The Lighthouse Keeper
Year: 2017
Author: Cynthia Ellingsen
Length: 380 pages

***THIS BOOK WAS RECEIVED FROM A GOODREADS GIVEAWAY***

I’d love to call this book “cute,” but I’m afraid Kip would toss me into Lake Michigan. That being said, part of me now wants to go out, get a nautical compass tattoo on my arm and buy a dilapidated lighthouse to restore. I don’t usually read “romance” novels. Of course, I’m not sure I could even consider this book in that genre since it had so many other aspects to it, but I almost immediately fell in love with the characters and the setting. The story came to life in my head, even to the point where I started mentally casting the movie (probably Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Evans, and Reese Witherspoon for starters).

While the main premise that started the plot seemed a little unbelievable (why would this insurance company have a lien on a house that isn’t insured by them?), the story has a ton of heart. Cynthia Ellingsen does an excellent job of fleshing out the “small town” feel of the setting. The treasure hunting side of the story drove the plot forward at a comfortable pace. It was fast enough to keep me interested but slow enough to engage the main character with some growth situations and minor character interactions and developments.

Even with all the praise I could heap on this book, I can’t in good conscience give it the full five stars because of some of the “romance clichés” it contains. The most egregious was the main character who kept denying her true feelings. I don’t know why she ever thought she had a life back in Boston, but every time she thought she’d be returning, I rolled my eyes already knowing what the outcome would be. Furthermore, I become quite irate when these characters don’t communicate with each other, thus preventing petty drama from occurring that could have honestly been avoided.

A wholesome romance with lovable characters and a quaint setting, I give The Lighthouse Keeper 4.0 stars out of 5.