Read Hook Road, the new novel by Ayelet Waldman is set on the coast of Maine, and if you haven’t been there, then this book will take you there-complete with lobsters, blueberries, sailboats, and the tension between locals and “from aways.”

It is the tragic tale of the death of two young newlyweds just minutes after they are married. It could have been a depressing novel, but in Waldman’s talented hands it became a story not only of grief, but of healing and forgiveness between the families of the bride and the groom. These two families couldn’t be more different, and it takes the whole of this novel for them to find common ground.

Some of my favorite parts of the story were the beautifully written and lyrical passages between the older violin virtuoso, Mr. Kimmelbrod and Samantha, his young protege.

There are many different characters in this novel, and there were moments when I realized that I didn’t care too deeply about any of them. However, by the end, Waldman brings them all together so well that every misstep along the way is forgiven, and I found that I truly enjoyed this book.