A Hug In A Book

A New Dawn In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is a most charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in the Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the previous books first for character development and progression.

Fans of Maggie Christensen will recognize the fictional town of Bellbird Bay and its’ residents who are just up the coast from Pelican Crossing. The interactions and crossovers between the two series, help the reader to feel at home.

Maggie Christensen writes in a very warm fashion as she draws the reader into her world. With each new tale we feel as if we are returning home to receive a hug in a book.

All the characters are well drawn and believable. The majority, including the lead characters, are over fifty. This makes them very relatable and easy to empathise with. Each new book has its’ focus on a different main character who will then interact with familiar faces.

The focus of this book is a pair of fifty something singles. One is single through the death of a partner. The other is single due to an unfaithful partner and is awaiting divorce to be finalized but there are financial stumbling blocks. Both are similar but different. Both have locked hearts away in order to preserve them.

A single life can be lonely. Both try to fill their lives with family, friends, community and work. Those around them pull together when needed.

Pelican Crossing is a place of community, always offering love and support. It does mean that lives can be very public at times!

Sometimes family can be toxic. A divorce lawyer has seen some awful situations. Here, there is a link to the women’s refuge we met in the Bellbird Bay books. A character is fleeing an abusive husband and takes refuge in Pelican Crossing with family. We see how her emotions have been manipulated so that she feels guilty for leaving her husband, even though others tell her the abuse is not her fault. Maggie Christensen sensitively approaches and portrays this topic.

Animals turn a house into a home. Cookie is a delightful chocolate labrador and very much a character in her own right.

Pelican Crossing is a warm and welcoming coastal town, offering many maritime activities as well as a wide variety of places to eat. My favourite activity was the early morning wild swimming.

I always love my visits to Pelican Crossing (and Bellbird Bay). I always finish the book smiling and feeling good, having immersed myself in a friendly community and received my hug in a book.

I am looking forward to subsequent books.

I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

An afterword: Please if you have been affected by some of the topics covered, tell someone and seek help.

JULIA WILSON