Although the story starts out a little slow, it's to the reader's delight to continue, as it becomes quite beautiful and inspirational. It was a little confusing at first (probably just me) but soon tied in together. What a legacy Uncle Bob left to all who knew him! When Annie is summoned to his hospital bedside and discovers boxes of rocks at his home, she could never have imagined why on earth her great-uncle was collecting them. So much power and emotion in this author's words. I understand it's her debut novel (hard to believe), but what a talent she has! I'm grateful I had a chance to read this one!

The first word I thought of to describe the vibe of this book is otherworldly. Not in a sci-fi way, but in a beautiful hazy way like waking up and remembering what you just dreamed. The historical and contemporary stories are woven together and draw curiosity out of the reader as layers of the plot and characters are revealed and new questions arise. There is heartbreak that is inevitable from the war-time era, but healing and growth as well. The strength of Robert, Roy, their family, and the community members of Ansel is evident and I felt like Annie- like I don't quite belong but I want to because it feels like home. Her journey of discovery is lovely as her heart turns more fully to her family and really knowing them and what drives them, their motivations, their past. I loved the way the elements of the story worked together to bring a satisfying conclusion to the book.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Whose Waves These Are
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Looking at the many 5 star reviews, I was looking forward to reading this novel. Unfortunately this book was not for me. I found it boring, especially the first half, too many tragedies, too many characters to keep track of, too much confusion, secrets, etc.
I knew the minute Annie met Jeremiah, how that is going to play out.
I didn’t relate to any of the characters, overall, I can’t give this book more than 2 stars.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. Are you looking for a great read-one that you just want to savor instead of devour? A story where the characters and their lives seem to stick with you long after the story has ended? This is the story for you! It is the fabulous story of Robert Bliss-a man among men. Humble, God-fearing, caring he comes back from WWII a changed man. He finds a way to honor the men that were lost in the war and makes it his life's work. As his life is nearing its end, however his work is unfinished. His great-niece Annie, is called to his bedside and as Robert's life story is revealed we can see how it will impact the future of everyone who knows him. Awesome story!

In my opinion, this book needs to be on every reader’s must-read list! Whose Waves These Are captivated me from the first line and even after I’ve lovingly set the story on my all-time favorites shelf, it continues to tug at my reader heart.

Annie, Robert, and all the wonderful secondary character citizens of Ansel-by-the-Sea, Maine are charming, endearing, and inspiring! I love each and every aspect of this story more than I can say! Amanda Dykes is a masterfully talented storyteller and her words paint this impactful tale with rich emotion and spiritual truths.

The experience of reading this book is a journey of heartfelt discovery and I can’t risk spoiling even a tiny bit of your enjoyment by saying anything more! I urge you to pick it up this story of honor, sacrifice, duty, family, and love to enjoy without delay! (Then grab the novella, Up From the Sea, and savor it as well!)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I was in a reading funk when I decided to start this book and it got me hooked from the start. I was pleasantly surprised that it is a dual storyline with a story starting with Bob and his twin brother Roy and the tales of their lives through the years. The other plot is contemporary with Bob's niece coming back to Maine to help care for her uncle.
It's a wonderful story of reconciliation and forgiveness in a small town in Maine. I would recommend this to those looking for a new storyline.

Whose Waves These Are is the first book from the the same titled series was a good read. I liked it and would give it four stars.

Okay, so this book is so amazing that it gets ten stars. However, the writing style is maddening at times, especially the verb tenses and the past/present hops even within the same paragraph. I almost DNFed it. So I have to cut the rating in half...and it’s still.....five stars! 🤣

I’ve read Amanda Dykes before, and because of how well I like her novellas I was willing to push beyond the 25% mark where frankly the writing style was driving me batty. After about 30% it smooths out a bit and I was able to get in a rhythm of the present tense. I really couldn’t put it down after that. The suspense of what’s going on in present, the fun of watching Annie connect and find a family of sorts in the town and with the friends of her beloved Grandbob (her great-uncle Bob).

You WILL need a box of Kleenex at your elbow when you read this one. You’ll be weeping over folks in the story and over all the heartache and all the hope...trust me, this book is just overflowing with emotion! Friendship, brotherhood, romance, love and loss—and that STORM at the end...WOW.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Whose Waves These Are from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh, now THIS book, I loved! Though it took a few chapters to really get invested, the double storyline really hooked me! Everything worked: true-ringing depth of characters, estranged family members, a mysterious stranger, a big city girl returning to a small town, promises kept, loss and tragedy for many, and best of all; enduring love for nearly everyone. What a great book! I adored Annie, her "GrandBob", and the entire endearing group of townspeople of Ansel, Maine. These was also a parallel storyline from the past that looped back into the present in the most wonderfully surprising way. (I refuse to write spoilers, so I will just say that loved this story so much, I began searching online for Ansel and lighthouses in Maine, hoping to find one like what was described in the book!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Amanda Dykes for the ARC!

Whose Waves These Are is an amazing story of love, devotion, misunderstanding, loss and redemption. Annie Bliss is a plucky character determined to make amends for her own mistakes and those of her family. She's strong, yet vulnerable. Jeremiah's patience and uncertainty add a delicious layer of mystery to the already interesting story. As Annie and Jeremiah work to unravel the years of tangled family threads, the village of Ansel-by-the-Sea rises up to its full potential to love the people who need it most. Amanda Dykes has woven a fascinating and satisfying story, A perfect Maine tale. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I literally binge read the last half of the book. I couldn't put it down and was almost late to work because of it. The story was fully encompassing. I laughed, I cried my eyes out at certain points and felt really connected with the characters by the end. Beautifully written and would recommend to for sure!

*I was provided an advanced readers copy through Netgalley*

Magnificent.
This novel spans decades, leaving you waiting for the next puzzle piece to unfold. Move over Nicholas Sparks- Amanda Dykes just passed you...

Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes is simply STUNNING! It's off the charts when it comes to ratings, and 5 stars don't do it justice!
By the time I turned the last page of Whose Waves These Are, I was speechless. This is such a masterpiece of brilliant storytelling I can hardly put into words all the emotions I felt while mining the treasures to be found on each page. Amanda Dykes has a gift for eloquent language and a turn of phrase. I felt like I was reading poetry in fictional form.

Amanda tied the multigenerational life stories together so well, I felt like I had long past stopped reading about characters in a book, and had transitioned to reading a journal of a family I knew and loved. The inspirational thread tying all the pain and healing, suffering and forgiveness together touched me deeply and had me saying a few prayers of my own.

I had already added the prequel novella Up From the Sea to my list of favorite books of 2019, I'll be adding Whose Waves These Are to that list too!

I am truly honored to have read this lovely rendering straight from Amanda's heart. I greatly appreciate Bethany House Publishers making a copy available for review. All opinions are mine alone.

Whose waves are these by Amanda Dykes is a must read. Set in Maine, it is a beautiful story following three generations of a family through tragedy, love, loss, and redemption. The author develops the characters and they mature and grow through living in this wonderful town surrounded by the sea. The novel begins during World War II ending some 60 years later. Through twists and turns, you will never know what is coming next. You will not be dry eyed when you finish this fantastic novel.

This book was truly captivating from the get-go and very hard to put down. It's been a while since I have been this engrossed in a story. I loved it so much that I purchased the free novella that is the precursor and companion to this story. Amanda is a very gifted writer and I look forward to many more creative and inspiring stories from her heart.

Whose Waves These Are is a dual time period book that drew me in from the first page and never let go. Both of the eras are equally compelling. I adore the twin brothers, Robert and Roy, during the WWII era, and Annie’s present-day experiences tied in seamlessly. Even though I fell in love with the primary people in this lovely book, the secondary characters are well developed, adding more substance to this already well-developed storyline.

This novel is the first I’ve read by Amanda Dykes, and I am ravenous for more of her writing. I believe this is the best book I’ve read in a long time … and I am a voracious reader.

Oh my goodness, how do I begin to find words to describe my reactions to this book? I am an avid reader, have been since childhood. I have read millions of pages, perhaps thousands of titles. A few truly great books and writers of fiction are embedded in my readers heart. The Grapes of Wrath, Freckles, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Old Man and the Sea, come immediately to mind. There is also a writer who beautifully sculpted Maine island life with her words crafting stories about rugged lobster men , women who love them and a unique and rare way of life. Elizabeth Olgilvie has been one of my favorite Maine writers of all time. I never dreamed I'd find another writer who immediately reminded me of her. Amanda Dykes is that writer.
I am a Mainer and love books that correctly share the way many of us think, work, share and simply live. This author has done that.
I love this book. I love the creativity of the plot that blends many lives and three generations together. I rarely like a story that travels back and forth with characters and time periods but this method has been so well done here that I looked forward to each story and tellers portions. I cared about the characters from Roy and Bob, the twins who were both ready to sacrifice everything, to Annie, and William her father, who both had a rescuing of sorts by one of that older generation. Magnetic characters such as Jeremiah, Ed, Arthur and Bess, Liesl are well fleshed out to be wonderful people who are integral to the story.
This is a gorgeously written story with detailed sentences that enabled me to see the Maine coast, a pile of rocks or a sunrise as if done with the strike of a paintbrush. Amanda Dykes words are gems arranged in a treasure box. Her story touches emotions, gives hope in darkness and certainly reflects reality. I could imagine this being the true story of a family. Her faith shines a light within the characters without being preachy. There is great beauty in this novel. I highly recommend it.

I want to especially thank NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader's copy of this excellent book. I have given my own unsolicited opinion and must say this is so emotional for me. This is a beautifully written novel.

This book had an interesting idea at its root, but it felt as if it dragged on. I didn’t enjoy it very much.

There are books that have such an impact upon this reader that finding the words to review them is difficult. There is so much to say about the lives that spring to life in a book like Whose Waves These Are. This book is full of heartbreak, wonder and love that shows the depth of feeling humans are capable of. I am happy for the experience of remembering how many people fought for our country's freedom while still at home. Those who fought on foreign soil deserve our never ending gratitude. Ms Dykes captured all this and so much more in her debut novel. This is a wonderful book.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers who provided an e-copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#WhoseWavesTheseAre #NetGalley

This story had a slow beginning (for me) as the author familiarizes readers with her interesting cast of characters. I found it hard to connect with Ann Bliss at first (in current time) but I instantly connected with the historical storyline that introduced brothers, Roy and Bob. Things got really interesting when a woman from a foreign land meets Bob, it changed everything for Bob and (me) the reader. Jeremey helps Annie Bliss uncover things about her Great-Uncle Robert that changes everything for Annie as she understands her family more and starts to embrace her heritage and face her fears.

This is just one of the lines in this novel that got me as one character says it to another, “Sometimes things are better lived than explained.”

I enjoyed the authors writing style and how she got to the heart of the matter. I liked the natural flow of the spiritual thread too. Take a peek, “Roy points at the lighthouse, “It was like when the….king of the universe, stooped to wash His own disciples’ earth-crusted feet. Who rubbed spit into dirt and used the mud to make a blind man see…”That man was accustomed to doing great things in humble places, and it usually involved dirt. Or rocks, as it were. The same God who told a solitary man to build a boat to prepare for a flood when no one had so much as seen a drop of water fall from the sky in all their lives.”

There is a richness to this heartfelt, tender story as each character faces their fears and dig deep to uncover the courage needed to find their path in life. There are numerous heartwarming scenes which demonstrate the bravery and selflessness of this cast. I enjoyed the mystery and unexpected twists. Keep tissues near as you read about the complexities of this group. It’s not easy to get past your fears and embrace the love God has for them. It’s a heartbreaking, redemptive journey that will get you thinking about keeping the main thing the main thing.

This would work well for book club it’s a thoughtful, endearing story you’ll keep thinking about long after you close the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com