Life and Love on Mouse Island: 1 Woman, 1 Dog, 1 House: Finding Home by Andrée Jannette blends romance with a message that hopes, dreams, and possibilities can emerge at any stage of life. At sixty-one, Isabel can hardly believe that after years of living in cramped apartments, she is finally a homeowner. As she embarks on this new chapter of her life on Mouse Island, she can’t help but wonder who left her this mysterious inheritance. Life on the island is, of course, a far cry from New York, and something about the place soon has her finding facets of her character and capabilities that she didn’t know she possessed. As she finds her feet in the community, a dog she names Sadie and the quiet blossom of romance gently transform her journey, making her grateful for the surprising benefactor who set it all in motion.

In Life and Love on Mouse Island, Andrée Jannette’s message is clear: love can find us at any time, often in the most unexpected places and forms. Isabel’s character illustrates this beautifully; she comes to life on the island, revealing her struggles and triumphs in ways that make her deeply endearing and lovable, capturing the heart of the reader as she navigates her journey of growth and self-discovery. The importance of community is strongly emphasized, with characters finding strength, support, and belonging in one another. Each of these communal moments tugged at my heart, making me long for a connection and support like that shared by the residents of Mouse Island. I recommend this book to readers who appreciate stories of unexpected love, as well as to animal lovers and readers seeking uplifting tales about the joy of finding your people.

Moving from a bustling city to a small island at sixty-one is a daunting and challenging prospect. This is the theme of Andrée Jannette’s book Life and Love on Mouse Island. Isabel Flynn is bequeathed a house on a small island off the coast of Maine. When she first sees it, the house is very rundown, and she wonders how she will ever cope. Having lived a single and solitary life in the city, she is overwhelmed by her decision to sell up and move. Uncertain, awkward, and shy, she meets people who slowly welcome her into the community. She discovers new skills, a fresh outlook on life, and, more importantly, how she views herself. She may even find love. Of course, there is always someone willing to throw cold water on Isabel’s efforts, but her decision to adopt a three-legged puppy brings much support from the locals. There is also the mystery of who left her the house. She had no relatives that she knew of, so who could it possibly be?

Coming-of-age tales are a popular theme these days, but when the main character is over sixty, this delightful book shows it can occur at any age. I enjoyed Life and Love on Mouse Island by Andrée Jannette for several reasons. The characters are delightful; they spring to life off the pages, and I never confused one with another. The writing style is both calm and easy, yet the author does not forget to paint the scene so the reader feels they are on the island meeting all these kind and gentle people. We are introduced to Sam, who runs a business at the marina, Charlotte, who also works on the boats, the local vet and doctor, Mary, who owns the bookstore, Daniel the artist, Tom at the hardware store, and Jason, who hopes to get into medical school. Within five months, Isabel morphs into a confident and capable woman, finding herself for the first time in harmony with a society she has never experienced before, sharing sorrows and joys with a wonderful group of people. I also liked the list of associations that use animals to help humanity. I highly recommend this book for a gentle read, on the beach, or curled up next to a fire.