Between the Waves

by Liv Arnett, Kalyn Allen (Illustrator)

What if surviving a devastating loss wasn’t enough, and the real courage was learning how to live again?Two years ago, Margo Collins lost everything in a single, sweeping moment when life as she knew it was ripped from her blood-stained hands. She has learned to survive, but not to live. When a reluctant weeklong bachelorette trip to Charleston throws her back into the world she has been avoiding, she meets Anderson Rhodes—a man she can’t outrun.

When Anderson Rhodes shows up, their connection is immediate, disarming and impossible to ignore. He makes her wonder if, maybe, she’s still capable of feeling something real again. But the past doesn’t loosen its grip easily. Every step forward forces Margo to confront the choice she has been to keep surviving in the shadow of the past, or to choose life fully, messily and bravely between the waves.

Between the Waves is a novel that blends the intimacy of romance with the introspective nuance of grief and identity. Margo’s journey is not defined by loss, but by what comes after. It highlights the quiet, messy reclamation of hope. It is a love story in every romantic, yes, but also a story of friendship, of reconciling past and present selves, and of daring to become the person we are brave enough to be.

For readers who loved The Last Letter , Every Summer After , and Love and Other Words , this emotionally rich debut invites you to fall not just for two people—but for a love story woven between friends, between past and present selves, and between who we once were and who we’re brave enough to become.

Will she stay trapped in the tide of grief, or risk everything to embrace the life waiting between the waves?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Emotional

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2026

Reviews

[Lucy Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled upon a TikTok about this book from the author and decided to read it because I love finding little hidden gem kindle unlimited books. I think this was really beautiful!!! There were some really wonderful moments in the writing (especially how Margo’s grief was written) and I liked both of the main characters individually + together. It was definitely insta love but I didn’t even mind because it felt like actual love (not just insta lust lol). I will say that the descriptions of every moment were lengthy and got repetitive, convos between the main characters (and nicknames) sometimes made me cringe, but I think the deeper/heartfelt moments in the writing still made it a beautiful story

[Emily Shatek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t mind me. I cried while eating Mac n cheese reading this book.

[Monica Venzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

a MUST read!!!

[Gracelyn Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love doesn't vanish. It changes shape. It softens, shifts and finds its way back to you in new forms. It can belong to more than one person, in more than one lifetime, and still be true every time. That is the miracle of it."

WOW. JUST WOW. This was truly a phenomenal debut 👏🏼 I am in awe of this book and Liv's writing. I don't even know if I have the words. Liv's ability to tackle a topic as heavy as losing a partner in a way that only left me as the reader feeling hopeful is astounding. The characters, message, setting, and vibes of the story were just so good and uplifting. I want to go to Charleston even more now after reading this! This story was made to be read on a beach 💙

I loved Margo and Anderson together. I've never read a second-chance romance quite like this before. There was such a delicate balance of grief and hope that was truly beautiful to read.

Honestly, I've never been able to wrap my head around the idea of finding a different partner after losing a spouse–which is not from a place of judgement, but I just never imagine myself being open to that (but does anyone really??) I mean it when I say that this book truly opened my eyes and reshaped my perspective on this topic ❤️‍🩹

This book had such a wonderful romance arc and many tender moments–but it was more than that for me. Margo's arc and journey with grief was genuinely so impactful to read. I highlighted the heck out of this book because of how profound it was. I love books that intertwine romance with a greater message about life and this book 100% did that.

Definitely, definitely, definitely recommending!! Although the topic of grief is sad at times, this book was not written in a way that leaves you feeling heavy. Genuinely such a good romance and I think everyone should go read it this summer!! THANK YOU LIV FOR SENDING ME YOUR BOOK!!

I cannot wait for the next books 👀

[Maddy Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply moving, exceptional story! While the story contains elements of romance, it focuses more on grief, healing, and the emotional journey that follows loss. The novel explores the stages of grief and shows how deeply it can consume someone, affecting their thoughts, emotions, and relationships.
The story is written in an emotional tone with vivid detail, allowing the reader to truly feel the characters’ heavy emotions and trauma. Arnett’s writing draws the reader into the character’s experiences, making the struggles with loss and vulnerability feel realistic and powerful. The ocean also plays an important symbolic role throughout the novel, representing both loss and renewal.
Overall, Between The Waves is engaging and well-paced, never feeling rushed as the emotional journey unfolds. It is a thoughtful and moving story that goes beyond romance to explore deeper themes of grief, recovery, and human connection. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to start the next book in the series The Long Way Home which releases on the 7th of May!

[Jess Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never stop thinking about this book. Truly this was so beautifully written and handled difficult topics in such a graceful way. Anderson is truly THAT book boyfriend. I have so many thoughts and reactions to this book, but they’re truly all in Liv’s DMs lmao

[Sofia Pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I wonder if I put myself through emotional turmoil on purpose, choosing books that capture grief in such a raw and beautiful way. Between the Waves completely swept me up, it was everything I hoped for and more. I was especially struck by how it portrays grief not as something constant, but as something that quietly seeps into even the lightest, happiest moments, catching you off guard.

I have a feeling this is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day, 14 hours. I could not put it down.

This book perfectly encapsulates a grief I hope to never, ever have to experience. As well as the raw, unreasonable emotions that come with it.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking to be captivated by a story then this is the one. The writing completely immersed me from the start, it had me laughing and crying alongside the characters. Margo and Anderson felt like genuine real people and I was absolutely rooting for them through all their ups and downs.
I’m really excited to read more from this author and cannot wait to check out Rachel’s story!

[Abigail Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A life that moves with grief, but isn’t trapped by it. A space where grief still lives but doesn’t have to define me.”

What a beautiful exploration of life, loss and love.


Did I mention this is a series and my favorite character is getting her book next?! You don’t want to miss this!!

[Andi Parks❤️‍🔥📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO BECAUSE WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS A DEBUT?!? You’re joking. The way this story had feeling so many emotions. The way the writes the mundane while still writing heavy topics in a way that feels so raw and real. I can not😭😭😭😭

[Veronica Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The way Margo and Anderson were written felt so beautiful, raw, and painfully real. Both of them are carrying their own heavy grief, yet they fit together in a way that neither of them expected.

Having lost loved ones throughout my life- I felt that Margo’s POV was real. When you’re trying to just exist even when you don’t really want to because you don’t understand the WHY of you still being here when the person you love most no longer is.

You go through so many emotions as a reader because if you’ve ever lost someone or love someone who has- you know that grief isn’t One Size Fits All. Grief comes in waves and sometimes those waves really almost drown you. Anderson and Margo become the air that helps the other not just breathe again, but WANT to breathe.

Anderson shows you that it’s possible to have more than one great love in a lifetime, and that opening your heart again doesn’t erase the love that came before. He is just perfectly made for Margo.

This is a story about friendship, love, loss, and the long, painful, hopeful journey of healing after losing not only someone you love, but pieces of yourself along the way.

[Anna Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adding to this because it’s my second time reading it. I can’t even form proper words to express what this story means to me. It felt like Liv opened my brain, saw what I was feeling, dug it out and put it into words. The way she can depict a feeling and put it on paper just blows my mind. I love these characters, the realness, the rawness, I annotated like half this book. I sat and read the last paragraph fifteen times and just cried because no matter how many times I read it, I feel it so deeply in my chest. The writing blows me away. I even annotated the authors note at the end, like come on!!! One of my greatest blessings in life-meeting Liv through this book.

The message, the characters, the story, all of it, wowza. Grief is expressed in a way that’s validating for anyone who has experienced loss in a traumatic way. I can’t believe this is a debut novel 😭 I can’t wait for the next book in the series

[Carli.Reads.A.Latte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me hard, and I mean that in the best way. It's not just a romance; it’s an intense, honest look at what happens when you’re utterly destroyed by loss and have to figure out how to be a person again.

​The Devastation and The Great Escape
​What I absolutely love about this book is how real the grief feels - it’s messy and totally unsanitized. Margo's life stopped the day her husband, Josh, was killed in a brutal car crash. The author writes Margo's inner guilt - her fear that wanting anything good (or anyone new) is a betrayal to Josh - so authentically.
​Then there's Anderson Rhodes. He’s dealing with the loss of his own dad, and he tries to handle it by becoming this ruthless control freak - all work, zero feelings. When Margo crashes into his world in Charleston, it's immediately disruptive. He's forced to realize that the structure he built for safety is actually just leaving him hollow.
​When Margo wakes up after their first night and the overwhelming guilt triggers a devastating panic attack tied to the trauma of the crash, she doesn't just retreat - she flees Anderson’s house without a word. You feel the devastation instantly because she wasn't running from him; she was running from the terrifying, beautiful realization that she’s still capable of love, and that scares her more than anything.

​The Pillars of Support: Rachel and Slone
​Margo and Anderson would totally fall apart without their siblings, who are honestly the best.
​Rachel is the best friend everyone needs. Her strength, holding Margo up even while she grieves her own brother, Josh, is unbelievable. She’s the one who delivers the hard truths but wraps them in unconditional love. She basically tells Margo that her fear isn't strength - it's just fear - and she does it because she loves her.
​Then there's Slone (Anderson's sister) and her hilarious take on life. She’s the perfect antidote to Anderson’s overthinking. Whether she’s playfully lamenting his childhood "essentials bag" or mocking his choice to date a "screensaver," Slone reminds us that laughter is absolutely essential, even when everything else is falling apart. I lived for her quick wit!

​The Moment I Felt Attacked (and Why I Loved It)
​Speaking of essential truths, the book is spot-on with its cultural references. I felt personally attacked when the author nailed that specific type of emotional release:
​"The intro to that song starts. The one every girl with emotional baggage and a Spotify Premium account knows by heart. “Live your life with arms wide open…”"
​It proves how perfectly this author understands us!

​Why This Story Matters
​The core message - the slow-burn reunion in Atlanta - is so powerful. Margo finally chooses bravery, seeking Anderson out to lay out the full, traumatic story of Josh’s death and the car crash. This frees her, allowing Anderson to step up and prove his commitment isn't conditional. He’s so changed by Margo that he quits his senior partner finance job - the pinnacle of his controlled life - and chooses a messy life with her instead.

​This ending makes it so clear: you don't move on from loss; you learn to move on with it. The happiness Margo finds with Anderson is a new chapter earned through immense bravery - a life lived, as the title suggests, "between the waves" of enduring love and inevitable grief.

​If you need a story that validates the messiness of healing and gives you hope that a broken heart is still a working heart, seriously, add this to your list.

[John Mattox, II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair warning: You will love this book, but there will be times when you will set it aside, breathe deeply, and come back to it later.

Why will you love this book?

The plot is simple, yet powerful—a second chance love story. The FMC, Margo, is invited to a bachelorette party weekend in Charleston with her best friends. She wants to celebrate with them, but she is still grieving the tragic death of her husband. She knows she needs to go, and they know she needs it too. Reluctantly, painfully, selflessly, she goes.

She settles into the beach house, but there are times when she needs to step away. While getting coffee for the group at a local café, she meets Anderson. Despite an immediate attraction and nervous banter, she downplays the event and doesn’t get his number.

Then by chance later that day while sunning with her friends on the beach, she sees Anderson again. After much anguish and debate with herself and her friends, she finally introduces herself and they go for a walk. It is the beginning of the rest of the love story where they get to know each other cautiously but earnestly. Unfortunately, she hasn’t shared with him the one thing that has consumed her adult life. They part, returning to Atlanta, but do not connect—despite a few genuine efforts by Anderson.

During the rest of the story, the author shares details about Margo’s healing process and the support she receives from her friends and family. It is a beautiful and healthy example of long-term coping and closure. Unfortunately for the reader, this is when the author shares with perfect timing the tragic details of the crash that killed Margo’s husband two years earlier. This is one of those moments when you are likely to set the book aside, not because it is graphic, but because you will be so fully invested in Margo that you will feel her pain. This is not the only time you will need tissues.

Writing is supposed to do this. It should make a reader stop, to feel someone’s pain deeply, to view the world differently, to celebrate renewal. These are reasons enough to read this book.

Spoiler alert: Margo and Anderson reunite. It is awkward, but they move past it and restart their love story. Margo’s past haunts her. Anderson’s patience is unfathomable. Their friends and family are the right mix of chiding, plotting, and supportive—all the things needed to drive the story and bring these two together for good.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thankfully, the author is writing a second book. More to come.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across Between the Waves while scrolling on TikTok and was immediately drawn to the book aesthetic. I love a good contemporary romance and Between the Waves is that and so much more. I LOVED Anderson and Margo. There's a lot I want to say about them but I don't want to give away spoilers. I feel like this book is the perfect summer beach read. There are some serious topics mentioned in the book such as loss and grief, but there is also a story of healing and starting over again. I loved reading about Margo's friends, such as Rachel, and Anderson's sister, Slone. They definitely added humor and substance to the storyline.

Between the Waves is a 5/5 for me. It made me laugh, smile, and ugly cry all at various points throughout the book. I also felt connected to Margo when it came to losing someone they loved. While my loss may not have been the same, I do know what grief is like so when those moments are talked about in the book...it hit a bit harder than expected. I loved seeing how Margo became more open about her loss and how she opened up herself to a new beginning.

I highly recommend Between the Waves to those who are contemporary romance readers and like reading about sisterhood and healing. Anderson is the type of guy I dream about meeting, so for those who like books who like reading about kind-hearted men who just want the best for the people in their life, this is the book for you.

Thank you, Liv, sending me an early copy of the book. I can't wait for the physical copy to be in my hands in January and I can't wait to read about Rachel and Rhett's story in the next book.

[Rita Grande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the Waves by Liv Arnett is one of those quiet, emotionally heavy romances that doesn’t just tell a story—it sits with you.

Margo Collins isn’t your typical heroine. She’s broken in a way that feels real—haunted by a past that has completely reshaped how she moves through life. Watching her exist in that numb, almost detached state was honestly heartbreaking. She’s not trying to heal… she’s just trying to get through each day.

Enter Anderson Rhodes—and this is where the story really begins to unfold.

Anderson isn’t there to “fix” Margo, and that’s what made this romance hit so hard for me. He challenges her, sees her, and refuses to let her hide behind her pain—but in a way that still feels patient and grounded. Their connection builds through vulnerability, quiet moments, and emotional honesty rather than just physical attraction, which made everything feel deeper.

What I loved most is how this book handles grief. It doesn’t rush it, doesn’t glamorize it, and doesn’t magically erase it. Margo’s journey is messy, frustrating at times, but incredibly real. There were moments where I felt her fear of moving forward so strongly—because healing means risking pain all over again.

The pacing leans more introspective than plot-driven, so if you’re looking for high drama, this might not be it. But if you want something emotional, raw, and centered on personal growth and second chances, this delivers beautifully.

By the end, it’s not about “getting over” the past—it’s about learning how to live alongside it. And that message really stayed with me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

[Tristan Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow.

First: Some books say they have banter, but this book HAS BANTER. Like, actual back and forth witty conversations that read like real life. It's a prime example of how life and love are built around the little moments with others and the silly conversations and inside jokes that cement connections. I also LOVE the way Liv brings those conversations back around later on (definitely shed a tear over it ngl).

Second: This book is beautifully written with characters that think, act, and feel like real people. The struggles are heart-wrenching, and the big voice cuts right to the core.

Third: The bedroom scene is *chef's kiss.* I am a big believer in the idea that those scenes need to be doing something for the plot or character arcs to be necessary, and this one not only plays a key role in both of those things, but it also is done so perfectly. It's not about the action itself but the emotional connection being tightened through it. I loved the lack of specific descriptions and the focus on the romantic intimacy of the moment rather than the physical. If I had to describe the "spice," I would say it's like a bedroom scene montage in a movie where you know what's happening without seeing anything R rated while a soft ballad plays in the background.

Fourth: I NEED Rachel's story ASAP. Will be waiting anxiously to purchase the sequel!!!

Content Ratings:
Language: PG
Substances: PG
Romance: PG13
Violence: PG13

Overall: PG13

[Taylor Avila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, I snickered and I blushed. This book has captured all the feels and emotions I didn't know I needed.

Going through infertility and reading this book has made me realize how my own grief has so many similarities. Even though I don't not have the same grief as Margo and Anderson, I was able to relate to what they were going through throughout the book.

The writing makes me feel like I'm actually there. I love the back and forth perspectives of Margo and Anderson. But the banter back and forth between the two was chefs kiss. 

My favorite quote from the book: "For the first time in my life, I finally understand why people give up control, and ruin their lives chasing the high." 

“Where do you picture yourself in five years?” The shift is instant. She crosses her legs. Uncrosses them. Her fingers grip the glass tight, knuckles whitening as she edits herself right in front of me.
...
“I’ve learned that no matter how I picture the next five years, I have no real control over what it looks like.” Her voice stays steady, but there’s something buried in it. “So, I don’t really plan like that anymore.”
Going through infertility I felt this one deep. The uncomfortableness she finds herself in when asked those kind of questions. Ive been there and have felt that. When you have no control over a situation you do not know what you're future looks like and that's scary.

[Siobhan O · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But you’re not broken, Margo. You’re surviving. They’re not the same thing.” “Even after all of it. Even after I told you everything,” I say, barely above a whisper. “You stayed.” “Of course I stayed,”

Another great book that finished me, rather than me finishing the book.

Grief, reading about grief is not easy, I found Liv's book through an Instagram post & instantly I wanted to read the book, but with it being a topic I struggle with in my day to day I was not entirely sure if it was a good idea.
I started the prologue and instantly had to put it down, I recently picked it back up & could not put the book down, it was the most heart wrenching but captivating read.

As much as I cried during the book I did laugh & enjoy it more, I have to say this story was written so well & it was incredible how unalone I felt regarding grief while I was reading the book.

I loved the relationship growth between Margo & Anderson, I love the relationship they both had with their sisters and while it is not a main plot of the story it was included in such a way that without it you would have felt lost.
Rachel & Sloane are incredible & supportive.

The authors note at the end ruined me just as much as parts of the story did, thank you Liv for writing a beautiful book about a difficult subject, you are incredible & I cannot wait to hear Rachel's story.

[Wendy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I haven’t let myself feel anything in a long time. And now I feel like a floodgate opened. I didn’t give it permission.”
“Maybe it just needed a crack.”

“I feel like I’ve been underwater. And the other night, with you, it was the first time in so long I could breathe.”
“Then stay above the surface with me.”

“I’m not asking you to move on Margo. I’m asking if you’ll let me stand beside what’s left. If there’s room for both of us.”

The grief in this book consumes Margo. And Anderson even still dealing with his own grief, softens that grief for her. He is sweet, kind, patient, but her grief makes her panic and believe that she is too broken for him. She gets through it with help from her best friend and her therapist and hopes she’s not too late to have Anderson be part of her life.

I loved the relationships in this book. Anderson and his sister, Slone, had a great relationship. And their banter I love. And Rachel not only was Margo‘s best friend, but she was also the sister of Margo‘s deceased husband. You don’t see a lot of Rachel’s grief, but you know it’s there. But she never ever stopped trying to help Margo.

The only little thing I wish was that it had more in the epilogue. But it was a great book.

[Katie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 .5 🌶️

Tropes:
- Grief
- Love after loss
- Found family
- He falls first and HARD
- Yearning

Wow wow WOW. This was such an incredible story of love, loss and love after loss. The journey of grief was felt in my chest the entire story. The author has an incredible way of painting a picture. It was easy to “watch” the movie in my head while I was reading. I cried so many times through this (Yes I finally cry while reading, I think the last letter broke me wide open). Honestly most of my tears were with Margo and Rachel and their friendship. I can’t wait to read Rachel’s story! Anderson was the perfectttttt book boyfriend. He is like a level above Golden Retriever, he is just so good.

“I hold grief in one hand and love in the other. Both are real. Both are mine. I live in the space between what I lost and what I found. The stillness. The ache. The hope. The love. I get a life that lives between the waves.”

So why not 5 stars? This was soooo close to 5 stars, but there was some repetition that became a little too noticeable. I think the author does such a great job at painting the picture that a lot of the facial expression details could have been removed and the story would have still been powerful. And I wish we would have gotten more info on Anderson’s past!!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys. This book is so, so achingly beautiful. It's the perfect balance between swoon worthy, stunningly written scenes of a connection between the main characters and the heart-wrenching realness of life after loss. Margo and Anderson (our MC's) are so lovable, but especially Anderson. He is a yearner!!!!!! Oh my gosh is he a yearner. His empathy is also admirable, but he also doesn't sugar coat his feelings. He's honest and knows what he wants.


We really get an up close and personal look at Margo's and Anderson's grief, but also their love. So much love. As someone who has not experienced grief in the way these characters have, it was really hard to read, but also helped me understand the feelings of those who have been through this. I think reading books like this can help us all empathize with other humans a lot more when they are grieving. The scene in the second half of the book when Margo goes back to therapy is actually what made me cry the most. Her raw words stung and cut so deep. I haven't lost anyone like she did specifically but some of her feelings definitely made me feel seen. 


The girl power in this story is also amazing. Rachel such a strong, supportive best friend and I loved her role here. I am so, so excited to read her personal story, which I think is next. I know her story goes so much deeper than what we see of her in this book. I think it will be equally as beautiful and gut-wrenching.

I love that I thought I knew how the story would progress and then eventually end, but the author actually made me re- think it mid story. That is something I love about reading new authors, it's kind of unpredictable. Will they put your heart back together after they break it? I was left wondering at about chapter 24 -will Margo be able to get through this, will Anderson??? You'll have to read for yourself to find out!

This is Liv Arnett's debut novel and I am SO impressed. I really felt like I was reading a book by Elsie Silver or Christina Lauren. The back of the book didn't lie when it compared it to Love and Other Words. The writing is so well done, and the story was well flushed out. No loose ends, no plot holes that I caught.

Spice Level for those who wonder: .5 🌶️

[Jessica's Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. It had emotional written all over it and you all know how much I love my emotional reads.

Margo is a widow. She lost her husband in an accident nearly 3 years ago and hasn’t really lived since. She is living in the past and holding onto him. While on a bachelorette trip she meets Anderson. He is pretty perfect and amazing. It’s the first time Margo gets close to anyone but she runs away from him. Breaking his heart and hers. Time goes on and Margo is trying to learn to live.

The story is definitely emotional but it was hard to get into. I felt the writing was a little too poetic for me. If that’s a good way to describe it. Everything was so overly described and a little dramatically written out. I wanted more focus on the story than the characters and their story than their inner dialogue… it just was too much


The book has a lot of potential and I wanted Margo and Anderson together. They deserved to be happy and in love. Unfortunately I just didn’t love this one. I give Between the Waves by Liv Arnett 3 stars.

[Gianna Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please run, don’t walk, to read this book! Between the Waves had me absolutely captivated from the very first page. If you are an empath, be prepared for heartache, grief, and hope to completely consume you throughout the book. The incomprehensible grief that Margo is forced to endure, the devastating effect of Anderson’s own, and the safety net that they unexpectedly provide for each other are aspects that made this story feel so real and full of emotion. Anderson and Margo each have very real burdens that they are carrying and flaws that make them real people but what I love most is how they acknowledge them, how they learn, grow, and heal (I’m here for the therapy rep!) so that they can live their lives more fully, initially for themselves as individuals but later for each other too.
If you are looking for a slow burn that is full of real emotion, laughter, and healing, this is one you should definitely check out! I cannot wait for Rachel and Rhett’s story next!

[Aliyah rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a romance that feels real, heartfelt, and completely immersive, Between the Waves is a must read. Anderson and Margo’s story isn’t your typical love story it’s messy, emotional, and incredibly human. Margo’s journey through grief after losing her husband is written so authentically, and her struggle to open her heart again is both heartbreaking and relatable. Anderson is patient, kind, and the kind of character you can’t help but root for. I also loved Rachel, Margo’s friend and Josh’s sister whose support and loyalty shine throughout the story. She’s such a grounding presence, and I’m so excited for her love story next!

This book will pull at your heartstrings, make you smile, and leave you thinking about the characters long after the last page. Even if you don’t normally read romance, you’ll fall in love with this story!

[Cortney Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me all the feels. The author did a beautiful job of portraying the reality of life after loss. As someone who has not experienced this level of grief, this book truly put that into perspective for me. This book kept me up late and I was sneaking in a few pages whenever I could. The realness of this book is like nothing I’ve ever read before and I absolutely can not wait for the rest of the Invisible String series!

Also, the romance??? The banter, the attention to detail, the yearning! I think I’m in love with Anderson but I’ll wait until I read the rest of the series to choose my book boyfriend.

Dying to find out who the next books will be about but I am hoping Sloane finds someone a little more tolerable than Aaron.

Keep it up Liv, the people NEED more!

[Morgan Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to put my feelings into words, this book was everything. Hot and steamy, emotional, and real! I felt like I was there the whole time I was reading this with all the emotions involved. The way they love, the way he was there for her and supportive about Josh. That’s not something you see happen in real life! I cannot wait to read the next book about Rachel and Rhett, I feel like we got teasers about their past relationship when Margo and Josh were together, but now I can’t wait to see their relationship unfold.

I can’t thank Liv Arnett the author of this book for sending me a copy of it to read! She’s probably the sweetest soul I’ve ever conversed with!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my heart in the first chapter and refused to let go. Margo’s story is raw and haunting in the best way — a woman caught between who she was, who she lost, and who she could be. Anderson’s quiet, immediate connection with her? Instant emotional whiplash, and I loved every second.

The coastal setting, the bachelorette-trip chaos, the slow undoing of her walls — it all blends into a beautifully crafted story about choosing life again. If you love emotional, character-driven romances that explore the space between past and present, this one hits deep. Soft, stunning, and brave.
This book was everything and more.💕

[Brooke’s Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETWEEN THE WAVES by Liv Arnett. You guysss I’m obsessed with Margo and Anderson. “Between The Waves” is such a beautiful story that discusses grief and the courage it takes someone to not only survive it, but learn to thrive again. Liv perfectly showcases the importance of friendship, patience and understanding whilst never undermining the reality that grief will never go away, and that’s okay too. A gorgeous beach vacation romance with a side of girlhood and a helping of giving up control for a better future. I cried, giggled and gasped aloud. Such a good reading experience, I hope you all do it ASAP.