Review of 'An Ocean of Stars' by Imogen Martin

Review of 'An Ocean of Stars' by Imogen Martin

Release date: March 2, 2026

Publisher: Storm Publishing

REVIEW

Imogen Martin never fails to enchant, inspire and enlighten me with her riveting historical fiction. An Ocean of Stars is a beautiful emotionally charged story that truly captivated my heart. I just could not stop reading as I became so involved with the characters’ lives that they felt like real people I would enjoying knowing!

It is 1879. The novel is off to a racing start from page one when Dr McLennan literally deboards the sailing ship, is picked up by a Van Bergen employee and ferried away quickly to an emergency at the women’s hospital. All this before he even gets to unpack or arrive at his accommodation. Then he is met by Mrs Hale who leads him through the facility where a ‘strong noxious smell’ hits him. Apparently from overloaded drains with too many patients for the size of the building. It is easy to see why Phoebe is so keen to build a new and larger facility. When the Scottish doctor encounters the patient he has been asked to urgently help, he gets frustrated by the rules imposed upon him by a woman who he thinks is a nurse. He is annoyed by the lack of respect for him and becomes increasingly agitated.

The next scene I cannot help but mention for its humour. It is the day after Dr. Douglas McLennan’s arrival. He returns to his new place of employment but to attend a meeting with the president of the Board of Trustees for the hospital. He is astonished to see the ‘incompetent’ nurse occupy one of the chairs and tries to think of a way to remove her. So he asks for a cup of tea which she obliges to do. Her reason, though, is amusing, and she desires to play along. Mrs. Hale and Phoebe have a good laugh, knowing the doctor is not aware of who she is. The rest that follows is a fun and moving story of how these two opinionated characters deal with their misconceptions and barriers.

This novel delivers excellent development in characterisation. An Ocean of Stars focuses on the second chances, passion, penitence and redemption of these two brilliant generous souls, Phoebe Van Bergen and Dr. Douglas McLennan. They come together on a professional level for a worthy cause: a women’s hospital. Their first encounter with each other, as noted, is a frosty one. Douglas arrives from Scotland with hopes to put his troubled past behind him. He has suffered a loss that haunts him but he wants to work hard and make a difference in the medical realm. Yet his first experience with the American hospital is not a pleasant one. Phoebe is annoyed by his presumptions and seemingly arrogant attitude.

As we dig deeper into the layers of these two characters, we learn they each have had some very bad personal experiences. As a result, they have created walls and formed opinions that mask or cover their wounds (literally in one case). The immediate friction and frustration between them eventually fades in their quiet, unguarded moments. Phoebe initially thinks Douglas is rude and disrespectful to her and the hospital staff. But eventually respect begins to build as she watches him work and sees his strengths and capabilities. He is an incredible doctor with the same vision for her hospital. But they go through a lot together and apart before the deeper realisations come. As they deal with family members, disasters and encounters with the past, the walls fall and the unveiling of naked truths move them forward to a happy future. Phoebe must deal with her fears and engagement to an opportunist. Douglas worries for her as his feelings continue to increase but he also must face his own ghosts and learn that he deserves a second chance at love. Which begins with a trip home to a symposium where lots of surprises await.

I admired Phoebe. She lived in a time when women’s every movement was governed by men. Phoebe often bucked this archaic set of rules and had courage to go against the culture. Her strength, vitality and honourable ambitions took her far as she used her family’s wealth to create better health care for women. Dr. Douglas McLennan is the smart, handsome hero (yes, he actually saves more than one life in different situations outside of the hospital) who brings new medical ideas and ways into the mix. It is easy to see why they are a good match in business aspirations but also as friends and romantic partners. There are some negative characters who try to slow this pair down, but lovely supporters like Mrs Hale and Douglas’s sister offer encouragement and insight.

This is a solid and exciting novel with a brilliant outcome. I loved An Ocean of Stars so much I really cannot praise it enough. This stunning love story has emotional depth. I was moved and mesmerised and felt truly transported to the atmospheric historical setting through the descriptions, dialogue and characters. I loved, loved, loved this novel that now is my favourite book by Imogen Martin. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.