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Unspoken Tides
Hollywood royalty. Betrayal. Beginning again. It's the origin story of The Salt Sisters -- and it's a doozy.
Hilary Salt's mother was an iconic Oscar-winning actress. She was beloved by the entire world -- but Hilary loved her the most. Never mind that Isabella was a narcissist. Never mind that she often treated Hilary terribly.
Now, Hilary Salt is fifty-five and happy, mostly. She's the unofficial "leader" of The Salt Sisters, hosting dinners on her immaculate veranda overlooking the Sound, listening to their every problem, giving advice. She hardly notices when she stops sharing her own feelings and problems. But all at once, she feels unappreciated and used.
It's just as it was with her mother. Unbalanced.
She feels taken advantage of by the people she loves the most.
Out of the blue, Hilary's ex-husband contacts her. He's a top-shot producer in Hollywood, and he's just written a new film set on Nantucket Island. He wants her to helm the costume department, just like old times. Hilary leaps at the chance -- romanticized by the past and her love of films.
There's just one she forgot just how cruel her ex-husband can be.
As she drifts further from The Salt Sisters and deeper into her long-lost Hollywood world, Hilary loses track of herself. She must return to her memories for guidance -- and put her faith back into The Salt Sisters, who remain her security in a topsy-turvy world.
Dive into this brand-new women's fiction series from Katie Winters. With Nantucket as a scenic backdrop, this heartwarming women’s fiction captures the tumultuous journey of a woman learning to navigate life in the face of profound change.
Hilary Salt's mother was an iconic Oscar-winning actress. She was beloved by the entire world -- but Hilary loved her the most. Never mind that Isabella was a narcissist. Never mind that she often treated Hilary terribly.
Now, Hilary Salt is fifty-five and happy, mostly. She's the unofficial "leader" of The Salt Sisters, hosting dinners on her immaculate veranda overlooking the Sound, listening to their every problem, giving advice. She hardly notices when she stops sharing her own feelings and problems. But all at once, she feels unappreciated and used.
It's just as it was with her mother. Unbalanced.
She feels taken advantage of by the people she loves the most.
Out of the blue, Hilary's ex-husband contacts her. He's a top-shot producer in Hollywood, and he's just written a new film set on Nantucket Island. He wants her to helm the costume department, just like old times. Hilary leaps at the chance -- romanticized by the past and her love of films.
There's just one she forgot just how cruel her ex-husband can be.
As she drifts further from The Salt Sisters and deeper into her long-lost Hollywood world, Hilary loses track of herself. She must return to her memories for guidance -- and put her faith back into The Salt Sisters, who remain her security in a topsy-turvy world.
Dive into this brand-new women's fiction series from Katie Winters. With Nantucket as a scenic backdrop, this heartwarming women’s fiction captures the tumultuous journey of a woman learning to navigate life in the face of profound change.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
859 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Katie Winters
125 books407 followersKatie writes women's fiction and clean, wholesome contemporary romance. She looks to everyday, real-life family issues to weave stories of heartfelt emotions, love and loss, and everything in between.
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Come transport yourself to Martha's Vineyard: an island of vivid blue ocean, white sand, and a lively community of locals, who celebrate everything from the bright New England summers to the cold, yet cozy, snowcapped winters.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 2, 2024
Katie Winters’ story gives hope to all women! Her portrayal of strong women in a variety of heart wrenching circumstances, too often resounding sentiments of real life situations, is a refreshing breath of hope and love. The valuable lesson of the friendship and support of other women in the characters’ lives is essential to survival and success for all women!
August 4, 2024
Strange turn of events
It seems strange that no word of a daughter is mentioned until much later in the book when she appears as an adult.
It seems strange that no word of a daughter is mentioned until much later in the book when she appears as an adult.
November 2, 2024
Mothers and Daughters and Sisters
Katie Winters continues her Salt Sisters series with a hard-hitting drama about an aging Swedish movie star, her people-pleasing daughter Hilary, Hilary's conniving ex-husband Rodrick, their child-star daughter Ingrid, Hilary's new cinematographer love Max, and the Salt Sisters, a group of women Hilary has brought together in "sisterhood, with a dash of salt"!
In 1990, 19-year-old Hilary goes with her mom to the Oscars and meets struggling producer Rodrick Salt. Rodrick charms her, and they marry soon after, to Isabella's chagrin. Already on her way to alcoholism and hurt by her own husband's cheating, a drunk Isabella makes a speech at the wedding dinner denigrating Hilary's choice. The die is cast for the doom of Hilary and Rodrick's marriage.
The next chapter jumps ahead to 2004, when Hilary receives news from Isabella's agent that her mom needs another stint in rehab. Rodrick convinces her that her mom is a narcissist who only wants her attention, but the morning paper headline says her mom died of an overdose while her agent slept. He apologizes to Hilary, but she understands his exhaustion and forgives him. Rodrick, however, insulted her vulnerable mother, kept Hilary from her, and can't be forgiven so easily.
In the present, Rodrick texts Hilary and invites her to do costumes for his latest project, which will film on Nantucket. She fled to the island looking for peace after Isabella's death, but years of doing costumes and loving it draw her back to the movie set. She loves working 12-14 hour days and neglects the other Salt Sisters despite their regular texts; she sometimes sees 25+ messages per day!
Then she begins hanging out with Max and stops hiding their mutual attraction, to the delight of other on-set staff. Gossip reaches Rodrick, who pulls funding from the project, stopping work for everyone on the movie set. A mystery person steps in to fund the movie, and a few weeks later, production resumes. Max, who left for LA to find other work, returns and resumes his romance with Hilary. Stella, the first Salt Sister, shows Hilary a magazine interview with Hilary's estranged daughter, movie star Ingrid Salt, in which Ingrid blames her father's pulling of funding on his loss of control over Hilary's heart. The book again shifts back to 2004 but focuses on Hilary's efforts to connect with Ingrid, who by then is a successful child star uninterested in cozying up to her mom when Daddy and her agent are taking her to exotic locations to film movies. She doesn't eat anything and looks gaunt, proving that Hollywood prefers its actresses, even at age 13, skinny. Hilary hates it, but Ingrid begs to go to a theater camp for child actors and Hilary gives in, another instance of people pleasing. She's upset by Rodrick's new French girlfriend and thinks Ingrid wants nothing to do with her, as evidenced by her parting words: "Don't contact me again!"
Back in the present, post-interview, Hilary calls Ingrid only to be told she's busy. Having used that line to ignore the Salt Sisters, Hilary thinks she's lying. But after the movie resumes production, Ingrid visits the set--and Hilary. She really was too busy to talk, and she wants to get to know her mother again. The parting words were merely teenage attitude, and as she became an adult Ingrid saw her father's need to control everyone in his path, including her. His shock when she turned down a role in one of his movies gave her the inspiration to ask the magazine for the interview. At Hilary's house, Max leaves the women to talk, and they heal their old wounds. Hilary learns that the Nantucket film was written by Ingrid, so pulling the funding wasn't painful for Rodrick. Ingrid is the mystery rescuer of the movie!
Hilary apologizes to her Salt Sisters and comes clean about Isabella, Rodrick, Max, and Ingrid--everything in the book so far. They forgive her, and the Salt Sisters stay strong. Not a conventional happily ever after, but very satisfying for Hilary--and me.
I highly recommend Unspoken Tides, and I want to read book 1 in the series!
Katie Winters continues her Salt Sisters series with a hard-hitting drama about an aging Swedish movie star, her people-pleasing daughter Hilary, Hilary's conniving ex-husband Rodrick, their child-star daughter Ingrid, Hilary's new cinematographer love Max, and the Salt Sisters, a group of women Hilary has brought together in "sisterhood, with a dash of salt"!
In 1990, 19-year-old Hilary goes with her mom to the Oscars and meets struggling producer Rodrick Salt. Rodrick charms her, and they marry soon after, to Isabella's chagrin. Already on her way to alcoholism and hurt by her own husband's cheating, a drunk Isabella makes a speech at the wedding dinner denigrating Hilary's choice. The die is cast for the doom of Hilary and Rodrick's marriage.
The next chapter jumps ahead to 2004, when Hilary receives news from Isabella's agent that her mom needs another stint in rehab. Rodrick convinces her that her mom is a narcissist who only wants her attention, but the morning paper headline says her mom died of an overdose while her agent slept. He apologizes to Hilary, but she understands his exhaustion and forgives him. Rodrick, however, insulted her vulnerable mother, kept Hilary from her, and can't be forgiven so easily.
In the present, Rodrick texts Hilary and invites her to do costumes for his latest project, which will film on Nantucket. She fled to the island looking for peace after Isabella's death, but years of doing costumes and loving it draw her back to the movie set. She loves working 12-14 hour days and neglects the other Salt Sisters despite their regular texts; she sometimes sees 25+ messages per day!
Then she begins hanging out with Max and stops hiding their mutual attraction, to the delight of other on-set staff. Gossip reaches Rodrick, who pulls funding from the project, stopping work for everyone on the movie set. A mystery person steps in to fund the movie, and a few weeks later, production resumes. Max, who left for LA to find other work, returns and resumes his romance with Hilary. Stella, the first Salt Sister, shows Hilary a magazine interview with Hilary's estranged daughter, movie star Ingrid Salt, in which Ingrid blames her father's pulling of funding on his loss of control over Hilary's heart. The book again shifts back to 2004 but focuses on Hilary's efforts to connect with Ingrid, who by then is a successful child star uninterested in cozying up to her mom when Daddy and her agent are taking her to exotic locations to film movies. She doesn't eat anything and looks gaunt, proving that Hollywood prefers its actresses, even at age 13, skinny. Hilary hates it, but Ingrid begs to go to a theater camp for child actors and Hilary gives in, another instance of people pleasing. She's upset by Rodrick's new French girlfriend and thinks Ingrid wants nothing to do with her, as evidenced by her parting words: "Don't contact me again!"
Back in the present, post-interview, Hilary calls Ingrid only to be told she's busy. Having used that line to ignore the Salt Sisters, Hilary thinks she's lying. But after the movie resumes production, Ingrid visits the set--and Hilary. She really was too busy to talk, and she wants to get to know her mother again. The parting words were merely teenage attitude, and as she became an adult Ingrid saw her father's need to control everyone in his path, including her. His shock when she turned down a role in one of his movies gave her the inspiration to ask the magazine for the interview. At Hilary's house, Max leaves the women to talk, and they heal their old wounds. Hilary learns that the Nantucket film was written by Ingrid, so pulling the funding wasn't painful for Rodrick. Ingrid is the mystery rescuer of the movie!
Hilary apologizes to her Salt Sisters and comes clean about Isabella, Rodrick, Max, and Ingrid--everything in the book so far. They forgive her, and the Salt Sisters stay strong. Not a conventional happily ever after, but very satisfying for Hilary--and me.
I highly recommend Unspoken Tides, and I want to read book 1 in the series!
July 22, 2025
Hilary Salt had her life in Nantucket. She had her routine and her group of Salt Sisters. They were a group of women who had a trauma in their life or a divorce and needed help. They met to talk and to do things together to get out of their houses and back into society. although she was the one who started the group, Hilary kept her story as quiet as possible. She was the daughter of Isabella Helin, a major actress who had not had anyone to lean on when her actor husband cheated on her and then left her. Hilary's relationship with her mother had been shaky during their later years. Hilary had married young and her husband tried to make her a star; but she didn't have the talent. Her talent lay in costume design. After Isabella's death, Hilary's marriage also broke down as she retreated to Nantucket to recuperate while Roderick Salt, her husband remained in Los Angeles. After the divorce, Hilary just stayed in Nantucket and made her life there.
When Hilary was fifty-five, Roderick called her. He had written a script that was to be filmed in Nantucket and he wanted Hilary to do the costumes. She was glad to try her hand at costumes again especially once she had read the script. Was this his way of trying for a reconciliation?
Then, when the film was almost finished, he suddenly pulled the financing, shutting down the film. Why did he suddenly do that? Was it because Hilary was getting close to a cinematographer or something else?
When Hilary was fifty-five, Roderick called her. He had written a script that was to be filmed in Nantucket and he wanted Hilary to do the costumes. She was glad to try her hand at costumes again especially once she had read the script. Was this his way of trying for a reconciliation?
Then, when the film was almost finished, he suddenly pulled the financing, shutting down the film. Why did he suddenly do that? Was it because Hilary was getting close to a cinematographer or something else?
May 20, 2024
Unspoken Tides delves into the world of "celebrity" and its effect on family members. Hilary Salt, the "leader" of the Salt Sisters, grew up in the shadow of her mother Isabella, an Oscar-winning actress and self-centered diva. Now living in Nantucket, Hilary recalls her past and feels that she hasn't really fulfilled herself. When her ex-husband offers her a job as head of the costume department for a new film located on Nantucket, she accepts. I found this book really exceptional. The storylines - past and present - were great. No matter how wealthy or famous one is, one must still strive to be a good and kind person, ready for change. Obviously, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
May 28, 2024
Unspoken Tides is book 2 in the Salt Sisters series by Katie Winters and what an emotional read! 4.5 stars
Up next is Hillary, the unofficial leader of the Salt sisters but nobody notices when she stops sharing..falling back into her Hollywood persona, ex husband’s cruelty, losing herself, tears, finding herself with the help of her sisters, emotional, twists, turns and more…
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Up next is Hillary, the unofficial leader of the Salt sisters but nobody notices when she stops sharing..falling back into her Hollywood persona, ex husband’s cruelty, losing herself, tears, finding herself with the help of her sisters, emotional, twists, turns and more…
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 6, 2025
Mothers and daughters
Loved the ups and devastating downs between Hilary and Rodrick. His dastardly treatment of Hilary led to his downfall, but her strength of character brought her through those nights and days. It was refreshing and surprising her love of Ingrid changed her past failures to connect becoming a light in her darkness. Love conquers evil every time. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Loved the ups and devastating downs between Hilary and Rodrick. His dastardly treatment of Hilary led to his downfall, but her strength of character brought her through those nights and days. It was refreshing and surprising her love of Ingrid changed her past failures to connect becoming a light in her darkness. Love conquers evil every time. Thank you for sharing them with us.
May 25, 2024
This book was extremely painful to read…so have your tissues ready! I know before I start reading any book Katie Winters gives us that there will be so much heavy emotion—more sadness than laughter—and be accompanied by darkness rather than light. UNSPOKEN TIDES follows this same pattern that—but it’s all good…from the first page until the last!
The storyline is truly incredible; the characters as colorful as we’ve come to expect; the plot twists and turns may trouble you a bit; and there is no real HEA in this book…it just keeps you rooting for future Salt Sister books!
I heartily recommend Unspoken Tides be added to your reading collection. Katie Winters has given us another incredible read—and you don’t want to miss it. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was totally impressed by it!) ❤️❤️❤️
The storyline is truly incredible; the characters as colorful as we’ve come to expect; the plot twists and turns may trouble you a bit; and there is no real HEA in this book…it just keeps you rooting for future Salt Sister books!
I heartily recommend Unspoken Tides be added to your reading collection. Katie Winters has given us another incredible read—and you don’t want to miss it. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was totally impressed by it!) ❤️❤️❤️
March 1, 2025
I wanted to like this book, I liked the first one and I normally like this author. However, I have a hard time with a woman who makes stupid decisions. It was hard to get through the book but I did. Glad the ending got better.
September 20, 2025
Fun characters!
I particularly love the surprises and having enjoyed and needed the support of girlfriends throughout my lifetime, I love that they continued to help each other when they need it.
I particularly love the surprises and having enjoyed and needed the support of girlfriends throughout my lifetime, I love that they continued to help each other when they need it.
October 17, 2025
Another winner!
OMG, I lost myself within this story every time I picked it back up! Katie wrote with such realism, it was like reliving my 60+ years with each new flash back! Can't wait to start book 3, Unspoken Sunsets.
OMG, I lost myself within this story every time I picked it back up! Katie wrote with such realism, it was like reliving my 60+ years with each new flash back! Can't wait to start book 3, Unspoken Sunsets.
November 8, 2025
Loved book 2 by Katie Winters.
Actresses and movies were so much larger back in the day . Family members weren't always together in days gone by. Divorce and cheating cancels out a lot of families and caused so much heartache but ending up reunited didn't happen very often.
Actresses and movies were so much larger back in the day . Family members weren't always together in days gone by. Divorce and cheating cancels out a lot of families and caused so much heartache but ending up reunited didn't happen very often.
May 18, 2024
Wonderful story. Hillary had a lot of struggles in her life. Her Salt Sisters were there for her. Glad she finally let them help her. Great characters.
May 28, 2024
LOVED IT!
Read
May 13, 2025Another winner!
The second book of the Salt Sisters was a wonderful continuation of the story. I look forward to Book 3 to get to know another one of these strong and brave women.
The second book of the Salt Sisters was a wonderful continuation of the story. I look forward to Book 3 to get to know another one of these strong and brave women.
June 12, 2025
Not as good as the previous one in this series. Too much Hollywood stuff.
June 14, 2025
Love her books, this was a really good one!
October 7, 2025
Amazing
Hilary and Ingrid sure do go through the toughest of times but ending is amazing and so touching!! Love the complete Ness of this dynamic!
Hilary and Ingrid sure do go through the toughest of times but ending is amazing and so touching!! Love the complete Ness of this dynamic!
November 3, 2025
family relationships
An interesting story which showed how women come together to help each other thru some of the difficulties families face.
An interesting story which showed how women come together to help each other thru some of the difficulties families face.
January 21, 2026
Unspoken Tides
Wow I haven’t read such a heavy dramatic series in a long long time. Excellent and I’m excited for the rest of the series to come out.
Wow I haven’t read such a heavy dramatic series in a long long time. Excellent and I’m excited for the rest of the series to come out.
May 31, 2024
Yikes - this was a tear jerker - delving into the world of Hollywood and the pressures that effect the women involved in movies over the years. Hilary is the daughter of a very famous movie star but her life isn't all that it's cracked up to be. She retreats to Nantucket after divorce and losing her mother and being estranged from her daughter. She and her Salt Sisters help each other and support each other - but she still struggles. When a new movie comes to the area and she's back in the costuming department - her ex husband tries to jump back into her life - but she's drawn to another. The characters just keep coming in this series - love it so much! Definitely read through til the end - great story!
December 16, 2025
Great story
This wad so good..... I had a hard time putting it down . I can't wait yo read Katie Winters next story
This wad so good..... I had a hard time putting it down . I can't wait yo read Katie Winters next story
January 17, 2026
Life
Everyone has ups and downs. Self doubt along the journey, pressure to be something you don't want to be. Find the courage to do what you want!
Everyone has ups and downs. Self doubt along the journey, pressure to be something you don't want to be. Find the courage to do what you want!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews