Genuine, realistic and heartaching...!

It is a slow-burning, reflective novel that really stays with you. It’s for those readers who don’t mind sitting with morally gray characters, and who want an honest, unfiltered look at how motherhood can collide with personal identity, addiction, and all the emotions in between.

What made this story stand out for me was how it tackled themes we don’t often see in fiction...infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, even the raw resentment that can sometimes come with motherhood. These are stories that need to be told. I found them handled with care and honesty, and at times, it was painfully relatable. I saw myself feeling deeply in so many of the main character’s moments... the doubt, the guilt, the exhaustion, and also the quiet strength.

It’s heartaching, yet there’s a quiet hope threaded through the pain. The narration in the ALC really fit the tone of the story... soft, emotional, and immersive. I felt like I was right there, living through it with her.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins Focus & Harper Muse for the ALC. This one truly deserves to be read and embraced.

4.5 stars ✨

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

More than I expected, in a good way! I felt like it was a very accurate portrayal of someone in Leah's position, and it keep me hooked waiting to see how things turned out for her and her loved ones. I would definitely read more by this author.

This was a deeply emotional and at times very difficult book to read. Leah, wife, mother, artist, is struggling with her identity; with all she lost over the years and with trying to fit in with her husband’s seemingly perfect family.

As the book unfolds, so does Leah’s dependence on alcohol. It quickly becomes a crutch, something she needs to get through the day. This starts having a toll on Leah’s physical and mental health, along with her relationships. Countless times throughout the book, I was so angry with Leah and her actions. Despite this, the book managed to humanize Leah. Her actions, her addiction, weren’t simple. She wasn’t a bad person.

The book and Leah’s story are about so much more than addiction. It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking yet hopefully story about secrets, accountability, forgiveness, and love. It’s about family, the complexity of relationships, and who we can rely on for help. I leave another of my favourite quotes that captured this:
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 t𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴-𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯.

I can’t imagine how difficult this book was to write. Thank you to the author, for sharing this deeply personal story. I’m amazed this was a debut and can’t wait to read what you’ll write next. Biggest thank you to the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

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. Good narraton

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.

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was a great choice for the narration of this book. Her voice really suited Leah and she did a great job with her mother in law, Christine. The narration really added to my experience of this book in a positive way.

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.

This is a vulnerable story that take a closer look at what happens when the life you have spent every day building starts to feel most like a cage and the claustrophobia gets worse and worse. It truly details the growth of resentment, relationships, self-identity and everything in between. All the layers adding up until we no longer recognize ourselves.
The vulnerable representation of Leahs character is so real and keeps you hooked even when she is not likeable.

A cozy mystery about a fictional coastal town. I enjoyed the setting as well as the plot. The narrator was enjoyable as well.

Absolutely loved this story that resonated with me so much! This was the first novel I read from this author and it won’t be the last!

This was a beautiful, heartbreaking, powerful book, as well as a deep look at alcoholism and substance abuse. I really enjoyed the audio book of this - I feel like the audiobook was that much more powerful, as if Leah is talking to you while the story goes on. There are so many complicated feelings throughout this book, and it felt almost healing to listen to. Definitely a high recommendation for this one - especially the audiobook!

The narrator was EXCELLENT, and once I really got into the book, I was hooked with not only the story, but also the narrator's voice. This narrator was the absolute perfect choice.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This was a beautiful story. I found the story and characters so addicting and I thought about them well after I finished the book. What a great debut novel by Jessica Guerrieri! She wrote about an active addiction so clearly and in a heartbreaking and authentic way. If feels like an honest account of living with addiction, and how it impacts those who love the person that is struggling. And kudos to the narrator! The audiobook was a great listen.

There are several content warnings: alcoholism, addiction, abortion, miscarriage, & PPD.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Muse for this audio-ARC. This is my honest review.

Leah’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes pregnant. A decade later, she’s the mother of three, feeling trapped and resentful as her professional dreams have been put on hold by the demands of motherhood. Her husband, Lucas, is launching a new business, adding more pressure at home, and her long-standing tension with her mother in law adds to the emotional load. As Leah’s struggle with addiction deepens, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic.This is an incredible debut and is a raw and honest look into life with active alcoholism. It’s a deeply honest story of addiction, redemption, accountability, forgiveness, and acceptance. Inspired in part by the author’s own experiences with addiction, her own vulnerability in sharing some of these stories was incredibly powerful. Leah is deeply flawed, yet relatable and sympathetic and I was rooting for her to find healing and peace.This is a phenomenal debut which is heartbreaking, compassionate, and is a story that you will think about long after you finish it.

I should have peeped the tagged genres more closely before requesting an e-ARC; I requested a copy because Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is marked as literary fiction. However, Guerrieri's novel is more focused on romance than I prefer, and this is on me and not a critique of the novel. My thanks to HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for an ARC.

I really enjoyed Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea! This book had such an eerie, atmospheric vibe that pulled me in right from the start. The coastal setting was beautifully written, adding to the haunting and mysterious tone throughout the story. I loved the slow build of suspense as Violet tries to figure out who—or what—River really is. Their relationship was intense and a little unsettling at times, which made the story even more intriguing. While there were a few parts that felt a bit rushed or could have been fleshed out more, overall it kept me hooked. The gothic elements, romance, and supernatural twists blended together so well. A really solid, chilling read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys dark YA with a touch of mystery!

Jessica Guerrieri's debut novel is a beautifully crafted piece of literature.
Please note the author’s trigger warnings as it addresses significant issues including pregnancy loss, child loss, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide and childhood trauma.
Leah and Christine are complex characters, making them initially hard to relate to. However, understanding their past experiences provided insight into their emotions and personalities.
Amy is a gentle yet strong character, who strives to maintain peaceful relationships and facilitate understanding between Christine and Leah, while coping with her own traumas and grief.
It’s an incredibly emotional and heart wrenching story and worth every moment. I loved these endearing, imperfect women.
The author's note was significant and added to the story's overall emotional impact.
The audiobook's narration enhanced the overall reading experience.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC. This was such a powerful book about alcoholism and addiction. I know this on a personal level as a child of an alcoholic that used to try to hide it. I loved reading this from the point of an alcoholic and how they think and their actions. The Audiobook was exceptional.

This is one of those books that's going to stick with me for a while. The book is told from the main character's POV as she navigates being a wife and mom and struggles to find her own identity. She uses alcohol as an escape and is in denial that she has a problem. This story is real and relatable to anyone who battles an substance addiction of their own or knows someone who does and I found myself rooting for the main character to have peace and be comfortable in their own skin. I was along for the ride and felt every bump along the way. Definitely recommend and super impressed with this debut!

Thank you to #netgalley #harpermuse for the ARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Raw, gutting, and beautifully redemptive—Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a fierce, emotionally layered exploration of motherhood, identity, and the silent unraveling of a woman on the edge.

Jessica Guerrieri’s debut is as honest as it is haunting, capturing the collision of ambition, resentment, and legacy in one woman’s messy, maddening spiral. It’s literary fiction with teeth—heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure—and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw’s narration only deepens the impact with a performance that’s intimate, restrained, and deeply affecting.

🌊 What makes this a standout:
Leah O'Connor is achingly real. Her voice is raw, flawed, often unlikeable—and utterly relatable. Whether she’s yearning for her past or numbing herself in the present, you feel her struggle like your own.

A piercing take on Wine Mom culture. Guerrieri strips away the glamorized coping mechanisms and lays bare the isolation, the shame, the silent screams of overextension and identity loss.

Family dynamics are brilliantly complex. The tension between Leah and her mother-in-law Christine simmers with decades of unspoken expectation, and the loyalty tug-of-war involving sweet sister-in-law Amy adds emotional stakes that hit hard.

The writing is lush and literary without losing momentum. From internal monologues to loaded conversations, every word feels intentional and earned.

Hutchinson-Shaw’s narration elevates the experience. She doesn’t perform Leah—she embodies her. Every tremble, bite, and pause draws you further into the storm.

💔 Final thoughts:
This isn’t a light read—it’s a reckoning. But it’s also a story about the power of truth, the pain of silence, and the radical act of reaching out before the tide pulls you under.

Five stars for a novel that dares to ask what happens when you love your family, but forget how to love yourself. It will break you—and then it will hand you a lifeline.

Julia Guerrieri's debut novel is a compelling deep dive into the messiness of modern family life - and I couldn't stop listening to the audio book. I'm a sucker for a good family drama , especially the kind that makes mine feel a little less chaotic by comparison. 
Leah has been married to Lucas - and tethered to his overbearing family - for over a decade. As her life begins to unravel, she's forced to confront the widening gap between the life she imagined and the reality she is living. At the heart of the story is the tension-filled relationship between Leah and her mother-in-law, and the emotional toil it takes. Struggling to cope, Leah turns to alcohol, and the fallout touches every corner of her world. 
This novel is filled with secrets, tension, and emotional depth. The characters are flawed yet wholly relatable, and the story feels like a genuine glimpse into the complex, often painful dynamics of family, motherhood, and friendship. 
Thanks to Netgally and Harper Collins Focus | Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. 
#netgally #betweenthedevilandthedeepbluesea #familydramarread #harpercollinsfocus #harpermuse #aprilsbookishadventures

Raw and beautiful, this book grabbed hold of my thoughts and my heart. It explores heavy, real, complicated topics like infertility, relationship with family, and alcoholism against the lens of marriage and motherhood. The question it returns to again and again is how do you be yourself when everything and everyone is demanding so much of you. Leah feels like she has lost herself and turns more and more to alcohol to remember herself before marriage, children, and life. But will trying to find herself cause her to lose everything? The writing drew me in and the characters and situations felt real. I am still thinking about the book and the question of finding a way to be true to yourself.I listened to the audio as well and the narrator did a good job of bringing the story and the characters to life. I recommend this to readers that enjoy books about the messiness of life and family.