9/17/2016 0 Comments Gooseberry IslandGooseberry Island is a compelling story of modern love in the midst of a war, and the unique challenges that come along with loving a good person who is coping with PTSD. Lindsey and David met on the eve of his deployment as an Army Ranger to the war torn landscape of Afghanistan. They spent an entire night on a beach bench together, talking, watching the stars, dreaming of the future, falling in love. The next day, David was on a transport heading off to war. They keep in touch by Skype and email, luxuries afforded to modern day warriors. However, modern warfare is not all that different from wars gone by. David experiences things that change him at his core. Where there was once optimism, there is now depression; panic has replaced his relaxed, easy going nature. His body may be back stateside, but his mind and emotions are still fighting what seems to be a never-ending battle. Lindsey finds David’s issues all too familiar, having dealt with the PTSD of her own father, himself a war veteran. She is unsure if she wants to willingly take on the challenges that will come along with being in a relationship with David, even though she is sure that he is her soulmate. Steven Manchester has woven an intricate tale describing the horrors of war juxtaposed against the idyllic setting of the small New England town of Gooseberry Island. I became a fan of Steven’s writing with his last book, Pressed Pennies, and with Gooseberry Island, my admiration for his writing has only grown. He is a masterful storyteller with a singular ability to bring people and places to life, regardless of whether the subject is familiar to the reader or completely foreign. This book is yet another triumph for Steven Manchester, who is quickly taking his well-deserved place amongst the best contemporary authors of today. I whole-heartedly recommend this book! This review was written based on a copy of Gooseberry Island that I received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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