I was so happy when I discovered that this series was going to continue beyond the original trilogy. I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to Ellen and Lucas just yet :)

Ellen and Lucas are living life in New York. It is a very exciting life, worlds away from the little island they are from, and Lucas is doing well in the world of finance. However, it is 1928 and there is a big storm brewing that they are not aware of yet. In the meantime, their little boy Jamie needs a change of scenery to help him recover from his constant chest infections, so they go out to California. Well, Lucas has to stay behind and work but Ellen and the children go. A whole other type of life awaits them, with lots of fresh air, sun and healthy activities. It sounded idyllic.

Life is not just about having fun in the sun though and Ellen and Lucas have their share of challenges to overcome, in a big way.

This was a gripping and engaging family drama of a book.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Sad it’s the last in the series, it’s been a great ride. This the 4th in series doesn’t disappoint.
Ellen and Lucas set up home in New York, they have two children Jamie and Rosie. As Jamie has chest problems it’s decided that Ellen will take the children out of the city to warmer climes. Cousin Gracie is invited along to assist with childcare, while away Ellen starts to question her relationship with Lucas. Then she bumps into Will an old friend. Now will she be true to Lucas?
Loved it, look forward to more by this author.

The Island We Left Behind is the fourth book in the Amherst Island Series. The series was originally meant to the a trilogy but I'm glad another book was added. This story is ten years after the last book and Ellen and her husband Lucas live in New York City. Lucas is a successful businessman and Ellen takes care of their two children. Their youngest son, Jamie, suffers from lung issues and the cold in New York City is not good for him. The doctor recommended he spend the winter in a warmer climate. Lucas could not get away from work but Ellen, her children and Gracie, Ellen's cousin, move to California for three months.

This book can be a standalone or read with the series. It is set in 1929, ten years after the prior book. If you have read the series, this book has a different tone to it. There are references to things in the other books, but they are explained so the reader is not lost. I enjoyed the 1920's writing and language. "Bee's knees, capital idea, modern woman, are just a few examples of the 1920's language. Its fun to read the language and thoughts of that time.

This is a quick read that I would recommend to someone who likes 1920's books, books about family, and people finding out who they really are.

The harsh coughing of Ellen Lyman’s five-year-old son Jamie tore at her heart and she was desperate to do something to help. When Jamie had been born, he was frail, and now, never a robust child, he was dangerously ill. When Ellen and Lucas took Jamie to the doctor, he confirmed their son was worse and for his sake they needed to remove him from the freezing New York winter to a sunny place with dry air. But when Lucas wasn’t able to accompany them, Ellen, Rosie – their seven-year-old daughter – and Gracie – Lucas’ cousin – took Jamie with them to California. Slowly Jamie began to fill out, to become healthier, and Rosie went to the local school, happy with new friends. Their three months had been a fun time but returning to New York was important – they all missed Lucas.

When the stock market crashed, Ellen and Lucas’ life changed. Would they return to Amherst Island where they’d first met? Where Ellen had gone when she was only twelve and declared it to be her true home? The Canadian air and all the space would be good for Jamie at least…

The Island We Left Behind is the 4th in the Amherst Island series by Kate Hewitt and I loved it. Set in the late 1920s and early 1930s, a few years later than the last book, Ellen once again showed her strength and fortitude in coping with what life was throwing at her. I’m not sure if there’ll be another after this one (as I thought it had finished at the last one) but I’d love to read on if there is 😊 Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The story of Ellen and Lucas comes full circle back to Amherst Island in this emotional finale to a series which has stretched back and forth across the Atlantic and now heads to California for part of the story. It does help, I think, to have read the earlier books to fully appreciate what these two have been through and their enduring love for one another. They're living well in NY until their son James becomes ill and Ellen takes him to California for his lungs. And then the 1929 crash comes. It's a lovely story about a family. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Excellent rad.

Another masterpiece by Kate Hewitt. Once I started reading it, I found it difficult to put down.

The story begins in New York in January 1929 where we are introduced to the family of Ellen and Lucas. Their son is ill, and their doctor suggests a warmer climate. Ellen must leave her home and her husband for the sake of her child.

Lucas is a lawyer working in finance and investments and the story is woven into the real live events of 1929 before and after the Wall Street Crash. Every character in the story is somehow affected. Once you begin to read this book you will be pulled into the emotions the characters are feeling and you won't be able to put it down.

While the characters are fictional, the whole story fits into the period in which it was written and Kate even finds time to highlight the changing status of women in society and a few other 'hot' topics of the day.

I would recommend this to all fans of Kate Hewitt's writing but also to anyone who has an interest in experiencing the life of those who have lived before us and seeing the world through their eyes. Suitable for those in their mid to late teens and old.

Early 1929, Ellen, Lucas and their two children are living a comfortable life in NYC. Lucas is a lawyer and Ellen takes care of the children, but the one issue they have is that their son, Jamie, has weak lungs and is sometimes wracked with awful coughing spells. Their doctor recommends taking Jamie somewhere with a dry climate, so reluctantly Elle, the children and Ellen’s cousin Gracie head to California.

While in California, Ellen begins to realize she’s not the same woman she used to be. Gracie has adventures of her own, as well as emotional awakenings. Jamie’s health improves, but Ellen is concerned about the health of her marriage. They return to NY for the summer, and then live through the stock market financial collapse, forcing them to return to their island roots and start over.

I enjoyed this work of historical fiction. I liked that it is different than so many of the genre these days, not focused on a war. This is the fourth book in a series, I haven’t read the others and didn’t feel like that took anything away from the story. I would consider going back and reading the others now.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I have read all of Kate Hewitt's books about Amherst Island and enjoyed all of them.. This was no exception because it had great characters and a storyline that kept you interested. Thank you for allowing me to follow the lives and actions. Read it and you will not be disappointed.

The Choice

A story of a family dealing with life, love, and hardship in the big city of New York. Ellen and Lucas left Amhurt Island for a better life in New York City. They had a good life, although Lucas had to work long hours and barely saw his family.

When their son, Jamie, grows ill from his weak lungs Ellen and Lucas know they must take Jamie to a warmer climate where he can regain his strength. Lucas, however, cannot leave his job and Ellen must make the choice to travel across the country to California with her niece Grace, and her daughter Rosie to help her son recover. It is not easy for her to be separated from Lucas.

When she returns to New York City there are troubled times and Ellen and Lucas must make some hard decisions to save their marriage and to do what is best for their family.

This is a story of love and hardship and of the resilience of a young family to recover from tragedy and to band together to make a good life for themselves and their family.

The last book in a series about Amhurt Island and the residents that lived there. It is a very good final story and I am sorry to see the series end as I have become very fond of the characters and of the story. It is well written story and I enjoyed reading it, I know that you will as well. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Kate Hewitt, for writing it, Bookouture for publishing it and NetGalley for making it available for me to read.

This is the 4th book in this series and it was again fun to be reunited with characters from Amherst Island. Ellen and Lucas are living in the midst of the time of the Great Depression. Lucas is involved in the financial end of things and it becomes very difficult for the family. I enjoyed the characters in the story!



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This is the story of Ellen and Lucas Lyman, and the choices they made, in hopes of making life better for their family. It was during a historical time, where for the health of their son, Ellen took the kids to California, while her husband stayed in New York. While they were there, the things in the United States was changing. They would soon learn how quickly things can change.
This is a story of hope, making decisions, wondering if they would make it through together, and maybe finding the life that was really meant for them, that would give them their greatest happiness, and though they weren't rich with money anymore, they would become rich in so many other ways.
I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley.

IF you love historical fiction, this is a great book! The story is very emotional and heartfelt, tugged at a few heartstrings along the way! Group characters and plot. Truly enjoyable!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have enjoyed every one of the Amherst series novels by KATE HEWITT, and THE ISLAND WE LEFT BEHIND is no exception. Whilst it can stand alone I suggest that the books should be read in sequence if possible.
The story starts in 1929 in Ellen and Lucas Lyman’s prestigious home in New York with their five year old son Jamie, who has been sickly since birth, battling to breahe in the freezing winter weather. Following the doctor’s advice, it is decided that Ellen, with her young cousin Gracie McCafferty, should move with the children to a warmer climate for at least three months. Lucas, a workaholic, who works for a top law firm and is heavily into investments for billionaire clients, promises to come for a visit later if he can. This puts quite a strain on their marriage.
Gracie is very different to Ellen, who she sees as a bit of a blue stocking. She gets a small part in a Hollywood movie and seems to embrace the lifestyle which worries Ellen. It is Ellen’s old friend Will Turner, who is broken himself, who sees Gracie’s brokenness underneath the good time she pretends she is having.
Then comes the stockmarket crash …. How will this affect everyone, especially Ellen, who has had to deal with so much change in her life?
This is a beautifully written book, with very real characters whose emotions are well portrayed, and with the events of this time in history playing a big part.
It is an inspiring and worthwhile read and one I cannot recommend highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

After requesting, getting approved and downloaded this book, I realised that its part of a series. I love Kate Hewitt; she never disappoints, so I will definitely look out for the other 3 books in this series before I read this.

This was a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish with a great storyline, interesting cast of characters and all capped off by skilful writing. It's well worth your time if you appreciate great storytellers. Book 4 in the series! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️