I wasn't crazy about this story and felt that through all the danger and romance, there was a sense of impatience and plot that didn't sit well nor connect with. I was quickly invested however there felt like some irrelevant plot points that dragged me out way too much.

This was such a wonderful dual-timeline book! The author had such a way of describing things and people, it was easy to close my eyes and imagine certain scenes. If done right, it would make a fantastic movie. I just wanted to be left alone to read what was going to happen next and I was genuinely sorry when I read the very last sentence.

I was fascinated by the mystery of the lighthouse. I thought at first Mari was somehow secretly related to the families in the story, but then I figured it out, because of course someone had to be. Why would you be that invested in the lighthouse, the shipwreck, and the history, if you weren't? And it's perfectly fine when the reader figures it out; it spoils nothing and it makes the story more exciting, to see how long it will take for Mari to put all the pieces together.

There was never a point where I found myself skimming the book. None of the details were boring and never once did it feel like a history lecture.

This is one of my favorite books so far this year. I hope it catches on, because it deserves to be well-and widely-loved. Bravo on an excellent debut novel. I look forward to reading many more books by this author!

Thanks, Netgalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are mine and freely given. READ IT!

3.5 stars For some reason. I thought this was going to be a slow-go for me. I’m not sure at what point the story and some of the characters grabbed me, but I was quickly invested. I wasn’t crazy about the side story of the salvagers/treasure hunters and their mischief, but I guess that line was necessary in order to weave in the twists. Throwing in the danger and romance, I’m sure, was a necessary part of the recipe, but I found myself getting impatient with it.

Swan Light is beautifully written with an alluring sense of place that I sunk into, and felt more familiar with, each time I picked up the book. That said, I hardly put the book down! I had a lovely weekend curled up, absorbing myself in the lives of Mari in the present and Swan 100 years in the past. Who knew a lighthouse could be so evocative? I couldn't wait for all the threads of the story to pull together so I could find out what really happened... An emotional read with family secrets at its heart.

Marine archaeology, treasure hunting, family rivalry, a missing lighthouse, and a dash of romance - Swan Light has it all!

The story unfolds across two timelines - 1913 (where we meet Silvy Swan, keeper of Swan Lighthouse) and 2014 (where Mari, a marine archaeologist, has been commissioned to find a lighthouse in Newfoundland that no one believes ever existed).

Swan Light is an exciting story with an intriguing mystery at its center. I enjoyed the characters, particularly Mari, and it was so interesting to learn more about marine archaeology and wreck diving. It took me a while to keep all of the characters/families straight early on in the story but I was soon immersed in both timelines and how they converged. Recommended to anyone looking for an unusual and entertaining read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

A sweeping, emotional tale of hope and perseverance, Swan Light weaves together the stories of two people separated by a century but connected by family, purpose, and one extraordinary lighthouse.
An unforgettable story. It's beautiful all through, but the closing chapters are just astonishing, transcendent and hope-filled and life-affirming.

An interesting premise, backed up by good writing, interesting characters and a solid story line. The mystery is just enough to keep you guessing til the end

The Newfoundland setting alone was enough to make me want to read this book - and the dual-timeline plot is also a favourite technique of mine. But once I started reading Swan Light, what really made me fall for this book is the poetic writing. With evocative descriptions that vividly bring to life each era and, most of all the marine setting, this book is one I'll remember for a long time.

This was such an enthralling and uplifting read! I was fully engrossed in the mysteries of Swan, the Rolands and Mari's quest to unravel it all! I loved Mari's character and her drive to uncover the secrets of the lighthouse. The author did such a fantastic job of building a community around the lighthouse and intertwined families and histories. Additionally, it's clear how much research went into not only lighthouses and ships of the early 1900's, but underwater treasure hunting! I truly loved this book and can't wait to see what this author does next!

What an exciting read this debut novel is, the action taking place over two different timelines. The characters in both timelines leap off the page so it feels as if you're reading about real people instead of fictional characters. In 2014, we meet Mari, a diver and explorer of ship wrecks; an impatient woman with a hunger for results. In 1913, we meet Swan, the lighthouse keeper, who is trying to save the lighthouse he built in memory of his brother who died at sea. As Mari explores and Swan swallows his pride to try to get help, other people are sucked into their crusades - people whose lives will become entwined with theirs, and who will change both characters fundamentally.

As the action builds, and the mystery of what happened to Swan Light is gradually revealed, I found myself quickly turning the pages, wanting to know what happened. The author has obviously carried out lots of research in order to write this novel, and the settings and events seems completely authentic. I wanted to dive with Mari, and to watch Swan tend to the lighthouse.

I very much look forward to reading more books by this author.

This was my first book to read by this author but won't be my last! The story and its characters will stick with you long after you finish the story. Highly recommend!

Swan light weaves together two stories. One from 100 years ago as the elderly lighthouse keeper struggles with the fear that the swan lighthouse that he has been custodian of for the whole of his life may now disappear off the cliff and into the sea. Present day Mari has been hired for her diving skill and given the task of piecing together the story of what happened to the lighthouse.

A beautifully written book that moves effortlessly between the past and present and provides us with the links between the families in the Newfoundland town and how both joy and tragedy shaped their actions.

This book was different from what ive been reading and i liked way it was writte.n and how botth stories unfolded centuries apart what a great concept of a story

I love anything that has a story or pictures of lighthouses. So, when I seen this book with a lighthouse on the front I knew I had to have it.
I most certainly enjoyed reading this book. Yes, I lost some sleep but it was oh so worth it. This was an awesome adventure!
I was wondering how this one would turn out. I wasn't disappointed.
I was pleasantly surprised in how the author weaved past and present together. She has done a marvelous job. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
Here's a favorite quote from a song that was mentioned in this story
"Waiting for you, under the moonlight, waiting for me,down by the sea so hold tight your lady and count your lucky stars".
Here's another favorite quote and this one will make you want to look inside your own self
"Look for the people, Evangeline said, not just the wrecks they leave behind. "
5 stars for a job well done. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A historical mystery et on the coast of Newfoundland near St John’s in a small town of Norman Cliffs. Silvestre Swan is the lighthouse keeper of Swan Light in 1913 and in 2014 Mari Adams is contracted to research the Swan Light and recover any remains of the lighthouse that from the ocean near Norman Cliffs.
In 1913 Silvestre Swan is concerned that the Swan Lighthouse is in danger of falling into the ocean because the cliff it is gradually falling away. His pleas to save the lighthouse are being ignored.
I loved the way the storylines unfold for Silvestre Swan and Mari Adams. Mari’s research of Norman Cliffs and the Swan Lighthouse gradually uncovers what happened in 1913. The pace is fast and there is lots of action between rival salvagers.

Swan Light is a touching and compulsively readable story steeped in history. The dual timelines and the uncovering of various mysteries and family secrets kept me turning the pages, but it was the vividly drawn characters—including the lighthouse!—the gorgeous writing, and the evocative setting that really got me. The author clearly did an incredible amount of research to add richness to the past timeline and authenticity to the present, but I never felt bogged down in mundane details or facts. Whether you’re an avid historical fiction reader or now, Swan Light is a beautiful story to get lost in.

It is 1913 and in the small town of Norman Cliffs, Newfoundland eighty-three-year-old Silvestre “Silvy” Swan, keeper of the Swan Light lighthouse, is struggling to find the help he needs to prevent losing the structure to the sea. Just over one hundred years later, archaeological diver Mari Adams is in the Mediterranean looking for the remains of the Californian, its story being the subject deep fascination since she was a little girl. As a door is about to close on her research, elderly Evangeline Devon, whose motives are not completely clear, hires Mari to find the remains of Swan Light, providing her with all the resources she needs. She finds out during her first dive that there are other people interested in her findings, people who will stop at nothing to get what they want. As Mari continues with her research, the threats get darker as time runs out to find the truth behind Swan Light.

This is a beautiful story about life defined by loss and the sense of a purpose it produces. It is also a story of love for family: the good as well as the misguided, and about the ways we honor those we love through memory and the preservation of their story. The plot is engaging and contains interesting historical facts. The author’s descriptions of Silvy’s and Mari’s observations and feelings about their surroundings are heartfelt and transporting. I loved joining Silvy in his quiet, everyday life, his love for his older brother, his memories, and his courage. I also loved that this novel fed into my fascination for lighthouses.

If you enjoy genuine, heartfelt characters, history, intrigue, and a tiny amount of romance, this book is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book prior to its release.

I'm not sure the blurb does this debut justice, because I wasn't sure what to expect, but from the first pages, I was IN. I love dual timelines and this one delivered. I found myself equally interested and invested in Mari's story in 2014 as I was with Silvy's in 1913, which is hard to achieve as a writer. The pace was perfect, the mystery unfolded expertly, and I didn't want it to end. All a recipe for a wonderful journey.

I was drawn to this book as it is about a lighthouse. A favourite topic of mine.

Written through 2 different eras, story is told about the planning of building a lighthouse built in Nico's name which over the years falls in to the sea and 2014 where Mari is hired to find the lighthouse in the sea.

Too many characters going about from different families for me to keep up with to be honest but enjoyable enough to follow some of the main characters. Chapters are labelled up with a person and year so we can keep track of that well enough.

Great debut novel though. Really enjoyed reading this. Very atmospheric and some exciting scenes well written. Some gripping moments.

Looking forward to seeing Phoebe next book

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advance reader copy of Swan Light.
This book pulled me in with that beautiful cover and description. The story made me get that intangible feeling of time seeping through your fingers like grains of sand. I enjoyed the alternating timelines and narratives, with elements of romance being well incorporated into the story. A great read overall.