Aussie Readers discussion

Final thoughts and reviews if you like for Finding Joy in Oyster Bay by Susan Duncan

A celebration of community, love and the power of forgiveness.

Finding Joy in Oyster Bay continues on from Sleepless in Stringybark Bay. While it's not essential to have read Sleepless first, it will enhance your enjoyment of Finding Joy in Oyster Bay. Or, even better, go back and start with The Briny Café, to get the full experience.

I love the community feeling in these books. Although not all the characters are particularly likeable, they know they can rely on one another in times of need, and Sam is certainly in need of help when Kate ups and leaves without warning.

While Ettie and Marcus are busy helping Sam, and putting their own relationship to the test along the way, the GeriEcstacies are feeling in need of a project to keep them from fossilising, and come up with a plan to help Lizzie restore her old home as a cover for 'doing good' elsewhere. All very hush-hush and 'undercover' stuff! My favorite character? Definitely Cliffy.

Finding Joy in Oyster Bay is a charming read with equally charming characters. Duncan has shown the terrible toll guilt can take on people, weaving in other issues along the way - like the need to keep our aging brains ticking-over and our bodies in motion, and acknowledging our own and others limitations. A delightful read, and I am sorry to see the end of this series.

I have just discovered that the author, Susan Duncan, has recently passed away. I will miss her gentle stories of endearing characters facing and (mostly) overcoming major life events.

⭐⭐⭐.6

Great review Sandy. She passed just before this one was published, with A&U getting it out to her readers. I was shocked, as I didn't realise she was sick. She was a delightful person, and a lovely author.