The Shell Collector: A Novel

by Nancy Naigle

“The Shell Collector is a beautiful story full of love, loss, and second chances.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

From USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle, The Shell Collector is a touching novel of a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good.

Two years after her husband’s death, Amanda Whittier has two children to raise alone, an abandoned dream of starting a business, and a fixer-upper cottage by the sea. She has no room in her life for anything else and little interest in moving on after losing the man she loved. 

Paul Grant is a relative newcomer to the area, and his work with former military dogs needing rehabilitation has been good for the town. Though he loved once before, he’s convinced he’s not suited for romance and is determined to find meaning—alone—through his work and role in the community. 

Widowed Maeve Lindsay was born and raised on Whelk’s Island. Spirited, kind, and a little mischievous, she pours her life into the town. But she carries a secret that shapes her every move. 

Together, these three souls find encouragement in the most mysterious places and discover a love that’s bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.

• ISBN10: 0593193598
• ISBN13: 9780593193594
• Publish Date: 11 May 2021
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Waterbrook Press (A Division of Random House Inc)
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593193594

Reviews

[Jeff Sexton]

Solid, Maybe Not 'Real' For Everyone. This is one of those Hallmarkie type books - from an author who apparently has had a few of her books become Hallmark movies - that goes a bit deep into the whole pro-military, pro-say-your-prayers portrayal of a "small town" that many will love and many others will find doesn't exactly reflect their own experiences with small towns. But working within that Hallmarkie / conservative Christian / Christian Fiction type niche, this is one that will likely be beloved. And don't get me wrong, as an overall story it is genuinely solid for *anyone*. It does a great job as it explores some deep issues - including loss of a spouse, second chance romance, unrequited love, and other issues - that many experience well outside of the *exact* target demo for this effort, and thus it opens itself to a much wider audience... as long as you can stomach the not-*quite*-constant rah rah Go Military! type. There is nothing objectively here to hang any star reduction on, as, again, it is a solid story well told. Thus, it is very much recommended.