Lisa's Reviews > Oyster

I loved taking another journey in the Island Love series - this time with Nico's story. Nico is an oyster farmer who works long hours in his family's business. In the past, he has gone from woman to woman, never dating anyone for very long. He enjoys his single life. Now, however, his mother is slowly dying of cancer and it is profoundly affecting his family. He goes through life in a haze of work, taking it a day at a time.

When Nico spots a young, obviously drunk woman sitting is the cold surf in the early morning hours, he does what is right and helps her return safely to her house. Only when he gets her inside and clearly sees her face for the first time does he realize that this is the top soccer player in the world, known to all as a man.

Initially, Eti doesn't trust Nico not to out her. She shares that she is a transgender woman who is very much in the closet. Nico is drawn to her lovely features, her winning personality, and her quick wit. He wants to spend more time with her and she wants to trust him, too.

This story has a sometimes very bittersweet thread due to the mother's illness and its impact on the family. Eti's emotions and feelings related to splitting a life between being her authentic self with Nico and something else with the rest of the world feels authentic and compassionately told. This is definitely a potential tearjerker in some places. I loved it and look forward to the next book in the series.