A monumental regret. A fluttering chance for redemption.
Seventy-year-old Wallace Bernard moves to a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, ideal digs for a man accustomed to being invisible. Drawn by magnetic neighbors into troubleshooting a stalled-out romance, an aimless youngster’s prospects, and an unworldly woman’s sway toward independence, he becomes a trusted member of his new community—unaware he is inextricably linked to one neighbor’s enduring grief. When fresh loss dissolves his loner facade, magnanimous friends offer attentive support. But can Wallace find peace in being far from unremarkable?
Restorative Wren Island is the setting for this heartwarming story about embracing community, pursuing friendship, and cherishing loved ones.
Includes Discussion Guide. Contact the author to request book club appearances.
This standalone novel can also be read as Book 2 in the Make It Home series.
ISBN (paperback): 9798998896842
ISBN (e-book): 9798998896859
Library of Congress Control Number: 2026910144
Endorsements
4 reviews for Far From Unremarkable
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Laura Joy Lloyd –
“Readers will find Far From Unremarkable an oasis in our troubling times—a place of kindness, respect, love, and redemption. Like Jan Karon’s Mitford, or Louise Penny’s Three Pines, Laura Joy Lloyd’s Wren Island is a place where one longs to live and share relationship with its inhabitants.”
Ginny L. Yttrup, Christy Award–winning novelist
Laura Joy Lloyd –
“Like a fine wine, Laura Joy Lloyd’s Wren Island series improves with age. Her second novel, Far from Unremarkable, grabbed this male reader and hurried me through to see the characters grow and how the plot resolved. Why do I recommend this book to guys? It’s gritty and realistic. Deals with disaster and loss frankly. As a guy, I appreciate that the main characters are males. The nuances of the storytelling are reminiscent of Francine Rivers’ best-selling novels. And what a teaser of an ending! Guys, either borrow your significant other’s copy, or buy one of your own. You’ll enjoy the ride! An enticing book you can read and still keep your man card.”
Tim Riter, author, professor, jack-of-all-trades, and motorcycle enthusiast
Laura Joy Lloyd –
“Far From Unremarkable is a touching exploration of grief, and a sweet story that integrates new and familiar characters we’ve come to feel are family. I was cheering for them all!”
Linda Avellar, author of Cassie Linden Finds Her Sweet Spot
Laura Joy Lloyd –
“Far From Unremarkable by Laura Joy Lloyd is an extremely well-written book from her Wren Island series. Filled with characters that are complex and deep, Unremarkable leads you into a labyrinth of situations and challenges that could be frustrating. Frustrating except for the fact that Ms. Lloyd handles them so deftly that the reader finishes each chapter feeling as though they have just had a very successful day at cat obedience school. Far From Unremarkable is an almost perfect character study, filled with men and women that don’t just stroll through the lovely paths and byways of Wren Island or sail the seas around it, but connect, crash into and ultimately knit together with each other in a way that seems almost magical, and yet at the same time almost normal, or at least how I imagine true normal life should be. This is a complex, gripping and ultimately, a nearly satisfying novel. I say nearly because I am a writer who likes to tie things completely together. So, when Ms. Lloyd introduces a mystery character at the end of the story, I grit my teeth and sigh, knowing that I will have to read the next book in the series to get my answers. And this is not a hard fate, but one to which I look forward. Since Unremarkable is, in the end, such a good book, I believe I can trust the next to be more so.”
Patrick E. Craig, author of the Apple Creek Dreams series, The Islands series, and the Porch Swing Mysteries