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Words Composed of Sea and Sky
Michaela Dunn dreams of getting into an art school, but when her stepfather refuses to fund a trip there for a poetry workshop, Michaela enters a local contest searching for a poet to write the dedication plaque for a statue honoring Captain Benjamin Churchill, a whaler who died at sea over one hundred years ago. While searching for clues about this Cape Cod legend, Michaela discovers the diary of Leta Townsend from 1862 and gets a glimpse of Churchill that she didn't quite anticipate.
In 1862, Leta writes poetry under the name of Benjamin Churchill, thinking him dead after being attacked by a whale. Leta is astonished when Captain Churchill returns, completely unscathed, his death just a rumor. She quickly falls for him. But is she falling for the actual Benjamin Churchill, or the boy she constructed in her imagination?
In 1862, Leta writes poetry under the name of Benjamin Churchill, thinking him dead after being attacked by a whale. Leta is astonished when Captain Churchill returns, completely unscathed, his death just a rumor. She quickly falls for him. But is she falling for the actual Benjamin Churchill, or the boy she constructed in her imagination?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 25, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 15, 2021
Well I think this needed a more critical editor.
Captain Churchill is, most of the time, a totally despicable person. The current day town worships this mysterious historical figure that they know virtually nothing about and I have no idea why. None of that story line made any sense to me. Why did Leta fall in love with him? He was a real jerk to her yet she was still obsessed with him. She even knew she was in love with a figment of her imagination yet she yearned for the bits of love he threw at her feet every now and then.
The shame is that the rest of the characters and story lines were good. I really liked the idea of two female poets across time looking to have their work appreciated. I thought the modern day relationships were more believable and quite cute at times, with some great friendship dynamics in there too. I don't recommend this for animal lovers as there are a couple of descriptions of whale hunting that are quite upsetting. Leta finds the whale hunting abhorrent yet she falls in love with the man behind the slaughters because you know, he's so damned desirable in his aloof, cruel and cold manner...
Captain Churchill is, most of the time, a totally despicable person. The current day town worships this mysterious historical figure that they know virtually nothing about and I have no idea why. None of that story line made any sense to me. Why did Leta fall in love with him? He was a real jerk to her yet she was still obsessed with him. She even knew she was in love with a figment of her imagination yet she yearned for the bits of love he threw at her feet every now and then.
The shame is that the rest of the characters and story lines were good. I really liked the idea of two female poets across time looking to have their work appreciated. I thought the modern day relationships were more believable and quite cute at times, with some great friendship dynamics in there too. I don't recommend this for animal lovers as there are a couple of descriptions of whale hunting that are quite upsetting. Leta finds the whale hunting abhorrent yet she falls in love with the man behind the slaughters because you know, he's so damned desirable in his aloof, cruel and cold manner...
November 20, 2020
For fans of The Paper Girl of Paris.
In the present day, Michaela Dunn dreams of attending Winslow College to pursue her passion for poetry. When she finds out about a five-day workshop they are hosting for high school students, she jumps at the chance to apply- until her stepdad tells her it's too expensive. But she's not giving up yet, and decides to enter a Cape Cod poetry contest, where the winner gets a cash prize and their poem engraved on a new statue of the town's most famous whaling ship captain, Benjamin Churchill.
Nobody really knows very much about him, just that he disappeared at sea in 1861. Even the historical lighthouse can't provide very much information. Until Michaela finds a diary that changes everything she thought she knew.
In 1862, Leta Townsend, along with the rest of her community, has accepted that Benjamin Churchill is never coming home. Leta writes poetry under his name so that she can have an easier time getting published, and she has just received an acceptance from a prominent Boston magazine. But she can't let anyone know what she's done.
So what happens when Ben shows up months later? Turns out, he's not exactly the same as how Leta described him in her poems. But that doesn't mean she's not in love with him, even though she feels pressured to marry her best friend, Elijah Pearce. (Yes, there's a love triangle. No, it actually didn't ruin the book for me this time.)
Turns out Leta's modern-day descendant, Finn Pearce, is Michaela's super-cute classmate who helps her gather information. But if Leta didn't end up with Benjamin, how exactly did the story play out?
The chapters switch between Michaela and Leta's viewpoints, so we gradually get the story of what happened when Benjamin came back. I've read so many books that try to stun you with a plot twist that I had created a whole complicated theory about what I thought had happened. I was wrong. But there is still a twist. Not that big, but it's there.
I really liked both of the narrators, but I think Leta was my favorite. She's a total badass, and she doesn't stand for unequal treatment by the men in her life. Besides the main characters, Michaela's sister Melody was probably the best. I mean, a 9-year-old who actually acts 9 and not 5 is rare in YA. And her friendship with Finn was adorable.
There were 2 main reasons I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. (Actually, more like 4.5, since these were VERY minor problems.) One: Michaela's dad being dead really wasn't relevant to the story except for its explanation on how Michaela got into poetry, which could've easily been depicted in a more original way. I feel like dead parents in books are kind of an easy way out, especially when Michaela didn't remember him at all. Two: The trope of "wait, I can explain." This only lasts a page, but it involves the love interest getting jealous of Michaela for spending time with another guy, and he doesn't let her explain, he just accuses her of "settling" for him and walks off. They didn't "break up," but I didn't think it was necessary, especially because of the later interaction between Finn and the other guy.
In the present day, Michaela Dunn dreams of attending Winslow College to pursue her passion for poetry. When she finds out about a five-day workshop they are hosting for high school students, she jumps at the chance to apply- until her stepdad tells her it's too expensive. But she's not giving up yet, and decides to enter a Cape Cod poetry contest, where the winner gets a cash prize and their poem engraved on a new statue of the town's most famous whaling ship captain, Benjamin Churchill.
Nobody really knows very much about him, just that he disappeared at sea in 1861. Even the historical lighthouse can't provide very much information. Until Michaela finds a diary that changes everything she thought she knew.
In 1862, Leta Townsend, along with the rest of her community, has accepted that Benjamin Churchill is never coming home. Leta writes poetry under his name so that she can have an easier time getting published, and she has just received an acceptance from a prominent Boston magazine. But she can't let anyone know what she's done.
So what happens when Ben shows up months later? Turns out, he's not exactly the same as how Leta described him in her poems. But that doesn't mean she's not in love with him, even though she feels pressured to marry her best friend, Elijah Pearce. (Yes, there's a love triangle. No, it actually didn't ruin the book for me this time.)
Turns out Leta's modern-day descendant, Finn Pearce, is Michaela's super-cute classmate who helps her gather information. But if Leta didn't end up with Benjamin, how exactly did the story play out?
The chapters switch between Michaela and Leta's viewpoints, so we gradually get the story of what happened when Benjamin came back. I've read so many books that try to stun you with a plot twist that I had created a whole complicated theory about what I thought had happened. I was wrong. But there is still a twist. Not that big, but it's there.
I really liked both of the narrators, but I think Leta was my favorite. She's a total badass, and she doesn't stand for unequal treatment by the men in her life. Besides the main characters, Michaela's sister Melody was probably the best. I mean, a 9-year-old who actually acts 9 and not 5 is rare in YA. And her friendship with Finn was adorable.
There were 2 main reasons I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. (Actually, more like 4.5, since these were VERY minor problems.) One: Michaela's dad being dead really wasn't relevant to the story except for its explanation on how Michaela got into poetry, which could've easily been depicted in a more original way. I feel like dead parents in books are kind of an easy way out, especially when Michaela didn't remember him at all. Two: The trope of "wait, I can explain." This only lasts a page, but it involves the love interest getting jealous of Michaela for spending time with another guy, and he doesn't let her explain, he just accuses her of "settling" for him and walks off. They didn't "break up," but I didn't think it was necessary, especially because of the later interaction between Finn and the other guy.
April 11, 2022
A light, enjoyable read. Loved the dynamic of past and present day and the parallels and tie ins to both.
May 12, 2023
3 ⭐️
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the plot, and with my emotions. The characters didn't feel real. And that's the only reason this wasn't a higher star rating. They didn't have the depth that made me feel like I was IN the book. This was also the author's first book so it's pretty good character writing compared to other debuts. Anyways other than the characters I like the plot. It's really just the writing of characters that didn't make sense t me. Why was Leta so in love with Ben when he's actually a jerk? Why didn't Mack like Finn at first and then automatically switched all the sudden? Why didn't Caleb's sister have more moments? There was much more that could've been done with character development. The aesthetic of the book is super super pretty and I liked the poem exerts. It's well written in the landscape aspect of things because the author lived in the area. Anyways that's pretty much my thoughts. The book was worth my time but could've been more. I found my self getting a little bored.
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the plot, and with my emotions. The characters didn't feel real. And that's the only reason this wasn't a higher star rating. They didn't have the depth that made me feel like I was IN the book. This was also the author's first book so it's pretty good character writing compared to other debuts. Anyways other than the characters I like the plot. It's really just the writing of characters that didn't make sense t me. Why was Leta so in love with Ben when he's actually a jerk? Why didn't Mack like Finn at first and then automatically switched all the sudden? Why didn't Caleb's sister have more moments? There was much more that could've been done with character development. The aesthetic of the book is super super pretty and I liked the poem exerts. It's well written in the landscape aspect of things because the author lived in the area. Anyways that's pretty much my thoughts. The book was worth my time but could've been more. I found my self getting a little bored.
November 21, 2020
Erica George’s WORDS COMPOSED OF SEA AND SKY is a book to get lost in. A book to savor. And yet, it’s also a book that you don’t want to put down, so you end up reading it straight through from beginning to end in one gloriously decadent weekend. These are the kinds of characters you cry over and yearn for. The kinds of characters you wish you knew in real life, because you’re head-over-heels for them. The parallels between the present day storyline and the historical storyline are simply perfect. I can’t say enough about this one, and I’m clicking pre-order now. Thank you to Running Press and NetGalley for the eARC.
December 3, 2020
I love contemporary romance and historical fiction, and Words Composed of Sea and Sky offers the best of both. I'm sometimes reluctant to read stories filtered through journals, but the author wrote the historical narrative in a way that pulled me right in; I was every bit as invested in the historical point of view as I was in the contemporary and I love how the two narratives, written in the same location, shared the same themes and came together at the end for a satisfying read...this is the perfect story for a cold winter day or a day on the beach!
July 21, 2024
2.5 stars
I loved, loved, LOVED the ending of this book. Everything about it was incredible from the reveal to the after effects. However, the excellence of the ending didn't make up for the journey it took to make it to that point.
I was really hopeful for this novel. I love a story with the setting of a summer in a small beachside town. Yet, even with that being a huge draw for me, my interest in the story waned about halfway through and I'm not able to pinpoint why. Maybe the alternating POV's? I understand how the different POVs were necessary for that ending but the result of frequently alternating between them made it so that I didn't feel connected or invested with either character.
I'm disappointed because that ending was incredible enough that I wish I had a similar feeling for the rest of the book.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
I loved, loved, LOVED the ending of this book. Everything about it was incredible from the reveal to the after effects. However, the excellence of the ending didn't make up for the journey it took to make it to that point.
I was really hopeful for this novel. I love a story with the setting of a summer in a small beachside town. Yet, even with that being a huge draw for me, my interest in the story waned about halfway through and I'm not able to pinpoint why. Maybe the alternating POV's? I understand how the different POVs were necessary for that ending but the result of frequently alternating between them made it so that I didn't feel connected or invested with either character.
I'm disappointed because that ending was incredible enough that I wish I had a similar feeling for the rest of the book.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
February 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. Maybe because it focused on poetry, or grief, or the Cape. But it was truly sweet love story.
December 31, 2020
I cannot sing the praises of this book enough. This has managed to land itself in the top three books I have read all year at the very last minute. It is gorgeous in writing, beautiful in story, and just simply amazing. I loved getting to hear from two different time periods at the same time. I thought it was so interesting how they almost mirrored each other. Getting to know more about Leta lead to more information on Mack, and the same vice versa. I'm typically not a fan of historical fiction, and I'm not sure that this counts as that, but I certainly did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I also really enjoyed the poems that were included in the book. Each poem gave us more insight into the main characters and their personality, which is something so unique. I was constantly surprised by this book. Really the only word I can use to adequately describe it is beautiful. It is beautiful. I recommend it to anyone and everyone there is.
January 21, 2021
A sweet and thoughtful YA story where past and present converge, and poetry bridges the gap.
Narrated by two teenage girls – Leta from 1862, and Michaela from present day – who use their passion for poetry to discover greater truths around them.
Set on the shore of Cape Cod, this is a story that celebrates love. Love of family, love of the sea, love of poetry and the emotional connection it creates, the love one person has for another. A teen romance that is so much more, this book is highly recommended to anyone who has a passion for a time, feels connection to a place or era of history. The author takes us on a journey we will not soon forget.
Narrated by two teenage girls – Leta from 1862, and Michaela from present day – who use their passion for poetry to discover greater truths around them.
Set on the shore of Cape Cod, this is a story that celebrates love. Love of family, love of the sea, love of poetry and the emotional connection it creates, the love one person has for another. A teen romance that is so much more, this book is highly recommended to anyone who has a passion for a time, feels connection to a place or era of history. The author takes us on a journey we will not soon forget.
December 29, 2020
Thank you Net Galley for providing me a digital arc of this book!
I know a three star rating doesn’t look that great but I was actually really pleasantly surprised by this.
I really really really enjoyed it.
This did a lot of things well. The characters that were created in this story were amazing. I really connected with them even though I could not relate to them personally. I have been feeling disconnected with a lot of the books I have been reading recently so it was refreshing to feel absorbed into a story again. I really thought that Erica created a great group of main characters that kept me entertained throughout the novel.
The concept of this book was unique. I did not think that it was going to work for me because I don’t like contemporary or historical fiction but something about this story just clicked. I found the whaling aspect of the story so original and interesting, not many YA novels have written about that time in history that I know of. The dual timeline was done so well, both of our protagonists’ voices were very distinct and the two stories wove together very nicely.
The problems that I had with this were all pretty mediocre. It was very clear that this was a debut novel, some of the writing I felt was subpar at times and I wish that the ending packed a bit more of an emotional punch than it ended up having. However, I think that there is a lot of potential here and I am excited to read more of Erica George’s work in the future.
I also felt like the tropes in this book were maybe one too many. They weren’t as obnoxious and in your face as I have seen in other books but two love triangles... cmon... ANY trope but that one. I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES. Another one that showed up a bit too often for my liking was the damsel in distress... but again it wasn’t too obnoxious I just think that Michaela could have handled some of her situations by herself. :)
The last issue that I had with this book and it is the biggest turn off for me was that Ben Churchill was SO toxic and it was never addressed. (minor spoilers) He was idolized straight up until the last page and he was not a good person. He was very stuck up and snobby and bullied an 8 year old as a 19ish year old man. Never mind the fact that he treated Leta like shit and was very possessive. (also, Elijah is too good for her) It did not sit right with me at all. We did have Caleb on the other hand whose situation I thought was handled extremely well and I thought spread a very important message about toxic and abusive human beings and how we can deal with them appropriately.
That’s all I really gotta say, I feel like I talked about a lot of negatives but I really did enjoy this and I encourage people to pick it up. I just think that in the future this story will end up being forgettable for me.
I know a three star rating doesn’t look that great but I was actually really pleasantly surprised by this.
I really really really enjoyed it.
This did a lot of things well. The characters that were created in this story were amazing. I really connected with them even though I could not relate to them personally. I have been feeling disconnected with a lot of the books I have been reading recently so it was refreshing to feel absorbed into a story again. I really thought that Erica created a great group of main characters that kept me entertained throughout the novel.
The concept of this book was unique. I did not think that it was going to work for me because I don’t like contemporary or historical fiction but something about this story just clicked. I found the whaling aspect of the story so original and interesting, not many YA novels have written about that time in history that I know of. The dual timeline was done so well, both of our protagonists’ voices were very distinct and the two stories wove together very nicely.
The problems that I had with this were all pretty mediocre. It was very clear that this was a debut novel, some of the writing I felt was subpar at times and I wish that the ending packed a bit more of an emotional punch than it ended up having. However, I think that there is a lot of potential here and I am excited to read more of Erica George’s work in the future.
I also felt like the tropes in this book were maybe one too many. They weren’t as obnoxious and in your face as I have seen in other books but two love triangles... cmon... ANY trope but that one. I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES. Another one that showed up a bit too often for my liking was the damsel in distress... but again it wasn’t too obnoxious I just think that Michaela could have handled some of her situations by herself. :)
The last issue that I had with this book and it is the biggest turn off for me was that Ben Churchill was SO toxic and it was never addressed. (minor spoilers) He was idolized straight up until the last page and he was not a good person. He was very stuck up and snobby and bullied an 8 year old as a 19ish year old man. Never mind the fact that he treated Leta like shit and was very possessive. (also, Elijah is too good for her) It did not sit right with me at all. We did have Caleb on the other hand whose situation I thought was handled extremely well and I thought spread a very important message about toxic and abusive human beings and how we can deal with them appropriately.
That’s all I really gotta say, I feel like I talked about a lot of negatives but I really did enjoy this and I encourage people to pick it up. I just think that in the future this story will end up being forgettable for me.
May 4, 2021
Some books have magic in them. A special thing that touches pieces of your soul in a way you can't describe. This is one of them.
I felt so many emotions while reading this book and I loved every single minute of it. With a story that weaves two very different time periods together, George truly brought to life some of the most endearing characters I've ever read. I was so completely invested in both the present and the 1862 storyline that I had difficulty putting the book down for any amount of time. And the paralleled storylines are weaved so effortlessly together that I never felt frustrated or sad when we switched time periods to spend some time with the various characters of the book. I adored the way the storylines gave hints to each other, allowing the reader to slowly come to the right conclusions about the mystery surrounding the book while painting a plot that kept the reader engaged. It had the perfect balance.
The characters were so relatable in so many ways. From Michaela's struggle with her stepfather to Leta's rejection of doing exactly what was expected of her by her parents to Elijah's longing and Benjamin's need to listen to his heart. There is something that every reader can find in the characters that speaks to them. The romances in the book were so, so sweet, and I loved the bittersweet twist to some of them. I have to admit I cried a few times while reading this.
Lastly, I adored George's writing style and voice. With a book centered around characters who love poetry, her lyrical prose was the perfect finishing touch to the pages. I also loved the poems that were placed throughout the book. They never read cheesy and brought an even more endearing level to the storyline for me. Also, as someone who has never even been near Cape Cod, I really felt like I was there while reading. The writing was just so immersive and I truly got lost in it so many times.
As a fan of both contemporary and historical fiction, this book really hit such a sweet spot for me. And even though I teared up so many times while reading, I loved this book with every single part of my being. It was such an enchanting read and I'm definitely marking George down as a writer to anticipate future novels from. I truly feel privileged to have gotten to read an ARC of this book and get to experience the magic sooner. Thank you so much to Running Press Kids!
I felt so many emotions while reading this book and I loved every single minute of it. With a story that weaves two very different time periods together, George truly brought to life some of the most endearing characters I've ever read. I was so completely invested in both the present and the 1862 storyline that I had difficulty putting the book down for any amount of time. And the paralleled storylines are weaved so effortlessly together that I never felt frustrated or sad when we switched time periods to spend some time with the various characters of the book. I adored the way the storylines gave hints to each other, allowing the reader to slowly come to the right conclusions about the mystery surrounding the book while painting a plot that kept the reader engaged. It had the perfect balance.
The characters were so relatable in so many ways. From Michaela's struggle with her stepfather to Leta's rejection of doing exactly what was expected of her by her parents to Elijah's longing and Benjamin's need to listen to his heart. There is something that every reader can find in the characters that speaks to them. The romances in the book were so, so sweet, and I loved the bittersweet twist to some of them. I have to admit I cried a few times while reading this.
Lastly, I adored George's writing style and voice. With a book centered around characters who love poetry, her lyrical prose was the perfect finishing touch to the pages. I also loved the poems that were placed throughout the book. They never read cheesy and brought an even more endearing level to the storyline for me. Also, as someone who has never even been near Cape Cod, I really felt like I was there while reading. The writing was just so immersive and I truly got lost in it so many times.
As a fan of both contemporary and historical fiction, this book really hit such a sweet spot for me. And even though I teared up so many times while reading, I loved this book with every single part of my being. It was such an enchanting read and I'm definitely marking George down as a writer to anticipate future novels from. I truly feel privileged to have gotten to read an ARC of this book and get to experience the magic sooner. Thank you so much to Running Press Kids!
May 11, 2022
It's not summer yet, but it's been a cold spring and I needed something to read that would evoke a warm summer day for me. I found myself immediately drawn in by this book. Romantic, compelling, with an unusual plot that covers two timelines in Cape Cod, modern day, with Michaela Dunn, who is drawn to two different boys, and 1862, with Leta Townsend, also drawn to two different boys. I love the characters, the realistic dialogue, the lush descriptions. Cape Cod becomes a character in this book. I especially love and admire the way it all comes together in the end. Plus, it's one of the most beautiful and poetic titles I've ever come across.
September 15, 2025
This book was… well… a disappointment. In the beginning I was ecstatic because it reminded me of The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley which was fantastic. However, by the middle I was simply wishing I was reading The Winter Sea instead. The writing was slightly aggravating and the book in general could never decide if it wanted to be plot driven or romantic. Don’t get me wrong, I did have eyes for the present time POV, baseball, love interest, but he was definitely written by a woman. The only reason it’s a three instead of a two was because the poetry aspect was enjoyable. In the end, I do not recommend but I don’t disgrace.
March 15, 2021
Official Blurb:
In two parallel timelines featuring equally delightful characters, Erica George thoroughly immerses the reader in the small town atmosphere and seaswept shores of Cape Cod, where passions swell and break like the rising of the Atlantic tide. Much like a buttery lobster roll on a warm summer’s day, this tenderhearted debut was pure enjoyment from start to finish!
Unofficial Comments:
I love dual timelines with romance and this book was just what I wanted! Check it out!!
In two parallel timelines featuring equally delightful characters, Erica George thoroughly immerses the reader in the small town atmosphere and seaswept shores of Cape Cod, where passions swell and break like the rising of the Atlantic tide. Much like a buttery lobster roll on a warm summer’s day, this tenderhearted debut was pure enjoyment from start to finish!
Unofficial Comments:
I love dual timelines with romance and this book was just what I wanted! Check it out!!
June 8, 2021
Set in atmospheric Cape Cod, this beautiful novel weaves together the tales of two young women in different centuries, discovering their voice and forging their own paths with it. Erica George pulled me right in to Michaela and Leta's stories with wonderful writing and descriptions that made me want to take a trip to Cape Cod this summer. The themes of first loves, passion and being true to yourself had me engaged and swooning from page one.
June 30, 2022
Omg I loved this book! The duel timelines was intriguing and each of the romances were so good! The drama and ups and downs pulled on the heart strings. I loved the intertwining history and present and great poems. Again such a good book would recommend! Fabulous audiobook as well.
May 23, 2021
this was kind boring ngl
August 18, 2021
A nice summer romance with poetry interspersed. I enjoyed the parallel love stories on different timelines.
May 19, 2021
It's a brave move to tackle complicated love with dual POVs, different time periods and a whaling subplot, but somehow it works together beautifully to result in a really touching, and well-written story. It's a love letter to the sea, to poetry and Cape Cod, and the physical and emotional connections of the past and the present. I truly enjoyed this unique story. Thank you to the publisher for the eARC.
December 23, 2021
this was so good, but captain benjamin whatever the fuck was awful 👍 stan elijah and finn, literally the loml omg
EDIT: I HAVE MORE TO SAY. this review just doesn't describe how ass smackingly good this was to me. like i enjoyed this so much omg i need more. like words cannot describe-
It was good in that heartwarming fluffy but also slightly angsty way that contemporary books from peak 2015 booktube had, you know? like ngl, these white people had me sniffling a little, like shiii, it had its moments!!
i was def more invested in Michaela's story than Leta (prob because Finn is pretty cute, meanwhile, i wanted to bash Ben's face in omg). Only critiques would be that she's kind of an annoying snob at first, which works because she grows from it. I also wish there was a real scene of her talking with her stepdad; so much unresolved angst i could cry aksjfbkasj
Leta, Leta, fucking idiot Leta. oml, I loved the twist but I'm still so mad at her taste in men like damn bitch. Maybe if Benjamin Churchhill wasn't a dumb bitch boy I would care more about their story. If it wasn't for his godawful personality, especially when Elijah is RIGHT THERE, I would've loved the ending even more.
anyways. I want to reread this already idk why, i think im reading books too quickly so i remember nothing. Its like i blackout while listening to it on 2x speed, and im just left with the warm fuzzy feelings.
this book could eat my ass out tbh, it was just so cute and i wish it was summer
EDIT: I HAVE MORE TO SAY. this review just doesn't describe how ass smackingly good this was to me. like i enjoyed this so much omg i need more. like words cannot describe-
It was good in that heartwarming fluffy but also slightly angsty way that contemporary books from peak 2015 booktube had, you know? like ngl, these white people had me sniffling a little, like shiii, it had its moments!!
i was def more invested in Michaela's story than Leta (prob because Finn is pretty cute, meanwhile, i wanted to bash Ben's face in omg). Only critiques would be that she's kind of an annoying snob at first, which works because she grows from it. I also wish there was a real scene of her talking with her stepdad; so much unresolved angst i could cry aksjfbkasj
Leta, Leta, fucking idiot Leta. oml, I loved the twist but I'm still so mad at her taste in men like damn bitch. Maybe if Benjamin Churchhill wasn't a dumb bitch boy I would care more about their story. If it wasn't for his godawful personality, especially when Elijah is RIGHT THERE, I would've loved the ending even more.
anyways. I want to reread this already idk why, i think im reading books too quickly so i remember nothing. Its like i blackout while listening to it on 2x speed, and im just left with the warm fuzzy feelings.
this book could eat my ass out tbh, it was just so cute and i wish it was summer
June 22, 2021
This newly released novel is a story told from two points of view, past and present, about two young women who navigate the responsibilities, obligations, and passions of those around them while attempting to pursue their dreams. Their passion for poetry is tied together through the same man and the aura of wonder surrounding him, and through each teen, we’re able to learn the man behind the stories. The novel is beautifully written, the characters are well-developed, interesting, and motivated. And through it all we are immersed in the girls’ poetry.
June 20, 2021
Michaela lives on Cape Cod, in a town that venerates, for no reason she can understand, a young whaling captain named Benjamin Churchill who died over 100 years ago. What she can understand is that her stepfather has said the poetry workshop she wants to attend is too expensive, and a local contest to write a poem about Benjamin Churchill has the prize of attending that workshop, so she's determined to win. She's also dealing with the attention of two local boys. Finn goes to her high school and plays baseball, and is gorgeous and kind, and Caleb is a college student who writes poetry, and is a gorgeous jerk. So of course who does she fall for? The only good thing to come out of it is that Michaela finds the journals of Leta Townsend, a girl who lived in the town in Churchill's time. Switching to Leta's story, Leta writes poetry under the name of Benjamin Churchill, a boy who ran off to sea and whom she believes is dead. She tries to put herself into his head to write the poems, which are being published. Then Benjamin returns to town, and he's nothing like what she imagined him to be, but she's drawn to him, anyway, rather than to her kind best friend Elijah (what is it with jerks being so attractive? I don't get it). Will Benjamin love her more than he loves the sea?
I enjoyed this, but had some issues with it as well. I liked the idea of it, and I love a good found-an-old-journal story, and I liked the dual storyline. I thought Michaela's family situation was well-explored, and liked her lively little half-sister. I liked the idea of poetry being at the center of the story. Things that didn't work so well: how crappily Michaela treated her best friend, and how that was just brushed off and never addressed (at least Leta felt like crap for treating her own best friend like crap). Girls falling for jerky boys even after they've amply displayed their jerkiness (serious, WTH?). The trope of the inevitable result if an unmarried girl in a book has sex. But the main thing was, I could tell what the writer was aiming for in Benjamin Churchill, and in his relationship with Leta, but I just wasn't buying it, unfortunately. If successful, it would have been heartbreaking and poignant, but...he was a jerk. Sorry.
I enjoyed this, but had some issues with it as well. I liked the idea of it, and I love a good found-an-old-journal story, and I liked the dual storyline. I thought Michaela's family situation was well-explored, and liked her lively little half-sister. I liked the idea of poetry being at the center of the story. Things that didn't work so well: how crappily Michaela treated her best friend, and how that was just brushed off and never addressed (at least Leta felt like crap for treating her own best friend like crap). Girls falling for jerky boys even after they've amply displayed their jerkiness (serious, WTH?). The trope of the inevitable result if an unmarried girl in a book has sex. But the main thing was, I could tell what the writer was aiming for in Benjamin Churchill, and in his relationship with Leta, but I just wasn't buying it, unfortunately. If successful, it would have been heartbreaking and poignant, but...he was a jerk. Sorry.
January 29, 2021
Erica George so perfectly captures both contemporary Cape Cod and a historical, 1800s whaling village in this YA romance with parallel timelines. In the present day, Michaela is trying to navigate her senior year of high school with a stepfather who is both demanding and plays favorites with her younger sister, who is his biological daughter. Michaela is a poet and wants nothing more than to attend a summer poetry workshop, but her stepfather won't pay for it. She decides to enter a poetry contest in order to win a scholarship to the workshop, but becomes distracted by two boys: one an enigmatic poet at a prestigious college, the other a handsome popular athlete from her own high school.
In the past, Leta yearns to break free of the rigid rules of conduct imposed on girls and women in 19th-century New England. Everyone expects her to marry her best friend Elijah, but she doesn't love him that way. Instead, Leta focuses on publishing poetry under the name of a long-lost sea captain (because women have a tough time getting published). When the sea captain proves to be very much alive, it throws a wrench into Leta's plans, both professional and personal.
In a beautiful blend of prose, poetry, and journal entries, Michaela and Leta's lives intersect across time. As Michaela delves deeper into Leta's life, she learns how people can communicate and miscommunicate, trust and mistrust, stay and leave. Ultimately, she (and Leta) discover the different ways love can manifest and how to stand up for and be true to themselves.
I loved this book. I found it lush and evocative, while also representing both time periods realistically. The romances were compelling and the boys' characters had depth and complexity. Definitely buying a hardbound copy for myself to read again!
Thanks to Netgalley and Running Press Kids for an e-ARC of this book.
In the past, Leta yearns to break free of the rigid rules of conduct imposed on girls and women in 19th-century New England. Everyone expects her to marry her best friend Elijah, but she doesn't love him that way. Instead, Leta focuses on publishing poetry under the name of a long-lost sea captain (because women have a tough time getting published). When the sea captain proves to be very much alive, it throws a wrench into Leta's plans, both professional and personal.
In a beautiful blend of prose, poetry, and journal entries, Michaela and Leta's lives intersect across time. As Michaela delves deeper into Leta's life, she learns how people can communicate and miscommunicate, trust and mistrust, stay and leave. Ultimately, she (and Leta) discover the different ways love can manifest and how to stand up for and be true to themselves.
I loved this book. I found it lush and evocative, while also representing both time periods realistically. The romances were compelling and the boys' characters had depth and complexity. Definitely buying a hardbound copy for myself to read again!
Thanks to Netgalley and Running Press Kids for an e-ARC of this book.
November 23, 2021
Two love triangles unfold in Erica George’s YA romance, Words Composed of Sea and Sky. Michaela (Mack) Dunn’s stepfather won’t pay for her to attend a poetry workshop. However, a local contest is giving away that retreat as a prize for whoever writes the best dedication plaque for the new statue honoring the Highland Whaler, Captain Benjamin Churchill. The problem is, not much is known about Churchill even though his name is plastered all over Mack’s Cape Cod town. Looking for inspiration, she explores the historical Whaler’s Watch Inn. There, she finds an amazing link to the past and the artistically aloof Caleb Abernathy. A college kid, Caleb seems like so much more than the high-school boys like the nice Finn Pearce, star pitcher at their school. For a girl who loves words, a baseball player can’t compare to the poetry-writing Caleb who attends Mack’s dream school.
As Mack’s present day story unfolds, alternative viewpoint chapters bring us into the summer of 1862 where Leta Townsend publishes poems as Captain Benjamin Churchill; borrowing his name seems simple enough until the handsome lost-at-sea captain returns and harpoons her hear. Yet Leta’s imagination has created a persona that may not have much to do with the real captain. Disruption ripples through Leta’s writing plans and the blossoming romance with her best friend, Elijah, the poor boy from the lighthouse.
Erica George’s atmospheric setting works just as well for modern-day romance dilemmas as it does for those in the 1800s. I appreciate how the parallel stories about getting your voice heard are deftly woven to form a complete tale across years and relationships. With its elements of mystery and historical fiction, this well-crafted book shows romance novels can be much more.
As Mack’s present day story unfolds, alternative viewpoint chapters bring us into the summer of 1862 where Leta Townsend publishes poems as Captain Benjamin Churchill; borrowing his name seems simple enough until the handsome lost-at-sea captain returns and harpoons her hear. Yet Leta’s imagination has created a persona that may not have much to do with the real captain. Disruption ripples through Leta’s writing plans and the blossoming romance with her best friend, Elijah, the poor boy from the lighthouse.
Erica George’s atmospheric setting works just as well for modern-day romance dilemmas as it does for those in the 1800s. I appreciate how the parallel stories about getting your voice heard are deftly woven to form a complete tale across years and relationships. With its elements of mystery and historical fiction, this well-crafted book shows romance novels can be much more.
January 14, 2021
Are you looking for something engrossing but also really calming to read in these chaotic times? This is your book! I loved the melding of historical and present-day timelines. Usually with this kind of dual narrative, I'm anxious to get back to one of the two POVs, but with this book I was equally invested in both, which is really hard to pull off! I also loved that this is a story about a girl learning to stand up for herself, which is something I desperately needed as a teenager. This is such an important message, handled in a way that's powerful without being pedantic. As for the prose, it was just gorgeous! The settings were deeply atmospheric, and the characters were all incredibly well realized. Can't wait for everyone to get to read this beautiful book!
May 27, 2021
This book is beautifully written. It takes a lot for a book to bring actual tears to my eyes, but this one did. I loved both Michaela's and Leta's narratives equally. The way the author tied both timelines together through the girl's love of expressing themselves via poetry, and through the enigmatic Highland Whaler, Captain Benjamin Churchill, was skillfully done. I appreciate the depiction of the struggle Michaela and Leta shared to see and love, not the person they had created in their imaginations, but the real flesh and blood human before them. If you are going to read a YA romance, let it be this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press Kids for access to this arc!
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press Kids for access to this arc!
March 6, 2021
Words Composed of Sea and Sky wove together the stories of two strong young women trying to find their voice and their place in the world. Set in Cape Cod, the reader is immersed in the landscape, culture, and locale of the seaside peninsula known for its whales and whaling. Despite existing over 150 years apart, Michaela and Leta each push against those who try to hold them back, and their strength and perseverance make them inspiring dual protagonists. The novel's captivating storylines, picturesque setting, and relatable characters are tied together with poetry, and it is the perfect book to read on the beach surrounded by sand and the salty sea air!
January 8, 2021
Wow. What a stunning debut. The cover and synopsis of Words Composed of Sea and Sky immediately drew me in because I knew I'd be in for beautiful scenery, poetry, and romance. The way George skillfully wove together two stories--one present and one past--as one novel about love, loss and the beauty of words was simply beautiful. The story is slower-paced, reminiscent of the ebb and flow of the sea, but it held my interest. I was rooting for both Michaela and Leta the entire time. I look forward to reading more work by Erica George!
January 28, 2021
This is a difficult one to rate because there were aspects that I liked and didn't like. The pros were the setting of Cape Cod (and the mention of Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown), the inclusion of whales, and the historical aspect (where we learn of Leta and the residents of this fictional town set back during the Civil War).
As for the cons:
-I didn't like Michaela. She lived in a fantasy world, was self-centered, judgmental, and treated others rudely (her mom, stepdad, sister, best friend, classmates, and Fin). As we see from the first paragraphs, Michaela has created a list detailing scenarios on how to meet her dream guy and fall madly in love. She is a writer and so she dreams of meeting a hot guy who is artsy and loves to write. When she does meet her fantasy guy, it takes her a long time to realize he is a jerk.
-Fin is an overused cliché in teen novels. He is the most popular, hottest, and athletic guy in school and has girls fawning all over him and wanting to date him. He only has eyes for Michaela and has been in love with her for two years. She has no idea because she lives in her fantasy world, judges and makes fun of athletes, and is rude to Fin just because. Some scenes actually pained me because Fin was clearly nervous around Michaela and she treated him like he was beneath her because he was a baseball player.
-Leta was marginally more likable than Michaela. Her story immensely paralleled Michaela's with similar dialogue and scenarios. Leta ends up falling in love with the elusive and toxic Benjamin Churchill (her fantasy guy) and spends her time writing poetry. There isn't much more to say about her since that is the gist of her story.
-There was lots of telling instead of showing. Fin talks Michaela into tutoring him in English for summer school. They only tutor once for a few minutes. No more is even mentioned of this topic so I am unsure why it was included.
This was a good read, but I would have liked it better if the characters were written differently. Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.
As for the cons:
-I didn't like Michaela. She lived in a fantasy world, was self-centered, judgmental, and treated others rudely (her mom, stepdad, sister, best friend, classmates, and Fin). As we see from the first paragraphs, Michaela has created a list detailing scenarios on how to meet her dream guy and fall madly in love. She is a writer and so she dreams of meeting a hot guy who is artsy and loves to write. When she does meet her fantasy guy, it takes her a long time to realize he is a jerk.
-Fin is an overused cliché in teen novels. He is the most popular, hottest, and athletic guy in school and has girls fawning all over him and wanting to date him. He only has eyes for Michaela and has been in love with her for two years. She has no idea because she lives in her fantasy world, judges and makes fun of athletes, and is rude to Fin just because. Some scenes actually pained me because Fin was clearly nervous around Michaela and she treated him like he was beneath her because he was a baseball player.
-Leta was marginally more likable than Michaela. Her story immensely paralleled Michaela's with similar dialogue and scenarios. Leta ends up falling in love with the elusive and toxic Benjamin Churchill (her fantasy guy) and spends her time writing poetry. There isn't much more to say about her since that is the gist of her story.
-There was lots of telling instead of showing. Fin talks Michaela into tutoring him in English for summer school. They only tutor once for a few minutes. No more is even mentioned of this topic so I am unsure why it was included.
This was a good read, but I would have liked it better if the characters were written differently. Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.
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