as waters gone by by Cynthia Ruchti

Emmalyn and Max's marriage was in trouble long before the real trouble began. Her inability to conceive almost spiralled into an obsession and this put immense pressure on both of them - emotionally and financially. When Max met with a serious accident and began a mandated five year prison term the separation almost seemed permanent without any way of reconciliation.

With just months to go for Max's sentence to finish, Emmalyn has now got to decide what to do for the future. Max has been adamant about not wanting to communicate with her and asks her to divorce him. Emmalyn still loves him and she now has to make her final decision.

Moving to Madeline Island part of a group of islands in Lake Superior gives her the distance, space
and time to make the call. Having the unexpected responsibility of Max's twelve year old from a previous relationship with her seems to make it much easier on Emmalyn's side to know what she has to do. The ramifications of family, the ties that bind and the friendship of the people on Madeline Island brings Emmalyn closer to the determination that she must make her marriage succeed.

Though it was predictable, the story was nevertheless a good read. Descriptive and detailed about the environment of the islands (unknown to me) I found the book enjoyable.

Sent to me by Netgalley courtesy of Abingdon Press.