Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island

By: Robin Merrill

Narrated by: Rebecca Winder

A new teacher. A dark secret. A bunch of kids caught in the middle.

Emily has just moved to a remote Maine island, but it feels like a different planet. Everything seems to be a mystery. Is her new job really in danger? Is the gorgeous lobsterman really interested in her? Is it possible an entire town is that obsessed with basketball?

And what is this dark secret no one will talk about?

Emily will have to choose: Try to fit in, or fight for what's right.

You'll love this book because it's realistic, faith-filled fiction.

©2017 Robin Merrill (P)2018 Robin Merrill

Not just another love story.

This is the first story I’ve listened to by this author. I didn’t know what to expect but I am pleased to say that this book was more than just a fluffy romance. Combining elements of faith, love, hope, and restoration along with a lot of interesting competition. I will be reading more by this author. Thanks for using your talents so wonderfully. Can’t wait to read more.

I didn't want it to end

Once I started this, I couldn't stop listening until it was done. The characters and story were engaging and enjoyable, and I'll definitely be reading or listening to another book by this author.

Christian Contemporary Romance

I loved this narrator! She did great teen voices as well as calm main characters!
it was easy to get lost in the basketball scenes, but I loved the overall story of a teacher who loved her kids and tries to make a difference in their education and their personal improvements!

Excellent Mystery!

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book! It started off creepy, with building tension and then took a twist. The story went in a completely different direction from what I expected. Portions of the story were emotional, as well as uplifting. The narrator was really good. I would highly recommend this book to others.

Great Story!

This was my very first Audible book and at first I was not sure I was going to like listening rather than reading, but the story coupled with the narration pulled me right in! Ms Winder's characters are believable, and they have depth. I enjoyed meeting them, and would happily read more of their story if this became a series. Life on the island took a bright turn, and the future of all of its residents, particularly the young ones, has been forever changed.

WAIT A MINUTE! I just now saw that this IS a series! I'm jumping in with both feet!

Amazing

Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island was my first incredible read/listen from author Robin Merrill. The book has a Stephen Kingish feel early on as you wait for the other shoe to drop. The story and characters are slowly & methodically developed, drawing the reader in. Narrator Rebecca Winder adds greatly to the listening enjoyment with her wide variety of entertaining voices & inflections. Wonderful Christian read! Hoosiers move over, the girls have come to play! I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Realistic and relatable

This was my first introduction to the author, Robin Merrill, but the cover and story looked interesting, and I had lots of time to listen to audiobooks in the car, so I thought I would give it a try. I’m glad I did!

The story grabbed me right away and kept me smiling through the whole thing! I loved the small island (but not touristy) setting, the small town, and main character, who was trying so hard to serve Jesus and to teach the teenagers of the island – who weren’t interested in learning anything but basketball. The narrator also did a wonderful job! Her voice was pleasant and she did a great job with the character’s voices!

Having lived in small towns for much of my life, I’ve seen how they can obsess over high school sports. The small town of Piercehaven took that to the extreme! It felt real to me, and I kept imagining myself in Piercehaven; I would love the island, but would I be able to handle the bizarre sports behavior of all but a handful of the islanders? Would I be able to stay and make a difference, or would I give up in frustration? Should basketball be encouraged because it provides a way to connect with the community, or discouraged because it has become an idol to the islanders, even preventing the kids from being pushed to learn in school? I was eager to find out what Emily did!

And though there was some romance in the story, it was definitely secondary to the main plot of the story, which I appreciated. Even most of the way through the book, I wasn’t sure whether Emily would end up with one guy, the other guy, or neither – which just made it even more fun!

Spoiler… kinda…


Towards the end of the story, it is revealed that some sexual abuse had been occurring. There is nothing graphic, and the Christian characters did their best to respond as God would have them do. But, just in case anyone is listening with their 5 and 7 year old children, they might want to use headphones if they’re not ready to explain what the characters are talking about. 😊

Overall, I loved the book and look forward to reading or listening to other books by this author!

Intriguing story

Robin Merrill gives us a taste of what it's like to be on an island in Maine in the middle of winter and not be one of the locals. Her characters are likable and true to life, including the jerks. I can't wait to start the next book!

Great Read

Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island was a great read by Robin Merrill. Emily has moved to a remote island in Maine and is starting her new job as a teacher. This island is much different tha any place that Emily has been to before. The whole island is very obsessed with basketball but they also have a very dark secret that no one talks about. Emily's job is on the line and she doesn't want to leave her students or the man she is falling in love with. I really enjoyed listening to this book and can't wait to read more by Robin Merrill.

A look at insular life with a shocking twist......

Piercehaven is the story of Emily, a young, inexperienced teacher, hired to teach high school English on the small island of Piercehaven, Maine. Emily quickly learns that the island is obsessed with the sport of basketball, especially the girl's high school basketball team. Although most of the story consists of Emily developing deep, caring relationships with her students and a potential love interest in James, a former basketball star turned lobster fisherman, the author magically wields foreshadowing to hint at something sinister below the surface. The author shocked me when she revealed this sinister element, and it was both touching and disturbing to watch Emily navigate the aftermath. This was a fascinating story on so many levels, and I highly recommend it as a story of faith, courage, and perseverance with some good old fashion mystery sprinkled throughout.

Rebecca Winder does a terrific job with the narration. She has a high, lilting voice that perfectly portrays Emily's youth and naivete but also her strength of character and inherent kindness as well. She differentiates well between characters, and her narration makes a superb story even more enjoyable as an audio production.

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for this honest review.