Have you wondered what leaving a marriage looks like after spending years tied down to the wrong man, the wrong place, and the wrong life? What it feels like to break free and be released almost literally into the wild? Reaching For Driftwood is Bacinski's journey through navigating the land of a fresh divorce (accurately predicted by a psychic medium) and all that comes with it– from walking away from a reappearing high school sweetheart to taking solo, heartbroken hiking trips in swoon-worthy locations, to falling into a painfully gorgeous age-gap romance with a man she bumped shopping carts with at Whole Foods. Brittany shares every messy detail of her emerging independence after picking the early years of motherhood crust off her sweater just in time to explore the totally new-to-me world of modern dating, adventure, self-discovery and everything in between.
Brittany Bacinski is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, certified rule-breaker, astrology nerd and filmmaker from South Haven, Michigan. Her most recent work includes the Book-Tok sensation, On His Way Back To Me, her stunning new novel Suburban Womxn, and her memoir Reaching For Driftwood. She is a single mother to her two boys living in Metro-Detroit. She is on Instagram and Tik-Tok @brittanybacinski.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 stars) Thank you for the giveaway read! Brittany Bacinski’s Reaching for Driftwood is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant novel that stands out for its evocative storytelling and profound character exploration. With a near-perfect blend of lyrical prose and compelling narrative, this book offers a deeply moving reading experience.
The novel follows the lives of its characters as they navigate the complexities of personal loss, family dynamics, and self-discovery. Bacinski’s ability to create richly drawn characters is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Each character is portrayed with depth and authenticity, making their journeys both relatable and impactful. The way they confront their inner struggles and evolve throughout the story adds a layer of emotional depth that keeps readers invested.
Bacinski’s writing is nothing short of captivating. Her prose is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of both the internal and external landscapes of her characters’ lives. The imagery and descriptive language enhance the novel’s emotional resonance, drawing readers into the story’s world with a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
The plot is thoughtfully constructed, with a pacing that allows for both reflection and momentum. The narrative weaves together themes of loss, healing, and the search for meaning in a way that feels both cohesive and profound. Bacinski’s exploration of these themes is nuanced and insightful, offering readers a chance to reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
One minor critique is that some of the plot’s developments may feel somewhat predictable to seasoned readers of contemporary fiction. While the story’s overall trajectory is engaging, a few elements may not offer the level of surprise or innovation that some readers might expect. However, this does not significantly detract from the novel’s overall impact.
Reaching for Driftwood is a testament to Brittany Bacinski’s talent as a storyteller. It is a novel that resonates on a deep emotional level, offering a poignant and beautifully rendered exploration of the human condition. The book’s powerful character development, evocative prose, and thematic depth make it a standout read. With its near-perfect execution, it is a highly recommended read for anyone looking for a deeply affecting and beautifully written novel.
Reaching for Driftwood by Brittany Bacinski is a thoughtful exploration of a woman reentering the dating pool after divorce. It’s a story many readers will recognize: the hope of finding love, mixed with the tragic mistakes and missteps that often accompany the search for a lasting partner.
The main character is someone you root for, even as you watch her stumble. Like so many of us, she makes decisions that don’t always bring her closer to the forever partner she seeks, but the honesty of those choices makes her journey relatable.
“Love, when it is real, is like a lighthouse…”
While the ending doesn’t necessarily provide the sweeping romance one might expect, the path is engaging. I found myself invested in the enjoyable read. I’d place it at about 2.9 stars, imperfect but heartfelt, with a main character whose journey many will see parts of themselves in.
Bacinski opened her soul and poured it out at her reader's feet in this one. She leaves no stone unturned, no truth untold, and writes in a genuinely heartfelt way that you can't help but cheer along with her through her ups and downs. Some parts will leave you with tears in your eyes while others will leave you giggling, and it's easy to find a piece (or many pieces) of yourself in her writing.
It takes great courage to bare your inner self to the world, and I commend her for unflinchingly doing exactly that for the sole purpose of helping out other women who can relate to her tale. Read this if you're a human being who's ever been let down, who's ever been told you aren't good enough, who's ever had their heart broken, who's ever wondered how they're going to get out of bed tomorrow. Bacinski's insights and wisdom will help make your journey a little bit easier.
I couldn’t put this down, but since it was written by Brittany I’m not surprised! She drew me in with her captivating and beautiful story telling immediately just like she did in “on his way back to me”. This being a memoir only made it even that more captivating and juicy because damn does she live in a movie.
An inspiring collection of well written events in her life after divorce and super relatable at that. I saw myself in her many times.
I highly recommend this memoir that has a little bit of everything - love, lust, loss and learning to love yourself all along on this journey of life.
Thank you Brittany for touching hearts once again. For sharing such vulnerable and intimate moments from your beautiful journey.
If you’ve read Brittany’s On His Way Back To Me, then you already know what you’ll be getting with this one as she is such a beautiful writer. I truly have never read another authors memoir who so honestly ripped herself open for everyone to read. She did it in such a way that you couldn’t help but to relate to her and feel her feelings along with her and then cheer her on!! I definitely cried with her, but laughed as well, and most importantly, she gave me the inspiration to dig deep down into my own “strength era” to gather up all the things that I need to personally reevaluate in my life into categories of what I deserve and what no longer serves me. For that I will forever be grateful for showing me that it’s ok to not be ok all the time. I’ve had my fair share of life rafts, as well as ports, and anytime I see driftwood I know to just keep on going. That I’m almost there. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR 2024!!!
Bad break up, seperated, divorced or just trying to find yourself? Brittany gives you a glimpse of how she healed and shows you there is no correct way. Raw, real and heartfelt. I wish I would have had this book after a few heartbreaks but, to have this now and to reflect - I’m glad to know others have had similar experiences and healing journeys.
There’s no right way to heal, to find yourself and Brittany shows that.
This book was ridiculously relatable and so healing to read as a divorced momma. The authors perspectives were interesting and I could NOT put this book down. I HAD to find out what happened… I finished this book in 2 days 😳 absolutely a 5 star read!