Books like Polsinney Harbour by Mary E. Pearce

Maggie Care, a 19‑year‑old seam‑tender, arrives in Polsinney Harbour and takes work under the sharp‑tongued widow Rachel Tallack, whose son Brice is a fisherman‑skipper. Maggie’s secret pregnancy and loss of a family at sea push her into a marriage with Uncle Gus, a harsh but deeply depressed former skipper. As the new family matures, the lingering love between Maggie and Brice surfaces in quiet exchanges, while the village’s daily battles against the sea—wind‑whipped decks, sprawling nets, shipwreck survival—frame the story’s emotional growth and spiritual reflection. The novel blends domestic scenes with the vigorous life of a fishing community, exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and resilience. Amid the harshness of coastal life, friends, neighbours, and a persistent belief system create a tapestry of both hardship and hope.

First publish date: 1983