if you're in the mood for a beautiful, emotional, character driven novel, then look no further. Emma's story is one of love and loss and personal growth. It reminded me a bit of Where The Crawdads Sing, following the path of a young woman on her way to adulthood and discovering her place in the world. Emma is loyal and smart and ambitious but she is often held back by the men in her life. I loved her relationship with her father, and thought the author did a wonderful job depicting the desires of a father who wants his only child to seek their passion while also never leaving him. While Emma's life didn't go according to her plan, she was remarkably adaptable in forging her own path. I love the setting of the book, a remote island with few people and could picture the ocean and all its beauty.

A heart wrenching story of lost love spanning decades. Oh how misconceptions and fate can forever steer lives down different paths. The story has a great premise and is beautifully told for the most part. But I thought the original love story was a bit weak and unbelievable. Still a good work of historical fiction which was well researched. I will be checking out more from Julianne MacLean in the future. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of All Our Beautiful Goodbyes which came out in March.

This is a beautiful story and I loved the Nova Scotia setting and dual timeline for this wonderful book.

A celebration of life and love that stands the test of time. All Our Beautiful Goodbyes is spellbinding. A journey that sticks to the soul. Maclean puts emotion on full display. From endearing to heartbreaking, beautiful to messy, love spins a haunting tale.

If Julianne MacLean writes it, I am going to read it! Her ability to write completely addictive historical romances in the most stunning of settings, never ceases to amaze me. While the characters and their drama were all captivating, it is the setting that makes All of Our Beautiful Goodbyes truly shine. This was a bingeable read that I enjoyed! For readers who love some escapism with depth, check out All Our Beautiful Goodbyes!

I LOVED Julianne's book "A Fire Sparkling," so I was really excited about this one. This one just didn't hit the mark for me. It took to almost half the book (and taking a break to read another one) for me to get into it. Miscommunication and lies just left wrecking her life. Other people inserting their needs and wants into Emma's life drastically altering the course of her life. Yet through it all, she showed grace. Positives ... I loved learning about Sable Island and the horses. Emma is poster women for resilience and grace. The power of a mother's love and determination.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book.

I agree with some other reviews that this story is epic and unforgettable. Props to MacLean for crafting such a story that I will not forget!

An epic tale of unrequited love that is by turns breathtaking, heartbreaking—and utterly unforgettable.

And that’s truly the best description of this story: epic and unforgettable.
I love Julianne’s stories. I read my first one a few years ago, and since then, I’ve always been on the lookout for her next release. This one took my breath away, gave me all the feels, taught me about the beautiful setting, and captured my heart.
What better way to end the month than with a five-star read? Loved it.

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianna MacLean is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking novel that explores love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. The story follows Elizabeth, a woman grappling with grief and the remnants of a past love, as she navigates the difficult journey of healing.

MacLean’s writing is poignant and beautifully crafted, pulling readers into the emotional heart of the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the exploration of their struggles with forgiveness and moving forward feels both raw and real. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with moments of hope, sorrow, and redemption.

If you're in the mood for a heartfelt and moving read that lingers long after the final page, All Our Beautiful Goodbyes is a must-read.

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne Maclean is a sweeping, emotional romance set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Sable Island. The book spans several decades, following the life of Emma Clarkson, a woman whose heart is shaped by love, betrayal, and the unforgiving passage of time. The author’s prose is undeniably beautiful, and the setting is rich with atmosphere—Maclean does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of life on the island, and I could almost taste the sea air and feel the isolation Emma faces.

The plot, however, feels a bit familiar. The story centers on Emma’s heartbreaking love life, from her first passionate but ill-fated love with a shipwrecked British captain, to a second chance with a seemingly perfect man who harbors dark secrets. While the twists and turns of Emma's life certainly kept me engaged, some of the plot points were predictable, and I found myself waiting for the next dramatic revelation to occur, which sometimes felt more like a formula than a fresh narrative.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This story was so good and I have added Sable Island to my bucket list! I would love to visit this place after reading this novel. Emma was raised on Sable Island and doesn't know much different, her father has done all he can to protect her from the real world and who people really can be. When a handsome captain and his crew are rescued from a terrible wreck, Emma can't help but wonder if there could be something. It has been love at first sight for her and their time together was not without some sort of connection, but when he gives her the cold shoulder when he leaves, she wonders if she was just a foolish girl. Years later a veterinarian has come to study the horses and she thinks maybe this is her second chance at love. Things progress quickly and soon she is a wife with a baby on the way, but her husband has become a different person and she is in for a shock about who he really is. Heading back to the safety of Sable Island she realizes she has now been hurt by two different men and may be better off on her own with her son and father. When a surprise visit from her past shows up to the island, she doesn't know what to do. She wants to guard her heart, but ultimately she can't and a future is planned. A future she has always dreamed of, but when a letter shows up months after their plans were supposed to happen, she knows this is the tragic ending. There will not be a happy ever after. Almost fifty years later, she gets the shock of her life when the truth of what really happened those decades ago comes knocking at her door. This was such a deep read! You felt for Emma through the whole entire story. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

A unique setting provided a romantic backdrop to this appealing novel. Sable Island is a small island off of the coast of Nova Scotia, populated mainly by wild horses. A small settlement was established to help save sailors from frequent shipwrecks, and that is where Emma’s story begins. As the daughter of the man in charge, Emma grew up with her father, since her mother died in childbirth. Learning as much as her father could teach her, Emma hoped to go off the island to university, but a series of events prevents that from happening. With a life full of heartbreaks, disappointments, joy and more, Emma’s story reels the reader in as she ages. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a beautifully written emotional read. Emma had lived a sheltered life and I liked how she acknowledged that. After the events of shipwreck she started learning some hard lessons. I loved her growth and maturity as she navigated her circumstances. The men surrounding her all frustrated me at some point as I was really wanting her to live her dreams. The 1955 timeline was so good and I loved how we not only got to know Joanna but it rounded out the story and when it started it gave me a lot of hope and clarity.

Thank you @juliannemaclean @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

I’m enamored with World War II stories and the focus on after the war is a refreshing change of pace. The book is broken into multiple POV parts that showcase Emma’s story from after the war and spans fifty years. Set on the beautiful Sable Island, it makes me long to return. This is a love story that grabs you from the beginning and keeps the emotions on high alert. Twists and turns will keep you pleasantly surprised. It’s a great book to snuggle up with on the rainy days of spring.

This book was all kinds of beautiful.

Beautiful cover.
Beautiful setting.
Beautiful prose.

I’m a sucker for dual timelines - as long as they’re clear - and this one is done…beautifully.

My favourite part, save for the wild horses, obviously, is the vivid sense of place.

As a Canadian, it’s a bit embarrassing, to have never heard of Sable Island, but I’m glad to finally know, and live vicariously through this book’s characters.

The writing is such that you can TASTE the sea air and feel the breeze on your skin.

It’s wreaking havoc on my hair, but it’s doing wonders for my complexion.

I’m so glad to get to know another Canadian Author’s work, and I’m thrilled to have her robust back-catalogue to dig into.

Elbows up!

A stunning historical romance, 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞𝐬 whisked me away to the isolated shores of Sable Island—an island approximately 180 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia. The island is known for its wild horses and its history with shipwrecks.

The author utilizes the island’s rugged beauty and nautical history as the captivating backdrop for this story of love and heartache. From first loves to forbidden loves, this is a tale of shipwrecks, broken hearts, family, and second chances. There are missed opportunities and lives separated by oceans and time.

Atmospheric, heartbreaking, and hopeful, this tender generational saga will have you turning pages and perhaps reaching for the tissues. You might also find yourself googling Sable Island.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @juliannemaclean for the gifted ebook.

Thank you to my partners, Suzy Approved Book Tours and NetGalley, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback and eARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 • Emma falls head over heels for Oliver after his ship crashes near her island. As the reader, I was able to feel every emotion right alongside her. How strong those first feelings of love and lust are…and how quickly those feelings arise!

2. 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥 • Ugh! My heart! Just when Emma finally finds someone to help her forget about Oliver, a whopper of a revelation comes to light. Granted, some great things happened anyway before the bomb went off, but I was crushed for her.

3. 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 • Sable Island sure does something to a person once they set foot on it. The characters who visit find a sense of peace and belonging and a few find themselves in the throes of blooming love that was never expected.

4. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 • The immense love between Emma and Oliver was sidetracked by many things, many times. The ultimate betrayal that left them apart is one of utter bitterness and selfishness. As the story of it unfolded, my heart broke into so many pieces. And yet, the road taken did allow them the things that did make their lives whole and satisfying, so it would be hard to regret it.

5. 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 • As we age, I think we need to throw caution to the wind and take the chances that are given to us. Forgiveness is a huge obstacle, but once given, it frees up space to feel and experience many things. Our characters learn this the hard way, but it comes to a close with a hope for the future!

Sweet, cozy romance. Loved how the story unfolds along the 50 years-timeline. Perfect second chance romance, full of emotions.

Emma was full of dreams — to leave the beautiful, yet secluded island she grew up on in her pursuit of education. Yet a big storm and a ship wrecked captain changed everything.

Love shapes us and love shaped Emma. With a second chance, Emma learns that true love never dies.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the e-arc!