“Boy, if there is no wind, row.”

What a great Nantucket sea-faring family motto. I’ll be thinking about this quote for many days to come. The quote is often repeated by Jeremiah Macy, Hitty and Henry’s paternal grandfather, when the main characters come up against one dilemma after another. This third installment in Nantucket Legacy series follows twins Hitty and Henry Macy as they navigate their maternal grandmother’s wealth upon her death and try to positively influence the future of Nantucket in the mid-1800s. It is a wonderful tale with incredible characters, real historical events blended seamlessly with fictional embellishments, a well-paced plot in the midst of everyday Nantucket happenings with some surprises thrown in, a nice undercurrent of intrigue and suspense, fun dialogue, and a steady dose of lessons in faith. Though it’s not necessary to read the previous two books in the series, reading them first will give the reader a better understanding of the characters and their family history as well as the history of Nantucket that plays a large role in the story. I really enjoyed the almost dual-timeline aspect of the story with Great Aunt Mary’s journal from the late-1600s into early-1700s coming alive within the story as Henry reads the old faded journal for perspective and wisdom.

I totally fell in love with Hitty and Henry. Such wonderfully connected twins yet so very different. Hitty is a warm, tender-hearted, generous woman who loves the best in each person. She is delightful and full of life but feels unworthy due to her dyslexia. Henry is the thinker who waffles and is indecisive but quite intelligent and loyal. He’s somewhat lost in his purpose in life until he finds his voice as the newspaper editor carefully helping to bring in change to the small island of Nantucket. The author looks at social issues - like racism, segregation, consequences of blind belief in what our ancestors believed without thought and the slippery slope of faith without a formed church or leadership - thoughtfully through the eyes of Hittie, Henry, and Jeremiah.

If you enjoy a well-written historical fiction with a touch of romance, this book will enthrall you.

I was given a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a writer I can always rely on to have written a high quality book, with a good story & also an interesting, well-researched history to learn about, which it is worth my time reading.
In ‘The Light Before Day’, the third in the ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series, it is good to catch up with old friends - & learn of the new conundrums facing them. I was not in a hurry to finish it, thinking I knew how it would end, but there was an extra surprise – based on historical fact – which altered everything.
All in all, I can thoroughly recommend this book - & its author!

I was drawn to this book by the cover. Then with the first words I was intrigued by the characters and sling the way I was transported into the past. I loved Hitty. I want to be her best friend. These characters will stick with you long after you finish reading. This is the third boom in the series and can be read as a stand alone bit if this is your first foray into this series, get your credit card ready to purchase the entire series. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wonderful author and I look forward to finding a new book of hers to read. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book. The review is my own. opinion

Will a rich inheritance change them?

My rating is 4.5 stars

Marie-Claire is introduced to the story as a teenager. Despite her youth, she is trustworthy in her role as a law clerk. I admired the way she quietly and confidently handled the interfering and greedy relatives hoping to benefit from the inheritance Lillian Coffin left her grandchildren. She had such wisdom and a gentle way of sharing it. Henry and Hitty found themselves relying on her and trusting her judgement. What a great example of faith!

The Light Before Day tells the story of the twins we met in Minding the Light. Hitty and Henry are now adults. The dilemma that Henry and Hitty faced about what to do with the inheritance they didn’t even want was handled quite well. The idea they came up with to foil their grandmother’s plan while staying true to the conditions of the will was perfect!

Hitty was in love with a man who appeared to not even know she existed outside of the care she gave to his daughter. Her family and friends advised her against pinning her hopes on him. So when a handsome law clerk began paying attention to her, she was torn about what to do. I was so impressed with the way this storyline played out. At any given moment, I wasn’t sure how things would be resolved and my loyalties flip-flopped between the men as more details were revealed. There have not been many love triangles I have read about that have been handled so well so the outcome wasn’t obvious from the beginning.

I liked the way that Henry started out floundering about what to do with his life, regarding a career, and regarding Anne, and slowly found the path he should walk. He gradually grew into an admirable man who had found his calling and his voice.

There was a host of interesting characters in addition to the twins. Many of the people and situations in the book are taken directly from history. The story was enjoyable and the historical tidbits shared were interesting. While I disagree (strongly) with the doctrine of the Quakers, learning more about them did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Lovers of historical fiction will want to read this.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

"God lifted the clouds so that we may walk clearly. Think, Mary. Think of the fog that drenches our island, and how it feels when the sun breaks through and the fog disappears. He miraculously lifts clouds . . . clouds of depression, of aimlessness, of helplessness, of inferiority. It’s as if . . . as if we move to a new atmosphere.” - from Great Mary's journal.
The author has penned another fabulous book set in Nantucket. From Grandmother Lillian's will with all its codicils to a young black girl getting the highest scores on tests to enter high school, the story confronts the tenets of wealth and segregation. Once all the clouds were lifted and the smoke was gone, the opportunity was there to quit striving and realize that everyone was the same on the inside regardless of financial status or color of their skin. Only then could they step into the Light!
I received this ebook through CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.

What a wonderful story that Ms. Fisher wrote. I was swept along in her story and traveled to the past in Nantucket. Each character was gloriously written and I loved Hitty and her journey. Henry learned some valuable lessons that made him a richer man.

This is Book 3. Each book can stand alone but it a wonderful series to read.

Ms. Fisher writes so vividly that I felt that I was living within the story. I wanted to be Hitty's friend. I wanted to share my thoughts with her.

The title of this book conveys a deeper meaning. This Book was everything I could ask for. I felt privileged to be able to read let alone review it.

I received this free to review from Celebrate Lit.

I have come to really love Ms. Fisher books and I think this one is one of her best yet! I loved how this book continued the stories I have come to love and I loved reading from two different perspectives. I also loved how this book did not have a predictable ending,it certainly did not go where I thought it would go which is awesome!
An easy read and very engaging, I loved it!.

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third story in Nantucket Legacy series. Henry Macy has returned to Nantucket after being gone on a whaling voyage for three years. He learns that his grandmother, Lillian Coffin has passed away leaving him and his twin sister, Hitty her estate, but she placed restrictions on the vast inheritance. If the twins do not meet the conditions set forth by Lillian, the whole estate will go to their unscrupulous relative, Tristram Macy. Henry and Hitty set out to satisfy the conditions of the will in their own way, but the siblings encounter difficulties they did not anticipate. Henry looks for wisdom and guidance in Great Mary’s journal that Daphne passed along to him before she departed on the Endeavor. Will they be able to claim the full estate? How will their story play out?

The Light Before Day is the final book in the Nantucket Legacy series. We finally get to find out how the story ends. The Light Before Day is a well-written and researched novel. The author captured the era with the language (people spoke in a formal manner) along with the descriptions of the buildings, ships, clothing plus the inclusion of historical events. The whaling industry is on the decline as the number of whales has greatly diminished and abolition of slavery is a heated issue. While The Light Before Day can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the trilogy in order. The book has a gentle pace that suits the story. Great Mary’s journal sections moved along at a faster clip, and they add depth to the story. It can be hard to wade through the more formal language (thee, thou, thy), but it is how Quaker’s talked. The Light Before Day is told from Hitty and Henry’s point-of-view. I enjoyed seeing each sibling’s perspective. There is romance in the story as Henry and Hitty look for suitable mates (a condition of the will). However, the heart wants what the heart wants. I enjoyed getting to know the grown-up Hitty and Henry. They faced a challenge with the inheritance. The twins wanted to find a way to help improve the island with the money, but their idea of improvement is not always in alignment with others. Henry and Hitty may be twins, but they have different personalities. While one is gregarious, the other is contemplative. The Light Before Day includes drama, mystery, romance, faith, good works, friendship and familial bonds. I am giving The Light Before Day 4 out of 5 stars. There are discussion questions, author’s note, and a section on what is true/false included in the book. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will not want to miss reading The Light Before Day.

I have always enjoyed historical books. When I find an author who writes in that genre I am always excited to read their latest book. This author has not disappointed me at all in her vast knowledge of Nantucket and a time period I love to read about. The Quakers were quite intriguing to me. They seemed very strict and kind of stuffy. It was disheartening to read how people were still believed in slavery . I appreciate that the author put this in the book to show how even back in the early days discrimination was prevalent. It is sad to think that because of the color of your skin, you were not allowed to get a proper education. I really liked the authentic language the author used such as thy, thou and thee. I grew up reading from The King James Bible where those words were used throughout the book. It felt familiar to me and I became comfortable as I continued reading.

It is easy to get cozy reading the authors books because she has a way of breathing life into the characters. Yes, I felt like I was in Nantucket watching the waves crash against the ships as they headed out. I loved getting to know Hitty and Henry. Their grandmother really must have been a miserable person to write such a horrible will for them to follow. I had to ask if it was worth all the hoops they had to go through to get their inheritance. My answer is absolutely for one main reason. They both decided that they were going to use the money to improve their surroundings and the people who lived there. Did they have obstacles to overcome? I couldn't keep track of all the people, nasty remarks and unwanted relatives that tried everything to stop the good Hitty and Henry were trying to accomplish.

The story is quite an adventure with surprises, deceit, loss of life and moments of clarity for people in Nantucket. When tragedy strikes in Nantucket, will neighbors help each other? Is it possible that we get so busy that we forget to look around us? I loved how the story shared wisdom, hope and a light that always shines. The author has given us a story that is rich in history, touches on subjects not many like to talk about and gives us a glimpse into what greed can do to a person. There are heroes in this story that you will discover. They may be the person who speaks out against slavery, or the person who saw beyond looks and found love or it may be the one person who trusted God and was led to the light of freedom and hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

“Henry, this . . . fortune, this sudden wealth . . . I fear it will change our lives. And I don’t want my life to change.” After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost, including when each should marry and whom—a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father’s thieving business partner. As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will’s conditions, they’ll be faced with obstacles on every side—and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.



My Thoughts: This is the third book in the series and it doesn't disappoint! Suzanne Woods Fisher has done another incredible job with this series. In this book, it focuses on the twins Hitty and Henry and the inheritance left to them by their grandmother.


Historians will enjoy the fact that the novel is based on true events that occurred during 1837-1846. The author has done extensive history on Nantucket and the sea captains. This novel does deal with the controversy of integration ( the segregated schools).



I've enjoyed this series, especially reading Great Mary's journal and I believe readers will enjoy this book as well. The reader doesn't need to read the first two books to enjoy this novel, but it would help with some of the histories of the family.

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a great conclusion to the Nantucket Legacy! With the death of their Grandmother, Henry and Hitty (the children from book 2) become the Coffin heirs but only if they follow her rules. If they don't follow their grandmother's wishes than all will go to Tristram Macy, their father's crooked business partner who hasn't been seen in years. Henry is given the old journal of Great Mary to read to help him make wise decisions and to discover the family legacy. Will they be able to make the right decisions? A great read with intrigue, danger and romance. I really have enjoy this series.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Quaker series, Nantucket Legacy. I have enjoyed them all alot. Henry and Hitty are all grown up in this book but that maturity may come at the steep cost of decision making. When grandmother Lillian passes she, as always seems to get the last word in and this time while her grandchildren,Hitty and Henry may get the inheritance they must follow her rules to a t or forfeit it. I love all the fantastic history packed into this book and the research she did. Fascinating read!
Pub Date: 02 Oct 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Light of Day is the third book in the Nantucket Legacy series. It stands alone but reading the previous books enhances the stories that weave through the pages and years. This book follows Hitty and Henry into adult hood while they decide how they handle their new inheritance, which comes with stipulations. Nantucket is changing through the generations and they will need to make decisions about their futures. But it’s not a simple choice, as they must both accept the rules of the inheritance or it goes to the next in line, their deceitful Uncle Tristram. Without giving away any pieces of the story, I must say my favorite chapters always have the “hidden treasure” by the oak tree weaved into them. Seeing how Hitty and Henry work through their inheritance situation is inspiring and a good reminder of what is important. This book would be a great winter read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

*Thank you to Revell for my copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

If you have been reading this series from the beginning, you will love how Suzanne Woods Fisher finishes it off.

Hitty and Henry Macy have learned that their grandmother Lillian Coffin has left her entire fortune to them. Of course, she is still trying to control everyone from the grave, and her will has rules they have to follow if they want to receive their inheritance. Both of them would rather give up the money until they find out it goes to Tristram Macy, their uncle who duped their father out of his life savings. So they settle in to do good with the money, and both believe everything is fine until it isn't.

There are two separate romances in this book, one for Henry and one for Hitty. Also, for each character, their love stories help them to grow and mature into being the best people they can be. I found myself identifying with Hitty a great deal - unsure of herself, embarrassed about her weight, always wondering if she is right or wrong about someone's intentions. Her love of Isaac remains steadfast, even when another pursues her, but his apparent lack of interest always has her wondering if she imagines that he likes her too. Signals are crossed, signs are missed and much like in real life unless you speak up to someone you never know what they are thinking.

Henry also had some growing up to do. By discovering his passions, he finds where and to whom his heart belongs.

I loved how this story ended, and if you haven't read the whole series, you might not "get it." I did, and I thought it was touching. While each book in this series can be read as a standalone, you miss the precious story of Mary Coffin Starbuck if you don't read them all, so do yourself a favour and read the whole series. You won't regret it!

The Light Before Day is the third and final installment from the Nantucket Legacy series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It is my, also, favorite of the series. I adored this story of inspiration, faith, determination and love. I loved reading the journal entries from Mary Coffin Starbuck. It was fascinating to read the events of the past.

I give The Light Before Day a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend this book for readers who love well written, inspiring and clean historical fiction. So many would receive so many lessons from this book. It is one that should not be missed.

Even though The Light Before is the third book of the series, it can be read as a stand alone. However, the whole series is great, so I highly recommend the others in the Nantucket Legacy series, as well.

The Light Before Day is a fabulous read!

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

It's amazing to me how much history Suzanne Woods Fisher packed into The Light Before Day. All of it done in such a way that you feel as though you've learned a little bit of history without any effort at all. The book just flowed and kept me turning the pages.

I can't imagine the deep research that was done on the issues of that time for instances slavery and equal rights, that were all brought to light in these pages. Then in the midst of all that there was a mystery, evil doings, and romance.

So many great characters and I loved them all. I think I just love wise older people, so Grandpa was my favorite. Strong and caring I believe he wanted to always help the younger generation. He had a feel for people and knew when they were up to something.

The ending was one I hoped for. To tell the truth I peeked when I got to the last chapter or so. I just couldn't stand the suspense. Then I went back and read what I missed and it all made sense.

You know I loved the back pages of the book too where Suzanne lets you know what's true and what's not in the book.

A great great read!



I was given a copy of this book but I was not required to post a positive review.

I was really disappointed in this book. The writing is good but it was just difficult for me to get into the story. Not a big fan of books about Quakers. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This book is really hard for me to review. The story was good and so are the characters. I enjoyed reading the first 2 books in this series and this book continues in the same way. It is well written and researched. You get a real feel for the time period.

I did not like the ending, and I will leave it at that. I do not want to give anything away. I also find it hard to list this as a Christian book. I knew I didn't agree with the Quaker religion, but I did not realize until more of their beliefs were told in this book, how far off the mark they are. These two reasons are why I gave this book only a 3 star rating.

I requested to read and review this book through Netgalley. The review is totally my own and freely given.

“The Light Before Day” by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is the third book in her Nantucket legacy series. As with the first two books in the series, the journal of Mary Coffin Starbuck, one of the first residents of Nantucket is brought into the story. We read sections of her journal and so much of what she had written so many years ago, pertaining to the time slot in the history of the other books.

Nantucket is the center of the whaling industry during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, over-hunting has caused the whale population to diminish greatly. In this novel, we follow Hitty Coffin Macy and her brother, Henry Coffin Macy as they try to decide what to do with a large inheritance from their grandmother Lillian Coffin. Lilian was a shrewd woman and anything she gave anyone had strings attached. In death, as in life, she loved to pull the strings so that they danced as marionettes to her machinations. Hitty and Henry must decide if their inheritance is worth the conditions set forth in Lillian’s will. The future of Nantucket could be at stake.

We also are introduced to the abolitionist movement that caused much consternation among the residents of the island. Quakers did not believe in slavery, but many were segregationists. This struggle was portrayed very realistically in this novel.

I really enjoyed this book as the message it sent was one that I think our young people need to look at today. Money isn’t everything, in fact, it really is sometimes the root of all evil. That has been evident for centuries and it is no different today. I have enjoyed Ms. Fisher’s series so far and am looking forward hopefully to another book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in return for my honest review, which is my own.

Susanne Woods Fisher books are full of details and history, pulling the reader into her stories from the very beginning. This is book 3 in the Nantucket Legacy series, telling the stories of Henry and Lillian. Good read!