"Love Unexpected" by Jody Hedlund

Revisiting the Michigan shoreline in this installment of her Beacons of Hope series, Jody Hedlund gives us the story of Emma, a young Irish woman who feels like the opportunity to have a home and family of her own might have passed her by due to her family's nomadic lifestyle. When a shipwreck lands Emma and her brother on Presque Isle, a marriage of convenience may give her a place to belong at last.

Patrick Garraty has a troubled past full of bad decisions, but since giving his life to the Lord he has been able to see many things restored to him. Unfortunately a happy marriage was not part of that picture. Now that his wife has died, Patrick is looking at either losing his job as lighthouse keeper or losing his son, as he cannot care for both the light and Josiah. When his good friend and spiritual mentor suggests marrying the young woman now stranded on the island, Patrick isn't sure he wants to risk his heart again on someone might reject him because of the ghosts that haunt him.

Telling her only that he hasn't always been proud of the things he's done, Patrick and Emma agree to the suggested marriage. She's never had experience with childcare or housekeeping, and she's afraid Patrick will find fault with her and send her away. Meanwhile he's certain that she will want to leave as soon as she hears rumors about the shady things he's done. When indeed the local gossips begin to tell her tales, her admiration for the kind and gentle man she knows begins to dim. Her questions grow more urgent when Patrick rescues a man who turns out to be a pirate - and a close friend from long ago. Will the secrets of the past tear apart any hope for a future?

This was a very fast read. Heavier on the romance than I prefer, but it did keep me glued to the pages with some unexpected twists and turns. The next book in the series is on my To Read pile, so look for that review coming up soon.