Review of 'The Secret of Ruby's Lighthouse' by Kristin Harper
Review of 'The Secret of Ruby's Lighthouse' by Kristin Harper
Release date: March 13th, 2025
Publisher: Bookouture
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REVIEW
What a lovely family focused novel! The Secret of Ruby’s Lighthouse is another feel-good gem from Kristin Harper. And just look at that gorgeous cover which holds lots of hints for the plot within. Solving a mystery and uncovering an important life changing secret could help Ruby’s Inn and the land near Misty Point Lighthouse on Dune Island.
Ruby is the owner of an Inn she inherited. During a break from work, Meg comes back to help her great aunt for the summer. Meg loves to organise and she has some great ideas to help Ruby with tidying up her business and making the accommodation more streamline. Her great aunt has too many items crammed into the facility: like an over-abundance of kitchen utensils and too many books on the shelves. But Ruby is a little difficult when it comes to trimming down her library. I can relate! But it is true, if the bookcases get too over packed then items get missed. Meg also is worried about some information that has arrived that may affect her great-aunt’s business. Her livelihood could be in danger.
The Inn and its surrounds (including the beaches and lighthouse) represent a haven for Meg. Before her parents got divorced, there was lots of bickering between them and Meg found solace in the seascape and in Ruby’s place. It was also a great retreat during winter and spring high school breaks and summer vacation. She spent a lot of wonderful hours with her great aunt learning: including developing a passion for books and verbal stories.
Reading this novel was like taking a lovely stroll on the beach. You feel the warmth of the sun, the quickening of the salt air, hear the invigorating ocean sounds and voices of nature.
Simon, another key character, comes to visit and stay in his inherited cottage next door to the Inn with his two children. It is meant to be a ‘simple, very quiet summer in the cottage.’ It is rustic but he has brought camping cots and ‘essential furniture’. His wife was killed in a car accident two years previously. But he is there for other reasons, too, and drops a bombshell on Ruby and Meg at dinner. Meg is fuming as his news will affect the future of Misty Point. As Ruby reveals, it is not what Gordon and Sarah would have wanted for their family.
There are many lovely elements in this novel. Ruby communicates to Meg in metaphors that are book related when things get tough. These sayings often keep Meg in check as she has always wanted to control the outcome. ‘Hang in there for another chapter. There might be a plot twist up ahead that you never saw coming…You’re not the author of this story, so you don’t get to decide how it ends.’ But words are not enough at the moment. And Meg has mixed reactions. Empathy and anger coincide as she feels sorry for Simon in his family losses but also angry at the decision he has made about the cottage. Yet we learn that Ruby has a secret she must share with Meg and Simon that may just change the course of events. Before that, Ruby’s health takes a turn before sharing her secret. This leaves Meg hanging but also worried about her aunt’s future. The suspense builds as Meg attempts to solve the mystery on her own while her aunt recovers at offshore facilities.
The rest of the novel is about discovery, growth and surprises. There are some unexpected twists that kept me engaged with the characters and their dilemmas. My heart ached at times at their troubles but I also cheered at their victories. I loved the fact that books play an important role in this story. They provide comfort, joy and revelation for this family and friends who need a fresh start and a chance to fulfil their dreams. The lighthouse plays a part, too, along with the setting of Dune Island: an unspoilt place that offers healing to those who set foot on its shores. I highly recommend this novel and without question give it 5 Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy.
