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Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea : a small town romance
When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and who Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.
She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable...until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.
This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”
“It isn’t easy to edit when you’re crying, let me tell you! But I’m not complaining! This was so beautiful and emotional. It really struck a deep chord in me. It’s an impressive book, and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity (to have been your editor)” ~Bryn Donovan
She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable...until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.
This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”
“It isn’t easy to edit when you’re crying, let me tell you! But I’m not complaining! This was so beautiful and emotional. It really struck a deep chord in me. It’s an impressive book, and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity (to have been your editor)” ~Bryn Donovan
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Richard I. Levine
6 books80 followersRichard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor.
A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts. In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.
While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”
While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii.
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.
A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts. In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.
While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”
While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii.
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 14, 2025
I enjoyed this touching novel. It is an engaging love story even if it is a bit predictable. It really emphasizes the theme of commitment in love. It is a good novel for readers who like one where the second chance romance develops easily. Behavior that might be an obstacle to romance is easily forgiven and accepted.
Another theme in the novel is PTSD, its expressions and the treatments, unique to each case. Additional issues include parental approval and sibling comparisons.
My favorite aspect of the novel is the setting, the uniqueness of an island in the Salish Sea. Be sure to have your tissues close at hand as you read this emotional romance.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Another theme in the novel is PTSD, its expressions and the treatments, unique to each case. Additional issues include parental approval and sibling comparisons.
My favorite aspect of the novel is the setting, the uniqueness of an island in the Salish Sea. Be sure to have your tissues close at hand as you read this emotional romance.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
July 22, 2025
An emotional and satisfying second chance at the love of a lifetime.
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Richard I. Levine’s wonderfully emotional and satisfying story of heartbreak, healing, and a second chance at the love of a lifetime. Veteran Mitch Brody, medically retired from the Marines after a long and decorated career, returns to his small Pacific Northwest hometown of Roche Harbor, a village in the San Juan Islands of Washington state, uncertain as to what and whom he will find there. Twenty years had passed since he left to enlist in the Marines after 9/11, and his parents and only siblings were long gone; only his brother’s widow, perhaps, still remaining on the family farm. Jess, his first and only love, had married his brother while he was away.
Mitch’s story is heartbreaking and emotional as he finally confronts his past. His is a wonderful tale of another chance at the romance he missed out on the first time around but the plot also explores so much more: the emotional and physical healing he undergoes after being wounded, the guilt and pain of losing not only his brother but his mother while he was deployed, his unhappy relationship with his father, and his complicated feelings for his accomplished and adored brother, Alex. The book also presents the story from Jess’s point of view: her side of their relationship, the aftermath, and the choices that needed to be made, as well as her experiences as an outsider coming into the close-knit island community as a child and life as a Puerto Rican immigrant.The author’s descriptions of the settings create a vivid atmosphere in which the story unfolds, and the past feels very much alive. Mitch is somewhat shocked to discover how much has changed and how much he has missed out on while away. The change in his family farm felt absolutely shocking. Misunderstandings, hurt, and pride all play a role in keeping him from coming home on leave, making the story even more tragic. Tender-hearted readers may want to ensure they have adequate tissues on hand before diving into this story.
I recommend LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA to romance readers, especially those who like a small-town setting, military service member characters, and wounded heroes returning home.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
November 1, 2025
The grammar of saltwater
Richard I. Levine's Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea : a small town romance is an evocative exploration of memory, belonging, and the persistence of love in the wake of irrevocable loss. Set against the convoluted geography of Washington’s San Juan Islands, the novel intertwines themes of displacement, war, and reconciliation within a landscape that mirrors the emotional drift of its characters. At its centre is Mitchell Brody, a Marine veteran returning to the island community he left behind after 9/11. His journey homeward is not simply geographical but moral and emotional—an attempt to reinhabit a world fractured by time, trauma, and regret. Parallel to his search is Jessica Ramirez’s arch, which reclaims space within a community where she once arrived as an outsider, marked by her Puerto Rican heritage and her condition of otherness. Through her, Levine examines the experience of cultural translation and the endurance of memory as both burden and act of faith.
Levine’s prose carries the rhythm of tide and season, evoking the Pacific Northwest as both setting and metaphor: a terrain of mist, silence, and unspoken longing. Rather than constructing a conventional romance, the novel stages a dialogue between memory and forgiveness, revealing how love, when interrupted by violence and absence, transforms into the ethics of endurance. The nonlinear movement between past and present underscores this tension; recollections of childhood innocence and adolescent obsession give way to the dull pragmatism of adulthood, where each character must navigate the dissonance between what was promised and what remains. The novel’s emotional gravity lies in the minutiae—domestic gestures, fleeting encounters, and the reckoning with decisions made decades earlier.
What distinguishes LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA is its refusal to sentimentalise pain. Levine balances intimacy with restraint, allowing the text to unfold with the patience of lived experience. The story’s romantic trajectory is thus inseparable from its meditation on guilt, cultural identity, and the limits of redemption. In the end, the novel positions love as a form of moral labour—something that must be continuously reimagined in the face of change. Beautifully written and meticulously observed, Levine’s work stands as a poignant reflection on how the convergence of personal and historical forces shapes the contours of forgiveness, and how even driftwood, carried by unseen currents, may one day return to shore.
Richard I. Levine's Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea : a small town romance is an evocative exploration of memory, belonging, and the persistence of love in the wake of irrevocable loss. Set against the convoluted geography of Washington’s San Juan Islands, the novel intertwines themes of displacement, war, and reconciliation within a landscape that mirrors the emotional drift of its characters. At its centre is Mitchell Brody, a Marine veteran returning to the island community he left behind after 9/11. His journey homeward is not simply geographical but moral and emotional—an attempt to reinhabit a world fractured by time, trauma, and regret. Parallel to his search is Jessica Ramirez’s arch, which reclaims space within a community where she once arrived as an outsider, marked by her Puerto Rican heritage and her condition of otherness. Through her, Levine examines the experience of cultural translation and the endurance of memory as both burden and act of faith.
Levine’s prose carries the rhythm of tide and season, evoking the Pacific Northwest as both setting and metaphor: a terrain of mist, silence, and unspoken longing. Rather than constructing a conventional romance, the novel stages a dialogue between memory and forgiveness, revealing how love, when interrupted by violence and absence, transforms into the ethics of endurance. The nonlinear movement between past and present underscores this tension; recollections of childhood innocence and adolescent obsession give way to the dull pragmatism of adulthood, where each character must navigate the dissonance between what was promised and what remains. The novel’s emotional gravity lies in the minutiae—domestic gestures, fleeting encounters, and the reckoning with decisions made decades earlier.
What distinguishes LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA is its refusal to sentimentalise pain. Levine balances intimacy with restraint, allowing the text to unfold with the patience of lived experience. The story’s romantic trajectory is thus inseparable from its meditation on guilt, cultural identity, and the limits of redemption. In the end, the novel positions love as a form of moral labour—something that must be continuously reimagined in the face of change. Beautifully written and meticulously observed, Levine’s work stands as a poignant reflection on how the convergence of personal and historical forces shapes the contours of forgiveness, and how even driftwood, carried by unseen currents, may one day return to shore.
October 16, 2025
A Thrilling and Emotional Love Story
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is an engaging romance story that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. The plot revolves around a compelling love story between two young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds who defy all odds to honor their promise to one another.
The author excels in character development and world-building. The scenes are well-crafted and vividly described, allowing me to visualize them as if I were watching a movie. Levine also incorporates a wonderful sense of humor, making the story even more enjoyable; I often found myself smiling and laughing at the characters' jokes.
I particularly liked the characters Mitch and Jessica. Their love story is relatable and reflects the real-life challenges many young people face when making significant life choices. I admired Jessica's resilience, determination, faithfulness, and hard work. While many young women might have chosen the "easy way" out in her situation, she endured the long wait and uncertainty.
On the other hand, I felt empathy for Mitchell, who endured a harsh upbringing that led him to make choices driven not by passion but by a desire to prove himself to his father. These choices ultimately affected his love life and changed his fate entirely. One of my favorite moments was when Mitch and Jess exchanged a secret vow in a closed church while still in grade school. It was satisfying to see that they honored their promise.
The book offers several valuable moral lessons. For instance, Mitch's story highlights the struggles faced by many soldiers, particularly regarding PTSD, and emphasizes the importance of societal support for them. Another key lesson is how parenting shapes an individual’s personality.
The story was suspenseful and immersive, making it impossible to put down until I reached the end. It is well-written, professionally edited, and free of grammatical errors. I enjoyed reading Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea and highly recommend it to anyone who loves romance stories.
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is an engaging romance story that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. The plot revolves around a compelling love story between two young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds who defy all odds to honor their promise to one another.
The author excels in character development and world-building. The scenes are well-crafted and vividly described, allowing me to visualize them as if I were watching a movie. Levine also incorporates a wonderful sense of humor, making the story even more enjoyable; I often found myself smiling and laughing at the characters' jokes.
I particularly liked the characters Mitch and Jessica. Their love story is relatable and reflects the real-life challenges many young people face when making significant life choices. I admired Jessica's resilience, determination, faithfulness, and hard work. While many young women might have chosen the "easy way" out in her situation, she endured the long wait and uncertainty.
On the other hand, I felt empathy for Mitchell, who endured a harsh upbringing that led him to make choices driven not by passion but by a desire to prove himself to his father. These choices ultimately affected his love life and changed his fate entirely. One of my favorite moments was when Mitch and Jess exchanged a secret vow in a closed church while still in grade school. It was satisfying to see that they honored their promise.
The book offers several valuable moral lessons. For instance, Mitch's story highlights the struggles faced by many soldiers, particularly regarding PTSD, and emphasizes the importance of societal support for them. Another key lesson is how parenting shapes an individual’s personality.
The story was suspenseful and immersive, making it impossible to put down until I reached the end. It is well-written, professionally edited, and free of grammatical errors. I enjoyed reading Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea and highly recommend it to anyone who loves romance stories.
October 20, 2025
Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is one of those rare love stories that feels both intimate and expansive—rooted deeply in a place and time, yet reaching into something timeless. Set against the tranquil, salt-tinged backdrop of San Juan Island, it tells the story of Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez—childhood sweethearts whose bond survives distance, heartbreak, and the slow erosion of time.
What begins as an innocent fourth-grade friendship grows into a lifelong tether. Mitch, the freckled boy who defended Jessica from playground bullies, becomes her steady protector; Jessica, the new girl from Puerto Rico, becomes his compass. Their small-town summers and shared dreams are painted with warmth and nostalgia—until 9/11 shatters their world, sending Mitch into the Marines and Jessica down a quieter path of endurance and hope.
Two decades later, he returns home—older, wounded, and seeking redemption. The story could easily have slipped into cliché, but Levine writes with a kind of restraint that makes the emotion hit harder. His prose is clear and evocative, letting the island’s stillness and the ache between the two leads carry much of the weight. This isn’t a sweeping, dramatic romance—it’s something gentler, more reflective. A meditation on forgiveness, memory, and the courage it takes to come home again.
There’s a melancholy beauty to how Levine captures love after time—how it’s changed, scarred, but somehow still alive. Some moments are quiet enough to break your heart, others tender in their simplicity. The pacing feels deliberate, the kind of slow unfolding that mirrors how real life and healing work.
If you’re drawn to stories where place and emotion intertwine—where love is patient, flawed, and deeply human—Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
What begins as an innocent fourth-grade friendship grows into a lifelong tether. Mitch, the freckled boy who defended Jessica from playground bullies, becomes her steady protector; Jessica, the new girl from Puerto Rico, becomes his compass. Their small-town summers and shared dreams are painted with warmth and nostalgia—until 9/11 shatters their world, sending Mitch into the Marines and Jessica down a quieter path of endurance and hope.
Two decades later, he returns home—older, wounded, and seeking redemption. The story could easily have slipped into cliché, but Levine writes with a kind of restraint that makes the emotion hit harder. His prose is clear and evocative, letting the island’s stillness and the ache between the two leads carry much of the weight. This isn’t a sweeping, dramatic romance—it’s something gentler, more reflective. A meditation on forgiveness, memory, and the courage it takes to come home again.
There’s a melancholy beauty to how Levine captures love after time—how it’s changed, scarred, but somehow still alive. Some moments are quiet enough to break your heart, others tender in their simplicity. The pacing feels deliberate, the kind of slow unfolding that mirrors how real life and healing work.
If you’re drawn to stories where place and emotion intertwine—where love is patient, flawed, and deeply human—Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
September 2, 2025
If you are looking for a deeply emotional, well-written contemporary romance with a riveting plot, pick up a copy of Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine.
From the moment Mitchell "Mitch" Brody silenced Jessica Ramirez's bully in grade school, the two were inseparable. They spent years planning their ideal life together. Then 9/11 tore them apart. Mitch joined the Marine Corps, and nothing would ever be the same.
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is the story of two people torn apart by things outside of their control. In this engaging, complex, and masterfully told novel, the reader travels through present and past times as Mitch and Jessica's story unfolds, slowly, carefully, like diving into a letter from a distant relative that reveals secrets, truths, and long-held feelings. Mitch has avoided everyone and everything he once held dear as he struggles with PTSD from his strict upbringing and time in Iraq. Jess never gave up hope in what they had, which makes this story so touching.
If you are looking for a typical romance--boy meets girl, they fall in love, they live happily ever after--you will not find it here. What you will find is a romance that touches every bit of who we are, how family dynamics play out, how idyllic life in a small town can be a blessing and a curse--especially when you are pulled out of it into something emotionally charged and devastating, and how love can survive against it all. You will need an entire box of tissues to make it through this one.
From the moment Mitchell "Mitch" Brody silenced Jessica Ramirez's bully in grade school, the two were inseparable. They spent years planning their ideal life together. Then 9/11 tore them apart. Mitch joined the Marine Corps, and nothing would ever be the same.
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is the story of two people torn apart by things outside of their control. In this engaging, complex, and masterfully told novel, the reader travels through present and past times as Mitch and Jessica's story unfolds, slowly, carefully, like diving into a letter from a distant relative that reveals secrets, truths, and long-held feelings. Mitch has avoided everyone and everything he once held dear as he struggles with PTSD from his strict upbringing and time in Iraq. Jess never gave up hope in what they had, which makes this story so touching.
If you are looking for a typical romance--boy meets girl, they fall in love, they live happily ever after--you will not find it here. What you will find is a romance that touches every bit of who we are, how family dynamics play out, how idyllic life in a small town can be a blessing and a curse--especially when you are pulled out of it into something emotionally charged and devastating, and how love can survive against it all. You will need an entire box of tissues to make it through this one.
October 30, 2025
Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez have been in love since the fourth grade, and they were inseparable, planning their future together. Until Mitch joined the Marine Corps. Secrets, lies, and family conflict kept Mitch away for twenty years. Now battle-hardened and wounded, Mitch is returning to the town and the woman he once abandoned. This is a story of pain, love, separation, and redemption, but also of strength and hope.
Like Driftwood on The Salish Sea is a deeply emotional read that is timeless and meaningful. From the innocence of youth to the complexity of life, the author explores some of the most important themes in life. This romance is engaging and profound in the best ways.
The characters are very well written, with accurate flaws, and are complex. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Mitch and how he changed over the years, and how his time served affected him. I feel not only is this portrayal quite life-like, but also that many will be able to relate to this character. Jess is also written well with many character developments over the years. You see Jess not only in the present, but also through Mitch’s mind, which really flourishes the character into a well-rounded individual.
The plot itself is well thought out and written artfully. It is an emotional journey with pain and heartbreak, but also joy. It is definitely a page turner, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a very thoughtfully written piece.
Like Driftwood on The Salish Sea is a deeply emotional read that is timeless and meaningful. From the innocence of youth to the complexity of life, the author explores some of the most important themes in life. This romance is engaging and profound in the best ways.
The characters are very well written, with accurate flaws, and are complex. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Mitch and how he changed over the years, and how his time served affected him. I feel not only is this portrayal quite life-like, but also that many will be able to relate to this character. Jess is also written well with many character developments over the years. You see Jess not only in the present, but also through Mitch’s mind, which really flourishes the character into a well-rounded individual.
The plot itself is well thought out and written artfully. It is an emotional journey with pain and heartbreak, but also joy. It is definitely a page turner, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a very thoughtfully written piece.
November 3, 2025
A love story that outlasts time and tide
Levine crafts a wonderful story that displays the power of second chances, shows the importance of forgiveness and the role that fate plays in love. Jessica and Mitchell’s connection is timeless even as they navigate the complex intricacies of their life experiences, with many surprising turns.
This is unlike any other romance story, it combines other key themes including forgiveness and loss and showing how they impact and shape people. It shows that soulmates truly exist despite lengthy periods apart, heartbreak and many of life’s harshest storms.
Levine excels in maintaining sincerity all through the story, and is vivid in his description of the people and the island as they lose a lot of time, but make unforgettable memories filled with nostalgia and warmth. When Mitchell returns from war, he finds a new meaning in life as he searches for Jessica to redeem himself as well as rekindle the love in a time of peace. Jessica displays unmatched resilience which is important to give her hope and strength which is deeply moving as it shows that even in the most vulnerable and tough moments, such periods are survivable.
Levine crafts a wonderful story that displays the power of second chances, shows the importance of forgiveness and the role that fate plays in love. Jessica and Mitchell’s connection is timeless even as they navigate the complex intricacies of their life experiences, with many surprising turns.
This is unlike any other romance story, it combines other key themes including forgiveness and loss and showing how they impact and shape people. It shows that soulmates truly exist despite lengthy periods apart, heartbreak and many of life’s harshest storms.
Levine excels in maintaining sincerity all through the story, and is vivid in his description of the people and the island as they lose a lot of time, but make unforgettable memories filled with nostalgia and warmth. When Mitchell returns from war, he finds a new meaning in life as he searches for Jessica to redeem himself as well as rekindle the love in a time of peace. Jessica displays unmatched resilience which is important to give her hope and strength which is deeply moving as it shows that even in the most vulnerable and tough moments, such periods are survivable.
July 25, 2025
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is a story that involves an epic love and loss. The story is about Jessica and Mitch who had met in the 4th grade as kids. Jess has just moved from Puerto Rico with her family and Mitch stood up to a bully for her. Mitch became Jess's knight in shining armor and was always protecting Jess and looking out for her. The love these two characters had for each other was so sweet and relatable to my own relationship that I never wanted the book to end. The ending was so sad and emotional that I felt every page of the last part of the book. The PTSD theme is brought up about Mitch and his time served in the Marines. The story flip flops between Jess's view and Mitch's and also from the past to the present timeline. This was a great returning home military service man who is wounded both physically and mentally and small town romance feel. I would read another book by this author as I enjoyed the writing style in this book. If you like these troupes you will love this book!
October 9, 2025
A love that defies time, trials, and tribulations. Falling in love at a young age, they believed they would end up together. However, Mitch joins the Marines, changing the course of their lives. Twenty years later he makes an appearance in the small town that holds his ghosts and his unwavering love. As they find each other again, a lot has changed, but the easy, honest conversations are still the same.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The time jumps were well labeled and ensured seamless flow. The plot and the character arc were well presented. The only downside with this book is the cover. I read the book because of the synopsis. I do understand it is from the name that the cover comes from; I find it to be lacking. It doesn’t match the romance genre. Apart from that, I did find the book to be entertaining
I really enjoyed reading this book. The time jumps were well labeled and ensured seamless flow. The plot and the character arc were well presented. The only downside with this book is the cover. I read the book because of the synopsis. I do understand it is from the name that the cover comes from; I find it to be lacking. It doesn’t match the romance genre. Apart from that, I did find the book to be entertaining
June 14, 2025
This one really surprised me. It starts as a small-town romance but quickly dives into real-life struggles like war, immigration, heartbreak, and second chances. The characters feel honest, and the setting is so vivid you can almost hear the water and feel the coastal breeze while flipping through the pages.
Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea gives you more than a sweet love story. It touches on how the past can haunt you, how forgiveness isn’t easy, and how some connections don’t fade no matter how much time passes. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, and worth the read if you want romance with depth.
Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea gives you more than a sweet love story. It touches on how the past can haunt you, how forgiveness isn’t easy, and how some connections don’t fade no matter how much time passes. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, and worth the read if you want romance with depth.
June 10, 2025
Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea : a small town romance by Richard I Levine is a great example of contemporary fiction. The story follow a fast paced romance in a small town. Mitchell is from the town and he falls for Jessica, an immigrant from Puerto Rico. As the two grow up together they fall for one another, but soon it becomes clear that problems from around the world have a tendency to hit home in some very shocking ways. The story covers a variety of topics that will seem very familiar to people today. The immigrant experience, the threat of terror around the world, and people being torn apart at a young age because of quick decisions and life altering mistakes. This is a great example of what it means to be an American and the tough positions everyday people are placed in all the time. Fans of modern fiction and realistic fiction will greatly enjoy this emotional and authentic read.
June 13, 2025
Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a tender and emotional small-town romance that explores themes of enduring love, healing, and second chances. Richard I. Levine writes with a heartfelt, nostalgic tone that draws readers into the quiet beauty of coastal life and the deep connections that shape us. I appreciated the sincerity of the writing and the bittersweet honesty woven throughout, though at times the sentimentality felt heavy. Still, it’s a moving, soulful read for fans of heartfelt romantic fiction.
August 2, 2025
Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea completely took me by surprise. What begins as a nostalgic, sweet childhood love story slowly deepens into something much more profound. Richard I Levine writes with such sensitivity and emotional honesty that I found myself completely swept away by Mitch and Jessica’s journey, from their innocent connection as kids to the heartache and complexity of their adult reunion.
June 12, 2025
"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea: a small town romance" written by Richard Levine captures both the heart and imagination of the readers. The writing style of the author describes very nicely the characters and the locations in this book. the story shows the love between Mitchell, a veteran millitary person, and Jessica, a strong willed female, with a gap of 20 years of separation. This narrative shows that the first love sticks with you for ever.
This story is interesting and enjoyable, such that the readers will not leave the book, once started, until its finish.
This story is interesting and enjoyable, such that the readers will not leave the book, once started, until its finish.
August 4, 2025
Deep read
The small-town setting on San Juan Island is described with vivid warmth, and it creates the perfect backdrop for a story that’s equal parts love letter and second chance. This is a romance story about the scars we carry and the love we never forget. Prepare to cry, reflect, and maybe even believe in destiny again.
The small-town setting on San Juan Island is described with vivid warmth, and it creates the perfect backdrop for a story that’s equal parts love letter and second chance. This is a romance story about the scars we carry and the love we never forget. Prepare to cry, reflect, and maybe even believe in destiny again.
November 17, 2025
One of the most moving novels I have ever read. Nothing like a love story that began when you were a child and that preserves the love through time. ‘’Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea’’ tells the love story between Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez and everything they must overcome to be together. This story is enough to make you cry and believe in true love.
June 13, 2025
This Heart-wrenching romance revolves around a war veteran, broken by life and body, who finally healing through the love of a soulmate. Oscillating between differing time lines, occasionally predictable but also having it's set of surprises, the book's strength lies in it's extravagant description that makes the scenes come alive. The story is beautiful and will pull at your heart .
June 11, 2025
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is an emotionally layered romance set against the backdrop of a small town. The writing is heartfelt and nostalgic, capturing the nuances of lifelong love, loss, and rediscovery with gentle sincerity.
Levine’s storytelling focuses on character depth and emotional resonance rather than dramatic twists, making this novel a slow and comforting read.
This book is ideal for fans of small-town romances and introspective love stories.
Levine’s storytelling focuses on character depth and emotional resonance rather than dramatic twists, making this novel a slow and comforting read.
This book is ideal for fans of small-town romances and introspective love stories.
October 20, 2025
Heartwarming story of life long love
What is it like to meet someone and know they are your soul mate? Imagine meeting that person as a child.
What happens when you become separated by distance, hardship, and circumstances for 20 years? Can you patch together what has been lost?
This book explores just that. It is a tale of two sweethearts reuniting with their one and only loves. But is it too late?
Perfect book if you are a sucker for romance.
What is it like to meet someone and know they are your soul mate? Imagine meeting that person as a child.
What happens when you become separated by distance, hardship, and circumstances for 20 years? Can you patch together what has been lost?
This book explores just that. It is a tale of two sweethearts reuniting with their one and only loves. But is it too late?
Perfect book if you are a sucker for romance.
June 20, 2025
Looking for your next heartwrenching love story? Look no further! "Like Driftwood in the Salish Sea" takes you into the peaceful calm of a coastal town that could be a vacation spot, but in our story, it's the home of two young people who fall in love. Unfortunately, life gets in the way, and when 9/11 happened, Mitch joins the military, leaving his love, Jessica, behind. They meet up again decades later, but is their love strong enough to withstand time and distance apart, and can Jessica forgive him for leaving in the first place?
July 25, 2025
LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA takes readers on an immersive journey that is so much more than a romance. Through richly-detailed descriptions of places and richly-drawn, authentic characters, author Richard Levine delivers a thoughtful and thought-provoking story of two people finding themselves – and each other – again.
Throughout the story, Levine lays the groundwork so readers know or suspect the hurdles our main characters, Mitch and Jess, will face. There are several storylines that weave in and out of each other, and the author sprinkles tidbits of information that make for more than a few predictable outcomes. However, even knowing how things will likely go, LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA is layered, nuanced, and an enjoyable reading escape.
The subjects of deception and honesty, resentment and forgiveness, and hurting and healing will resonate with many readers, plus the additional topics of PTSD, alcoholism, terminal illness, discrimination, and even dyslexia make LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA relevant reading. Readers are guaranteed to get the feels along the way about something that hits home, so kudos to Levine for making us react.
One reaction will be because Levine knows how to create atmosphere, and in LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA, his settings shine. (Just read the first paragraph of the excerpt and you’ll understand what I mean.) My mother grew up off Puget Sound, and I spent many summers there visiting my grandparents. I enjoy visiting those places again via armchair travel, and Levine really captures the mood and beauty of the small towns in the Pacific Northwest. At times, some of the best writing gets buried in much-too-long sentences, which disrupts the flow of the story. But there are some gems in the rough.
“I will be like driftwood on the Salish Sea, free of my sins, free of my pain, free of my earthly bonds and obligations, content to explore wherever the tides may carry me.”
I’m always a sucker for when the title of a book comes into play within the story. In this instance, that sentence is among the most stunning in the entire novel, and its placement brought a tear to my eye. But fear not: LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA is not all heaviness.
“Mitch thought the microwaved hot apple pie had more warmth and personality than the café.”
Mitch and Jess are both keenly observant characters, and their banter and internal narratives are frequently humorous, lighthearted, and even lyrical. It was sometimes hard to reconcile the different versions of Mitch, and the hypocrisy of his withholding secrets from those who loved him is bothersome. For this reader, it required a significant suspension of disbelief to accept that all the wrongs were made right so quickly and easily with some quick explanations and apologies, no grudges held. On the other hand, the lack of extended conflict made reading LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA less stressful.
“So, this is what forty feels like?”
As a reader who’s well past the four-decades mark, I had to chuckle at our two main characters acting like forty is old. Granted, Mitch has lived a lot of life (and dodged a lot of death) in his past two decades, but some of their word choices and behaviors seem better aligned to an older generation. Maybe they’re just old souls, so they act that way? Or maybe it's the small-town influence and holding onto simpler things even as change is all around.
Since the review copy I read was not final, I can’t comment on the editing like I normally would. As always, I hope and expect that any typos, errors, or issues will be tended in the book available for purchase. For me, those fixes would take the story from really good to really great.
Reading the About the Author information, it’s clear that Richard Levine’s fascinating personal experiences helped shape this novel. The result is terrific, evocative storytelling, and readers are sure to enjoy the time spent between the pages of LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
Throughout the story, Levine lays the groundwork so readers know or suspect the hurdles our main characters, Mitch and Jess, will face. There are several storylines that weave in and out of each other, and the author sprinkles tidbits of information that make for more than a few predictable outcomes. However, even knowing how things will likely go, LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA is layered, nuanced, and an enjoyable reading escape.
The subjects of deception and honesty, resentment and forgiveness, and hurting and healing will resonate with many readers, plus the additional topics of PTSD, alcoholism, terminal illness, discrimination, and even dyslexia make LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA relevant reading. Readers are guaranteed to get the feels along the way about something that hits home, so kudos to Levine for making us react.
One reaction will be because Levine knows how to create atmosphere, and in LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA, his settings shine. (Just read the first paragraph of the excerpt and you’ll understand what I mean.) My mother grew up off Puget Sound, and I spent many summers there visiting my grandparents. I enjoy visiting those places again via armchair travel, and Levine really captures the mood and beauty of the small towns in the Pacific Northwest. At times, some of the best writing gets buried in much-too-long sentences, which disrupts the flow of the story. But there are some gems in the rough.
“I will be like driftwood on the Salish Sea, free of my sins, free of my pain, free of my earthly bonds and obligations, content to explore wherever the tides may carry me.”
I’m always a sucker for when the title of a book comes into play within the story. In this instance, that sentence is among the most stunning in the entire novel, and its placement brought a tear to my eye. But fear not: LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA is not all heaviness.
“Mitch thought the microwaved hot apple pie had more warmth and personality than the café.”
Mitch and Jess are both keenly observant characters, and their banter and internal narratives are frequently humorous, lighthearted, and even lyrical. It was sometimes hard to reconcile the different versions of Mitch, and the hypocrisy of his withholding secrets from those who loved him is bothersome. For this reader, it required a significant suspension of disbelief to accept that all the wrongs were made right so quickly and easily with some quick explanations and apologies, no grudges held. On the other hand, the lack of extended conflict made reading LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA less stressful.
“So, this is what forty feels like?”
As a reader who’s well past the four-decades mark, I had to chuckle at our two main characters acting like forty is old. Granted, Mitch has lived a lot of life (and dodged a lot of death) in his past two decades, but some of their word choices and behaviors seem better aligned to an older generation. Maybe they’re just old souls, so they act that way? Or maybe it's the small-town influence and holding onto simpler things even as change is all around.
Since the review copy I read was not final, I can’t comment on the editing like I normally would. As always, I hope and expect that any typos, errors, or issues will be tended in the book available for purchase. For me, those fixes would take the story from really good to really great.
Reading the About the Author information, it’s clear that Richard Levine’s fascinating personal experiences helped shape this novel. The result is terrific, evocative storytelling, and readers are sure to enjoy the time spent between the pages of LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
August 30, 2025
Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a quiet novel about coming home, but it’s also about what you carry with you when home isn’t the same place you left. Mitch Brody, a Marine pushed into medical retirement, returns to the San Juan Islands with more questions than answers. He wants to disappear into familiar places—the ferry crossings, the smell of salt air, the memory of an orchard long gone—but the past has other plans.
What I loved about this book is how ordinary moments are weighted with history. A doctor’s waiting room, a cup of coffee in a ferry galley, a drive down a rural road—Levine makes them feel alive with tension, because Mitch isn’t just moving through space, he’s moving through memory. Ghosts linger here, and not just Alex, the friend whose absence still cuts at him. There’s Jess, the woman he left behind, and the version of himself he can’t quite reconcile.
The writing is unhurried, like the islands themselves. There’s room for silence, for reflection, for scenes to stretch out the way real conversations do. By the end, I found myself rereading the opening lines about ashes on the water, realizing how much weight they’d gathered along the way.
This isn’t a book that hurries to a resolution. It’s a book that asks you to sit with Mitch while he figures out whether forgiveness—his own and others’—is still possible. In the end, like driftwood, he’s shaped by the tides that brought him here, but still moving with them.
Check out my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2025/08/29/r...
What I loved about this book is how ordinary moments are weighted with history. A doctor’s waiting room, a cup of coffee in a ferry galley, a drive down a rural road—Levine makes them feel alive with tension, because Mitch isn’t just moving through space, he’s moving through memory. Ghosts linger here, and not just Alex, the friend whose absence still cuts at him. There’s Jess, the woman he left behind, and the version of himself he can’t quite reconcile.
The writing is unhurried, like the islands themselves. There’s room for silence, for reflection, for scenes to stretch out the way real conversations do. By the end, I found myself rereading the opening lines about ashes on the water, realizing how much weight they’d gathered along the way.
This isn’t a book that hurries to a resolution. It’s a book that asks you to sit with Mitch while he figures out whether forgiveness—his own and others’—is still possible. In the end, like driftwood, he’s shaped by the tides that brought him here, but still moving with them.
Check out my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2025/08/29/r...
July 22, 2025
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea swept me away with its quiet beauty and emotional depth.
From the very first chapter, I was invested in Mitch and Jessica. Childhood sweethearts torn apart by time, war, and life itself. The way their story unfolds felt like paging through an old scrapbook of small-town memories: porch swings, county fairs, first kisses, and bittersweet goodbyes.
I really appreciated how this wasn’t just a love story, it was about grief, guilt, forgiveness, and the long, hard road back to yourself.
Mitch’s journey as a wounded veteran trying to find redemption hit me hard at times.
And Jessica? I admired her strength and how she rebuilt her life without bitterness, but never let go of the deep, spiritual connection she felt with Mitch. That quote about being destined before they even met? Gave me chills.
This book is slow and reflective in a way that makes you sit with it sometimes that worked beautifully, sometimes I wished the pacing picked up just a bit. But in the end, it felt right for the story being told. Quiet. Gentle. Healing. Like, well...driftwood on the sea.
If you enjoy second chances, small-town nostalgia, and romances that honour love’s ability to endure decades of pain and distance, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
October 14, 2025
The book might be marketed as a romance, but don’t expect a sugary “boy meets girl, cue the swelling violins” tale. From the opening pages you’re dropped into the lives of two kids whose bond is forged when little Mitch Brody stands up to a bully harassing Jessica Ramirez because of her accent. Fast forward to Mitch limping back to his hometown with more baggage than the entire Marine Corps. He’s grappling with PTSD, guilt and the weight of a strict upbringing, while Jess has been living on the island carrying a torch big enough to guide ships through fog. Levine toggles between past and present, letting their story unfold “like diving into a letter from a distant relative that reveals secrets, truths and long held feelings”. That structure keeps the pages turning as you learn what tore them apart and whether they can forgive each other and themselves. What I loved (aside from the fact that my tear ducts got a workout) is that Levine isn’t content with a stock romance. This novel stands out because it treats its characters like adults dealing with adult consequences.
June 6, 2025
A Love Story That Defies Time and Distance...
Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a romance that goes way beyond the usual stuff and really hits you right in the heart. Forget just another small-town love tale—this one dives deep into fate, sacrifice, and how first love sticks with you forever. Levine’s writing is so spot-on that San Juan Island feels alive; you can practically smell the salty ocean air and soak in that Pacific Northwest vibe.
The story’s got this 20-year gap between Mitchell and Jessica that keeps the tension cranked up and pulls you along for the ride. What could’ve been a basic “they meet again” moment turns into something way bigger—a real look at trauma, forgiveness, and whether some connections can actually last no matter what. Plus, Levine nails the military vet’s journey with a ton of heart while still showing off Jessica’s own strength and growth.
Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a romance that goes way beyond the usual stuff and really hits you right in the heart. Forget just another small-town love tale—this one dives deep into fate, sacrifice, and how first love sticks with you forever. Levine’s writing is so spot-on that San Juan Island feels alive; you can practically smell the salty ocean air and soak in that Pacific Northwest vibe.
The story’s got this 20-year gap between Mitchell and Jessica that keeps the tension cranked up and pulls you along for the ride. What could’ve been a basic “they meet again” moment turns into something way bigger—a real look at trauma, forgiveness, and whether some connections can actually last no matter what. Plus, Levine nails the military vet’s journey with a ton of heart while still showing off Jessica’s own strength and growth.
November 1, 2025
A touching romance. The best way to describe this book is intense. It has the workings of a vet returning to a small charming town combined with a man in turmoil with his emotions for having seen too much on the battlefield. The narration flows easily from this author's pen making it more than an enjoyable read. Mitch, a vet coming back home for the first time in twenty years, and his relationships provoke a tsunami of emotions (to steal words from the book). I think that's an appropriate phrase for a book filled with such raw emotions and a love for a girl he left behind. There are a few surprises along the way, so no spoilers. Rest assured though these characters are as real and genuine as it gets. It's a feel good read that will linger with you long after the last page has been read. If you like Nicholas Sparks stories than this is a book for you.
June 10, 2025
"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea" by Richard I. Levine tells a heartfelt tale of rekindled love and long-awaited healing. Mitchell and Jessica’s bond, rooted in childhood, weathers time, pain and distance in this moving small-town romance with lots of twists.
The story gently explores regret, second chances and the power of holding on to hope. With warm settings and emotional depth, it paints a touching picture of two souls finding their way back. It’s a sweet, reflective read for anyone who believes love can last through life’s unexpected turns.
The story gently explores regret, second chances and the power of holding on to hope. With warm settings and emotional depth, it paints a touching picture of two souls finding their way back. It’s a sweet, reflective read for anyone who believes love can last through life’s unexpected turns.
June 11, 2025
This is a heartfelt, reflective love story that explores how time, distance, and life’s hardships shape two people who never stopped caring for each other. Mitchell and Jessica’s connection spans decades and is shaped by personal loss, cultural rifts, and life-altering choices. The novel captures both the pain of separation and the quiet hope of reunion. It’s a touching, deeply human story about how love, even after years apart, can find its way home. I always enjoy reading a good love story and this one did not disappoint!
September 28, 2025
"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea" is a romance novel featuring well-developed and complex characters. The story delves into themes of loss, separation, secrets, and enduring love that spans decades. It starts slowly, but the narrative picks up momentum as you continue reading. The book shifts between different time periods, and at one point, I felt lost; however, I followed along by paying attention to the chapter titles. While I can sometimes predict endings, this book surprised me with its conclusion. I recommend this book to everyone who loves romantic fiction. 4/5 stars
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