This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be sharing book recommendations – a series of “not just cookbooks”.
This week’s Summer Reads pick might not be for everyone. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea deals with alcohol addiction and whilst at times it was an uncomfortable read, I found myself thinking about it long after I finished reading. Author Jessica Guerrieri is over a decade sober and a “fierce advocate for alcohol recovery”, so writes from a place of deep knowledge.
From the publisher:
Swept off her feet by the gentle charm of Lucas O’Connor, Leah’s unexpected pregnancy changes the course of her carefree and nomadic existence. Over a decade and three children later, Leah is unraveling. She resents the world in which her artistic aspirations have been sidelined by the overwhelming demands of motherhood, and the ever-present rift between herself and her mother-in-law, Christine, is best dulled by increasingly fuller glasses of wine.
Christine represents a model of selfless motherhood that Leah can neither achieve nor accept. To heighten the strain, Lucas’s business venture, a trendy restaurant that honors his mother, has taken all his attention, which places the domestic demands squarely on Leah’s shoulders. Seeking an ally in her sweet sister-in-law Amy, Leah shares a secret that, if made known to the wider family, could disrupt the curated ecosystems that keep the O’Connors connected.
As Leah dances with the devil while descending further into darkness, her behavior becomes more erratic and further alienates her from both Lucas and the wider family. Leah’s drinking threatens the welfare of her family, prompting Amy to turn to Christine for support. A duel for loyalty ensues. When the inevitable waves come crashing down, it’s the O’Connor women who give Leah a lifeline: the truth of what they’ve all endured. But Leah alone must uncover the villain of her own story, learn how to ask for help, and decide if the family she has rejected will be her salvation or ultimate undoing.
Wow, this book blew me away in a way I was not expecting it to. A powerful, beautiful, disturbing read.
I will say, it took me a few chapters to get into the plot – it moves slowly at the beginning, and I had the feeling that nothing much was happening. As the book goes on, it becomes clear that the slow burn is a narrative choice that you understand more as the story unfolds.
At the start of the story, it feels like it’s going to be another book about how challenging motherhood can be (especially with an unexpected third baby) and how being a mother shapes a life that one maybe didn’t envision for oneself. Maybe with a few funny stories along the way, maybe with a strain on the parents’ marriage added in.
It is, in fact, all that and more, as we watch Leah descend into the abyss of alcoholism, and it’s a very uncomfortable read in parts (again, a choice by the author), but the discomfort really puts us in Leah’s shoes. Did I “like” Leah? Not so much. Could I empathize with her character? Yes, because of the powerful writing.
This is a tale of motherhood, family, friendship, addiction and love. It’s complicated and messy, but I couldn’t stop reading once I was past the first few chapters, and in the narrative flow. I honestly did not expect that I would “enjoy” (this feels like the wrong word for what is a difficult tale, but in the sense of it being a page turner, it’s accurate) this so much – the way the plot creeps up on the reader and draws them in is very compelling.
An incredible debut, I can’t wait to read more from this author.
_________
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. I am not receiving any compensation for reviewing the book. Neither the author nor the publisher reviewed this post prior to publication. All opinions are my own.
_________
Buy Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea on Amazon (this affiliate link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country).
For free worldwide shipping, find Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea on Blackwell’s.
Support your local Indie bookstore and purchase Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea on Bookshop.org.
_________
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post also contains affiliate links for Blackwell’s and Bookshop.org. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
_________
Buy my books! In the French kitchen with kids and French Food for Everyone: le goûter (after school snacks), le dîner (dinner) and le petit déjeuner (breakfast) are out now! Click here for details and how to order!
_________
Like this post? Get blog posts delivered to your inbox! Sign up here!