STORY | War has been raging for a number of years now, but in September of 1944, Ansel-By-the-Sea, Maine feels very far from the conflict. This doesn’t stop the men wanting to be called up for duty, including Robert Bliss.
Decades later, Annie Bliss leaves behind her listless life and job to help look after Bob after an unexpected health scare, a man who has always been there for Annie. But the longer she’s there, the more Annie learns about his legacy…
WHOSE WAVES THESE ARE by Amanda Dykes | Book Review
REVIEW | Penned by a 2019 debut author, this novel is well-written in a lyrical kind of prose that’s impossible to find anything but lovely. Amanda Dykes may be a novelist with few titles to her name, but she writes as if a seasoned author with a great deal of talent and experience. Coupled with this deep-thought writing is the characters and my how they do shine. There’s purpose and depth to them all, even supporting, but yet they leaves us wanting more.
Told in alternating times (40s, 50s, 60s and 2001), anytime these time split novels form, everyone has a favorite story portion. Mine is the contemporary because I’m forever a fan of this genre, and I find Annie interesting. Oh! Plus another reason which I’ll share down the line – you know, just to keep you guessing.
BOOK REVIEW | ‘Before I Called You Mine’: This is One of the Good Novels
To be fair, no matter the era you’re reading, really most every character is compelling in their own way, and someone we wish to champion. They all have something in their past or present that makes them all the more vulnerable, but real to read about. Then there is Fletcher. Yes, he’s included in the “all-encompassing” character group, but to be more specific, he’s got a kind of Rochester brooding dude thing going on that we tend to like.
Deeper themes of loss and forgiveness may be the primary focus of Whose Waves These Are, but its comfort is in the healing powers we glimpse through the lives of these characters.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
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Author: Amanda Dykes
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: 2019
Source: Publisher Provided in consideration of the INSPYs – thank you!
Genre: Fiction; Historical, Contemporary
Find the Book Elsewhere: Amazon | Goodreads
Find the Review Elsewhere: Amazon | Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★★
5 Comments
I read this book at the end of last year and was really impressed by this debut. I will read Amanda’s second book very soon.
I was too, Paula. SUCH a good storyteller. :)
Wonderful review! I’m looking forward to reading Whose Waves These Are.
Thank you for reading; hope you enjoy, Caryl. It’s a great read. :)
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