3.5 stars

I think I started this book with TOO high of expectations. I heard from several people that this was an amazing read, so I expected to love it right from the beginning on. Unfortunately, I was bored during the first half or so of the story. I was afraid I wouldn't like it at all, but then things started to click at about the 50% mark and I began to really enjoy the story.

I found the rocks and the meaning behind them SO interesting (I was a little sad that it took so long to find out what they meant). The characters were great. I liked how the story was told in three different timelines, even though it wasn't super easy for me to follow.

All in all, Whose Waves These are ended up being a good read and I liked it quite a bit. I will probably read the next book when it releases.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

As I closed this book after reading the last sentence, I sat back and said, "Wow." This was Amanda Dykes debut novel and I want to know when her next novel will be out. She has written some novellas prior to this, but no other full-length novels. Amanda is described as a "drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales" and I couldn't agree more.

This story flips back and forth from the time Robert Bliss was 18 years old during World War II to the early 2000s when he is lying in a hospital bed and his great-niece comes to visit. The story follows Robert through the next 20 or so years while still occasionally flipping forward to the present-day part of the story, if that makes sense.

It's a story of grief and hope and rocks. It's a story of loss, deep love, and redemption. Robert has a deep grief to work through and he does it by following the instructions left him: "Don't get stuck in the dark, Bob... There's a whole lotta light, go there instead." And that leads to the poem that went world-wide and brought boxes of rocks to the town of Ansel-by-the-Sea.

Annie, his great-niece, is also a bit lost. Her dad is estranged from his Uncle Bob, she feels she has botched her one and only anthropology job and is now pushing numbers in a Chicago office. When GrandBob needs help, she goes and there she meets Jeremiah Fletcher, a strong man with deep secret pain. You know how that ends up, but it is one of the most beautiful stories I have read recently. The romance is limited, but the search for hope and light is not. Jeremiah is a man who is all-in when he's all in, but with high walls otherwise and it's the slow dance of breaking down those walls one piece at a time, not through romance, but through true friendship.

This story pulls you in and makes you want more. You want to know about the rest of the people mentioned in the story, of Ed and Sylvia, of Arthur, of William and Annaliese, of Bess and even Spencer T Ripley. The way Amanda wields words makes the story come alive and I couldn't stop reading, especially at the end when I needed to make sure there would be a happy ending, not just between Annie and Jeremiah, but between two other very important characters as well.

I also thought there was some good advice given in this book. Listen to this paragraph:
"What are you growing? Annie plies the tools of her trade, hoping that the questions will lead to connections. It was what brought her into anthropology in the first place. When she was a painfully shy teenager, she discovered the magic of questions. If she asked the right questions, the other person would talk, and talk, and talk. And she could listen. She fell in love with listening, marveled at the magic of the things she found out, just by asking a few questions. Treasures buried in every conversation"

As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am hoping that there are more books coming from Amanda Dykes. I am not a big fan of novellas, but I might have to go check out at least her novella prequel to this story.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I would still recommend this book even though I couldn't get into it.
I think for me was because of the writing style that made it difficult I'm not much on present tense genere.
I did find a few things to like about the book and the cover being one one of them. I find it interesting.
Maybe someone else will enjoy this book book but it just wasn't my cup of tea

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This book had me from the very beginning. I love that it kept me engaged the entire time. I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I would highly recommend to all my fellow readers. Thank you for the chance to review this book!

Well researched time-split novel that will pull on your heartstrings .
Pub Date 30 Apr 2019 .
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

From another debut author, what a slow deeply burning moving book.
I had goosebumps as I was reading and cried several times as it was so heartwarming.
I love dual time zones and I thought that this book was done so well.

Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

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.

This was such an interesting book! Nothing cookie cutter or formulaic here. Set almost entirely on the coast of Maine, the book opens in the fall of 1944 with the Bliss Family.....the war is in progress and decisions must be made - and when the unthinkable later occurs, no one is prepared for the fallout.

Ann Bliss returns to the place she spent the best summer of her life as a child with her Great Uncle Bob, and quickly finds out just how much has changed - but the core of her childhood touchpoints are still there. When she meets local Jeremiah Fletcher (Fletch) they begin to work together to help the ailing Bob - and they may just solve a long held family mystery.

Bouncing back and forth between 1944 and 2001, it took me a minute to sort out how everything connected, but when I did, things quickly began to make a great deal of sense. With a cast of interesting characters and beautiful prose, this is a thought provoking and richly descriptive book. The premise is unique, and the unveiling of just how it all does finally connect created a very happy and satisfying ending. I will gladly recommend this book by this first time author.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Whose Waves Are These is an intricately woven story that was pictorial with a quaint setting and an interesting cast of characters.

Spanning many decades this book was written in dual time periods that had me captivated with both of them equally, and I’ll admit that isn’t always the case as I usually prefer one over the other.

This is the author’s debut and I was blown away when I found that out. She has a style that had me mesmerized with her attention to detail, everything fit into place and was there for a reason. The story of the rocks was unique and as everything began to click together it just made me love this book all the more. The characters were real and the plot emotional as the war leaves its mark on this little place called Ansel-by-The-Sea.

Whose Waves These Are is not just a story of secrets, heartache, and guilt, but also of forgiveness, hope, and healing. It's an emotional story that had me waiting a day or so before I could begin another book.

I anxiously await more books by Amanda Dykes and highly recommend this one.

A few years ago I was blessed with a digital review copy of Amanda Dyke’s Bespoke. I was enchanted by the story and by her marvelous, lyrical writing style. At some point I also read her Tin Can Serenade and loved it also. I was excited to have a chance to read this author’s first full length novel Whose Waves These Are. With a cover that beautiful the story inside had to be beautiful too, especially given the previous experience I’ve had with her work.

It is somewhat difficult for me to capture all the impressions this book left on my heart. At times it was almost unbearably heartbreaking and other moments made me want to jump up and cheer. It is a story that will take your emotions on a roller coaster ride and leave them wanting another ride. Characters were vividly portrayed in a plot that pulled me in and made me feel a part of it. The author’s poetic style and so many quotable passages were such a pleasure to read.

This book made me yearn for relationships such as described in its pages and made me want to be more like Annie and her GrandBob and Fletch as well as all the others who worked together and made this book such a profound experience.

A rich and heartwarming story about family, life, hope, believing in one’s self, and so much more.
One young woman’s journey to discovering her heritage, as she hears the journeys taken by her great uncle, and then also her father.
World War 2 days, life after those terrible times, and what one young man does to fulfill his calling.
This story will touch your soul and remain with you for a very long time.

Received through Net Galley and the emotions and the messages this story sends to you! Loved the writing the story the characters just loved it all!! You really need to read this book it is so worth your time!

Wow, I just finished this book and am still absorbing it. While reading, especially toward the end, I thought to myself that this book needs rereading to take in all that was offered by this author.

Her writing style is impressive, making it amazing that this is her first novel. As I was reading, her style seemed to me reminiscent of that of Charles Martin, who is a master storyteller and many of whose books I’ve enjoyed. And that is quite a compliment.

I plan to recommend this title to our book club.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Quote near the end:
“The strength of the storm does not change whose waves these are. There is one mightier still.” To me, this is the theme verse of the book.

I am having trouble adequately expressing the ranges of emotions that this book gave me. I think that it is truly rare to come across a debut novel which is so beautiful and moving. Amanda Dykes is exceptionally gifted with storytelling and descriptive writing. Her words lure you into her story and allow the images and emotions written on the pages to just settle into your soul as the story unfolds. This story is so thought provoking and inspiring! I loved it! Ok, here is all the honesty…I cried like ten times while reading this book. Happy tears, sad tears, sappy tears, all the tears. This novel had so many layers that combined together in all the right ways to create such a memorable book. As someone who has dealt with loss, I really connected with the way it was represented in this story. This book is a total five star read, but more than that it is memorable. Whose Waves These Are is going to stick with me. I absolutely recommend this novel! It was every bit as good as I anticipated and I am eagerly anticipating whatever comes next from Amanda Dykes!

I received an ARC of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.

I must say I was not sure first on deciding to read the book and then what to expect. While reading I was thinking in all the authors I know and I got to the conclusion that her writing is different.

Usually when you read historical fiction or a fiction novel is a story. But in this case, Amanda Dykes goes further with Robert Bliss in 1945 at the beginning of the book and Annie Bliss in 2001. And both are united as one.

In my opinion this book feels really personal is like you can see the heart of the writer on each page. Is more than just words. The deepness of this story took me by surprise, usually when you read a story related to the war the last that will come to your mind is the word hope, light and a second chance.

This story has many layers, you have to take your time not only to find them but to also reflect on the message behind it all. In the end, all make sense and its like a big puzzle that ends like a big and lovely picture.

I truly recommend this book, because: I believe this is a great story, Amada Dykes did a great job with each element in the story united by a great message with the goal of bringing hope in the midst of the sorrow and pain that envolve any war. Faith, family, second chance and a wonderful end.

Truly grateful to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC, I'm looking forward to reading more of Amanda Dykes on a near future.

Beautifully written! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. #WhoseWavesTheseAre #NetGalley

Whose Waves are These is a dual timeline novel, telling two related stories of the Bliss family. In 1944, Robert Bliss watches as his twin brother marries, then is called up to serve in World War II. In 2001, Annie Bliss is called back to Ansel-on-the-Sea, Maine, but she doesn’t know why. All she knows is that her father and her great-uncle have been estranged for years, so it must be important.

Robert’s story progresses from 1944 to the present. In the process, we see what happened to his brother in the war, what happened after the war, and brings us (slowly) to Robert’s present—2001. Annie’s story is about her journey back to Ansel-on-the-Sea and her attempt to discover the source of the amnity between Robert and her father.

Annie’s section of the story was written in first person, and Robert’s was written in third person—an unusual and often difficult combination for authors to write successfully. Both stories are written in present tense. I usually find present tense works best in a story that’s set in the present, so thought present tense was an unusual and perhaps a brave choice by the author.

It’s a testament to her writing skill that the combination works. Yes, the writing was excellent. Well, if you don’t mind first person, and if you don’t mind present tense. I was a little uncertain at first, but was soon drawn in by the power of Robert’s story … and by the mystery of Jeremiah Fletcher.

Whose Waves These Are is a difficult novel to describe. It has a strong voice, strong writing, strong characters, and a dual-level plot that offers lots of questions and answers them all. Yes, there were a couple of scenes towards the end which I’m not sure worked as well, but overall it’s an excellent first novel. Recommended.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Whose Waves These Are was an absolutely great book. I am normally not a fan of time shift books but loved this one. The plot is well written and characters well developed. I highly recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is an unbiased review.

A wonderful novel by Amanda Dykes, Whose Waves These Are! I enjoyed the different time lines and stories that interconnect. Robert Bliss is a grieving fisherman during WWII who affects a change in peoples lives. Continuing into present day, his great niece summoned to Ansel-by-the-Sea. A place of refuge during a difficult time in her youth, to help her uncle who she discovers is in a comma. She meets the the handsome harbor postmaster and they join together to solve the mystery of the rocks. A lovely story with romance, danger and healing. This was my first novel by Amanda Dykes and I'm looking forward to more from her.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Goodness this book tore at my heartstrings. I have not read Ms. Dykes before, but I will definitely read any book she writes from now on, as soon as it comes out. This book had me crying before I was even halfway done, which is not a good sign of what is to come and how many tissues I will be using. Just for the record, I resorted to paper towels by the end of the book.

This is the story of identical twins Roy and Bob Bliss and their bond with the ocean off the coast of Maine. With Roy going off to fight in WWII it is up to Bob to stay back to "take care of the family" as Roy and Jennie are expecting the next generation of Bliss. But when tragedy strikes, it is up to Bob to show the light home and help those who have lost. With the pen of a little poem, Bob starts what spans decades and helps to heal those who have lost. With the help of his love Eva, and then his nephew, William, Bob almost completes his task until one fateful night. When Bob falls ill, it is up to his great-niece, Annie, to come back and discover the mystery, history, and loving meaning behind this light home.

This was a wonderful book to read. I would say it is my favorite of this year. I would highly recommend it to other readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for this ARC copy and all opinions are my own.