Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island by Robin Merrill

Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island Reviews

• 
  Erin Laramore

  What a lovely contemporary novel and beginning of a series! Robin Merrill is a "new to me" author, but has proven herself to be one I will continue to check out! This book follows Emily, who has just gotten her first full-time teaching job - at a teeny tiny school on a small-town island off the coast of Maine - where basketball is more important than anything else in the world. This book had all the great features - small town quirks, great characters, an interesting story-line, a mystery, a romance, a heavy topic and a solid faith thread. I loved how Emily grew throughout the story - in her desire to stay on the island (even with the winters being as bad as she'd heard) and how she grew in her confidence and her faith. Her character was definitely relatable as she dealt with the struggles of being the "new girl" in a firmly established small town and standing up for what she believed versus going with the flow. Then ending was satisfactory for the story itself, but the characters make me want to know what happens next, so I'm glad this is a series! If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction, this is one you will want to pick up! Special thanks to the author for an e-copy of this book. I was not obligated to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
• 
  Kay Defreese

  Emily, a first year teacher takes a job on a Maine island where it seems the whole island is obsessed with their girls basketball team. What I like about Emily is she genuinely cared for the well-being of her students. Emily stood up for her beliefs even when her job was in jeopardy. And she helped reveal some secrets that should have long been brought to the surface. Even though Emily knew the possibility of losing her job she knew God was in contro. There was also a love interest for Emily in the story but it played a minor role. This is an outstanding book that should encourage people in the teaching field to hold fast to their faith.
• 
  Jane

  Follows the life of Emily Morse who has recently gotten a job as a language arts teacher in a small school on an island called Pierceheaven in rural Maine
• 
  Nadine Keels

  Emily has finally landed her first "real" teaching job. It seems like a quaint setup: a small town on a Maine island and a K-12 school with fewer than two hundred students. But as Emily gets closer to a dark secret in this town, her job—and more—could be at stake in Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island, a novel by author Robin Merrill.
  
  I was drawn into this story rather quickly by the dashes of dry humor and, well, just a certain realness to Emily's point of view. Except for some of the later chapters and an ending I found somewhat abrupt, the story moves at a nice pace without feeling rushed. Although this novel isn't a thriller or anything, I became riveted at a particular point and couldn't stop reading.
  
  I usually don't go for heroines who cry as much as Emily does, but the fact that she's fully aware of her tendency toward "waterworks" makes a difference. Her tears don't seem like a heavy-handed attempt to make the reader feel for her. Besides, Emily isn't a weak or wispy damsel. She's got some fire and tenacity. When the time comes for her to stand up, she stands up. That's the kind of heroine I appreciate.
  
  Now, while I'm a longtime fan of ChristFic, some of the "Jesus speak" and calls to salvation usually feel weird to me in novels, as was the case here. I also wasn't too drawn into the story's romance; the characters' feelings for each other pop into the foreground before there's a real chance to see why they've come to feel that way, exactly.
  
  Still, there's plenty about the novel that had me (literally) applauding, and if there's a sequel coming, that's a definite plus.
  _______________
  I received a complimentary copy of this book, for which I've given an honest review.
• 
  Anne Campbell

  Oh, wow! This is good! Romance, intrigue, suspense--all centered around basketball. And I'm not even a huge basketball fan. I liked our high school games, though--and this is about high school basketball on steroids! No, not literally on drugs--just really hyped up. You know what I mean.
  
  Emily Morse has her first teaching job, and she's excited. The folks on this small Maine island are excited too--well, as excited as they get about anyone new on the island. Everyone else has always been there. Not just since birth. No, for generations. They don't think she'll last long. The winters are enough to scare most folks away before the winter even ends.
  
  Actually, the only thing that really excites the town is basketball.
  
  But Emily falls in love with her students and then with a Bible-reading hunk. She wants to stay. Even after being informed that she will in no way fail or even give low grades to basketball players. Their teams (both boys and girls) have many times over taken the golden ball--the state championship. The basketball coach belligerently informs her, and the principal backs him up. What?
  
  But then Emily discovers the dirty secret held by the island, the school, and the teams, and it all goes downhill from there.
  
  You don't want to miss this one. Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
  
  I received a free copy of the book from the author. There were no requirements for a positive review, so the opinions and evaluations are my own.
  
• 
  Lisa

  Maine culture nailed in one short book. I grew up playing basketball in northern Maine. Robin nails it in one take. However, this book also takes on some harder issues. How do those in public jobs share their faith in a way that doesn't compromise their beliefs nor put their jobs in jeopardy? And how does one go about doing the right thing when public opinion is that it's the wrong thing? Well, done, Robin. Well done! I invite everyone to head to the island and meet Emily and James and all the kids at the high school. It's a great place to hang out from the sounds of it.
• 
  Roger

  Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island was my first incredible read/listen from author Robin Merrill. The book has a Stephen Kingish feel early on as you wait for the other shoe to drop. The story and characters are slowly & methodically developed, drawing the reader in. Narrator Rebecca Winder adds greatly to the listening enjoyment with her wide variety of entertaining voices & inflections. Wonderful Christian read! Hoosiers move over, the girls have come to play! I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
• 
  Ashley Hedden

  Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island was a great read by Robin Merrill. Emily has moved to a remote island in Maine and is starting her new job as a teacher. This island is much different tha any place that Emily has been to before. The whole island is very obsessed with basketball but they also have a very dark secret that no one talks about. Emily's job is on the line and she doesn't want to leave her students or the man she is falling in love with. I really enjoyed listening to this book and can't wait to read more by Robin Merrill.
• 
  Helen

  A light read. It kept me interested in Emily's experience as the new English teacher at Piercehaven High School. Emily discovers a secret and has to decide if she should lay low and fit in with the exclusive islanders or rock the boat by exposing it. Life is very different on the island and Emily struggles to fit in. Will she become part of the fabric of this small town by keeping quiet or will she turn the world of her students upside down by revealing what she knows.
  
  A good book that I enjoyed. This is book one of a trilogy.
• 
  Leanne Hunt

  I read the audio version of this novel and thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were likeable, the school setting felt realistic, and the story was very satisfying. Also, the narrator was easy to listen to and brought the characters to life in a believable way.
  The audio book was made available to me for free by the author in return for a review. I intend to go on and read the next book in the series because I want to find out more about the community of Piercehaven.
• 
  Loretta

  Emily has just moved to a remote Maine island to teach at a school. When long standing traditions are questioned, she rocks the boat. She also meets the handsome lobsterman at church so there is a bit of Hallmark to this book though. As Emily uses her faith to guide her through some difficult decisions and choices the story comes to a crisis. I like seeing a character who stands strong in her faith even when she is putting her job on the line to do so.
• 
  Wendy Plant

  It seems odd to rate i book I read in a couple of days so low. It was like watching a 90 min chick flick. Fast paced and entertaining. But the town was completely unbelievable and the characters had no real development. The romance was not the main thrust of the story but felt like it fit the rom-com pattern perfectly. Entertaining for a movie but not a good book and nothing to make me think. Which if that’s what you want from a book maybe it’s 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 
  Megan Childres

  Heavy, but also heartwarming!
  
  I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting some of the heavy topics that came up in Piercehaven. I almost felt as though there should have been some type of warning for those who could be triggered by it. With that being said, I truly enjoyed reading it! It was truly inspiring and helped me to remember that God is Always in control! I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
• 
  Janice Dick

  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It doesn't start with a bang, but gradually comes alive as the main character finds her place in the world of Piercehaven Island. The setting is unique enough to draw interest, and the characters are distinctive. Also, the author tackled some serious issues in a considerate manner.
• 
  Cindy

  Christian Contemporary Romance
  
  I loved this narrator! She did great teen voices as well as calm main characters!
  it was easy to get lost in the basketball scenes, but I loved the overall story of a teacher who loved her kids and tries to make a difference in their education and their personal improvements!
• 
  Nicki

  Great new story line
  
  It seems we might have a start of another series of stories from Robin. At least I hope so! There's so much more to tell about Emily, James, the girls, and the Island. Another winning story! Keep them coming!
• 
  Doug

  Satisfying and Charming
  
  This is the first book I have read by Robin Merrill and it won’t be the last. Easy reading feel good story. As a retired teacher I am proud of Emily. No more, I don’t want to spoil it for you all. Read the book.
• 
  Geraldine R. Gaugler

  Great read!
  
  I truly enjoyed reading this book. It dealt with a very difficult subject in a most respectful manner. It also showed a good light on young people which doesn't happen nearly enough. I also loved the light shown on Jesus, my Lord and Savior.
• 
  David Greene

  Even Island People Can Change
  
  You will like this spunky teacher whose love for students overcomes all obstacles! She figures out how to educate her students in a very broken environment using methods that she didn’t learn at the university. A great read!