Indigo Isle

I was first introduced to the books by L.I. Lowe when my cousin gave me a copy of "Under the Magnolias," a truly incredible book and one I recommended to several people. When I noticed she was speaking in my area I was excited to meet her. I started reading her new book, "Indigo Isle" right away and couldn't put it down. At first, I thought it would just be another love story between two unlikely characters. Sonny is the location scout for a movie production company. While looking for an island for filming, she comes across Indigo Isle, marked private property and is intrigued. She attempts to meet the island's sole resident, a brooding man named Hudson.

As in "Under the Magnolias" Lowe does a good job of weaving together multiple story lines. In that book she delves into life on a tobacco farm in the 1980s, a small church where anyone and everyone can feel at home, and the impact of bipolar depression on a family. In this book, we learn about indigo - how it is grown and turned into dye. In addition, there are references to vlogs, influencers, and the "Me Too" movement which has strengthened many women to face their demons. There is also much about family reconciliation, and learning how to forgive oneself. Lowe from the South so her understanding and appreciation for the area is manifest. She references southern foods like barbecue and boiled peanuts and even the smells of Georgetown! Her deep faith in God is also apparent in this book, but it is not overbearing or smothering as references to religion can be in some Christian Fiction. It's just a great book and it got better as I continued reading. The characters grew and changed in many ways and I feel I benefitted from their stories. Like many of us, I am hard on myself and need to forgive myself. I could see the journeys taken by Sonny and Hudson in their recovery.