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You, Me, and the Sea: A Novel
From the USA Today bestselling author of All the Summer Girls and Dog Crazy comes a spellbinding and suspenseful tale that illuminates the ways in which hope—and even magic—can blossom in the darkest of places.
To find her way, she must abandon everything she loves…
As a child, Merrow Shawe believes she is born of the sea: strong, joyous, and wild. Her beloved home is Horseshoe Cliff, a small farm on the coast of Northern California where she spends her days exploring fog-cloaked bluffs, swimming in the cove, and basking in the light of golden sunsets as her father entertains her with fantastical stories. It is an enchanting childhood, but it is not without hardship—the mystery of Merrow’s mother’s death haunts her, as does the increasingly senseless cruelty of her older brother, Bear.
Then, like sea glass carried from a distant land, Amir arrives in Merrow’s life. He’s been tossed about from India to New York City and now to Horseshoe Cliff, to stay with her family. Merrow is immediately drawn to his spirit, his passion, and his resilience in the face of Bear’s viciousness. Together they embrace their love of the sea, and their growing love for each other.
But the ocean holds secrets in its darkest depths. When tragedy strikes, Merrow is forced to question whether Amir is really the person she believed him to be. In order to escape the danger she finds herself in and find her own path forward, she must let go of the only home she’s ever known, and the only boy she’s ever loved....
To find her way, she must abandon everything she loves…
As a child, Merrow Shawe believes she is born of the sea: strong, joyous, and wild. Her beloved home is Horseshoe Cliff, a small farm on the coast of Northern California where she spends her days exploring fog-cloaked bluffs, swimming in the cove, and basking in the light of golden sunsets as her father entertains her with fantastical stories. It is an enchanting childhood, but it is not without hardship—the mystery of Merrow’s mother’s death haunts her, as does the increasingly senseless cruelty of her older brother, Bear.
Then, like sea glass carried from a distant land, Amir arrives in Merrow’s life. He’s been tossed about from India to New York City and now to Horseshoe Cliff, to stay with her family. Merrow is immediately drawn to his spirit, his passion, and his resilience in the face of Bear’s viciousness. Together they embrace their love of the sea, and their growing love for each other.
But the ocean holds secrets in its darkest depths. When tragedy strikes, Merrow is forced to question whether Amir is really the person she believed him to be. In order to escape the danger she finds herself in and find her own path forward, she must let go of the only home she’s ever known, and the only boy she’s ever loved....
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2019
188 people are currently reading
7732 people want to read
About the author
Meg Donohue
9 books698 followersMeg Donohue is the USA Today bestselling author of The Memory Gardener (11/25/25), You, Me, and the Sea, Every Wild Heart, Dog Crazy, All the Summer Girls, and How to Eat a Cupcake. Her novels have been translated into Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she lives San Francisco with her husband, three daughters, and dog. She is currently working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
May 16, 2019
Merrow Shawe is born of the sea. She thinks it’s part of her tempestuous temperament. She is raised on a farm named Horseshoe Cliff in Northern California. The atmosphere of where she lives is absolutely stunning. Not unlike that beautiful cover, there are bluffs and cliffs’ edges, an alluring cove, and of course, the sea.
Merrow’s childhood is mostly a happy one, but her mother passes away under mysterious circumstances, so of course that lingers and haunts. Her brother, Bear, is outright mean and cruel, so that’s a blemish on her otherwise idyllic childhood as well.
Merrow meets Amir, who has been sent from New York, by way of India, to live with her family. Amir is not affected by Bear’s nastiness, and Merrow admires his strength of spirit.
Of course there are secrets here, and a tragedy occurs involving Amir. Merrow is unsure if she ever knew him at all. She finds herself in a dangerous and dire situation, and she has to decide if she is going to flee.
I adored how atmospheric and original this story is. It’s easy to be swept up into this story and feel right beside Merrow on those blustery cliffs! It almost feels like a different time because the setting is so enchanting. The writing here is beautiful, and the characters are vividly drawn.
I read after I finished the book that it was inspired by Wuthering Heights, and I absolutely love that. I think Donohue captured the sense of place, as well as the emotions.
Overall, You, Me, and the Sea is stunningly atmospheric story of tumultuous true love and how far one will go to protect family.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Merrow’s childhood is mostly a happy one, but her mother passes away under mysterious circumstances, so of course that lingers and haunts. Her brother, Bear, is outright mean and cruel, so that’s a blemish on her otherwise idyllic childhood as well.
Merrow meets Amir, who has been sent from New York, by way of India, to live with her family. Amir is not affected by Bear’s nastiness, and Merrow admires his strength of spirit.
Of course there are secrets here, and a tragedy occurs involving Amir. Merrow is unsure if she ever knew him at all. She finds herself in a dangerous and dire situation, and she has to decide if she is going to flee.
I adored how atmospheric and original this story is. It’s easy to be swept up into this story and feel right beside Merrow on those blustery cliffs! It almost feels like a different time because the setting is so enchanting. The writing here is beautiful, and the characters are vividly drawn.
I read after I finished the book that it was inspired by Wuthering Heights, and I absolutely love that. I think Donohue captured the sense of place, as well as the emotions.
Overall, You, Me, and the Sea is stunningly atmospheric story of tumultuous true love and how far one will go to protect family.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
June 5, 2019
I started reading You, Me, and the Sea on 6/3/2019 and finished it on 6/5/2019. This book is a fantastic read! I read throughout the whole night and through the morning. I feel hurt for Merrow’s childhood with such an uncaring brother. Farm life is hard and I feel heart wrenching to the 5 through 8 years old having little to no parental comfort and not enough to eat. Her story is inspiring because with the meager she grew up with, she still loves school and loves to learn. I like following Merrow’s view and experience her life through her eyes as she grows up. I like her self motivation and how she looks on the bright side of things, especially at the place where she lives.
This book is told in the first person point of view following Merrow Shawe as she got woken up from a dream seeing herself swallowing a red bird. She lives by the sea with her new fiance Will. They are having guests over the next day for their housewarming slash engagement slash wedding party. She has secrets that her new husband doesn’t know about and one of them is the anonymous letter indicating that they know what she did and they could take it all away. After the first chapter of the party, the story is then divided into 3 parts. Starting at Horseshoe Cliff, living in a cottage by the sea when Merrow was 5, growing up with a bully brother 10 years her senior and a dad who busied himself with farming. She never knew her mom. When she was 8, her dad became a guardian to an adopted boy named Amir, also 8. They became each other’s support and companion that Merrow lacked. When she was 16, by chance she met a lady who saw her intellectual and offered to help send her to college, at the same time, Amir went missing.
You, Me, and the Sea is very well written and a fast paced read! The writing is great because I can feel the voice of Merrow at each age stage. I like learning about her parents’ relationship. Merrow and Amir’s adventure into Osha to glimpse at how other people live is meaningful, though I would prefer that they do it through an open house or estate sale. I like Will’s family and that wealthy people aren’t always so conceited. The friendship in this book is the best with Merrow’s dad Jacob and Rei and with Merrow and Amir. I enjoy the twist in the end about Merrow’s mom, Rei’s death, and the challenge of choosing where Merrow’s heart belongs to. This book do make me cry, but it also reminds me to look on the bright side. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: fast paced, page turner, friendship, slow build romance, family, life by the sea, a helping hand, diversity
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaway. Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
This book is told in the first person point of view following Merrow Shawe as she got woken up from a dream seeing herself swallowing a red bird. She lives by the sea with her new fiance Will. They are having guests over the next day for their housewarming slash engagement slash wedding party. She has secrets that her new husband doesn’t know about and one of them is the anonymous letter indicating that they know what she did and they could take it all away. After the first chapter of the party, the story is then divided into 3 parts. Starting at Horseshoe Cliff, living in a cottage by the sea when Merrow was 5, growing up with a bully brother 10 years her senior and a dad who busied himself with farming. She never knew her mom. When she was 8, her dad became a guardian to an adopted boy named Amir, also 8. They became each other’s support and companion that Merrow lacked. When she was 16, by chance she met a lady who saw her intellectual and offered to help send her to college, at the same time, Amir went missing.
You, Me, and the Sea is very well written and a fast paced read! The writing is great because I can feel the voice of Merrow at each age stage. I like learning about her parents’ relationship. Merrow and Amir’s adventure into Osha to glimpse at how other people live is meaningful, though I would prefer that they do it through an open house or estate sale. I like Will’s family and that wealthy people aren’t always so conceited. The friendship in this book is the best with Merrow’s dad Jacob and Rei and with Merrow and Amir. I enjoy the twist in the end about Merrow’s mom, Rei’s death, and the challenge of choosing where Merrow’s heart belongs to. This book do make me cry, but it also reminds me to look on the bright side. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: fast paced, page turner, friendship, slow build romance, family, life by the sea, a helping hand, diversity
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaway. Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
May 10, 2019
gorgeous. Lyrical. Magical.
Meg Donohue’s beautifully descriptive writing swept me away to the Northern Californian coast and Horseshoe Cliff. The characters and setting of this book jumped off the pages and into my heart. I was completely captivated by the magic of this mesmerizing tale, that is until about the final 30 pages. The ending just did not sit well with me... at all! This book was inspired by ”wuthering Heights”?, now admittedly I’ve never read this book so I’m just going to chalk the ending up to this and live with it. Despite the ending I truly loved this exquisite tale.
Merrow thinks she is living a magical life. Living on the picturesque Horseshoe Cliff with a loving father who spins enchanting stories. When she starts school she realizes her life isn’t quite as magical as she thought, and then her older brother becomes more and more aggressive and abusive. When Amir shows up Merrow thinks she has found a kindred spirit. Merrow was such a fantastic character, I really adored her heart and her strength. There was such a vulnerability to her character and I completely understood why she had so many fairy godmothers in her life. Her brother Bear on the other hand was a terrible human being. If you believe in karma he never lived one day of happiness his entire life! Also I was a little frustrated that the father didn’t pick up on how terrible the brother was.
When a sequence of events happen Merrow is given the opportunity to live a better life and attend college. But this means leaving behind her beloved home and perhaps even Amir. I love that she was given this opportunity and I really loved how much this other family took her into their hearts. Ugh that ending really put a big black cloud over some of this for me. I hate to fixate on that, and I really did love this book, but... just know going into this book that Merrow’s happy ending might not be the same as yours. Simply put this was a beautifully told story, with some pretty amazing characters, and a storyline that will sweep you away.
🎧🎧🎧 I was fortunate enough to get an audio copy of this book to review and I absolutely loved this one on audio! Sarah Naughton is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators. She really brings that perfect something special to her narration.
*** thank you to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my gifted copy ***
Meg Donohue’s beautifully descriptive writing swept me away to the Northern Californian coast and Horseshoe Cliff. The characters and setting of this book jumped off the pages and into my heart. I was completely captivated by the magic of this mesmerizing tale, that is until about the final 30 pages. The ending just did not sit well with me... at all! This book was inspired by ”wuthering Heights”?, now admittedly I’ve never read this book so I’m just going to chalk the ending up to this and live with it. Despite the ending I truly loved this exquisite tale.
Merrow thinks she is living a magical life. Living on the picturesque Horseshoe Cliff with a loving father who spins enchanting stories. When she starts school she realizes her life isn’t quite as magical as she thought, and then her older brother becomes more and more aggressive and abusive. When Amir shows up Merrow thinks she has found a kindred spirit. Merrow was such a fantastic character, I really adored her heart and her strength. There was such a vulnerability to her character and I completely understood why she had so many fairy godmothers in her life. Her brother Bear on the other hand was a terrible human being. If you believe in karma he never lived one day of happiness his entire life! Also I was a little frustrated that the father didn’t pick up on how terrible the brother was.
When a sequence of events happen Merrow is given the opportunity to live a better life and attend college. But this means leaving behind her beloved home and perhaps even Amir. I love that she was given this opportunity and I really loved how much this other family took her into their hearts. Ugh that ending really put a big black cloud over some of this for me. I hate to fixate on that, and I really did love this book, but... just know going into this book that Merrow’s happy ending might not be the same as yours. Simply put this was a beautifully told story, with some pretty amazing characters, and a storyline that will sweep you away.
🎧🎧🎧 I was fortunate enough to get an audio copy of this book to review and I absolutely loved this one on audio! Sarah Naughton is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators. She really brings that perfect something special to her narration.
*** thank you to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my gifted copy ***
May 17, 2019
3.5 stars
A girl drawn to the sea, a love bonded by the sea, the secrets it keeps and the cruel brother who tries to destroy it all.
You, Me and The Sea is a beautifully written story that swept me and pulled me to the cliff of Horseshoe cliff and I could feel the love and danger the sea holds. It left me wondering right from the start the secrets the sea held for this family here in this story.
You, Me, and the Sea explores loss, the bonds that hold people together and the cruelty that can pull them apart. I was drawn into the lives of the characters and could feel the bond to the sea they felt and how it bonded them together. The story takes a turn when tragedy hits and I started to lose a bit of interest with the direction the story went, however, that unexpected ending pulled back into it and really like how it all came together in the end.
Thank you to William Morrow and HarperCollins Canada for my complimentary copy
A girl drawn to the sea, a love bonded by the sea, the secrets it keeps and the cruel brother who tries to destroy it all.
You, Me and The Sea is a beautifully written story that swept me and pulled me to the cliff of Horseshoe cliff and I could feel the love and danger the sea holds. It left me wondering right from the start the secrets the sea held for this family here in this story.
You, Me, and the Sea explores loss, the bonds that hold people together and the cruelty that can pull them apart. I was drawn into the lives of the characters and could feel the bond to the sea they felt and how it bonded them together. The story takes a turn when tragedy hits and I started to lose a bit of interest with the direction the story went, however, that unexpected ending pulled back into it and really like how it all came together in the end.
Thank you to William Morrow and HarperCollins Canada for my complimentary copy
May 18, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
His stories made it seem as though the past was something I could step into, like a room in the house that was always there, its door unlocked by a combination of words.
This fear did not feel like the sort of thing that came and went; it felt like something that was meant to last, like a rope with a double knot.
His accent made his words sound even and pure. It reminded me of rain falling into a half-full barrel.
He tried very hard not to reveal the details of your file to me, but I’ve cracked tougher nuts on Christmas Eve.
No one had ever spoken to me as Rosalie had— and yet, what exactly had she been trying to tell me? Her words were a gift that I could hold but not yet unwrap.
I wish I were as proud of my finest moments as I am ashamed of my mistakes.
My Review:
Meg Donohue has turned out a beautifully written, lushly and evocatively detailed and heart-rending book that was swirling with atmosphere and sea mist. I was captivated, devastated, and engrossed from beginning to end. Written in the first person POV of Merrow, an adult woman at a significant crossroads and recalling her childhood, which was peppered with a love of the land and ocean yet heartbreaking and cringe-worthy with unpredictable violence, humiliation, intentional neglect, and vicious cruelty perpetrated by her older brother upon her and her best friend, an orphaned boy of the same age who had come to live with her family as her father’s ward. The family was rather isolated and lived like hillbillies in a small rustic cabin in a small rural yet coastal area of California.
Ms. Donohue’s emotive writing was insightfully observant, deviously paced, and conjured vivid visuals that rolled smoothly through my gray matter while squeezing my coronary muscle, stealing my breath, and stinging my eyes. A Five-Star rating feels paltry and nowhere near enough to rate the superlative quality of this compelling tale.
His stories made it seem as though the past was something I could step into, like a room in the house that was always there, its door unlocked by a combination of words.
This fear did not feel like the sort of thing that came and went; it felt like something that was meant to last, like a rope with a double knot.
His accent made his words sound even and pure. It reminded me of rain falling into a half-full barrel.
He tried very hard not to reveal the details of your file to me, but I’ve cracked tougher nuts on Christmas Eve.
No one had ever spoken to me as Rosalie had— and yet, what exactly had she been trying to tell me? Her words were a gift that I could hold but not yet unwrap.
I wish I were as proud of my finest moments as I am ashamed of my mistakes.
My Review:
Meg Donohue has turned out a beautifully written, lushly and evocatively detailed and heart-rending book that was swirling with atmosphere and sea mist. I was captivated, devastated, and engrossed from beginning to end. Written in the first person POV of Merrow, an adult woman at a significant crossroads and recalling her childhood, which was peppered with a love of the land and ocean yet heartbreaking and cringe-worthy with unpredictable violence, humiliation, intentional neglect, and vicious cruelty perpetrated by her older brother upon her and her best friend, an orphaned boy of the same age who had come to live with her family as her father’s ward. The family was rather isolated and lived like hillbillies in a small rustic cabin in a small rural yet coastal area of California.
Ms. Donohue’s emotive writing was insightfully observant, deviously paced, and conjured vivid visuals that rolled smoothly through my gray matter while squeezing my coronary muscle, stealing my breath, and stinging my eyes. A Five-Star rating feels paltry and nowhere near enough to rate the superlative quality of this compelling tale.
July 15, 2019
What a lush and beautifully written story inspired by Wuthering Heights! Merrow was raised on an isolated farm on the windswept coast of Northern California. The setting was absolutely vivid & amazing! Merrow lives at Horseshoe Cliff with her eccentric father and very cruel older brother. One day her father brings home an orphaned boy named Amir to live with them, and her lonely life changes. She and Amir become the closest friends. They grow up together in this wild & wonderful place by the sea, until tragedy strikes and their worlds are turned upside down.
YOU, ME, AND THE SEA was an atmospheric & emotional tale of love, friendship, secrets, and survival. I enjoyed the parallels to Wuthering Heights, and also the ways they differed. Lovely! Borrowed from the library.
YOU, ME, AND THE SEA was an atmospheric & emotional tale of love, friendship, secrets, and survival. I enjoyed the parallels to Wuthering Heights, and also the ways they differed. Lovely! Borrowed from the library.
May 8, 2019
I'm very excited to share this story with readers! Ever since I first read Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, a question has haunted me ... What if Catherine had lived? Would she have chosen her patient, generous husband or the forbidden love of her childhood? Well, readers, I wrote my own answer. I hope you all enjoy You, Me, and the Sea as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for reading, reviewing, and sharing your love of books!
April 1, 2021
I just met Meg Donohue at an author event and she is such a warm and gracious person. So it comes as no surprise that her books are the same way. I've been craving a dose of California during the COVID time at home and Meg's book You, Me and the Sea has given me that in spades. I read a lot of historical fiction and love it, but it was nice in this book to be taken to contemporary California and feel the sun on my face. Love this passage:
"We kicked off our shoes at the bottom of the path and made our way out to where the warm sand became wet and cold below our feet. Our knives cut easily through the gleaming tongues of seaweed. It was the sort of glorious, sun-soaked day that demanded I still my knife every few minutes and simply look around. From the top of the bluff you could see the curve of cliffs for miles in either direction, but down at the water's edge the only cliffs visible were the arms of the cove that stretched out on either side of us, carved by the pounding of the ocean so that they rose in a tenuous golden arc toward the sky. My father used to tell me that each touch from the sea, even one as soft as an exhaled breath, forever changed not only the land, but the shape of the sea itself. True love's embrace, my father called it."
Wonderful!
"We kicked off our shoes at the bottom of the path and made our way out to where the warm sand became wet and cold below our feet. Our knives cut easily through the gleaming tongues of seaweed. It was the sort of glorious, sun-soaked day that demanded I still my knife every few minutes and simply look around. From the top of the bluff you could see the curve of cliffs for miles in either direction, but down at the water's edge the only cliffs visible were the arms of the cove that stretched out on either side of us, carved by the pounding of the ocean so that they rose in a tenuous golden arc toward the sky. My father used to tell me that each touch from the sea, even one as soft as an exhaled breath, forever changed not only the land, but the shape of the sea itself. True love's embrace, my father called it."
Wonderful!
April 23, 2019
#FirstLine ~ On the morning of the party, rain hit the bedroom windows in blustery waves.
I love Donohue. She writes books that touch the reader deep down, books that resonate, books that stay with the reader long after they finish...You, Me and the Sea is a book that is all of those things and more. I loved it cover to cover. It was original, refreshing and so engrossing. The dialogue is spot on, the pacing is perfection and the characters are those you may never forget. A must read for ALL. Another hit by a master storyteller!
I love Donohue. She writes books that touch the reader deep down, books that resonate, books that stay with the reader long after they finish...You, Me and the Sea is a book that is all of those things and more. I loved it cover to cover. It was original, refreshing and so engrossing. The dialogue is spot on, the pacing is perfection and the characters are those you may never forget. A must read for ALL. Another hit by a master storyteller!
June 18, 2019
Merrow lives in a remote coastal area of Northern California along with her father and her brother. They live on a dilapidated farm and it barely yields enough crops for them to get by. Her older brother, Bear, doesn't look out for her in the very least as he is a disturbed individual and treats her very cruelly. One day her father brings home an orphan, Amir. Amir is the son of his deceased wife's best friend, so he can't just let him go into foster care again. This thrills Merrow completely as she has wanted a friend and a playmate practically her whole life. Merrow and Amir spend blissful days exploring Horseshoe Bluff, the farm, swimming in the ocean, and avoiding Bear at all costs. As they get older, Amir slowly changes from being her best friend to something more while they both weather the many storms of that come into their lives. Meg Donohue's You, Me, and the Sea is a heartfelt story about family, friendship, the call of the ocean, and star-crossed love.
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
April 5, 2019
It was difficult for me to decide on a rating for You, Me and The Sea. It is well written and the prose beautifully descriptive but I feel like the story line was a little too simplistic and predictable. The novel begins on the eve of Merrow and Will's elopement. They have thrown a party for their close friends and family at their home in San Francisco to celebrate their upcoming nuptials. At one point in the evening Merrow slips outside for a bit and is confronted by Amir who disappeared from her life 10 years earlier. The author then takes you back in time to Horseshoe Cliff and tells the story of Merrow's motherless childhood there. Her love of the land, and sea, her simple life is counter-balanced by the fear her abusive bother instills in her. Amir, an orphan from India, is brought to live with them and she finally has someone who understand and love her and they form a tight and usual bond. At sixteen a series of events lead to Amir's disappearance from her life and Merrow moves on until the night of the elopement party.
I was somewhat disappointed in the ending; a little too fairy tale. Or maybe I was disappointed in Merrow's character and felt her decision was too hasty and unrealistic. All in all it was a quick entertaining read but not a favorite for me.
I was somewhat disappointed in the ending; a little too fairy tale. Or maybe I was disappointed in Merrow's character and felt her decision was too hasty and unrealistic. All in all it was a quick entertaining read but not a favorite for me.
July 31, 2020
Like Wuthering Heights, but less toxic and less passionate. The author has a curious proclivity for using "sunk" and never, ever "sank."
May 26, 2019
I loved every page of this book. Gorgeously written and beautifully crafted, this bittersweet love story completely captivated me. Meg Donohue once again proves she is a masterful storyteller, finding the perfect sweet spot of romance, mystery, and magic realism. The back pages reveal that the author was inspired by Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. Just as the English moors came alive in Brontë's novel, Horseshoe Cliff becomes almost another character in this novel, providing a romantic, blissful yet precarious backdrop to Merrow and Amir's tumultuous life. With two very compelling male characters, Merrow is forced to choose between a man who can provide the life she's dreamed of, and the man who knows her heart. This enchanting story will stay with me for a very long time.
March 28, 2020
I was really enjoying this book until part 3 and now I want to throw it across the room.
Amir & Merrow’s relationship is not healthy & I cannot believe the author thought this was path to go with. On and on we hear how these two were part of each other and it’s just....no, these two characters were traumatized as children by the same abuser who was their older brother/adopted brother and all three were poorly cared for by the father/guardian & other adults in their lives. That’s not a healthy foundation for a relationship. Also they were adoptive siblings, no matter how much they say they’re not brother & sister.
Also, am I the only one who read Amir as controlling? Merrow mentions seeking help for the abuse and Amir keeps stopping her because they’d be separated aka the worst thing ever for Amir. Even though they’re abused & starving.
Anytime Merrow mentions wanting to live Amir gets all passive aggressive and huffy about the idea. Yes, how dare she want to see other things & eat food. It feels like this possessiveness is supposed to be understandable (or worse, romantic) but honestly, fuck that guy.
It’s been a while since I’ve had such a visceral reaction to character but I’m absolutely mind boggled that he was seen as the best love interest compared to Will, the one who’s kind, supportive, and you, know, isn’t her brother.
Amir & Merrow’s relationship is not healthy & I cannot believe the author thought this was path to go with. On and on we hear how these two were part of each other and it’s just....no, these two characters were traumatized as children by the same abuser who was their older brother/adopted brother and all three were poorly cared for by the father/guardian & other adults in their lives. That’s not a healthy foundation for a relationship. Also they were adoptive siblings, no matter how much they say they’re not brother & sister.
Also, am I the only one who read Amir as controlling? Merrow mentions seeking help for the abuse and Amir keeps stopping her because they’d be separated aka the worst thing ever for Amir. Even though they’re abused & starving.
Anytime Merrow mentions wanting to live Amir gets all passive aggressive and huffy about the idea. Yes, how dare she want to see other things & eat food. It feels like this possessiveness is supposed to be understandable (or worse, romantic) but honestly, fuck that guy.
It’s been a while since I’ve had such a visceral reaction to character but I’m absolutely mind boggled that he was seen as the best love interest compared to Will, the one who’s kind, supportive, and you, know, isn’t her brother.
March 16, 2019
Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a tough one to review. I loved the story and the description of Horseshoe Cliff was exceptional, yet I found myself racing through the pages to get to something that would move the story along. This novel has an incredibly simple storyline. On the cusp of her wedding elopement, Merrow is still caught up in her past, living with the fear of something unknown to us. Flashback to her childhood on the coast of California at Horseshoe Cliff and the fear and isolation she endures due to her violent older brother. A new arrival brings joy and friendship that grows into deeper feelings and is then blown apart by misunderstandings and a death. Merrow flees her home to start a new life in San Francisco and finds a family that truely love her, but is it enough.
There were no real twists in this tale, no great announcements or profound moments. The fear that Merrow lives with in San Francisco is rather a let down. I could imagine this as a Hallmark movie with its beautiful landscape and basic storyline. There needed to be more content to fill the pages, more development of characters and a smidgeon more conflict to engage the reader.
This is a tough one to review. I loved the story and the description of Horseshoe Cliff was exceptional, yet I found myself racing through the pages to get to something that would move the story along. This novel has an incredibly simple storyline. On the cusp of her wedding elopement, Merrow is still caught up in her past, living with the fear of something unknown to us. Flashback to her childhood on the coast of California at Horseshoe Cliff and the fear and isolation she endures due to her violent older brother. A new arrival brings joy and friendship that grows into deeper feelings and is then blown apart by misunderstandings and a death. Merrow flees her home to start a new life in San Francisco and finds a family that truely love her, but is it enough.
There were no real twists in this tale, no great announcements or profound moments. The fear that Merrow lives with in San Francisco is rather a let down. I could imagine this as a Hallmark movie with its beautiful landscape and basic storyline. There needed to be more content to fill the pages, more development of characters and a smidgeon more conflict to engage the reader.
April 28, 2019
I received an advance copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this book, the writing is beautiful. The characters really came alive for me, and I felt all of their emotions through the whole book. So many things happen, and I'm torn about the ending. Without spoiling it, I think I might have wanted it the other way. All in all, a fantastic book, I will definitely read more from this author.
I absolutely loved this book, the writing is beautiful. The characters really came alive for me, and I felt all of their emotions through the whole book. So many things happen, and I'm torn about the ending. Without spoiling it, I think I might have wanted it the other way. All in all, a fantastic book, I will definitely read more from this author.
May 22, 2019
Merrow Shaws believes she was born of the sea: strong, joyous, and wild. Her beloved home is Horseshoe Cliff, a small farm on the coast of Northern California, where she spends her days exploring fog-cloaked bluffs and swimming in a secluded cove.
Every part of this book jacket description speaks to me. I too feel drawn to the sea yet I live on a farm. And....the cover!!
I was lost in Meg Donahue's lyrical writing. I found it magical and it swept me away to Horseshoe Cliff. I could see the fog and feel the sea air.
I will definitely read more of Meg Donahue in the future.
Every part of this book jacket description speaks to me. I too feel drawn to the sea yet I live on a farm. And....the cover!!
I was lost in Meg Donahue's lyrical writing. I found it magical and it swept me away to Horseshoe Cliff. I could see the fog and feel the sea air.
I will definitely read more of Meg Donahue in the future.
April 17, 2020
”’Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.’- Wuthering Heights”
This is the Wuthering Heights retelling Oprah should have picked for her book club.
It’s quite simple, readers: I see Wuthering Heights retelling or inspired by Wuthering Heights, and I read it. Reviews be damned, I’ll read it. Even if the reviews say that the book is a stinking pile of horse manure, I’ll knock people over to get my grubby hands on that book. It’s my eternal kryptonite.
So obviously when this book popped up on my Goodreads feed and advertised itself as a retelling of Emily Bronte’s only novel, I shrieked like a banshee and immediately included it on my never ending TBR.
The best way I can describe this novel is that this is a gentler rendition of Bronte’s literary work. In Bronte’s novel, the characters can only best be described as selfish, stupid, vicious, and cruel to each other. They hurt each other where it hurts the most and the cycle repeats itself throughout the next generations. Donohue’s reworking makes the characters almost genial to each other. Yes, her versions of Cathy and Heathcliff have the same wildness about them as Bronte’s original characters, but they are softened around the edges to make them immensely more likable. Cathy and Heathcliff would surely turn up their noses at Merrow and Amir, but those who detested Bronte’s novel for the characters being immensely unlikable will find this a welcome change.
The author also chooses to expand on the characters in her retelling, particularly Merrow's parents and Amir's backstory. She makes them feel more real and more a part of the story rather than background players.
There are weaves, threads, and allusions to the original novel that will no doubt please fans of Bronte’s work. As a fan of the original and devourer of the retellings, I thought that the author did a good job of making the story her own while paying homage and respecting the original. My version of the book has an author’s note in the back where the author explains her inspiration for her novel as well as her love for Wuthering Heights in general.
One thing the author really nailed was the setting. Instead of the wild Yorkshire moors, we have the beautiful Northern California coastline. The author’s description and Merrow’s own recounting of her childhood home that has an almost intoxicating pull on her will enthrall the readers. It makes you want to move to a cottage by the sea and run among the California orchards.
I’m very picky when it comes to my retellings, and more often than not they’re misses rather than hits. Donohue’s novel, I’m happy to say, is one of the exceptions in her deft retelling of Bronte’s timeless classic. It will appeal to fans of the original who love the wildness of her prose and also new fans who may be familiar with the story but who want to see the characters less selfish and destructive.
This is the Wuthering Heights retelling Oprah should have picked for her book club.
It’s quite simple, readers: I see Wuthering Heights retelling or inspired by Wuthering Heights, and I read it. Reviews be damned, I’ll read it. Even if the reviews say that the book is a stinking pile of horse manure, I’ll knock people over to get my grubby hands on that book. It’s my eternal kryptonite.
So obviously when this book popped up on my Goodreads feed and advertised itself as a retelling of Emily Bronte’s only novel, I shrieked like a banshee and immediately included it on my never ending TBR.
The best way I can describe this novel is that this is a gentler rendition of Bronte’s literary work. In Bronte’s novel, the characters can only best be described as selfish, stupid, vicious, and cruel to each other. They hurt each other where it hurts the most and the cycle repeats itself throughout the next generations. Donohue’s reworking makes the characters almost genial to each other. Yes, her versions of Cathy and Heathcliff have the same wildness about them as Bronte’s original characters, but they are softened around the edges to make them immensely more likable. Cathy and Heathcliff would surely turn up their noses at Merrow and Amir, but those who detested Bronte’s novel for the characters being immensely unlikable will find this a welcome change.
The author also chooses to expand on the characters in her retelling, particularly Merrow's parents and Amir's backstory. She makes them feel more real and more a part of the story rather than background players.
There are weaves, threads, and allusions to the original novel that will no doubt please fans of Bronte’s work. As a fan of the original and devourer of the retellings, I thought that the author did a good job of making the story her own while paying homage and respecting the original. My version of the book has an author’s note in the back where the author explains her inspiration for her novel as well as her love for Wuthering Heights in general.
One thing the author really nailed was the setting. Instead of the wild Yorkshire moors, we have the beautiful Northern California coastline. The author’s description and Merrow’s own recounting of her childhood home that has an almost intoxicating pull on her will enthrall the readers. It makes you want to move to a cottage by the sea and run among the California orchards.
I’m very picky when it comes to my retellings, and more often than not they’re misses rather than hits. Donohue’s novel, I’m happy to say, is one of the exceptions in her deft retelling of Bronte’s timeless classic. It will appeal to fans of the original who love the wildness of her prose and also new fans who may be familiar with the story but who want to see the characters less selfish and destructive.
October 12, 2020
Merrow Shawe endures a lonely childhood with an uncaring father and brother until Amir comes into her life. She is still coming to terms with the mystery surrounding her mother’s death as well. When a tragedy occurs, she doesn’t know if she can trust in Amir anymore.
This is a beautifully written book, loosely based on Wuthering Heights. I actually did not enjoy Wuthering Heights when I read it 30 years ago, but this book made me wonder if I should try again.
I’m not sure how much I liked this book for the story alone. I expected more layers or more exposition on Merrow’s parents, her brother and more depth in his back story, and some of the other characters. The great love story that is basically the center of the story wasn’t strikingly romantic to me, and I really didn’t sense the chemistry.
Honestly, there isn’t much more I can say about the book except that I wanted to know more about the secondary characters. Anything else would dive into spoiler territory — there were a few questions that received very simple answers that were too easily believed or accepted by the other characters. And I agree with other reviews stating that the main character made decisions that seemed rash and self-serving.
This is a beautifully written book, loosely based on Wuthering Heights. I actually did not enjoy Wuthering Heights when I read it 30 years ago, but this book made me wonder if I should try again.
I’m not sure how much I liked this book for the story alone. I expected more layers or more exposition on Merrow’s parents, her brother and more depth in his back story, and some of the other characters. The great love story that is basically the center of the story wasn’t strikingly romantic to me, and I really didn’t sense the chemistry.
Honestly, there isn’t much more I can say about the book except that I wanted to know more about the secondary characters. Anything else would dive into spoiler territory — there were a few questions that received very simple answers that were too easily believed or accepted by the other characters. And I agree with other reviews stating that the main character made decisions that seemed rash and self-serving.
April 12, 2021
From plot to writing nothing stood out in this book. This is supposed to be a reimagination of Wuthering Heights. I read WH like 20 years ago and didn't liked it.
I found many problems with this book. The biggest issue was how criminally negligent the town folks were towards the kids. Some of them knew about their struggle but they did nothing. There was no reasonable explanation given of Bear's cruel behavior. There is a lame attempt at the end that his mother's death drove him towards cruelty. I thought Merrow and Amir were too perfect and I didn't like how she behaved towards Will. All in all I found You, Me and the Sea quite boring.
I found many problems with this book. The biggest issue was how criminally negligent the town folks were towards the kids. Some of them knew about their struggle but they did nothing. There was no reasonable explanation given of Bear's cruel behavior. There is a lame attempt at the end that his mother's death drove him towards cruelty. I thought Merrow and Amir were too perfect and I didn't like how she behaved towards Will. All in all I found You, Me and the Sea quite boring.
April 3, 2019
An excellent book. Very complex, two-sided characters. You knew while you were reading that the end could not go well for everyone so you feel happy and sad at the same time. Not really a spoiler, because it would depend on your outlook. It was my first read by Meg Donohue, but, based on her story in this book, I have already bought one of her older books.
June 12, 2019
4.5 Cause I really didn't like part of the ending. Bear Ugh....Driving off into the sunset...Um No!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2021
I loved how the sea was such a key character in this book. It was an enjoyable story, putting a new twist on the "Wuthering Heights" tale so many are familiar with.
July 3, 2019
"She stood fearlessly on the edge of the soaring cliffs, she killed chickens with her bare hands when duty called, and she scaled very, very high walls around strangers' private property because she was curious about how other people lived" "She also loved reading novels. And she was a writer. She spoke of the sea, of her home, in a way that a poet writes about love. She had a bright light within her, and she was unafraid to let it shine" This is what sums up the book for me.
June 15, 2020
A fictional story of a daughter of hippies who lives by the sea and finds beauty where others would see poverty. I picked this up at The Willow bookstore because it was compared to Educated. There are definite similarities. The descriptions of the farm definitely made me want to go to the ocean. A great story of how strong children can be and how our childhood shapes our entire life.
Read
July 29, 2019Light and fluffy. Very fluffy.
P. 264
“He sat back in his chair, shirtless, his arms speckled with the ghostly kisses of Ligurian sea salt.” 🙄
P. 264
“He sat back in his chair, shirtless, his arms speckled with the ghostly kisses of Ligurian sea salt.” 🙄
September 21, 2019
I hadn’t heard a lot about this book before I started, so I had no idea what to expect going in! It is a truly heartfelt book that made me feel all kinds of emotions!
Merrow grew up in poverty with her father and older brother, Bear, on a farm bordering the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. Bear is a threatening, dangerous presence in her life, as he experiences extreme anger due to the mysterious loss of their mother when Merrow was a baby. At ten years old, their father brings home a boy to live with them, named Amir. Amir and Merrow grow to be deeply connected to the land, the ocean, and each other, but eventually difficult circumstances divide them.
This novel is beautifully written. The language that Merrow uses to talk about her land is described as “eloquent” and it really is! I felt a new appreciation for the ocean air and rugged west coast line as I read those passages. It’s eye opening and heart breaking to read about Merrow, Bear, and Amir’s childhood and the pain they suffer. At the same time, this book has many hopeful, inspiring moments, and a great love story. It is unpredictable and I wasn’t sure where it was going right until the very end! I loved the complicated characters and the different sides of their personalities that are showcased throughout the story. I think that all readers will connect with this book, as the therapeutic power of reading and writing is an important part of Merrow’s life. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique, vivid, absorbing story!
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Merrow grew up in poverty with her father and older brother, Bear, on a farm bordering the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. Bear is a threatening, dangerous presence in her life, as he experiences extreme anger due to the mysterious loss of their mother when Merrow was a baby. At ten years old, their father brings home a boy to live with them, named Amir. Amir and Merrow grow to be deeply connected to the land, the ocean, and each other, but eventually difficult circumstances divide them.
This novel is beautifully written. The language that Merrow uses to talk about her land is described as “eloquent” and it really is! I felt a new appreciation for the ocean air and rugged west coast line as I read those passages. It’s eye opening and heart breaking to read about Merrow, Bear, and Amir’s childhood and the pain they suffer. At the same time, this book has many hopeful, inspiring moments, and a great love story. It is unpredictable and I wasn’t sure where it was going right until the very end! I loved the complicated characters and the different sides of their personalities that are showcased throughout the story. I think that all readers will connect with this book, as the therapeutic power of reading and writing is an important part of Merrow’s life. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique, vivid, absorbing story!
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2020
I’m not a fan of romance novels. I love romance and will heartily cheer for star-crossed lovers to overcome the challenges and obstacles that conspire to keep them apart IF that’s not the entire plot. But romance for romance’s sake? Not my cuppa tea. This novel turned out to be an insipid romance.
Supposedly this is a modern reimagining of Wuthering Heights. I’m not an expert on Wuthering Heights but I think it’s a complete stretch to draw any such comparisons. This is a very predictable romance novel. There’s a decided lack of tension and dramatic frisson that renders this just lightweight chick lit. Heathcliff is broody, moody, thrilling but dangerous, a little off kilter, a bad boy. Amir is none of these things. He’s sweet, kind, protective, and sensitive. It makes zero sense for him to make the choice he makes for the reasons he does. There’s nothing to support this sudden change of character that makes it believable. It could be because the POV really limits the narrative. Merrow can only tell her side of things whereas in WH you had a third person narrator who was at least privy to all of the details if not the inner monologues. Better I think to have had Merrow and Amir share narration.
If you’re looking for a quick, light beach read, this could be just the ticket. If you’re a fan of Bronte, don’t go in with high expectations.
Supposedly this is a modern reimagining of Wuthering Heights. I’m not an expert on Wuthering Heights but I think it’s a complete stretch to draw any such comparisons. This is a very predictable romance novel. There’s a decided lack of tension and dramatic frisson that renders this just lightweight chick lit. Heathcliff is broody, moody, thrilling but dangerous, a little off kilter, a bad boy. Amir is none of these things. He’s sweet, kind, protective, and sensitive. It makes zero sense for him to make the choice he makes for the reasons he does. There’s nothing to support this sudden change of character that makes it believable. It could be because the POV really limits the narrative. Merrow can only tell her side of things whereas in WH you had a third person narrator who was at least privy to all of the details if not the inner monologues. Better I think to have had Merrow and Amir share narration.
If you’re looking for a quick, light beach read, this could be just the ticket. If you’re a fan of Bronte, don’t go in with high expectations.
May 9, 2023
I was hooked with this one from the beginning and would have given it five stars but I’m really not happy with the ending and wish it would have gone in another direction so that’s why it’s getting only four from me!
April 4, 2019
This book was AMAZING!! I read in one sitting!! Merrow's story of Love and Loss just pulled me into her world.
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