FIRST LIGHT is another book in Isabel Jolie’s “Haven Island” series, which explores the evolving relationships of three separate couples. FIRST LIGHT focuses on Logan Callahan, Chief of Public Safety on Haven Island and Cecilia ‘Cali’ Lai, and can be read as a standalone novel while neatly providing references from the other two books in the series for those readers already familiar with them.
FIRST LIGHT delivers a surprising and original plotline which plunges large sections of the book into thriller territory. The story is fresh with lots of contemporary relevance. As well as the burgeoning romance between Logan and Cali, the story also explores cyber-terrorism, family dynamics, childlessness and grief. There are areas that could have stretched believability but the mechanics of the plot have been thoroughly researched and, consequently, the narrative maintains credibility and easily holds reader interest. Jolie ensures that any technical complexities in the story are explained using light and engaging prose which does not detract from what is essentially a nicely involving love story. The chapters switch between Logan and Cali’s first-person perspectives, enabling the reader to gain a rounded view of both characters. Their differing opinions, and involvement in the action as it unfolds, also provide the reader with some intriguing flashes of dramatic irony which apply tension to the narrative and ensure that, in places, FIRST LIGHT is really gripping.
The book is fairly pacey but it never becomes too frenetic. The leisurely tempo of life on Haven Island helps dilute the plot urgency, maintaining a steady momentum for the reader and a distinct individuality for the characters. FIRST LIGHT is a deceptively well-structured novel that is faultlessly edited. The Island environment is also utilized to complementary effect with some lovely descriptive imagery of the stunning scenery and, given its compact size, the reader is quickly immersed into island routine, although some action does takes place on the mainland. Cali begins FIRST LIGHT as an understandably enigmatic character who develops a little unconvincingly in parts. Her reactions to her brother, Erik, and his behavior are a touch frustrating. Nonetheless, the chemistry between her and Logan sparks enjoyably, and their intimate scenes together are written with accomplishment and narrative purpose. Logan is suitably depicted as the wounded divorcee with a bruising past and comes into his own as Cali’s true identity is revealed. The reader is given a real sense of his internal conflict and confusion set against the backdrop of the growing storm that threatens to engulf the island. The conclusion is sweetly satisfactory without being over-engineered, and will certainly not disappoint fans of the genre.
Isabel Jolie serves up an enjoyable slice of romantic escapism in FIRST LIGHT, another polished instalment in her “Haven Island” series, with a sprinkling of suspense to make it a solidly entertaining read.
~Rose Auburn for IndieReader