The Shell Collector: A Novel

Nancy Naigle

May 2021 · Sold by WaterBrook

About this eBook

“The Shell Collector is a beautiful story full of love, loss, and second chances.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

From USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle, The Shell Collector is a touching novel of a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good.

Two years after her husband’s death, Amanda Whittier has two children to raise alone, an abandoned dream of starting a business, and a fixer-upper cottage by the sea. She has no room in her life for anything else and little interest in moving on after losing the man she loved. 

Paul Grant is a relative newcomer to the area, and his work with former military dogs needing rehabilitation has been good for the town. Though he loved once before, he’s convinced he’s not suited for romance and is determined to find meaning—alone—through his work and role in the community. 

Widowed Maeve Lindsay was born and raised on Whelk’s Island. Spirited, kind, and a little mischievous, she pours her life into the town. But she carries a secret that shapes her every move. 

Together, these three souls find encouragement in the most mysterious places and discover a love that’s bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.

Ratings and reviews

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle is a sweet, inspiring story. It is one of those novels that makes you feel good. It is the perfect type of book to read while relaxing by the pool or while on vacation. We get to meet Amanda Whittier and her children along with Paul Grant and Maeve Lindsay. I just loved Maeve who is a free-spirited woman who enjoys life to the fullest. The friendship between Maeve and Amanda was touching. The point-of-view switches between Maeve, Amanda, and Paul. This allows readers to see things from each of their perspectives. The Shell Collector is an emotional story that will tug on your heartstrings. I thought The Shell Collector was well-written with developed characters and a beautiful setting. I just loved the sound of Whelk’s Island. I liked the small-town community as well as the beautiful beach. The shell descriptions allowed me to imagine what they looked like. I thought it was creative for someone to write inspirational messages inside shells and leave them where they can be found. It seemed the right shell was found by the person who needed it at that time. One of my favorite quotes from The Shell Collector is, “Unfortunately no life is free of sadness, be it from pain, loss, ill, or…, well, you get the idea. It’s all a necessary part of a life well lived.” In life we need both the good and the bad so that we have balance. The other is, “When the tide goes out, we get to appreciate the treasures it reveals. And when it comes in, new life is washed ashore. There’s beauty in both.” I did feel the story was a tad too long. It could have been fifty pages shorter. I also felt the characters were too perfect especially Paul and the kids. I cannot imagine kids behaving as good as Amanda’s two children (they were polite, corrected themselves if they made an error, played together nicely). Faith is at the forefront of The Shell Collector. Our three main characters are Christians who knows God is there for them. They pray for his guidance and know that all things happen in His timing. This is a story about wisdom, friendship, a second chance at love, and finding joy in nature’s beauty. The Shell Collector is a touching tale with cute kids, a playful pooch, special seashells, a mournful mother, a free-spirited friend, superannuated soldier, and a gracious God.

BEAUTIFUL STORY OF RESTORATION AND HOPE! USA Bestselling author Nancy Naigle has provided readers with a wonderful gift in THE SHELL COLLECTOR. It is a beautiful story of restoration and hope. Naigle chose the small North Carolina beach town of Whelks Island for the setting (mostly two specific beach houses) and most people will find that factor very appealing. Her plot is well thought out and she unfolds her story in a very even manner by not revealing too much too soon. Her characters are fantastic! The three main characters are: 1) Amanda Whittier, a widow (for the last two years) and mom of two precious little ones. She must come to understand that her life did not end with death of her husband and that she has so much more living ahead of her. 2) Maeve Lindsay, the widow who lives next door to Amanda. They meet on the beach and end up forming a bond that is closer than family. She opens the door for Amanda to find healing and peace. 3) Old friend Paul Grant comes back in her life at just the right time. He has been grieving the loss of his best friend and he feels he let Amanda down in the past. He wants nothing more than a second chance to prove himself. Naigle uses these characters to paint her beautiful word story of restoration and hope and and it is one that will stay with you long after you have read the last word! I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by WaterBrook & Multnomah. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this heartwarming novel prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating. The Shell Collector is another heartfelt story with endearing characters and a plot that will touch your heart. The pacing pulled me in from the first page to the last. Ms. Naigle has set this novel in a small coastal beach town with a close community. Amanda Whittier is the heroine, and I quickly became enmeshed with her character from the start. I loved her courage, her stamina and determination. When she befriends Maeve, my heart melted. Her love of her adorable children is admirable, and although her grief is deep from the losing her husband, she doesn’t allow it to pull her under. Paul Grant is the hero, and he has the characteristics I most admire. Not only is he ex-military, but he’s also a dog lover and has formed a company to rehabilitate ex-military animals. When he meets Amanda on the beach, it amazed him. The last time he’d seen her was at her husband, and his best friend’s, funeral, where she placed the blame on him for Jack’s death. Maeve Lindsay is the third major character in this tale, and she’s feisty, quirky and will steal your heart. Her love and unconditional acceptance of Amanda is amazing, and her deep relationships with the folks in their community are heartwarming. The romance between Amanda and Paul is not the central focus of this novel, but added to my enjoyment. While they have a good bit of angst to overcome from their past, they don’t antagonize each other. I enjoyed their romance and wanted them to find their happy ending. If you enjoy novels that deal with grief, friendship and unconditional love, and with characters that will grab your heart, then you will love The Shell Collector as much as I did. I always know I’m in for an emotional reading experience with one of Ms. Naigle’s novels. Happy reading!

About the author

Nancy Naigle is a USA Today bestselling author whose many contemporary romance novels include the Adams Grove, Boot Creek, and Christmas in Evergreen series. Several of her novels have been adapted to the television screen, airing on the Hallmark Channel and on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, including the popular Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas. Nancy makes her home in North Carolina.