This story begins with Piper losing her husband Tom. However, she continues to act like he is still alive and her entire town goes along with it. When journalist Anders comes to Frick Island looking for a story, he meets Piper and her invisible husband and wants to know more about what is going on. Piper becomes the center of his podcast, without her knowing, hoping this will be his big break.

I loved this story and how the small town rallied around Piper, even if it seemed strange. The community and the side characters of Frick Island truly made this book. I loved the quirkiness of the town and the people in it and it made for a great setting to this story. This story was so heartwarming and hopeful. It is filled with love and the more I kept reading, the more I loved the characters. This book will definitely need to be on your summer reads list if it isn’t already!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Harlequin Junkie Recommended Read!

Colleen Oakley has once again sparked my imagination and led me on a wild--and wildly entertaining--journey, this time set in the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay area with her new heartfelt novel, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.

I wasn't sure what to expect after checking out the synopsis for this newest offering by Colleen Oakley--and I had so many questions. Was Piper's husband actually dead? Was she seeing his ghost? Was she having a mental breakdown? And knowing how Oakley so deftly creates storylines that keep readers guessing, I had a feeling there were many layers to get through before finding all the answers. Which turned out to be absolutely correct. There was a whole lot more going on than met the eye on Frick Island.

For a story that could have easily gotten bogged down with grief and loss, there was actually a lot of lightheartedness thanks to the offbeat locals on the island. It was a terrific backdrop for this type of plot. A small community coming together to help one of their own grieve--even if it meant going along with Piper's supposed delusion about being able to see Tom. It seemed a little weird at first, honestly. But after a short while, it seemed more sweet and caring that the locals humored and supported their beloved Piper while attempting to not hurt her feelings. She in turn showed her caring nature in how she revered her neighbors and helped them tirelessly.

I wouldn't really characterize this as a romance novel. Those elements were there. Such as--without giving too much of the storyline away--there was definite attraction that grew between Anders and Piper over time. Although it was complicated. Obviously. I did enjoy Anders overall. He was a Clark Kent-like journalist who was more of a beta hero than alpha. He made a decision when it came to how he handled Piper's story that I think readers likely won't agree with and he ended up paying the price for it, but I'd like to believe that Anders' heart was in the right place. It wasn't just about the story. It was about the islanders and Piper herself that kept him coming back to complete his investigation.

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island showcased clever storytelling told through multiple POVs that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Somber but hopeful, with a sense of community and acceptance, Colleen Oakley has spun another memorable tale.

I am expecting The Invisible Husband of Frick Island to be a big hit with my library patrons. It's a perfect antidote to the cares of the world these days. Perfect timing, too; it will also appeal to readers who have recently experienced grief and loss. This emotional journey of beloved widow Piper Parrish as she interacts with a stranger who has come to town and eventually changes her life and his is a lovely tale.

An island helps a young woman cope with the loss of her husband - beautiful display of humanity and love.
Piper and Tom have been together for seven years - through childhood to adulthood. Tom goes out on his boat and doesn't return.
Piper closes herself up in her house- only to come out for breakfast for her and Tom.
Shocked, Frick Island supports her - no one tells her Tom is dead; they even greet Tom as Piper walks by.
Anders is sent to the small island to cover the annual cake walk. It's a miserable experience- Anders vows to never return. Until he receives a mysterious email telling Anders he missed the real story.
After exploring the island and trying to talk to people about climate change, Anders discovers the town's devotion to Piper.
He begins a podcast about this woman's grief.
A beautifully written story about grief, acceptance and change. Highly recommend.

This book was enjoyable if a little confusing. Quirky characters, a bit of mystery, and good narrative.

The setting of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island hooked me from the beginning. Setting can make such a big difference for me!! The residents of Frick Island form a small, tight knit community very set in their old-fashioned ways. Anders Caldwell, an aspiring journalist, is assigned to cover the annual Frick Island Cake Walk. Anders is shocked by the small-town ways of life the residence subscribe to -- the fact that it’s a dry island, the lack of wifi, and the limited options for food and lodging. He’s struck, however, by the alluring Piper Parrish.

Piper’s husband disappeared at sea during a storm but in order to cope, she continues to act like he’s there, and furthermore, the entire town has adopted the pretense. As Anders begins to catch on to what’s going on, he realizes there might be more of a story on Frick Island than just a Cake Walk.

The character’s Oakley created on the island were so vivid and developed into such a lovely, quirky community. Their wary, often disgruntled reactions to Anders were entertaining and interesting and I loved watching him try to gain their trust.

The juxtaposition between life on charming Frick Island and Anders career aspirations and growing podcast subscribers made for a really interesting narrative. Although there wasn’t a lot of action, I never wanted to put this book down. I felt so fully immersed in the community of Frick Island and I loved the depth of Piper and Ander’s motivations and personalities. It’s clear that Oakley gave a good deal of thought to developing realistic characters. This was a delightful story unlike anything I’ve ever read, and is a perfect summer read.

Reviews to be posted in May and links added then.

4.5 stars
Ahhh, what a wonderful book! Filled with hope, love, friendship and--dare I say?--insanity.
This novel filled me with such wonderful feelings and a few tears. It's everything we always hope humanity will be.

It's the story of Piper, a resident of tiny Frick Island (population 93), whose husband Tom's boat capsizes and his body is not found, but he's presumed dead. Until one day she wakes up and there he is lying in bed next to her! No one else can see him, but they all pretend they do because they love Piper and want to protect her. Anders is a journalist with a fledgling podcast who comes to Frick Island to cover a puff piece, and finds so much more--a puzzle, a mystery, and a growing adoration for a group of quirky people.

This book is a love story. A love story about a couple separated too soon, but also the love story of a group of people who love their island home and the others who live there. It's a novel brimming with emotion, and readers will not be able to stop rooting for the success of everyone involved.

When you open up a Colleen Oakley book, you know you are in for a unique experience. This new title did not disappoint. Piper is a very young widow with an island full of people who care about her enough to suspend belief. Anders is an up and coming journalist with a passion for podcasts with corny titles. When Anders meets Piper while on Frick Island to cover the annual cake walk, he is fascinated by her missing yet present husband situation. He begins a new podcast thinking of it as separate from a place where there is little to no internet (still dial up!). His decision to base a podcast on the island mushrooms beyond his control when the long awaited cell phone tower is completed. The chickens are coming home to roost in a big way for Anders. This book is a delightful escape and filled with many unexpected twists and turns. The Author's Note sealed the deal for me. I loved the fact that Oakley was inspired to write this book after visiting a similar place in Chesapeake Bay. A Reading Guide is included and this would make such a great book group choice with opportunities to discuss grief, living a simpler life, stewardship of the world God has given us, and career choices.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

A delightful book about a small island that is being eroded away by climate change, it’s quirky inhabitants, and the secrets they have been keeping.

This book gave me cozy mystery vibes while keeping the same format and writing style that I expect from Colleen Oakley.

The book had me sucked into the story very early on and I couldn’t stop reading.

I’m still not sure how I feel about the Ethics of the podcast or the chemistry between Anders and Piper but overall I’m very happy with it.

I loved every single quirky character in this novel! I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into with this one but wow! I really enjoyed it! Piper is living on a small island and loses her husband in a boating accident. Problem is, Piper can’t bear to face the reality of her husband Tom's death. Piper lives life by pretending he is alive and the dear townspeople go with it. Which instantly made me love each and every one of them. A reporter, Anders, comes to town and turns everyone's word upside down. This is such a unique story -- you just gotta read it!

While it has an unusual premise, I trusted that Colleen Oakley would give me a good story and she did. The character development was on point and the setting was just perfect. I felt like I was really there. The island setting was so unique, but I felt like I was really there. I'm glad I picked up this book.

Thank you to Berkely Publishing and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy.

In true Colleen Oakley fashion this one just grabbed my heart strings! There is something so engrossing and eloquent about her writing! She has easily become a favorite author of mine!

The main characters in this book, Pipers and Andres are just perfection! They are both such well thought out, imperfect and relatable characters. Even the side characters were so well done that I could picture someone I knew being them.

Now let’s talk settings, Frick Island is somewhere I need to visit immediately! Every single place mentioned was so vivid! From the bed and breakfast to the diner.

I will say the first little bit of the book was on the slower side and I truly didn’t know where the book was headed but once I connected the pieces I was in love! This story is such a sweet story of loss, grief, love and small town. I could easily picture this one being a must see movie!

I frickin' loved this book.

This book made me teary-eyed, had me laughing out loud and in general was just so well-written and sweet and genuine and heartfelt. I don't read a lot of books in this genre but if most of them are like The Invisible Husband of Frick Island than I'm really missing out.

"Piper side-eyed him. 'I know you're a reporter, but you've really got to stop asking so many questions.' And that was how Anders ended upon a dead man's bicycle following Piper down the windy deserted path toward Graver's Beach."

Piper's husband, Tom, disappeared during a huge storm. His boat sank and although his body wasn't found, he was presumed dead. Then one day Piper announces that Tom has returned, and the whole town indulges her, and acts as if he really is there. Anders is a small-town reporter who comes to Frick Island to cover a cake walk, and thinks there might be a bigger story about climate change. A story that could boost his reporting career. And then he meets Piper...and Tom....

This book is just too sweet. If you haven't read it, you really need too. And I promise you will frickin' love it.

Thank you to @berkley for a copy of this book. Set in a small island that is only accessible by a ferry, this book is about grief, a town that cares for everyone, change and romance. Anders is sent to report on the famous cake walk on Frick Island and discovers something off about the island. He comes back each week as he learns more about the residence of Frick Island. The interaction between Frick and the islanders are full of laughs. I wished the book shared a bit more about Anders podcast so I can understand how it was attracting subscribers.

Well this was a good one! A contemporary romance set on the tiny Frick Island in Chesapeake Bay. And when I say tiny, I'm talking like 100 people. Piper Parrish lives on this island and is happy, except for the fact that her husband Toms crab boat capsized and his body never recovered. She still continues to talk to Tom, and do the things that they used to do together...like he's still alive. The other folks on the island love Piper and just go right along with it. Then Anders Caldwell, a reporter, comes to Frick Island to cover their Cake Walk. When he meets Piper, he really falls for her. But what he is trying to understand is why everyone is pretending as if Tom is still there. He doesn't get how Piper can believe that Tom.is actually still there.

I absolutely adored this story. It was so heartwarming. I loved the people of Frick Island, and Piper wAs just a lovely, sweet character. This deals with loss, grief, friendships and new beginnings. Such a unique read, and I really loved Oakley's writing. I can't wait to check out more of her books!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own!

Frick Island is full of unique and fresh characters. Piper is the most unique character among them. Her husband Tom is dead, or is he...she believes he is still alive.

Anders, sorry I didn’t get his character at all. Anders didn’t seem like someone I would like to know in real life. I question his morals. How could he broadcast Piper’s ‘delusions’ via his podcast? Honestly, I was waiting for a big show down about the podcast, but it didn’t really happen.

When the book started, I couldn’t figure out if Tom was dead or not...I’m not going to spoil that for you but all is revealed in the end.

The book alternates between Anders and Piper’s POV. It helped because I probably wouldn’t have understood what was going on with these characters without hearing their POV.

The book slowed down for me in the middle, but picked up for the big finish. The plot was laid out so well it really made the ending a surprise. Although, the book didn’t end the way I thought it would.

Piper Parrish’s husband Tom is dead — although she doesn’t appear to think so. He disappeared when his crab boat capsized, so it’s unlikely he survived.
Piper carries on conversations with him, walks him to the docks and meets him for dinner at a local restaurant. And the people of the small town decide it’s best to go along with her delusion.
When journalist Anders Caldwell comes to the island to cover a local fundraiser for the community newspaper, he discovers that the real story is Piper Parrish and just why all of these people are willing to pretend Tom is alive. Anders has his eye on improving his lot as a podcaster, and this is the perfect topic. The key will be getting Piper and everyone else to talk with him.
I loved this book, which tells two love stories at once: those of Tom and Piper, as well as Piper and the community members who love her.

Heartwarming!
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley was a cute and unique story with enough serious subject matter to engage me, and plenty of mystery to keep me turning pages. The best takeaway is the message that everybody grieves in their own way.

I liked the tiny island community (based on a real island off Maryland) and how close-knit they are. They were pretty standoffish to visitors, but that helped keep up the mystery a bit. Each character had a little quirkiness that made them pretty endearing, and they were all in each others' business which was fun.

For much of the book, I was on the fence about how I felt about it because I what was happening wasn’t going to help Piper. However, by the end all the pieces fit together and I liked the well-resolved and sweet ending. (There was a pretty unpredictable twist that I appreciated, as well!)

This was definitely unlike any other book I've read before and will make a great beach read!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fantastic novel that had me enraptured in the story from the very beginning.
One that you want to read for sure - you will love it !!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for fair and honest review.

Piper Parrish thinks her husband is still alive, despite all the evidence that shows he was lost at sea in a boating accident. For some reason, The people on the tiny little island she lives on support her delusional idea even though they know it’s not true.
Anders is a journalist from the mainland who has been sent out to cover the annual Cake Walk that they have been holding for decades, though it’s losing steam over the years. After his first visit, he starts a podcast about the tiny islanders and their lives, and starts to uncover all kinds of things he never expected to.
In coming back and forth to the island to get stories for his podcasts, he meets Piper and finds out from the townspeople what some will do in the name of love. As his podcast grows in popularity, issues crop up between him and Piper and him and the townspeople and Anders has to figure out hats best for him and for them, and if they can be the same thing.
I was truly on the fence with this book for a vast majority of it because I felt like what was going on wasn’t going to help Piper, but by the end all the pieces fit together and I liked the ending.
I think this is going to make a perfect beach read this summer.
Thanks to Berkley publishers and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.