The Island We Left Behind
Kate Hewitt
“I love you. Of course I do. But we haven’t any choice in the matter, do we? If our little boy’s health, even his survival, is at stake, we have to do whatever it takes.”
1928, New York City: Ellen and Lucas Lyman have made a heart-wrenching decision to leave their beloved Amherst Island behind in search of a new life. The island was once the home of their hearts: where they had met as children, become friends, and over time found love.
But New York City was calling, and it was everything they’d hoped for and more. With Lucas making money on the stock market, and Ellen finding fulfilment as a mother, at first they are happy raising their family, together, in the most exciting city in the world.
Until their beloved son Jamie becomes perilously ill, and Ellen is given an impossible choice. With Lucas unable to leave his job, it is down to her to take Jamie to a place he might recover even if it means making the journey across America without him.
Ellen knows what she must do. What every mother would do to save their child. Even if it takes her further away from the man she loves—and every place she has called home‑than ever before.
This is the fourth novel in the unmissable Amherst Island series that follows the life and love of a once-orphan girl called Ellen. Set in 1920s New York, California and Canada, it’s an unmissable read, perfect for fans of The Oceans Between Us, The Orphan Sisters, and My Name is Eva.
Readers love Kate Hewitt’s Amherst Island series:
“An incredible book… I didn’t want to stop reading… I fell in love with the island and everyone there. It’s been ages since a book spoke to me as much… It reminds me of the Anne of Green Gables books… or Little House on the Prairie. I cried like a baby several times… One of the best stories I have read.” NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Hewitt proves once again that she is the queen of her craft. I am completely and thoroughly floored over how much I adored this book!… Really just pulls you right in and I found myself staying up way late into the evening just to finish… Just completely ripped my heart in two. This is such a heartfelt coming of age story that I completely lost myself in.” Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Phenomenal… The author has such talent for making you feel like you are going through Ellen’s life right beside her. The descriptions of the landscape and the island are so real… This inspirational historical fiction is a must read.” NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A tearjerker! The storytelling is wonderful and draws you in. I cried buckets!” Karen_loves_reading ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book was sad, happy, and so well written. I could picture the beautiful island, I could feel the emotions and yes, at one point I cried. I really enjoyed reading this.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Simply amazing… Hewitt paints such a vivid picture… I found myself reading it slowly so I could savor everything… I didn’t want the story to end.” Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Omg I love this series. I seriously inhaled the book.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book had me turning the pages so fast to see what would happen with Ellen and those that she loves so much… I cannot wait until I can read the next book.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Amazing…This engrossing page-turner will have you cheering Ellen on and grabbing for the tissues. [She] will feel like a best friend and a sister… This was a great read.” PageTurners Blog ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I’ve fallen hard for Ellen and her world… I loved every word of this.” The Book Lovers Boudoir ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐