After her mother’s plane went missing over the Indian Ocean, seventeen-year-old Sienna Jones gave up everything she loved about living in California. No more surfing. No more swimming. No more ocean, period. Playing it safe, hiding from the world, is the best call. Until her dad throws down the challenge of a lifetime: spend a week with his humanitarian team in Indonesia, working with orphans … orphans who lost everything in a massive tsunami.
The day they arrive, Sienna meets a mysterious boy named Deni, whose dark, intense eyes make her heart race. Their stolen nights force her to open up and live in a way she thought she couldn’t anymore. When she’s with Deni, she remembers the girl she used to be…and starts to feel like the woman he sees in her.
A woman he wants for his own.
Gulp.
But when Deni’s past comes looking for him, Sienna’s faced with losing another person she loves. She can’t do it. Not again.
Fortunately, this time, she has a plan.
Each title in the Sea series is best enjoyed in order:
Series order:
Book 1 – Where I Found You
Book 2 – Where the Sea Takes Me
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5 – WONDERFULLY AFFECTING AND EXCRUCIATINGLY BEAUTIFUL
This book is one of my Top Ten Favorite Reads in 2017 and it’s no surprise that it would be from Entangled Teen. I’ve been slightly obsessed with Entangled Teen (Crush) books and have enjoyed/loved all the ones I’ve read so far. BUT this…THIS IS DEFINITELY WITHOUT A DOUBT MY FAVORITE!! I LOVEEEE THIS STORY SO MUCH IT HURTS!
Where I Found You by Heidi R. Kling is absolutely heartbreaking, wonderfully affecting, and so excruciatingly beautiful in every way.
After Sienna lost her mother from a tragic plane accident, she gave up everything she loved to do. She stopped surfing, swimming, and being carefree. When her father surprises her with a chance to travel with his humanitarian group, Team Hope, and spend the summer in Indonesia helping children orphaned after a devastating tsunami, Sienna didn’t expect to find solace, kindness and hope. Let alone fall in love with the mysterious and devastatingly alluring Deni.
This book gracefully captured my heart and touched my soul. The writing is poignant, heartfelt, and so incredibly gorgeous. The story fascinated me throughout the entire time and I honestly could not stop reading. I absolutely love stories that make me FEEL so much and leave me wanting more. The sweet moments between Sienna and the orphans were absolutely delightful and endearing. This book is just so beautiful and real and I loved every moment! The ending surprised me though – I certainly wasn’t expecting what happened. I felt heartbroken, but at the same time not. It was extremely emotional and so real and that’s what I loved about it. That being said, I’m so glad the story isn’t over just yet. Because after that intense wave of FEELS… I need more Sienna and Deni.
The characters were all really great. I completely adore Sienna and David. They’re fantastic characters – genuine, vulnerable, relatable, and utterly lovable. I really enjoyed getting to know them and watching their friendship bloom into something more. Their chemistry was just so amazing. Every scene they had made my heart melt. I could feel their emotions, their attraction, their longing, and I loved it! I was definitely swooning the entire time and rooting for them.
Aside from the sweet romance, you also get a glimpse of how difficult life is for the orphaned children. Their lives made me appreciate and be grateful for what I have because even with what little they have and their harsh realities, these children still smiled and laughed. They still hoped and even saw the beauty in life. That was definitely heartwarming and so moving to read about.
Where I Found You is such a beautiful story about hope, forgiveness, falling in love, and living life to the fullest. It’s sweet, healing, fascinating, and inspirational from beginning to end. I am so in love with this book and absolutely cannot wait for the sequel.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher Entangled Teen via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars!
(Read 12/2/17)
This book has been on my radar ever since I read and LOVED Heidi Kling’s, Paint My Body Red. I had even found a second-hand hardcover, but had yet to read it. When I discover there would be a revised second edition (with a different title,) I jumped at the chance to read it early. I had my suspicions that it would be something that I might enjoy and I wasn’t wrong.
Where I Found You tackles the effects of death and trauma on its survivors, while tempering it with a healing romance. High school senior Sienna is still reeling from her mother’s death and agrees to travel with Team Hope to Indonesia after their devastating tsunami (Based on the 2004 Indonesian tsunami.) As Sienna immerses herself in helping young orphans, she also bonds with the older Deni, who has lost his family to the tsunami. Their growing romance was sweet, but also very intense with the realities of time, culture and logistics. While I wanted to keep rooting for them as a couple, the realities of their circumstances kept me pragmatic. Because of that, I was able to see this book as something far greater than just a YA romance. Watching how this American team had to be respectful of culture, customs, etc, was enlightening and well-handled. Other than a few parts feeling a little rushed, I enjoyed everything about this book. Even the ending. While some readers prefer to read what they deem as a “true” happily-ever-after, I’m fine with a happy-for-now or other unconventional endings. Yet, the author has now written a sequel. As much as I was okay with the ending of this book, I now can’t wait to see what happens next with these wonderful characters.
Where I Found You, originally published as SEA, by Heidi R. Kling, is one of my favorite novels. Fifteen-year-old Sienna “Sea” Jones has not been herself since her mother died in a plane crash over the Indian Ocean. Suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and being treated by her father, a psychologist, Sienna no longer body-boards in the ocean or engages in her former interests. On her birthday, Sienna is surprised with a plane ticket to Indonesia, to help the children orphaned by the tsunami that hit Aceh in 2004. Terrified of airplanes, the ocean, and the thought of international travel after what happened to her mother, Sienna refuses to go at first. But when her friend Spider discovers a meaningful relic from their past, they take it as a sign that Sienna should go.
Although it’s only for two weeks, Sienna’s trip to Indonesia changes her life. Her recurring night terrors are quelled when she now has the responsibility of comforting the young orphans. Her perspective changes when she witnesses the testimonies of the young women who outran the great wave, but saw their homes and families perish behind them. Most of all, Sienna falls in love with a gorgeous and mysterious Indonesian boy, called Deni. But Deni’s tragic past holds deep secrets. And with the two living on opposite sides of the world in vastly different cultures, will they be able to sustain their romance?
I loved this book for its simple poignancy. It’s a light read, yet deals very well with heavier themes, such as tragedy, death, grief, and romantic passion. I loved the cultural and educational value of this book too, in the fascinating setting of modern-day Indonesia, learning about its geography, customs and religious practices. I also appreciated the depth of the characters, including the narrator, Sienna, who portrays wisdom and maturity beyond her fifteen years – but in a realistic way.
This is the kind of book I couldn’t put down. It had me wondering about the characters, even the background ones, long after finishing. A very good read, and a solid debut from author Kling. This is among my favorite “travel romances.”