The book is heavily character driven with a great deli ant on the reader being able to easily remember who is who and which period in time they are taking about. If I was watching this as a tv series I think it would would have enjoyed it more but that’s probably me being lazy.

With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This was a pleasant enough read - a fairly standard thwarted romance with a historical setting and a serious subtext in the form of the lasting trauma of losing a child.

In a fierce winter storm that hits a tiny fishing community in 1900, solitary fisherman Joseph retrieves a child, barely alive, washed up by the storm. This triggers collective memories from 20 years earlier when the local schoolteacher Dorothy lost her own child to a similar storm at a similar age. As the history of the troubled relationship between Dorothy, an outsider from Edinburgh in 1880, and Joseph, is slowly revealed, the superstitious community cannot help but feel this new child is Dorothy’s lost son, returned. Others in the community have their own secrets and long-held grudges which have played out to devastating effect over the years.

As a portrait of the tensions inherent in a small, isolated community, the book does a good job of analysing the devastation wrought by the petty jealousies, gossip and instinct to close rank against outsiders. Character development is pedestrian and nobody really emerges as a rounded, interesting, complex person. As a story, it is constructed quite well and kept me interested, but it is not especially stand-out and I will probably forget it fairly soon.

Slow start - strong finish. This read has the most amazing descriptive writing. The imagery was fantastic. I really felt for Dorothy and Joseph especially and I felt a connection to some minor characters. And there’s a twist, one I didn’t see coming. Loved the ending and really enjoyed this read. Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for sending me an ARC of this book in return for my honest review

Disclaimer: I received a free unedited ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. This book is due for publication in March 2025.

The Fisherman’s Gift by Julia R. Kelly is a historical novel set in the winter of 1900 in a secluded Scottish fishing village. The narrative begins with a young boy washing ashore, bearing a striking resemblance to Dorothy’s son, who was lost to the sea years prior. As Dorothy, the local schoolmistress, cares for the child, the close-knit community’s secrets and past grievances surface, intertwining her fate with that of the reclusive fisherman, Joseph.

Kelly’s writing is evocative, capturing the austere beauty of the Scottish coastline and the intricacies of village life. The alternating timelines between past and present provide depth to the characters’ backstories, particularly Dorothy’s journey through grief and her complex relationship with Joseph. However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain sections lingering too long on minor details, potentially hindering the story’s momentum.

The portrayal of the villagers offers a realistic glimpse into the dynamics of small communities, where gossip and long-held grudges influence interactions. While this adds authenticity, it occasionally leads to predictable plot developments. The novel’s exploration of themes such as loss, redemption, and the enduring impact of past choices is poignant, though at times it borders on melodrama.

In conclusion, The Fisherman’s Gift is a touching debut that delves into the human spirit’s resilience amidst tragedy. While it has its shortcomings, readers who appreciate atmospheric settings and character-driven stories may find it a worthwhile read.

3.25 ⭐️

Enthralling, touching and inspiring, this historical fiction has a touch of magical realism and explores grief, healing, immorality, redemption and second chances. Kelly’s wave of narrative carries us up through the crests of joy and plunges us into the depths of sorrow, a voyage as beautiful as it is profound.

As a Scotswoman, I was thrilled to read this and this did not disappoint. I highly recommend you read this during a storm, like me – it was truly atmospheric! All the fear and tension poured from its pages and I was entirely enraptured.

The title The Fisherman’s Gift is perfect. Not only does it emphasise Joseph being an important role in this story, but it is also symbolic of a few things. There are the literal gifts he has for both children: the toy boat for Moses (one he never gets the chance to give); the other the toy plover for Johan. But the greatest gift he gave was the child itself.

Through the excellent use of dual timeline, shifting from Now (the boy washing up on shore) to Then (Dorothy first arriving in Skerry), we are able to piece together everything that happens. The strange parallels between Johan and Moses help to add that seamless transition from past to present. Very interestingly, one section is a non-linear structure: we get Dorothy’s wedding, the pregnancy, the birth – but then a very drastic shift to sometime after her wedding, where there is the huge reveal. This makes Dorothy’s life go from looking fine until it isn’t. It makes the narrator, just like the gossip within the village, an unreliable source and hones in on the devastation of everything.

While predictable (I had the secret about Moses worked out from the first chapter), this was an enjoyable read. There were clues along the way that were very intriguing and gave a glimpse into the future, dropping the right breadcrumbs through gossip by the townsfolk or the overall narrative that makes you want to know what happens, and mainly how it does and why.

There were some incredible aspects in this book that make this a worthwhile read, which includes the very clever ironies. The main thing is in some of the names, alone: Moses is swept away by the sea which contrasts Moses in the Bible, who (while he is also separated from his mother) is saved from water and parts the Red Sea, showing he is in control. The sea is this Moses’ enemy. Joseph in the Bible is a father and protector. In this book, Joseph directly contradicts both roles as he does not know the former aspect and he does not manage the latter, being unable to protect Moses from what happens. Dorothy means “God’s gift”, something she does not believe, considering all her misfortunes. Agnes means “pure” which is ironic considering her thoughts and treatment towards Dorothy is not. There is a very cruel streak about Agnes.

There are a few symbolic aspects. The most important is the symbolism of and use of birds to tell the story. This is through the black seabird cormorant and the plover.
Cormorant: Dorothy sees the cormorant the day she spends time with Joseph, the latter who remarks that they are the spirit of those lost at sea, which accounts for it showing up later just before she takes on the job of looking after Johan (almost like Moses is giving her an approval). They are generally considered a bad omen and are linked to sins like greed and gluttony, which is all a great foreshadowing of what is to come (respectively: what happens to Moses, and Dorothy and Joseph’s lust for one another despite her being married).
Plover: Dorothy and Johan rescue a young plover after discovering it in the snow with an injured wing. Plovers are believed to be spiritual guides encouraging people to appreciate the moment and beauty around them. Dorothy certainly does as she watched Johan look after the bird.
Not only are they opposite in colour (the cormorant being black and the plover white) but they also dwell in different places (cormorants primarily live in water, plovers on the beaches or shores).

I wish there had been more descriptions and moments in the present time between Joseph and Dorothy. I wanted a conversation between them at the very end of the book. Of course, it ends on a very hopeful note but I would have loved to hear what he had to say to her. Or at least have the Epilogue as another chapter and then contain something else as an Epilogue. Also the chapter with Moses’ POV feels like an unnecessary chapter in a lot of ways and it makes the mood grim again.

The Fisherman’s Gift is told during two different time periods and through the use of multiple POVs. It is a historical fiction novel that centres of themes of grief and bereavement, societal differences and the importance of friendships and communities as a whole.

Set in a small village in Scotland, we are introduced to main characters Dorothy and Joseph, both of whom shared a short love affair, around the time Dorothy conceived her son, Moses. Moses then later disappeared and is presumed as dead after only his boot was found washed upon the shore.

In a cruel twist of fate, nearly two decades on, a child washes onto the shore, mirroring the tragedy Dorothy has already faced, and she ends up caring for him. This leads to a journey of self-discovery, acceptance of the past and a sense of faith for a brighter future.

Be prepared to have tissues at the ready, as you delve into the lives of seemingly ordinary people, all of whom have their own personal traumas, secrets and sensitivities. This was such a beautiful read and I would be happy to read more from Julia Kelly!

This book is beautiful. This book is powerful. This book is sad and nostalgic. This book is about looking back and looking forward. This book is about grief. This book evokes so much emotion and makes you realise the importance of relationships and being honest. I absolutely loved this book, it is a really special and unique read.

Dorothy has lived a quiet but tragic life in the village of Skerry. Her husband William up and left her and her son and soon after tragedy hits again when her son Moses goes missing. Since then she has spent her years teaching at the local school, visiting the local shop for supplies and heading home. That is until one of the local fishermen (and a former flame) Joseph comes back from the sea carrying a young boy in his arms. This boy looks EXACTLY like Moses but it cant be surely? He has the same silvery hair but he hasn’t aged. Joseph found Mose’s boot on that faithful day that Mose’s went missing and now he’s bringing her a child that looks just like him. This can’t be right. What is going on?

This was a very atmospheric read. I felt drawn in to this little village and its history. I felt all the uneasiness of Dorothy trying to live her life with everyone watching and talking about her. The story itself is quite sad and shows the extent that shame and pride can hold you back from the people and things you want most. How secrets and assumptions can destroy our happiness and how sometimes you have to embrace your past mistakes to let go of the shame that sticks to you.

This is the authors debut novel and with writing of this standard I will keep an eye out for further work. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys atmospheric, mysterious stories of living in small villages. Thank you NetGalley and Randomhouse UK for the ARC of this book.

This is a poignant and sad story set in Skerry Sands, a remote small Scottish fishing village, where life is hard. The gift is a little boy. Will he replace the mother’s grief and guilt for the lost boy? It’s a dual timeline story set in 1900, and before. It’s multi POV, with Dorothy, Joseph and Agnes. Central to the story is isolation and misunderstandings. There’s love and loss, sadness and hope. I received an early copy from NetGalley.

Brilliant characters, memorable story line, dual time line. Love the place where the story is set. Highly recommend this book.

Set at the beginning of the twentieth century, the story follows Dorothy, a new school mistress who arrives in the small Scottish fishing town of Skerry. She finds environment less than friendly as the town has many gossips. However, when local fisherman Joseph, discovers a small boy who has been washed up after a storm, Dorothy is asked to look after him until his parents can be traced. His arrival brings back haunting memories of her own loss many years ago.
The story moves between past and present. It describes her life and how she got to her current situation as guardian of the boy, and her relationship with fisherman Joseph.
It is a well written novel, which provides a close look at many aspects of life and human frailty. The question is, can Dorothy overcome the challenges she faces, make peace with her own past mistakes and take a chance on love again?
A deep, emotional story, well worth the four stars I have awarded it.

My thanks to Simon and Schuster, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Fisherman's Gift in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully written atmospheric story about lost love, repressed emotions and living in a close community.
Set over two timelines, initially school teacher Dorothy’s son is found by Fisherman Joseph lifeless on the beach.
The second timeline reprises Joseph’s find, but this time the boy is alive.
As Dorothy looks after the boy during the harsh winter when the village is cut off, secrets and long forgotten feelings emerge.
A book to savour and which made a lasting impression.

Thought provoking, moving and emotional. Such a surprising read that I really enjoyed. A little different than my usual genre and I'm so glad I gave it a try! It's beautifully written, explores grief really well. The ending was a little lacking but overall I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars rounded up.

This is a most moving story. So many people living their daily lives but yearning for love, friendship or just acceptance.
The story surrounding Dorothy, is complex and it’ sad. So much in her life just doesn’t go right for her. She is full of sorrow and has experienced such loss. Will she ever be truly happy? She torments herself with guilt that the reader knows is unfounded and it fills us with sorrow for her.
Yet, all along, love was there for the taking, if only she would reach out for it.
I think the moral of this story is that life is fleeting and if you find love on your journey through it, don’t let it pass you by.
It really is a beautiful story with the thrum of love, life and death flowing through it. I can’t wait for whatever comes next from this Author.

Winter, 1900. A little boy washes up on the beach of a small fishing village in Scotland, barely alive. He bears an uncanny resemblance to teacher Dorothy's son, lost to the sea many years before. When the village is snowed in, Dorothy agrees to look after the child until he can be returned home. But, as the past rises to meet the present, long-buried secrets in this tight-knit community start to come to light.
A debut novel that was an emotional roller coaster so much so that whilst I was enjoying it I had to leave it at times & go back a day later so unusually for me it took me about a week to read it. I loved the vivid picture the author painted of the village, the characters had depth but it was their feelings, misunderstandings & misfortunes that made it an uncomfortable read at times. A well written book, which I enjoyed & I look forward to more by the author
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

there is a beautiful flow to this book. add to that the character and the setting and you get swept away with reading this until you are just needing to keep turning pages. and it is so easy to do so.
there are tender moments. there are love moments. there are also fustrating moments when a tight knit community dont act very nice at all!
and also our main characters past keep hurting her. and doesnt lend to moving on. especially with Jopseph who seems to have his own share of things he needs to heal from.
i was thinking many thoughts about this book. and left thinking about it after the last page. its such a bright read and yet at the same time feels a sad and tense one too. but all in all a brilliant one. and if a book can lend itself to making you feel all sets of emotions, then for me it makes it a great book. this was one of those.

I have reviewed the Fisherman’s Gift for book sales and recommendation site LoveReading.co.uk. I have chosen this title as both a Liz Pick of the Month and a LoveReading Star Book.

Please see the link for the full review.

Thank you.

A double timeline story set in remote Scottish village where Dorothy moves to escape from her previous life.
She marries the wrong man and loses a son. Much later, a boy is washed up on the shore like a gift from the sea. There are many misunderstandings. Reminded me of a Thomas Hardy novel at times. Hard to read in parts due to the underlying melancholy but beautifully written.

Set in the past, this is a story of a mother who lost her child. Dorothy is a school teacher in a tiny fishing village. As an incomer, she finds it hard to make friends with the other women. When she loses her only child when he drowns in a storm, she has never got over it.
Told in two timeliness in the present and when Dorothy came to the village, the story unfolds told by various people in the village.
It is a tale of misunderstandings and truths hidden. When another child is found on the beach, the minister asks Dorothy to mind him and so sets off a chain of events as the village remembers the other child who died.
It is a slow unusual tale, not for everyone.

A double timeline story of Dorothy who moves from Edinburgh to a remote Scottish village to escape from her troubles. A young boy is washed up on the shore and can thus be her redemption. Harrowing in parts