Island Apart

By: Steven Raichlen

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Claire Doheney, recovering from a serious illness, agrees to house-sit an oceanfront mansion on Chappaquiddick Island in Martha's Vineyard. The New York book editor hopes to find solace, strength, and sufficient calm to finish a biography of the iconoclastic psychotherapist Wilhelm Reich. The last thing she expects to find is love. Then she meets a mysterious man the locals call the Hermit. No one knows his real name or where he lives.

Quite by accident and to their mutual surprise, Claire and the stranger discover that they share a passion for cooking. As Claire gets to know the Hermit, she finds rare qualities in a man most people have long since dismissed as an outcast. As Claire comes to appreciate this tiny island, with its colorful inhabitants, she experiences healing, redemption, and a happiness she hasn't known for years....

Until she discovers what drove the Hermit into seclusion. Will his terrible secret bring them closer together? Or drive them apart forever? The clock is ticking. Can Claire make peace with her disaffected daughter, callous ex-husband, and cynical boss? Can she let love into her life once more before it's too late?

Told by a New York Times best-selling author and international TV host with a keen eye for Chappaquiddick's extraordinary natural beauty, Island Apart has it all - romance, history, travel, crime, lovemaking of exquisite intensity, and cooking scenes so vivid, they'll make your taste buds ache with hunger. Funny, tender, engaging, poignant, and ultimately triumphant, Steven Raichlen's novel is a smart love story - not to mention a terrific beach listen.

©2012 Steven Raichlen (P)2012 AudioGO

I’m crying 😢

This story is so heartfelt & poignant. Beautifully written it captures the essence of life, love & loss. The first few chapters moved slowly and I almost gave up. I’m so very glad that I didn’t. The varied characters became like family to me. A hodgepodge of humanity that a loving, courageous woman brought together. Reminded me to never judge a book by its cover. I loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone! It’s a solid 10 in my book! :)

Good read

Very interesting story about life and the struggles people endure. The descriptive language is very rich.

Excellent story

kept me listening. couldn't stop. it was a very heart warming story, had tears a few times . a must read/listen!

Not Easy Listening

You need a scorecard to keep track of all the characters. At the end of the book I still only knew who a few of them were. The narrator is excellent, easy to listen to. The book is quirky enough to make you keep going even when on irrelevant rabbit trails.

Delicious!

This is a gem of a book for foodies, but it’s more than that. The characters and their stories tug at the heartstrings without being maudlin. I loved it!

HOPEFUL ROMANTIC AND TASTY!

I liked it. I think it is mostlyabout how life even in its hardest is always giving something good.I could go on that line of thoughts, but suffice it to say that it leaves you warm and content.
Also it has a realistic approach to relationships, very refreshing to listen that love is not only for teens and young beautiful people!
And if you enjoy food, well the story interlaces the smells, flavors and feelings in a very smart way.
I think it is definitively worthwhile.

The narrator is good, my only complaint is that sometimes the voices are not very differentiated from one another which in turn makes it hard to know who's talking.

This was a beautifully written book

The story is uplifting. It is the age old story that one person really can make a difference.
The way it is written doesn't allow for your mind to wonder.
The characters are endearing.

I really enjoyed this book! Highly recommend it.

Very interesting story about a woman her friends and a hermit. It far exceeded my expectations!

Wonderful book

This book grabs you at the beginning and I could it put it down until I finished it. This is a must listen to!!!

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. Well written and entertaining . Happy times, sad times, and crazy fun. Loved the mix of characters. Narrator was excellent.