I loved learning about Antarctica, but this book lost me a bit, especially at the end, because the characters made such poor choices.

This book was one that I eagerly waited to read. I fell in love with the cover and the blurb and was really looking forward to reading a love story set in Antarctica. And, the book was good, just not that fantastic good I had hoped for. It took some time for me to get into the story and all the flashbacks that told the reader about how Deb and Keller met were not always that interesting to read about, not since the present story was more interesting. Sure, with the flashbacks we learned how they met and the reason for Keller not being aboard the ship. But it slowed down the story a bit. And, reading about Deb's growing up and college time really didn't feel that important. I guess I just never really found myself engrossed in their story, not enough to really be pulled into the story. They never really managed to get a life together beside the time they spend in Antarctica, and I felt that Keller was never really ready to settle down in the same way as Deb was. All his reasons for not moving in with her for instance just were excuses for being free, to have a couple of months with Deb and then do something else.

But, then came the last part of the book, and here is where the story turned really good. Now the moment of truth is here, they have reached Australis and deb is frantically searching for Keller, will she find him? Well, that's the questions...

So, in the end, was this not the brilliant book that I had hoped it to be, true it was not a bad book either. It was good, some flashbacks I liked, some felt less interesting, but the ending was superb!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

Deb discovered her passion and changed her life’s career. Keller lost his family and tried to find a way to erase the emptiness in his life. Deb is a naturalist who studies and counts penguins in the Antarctica. She meets Keller on an assignment there. Something clicks between them, and slowly but surely they discover how much they have in common and what secrets lie hidden in their pasts. A disaster is waiting in their future, but neither can do anything to prevent it. The author does a good job of describing the frigid air and freezing waters, so much so you will probably reach for a sweater. She also does an excellent job of building suspense. The chapters do jump back and forth in time as she builds the back stories of the characters, stopping at just the right point in the current story to keep you reading. My main complaint is with the ending, which I did not like, and which seemed too abrupt. ( )

Antarctic scientists and a shipwreck. love stories. ( )

Deb Gardner feels at home when she's at the end of the world. She does her research on the penguins that live there and enjoys the solitude the continent has to offer. Then one day Deb finds her world shifting like the icebergs around her when she meets Keller Sullivan, a dishwasher eager to learn all he can about the penguins Deb is studying. Soon they're spending as much time together as they can before returning to their separate lives up North.

With a new research season beginning Deb will be travelling and playing tour guide to the passengers on board the small ship that will take them to their destination. Deb can hardly wait to see Keller again, but he never shows up. Shortly into the journey, Deb learns that Keller is on board the Australis, a massive cruise liner that she can see not far off in the distance from the ship she's on. Deb knows that cruise liner shouldn't be coming this way, and soon the ship receives an emergency signal from the Australis - they're in desperate need of help. Deb sets out helping as many people as she can all the while searching for the man she loves.

Oh my God. This book is perfect. The beautiful, descriptive writing makes everything come to life. You really feel as though you're in Antarctica watching those cute penguins and then scrambling around trying to get to safety and help those who need it. It was intense. But it was refreshing to travel someplace different. It's a book that made me think about our impact on the environment and how our choices can be so life-altering. An amazing book. Definitely have tissues handy. ( )