The Secret of Haven Point

Product Information

Lisette Auton’s The Secret of Haven Point is an accomplished, inclusive, captivating debut that will chime with fans of lyrical adventures and disabled readers longing for literary representation. When you read a book written in the first person, do you hear the voice and accent in your head? As a trained actor-director, this is a big thing for me and I love books with a strong sense of character and location that are conjured through the narrative voice. Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark... The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children...

Thank you to NetGalley for this free ARC, but my thoughts and review are my own and without bias. @netgalley #HavenPoint #virginiahume LA: Working with Emma Jones as my mentor on the WriteNow programme was absolutely nothing short of life changing. What I learned in such a short space of time about the technicalities of writing, editing, line editing, structure, character and pace was incredible, like a one-to-one masterclass. But it wasn’t just that, it was the confidence she instilled in me through her faith in my story and my writing. I finally believed it was possible. My story is incredibly northern with a cast of disabled characters, it’s not necessarily the most commercial sell going! But it was my heart song and Emma never asked me to water that down, but to dig deep and go for it even more. It wouldn’t exist the way it does now without her skill and kindness. When Puffin acquired The Secret of Haven Point I was so proud that she became my editor. A relationship I relish, and she’s still challenging me now – you should see the notes on my latest edit for book two! This book did not need this over the top climax with gun violence. I also didn't find Haven Point this idyllic place it was made out to be - the kids feel neglected. They get their basic need for food and shelter met but they don't have a close relationship with any one parent (Alpha does with the mermaid, but none of the others do) and their education is a mess.

About Lisette Auton

He didn’t know our names; he could have made up some nice ones. Instead, he chose the easiest thing in the world - to label us by our impairments.’ The author conveys the snobbishness of the WASP enclave of Haven Point, which becomes a character in this novel. The stories of these women are told with great understanding and sensitivity. The novel begins in the 1940’s and we are taken not only through the lives of the protagonists, but also a social history of 7 decades in America. This book delves into friendship, belonging, trust and inclusion. A must-have story for all bookshelves. A book for children to see themselves represented, find solace and understanding. For others, it will help build empathy and acceptance in a world that is full of magic, confusion and twists.

This well-written book was quite an emotional story. There is strong sense of place and well-developed characters especially Maren, Annie and Skye who each felt like outsiders in Haven Point. Some sections felt a little long but overall this was a satisfying read as each woman tried to find their place in a community that was not accepting of people unlike themselves. Have you learnt nothing from this place? They’re not reasons to leave, they’re reasons to love harder. They’re reasons to stay”. For me, this family saga had it all -- wonderfully written characters, the timelines that told the family stories and the beautiful scenery in Maine. This is a debut novel for the author and I look forward to her future novels. I'm disabled/chronically ill myself and I adore books that have lighthouses and mermaids in them so when I first heard about this book by Jen Campbell (who always recommends amazing disability books) I immediately bought it and I'm so glad I did because I loved it so much.

I enjoyed this book and will highly recommend it to reading groups since there are so many topics to stimulate rich discussion. Cap’n has help with his charges, in the form of mermaids. These mermaids aren’t the pretty, Disney versions. They have teeth which will shred you if crossed, but it is their magic helping protect Haven Point. So how does this special group survive, you ask? Elle McNicoll, award-winning author of A Kind of Spark. A stunning literary adventure from an incredible debut talent, perfect for fans of Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Cerrie Burnell and Katherine Rundell. The Secret of Haven Pointwill be published on 3rd February 2022 with a second,untitled book, publishing in 2023.

The Secret of Haven Point is a classic children’s book in the making, and I am reasonably sure that children will love it from the beginning to the end. Written by an author with their own disability, this story is told with heart, stirred in with magic, mermaids and a man who raises kittens in his beard. The main character Alpha Lux (named after the Lux Flakes box she was found in), is feisty, curious and brave, but bites off more than she can chew. Her desire to remember her mother’s face drives Alpha headfirst into a plan she never knew existed, thrusting all she knows and loves into danger. This book is beautifully written, and the characters are fascinating. Maren, Annie, and Skye are well developed, and all have complex emotional journeys through the telling of the story. The beautiful community of Haven Point on the coast of Maine is well described and is a stunning setting for most of the story. The book is a bit long and does drag a bit in the middle, as the setting for the story is set up. However, it’s worthwhile to get to the end, where the story ramps up and draws to an emotional and fulfilling ending.

I loved how Ephyra and the other mermaids were described - they were fierce and everything you'd want a female clan to be! I loved Cap'n and the quirkyness of having a kitten in his beard. I loved the growth of Alpha throughout the book, both as a person and as a friend. I did second-guess the traitor in the midst but only by a chapter or so, and it did not take away from the twists and turns that continued!