Set on two small islands off the coast of Maine, "Stern Men" chronicles the coming-of-age of Ruth Thomas. Just back from boarding school, Ruth helps out with work on the boats, brushes up on her profanity, and falls for Owney Wishnell, a handsome young lobsterman.

Set on two small islands off the coast of Maine, "Stern Men" chronicles the coming-of-age of Ruth Thomas. Just back from boarding school, Ruth helps out with work on the boats, brushes up on her profanity, and falls for Owney Wishnell, a handsome young lobsterman.

** The "wonderful first novel about life, love, and lobster fishing" (USA Today) from the #1 bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, Big Magic and * City of Girls***

Off the coast of Maine, Ruth Thomas is born into a feud fought for generations by two groups of local lobstermen over fishing rights for the waters that lie between their respective islands. At eighteen, she has returned from boarding school-smart as a whip, feisty, and irredeemably unromantic-determined to throw over her education and join the "stern men"working the lobster boats. Gilbert utterly captures the American spirit through an unforgettable heroine who is destined for greatness-and love-despite herself in this the critically acclaimed debut.