This stunning debut pulled me in from the very first page, and I quickly found myself ignoring my other reads just to stay immersed in Leah’s world. Her struggles with identity, creativity, and complex family dynamics felt incredibly real, and the tension between her and her mother-in-law added emotional depth. The writing is heartfelt and honest, capturing the bittersweet layers of motherhood and personal sacrifice. I devoured it far quicker than I expected, and the characters have stayed with me since.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC which I read in exchange for this honest review.

I love real, messy, flawed characters and this one did that so well. I loved the realistic portrayal of both addiction and motherhood; even though I couldn't relate to all aspects of Leah's character, there was a ton that I COULD relate to. She had thoughts that I'm sure many mothers have from time to time, but that aren't often spoken out loud. I also appreciated that while this book tackled a lot of heavy topics, it never felt like too much and there was a thread of hope throughout. The ending felt a little rushed to me, but that could have just been because I was loving the story and didn't want it to end! Overall a fantastic book that I will surely be recommending to all of my mom friends, I can't wait to read what Guerrieri writes next!

Audio read to this heartbreakingly good debut author story. Leah and Lucas O’Connor meet, fall in love and an unexpected pregnancy brings them together in marriage. Ten years and three children later, Leah isn’t doing so well. The business of the kids, Lucas opening a new family run restaurant with his brothers, and an intrusive mother in law (who believes she’s perfect) brings Leah to self medicate with alcohol…daily. Her drinking becomes so consuming that it affects the welfare of her family. She has to learn to break this cycle and ask for help. This was a well done heartbreaking read/listen that makes you think about your own life and how taking the wrong path could lead to terrible destruction without help.

This was such a heartbreaking and painful book to read. With every mistaken step that Leah takes, I wanted to reach into the book and point her in a different direction. As a mother, I ached for the life she was missing out on with her children and how she potentially endangered them. As a woman, I hurt for her because she was clearly missing something and was trying to fill that gap. As a reader, I simply couldn't believe she kept making the same mistakes.

All I can say is it's a solid book that is well worth the read. You should just be prepared that this isn't a light read - - it's a bit heavy with multiple possible triggers. But I'm glad I spent time in this world with Leah and saw her go full circle.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of this ebook.

I really enjoyed this book. Examining the changing role of women and their relationships I think it will resonate with a lot of readers. The relationship with the mother in law in particular is excellently written. Highly recommended.

This story is a wowsa of an examination into complicated family dynamics. Each character deals with grief or loss in a different way. Lies, alcohol and drug dependency, cheating, abusive behavior, child abuse, and suicide attempts are all in play. Kudos to the author for her in depth character development. My thanks to he and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this novel.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I couldn't relate to Leah, and I struggled to stay interested in the plot. Thanks to the author, Harper Muse, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a raw, unflinching look at motherhood and the quiet unraveling that can happen behind closed doors. Leah’s story is messy, relatable, and at times painful—but it’s also deeply human. As she struggles with resentment, addiction, and the weight of expectations, what unfolds is a powerful exploration of what happens when these collide. Jessica Guerrieri doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, and the result is a moving, complicated portrait of a woman on the edge—trying to claw her way back to herself. Honest, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful.

This ain’t my normal genre to read but I really enjoyed this book. Really liked the character and the story kept me wanting more

A drawn-out, character-driven story, I found the main character to be an irresponsible brat whose welfare I didn’t care for. It was a DNF for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heavy but relatable read. So well done. Well plotted and paced. Good character development. Well written.

Wow! Jessica Guerrieri’s debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, is an absolute knockout. With sharp emotional insight and beautiful prose, Guerrieri expertly navigates complex themes of motherhood, grief, familial bonds, and the grip of addiction. The story feels raw and authentic, never shying away from the painful, messy truths that often go unspoken. I especially enjoyed the themes of how life can sometimes not turn out how you want and how you adapt to that.

At times, this book is difficult to read. Not because of the writing, but because it pulls you so deeply into the main character Leah’s world. I found myself having to take breaks, as Leah's life could feel isolating as she struggled to find her place. Guerrieri makes you sit with her protagonist’s conflicting emotions, and you feel every moment of her struggle, her longing, and her guilt. It’s a deeply human story told with compassion and nuance.

This book is about more than motherhood and family relationships, it's an exploration of identity, resilience, and the quiet desperation that can live beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary life. An incredibly moving and thought-provoking debut.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a new book club pick, look now further than 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔. This heart-wrenching family drama will give you so much to discuss.

In her debut novel, Jessica Guerrieri tackles a topic that's not often talked about - alcoholism among mothers. It's so culturally accepted for women to need their "mommy juice" or show up to their kids' sporting events with Stanley cups filled with alcohol but what goes unsaid is how many are using drinking as a way to self-medicate or numb. Leah, the book's protagonist, seems like one of those social drinkers and the people in her life are unaware that her problem goes deeper, even as she starts to spiral out of control.

The story is surprisingly relatable but also left me feeling like I was watching an accident happen in slow motion - it's hard to read about Leah's alcoholism, especially because the relationships and situations are so authentic. It had me tearing up by the end, as did the author's note detailing her own experiences with addiction.

I highly recommend this one on audio - the narration was terrific.

Thanks to Harper Focus and Harper Muse for the copies to review.

A great story about loss and love - how one characters journey through alcoholism and how that ripples throughout the entire family. I enjoyed the plot as well as the character development.

Very well written. Leah was not a very likable character but we were introduced to her in her downward spiral from her alcoholism. The book touches on many different things like addiction, family dynamics, motherhood, and loss of identity. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I listed to the audiobook and then read it on my own. Absolutely loved this book. The audio was fantastic too.

I will be eagerly anticipating Jessica Guerrieri's next book. Her debut novel BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA filled me with a whirlwind of emotions. The book, the characters, the story all intertwined to make me feel.

Leah O'Connor is easily relatable, she misses her old self, her old life before a husband and three children. Her life appears ideal but she has a void, she feels empty.

Leah drinks to fill the void, to ease the pain. She is harming herself and her family.

The women are the stars of this book, the overbearing mother-in-law with her own story to tell, Amy, the sister-in-law, friend that anyone would be lucky to have.

I highly recommend this book. Held me captive from the first page to the last. One of my favorite books of the year. Ms. Guerrieri is an author to watch.

This book hit me in the gut—in the best way. It’s raw, honest, and beautifully written, with a voice that feels like your smartest, funniest friend telling you the truth about motherhood, addiction, and finding yourself. I couldn’t put it down and found myself underlining so many lines. Emotional, real, and surprisingly uplifting.

I love books about motherhood and its unique struggles and this one hit the mark and then some. The added element of addiction was done so well. There were so many moments that I had a visceral reaction the the MC decisions and struggles. So incredibly well done.

Free-spirited, artist/surfer girl Leah is on an alcohol-fueled downward spiral. This book is a tough read that stares alcohol addiction, child loss, and complicated family relationships directly in the face. It’s hard to tell which relationship is the most fraught, Leah and her husband Lucas, her children, her mother-in-law Christine, her best friend Amy, or the one she has with herself. It is abundantly clear that this author has first hand experience with addiction and recovery.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.