Book Review
Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox
Contemporary | Christian Fiction | Mystery | Romance
After a lawsuit damages her family name, Joey Harris jumps at a chance to escape her small town and start fresh — and a decommissioned lighthouse in need of restoration seems like just the break she needs. But it’s soon clear that there’s more to the project than meets the eye, and Joey finds herself caught up in old sea legends and stories of decades past. A story that isn’t over yet…
If you’re looking for a sweet and heartwarming book to brighten your day, look no further than this new novel from Amanda Cox, Between the Sound and Sea. This contemporary Christian novel is cozy and warm, full of lovely characters, a beautiful story, and a setting that will transport you to the coast of North Carolina.
I usually gravitate toward historical novels. While this book has an entirely contemporary setting, it ties in the island’s history and WWII folklore in a way that still gives historical vibes — and it captured me in a way that I wasn’t expecting. Between the Sound and Sea gives a well-balanced blend of romance, light mystery, historical elements, and contemporary women’s fiction, all wrapped up in a heartfelt bundle.
Because sometimes, you just need a feel-good story to curl up on the sofa with, and this book was entirely that. There is romance (but no spice), heartfelt family drama, and a whole cast of wonderful characters to root for. The epilogue wrapped everything up neatly and I also appreciated the author’s note giving us a little more insight into the history of that area during WWII.
The lighthouse setting is also beautifully done. You get a fantastic sense of the coast and this rugged and worn island in need of a little TLC, and I loved the renovation aspect of the plot. This connected with some of the book’s main themes and I thought it made for a vivid and transportive location that I would love to visit!
This was my first read by Amanda Cox but I immediately added her previous novel, He Should Have Told the Bees to my ever-growing TBR pile, and I look forward to continuing following along with her writing journey!
Recommended for:
Readers looking for sweet and cozy, Christian fiction, contemporary read
This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Advance e-copy of the book provided courtesy of the publisher, Revell, and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the book:
(From the publisher) Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn’t mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration.
As the work begins, “Joey” discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls–pages torn from a lighthouse keeper’s log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there’s never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.
When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story — one that’s not over yet.
Multiple Christy Award winner Amanda Cox is your guide upon the raging seas of young love, heartbreaking loss, and learning to risk it all for a chance at happiness in this timeless novel.