Review: Beached Hearts by Scarlet Blackwell

Now that I don't have so many reviewing commitments I'm trying to make a concerted effort to clear some books from my TBR pile.  I really ought to have a system such as first in, first out, but most of the books on the pile I've had for so long I can't actually remember when I bought them, only that they've been there awhile.  Anyway, Beached Hearts is one of those books.  It came out in July of last year and I seem to remember buying it shortly after publication.  Why I bought it is anyone's guess, but I probably saw a good review, or maybe I was attracted to the unusual Irish setting, who knows!  Anyway, after that long-arsed introduction let's get on with the review.

Beached Hearts is set  in a small fishing town in County Cork, Ireland.  As the story opens the Chief of Garda (the local police force), Conor, is mourning the death of a whale which washed up on the beach a couple of days ago and which he and the other town residents failed to rescue.  He's even more annoyed that the whale is now going to be the subject of a filmed autopsy by an eminent US marine biologist, Eli.  When Eli arrives Conor finds it difficult to stay angry in the face of his enthusiasm and good nature.  There's an attraction between them that Eli is keen to explore.  Having had his heart broken previously, Conor is not willing to risk a short term relationship with Eli.  Conor's constant rejection leads to bruised hearts and hurt feelings for both men.

Whilst overall I really enjoyed this book, I did at times also find it a slightly annoying read, mainly because of the character of Conor who needed a swift kick up the backside for the way he leads Eli on and then rejects him at every turn.  On one hand I could understand Conor's reasons for not getting involved with Eli.  He falls in love easily, and after being rejected so cruelly in the past the fact that he was guarded and wary of Eli fitted in with his character.  On the other hand, his indecisiveness was frustrating to read.  As this was pretty much the whole point of the story - whether Conor will get his act together, stop being defined by his past and the actions of others and accept Eli's love - then it made the book a bit of a roller coaster in terms of emotional content, so much so that I wearied of it on occasion.  I also found it hard to identify with Eli who throws himself open to Conor, only to be hurt and rejected in turn.  Eli could be seen as an optimist, someone who is determined to win Conor not matter the obstacles - and indeed this is how the author probably intended Eli to be viewed - but by the time we get towards the end of the story, I saw Eli more as a victim as he slowly changes from the bright, engaging man he is at the beginning to a clingy, controlling man by the end. Conor changes him, and not necessarily for the better.

In some ways the fact that I was so engaged by the characters, that they moved me to the extent that they did, that I found them in turn frustrating, sympathetic, annoying and appealing showed that the author had produced two well rounded heroes who were worthy of note.  This can be said of the secondary characters too such as Conor's friend, Aidan, his work colleague, John, and his mother, who was a study in cold maternal regard.

One aspect that I did think was handled well in the book was the setting of small town Ireland, where everyone knows each other's business and the influence of the Catholic Church is strong in people's minds.  The beautiful setting of a seaside town, and the difficulties that Conor has with the arrival of the film crew, were perfectly described with a nice balance of atmosphere and drama.  This was no idealised Ireland, instead accurate rainy weather and dismal winter conditions added colour to the book.  I also liked that Conor's job was an important part of the book and fit well with the setting of small town life.

I've been debating over the grade for this book.  It is, undoubtedly well written with interesting characters and a story that caught my attention and which many would consider very romantic.  However, it was also a frustrating read at times and the actions and development of the characters were sometimes difficult to relate to.  In the end I've gone for 'Very Good'.  This is the first book I've read by this author (although I have read a short story) and the quality of the writing was such that I would seek out other book by her.

Buy this book HERE.