Sea Gem

by Wallis Peel

When Mary meets Duret, he instantly falls for her and persuades her to come back to his island, Guernsey, and marry him. The very next day she meets Victor, and there is instant attraction between them. The stage is set for turbulent times as time marches them towards the War and the German occupation of their island.

Nook

First published November 3, 2004

Reviews

[Cyndie Honeyford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story line, I felt, was not as flowing as "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society", but I think the depiction of how life on Guernsey changed from the end of WWI through WWII was better than the aforementioned book. There were a few plot focuses in this novel that seemed a little 'stretched' for me, and moments where it began to read like a romance novel ( not my genre ), but the details and description of the island, it's inhabitants, aligning with the historical perspective during Germany's occupation, which painted a good picture. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first. If you have not read either novels and were interested in doing so, I would read this one first for a better historical perspective, and then "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society".

[Maureen McCowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read but somewhat predictable regarding the main characters whose lives are followed throughout the book. Could easily have put it aside for the first few chapters but then could not put it down. The author, well acquainted with the Channel Island, gives an interesting insight into pre-war Guernsey followed by the suffering of the deprivations of the Second World War under German Occupational.

[Brenda Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading about life on the isle of Guernsey before and during World War II. Betrayal, illicit love, brutality and turbulence among the islanders in a society that becomes occupied by the Germans as a channel fortress. There is not as much about the actual historical occupation but more of how it affects the characters'actions and lives.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that gives you a look at life on a small island on many levels, love, family and choices that we make that follow us for many years.