Enchanted Isle

By: Melanie Dobson

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

In the spring of 1958, Jenny Winter embarks on a two-month adventure to one of the most enchanting places on earth, a quaint village in England's magical Lake District. With a new camera and an eye for capturing the beauty others miss, she can't wait to explore the heathery fells and mystical waters. Adrian Kemp, a handsome and enigmatic local, makes the sightseeing even more beguiling - and he's about to invite Jenny into one of the area's most enduring legends.

When Adrian shows Jenny his late father's abandoned dream, a deserted island amusement park, she glimpses a kindred spirit in this reckless, haunted young man. Yet as she opens her heart to Adrian, the two stumble into a labyrinth of mystery leading back a generation to an unforgettable romance and an unsolved murder that still casts a shadow over the lakes. As long-held secrets come to light, it's left to Jenny and Adrian to put the past to rest and restore a lost dream.

©2017 Melanie Dobson (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Mesmerizing Tale of Love and Loss

This story of a mother and a daughter who both traveled to England (one in 1935, the other in 1958) is almost like a fairy tale, but better. The book opens to Gilbert Kemp going to The Enchanted Isle to retrieve his brother, Simon, who was late coming home from the amusement park that he and Curtis Sloan owned together. It was the end of the season, and they were about to close it up for the winter. What Gilbert found would haunt him for the rest of his life. Simon, his older brother, leaning over a dead Curtis, with a knife in his hand, Simon declaring that he hadn’t killed his friend. Gilbert buried the secret, and Simon went off to fight in WWII, and was killed. Fast forward to 1958: Young Jenny Winter, about to turn 21 embarks on the trip of a lifetime to the Lake District of England, before being forced to marry a man she doesn’t love (to please her grandfather, a domineering man, who is used to getting his way). Having spent her whole lifetime protected and sheltered, and made to feel she could never accomplish anything important on her own, she arrived in England to stay with, Cora, a friend of her mother’s. Jenny faces her first obstacle, having to learn to ride a bicycle, when Cora tells her she can’t chauffeur her around. Her mother, now a widow, had done little to discourage her father’s high handedness with Jenny. But Liz, her mom, had bought the ticket for Jenny to visit England and encouraged her to spread her wings before settling down and becoming a wife. Remembering her own summer in England, Liz had told Jenny about the Enchanted Isle and the amusement park, but not about the young man who had stolen her heart all those years ago. The story is beautifully told, interweaving the two time lines, as well as the mystery of the murder of Curtis Sloan, and the death of another young man years later. Jenny’s encounters with Adrian and their growing friendship melted my heart. The gentle faith of his uncle Gilbert after what he had encountered in 1935 and how the Lord redeemed him and blessed his life was uplifting. This is one of my favorite authors, and she always surprises me. Beautiful tale of love, loss and the power of faith.

Truly enchanting

This is a wonderful book. It has the mystery, the sincerity, great characters, and dialog I've come to respect with Melanie Dobson. I found myself wishing this was a series. I highly recommend you take a trip to the lovely Lake District and listen to Enchanted Isle.

sweet story

Yeah for another great story about following your heart. well read and written. highly recommend

Great Book!

This was such a great book. I listened to it free through my Amazon Unlimited subscription. The narration was done very well. The story line of this book was enchanting, as well as mysterious & heartwarming. I loved every bit of this story, the characters came to life & was such an enjoyable read.

Magical

Loved this, a little hard to get into at first but worth it. I loved the magic of enchanted isle.

Very disappointed

I rarely write reviews but I didn't like this book. It was boring, predictable and I didn't like all the religious stuff thrown in. It really took me out of the story. I also didn't like the narration. Terrible accents. The only thing I liked was the descriptions of the amusement park. Save your credits for something better.

Another Good Story

The story was interesting and the narration was excellent. However the last few chapters were too repetitive at a time when you want to move forward in the story not rehash everything we already know.

Secrets only destroy if kept buried

It’s amazing that in fiction and every day life how people believe secrets will protect them when it’s the absolute opposite. The Truth will set you free. Inspired Author with very interesting perspectives

Always a great story!

I loved Jenny & Adrian-very good story.
The Lake District in England is gorgeous; you must see it someday.

A wonderful story of forgiveness and belonging set in England

I want to visit England to go to Enchanted Isle and meet the characters who I now consider friends. A lovely and engaging story of a young woman trying to find her own way into the world and the belonging she has always craved. It’s a delightful and magical tale wrapped in hope. Another amazing story by the incredibly talented Melanie Dobson!