An Unfinished Story

The Block Island Saga #1

by E.D. Hackett

Complete strangers. A bustling B&B. Can two women help each other find their dreams?

Boston. Joanie Wilson has played it safe her whole life. But her fifteen years of loyalty to the newspaper seem like they count for nothing when her boss announces the business’s impending sale. And though she doesn’t really enjoy her job, the frightened reporter fights to save it by accepting a remote assignment to write articles on local flavor.

Block Island, RI. Carly Davis longs to live on her own terms. But with her father deceased and her mother’s dementia dominating her world, the gregarious young woman feels trapped into running the family’s bed-and-breakfast. So when a desperate journalist arrives and swaps her rent for assistance with the property, Carly seizes the chance to finally take a deep breath.

As Joanie becomes immersed in the relaxed atmosphere and meets a handsome police officer, she wonders if her need for safety is costing her happiness. And as Carly grows close to her big-city tenant, she sees a new future opening before her.

Will this accidental friendship trigger the changes both women crave?

An Unfinished Story is the charming first book in The Block Island Saga women’s fiction series. If you like relatable characters, sweet romances, and beautiful settings, then you’ll love E.D. Hackett’s escape to paradise.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2022

About the author

E.D. Hackett has dreamed of being an author since she was a child. Life got in the way and her writing was placed on the back burner for most of her adult life. One day, she decided to write a novel, write it well, and write it scared. She lives at home with her husband, two kids, and three fur-babies in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Mary Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, predictable story. Just one correction, when you pull onto the ferry at Pt. Judith you back onto the ferry.

[Lili Raphaelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love novels which make me think about life. The central characters (Joanie and Carly) may live vastly different lives but the intersection of those lives is meaningful. An opportunity for each one of them to question what they really want. The secondary characters are memorable, and the setting is a character in itself, too. E.D. Hackett’s writing makes the Block Island on the page as atmospheric as the real one. A treat in and of itself.

Whether you’re new to this author or are reading the revised edition of this story, you’ll find a lot to savor - and by the end you’ll be glad to know that Book 2 is already out in the world.

[Rachel Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comforting beach read

I enjoyed being immersed into life on Block Island where everyone looks out for one another. While Joanie’s life in Boston falls apart she finds solace in developing a tender friendship with Carly, who runs a B&B on Block Island. The storyline that struck me the most was the relationship Carly had with her mother. The expectations that her parents had for her not only shaped her destiny, but also controlled and diminished her life choices. There is more to this plotline but I don’t want to share spoilers.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waiting for the story to start

Hackett's writing is well done, and as a woman over 35, I could relate with both Carly and Joanie. But I felt like I spent the whole book waiting for the book to start. I needed to see more emotion and strife from both women over the situations they found themselves in. And I knew what would happen at the end well before we got there. It was a sweet story, but just lacking that umph.

[Melissa Nowicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed this book! I love reading books that take place in my home state, RI, and this one took place in Block Island. One of my favorite spots to be at in my teen years and in my 20’s! My only complaint about short stories is that I wish they were longer. I would love to read another book by this author. I was very much engaged and enjoyed the story line.

[Chloë Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, slow but short story about two women struggling to find their place in the world. Reading this was like taking a break on the island itself, it was warming and emotional.

[Maille · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy read. You can really understand the characters. Being a visitor to Block Island, the author did a great job describing the island and the places there, even though names were changed.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was pretty good - simple plot. Poorly edited.

[Frances Dall'Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, romantic and an enjoyable read.