In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper: a rallying cry for hope, purpose . . . and rocks. Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving. When the poem spreads farther than he ever intended, Robert Bliss’s humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the tiny, coastal Maine town, and he sets his calloused … calloused hands to work, but the building halts when tragedy strikes.
Decades later, Annie Bliss is summoned back to Ansel-by-the-Sea when she learns her Great-Uncle Robert, the man who became her refuge during the hardest summer of her youth, is now the one in need of help. What she didn’t anticipate was finding a wall of heavy boxes hiding in his home. Long-ago memories of stone ruins on a nearby island trigger her curiosity, igniting a fire in her anthropologist soul to uncover answers.
She joins forces with the handsome and mysterious harbor postman, and all her hopes of mending the decades-old chasm in her family seem to point back to the ruins. But with Robert failing fast, her search for answers battles against time, a foe as relentless as the ever-crashing waves upon the sea.more
I sobbed my way through this book. Actually, I was OK until exactly halfway through and then I was crying about every other chapter. At one point all I wanted to do is put the book in the freezer (Friends reference, if you know you know. If not check YouTube). There was definitely a point where I sat the book aside and let it think about what it did. Therefore, I cannot recommend this book more. It will tear you apart and put you back together again and it is so. worth. it. I am both looking forward to and dreading Amanda’s next book.
It’s painfully inadequate to offer this breathtaking poem of a novel 5 meager stars. Somehow the author finds a way to connect all of the familial dots across generations—twin brothers who are separated when Uncle Sam calls one away but not the other to fight in WWII; young William who finds his uncle Bob and is aching for a home and the pieces he could never quite put together; Annie, who seeks a refuge in Ansel that she doesn’t even realize she needs, and in the process collides (quite literally) with Jeremiah—and create a masterpiece. It’s Annie’s story that I connected with the most, but what good is one part of the story without the other? A life built from the ashes, a tower built from grief, realization that sometimes you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be —each bit of story is revealed at just the right part of the journey and connects us with a God whose unfailing love brings us all the light from impervious darkness. Unforgettable.
I read this book on a friend’s recommendation and absolutely loved it. It has everything I enjoy: a dual-time-period historical plot line, an evocative setting (the Maine seacoast), characters I can root for, and an almost poetic writing style. I’ll definitely be reading more books by this author.
I finished my first book by Dykes and immediately downloaded this one. I hadn’t heard of her before; in fact, I guess this one was her first. I loved the characters and found myself wishing the family would be able to get back together and forgive past difficulties. A poem written by Bob seemed to reach people around the world with a connection, yet sometimes family is more difficult. Good book — worth the read.
This book was incredible in every way. So many stories (as many as the waves!) and amazing characters. I have to start by saying how very much I love Robert (and continue to think about him) …and his brother Roy too of course. Then there is Jeremiah (sigh) and Annie, and William…and Eva! Just so many people to love and care about. All the small town folks with their many varied personalities that ring so true!
Such beautiful, unselfish lives of a truly great America…the Greatest Generation in so very many ways…and their heritage for generations thereafter.
And our truly faithful, always speaking (if we are listening) God who was there to see each of them through the mountains and valleys…just as He continues to do for each of us.
Thank you for this book Amanda Dykes. I can’t wait to read more from you. (And why am I not surprised that Joanne Bischoff is your kindred spirit?)
I also listened to portions of this book on Audible and the narration was great!
From the moment I started reading I was entranced. The slipping in and out of time kept me on the edge of my seat. Robert Bliss, who is the main character, spends a lot of his story time off stage. Fascinating read. Could not put it down. I look forward to more by this author.
This is a brand new author to me. Wonderful, unique storyline, unforgettable characters, and lyrical prose. Ms. Sykes makes me want to be a better writer! 🙂
After this book received book of the year at the Christy award, I had to see what this book was about? I do not like duel time period books, which this one is. At first I wasn’t so sure, but this book was wonderful. It never leaves you confused and the book explains the characters so well that you will follow right along and really understand where this book trying to lead you. The book takes place around WWll and about 10 years after the wars and then to 2001. Each characters in this book is so well written that you feel like you know them personally. This story is beautiful. Rob loosing his brother to war, he feels like he needs to make a lighthouse in his honor. In 2001 Anne, Rob grand niece, comes back to Maine to help when her great Uncle falls sick. Both story lines will have you enthralled. The ending is amazing. Will Anne falls in love with Jeremy? Will they ever build and use the lighthouse, will Anne father ever come back to the family? I can see why Whose Waves These Are won best book of the year at the Christy Awards. I feel honored to have been able to read this great work. I am looking forward to reading more of Amanda Dykes works, Five Stars and I highly recommend this great read!!
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY!! From Amanda’s dazzling imagery and gorgeous prose to the subtly building yet swoonworthy romances interspersed with history, mystery and action all wrapped within the threads of faith, hope and redemption. This novel has it all! Powerful. Unforgettable. I want to go to Maine now!
The novel is split time with parts of the story dipping into the 1940s and 1960s. The contemporary storyline is 2001. I love this style of book, but not all do so be aware of this before you dive in. Also the use of the present tense at first threw me off, but I got used to it and it’s makes the story prose even richer I think. Just expect though for it to possibly throw you at first because it’s not a tense that we usually find in the majority of books.
This novel is a journey! An epic one of generations in need of reconciliation. LOVE everything about this book! I will be thinking about this story for years to come! Can’t wait to read Amanda’s next one!
The writing and subtle nuances of this story pulled me in from the first page to the last. It is story of redemption and hope; of how lives intertwine in unexpected and amazing ways. Writing a plot synopsis will be in injustice to the novel—in my mind at least. The book is both hauntingly beautiful and moving. It’s a love story of family…of the ties that bind brothers together…and the power of letting our light illuminate the darkness.
It is hard to find words to review this brilliant, moving book. The writing is lovely, even when the subject at times is not. It has wonderful spiritual depth and characters who feel very real. I was at times moved to tears. I’ve previously read Amanda Dykes’ novellas so was familiar with her writing. This novel has put her firmly on my “must read” author list. I recommended it to my book club and recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Reading this book was like stepping into another world, immersed in the unique magic of words. Beautiful, lyrical, heart-tugging words filled with hope.
This is a beautifully written story. It’s not a page-turner but a novel to be savored for the lovely writing and sweet story.
“Whose Waves These Are” by Amanda Dykes is on my highly recommended list! It is amazing, inspirational, original, realistic, and patriotic while pointing to the God “whose waves these are”. It is thought-provoking and heartwarming, putting you in the midst of a town you wish you could be a part of with people you want to be your best friends. You will not go wrong when you pick this book up, sit in your favorite reading spot with tea or hot chocolate and submerge yourself in Ansel-by-the-Sea.
Omg, what a beautiful and heartwrenching book!
This is my first book from the author, I’m not even sure if it’s her debut story, but it was so recommended I wanted to give it a try.
Wow, I never expected this kind of book! So deep, so poignant, so touching, with overwhelming emotions.
I don’t want to give the plot away. It’s a book going back and forth through three different timelines. It starts at WWII with two twin brothers who receive their drafting letter, one positive and one not. A story of loss and search for hope or understanding. A grieving poetic fisherman that sends a poet to the newspaper and never expect to move a whole nation with his words. How to build something life-giving from a loved person lost?
As I said, the story weaves around 1944, 1962 and 2001. Annie Bliss returns to Ansel-by-the-Sea to help her uncle Robert (GreatBob). The man who was her rock in the worst summer of her youth. While she’s there she’ll uncover many secrets and long lost memories.
Jeremiah, a taciturn and handsome harbor postman, will prove her support and help in unveiling family secrets that broke her family. Can the pieces be fixed and reunited? That will need, not only Annie’s abilities, but a help from Heaven, and lots of trust in God to make things right again.
A beautiful Tale of loss, forgiveness, unconditional love and redemption. It touched my heart deeply. I loved the characters. Annie, Jeremiah, and especially GreatBob.
I cried and smiled! Don’t forget your tissues. This story will touch your heart and wrench it for the best. So much to learn and take to your own life. Lots of non preachy lessons.
One of my favorite quotes:
“But oh, the One who hold those waves, who holds our hearts”
“Lift your head, brave one. This life is a storm, no doubt about it. But oh, the One who holds those waves, who holds our hearts. What it is, to think of facing this storm in His hands, wrapped in a love that is fathoms—infinite fathoms—deep!”
As I’ve read in other reviews, this is a masterpiece that will touch your heart and change it.
I definitely recommend it and I want to read more stories from Amanda Dykes!
I’ve found that when I’m trying to write a review for my favorite books that words are hard to come by. I can never find a way to truly express my feelings because they all seem so inadequate. And that’s where I’m at now, after finishing Whose Waves These Are. I’m staring at my computer screen trying to put into words the soul-wrenching beauty that was this novel.
The writing style is so lyrical and had me completely enchanted from the very first page. It’s an emotional read. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I cried or almost did. But, my goodness, it’s a novel brimming full of hope, too. It’s a story that will stay with me for a long time to come. If I could give it more than five stars, I certainly would. I highly recommend it to everyone and I can’t wait to read what Amanda Dykes comes up with next.
One of the most tender, beautiful stories I’ve ever read. It will put your heart through the wringer, but the journey is so worth it. Don’t miss out on this excellent book!
This book caught my attention because so many authors were recommending it. After finishing this gripping story, I now know why. Amanda Dykes has crafted dual time frame heart wrenching stories that pulled me in and would not let me go. The WWII section was well researched and realistic. Both stories are filled with memorable lessons learned by her unique characters. The interesting romances are well written. I think that the Maine setting drew me in just as much as the stories. Her townspeople make the reader want to live there. Now I am recommending this book with the same enthusiasm I heard from others.
This book was very special to me for many reasons. The stones that were sent to Bob included one that represented my father-in-Law that was included in the author’s acknowledgements. But stories that are written partly during the time of WWII are meaningful as well, the greatest generation of men and women. Brave souls that are due all the recognition and more.
The book characters were presented in a way that I cared for them as friends and neighbors. Annie, Bob, Roy, William and Jeremiah were used to show historical events, family relationships, forgiveness and love. The novel carried me through various emotions throughout. One quote, “each wave has a story”, gave me goose bumps. And the fact that God owns and controls the waves is a testament to his strength but also to his care for each of us. Light VS darkness was mentioned several times and put meaning behind what Bob was trying to do in honor of his twin Roy. For a debut fictional novel, Amanda Dykes has shown the world that she has an amazing talent. I’m looking forward to the future and what she can bring to it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.
There are books to be read and books to be experienced. Whose Waves These Are is truly an experience not to be missed. I’ve had quite a high TBR pile and so I set the rule that I couldn’t add any books to my list until I dwindled down what I had, but after seeing so many rave reviews for this one I couldn’t help but break my rule and get my hands on a copy.
When I first started reading I’ll admit that I wondered what about this book created so much hype. I was quickly drawn in and didn’t want to put it down, but I was still wondering what the “wow” factor was going to be. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but it’s there! Tissues will certainly come in handy. I did quite a bit of ugly crying through the last 2/3 of the book or so. I was sucked so deeply into the world of Bob and his family that it felt like it had become my own. My heart was taken on a rollercoaster ride with a splash at the end. To say I was left in a book fog would be quite the understatement!
What truly sucked me into this novel was that it was about people with broken hearts trying to relearn how to navigate the world around them in the midst of their pain. No one is exempt from heartache in their lives, but some certainly seem to be handed bigger doses than others. Everyone handles the pain they face differently, and sometimes that leads to healing while other times it ends up leading to more brokenness. How this played out in the lives of the characters was truly a remarkable journey.
I can be an emotional reader but I was surprised how deeply this story sucked me in. For much of the ending I was either crying or on the verge of tears. There was no way this book was being put down until I had reached the ending. I now understand what everyone was talking about, and I can now officially join them in saying that this book is a must-read you won’t want to miss!
*I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.