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A Sea Change
On Salmon Beach, magic happens: Mermaids speak in dreams and lives are transformed.
Maddy believes she's lost her past. On Salmon Beach she rediscovers her desires.
Nick has buried his feelings, and everything he cares about, deep within himself. On Salmon Beach he unearths his heart.
Maddy Phillips, alone for the first time, comes to the hidden community of Salmon Beach - only accessible by sea, or 200 steps down a sheer cliff - to seek refuge from a broken relationship. What she won’t acknowledge is the loss of something - and someone - much more significant.
Nick McKay moves to Salmon Beach when his baseball career and marriage abruptly end; the one person he loves - his daughter - taken from him in a bitter divorce. During the day he's the good-natured handyman to the quirky residents of the beach, but his nights are long, lonely, and filled with cruel dreams.
The past has a way of insinuating itself into the present in unimaginable ways. What we think we want, we find we don’t need. It takes courage to take that first step toward change; even more courage to know when to leave the past - and all its pain and sorrow -where it belongs.
Salmon Beach becomes Nick and Maddy's haven and meeting place; the two hundred stairs down, their first steps to transformation.
A Sea Change - a contemporary love story with crisp, provocative prose, and complex, unforgettable characters - moves through four seasons of healing in a vivid metaphorical journey with Nick and Maddy.
On Salmon Beach secrets become hopes, and those hopes become a passionate, life-altering sea change.
Maddy believes she's lost her past. On Salmon Beach she rediscovers her desires.
Nick has buried his feelings, and everything he cares about, deep within himself. On Salmon Beach he unearths his heart.
Maddy Phillips, alone for the first time, comes to the hidden community of Salmon Beach - only accessible by sea, or 200 steps down a sheer cliff - to seek refuge from a broken relationship. What she won’t acknowledge is the loss of something - and someone - much more significant.
Nick McKay moves to Salmon Beach when his baseball career and marriage abruptly end; the one person he loves - his daughter - taken from him in a bitter divorce. During the day he's the good-natured handyman to the quirky residents of the beach, but his nights are long, lonely, and filled with cruel dreams.
The past has a way of insinuating itself into the present in unimaginable ways. What we think we want, we find we don’t need. It takes courage to take that first step toward change; even more courage to know when to leave the past - and all its pain and sorrow -where it belongs.
Salmon Beach becomes Nick and Maddy's haven and meeting place; the two hundred stairs down, their first steps to transformation.
A Sea Change - a contemporary love story with crisp, provocative prose, and complex, unforgettable characters - moves through four seasons of healing in a vivid metaphorical journey with Nick and Maddy.
On Salmon Beach secrets become hopes, and those hopes become a passionate, life-altering sea change.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2012
5 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Annette A. Reynolds
2 books19 followersDear Readers and Readers-To-Be: I'm overjoyed to tell you that my next book - "A Sea Change" - was finally published as an ebook on September 20th, 2012!
I realize it's been a long time coming and I apologize for the wait. I hope you'll find it was worth it.
It's been a long, hard fifteen years since "Remember The Time" was originally published: I lost my best friend to leukemia, my darling mother to COPD, and my creativity to Graves Disease.
But I'm happy to say the urge to write has returned. Like any unused muscle that has atrophied, it's going to take some time to get up to full strength. I sincerely hope I can!
"A Sea Change" was written in 1998. Although I've edited it exhaustively over the past two months, I wanted to keep the story set in the year 2000 for a variety of reasons.
Originally written as the second book in my 2-book deal with Bantam Books (now Random House), "A Sea Change" never saw the light of day because my editor and I couldn't see eye-to-eye.
But I've always loved the story, the place, and the people who populate the Salmon Beach of my novel, and this feels like the perfect time to introduce them to you. I'm hoping you'll fall in love with Nick and Maddy's story the way I did.
I was born in Athens, Greece but grew up in California (Central and Southern). I've lived for extended periods in Oklahoma and Virginia, but ended up in Washington State, where I've lived for nearly 25 years (and I still don't know how I managed to stay in one place that long). I share my 100 year old house with Mike (Significant Other), Kokkie (best dog ever), Pumpkin (Moose Cat), Misty (the cat who would be Cleopatra), and five large goldfish (Bubbles, Manny, Moe, Jack, and Vinny) who live in the pond out back.
I used to joke that I'd attended every college in California for at least one semester, but in reality I guess it was more like five colleges. I finally ended up getting my B.A. in Arts Management at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. Yes, that's where "Remember The Time" is set.
I love old buildings and so minored in Historic Preservation. I love books, gardening, animals, and The Craftsman Movement. I love doing research and learning.
Please visit me at www.annettereynolds.net, and drop me a line. I'd love to hear from all of you.
Thank you, again, Dear Readers, for your patience and support.
Annette Reynolds
I realize it's been a long time coming and I apologize for the wait. I hope you'll find it was worth it.
It's been a long, hard fifteen years since "Remember The Time" was originally published: I lost my best friend to leukemia, my darling mother to COPD, and my creativity to Graves Disease.
But I'm happy to say the urge to write has returned. Like any unused muscle that has atrophied, it's going to take some time to get up to full strength. I sincerely hope I can!
"A Sea Change" was written in 1998. Although I've edited it exhaustively over the past two months, I wanted to keep the story set in the year 2000 for a variety of reasons.
Originally written as the second book in my 2-book deal with Bantam Books (now Random House), "A Sea Change" never saw the light of day because my editor and I couldn't see eye-to-eye.
But I've always loved the story, the place, and the people who populate the Salmon Beach of my novel, and this feels like the perfect time to introduce them to you. I'm hoping you'll fall in love with Nick and Maddy's story the way I did.
I was born in Athens, Greece but grew up in California (Central and Southern). I've lived for extended periods in Oklahoma and Virginia, but ended up in Washington State, where I've lived for nearly 25 years (and I still don't know how I managed to stay in one place that long). I share my 100 year old house with Mike (Significant Other), Kokkie (best dog ever), Pumpkin (Moose Cat), Misty (the cat who would be Cleopatra), and five large goldfish (Bubbles, Manny, Moe, Jack, and Vinny) who live in the pond out back.
I used to joke that I'd attended every college in California for at least one semester, but in reality I guess it was more like five colleges. I finally ended up getting my B.A. in Arts Management at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. Yes, that's where "Remember The Time" is set.
I love old buildings and so minored in Historic Preservation. I love books, gardening, animals, and The Craftsman Movement. I love doing research and learning.
Please visit me at www.annettereynolds.net, and drop me a line. I'd love to hear from all of you.
Thank you, again, Dear Readers, for your patience and support.
Annette Reynolds
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 19, 2012
If you think “romance” equates with those old Harlequins you used to read as a last resort while visiting relatives, think again. This is literary fiction with a romantic theme, character-driven, with lushly-drawn settings. In addition, it’s refreshing to pick up a book that you can read without being distracted by typos, grammatical errors, punctuation errors, structural issues, awkward sentences, or misused terminology. “A Sea Change” is professionally done and meticulously proofread. There was a brief spate of misused apostrophes about halfway through, but the good proofreading and editing returned soon thereafter.
The settings were well-described and I was able to paint a picture of the seaside community in my mind, complete with walkways, porches, cliffs, beaches, statues, houses, and docks. The first half of the book is excellent, drawing the budding relationship between Maddy and Nick in vivid color, switching between third-person narrative and Maddy’s diary to give us some insight into the protagonist’s mind and her internal conflicts. The initial coolness and denial of the characters seemed realistic to me, and I enjoyed the growth of both of them as they moved from being bitter and hurt to more fully living their lives. Becky was done well, too; many children are awkwardly portrayed in adult novels, but she’s believable and complete. The sex, while there, is not overdone. There are some amusing sub-characters as well, such as the accident-prone neighbor who regularly sets things on fire.
Things slowed down a bit in the second half, when the relationship was more established and no longer a tentative beginning. The prose and punctuation continued good; conversation sounded natural; everything was well thought-out and well-crafted.
Overall, this is an exceptionally well-crafted book, and should be satisfying to anyone looking for literary romance. I know the characters will stay with me, and if there’s more, I’m interested in knowing what happens with them in the future. I think that’s one of the marks of a good book; you don’t forget the characters, they become a part of your imagination and experience.
The settings were well-described and I was able to paint a picture of the seaside community in my mind, complete with walkways, porches, cliffs, beaches, statues, houses, and docks. The first half of the book is excellent, drawing the budding relationship between Maddy and Nick in vivid color, switching between third-person narrative and Maddy’s diary to give us some insight into the protagonist’s mind and her internal conflicts. The initial coolness and denial of the characters seemed realistic to me, and I enjoyed the growth of both of them as they moved from being bitter and hurt to more fully living their lives. Becky was done well, too; many children are awkwardly portrayed in adult novels, but she’s believable and complete. The sex, while there, is not overdone. There are some amusing sub-characters as well, such as the accident-prone neighbor who regularly sets things on fire.
Things slowed down a bit in the second half, when the relationship was more established and no longer a tentative beginning. The prose and punctuation continued good; conversation sounded natural; everything was well thought-out and well-crafted.
Overall, this is an exceptionally well-crafted book, and should be satisfying to anyone looking for literary romance. I know the characters will stay with me, and if there’s more, I’m interested in knowing what happens with them in the future. I think that’s one of the marks of a good book; you don’t forget the characters, they become a part of your imagination and experience.
October 30, 2012
'A Sea Change' is an exceptionally well crafted and classically structured romantic drama, skilfully revelling in the passion and pounding hearts of two people falling in love with each other. Set in a small community by the sea that provides both our protagonists with rest-bite and sanctuary whilst they recuperate and rejuvenate, this drama also offers a contemplative sanctuary to the reader, taking them on a rich allegorical journey, where they get to reflect on the process of positive change for the protagonists and possibly discover how to enact their own change and improve their lives, as a result.
We first meet our romantic lovers as they struggle to find the courage to change; the courage to look at their failed marriages and flawed families and stop them having dominion over their wellbeing. However, it is only when they reacquire the ability to take risks and the ability to be honest, that their emotional union is possible, and their emotional transformation is complete.
This book poignantly observes the progress of two fragile people, simultaneously garnering the strength to unburden themselves of all the unimportant emotional and historical baggage, that their lives have accumulated and importantly in the process, implicitly encourages the reader to do the same.
With adult themes and the occasional explicit but tasteful depiction of lustful love making, I highly recommend 'A Sea Change' to anyone who likes the idea of an accomplished and seductive romantic drama, that also encourages you to think, for a change!
We first meet our romantic lovers as they struggle to find the courage to change; the courage to look at their failed marriages and flawed families and stop them having dominion over their wellbeing. However, it is only when they reacquire the ability to take risks and the ability to be honest, that their emotional union is possible, and their emotional transformation is complete.
This book poignantly observes the progress of two fragile people, simultaneously garnering the strength to unburden themselves of all the unimportant emotional and historical baggage, that their lives have accumulated and importantly in the process, implicitly encourages the reader to do the same.
With adult themes and the occasional explicit but tasteful depiction of lustful love making, I highly recommend 'A Sea Change' to anyone who likes the idea of an accomplished and seductive romantic drama, that also encourages you to think, for a change!
December 20, 2012
I loved reading "A Sea Change". The story is excellent. But even more impressive is the writing. The author has written this book the way a book should be written- strong characters, an engaging story line and a flawless structure. And I was amazed by the consistency- from the first page to the last, the characters, the writing and the pace, everything was perfectly consistent. This is not easy to achieve. The author must have spent a lot of time and effort in the planning and structure of the story and that shows.
I must also say that the author seems to have a great understanding of human nature. When she describes love or jealousy or happiness or any other human emotion, she has the ability to express it exactly the way the person would have felt it. And because of this the book is full of unforgettable statements like this: "They spoke in low tones. The voices people use for the night, even when they are alone, as if anything louder would bring on the problems of the day too soon." How true!
I would not put this book in the category of "romance". No! It is way more than that. It is simply an amazing book!
Now about the rating. I wanted to give this book 4.5 stars. The reason is that I would have liked to read more about D and what happens to him. I was looking for a completion of his story also. But the star rating system does not allow me to give 4.5 stars. So when I had to choose between 4 stars and 5 stars, I could just not give 4. It had to be 5!
I must also say that the author seems to have a great understanding of human nature. When she describes love or jealousy or happiness or any other human emotion, she has the ability to express it exactly the way the person would have felt it. And because of this the book is full of unforgettable statements like this: "They spoke in low tones. The voices people use for the night, even when they are alone, as if anything louder would bring on the problems of the day too soon." How true!
I would not put this book in the category of "romance". No! It is way more than that. It is simply an amazing book!
Now about the rating. I wanted to give this book 4.5 stars. The reason is that I would have liked to read more about D and what happens to him. I was looking for a completion of his story also. But the star rating system does not allow me to give 4.5 stars. So when I had to choose between 4 stars and 5 stars, I could just not give 4. It had to be 5!
November 16, 2012
In her second novel, Reynolds had penned an elegant and flawless contemporary love story set in a Puget Sound art colony. Meet Maddy and Nick, first neighbors then lovers too soon, and after healing and howling their real love can burst into bloom. The Greeks promised us three flavors of love – passion, family and divinity. All three are exercised and exorcised here, including a wayward brother beyond redemption.
The community of Salmon Beach comes alive in rich environmental detail. Here beach homes hang on a cliff. With the ocean as intimate neighbor, Maddy and Nick are drenched and buffeted to undergo a sea change of personal evolution. Cue Jimmy Buffet to sing, “Mother Ocean I can hear your call.” Maddy, with camera in hand, communes with a personal totem of renewal -- the mermaid on the rock. In the role of mentor and Madonna we have a grandmotherly tea-time potter whose nature is pure nurture.
At times I might have locked these two in the bedroom until they worked it out by wrinkling the sheets. Alas, human nature is often more frail than that. Struggle is the compost than makes people strong, capable of enduring love. If you’re a mother, a lover or on the rebound, then this love story is for you.
With luck, human beings grow about as fast as house plants. Reynolds enriches her characters with inner dialogs and revealing journal entries as they move through four seasons of healing. Some need forgiveness; others must trust again or simply grow up. Fractured and in emotional recovery, each gains a degree of solace before being brave to open their hearts anew. Oprah will love this book; Dr. Phil will ask what took you so long?
The lesson here is that love cannot be rushed. It must be nurtured through the elements, protected from sleet and sun, until it can bloom again with a scent that captivates the spirit. Old baggage must be unpacked, processed and let go. Salmon Beach holds a wonderful community of folks with whom to do so. Five stars.
The community of Salmon Beach comes alive in rich environmental detail. Here beach homes hang on a cliff. With the ocean as intimate neighbor, Maddy and Nick are drenched and buffeted to undergo a sea change of personal evolution. Cue Jimmy Buffet to sing, “Mother Ocean I can hear your call.” Maddy, with camera in hand, communes with a personal totem of renewal -- the mermaid on the rock. In the role of mentor and Madonna we have a grandmotherly tea-time potter whose nature is pure nurture.
At times I might have locked these two in the bedroom until they worked it out by wrinkling the sheets. Alas, human nature is often more frail than that. Struggle is the compost than makes people strong, capable of enduring love. If you’re a mother, a lover or on the rebound, then this love story is for you.
With luck, human beings grow about as fast as house plants. Reynolds enriches her characters with inner dialogs and revealing journal entries as they move through four seasons of healing. Some need forgiveness; others must trust again or simply grow up. Fractured and in emotional recovery, each gains a degree of solace before being brave to open their hearts anew. Oprah will love this book; Dr. Phil will ask what took you so long?
The lesson here is that love cannot be rushed. It must be nurtured through the elements, protected from sleet and sun, until it can bloom again with a scent that captivates the spirit. Old baggage must be unpacked, processed and let go. Salmon Beach holds a wonderful community of folks with whom to do so. Five stars.
December 17, 2012
I absolutely loved reading Annette's book and how quickly I was sucked into it. Having grown up in Tacoma, WA it was lovely to read a book and be able to see everything in my minds eye as the story unfolded. I became so attached to the characters and often found myself talking to or yelling at Nick or Maddy that they do this or don't do that. At work, I would be lost in my imagination trying to figure out what was going to happen next and couldn't wait until I got home and was finally able to snuggle up and find out. I loved reading every moment of this book. Upon reading the last page, I was able to put it down and be COMPLETELY satisfied with the ride the Annette had taken me for.
Want to read
November 30, 2012Free on amazon
11/30/12
11/30/12
December 7, 2012
4.5 stars
This book was a pleasure to read. The writing was seamless and the storyline flowed organically, hooking me right away. I won't waste words with a synopsis, but let me add that the alternating POVs between the main characters, interspersed with journal entries giving the heroine's first person perspective really fit together well. I did not mind the occasional foray into the mind of a more secondary character, either, which usually irks me. That is a testament to how natural the story flows, I think.
This love story really delves deep into the psyche of its characters, and I really felt like I understood them. Even though there were times when I wanted them to stop being so melodramatic, I "got" it. Ms. Reynolds definitely gave her characters minds of their own and allowed me to emote with them and understand why they acted a certain way--and allowed me to revel in their growth! The only character that puzzled me was Danny/Phil (the heroine's brother). I don't think he got a fair shake. I was glad to get a lot of backstory on him and some narrative in his POV, but I wasn't quite clear on his motivations or feelings sometimes, as well as the reactions of other characters toward him.
In addition to the characters, the settings and descriptions were so rich and textured, too. The self-healing journeys by Nick and Maddy, as well as their love story, develop over the course of the four seasons in a seaside community, which was all brought to life in my mind in vivid detail, engaging all of my senses. This book played like a movie in my head!
My only complaints are a couple of things that distracted me from the story. The story starts off in the year 2000. I was constantly distracted by mentions of technology and lack thereof. Stupid, I know, but I kept thinking to myself, why does a famous ex-MLB player have a pager instead of a cell phone and how does Maddy make a photobook with a desktop publisher on a laptop when she is using 35mm film and developing her own negatives and prints? Is she scanning them? Duh! I know. But, hey, it distracted me, and I kept trying to remember when I started using email regularly and when I got a cell and a digital camera. (And I myself, took photography in college with a manual 35mm SLR camera and developed my own film and prints, so I really had to think about when the digital revolution kicked in for me.) The other distraction had to do with pairing AIDS and homosexuality, which is very 80s, not the new millennium. These minor distractions only temporarily pulled me from the story world, though, and did not affect my overall enjoyment factor.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this rich and layered story. I will be looking for more from this author!
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This book was a pleasure to read. The writing was seamless and the storyline flowed organically, hooking me right away. I won't waste words with a synopsis, but let me add that the alternating POVs between the main characters, interspersed with journal entries giving the heroine's first person perspective really fit together well. I did not mind the occasional foray into the mind of a more secondary character, either, which usually irks me. That is a testament to how natural the story flows, I think.
This love story really delves deep into the psyche of its characters, and I really felt like I understood them. Even though there were times when I wanted them to stop being so melodramatic, I "got" it. Ms. Reynolds definitely gave her characters minds of their own and allowed me to emote with them and understand why they acted a certain way--and allowed me to revel in their growth! The only character that puzzled me was Danny/Phil (the heroine's brother). I don't think he got a fair shake. I was glad to get a lot of backstory on him and some narrative in his POV, but I wasn't quite clear on his motivations or feelings sometimes, as well as the reactions of other characters toward him.
In addition to the characters, the settings and descriptions were so rich and textured, too. The self-healing journeys by Nick and Maddy, as well as their love story, develop over the course of the four seasons in a seaside community, which was all brought to life in my mind in vivid detail, engaging all of my senses. This book played like a movie in my head!
My only complaints are a couple of things that distracted me from the story. The story starts off in the year 2000. I was constantly distracted by mentions of technology and lack thereof. Stupid, I know, but I kept thinking to myself, why does a famous ex-MLB player have a pager instead of a cell phone and how does Maddy make a photobook with a desktop publisher on a laptop when she is using 35mm film and developing her own negatives and prints? Is she scanning them? Duh! I know. But, hey, it distracted me, and I kept trying to remember when I started using email regularly and when I got a cell and a digital camera. (And I myself, took photography in college with a manual 35mm SLR camera and developed my own film and prints, so I really had to think about when the digital revolution kicked in for me.) The other distraction had to do with pairing AIDS and homosexuality, which is very 80s, not the new millennium. These minor distractions only temporarily pulled me from the story world, though, and did not affect my overall enjoyment factor.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this rich and layered story. I will be looking for more from this author!
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
April 26, 2013
An absorbing tale of growth and love - recommended
This is one of those situations where I’d like to give half stars. In this case I’m rounding up rather than down because the sheer quality of the storytelling deserves it.
The novel starts with a journal entry. Throughout the book these regular entries not only give immediacy to the story, but essential insight into Maddy’s thoughts and personality. They also form a cohesive thread throughout the whole story. From the start I was hooked, wanting to know more of her story and how she would overcome the problems her past had left her with.
An equally intriguing character is her neighbour in her new home of Salmon Beach. Nick has a past causing problems too. These two people were made for each other and we know they will resolve their problems together, but the journey is fascinating reading. Their stories are gradually revealed as the strands of their lives are woven more tightly together. There is no heavy-handed telling of backstory: the reader is given just enough, at just the right time, for the story to flow smoothly with no loss of pace.
Ms Reynolds has wonderful descriptive abilities, from broad brush strokes to the minutiae that give a sense of being there in this interesting community of eccentrics. Occasionally it is not fully accomplished eg in one paragraph we are told ‘Under the thick carpet the floor creaked with every step’ and I could imagine walking across that hotel floor, but we are also told the staff were ‘dressed in period garb’. Which period? That added nothing to the picture. These failings are few though, and forgivable when the majority is so excellently done. There are some typos, punctuation errors, and grammatical errors but again the vast majority is done very well. I have been in contact with the author and have been told another proof read is being done, so in all likelihood by the time you buy your copy these issues will have been addressed and A Sea Change will deserve the full 5* rating.
This is one of those situations where I’d like to give half stars. In this case I’m rounding up rather than down because the sheer quality of the storytelling deserves it.
The novel starts with a journal entry. Throughout the book these regular entries not only give immediacy to the story, but essential insight into Maddy’s thoughts and personality. They also form a cohesive thread throughout the whole story. From the start I was hooked, wanting to know more of her story and how she would overcome the problems her past had left her with.
An equally intriguing character is her neighbour in her new home of Salmon Beach. Nick has a past causing problems too. These two people were made for each other and we know they will resolve their problems together, but the journey is fascinating reading. Their stories are gradually revealed as the strands of their lives are woven more tightly together. There is no heavy-handed telling of backstory: the reader is given just enough, at just the right time, for the story to flow smoothly with no loss of pace.
Ms Reynolds has wonderful descriptive abilities, from broad brush strokes to the minutiae that give a sense of being there in this interesting community of eccentrics. Occasionally it is not fully accomplished eg in one paragraph we are told ‘Under the thick carpet the floor creaked with every step’ and I could imagine walking across that hotel floor, but we are also told the staff were ‘dressed in period garb’. Which period? That added nothing to the picture. These failings are few though, and forgivable when the majority is so excellently done. There are some typos, punctuation errors, and grammatical errors but again the vast majority is done very well. I have been in contact with the author and have been told another proof read is being done, so in all likelihood by the time you buy your copy these issues will have been addressed and A Sea Change will deserve the full 5* rating.
October 24, 2012
I loved Annette Reynold's first novel, "Remember the Time", so I am delighted by the publication of her second novel, "A Sea Change". Reynold's flair for complex, yet believable and engaging characters continues to impress. The events take place throughout a year on Salmon Beach, near Tacoma, and each season is evoked with so sure a style that I felt as though I could see, hear and smell the setting.
Both Maddy and Nick have retreated to the small beach-front community of Salmon Beach after personal catastrophes that have cost each of them their marriage, their job, their self-worth, and their ability to trust. Salmon Beach can only be reached by 200 stairsteps down a sheer cliff; the physical isolation underscores Maddy's and Nick's emotional isolation. They feel an instant physical attraction, and have sex almost as soon as they meet, but each of them sabotages their budding relationship at every opportunity. Maddy and Nick each lie to and mislead the other to protect themselves from possible hurt. They zigzag between hours of hot sex and weeks of angry silence. Maddy and Nick each need to find new talents within themselves to create a new life, and must relearn trust to build a new relationship.
The main characters are well-written and realistic. Maddy considers an outfit then hears the cutting remarks her ex had made about it. Nick and his ex-wife snipe over shared parenting. Maddy's passion for photography shines. Nick aches to spend more time with his daughter. Nick struggles with addiction; Maddy, with orgasm. The only character that I never warmed up to was Phil, whose emotional damage seems too severe to simply arise from a belittling father. But his inability to grow, and Maddy's recognition of this, helps Maddy to learn important truths about herself.
"A Sea Change" is as much about defining family and one's self as it is about romance. I highly recommend it.
Both Maddy and Nick have retreated to the small beach-front community of Salmon Beach after personal catastrophes that have cost each of them their marriage, their job, their self-worth, and their ability to trust. Salmon Beach can only be reached by 200 stairsteps down a sheer cliff; the physical isolation underscores Maddy's and Nick's emotional isolation. They feel an instant physical attraction, and have sex almost as soon as they meet, but each of them sabotages their budding relationship at every opportunity. Maddy and Nick each lie to and mislead the other to protect themselves from possible hurt. They zigzag between hours of hot sex and weeks of angry silence. Maddy and Nick each need to find new talents within themselves to create a new life, and must relearn trust to build a new relationship.
The main characters are well-written and realistic. Maddy considers an outfit then hears the cutting remarks her ex had made about it. Nick and his ex-wife snipe over shared parenting. Maddy's passion for photography shines. Nick aches to spend more time with his daughter. Nick struggles with addiction; Maddy, with orgasm. The only character that I never warmed up to was Phil, whose emotional damage seems too severe to simply arise from a belittling father. But his inability to grow, and Maddy's recognition of this, helps Maddy to learn important truths about herself.
"A Sea Change" is as much about defining family and one's self as it is about romance. I highly recommend it.
November 10, 2015
Annette Reynolds is one of the great one-hit wonders of the romance world. She released a great debut novel, Remember the Time in the late 1990s, and promptly disappeared from sight. Apparently life and several major losses, got in the way, but now, 15 years later she has finally resurfaced with an e-book. It's refreshing to read a contemporary love story that features mature characters falling in love and dealing with their respective issues. Reynolds knows how to create chemistry between her leads and steamy yet not explicit love scenes. Unfortunately, the hero is a bit too much of a jerk, and he treats the heroine poorly too many times to earn my respect. The heroine deserved better. Also the author seems conflicted about a third major character, whom she sets up to be the object of sympathy only to change him to a near villain.
I'm glad to see that there is indeed a second act for Annette Reynolds, and hopefully she won't wait so long to treat us to another novel.
I'm glad to see that there is indeed a second act for Annette Reynolds, and hopefully she won't wait so long to treat us to another novel.
June 26, 2013
Being a Seattle resident for nearly 20 years, I could very much imagine the sights and sounds described by the author. I felt some of the dreams were a little over the top and I also didn't like that 2 major characters used assumed names and no one really thought twice about it. Both lessened the realism of the story for me. Overall I enjoyed this book very much and would highly recommend it.
kindle-i-own-to-read
November 30, 2012Amazon Freebie 11/30/2012
January 14, 2020
Wonderful!
Great love/life story. Characters were so real. You felt like you were there. One I won’t forget. Mystical, magical and yet so real.
Great love/life story. Characters were so real. You felt like you were there. One I won’t forget. Mystical, magical and yet so real.
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February 25, 2016kindle 420
November 4, 2014
Didn't finish it
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