Leaving university life in London behind, Sam travels to the island of Beryon to determine his future. He lives with his Aunt Alva and works at her cafe. At first, Sam finds peace collecting sea glass on the beach. He meets an islander friend named Eowyn, and a very special (and attractive) friend named Tryste as he starts to figure out what he wants to do. Yet, nightmares and odd maladies start affecting him. What is happening to Sam?
Sam meets a dream boy in the way of Tryste. Handsome, capable, and caring, Sam initially tamps his feelings for Tryste. He has just removed himself from a bad relationship. He feels he must protect himself from falling in love again so soon.
The Boy with the Heart of Sea Glass has both a unique title and plot. For the first half, the reader may be guessing what genre it belongs in. Is it a contemporary romance, a horror story, or an urban fantasy? The setting of an island off Cornwall provides a welcome immersion into Welsh culture not often found in popular novels. This setting also gives the novel both a contemporary and fantasy atmosphere. The elements come together like an assembled jigsaw puzzle.
The writing, too, is superior for a debut author. Ms. Livingstone has a way of describing ordinary elements in an amusing way, enlivening a common walk on the beach or work at a restaurant. The story never lags, whether it’s describing cleaning out an abandoned building or learning to swim. Sam’s internal struggle is also detailed and described wonderfully, making him a protagonist anyone with a heart (even if it’s not made of sea glass) would champion.
The Boy with a Heart of Sea Glass stands alone in many ways, and this reviewer appreciates its out-the-mainstream approach. Yet, I wished it had pursued the nightmares earlier in the novel, and brought the antagonist’s identity out sooner. Such a delightfully dark character receives too little page time in this magnificent story.
The Boy with a Heart of Sea Glass is strong as a standalone or a potential first in a series. The novel excels at depicting its tortured hero and the culturally rich island off the Cornish coast. The author’s creativity and writing style construct a truly memorable novel. Whenever I see a piece of sea glass, I’m sure I’ll be reminded of this novel.