Book review: All our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne Maclean
Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: March 25, 2025
Goodreads rating: 4.32
My rating: 4.5
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Spanning the timeframe of 1946 to 1995, All our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne Maclean follows Emma, a young woman raised on remote Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia. When a shipwreck brings Captain Harris to shore, Emma becomes infatuated. The story follows Emma and Captain Harris and their complex relationship over nearly 50 years.
I loved this book, I read it in one weekend and could not put it down. The beauty and atmosphere of Sable Island pulls you in from the start (I can visualize the wild horses!) and makes you feel like you are one of the few privileged people to get to visit and experience this remote rescue colony.
Emma is a young and ambitious woman who dreams of being a psychologist but feels trapped on the island, where she must care for her father and contribute to the efforts of the rescue community. We follow her evolution as life throws challenges her way.
Seeing Emma grow from a naïve to independent and self-aware woman is the greatest beauty of this book. The themes of resilience, trust, and family resonate through this book.
The writing flows beautifully and each chapter leaves you wanting to continue to the next. Historical fiction lovers will love this book, especially those interested in reading a story set in eastern Canada (with some Saskatchewan ties).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.