Having read this author’s The Ingredients of Us, I knew I was in for a study in relationships, and some emotional moments of self-recognition. I wasn’t disappointed in that regard, but I learned a lot from this book, and not all in the way I expected to.
I had a difficult time getting behind Abby at first. She was full of self-pity, and the author took a long time to unravel her backstory, which was both good and bad. It was bad because I didn’t get a feel for Abby until much later in the book and, therefore, couldn’t relate to any of her thoughts or feelings.
On the other hand, it worked because the author drew the reader along by letting out little bits of the story here and there. There was almost as much of a build to the past events as there were to the current ones. The author did an admirable job switching back and forth between the past and present.
Several moments had me second-guessing what I assumed to be true. Not that this was a suspenseful novel in the pure meaning of the genre, but there were a few places that I realized the author had cleverly drawn my thinking in one direction, while the opposite was more exact. One “reveal” even made me gasp and re-evaluate all previous clues.
I didn’t feel like the set up for Abby’s love for the ocean was obvious, but it became apparent that it was her passion and what ultimately drove most of her decisions. At the point where I realized this, I instantly could relate to her being stuck in a job and a place where she wasn’t able to follow her calling.
Her guilt over the past drove most of the narrative, and (as mentioned) only became more evident the further in the book I read. I did appreciate that the author did not wrap everything up neatly with a traditional HEA or “everything will be fine.” It was not that kind of feel-good story.
It was, however, incredibly realistic. The positive affirmation of how the past does not have to define the present was very clear. And I especially liked that Abby’s growth led her to a place where she could be optimistic about the future. That kind of realism is often missing.
As for Abby’s marine biology background, the detail and care given to the descriptions showed the author’s love for the subject (which she then gave to Abby). Having grown up in Northern California, it reminded me of days at nature camps at the coast, trips to Point Reyes to learn about elephant seals and whale watching off the Farallon Islands and Half Moon Bay. These sections of the narrative spoke to me personally.
Ultimately, Abby’s journey brings her to a place of peace, and I could feel her growing contentment by the end of the book. It was a pleasant trip to take with her, and I would highly recommend doing so. It’s another winner from this author.
