Review: The Nightingale

The Nightingale

By Kristin Hannah

Published: February 3, 2015

In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.

FRANCE, 1939

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched; her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another. 

Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old girl, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets the compelling and mysterious Gäetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can...completely. When he betrays her, Isabelle races headlong into danger and joins the Resistance, never looking back or giving a thought to the real--and deadly--consequences.

With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah takes her talented pen to the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

My review:

The Nightingale is a novel about life in WWII France but it is also about the complications of relationships, particularly familial bonds and what it is like when someone you love leaves you behind. Vianne and Isabelle lose their mother at a young age and then are left by their father at the home of a relative. Later Vianne sends Isabelle away to boarding school when she becomes too difficult. There is a recurring theme of leaving and being left behind throughout the book that gives it a deeper sadness.  The novel also explores what it means to be brave and how Isabelle and Vianne go about that in different ways.

Vianne is a very mothering and nurturing person. She basically had to take over as a mother for Isabelle when their mom died and their dad couldn't handle parenting. Vianne married young and she and her husband Antoine kept Isabelle with them but a tragedy and Isabelle's increasingly difficult behavior led to the decision to send her to boarding school. Since then the sisters have been estranged. Everything changes when the Germans invade Paris and Isabelle returns to Carriveau to live with Vianne and Sophie, Vianne's young daughter.

There is friction between the two sisters as old resentments resurface. Their differing views about the war with Germany creates tension as well. Isabelle survived the long and dangerous trek from Paris to Carriveau. She saw people get gunned down in front of her and she knows that the war isn't going to end quickly and peaceably. She wants to do her part to stop the Germans even if it means putting Vianne and Sophie in danger. She views it as her duty to her country to be loud and vocally opposed to the German captain now living in their home. Eventually Isabelle joins the French Resistance where she is reunited with Gäetan, the young man who inspired her on the journey from Paris. 

Vianne on the other hand still believes that her husband and the other brave French soldiers will prevail and that they need to keep their heads down and get on with living without angering the Germans. Unlike Isabelle, Vianne remembers the last German occupation during WWI and this colors her perspective. She doesn't want a repeat of all the hardships they suffered and is sure it won't come to that until it does. Vianne's main concern is her daughter Sophie and her Jewish best friend and neighbor Rachel and her children. 

The Nightingale is a powerful and moving story. The characters are well developed and multifaceted. I loved how Vianne and Isabelle came to understand each other and their father and by the novel's end saw their relationships in a different light. The book makes you feel strong emotions both sadness and admiration for the characters and what they went through.  I've heard Kristin Hannah's fans say that this is the best book she's written and I certainly hope she writes more historical fiction in this vein. I thought the book reminded me a little bit of Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein as well as similar elements in Jojo Moyes's The Girl You Left Behind (though The Nightingale was much better than that WWI novel). Readers who enjoy historical fiction should definitely give The Nightingale a try. 

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley

Sunday Post (8) / It's Monday What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next. I will also be sharing my It's Monday post on Twitter #IMWAYR.

I was supposed to be visiting my parents for my mom's birthday this weekend but unfortunately bad weather (heavy rain/thunderstorms) got in the way of my plans. I hate driving in torrential downpours especially since my car has been having issues. I made it a little more than an hour from where I live and it got so bad that I couldn't really see and didn't have a way to get off the highway. Thankfully I made it through and was able to wait out the heavy rain at a Starbucks before turning around and heading back home. I am getting my car fixed in a few days so that won't be a problem anymore but it made me sad to miss out. At least they got to visit with my sister and brother in law yesterday. I will be seeing my parents in a couple of weekends when we all go to Canada for my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party.

Summer reading at my library is going well though I don't have as many people signed up as I'd hoped for. This is the first year we are not giving away gift baskets which were always popular but kind of expensive to put together but the baskets were a great way to advertise the program. Instead we are giving away gift cards and an iPad Mini 3 which I'd think would be more popular than a gift basket. The idea of book bingo might have scared some participants away too but with a bigger prize we wanted people to earn it. Hopefully the participation numbers will go up. I also have two programs left. Our first ever ladies clothing swap is on Saturday. I have no idea what the turnout will be like or how much stuff we'll get. I limited it to spring and summer clothes and accessories to make it a little easier. If all goes well I am also planning one in August for kids' clothing. 

Last week on my blog:

Top 10 Anticipated Upcoming Releases of 2015 (post)
Letters to the Lost by Iona Gray (review)

Books read:

The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer

I liked Lily as a protagonist. She is smart, quirky and opinionated. Her family is fun and a little wacky too. I did have some issues with the mystery and how things were resolved but I enjoyed the book as a suspenseful page turner.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

This was probably my most anticipated debut novel of 2015 so I was worried it would disappoint me. Thankfully it did not and I mostly thought it was a good start to the series. I would have liked some more of Sharzad's tales (I think she only shared two) and there is somewhat of a love triangle but it looks like the feelings are one-sided from one of the guys (hopefully that won't change in the sequel).

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

I'd heard that this book would be darker than a lot of her others but I didn't find it that way. There wasn't that much humor but I thought it was a fantastic novel that dealt with some tough family issues.

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev

This contemporary romance received good reviews from NPR, Romantic Times, and Library Journal and the premise made me give it a try. While I liked Mili as the heroine (though she is naive it is understandable from the way she was raised), it took me awhile to warm up to the "hero" Samir who behaved like a jerk at times (he improved in my estimation as he spent time with Mili and we got his backstory). I loved the descriptions (especially the food!) and wanted Mili and Samir to have a happy ending. 

Currently reading:

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker

This is not being marketed as teen fiction but I added it to our teen fiction collection at the library though I may also buy a copy for our inspirational fiction for adults. The author is the daughter of Christian fiction writer Ted Dekker. The premise is a futuristic society controlled by The Authority who practice a warped form of religious devotion to God. Women are valued as "help-mates" whose primary duty is to be "Chosen" to be a wife and mother. Girls who are not selected at the Choosing ceremony become "Lints", menial drudges. There is also a serial killer attacking the Lints. I don't normally read Christian fiction these days but it sounds interesting doesn't it? So far the book reminds me a little of both Matched and Delirium. 

What I might read next:

Flame Tree Road by Shona Patel

Flame Tree Road is sort of a companion novel/prequel to Teatime for the Firefly (a novel I loved but never wrote a review for--bad me!). This book tells the story of Biren Roy, who in Teatime is a grandfather raising his granddaughter. I loved his character in that book so I am looking forward to reading about him as a young man fighting for women's education in India.

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

We will be discussing this book in my evening book group this month. I thought it was Southern fiction but it is actually set in small town Indiana in the 1960s and the 2000s.

New books received:

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray (review book)

P.S., I Still Love You by Jenny Han (library book)

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker (library book)

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore (library book)

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (purchased)

Review: Letters to the Lost

Letters to the Lost

By Iona Grey

Published: May 26, 2015

Late on a frozen February evening, a young woman is running through the streets of London. Having fled from her abusive boyfriend and with nowhere to go, Jess stumbles onto a forgotten lane where a small, clearly unlived in old house offers her best chance of shelter for the night. The next morning, a mysterious letter arrives and when she can't help but open it, she finds herself drawn inexorably into the story of two lovers from another time.

In London 1942, Stella meets Dan, a US airman, quite by accident, but there is no denying the impossible, unstoppable attraction that draws them together. Dan is a B-17 pilot flying his bomber into Europe from a British airbase; his odds of survival are one in five. In the midst of such uncertainty, the one thing they hold onto is the letters they write to each other. Fate is unkind and they are separated by decades and continents. In the present, Jess becomes determined to find out what happened to them. Her hope--inspired by a love so powerful it spans a lifetime--will lead her to find a startling redemption in her own life in this powerfully moving novel.

My review:

Letters to the Lost is a dual narrative set in 2011 and the 1940s. It tells the story of Jess, a singer who gets mixed up with the wrong sort of man and Stella, a foundling who considers herself fortunate to be getting married so she will finally have a home and family of her own. 

Jess steals some money from her horrid boyfriend before making her daring escape but it isn't enough to survive on for long and she is injured so she holes up in an abandoned cottage. Inside she finds a letter addressed to Mrs. S. Thorne and at first she has no intention of opening it but it is marked "Urgent" and it looks like the home's owner hasn't been there in some time so she goes ahead and reads it. What she finds is a letter from Dan, an elderly American man who is trying to connect with his lost love, Stella. When Jess finds a box of old letters written from Dan to Stella during the war, she decides to write to Dan and help him find Stella.

Stella's marriage to Reverend Thorne isn't exactly what she'd hoped for. During their courtship, Charles was kind and attentive and although there wasn't passion, she thought it was enough to build on. Unfortunately things become difficult and no matter how Stella tries to reach him, he is cold and distant. When war breaks out, Charles is quick to enlist as a chaplain, leaving Stella behind even though he wasn't required to go. Stella's only solace is her friendship with Nancy, who has always been more wild and daring. At Nancy's invitation, Stella decides to go out dancing and that night she meets Dan.

The relationship between Stella and Dan is at first a friendship. They meet a few times before Dan leaves town and then write letters back and forth. Dan encourages Stella when she is feeling blue and she lifts his spirits by writing of the little things going on in her town which gives him comfort and reminds him what he is fighting for. Inevitably they fall in love and begin to plan a way to be together and for Stella to leave Charles.

Jess in the meantime is struggling to survive in the cottage without electricity and heat and meager supplies. It is there that she meets Will Holt, a probate researcher. Will is looking for any remaining relatives of the late owner of the cottage. Jess's mission to find Stella is somehow connected to Will's own search and as they both get caught up in Stella and Dan's story, they also begin to care about each other. 

Letters to the Lost appealed to me on many different levels because of the setting and the characters and wanting to know what happened to them. I love historical fiction so reading about life during WWII was interesting though I've read several novels set in that time and dealing with similar struggles. The love between Stella and Dan was touching and reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks novel (in a good way). Normally I do not like books with adulterous affairs but in some instances (where the husband is horrid and the wife is trapped in the marriage) it makes it more acceptable to me. I just felt so bad for Stella and her circumstances. She was so full of love to give and the people in her life were not that great. Even her best friend is pretty selfish and at times it is like Stella is so isolated. The townspeople have expectations of her to lead by example as a pastor's wife and her husband was so remote even when he was actually at home. I could see why Dan's warmth and caring stole her heart even though she tried to resist her attraction to him and save her marriage.

Although I think the historical story grabbed my attention more, I also surprisingly enjoyed the modern story line with Jess and Will although their romance didn't have the same strength as Dan and Stella's. Jess and Stella have some similarities in what they've gone through so I was rooting for both couples to have a happy ending. I also liked following along with Jess to figure out what happened to Stella and seeing how Stella's story affected Jess and gave her strength to start over.

My one complaint is that the character of Charles Thorne becomes something of a caricature and Nancy sort of fades from the picture. I would have liked it if Thorne's character had more depth and his motivations were explored. Nancy was never a favorite of mine but she served as a vehicle to bring Stella and Dan together among other things.

Overall I'd say this debut is a winner. It reminded me favorably of the novels of Sarah Jio, who often writes stories with dual time periods like The Violets of March. I was also reminded of the new novel by Sara Gruen, At the Water's Edge and That Summer by Lauren Willig. I think fans of Nicholas Sparks would enjoy the romantic elements as well. I think the novel would also be a great selection for book discussion groups. If you like historical fiction, romance and stories set in both modern and historic time periods, you should check out Letters to the Lost. 


Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley

Waiting on Wednesday (157)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm waiting on:

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Release date: July 7, 2015

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…
 
Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
 
Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

I just found out about this book yesterday when several people had it listed in their top ten 2015 upcoming releases. As a librarian I love the idea of the Great Library of Alexandria still existing in modern times and being the major source of disseminating information. If people couldn't own books, I bet libraries would see an increase in circulation and librarians would be more valued! Of course it would be really sad at the same time. I am really curious about this series and its premise though.

Top Ten Most Anticipated Upcoming Releases of 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's topic is "Top Ten Most Anticipated Upcoming 2015 Releases"

Winter by Marissa Meyer (November 10)

This is probably my most anticipated book for 2015. I love the Lunar Chronicles and I can't wait to see what happens in this final book. I will be sad to say goodbye to the series and the characters though.

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (October 6)

I pretty much love Rick Riordan's books. This first book in his Norse mythology series features Magnus Chase who is somehow connected to Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson books. Fingers crossed that there are some cameos from favorite characters!

Their Fractured Light by Amie Kauffman and Meagan Spooner (December 1)

So far I've really enjoyed the Starbound series so I am eager to get my hands on book three.

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas (October 13)

This is another series coming to an end in 2015. I loved the first two books in this YA fantasy series and I hope the final book lives up to my expectations.

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson (September 22)

I absolutely loved the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy so I am excited to see what Rae Carson does with this new series set in an alternate American West.

After You by Jojo Moyes (September 29)

Me Before You was absolutely heartbreaking so I think it will be nice to see how Lou is doing in this sequel and I hope she gets a happy ending.

Soundless by Richelle Mead (November 10)

I loved the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series and it was sad to see that end (though I still hope the author eventually writes another spin off series possibly about Jill). This book is a fantasy based on Chinese mythology so I am very excited about it. Plus I love the cover.

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (November 3)

I enjoy this YA suspense series partly because I usually can't figure out who the bad guy is. I am looking forward to picking up this third book.

Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen (August 4)

I started reading this fun historical mystery series last year. I love the humor and dash of romance along with the mystery. 

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (July 14)

This To Kill a Mockingbird "sequel" set decades later (actually written before it) is probably going to be the "it" book of the summer. It has been years since I read To Kill a Mockingbird but it was a favorite of mine as a teen. I know a lot of people have high expectations for this and I hope it won't disappoint!

Sunday Post (7) / It's Monday What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next. I will also be sharing my It's Monday post on Twitter #IMWAYR.

This past Friday was my first summer reading event for adults at the library. We had a concert with a band we paid a good chunk of money for but only 9 people showed up including myself and a small child who was there with her mom. This is my second summer concert fail and my biggest programming fail in awhile (the biggest was a few summers ago when I tried showing The Lucky One and only one person showed up so I sent her home with the DVD). I've definitely learned a lesson about programs. Concerts work better in spring when people are getting stir crazy from being cooped up all winter. My best attended summer programs are the murder mystery dinners and anything to do with the paranormal. So far we have over 70 people signed up for Monday night's Bigfoot program. A lot of people believe in Bigfoot in this area I guess.

I've been on a roll with reading this past week, finishing a book a day from Tuesday through Saturday. Today I was trying to figure out what I was in the mood to read next and I decided to read a library book that I definitely want to make sure I finish (The Wrath and the Dawn) since there are holds on it. I am also reading another library book on my Kindle. I've found that I now prefer reading on my Kindle because I can take it with me anywhere.

Last week on my blog:

Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer Latham (review)
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler (review)

Books read:

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey

I really liked this dual timeline novel. Part of it takes place in 2011 with Jess, a young woman hiding from an abusive boyfriend and part of it takes place in the 1940s with the story of Stella a British woman who falls in love with an American pilot. I think fans of Sarah Jio and Nicholas Sparks would enjoy it. My review will be up later this week.

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

As I'd hoped, Beach Town was a good "beach read" kind of book. I thought it was interesting to read about the process of scouting locations for movies and I liked the main characters and the townspeople. 

Sophomore Year is Greek to Me by Meredith Zeitlin

This was such a fun story! I liked the setting and the interesting characters. There was less romance than I thought there'd be but I didn't mind. Zona was a riot and quite a personality. I enjoyed seeing her bloom as she made new friends and got to know her family. I also liked the references to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which is one of my favorite rom-coms. 

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

I think fans of Revenge would best appreciate this page-turner. It definitely requires some suspension of disbelief and the characters are not exactly well developed but I still liked it as a suspense novel in spite of its issues.

The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry

This one didn't quite work for me. I felt bad for Ella in a way though I also found her really frustrating as a character. Hunter/Blake was not a good love interest. Just too boring to read  his sections and I didn't buy into their love story or the cheesy ending at all. 

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

I wanted to read this book because I'd heard it described as a kind of You've Got Mail for foodies. Plus that cover is so tempting! Fortunately the story more than lived up to my expectations. Lou recently fulfilled the dream of opening her own restaurant but on the worst day of her life, her restaurant gets a horrible review from popular food critic A.W. Wodyski. Al met Lou earlier the same day and was instantly drawn to her. They keep crossing paths and a friendship strikes up. Unfortunately for Al, his pen name happens to be A.W. Wodyski...

Currently reading:

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

This is one of my most anticipated debuts for 2015 and hopefully I won't be disappointed like I have been with several of the others. It is based on A Thousand and One Nights. So far I like it. 

The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer

So far I've only read chick lit sort of novels by Strohmeyer so a suspense/mystery is something different from her. I like what I've read of it. Lily is an interesting character (as I'd imagine any teen growing up in a mortuary would be). 

What I might read next:

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

I was so excited when I found out I won this book in a giveaway from Christina at Confessions of a Book Addict. I love Sarah Dessen's novels and I'm looking forward to reading this soon. So far the reviews I've seen are very positive.

New books received:

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan (library book)

The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer (library book)

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen (won signed copy from Confessions of a Book Addict)

The Color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi (review book)

Future Perfect by Jen Larsen (review book)

Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

By Sarah Ockler

Published: June 2, 2015

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. 

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

My thoughts:

While there are some connections (character names like Ursula and Sebastian and even Christian and a singer who loses her voice), this isn't exactly a contemporary retelling of The Little Mermaid though the fairy tale may be an inspiration for this beautifully written novel.

Elyse is a broken girl. She is unable to speak or sing after her accident but her spirit is also broken. She was very close to her twin sister Natalie but has shut her out since the accident. She has a new friend in Kirby, whose mother Lemon (real name Ursula) invited her to stay with them in Oregon. Lemon is a warm and nurturing woman who practices wicca and runs a shop in her home. She and Kirby have been welcoming to Elyse and allow her space to just be. Elyse spends her time collecting sea glass on the beach and helping out at the store but not really connecting with anyone in the community.

Christian's family owns Lemon's house as well as the house next door where they stay during the summer months. Every year he races in the annual Pirate Regatta with Noah, the mayor's son. Although Mr. Kane and Noah's dad do not get along and have been in competition with each other since their own youth, Christian and Noah are friends. This friendship is tested when a stupid bet is made. The mayor wants the Kanes to sell him their property for redevelopment as part of his plan to revitalize the economy. Christian and his mother and little brother are adamantly against this but the mayor goads Mr. Kane into accepting a bet on the regatta where their houses are on the line if Christian loses. Christian always won in the past but that was when he and Noah were sailing together. Now Noah is the competition and Christian has to find a new first mate.

Elyse is drawn to Christian even though she knows of his reputation with girls. She agrees to help him win the regatta because she wants to help Lemon keep their home. She is terrified of being back in the water but she enjoys helping to fix Christian's boat and spending time with him and his adorable little brother. As the day of the race gets closer, Elyse has to face her fears.

I loved the relationship between Elyse and Sebastian. He believes in mermaids and even wants to participate in the annual mermaid parade even though it is "girls only". He is a really sweet little boy but his dad doesn't pay him much attention and when he does it is only to belittle him. Christian does his best to protect his brother but he also has a bad relationship with their father. It is touching to see the friendship that blossoms between Elyse and Sebastian and how helping him seems to help her too. While I didn't entirely trust Christian at the beginning, I thought he was nice to Elyse and they are able to share their hurts with each other. The romance was harder to buy into since he was portrayed as such a player but it became obvious that he was devoted to Elyse as the book went along. He was just a flirty kind of guy.

My only issue with the story is the mystical mermaid element. Does Elyse actually see Atargatis or hear menacing voices in the water? I didn't mind if Sebastian believed in the existence of Atargatis as he is a small child. It is never clear if Elyse is just hallucinating or if the mermaid is really there but the scene is used to show Elyse confronting her fear and truth about herself and the accident. She emerges as a stronger person who has found her inner voice again. I could have done without the mermaid aspect of it however.

Overall I thought this was a good book. The writing and descriptions are gorgeous. I loved the setting of Atargatis Cove and Elyse's struggles to find herself and her passion again made the book worth reading. I admired how she was able to change and grow and find her inner voice again. The novel examines not just dreams but also difficult family relationships and opening up to people and allowing friendships to happen. 

I'd suggest this book to fans of Sarah Ockler's other books and readers who enjoy contemporary romance from authors like Sarah Dessen, Jessi Kirby and Morgan Matson.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss