I can wholeheartedly say that I felt strongly connected with this book because the characters are so real and human; with all their flaws, mistakes and emotions.

Alice’s relationship with her granddaughter, Marnie, is portrayed so beautifully. I felt so able to relate to Marnie’s grief after Alice’s death - the need to find control over something in life when you cannot control other aspects such as death; and this becomes a coping mechanism. Grandmothers are incredibly special and I recognised several similarities between Alice and my own Gran - women who survived the Second World War; women with stories to share; women who don’t realise how strong and special they truly are; and yet they leave an incredible legacy through their children and grandchildren. Alice was definitely my favourite character in this story.

I could also relate to the pull and connection to the sea that both Alice and Marnie felt. Like both characters, I was born and raised in a coastal location. Although I no longer live in that town, there is something about the sound of the waves and the sea breeze that never leaves you and will always have a calming effect. In the story, Alice shares that when she was evacuated during the war and no longer near the coast, these were the longest eighteen months of her life.

A remarkable, memorable and beautiful debut novel that has my highest recommendation.

Thank you to the publisher, Manilla Press, for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

i felt so sorry for the characters in this book at different times and sometimes at the same! it was such an emotional hit right through the eras. we have dual timelines but that doesnt stop the themes being effective to the heart. it shows how no matter the timelines nor the person things can hit you, and hit you so very hard. and often what we need to keep us going or to keep us safe is the same thing. often its as simple as someone caring,loving, supporting. there is so much loss in this book. so much bare and traumatic grit. but there is also love. there is also a steadfast relationship between two of our characters that flies off the pages with their power.hat transpires means she has to move across oceans. she is alone and pregnant. she is desperate for connection of her own. her ongoing strained relationship with her son reads so true and is heart breaking. his delve into his own horrific relationship is such a forceful read. and it doesnt hold punches from talking about addiction and domestic violence themes. and of course stuck in the painful middle of all that comes Marnie. our other main character focus.shes lost and in need of safety, or love. and the person who keeps bringing her back from her own brink of despair is always her grandmother.
i found myself desperate to know what had happened to Marnie where we meet her. where is her grandmother? and why too has she fallen in drugs and desperate time with a horrible man?
this is a pushing read. it pushes you to all sorts of emotional edges. and its not going to give you the "happy ending" or cliche mo
we have the older timelines of Alice the grandmother. who starts her own life with upheaval and fear due to the war. wments of lights we all often yearn for. but that doesnt mean its not without beauty amongst the pages or without hope. or that thing that is so special it can truly overcome anything...love.