This is a dual timeline story that takes place on the coast. It is heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. I was a little frustrated with the main character's decisions at times, but it fit with the era. Women could only do so much. I loved that the mood of the book fit the weather of the village. Kind of dark and drear and damp and cold. You could become completely immersed. A little long, but definitely recommend.

Set in 1900 Skerry – a small Scottish fishing village, where a child’s arrival, washed up at shore, shakes this tight-knit community.

Dorothy takes the temporary care of the child. Despite the resemblance, she knows it can’t be her child lost to waters years earlier, same age as this boy now.

The story goes back in time, and at first, is narrated between two women. Dorothy when she comes to this tiny village as a teacher and how she is mocked by other women for no reason and how isolated she feels. And Agnes, who has her eyes on Joseph, but Joseph has his eyes on the newcomer.

The past narrative of Dorothy and Joseph reveals touchingly the story of Moses, Dorothy’s son, and who the father is. The present narrative uncovers the story of the mysterious boy.

There is much more to the storyline, uncovering human relationships, how we assume things, instead of asking questions. How those assumptions can lead to wrong decisions, lasting lifetime. There is also mother’s grief of losing a child. The backstories are poignantly woven, touching on human emotions.

As the story progresses, it moves to other people’s narrative and it continues to switch between present and past time. It may sound overwhelming with different points of view and two timelines but it’s not. It’s very clearly narrated.

The storyline is absorbing. The prose is splendid. The chapters are short, making the pages flip quickly.

It might sound as a sad story in its entirety but there is something heart-warming about discovering oneself, finding the way through grief, opening oneself once again to others. And what one receives in return when becoming vulnerable, can bring rewards one may not have even imagined.

Itn 1900 Skerry,, a small Scottish fishing village, there is a bad storm. During the storm, a young boy washes up on the shore. He bears an uncanny resemblance to teacher Dorothy’s son, lost to the sea at the same age many years before, his body never found. The village is soon snowed in, and Dorothy agrees to look after the child until they can uncover the mystery of his origins. But over time, the lines between reality and desperate hope start to blur as the boy reminds Dorothy more and more of her own lost child. The boy’s arrival also finally forces Dorothy to face the truth about her love affair with Joseph, the fisherman who found the boy on the shore and who has been the subject of whispers connecting him to the drowning of Dorothy’s son years earlier. As the past rises to meet the present, long-buried secrets are unearthed within this tight-knit community, and the child’s arrival becomes a catalyst for something far greater than any of them could imagine.

I read the author's previous work so knew what a good writer she was and this book was no exception. She describes the coast of Scotland in a way that makes you want to go there, and her characterizations add to the story. Emotions run high as the search for the mother progresses. Will the boy's mother be found or will Dorothy keep him? Also, what about Joseph? These questions kept me reading into the night to find the answers. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read another outstanding book by Julia Kelly.

A small boy is found on the shore of a small fishing village and a local teacher discovers him and finds herself taking care of him. This book is filled with the emotions of heartbreak, love, and grief. The author does a great job characterizing the townspeople in the Scottish village - this story is one that will stay with you for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC.

This book delivered everything it promised. I loved it so much.

Synopsis: A young boy washes up on the shores of a small Scottish town. He looks remarkably similar to a boy involved in a tragic accident years earlier. Dorothy's a new teacher who's never been fully welcomed or accepted by the town. Joseph's a fisherman, and town favorite, who's always had feelings for Dorothy, something the other women of the town are not happy about. The boy's appearance surfaces old lies and tragedies, forcing the town to reflect on their pasts and potential futures.

There are multiple POVs. The timeline alternates between the past and present. Once I started this book I could not put it down. The story was told in a beautiful and thrilling way, slowly revealing what exactly happened in everyone's past and why the characters are they way they are. All the townspeople's lives were so interconnected and it was a bit terrifying to see the impact a fib or action could have on someone's life a few times removed. Some of the reveals you were slowly led to, and some absolutely shocked me.

Dorothy and Joseph are the two main characters. I loved them and wanted to shake them at the same time. I often wished they'd be more open and honest with each other, but at the same time their character's were given so much depth that they reticence to be honest made complete sense to me.

If you like The Light Between Oceans, The Lighthouse Witches, and/or books about small Scottish towns - then you absolutely NEED to read this one.

This book swept me away to the wilds of Scotland and the fictional Skerry Sands, a small fishing village on the coast. Told in dual, alternating timelines, it follows the story of young Dorothy, hired from the mainland, to be the schoolteacher for the small village. Beneath the surface of the idyllic village lie the hidden secrets of its many residents. Rumors abound with Dorothy often at their center. Dorothy is accepted by the village, but never truly becomes a part of their lives. Her only true friend is Joseph, but she believes he is promised to another. When a boy is found washed up on shore, Dorothy reluctantly agrees to take him in until his parents can be found. The young boy reminds her of her own son, Moses, who mysteriously perished in the sea years ago. Julia R. Kelly beautifully blends the two stories, into a beautiful, mysterious, and mystical character driven book that had me spellbound from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the book! Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

The story takes place in a small village along the coast of Scotland. A place where everyone knows everything. The main character, Dorothy arrives as the new school teacher. As an outsider she difficulty fitting in, the women shun her. She's used it from growing up, but the man she's interested in decidedly pushes away since some of the women claim he is already spoken for.

But the larger issue in the book is about a young child that washed up on the shore after a big storm. Dorothy takes him in, cares for him until his family can be found. This boy is about the same age as hers who was lost in a big storm many years ago. Taking care of the boy helps her to heal, come to terms with all that's happened in the past.

The book is told in two timelines, then and now, where then isn’t exactly told when but around 15 years ago, maybe more. It’s a fairly sad book. There are so many misunderstandings, secrets kept, and the absolute tragedy of losing a child.

This was an unusual story. While I really enjoyed it for the most part I also found parts to be tedious. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and to me it’s important to do that. Overall though it was an ok book.

This is a heartbreaking story. A woman, Dorothy, loses her child, Moses, to the sea, the love of her life, Joseph, to fate, and her husband, Willian, from the lies. Many secrets are kept and most of the women in the town are brutally cruel to her. Especially Agnes. Agnes was head over heals in love with Joseph and convinced that he would have been hers if not for Dorothy. Oh how she hated Dorothy.

This story is well written and will take your breath away in places. It keeps you wanting to know who this child is. The one found on the beach. The one that looks so much like Moses. The one who can't speak. Who doesn't seem to remember who he is or where he is from. Then the preacher asks Dorothy to care for him for a while. His wife just gave birth and it's a bit much. Even with the help they have. At first Dorothy is very apprehensive about it. She doesn't want to be taken back to that time. But she agrees and from there she finds her way. Or does she?

Dorothy and Joseph should have been together. They should have made a life together. They should have had years of happiness. And no one really deserved the abuse that Agness ultimately ended up with. Until she grew tired of it.

Thank you #NetGalley, #Simon&Schuster for this ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

The author presented a very intriguing story. The tale kept my interest and kept me involved with the characters. A good read.

In 1900, the coastal Scottish village of Skerry, is the setting for dramatic events that echo through the village and its inhabitants. A small young boy is found washed ashore after one of the horrendous storms that frequent the seaside. He is discovered by Joseph, a fisherman, who brings him to the safety of the townspeople. The boy, in shock and not speaking, bears an uncanny resemblance to Dorothy’s son who was lost at sea years ago.

When Dorothy is asked to care for him, she tentatively assumes that role. In this act, she reflects upon her past – how she came to teach in the village, her deep yet mixed feelings for Joseph (the fisherman), and her ostracization by the townswomen. But Dorothy is not the only one affected by the boy’s arrival. It seems others have been suppressing memories and wracked with decisions that bore guilt.

This is more of a romantic novel (as in the older tradition) than a true romance. Readers will be rewarded by excellent characterizations, descriptions, and revelatory secrets. It stays with you beyond the final pages. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

This slow-paced, character-driven, historical fiction novel will break your heart again and again. It’s a book that deserves your time and attention to savor every word. I was captivated by the profound storytelling experience.

In many ways, this story is a tragedy focusing on secrets, lies, jealousy, and shame. It is also a story of triumph, growth, and acceptance. The story explores the delicate balance between pain and joy, the weight of monumental mistakes and transformative decisions, the struggle between pride and shame, and the aching loneliness of exclusion. It also celebrates love, the beauty of motherhood, and the strength of community. This deeply human narrative resonates on an emotional level, depicting universal feelings we all recognize, even if the events themselves are different from our own experiences.

The dual timelines are brilliantly structured, offering glimpses into both the past and present of Dorothy, the protagonist, and the small Scottish fishing village where she lives. The writing is exquisite, evoking vivid imagery of the town, the weather, the sea, and the shore. Each character is essential to the narrative, and all are written with care and authenticity.

This is the kind of book you clutch to your chest when you finish reading. You’ll love the characters, embracing both their flaws and their virtues. You’ll empathize with their mistakes and celebrate their successes. You may even wish for different outcomes, but you’ll understand their inevitability.

It’s a novel that is unquestionably worth reading.

Thank you @netgalley and @simonbooks for the eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Haunting but gentle and atmospheric, The Fisherman's Gift gradually lifts the veil on the stories of the residents of a remote fishing village on a Scottish island, largely cut off from the mainland during the winter months. When a young boy is washed up on the shore, barely alive and not speaking, old wounds are reopened and long-held secrets come to light.

This read really grew on me! I was a bit skeptical at the start, but as multiple characters slide more and more towards desperation, the tensions pick up and there are some really beautiful pieces about grief, guilt, and forgiveness. I initially gave it a 4.0 but might bump it up a little bit higher yet - I really enjoyed!

While this book was filled with sadness, heartache and loneliness, it was also encouraging. Told through multiple views, the story of Dorothy shows us the cost of isolation and the benefits of breaking out of isolation. This is a very satisfying work of historical fiction. Thanks #NetGalley #Simon&Schuster

Julia Kelly has an amazing knack of transporting your mind to a rural Scottish fishing village in 1900. Immediately my heart went out to Dorothy, a young woman who grew up unloved has arrived in Skerry to become a teacher. She is ostracized by the other women and is drawn to a young fisherman, Joseph. Another young woman in the village has set her sights on him and Dorothy’s place in the village becomes even more awkward. The connection between Dorothy and Joseph both fascinates her and repels her. This ongoing dance between attraction and aversion continues during her entire life in Skerry. As the reader becomes immersed in this engrossing story so many questions come to mind.
Julia R. Kelly brings us back and forth in time during Dorothy’s life in Skerry helping us to make sense of an event that changed many in the village forever. Told by several of the villagers, the reader slowly begins to piece together this tragedy and many of the questions are answered.
The cold, forbidding setting added to the atmosphere, as did the seemingly unforgiving unwelcoming nature of the villagers. The only warmth seemed to be in the endless cups of tea. At times it almost became otherworldly with me questioning could this be possible?
Right in the midst of this absorbing read I had cataract surgery and unfortunately had a reaction to one of the medications in the eye drops which made it impossible for me to read for over a week. All I wanted to do was finish this so I could answer the questions roaming through my mind. Tonight I was finally able to finish and as my tears flowed I felt myself at peace. I am truly in awe of the feelings that Julia R. Kelly evoked through her descriptions and the characters she helped walk out of the pages and into my heart.
Many many thanks to Julia R. Kelly, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this truly unforgettable story.

Julia R. Kelly, not to be confused with Julia Kelly, transports readers to Skerry, a small & rather insular town in Scotland -- where folks remember a boy tragically lost at sea and are then confused, as the novel opens, when a boy is found asea. Could the found boy be the first boy, the son of the schoolteacher who moved from Edinburgh and has remained a bit of an outsider, returned years later? Memories haunt the teacher and others who nurse the found boy back to health, and the interconnectedness of those involved is spelled out.

A lovely book -- with mystery, unrequited love, secrets, and so much more.

Twenty years ago, in a tiny Scottish fishing village, a little boy was lost at sea. Now in 1900, another little boy is found washed ashore. His arrival has villagers wondering not just who this boy is but will the secrets of years ago be revealed at last.

Julia R. Kelly's debut novel is wonderful. Her storytelling flows beautifully through multiple characters and timelines. This is a book to savor and enjoy all the details and nuances of early 20th century Scotland.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this. #TheFishermansGift #NetGalley

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

What a beautifully sad and touching story. The characters made my heart ache and I started rooting for the impossible. For this to take me through so much pain and still find joy, was such a pleasure.

Posted on Goodreads

The Fisherman’s Gift by Julia R Kelly
This is a novel of hope and second chances. Dorothy is the school teacher in a Scottish fishing village. She is trying to work on being kinder and more helpful to the people of the village. When she first arrived, she wasn’t welcomed with open arms and her tough exterior didn’t help things. Dorothy is carrying sorrow due to the drowning of her son Moses and is trying to move on. When a child washes ashore who looks remarkably like her son Moses, Dorothy doesn’t know how to handle this. She is asked to care for the boy and as much as she wants to decline, she decides it’s best to show that she can be relied on. From this point on in the novel we watch as Dorothy’s life changes for the better. This is a heartwarming book and I really enjoyed it. Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the arc.

The Fisherman's Gift
By Julia R. Kelly

This story is in turn sad, hopeful – heartbreaking. Dorothy Aitkins is a young Scottish woman who comes to the coastal town of Skerry where life is hard and the people have known each other all their lives. Dorothy is very reserved; thus she has a hard time fitting in.

Eventually she draws the attention of Joseph, a handsome and sought-after fisherman. Dorothy finds herself attracted to him, but because the word in the community says he is to marry another, she turns away and marries William. While William is a kind man, they are not compatible in the bedroom. One night, feeling lost, Dorothy walks to the Skerry Sands. There she meets Joseph, and in a weak moment, they have sex. The product of that night is a son named Moses, who all believe is William's son. Joseph's love for Dorothy is unrequited, but she continues to reject him.

When Moses is six, he hears the fairy children in the waves calling him to come out and play. In spite of the storm all around, he follows their voices, never to be seen again. Needless to say Dorothy is shattered.

Now, 20 years later, another child washes up on the Sand during a storm. Joseph rescues him and he is given to Dorothy to raise until his parents can be found. The story has come full circle bringing up all the past. How will this child affect the villagers? How will he affect Dorothy and Joseph?

This is rather a somber book. The lives of that time and place were not easy and the loss of children never leaves. But there is, in the end, hope that things will improve, that not all is lost. It is not a happy read – but is surely realistic.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Dorothy has been living a half (or less) life for many years. Raised by an overbearing mother, she escapes to a Scottish village by the sea to become the village schoolteacher, only to fall in love with a man she believes to belong to someone else. She drifts into a marriage that has affection but no real love and finds solace in her son, Moses. But when Moses disappears, she is inconsolable.

Years later, a boy is found on the beach just as a harsh winter takes hold. Discovered by Joseph, the man she really loved, the boy seems to bear an uncanny resemblance to Moses. As reality and fantasy mingle, Dorothy is increasingly drawn into her past and slowly realizes she must make peace with the events and people who shaped her life.

This novel was unexpectedly beautiful. Most of it is heartbreakingly sad, but Dorothy finally finds, if not happiness, at lease peace. And Joseph is chef's kiss. Now I want to escape to a Scottish village by the sea, but without the tragedy. #TheFishermansGift #NetGalley