Reviewed by Heather Stockard for Readers' Favorite

Owen Kerrigan is running out of time. For thirty years he’s manned the lighthouse on Clare Island, Ireland, one of the last of its kind. But age and modernization are creeping up on him. The building of a new, automated lighthouse signals the end of Owen’s watch. It’s time to move on, but Owen has unfinished business. He’s searched too long for the pirate queen’s treasure to give up now. Centuries ago, Grace O’Malley hid a chest of Spanish doubloons somewhere on the island, or so the legends say. Owen has dedicated his life to finding them. It’s all he’s had in the decades since he broke with his brother. The arrival of the beautiful Ellen O’Malley, a descendant of the pirate queen, and the sudden appearance of the brother he hasn’t seen in half a lifetime shake up Owen’s quiet existence. He must come to terms with them both and find the treasure before it’s too late.

Brothers by Kirk Weddell is a charming novel. Weddell really captures the atmosphere of the lovely island setting, and of the people in it. The blending of the past and present was well done and even though she was only in a few scenes, Grace O’Malley felt very realistic; a strong female presence. The mid-life romance was handled nicely too. In a genre that prefers young lovers, this is a refreshing change. A touching story of love, forgiveness and letting go, Brothers is the perfect read for anyone looking to while away a lazy afternoon. It was a great book.