The discovery of a child washed up on the sands after a winter storm is a catalyst for the inhabitants of a tiny Scottish village to revisit events in the past which have had a profound impact on members of their community. The Fisherman’s Gift is a story that is both bleak and beautiful and so evocative of both the time and place in which it is set. Fantastic writing; highly recommended.

It's astounding that this is a debut novel because the writing style is so haunting and beautiful and the tightly woven storylines between these characters in a small Scottish village are so intricate. There is a sense of melancholy throughout but I loved that there were glimmers of lightness for the various characters towards the hopeful open ending. My heart absolutely ached for Dorothy throughout. I'll be looking out for future work from Julia Kelly!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story. Hard to believe that this is a debut novel as it is so well written.
When you read this you will need a few tissues but it is so worth it.

It's been a while since I read such a beautiful book. Poignant and heart breaking at times, but ultimately redemptive. The characters are deftly drawn and I felt that I knew them: Dorothy the teacher, whose awkward introduction as she met the women in the village shop seals her fate, and charismatic fisherman Joseph.

So moving, so beautifully written and with a gorgeous, evocative setting. This book broke my heart, and I loved it!

What a wonderful read! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this review copy.
Beautifully written, poignant, sad, lost loves, forgiveness, friendship- all covered in this story set on a remote Scottish island, where the bleakness and beauty is vividly portrayed. This is a real treat of a book and I enjoyed it immensely.

What a beautiful, beautiful book!
A hard winter in 1900 and a small Scottish fishing village is the backdrop for this story of loss and grief, of love, secrets and misunderstandings.
A child is found and this is the catalyst to the locals all having to address their past behaviour and ask some hard questions of what went before.
At the heart is Dorothy who battles her deep-seated grief after the loss of her own child and also Joseph, a local fisherman, whose life is entwined with hers.
The tension rises as the story moves into the later stages and I don't mind admitting I was sobbing as I read some of the last passages.

A truly immersive and poignant story that offers hope while it breaks your heart. Not many books have the power to stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Without doubt, this is one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Kelly and to Harvill Secker for the opportunity to read this early copy.