Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes

Lucy Clairmont's family treasured the magic of the past, and her childhood fascination with stories of the high seas led her to become a marine archaeologist. But when tragedy strikes, it's Dashel, an American forensic astronomer, and his knowledge of the stars that may help her unearth the truth behind the puzzle she's discovered in her family home.

Two hundred years earlier, the seeds of love are sown between a boy and a girl who spend their days playing in a secret sea cave, while the privileged young son of the estate looks on, wishing to join. As the children grow and war leads to unthinkable heartbreak, a story of love, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption unfolds, held secret by the passage of time.

As Lucy and Dash journey to a mysterious old estate on the East Sussex coast, their search leads them to a community of souls and a long-hidden tale that may hold the answers--and the healing--they so desperately seek.

Paperback, 352 pages 

Published June 30, 2020

 by Bethany House Publishers

4/5 stars

Amanda Dykes is not a new to me author, I have only read one of her books Whose Waves These Are, which I absolutely loved.

This was an audio read, coming in at 12 1/2 hours and narrated by Shiromi Arserio who is a new to me narrator. Stellar job!

It isn't a secret that I enjoy dual timelines and here was the case again. In current day Lucy Claremont is fascinated with the high seas, she grew up in a story filled world where her father kept her entertained with stories and legends. With riddles that gave a fairy tale feel.

Two hundred years ago a boy named Frederick tells his story of the high seas, a girl named Juliette and a cave.

This was an interesting story spanning years with family time, tragedy, heartache and separation. Connecting the dots to this 2 timelines was intriguing and while usually I like one era more than the other, here I enjoyed both equally.  Set the Stars Alight is a well written, mysterious time in history. The cover speaks volumes of the stars, the sea and the power of the past to heal in the future.