Genres: Historical Romance
Don't miss the next achingly romantic read from Suzie Hull,
winner of the RNA Joan Hessayon award 2022
December 1913. Clara Thornton won't allow being
jilted at the altar to squash her spirit. Against the wishes of her aunt and
uncle, Clara decides to travel to Madagascar to learn more about the tragic
shipwreck that took the lives of her missionary family and marked her forever.
Clara is escorted abroad by Xavier Mourain, a
handsome young merchant who works with her uncle. The two of them start off on
the wrong foot, but Clara can't help but be drawn to the mysterious Frenchman
who helps her unravel the mystery that has always haunted her. But as their
love blossoms, war begins. And the world will never be the same again.
For Clara, all the answers seem to lie far
across the ocean. But some of them might be closer than she thinks...
Prepare to be swept away in this wonderfully written historical romance that you can't help but be drawn into. Suzie Hull has outdone herself with an intriguing plot and a wealth of knowledge around the era that shows in-depth research and a passion for the time.
The book opens quite dramatically in 1895 in the middle of the Indian Ocean with a heart stopping scene that pulls no punches and immediately has the reader pulled into the drama, ensuring that the groundwork for emotional investment with the main character Clara is set.
Clara's young life was almost taken from her and now she bears the scars not only physically but emotionally too. But life continues to be cruel to her and finding herself jilted at the alter actually presents more opportunity for her that she had dared hope. Needing to escape the stifling love of her aunt she must leave England and go in search of the answers to the questions about her past that have haunted her since she was a small child. Clara's dogged determination will ensure that nobody can stop her, despite the confines of her gender.
Clara must return home to Madagascar and learn the story of her family and the tragedy that took them from her. Annoyingly, because it is not the done thing for a young lady to travel alone, she must be escorted by the very rude Xavier Mourain who she soon realises is nothing but a cold-hearted man who is a closed book, revealing nothing of himself and making it his mission to mock her. At least that's Clara's perception of him. And so, Clara's journey to find out the truth about what happened to her family begins. However, the scars from tragedy run deeper than just skin and Clara must prepare herself for answers she wasn't expecting and truths that may hurt more than they help. Family secrets abound, Clara's whole life has been shrouded in secrets and untruths.
I really enjoyed this book and Clara's journey to find out just who she really is. Her sense of identity would remain stripped from her until she knows what happened to those she loved. Until then she will never feel whole. She must also change her perception of Xavier too for he is not all he seems, bearing his own scars and memories of a childhood that caused him so much pain.
Far Across the Ocean is a superb read I'd highly recommend it. An amazing book to get well and truly lost in.
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