Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Wizard by the Sea

AUTHOR: Anna Wineheart

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 282 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2017

BLURB:

On his tenth birthday, Connor trips over a wizard on the shore. Amidst glowing clovers and roses drawn in the sand, the wizard shelters him from the rain and promises to teach him magic. Three years later, they meet again, and Connor becomes his student.

Yates has never been a mentor—he doesn’t deserve the privilege. But Connor comes to him after a tragedy, broken and helpless, and stays for years. Without realizing it, they fall in love. Yates knows he shouldn’t: he has shaped this boy into a man. At a loss, he pretends not to notice Connor’s affections… until his nineteenth birthday, when they celebrate a hard-won victory and give in to desire. Ashamed, Yates banishes his student, leaving a hole in both their hearts.

Four years later and still lonely, a tidal wave sweeps Connor back into Yates’ life. When they meet again, he discovers that Yates has withheld secrets from him, secrets that could change his life. Their past is fractured, their future uncertain. But the one thing Connor see knows is that he’s always loved the wizard by the sea.

REVIEW:

This was a lovely book. One I would definitely read again. It pertains to a boy and his life from the age of ten to adulthood. It chronicles life’s ups and downs and the people he comes in contact with and the one who makes a difference, the wizard Yates. Yates not only becomes a teacher, but a mentor and a best friend when Connor really didn’t have anyone.

Yates is 248 years old and insecure over past things and really doesn’t think he deserves to have someone like Connor for a student. I think even though I love reading about Connor’s life in this book, it’s Yates that struck a chord with me. He wants so much to be a good teacher for Connor and when he sees how well Connor has learned, he can’t help but be proud. But his past leaves him filled with doubts. As the years pass on, Yates is noticing Connor is not so much his little student and best friend anymore, but a man. He is so fearful, though, because he doesn’t want to lose what he has with Connor. He has been so lonely. But on one fateful night, he can’t resist the feelings he has for Connor and it is everything he imagined and more. But he has to let him go because he broke his own rules of not getting involved with a student.

As a reader, you can see the growth not only in Connor but also in Yates. The years and some events teach Yates that you have to let go of the negative thoughts that fill your mind and make you feel like you aren’t enough. It also shows him to let go and love the person who loves you instead of holding back. Taking life by the horns and going for it. A lesson we all can learn. (Of course, once he does let go the sex is amazing). But Yates had to learn the hard way that sometimes life hands you what you need most when you aren’t looking. You just have to reach out and grab it. In life we need to do the same.

Definitely a book I will want to read again because of the relationship between them and because it’s just a good story to read. It gives you a sweet HEA and makes you happy that the characters get what they’ve always wanted.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon