing than males). Some of the story was predictable,but most of it was not, making the read all the better. There were several complete surprises that enhanced the story. It would be hard for any reader not to admire the main character, Amelia and her tenacity in triumphing over the many obstacles she faced in life. Toward the book's end, I feared it would close on a disappointing note. To my delight, it did not!
May 5, 2023
I liked but….
I didn’t like the lesbian relationship. It wasn’t necessary. The book would have been perfect without it. Lucy and Amelia could have just been best friends.
I didn’t like the lesbian relationship. It wasn’t necessary. The book would have been perfect without it. Lucy and Amelia could have just been best friends.
May 20, 2023
3.5 stars
This began as a deliciously brooding, gothic-feeling story with all the requisite elements: isolation, melancholy weather, secrets hiding under other secrets, characters that are half mad, bad guys and other bad guys. The Farallons make a fantastic setting, one I could imagine but have never read before. And the characters are varied and vary real, which I appreciate greatly.
However, halfway through the book, it took a sharp turn sideways and seemed, for a while, to be all about sex. Amelia and Will, memories of Amelia and Lucy earlier, and I wasn’t sure we’d ever get back to the real story. We did, but it lost something in the change of focus. Also, it became rather confusing with different people having assumed false names and being referred to as one sometimes and another at other times. I don’t know how else it could have been done, other than simplifying Lucy’s backstory, but it took me out of the story.
Good story if you’re in the mood, but it won’t be one that I reread.
This began as a deliciously brooding, gothic-feeling story with all the requisite elements: isolation, melancholy weather, secrets hiding under other secrets, characters that are half mad, bad guys and other bad guys. The Farallons make a fantastic setting, one I could imagine but have never read before. And the characters are varied and vary real, which I appreciate greatly.
However, halfway through the book, it took a sharp turn sideways and seemed, for a while, to be all about sex. Amelia and Will, memories of Amelia and Lucy earlier, and I wasn’t sure we’d ever get back to the real story. We did, but it lost something in the change of focus. Also, it became rather confusing with different people having assumed false names and being referred to as one sometimes and another at other times. I don’t know how else it could have been done, other than simplifying Lucy’s backstory, but it took me out of the story.
Good story if you’re in the mood, but it won’t be one that I reread.
April 2, 2025
Jen Wheeler did well creating a fear in the reader that all the bad things were going to happen, but she did so methodically and slowly. This book has me questioning whether I truly understood what was going on at points, but then pieces seemed to come together with each chapter. I liked Amelia, I hated Amelia, and loved her. I felt sorry for her and then got so angry with her. She seemed wishy washy but I think she truly struggled with who she was and what type of person she was meant to be. And I think she finally figured it out. And accepted herself for all her flaws. Good read. I gave 5 stars because I constantly thought about this book and the characters even when not reading it.
February 17, 2023
3.5 Stars
I loved the setting of this story on the Farallon Islands in the late 1850's. I wish the islands were an even bigger part of the story as my interest in this title came from my love of The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey. Beyond that, Lucy is a strong character and I felt invested in her struggles and relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.
I loved the setting of this story on the Farallon Islands in the late 1850's. I wish the islands were an even bigger part of the story as my interest in this title came from my love of The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey. Beyond that, Lucy is a strong character and I felt invested in her struggles and relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.
June 19, 2023
This book was strange. A mix of historical, supernatural, and romance. The plot kind of bumbled along and I wasn’t sure where it was going but the mystery around some of the characters kept me going. The setting and the descriptions of it were great!
June 11, 2023
This was my Prime First Reads pick for May. The main premise and many of the plot developments of this book are fairly ridiculous. But I still found it pretty entertaining overall.
August 1, 2023
I had a hard time getting into this book and it didn't really keep my attention but I did finish it.
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