I was instantly drawn in by the cover and pleasantly surprised by the story’s emotional depth.

The novel follows Leah O’Connor, a once free spirited artist now overwhelmed by motherhood, resentment, and a growing dependence on alcohol. As her marriage frays and family tensions rise, Leah must confront her own unraveling and decide whether the family she’s distanced herself from might actually be her saving grace.

Beautifully written, dark, and at times heartbreaking, this book explores the complexities of motherhood, identity, and addiction. I only wish there had been more focus on Leah’s recovery journey, which felt a bit rushed—hence the 4-star rating. Still, it’s a powerful and affecting read I’d definitely recommend.

Thank you for the early audiobook ARC!

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley and for the audiobook ARC.

“I have it all. All the ingredients for a happy life, but nothing in the correct measurements.”

I enjoyed this story of a mother dealing with motherhood while suffering from alcoholism. The most interesting aspect was the author also dealt with the same illness, so it was fascinating that she was able to bring her own experience to her novel. I did enjoy the audiobook but I wonder if I would have enjoyed it better to actually read the book. I will say I was not in the right mood to read such a heavy book so please keep that in mind when picking this up off your shelf.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

10 years ago, Leah was an easy going 20-something, traveling along the coast in a van. She surfed, she painted, and she was enjoyed life. One chance encounter in a surf shop had her turning in her nomadic life for a role as a mother, a wife, and an entrepreneur. But when her role as a daughter-in-law to an overbearing woman who practically bullies anyone who dares to try things their own way means Leah’s art and her own personal identity have taken a back seat to that of being a mom and a supporting character to her husband’s business ventures, she finds herself self-medicating and desperate for happiness. Will Leah be able to get her drinking under control, or will this dance with the devil destroy everything she’s built in her adult life.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is Jessica Guerrieri’s debut release dealing with a subject personal to the author. This take on the demands of motherhood and the pressures of family shows how taxing life can be but also the value of having strong partnerships with family and friends. Guerrieri delicately balances the responsibilities we face with the inert need for our own self-identity in each of her characters. This is a beautiful tale about choosing redemption over stasis and honesty over secrets.

I give Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 5 out of 5 stars. This book surprised me – I did not see the direction of the plot coming at all and was caught completely off guard! Several books we’ve read recently have dealt with mental health topics, but this is the first we’ve read in a while that specifically discusses substance abuse, especially from the point of view of the person who is struggling. It’s important that we read stories like this so that we can recognize signs of struggles like this in ourselves and those around us. The sensitivity Guerrieri employs in telling these stories is valuable in connecting these characters to the readers. Additionally, the beautiful imagery used to build the scenes helps to pull the readers into each timeline and the mindset of Leah at each time. This is a fantastically structured and stunningly written ode to the struggle that is so often undiscussed in our society.

With the underlying theme of alcoholism as well as family drama and child neglect/abuse, this may not be the best book for all readers. However, if you’ve enjoyed some of our other recent reads like Marie Bostwick’s The Book Club for Troublesome Women or Maribeth Fisher’s A Season of Perfect Happiness, you will enjoy this book! I would also recommend this novel for fans of Colleen Oakley, Patti Callahan Henry, and Harlan Coben!

When I requested this book on Netgalley, I was looking for a good audiobook. This caught my eye because of both the title and the gorgeous cover – I was on my way to the shore for vacation and thinking a lot about the ocean! This was a fantastic choice with Mia Hutchinson-Shaw narrating. I was also stunned to hear the author’s note at the end detailing her own inspiration for this novel. This is yet another great debut novel I am so glad I had a chance to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Leah is an artist and free spirit and when she met Lucas all those years ago they spent a lot of time at the beach surfing and living a carefree life but then Leah finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. Her and Lucas decide to marry and 10 years later they are a family with 3 kids. Lucas is spending all his time at work trying to get his restaurant opened and Leah finds herself struggling to enjoy life as a mom as her artist career has taken a back seat. Leah turns to alcohol to help her forget how difficult it is being a full time mother. Her sister-in-law and best friend, Amy also struggles in a different way but at least she can tolerate Christine, their mother-in-law. I really did like this story and all of the life struggles that affected these characters but I found myself getting tired of the alcoholic Leah and was getting frustrated. I asked myself why does there always have to be a female lead who drinks all the time and forgets things and causes havoc in her life. Due to this, I was prepared to give the book a 3 star rating until I just happened to let the audio book play and I listened to the Author's Note at the end, which I never listen to, and now I know why she went with the alcoholic main character. Because of this, I now give this book the 4 stars I really wanted to give it.....Enjoy!!

I had the privilege of listening to this book early via NetGalley. To be honest, I picked the book by its cover and maybe glanced at the blurb, but had no idea as to what a journey I was getting myself into.

First of all, the narrator's voice is so calm, believable, and lovely to listen to.
And secondly, this book was heart-wrenching and raw. We're taken along on a journey of a mother raising her kids and reminiscing/romanticizing the life she could have been living (her "shadow life") had she not become a mother (and then three times over.)

As we continue to read, we notice not only is she constantly wishing for and being envious of her shadow life, but that she stays in that state with the help of wine and liquor. We're taken on a journey of raw and real feelings of motherhood (that I think all mothers feel to an extent regardless of sobriety.) We meet lots of family and people who care for our main character.

This was not my typical read, but I resonated with it (aside from the alcoholism) and found myself excited to get back to reading it each time I had to stop and start my listening.

I'm thoroughly impressed with this debut author and recommend giving this book a read or listen.

One of my favorite books of the year so far. Great narration, deeply felt story--I was transported. I'm reminded of Maya Angelou's quote-- "...people will never forget how you made them feel." This book has all the feels for me. Here's why:

The premise is that of a young mother, Leah, who is at a crossroads in life, wondering how she got there and where she'll go. The underlying problem, something our lovely mom, wife, human doesn't even realize most of the way, is that she's an alcoholic. She's numbing her emotions, instead of feeling them. And I get it-- having lived through that part of life, it's hard, it's overwhelming, it's tricky, its beautiful and messy, all at the same time. And let's face it, at that stage we moms are constantly feeling self doubt and comparing ourselves to others, whether we admit it or not.

The way the story unfolds, from Leah's POV, we rarely see, at first, what is really happening as she falls further into her drinking binges. It's quite effective because it really helped me feel how it might be to be this person. And let's face it, we are all either addicts, recovering or not, or have loved ones on that journey. Also, quite frankly, the book feels really timely because of how stressed many are right now with national and world events--I could utterly sympathize even though my current gut punches aren't the ones Leah was going through. How many of us are numbing our way through our current difficulties?

But if that were all, it may be too heavy a read for now. Luckily, here's where the feel comes in. I knew I was hooked in Chapter 2, when we got to see the first blush of love between Leah and Luke. This is a love story. Throughout the novel, relationships are of such importance that I was deeply invested. I loved listening and watching it all unfold, as I rooted for Leah and her family. And I loved Leah's voice: fun, a little bit wicked, but absolutely full of heart.

Also, kudos to the narrator. I am not sure I've heard one of her books before, but I absolutely hope to do so again. I'm a fan of the way she handled it all.

Congrats to the author and thank you to the publisher for giving me an early look/listen in exchange for an honest review. I'll definitely be telling others about it! Book clubs will have plenty to discuss with this book.

A slow burn, but the pace was right for the tough themes (alcoholism, fertility issues, miscarriages, still births, and suicide), so the story unfolded very nicely. I especially appreciated how the friendship between Leah and her sister-in-law Amy was developed. I’m glad I listened to it on audio though, because there were some long stretches of introspection for Leah, and I think I might have been tempted to skim over it in written form, whereas the narrator did a great job with the pace and made every word stick.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperMuse for an advanced audio copy.

Leah is not living the life she envisioned for herself, but the one she has chose. Instead of a nomad artist, she is a mother of three that struggles to find time for her art. Sometimes it just isn't enough so she turns to alcohol to fill the gaps that are left. Meanwhile, she is also in an emotional power struggle with her mother-in-law. She feels her sister-in-law, her biggest ally in this struggle and best friend, is slowly slipping away too. As she wonders if she will survive, she discovers that sometimes your worst enemy can be your savior.

Bravo, Jessica Guerrieri! Her debut novel, Between the Devil and The Deep Blue Sea, plunges readers headfirst into turbulent waters—and I was hooked from the very start. Leah's story, about a surfing, van-life artist whose life spirals into motherhood and addiction, pulled me under like a powerful riptide and never let go. Guerrieri tackles heavy themes—addiction, motherhood, family dysfunction—in a way that feels honest, messy, and deeply relatable.

The family dynamics here are spot-on and painfully realistic. I couldn’t help but think of people I've known who spoke about their in-laws with resentment similar to Leah's—and more often than not, alcohol was involved. Guerrieri vividly captures how addiction colors relationships, turning waves of resentment into tidal waves of chaos and misunderstanding. It’s uncomfortable but incredibly compelling reading, and I found myself deeply invested in the outcome.

Narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did an excellent job giving life to each character—I could feel their struggles, frustrations, and brief glimpses of hope in every scene. Thank you, HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse and NetGalley, for allowing me to preview this audiobook edition of Between the Devil and The Deep Blue Sea, due out on May 13, 2025. I'm certain it will make a big splash with readers—I couldn’t resist. Highly recommend!

The cover of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea features a woman floating on her back in the deep ocean. There is no land in sight. She's almost entirely submerged in the water, save for a sliver of her nose and mouth, just allowing her to breathe. A nearby wave is forming and it can easily overtake her. Will she remain afloat or drown? I can't think of a cover that more aptly conveys the themes of a book. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a raw and vulnerable look at a woman struggling with alcoholism and struggling not to completely lose her sense of self in the all-consuming demands of marriage and motherhood. It handles these difficult topics authentically (the Author's Note explains how the novel was informed by the author's own struggles with alcoholism) and grace. Not surprisingly, the book is dark and tense at times. I could tangibly feel how the main character felt restricted and tethered by her interpersonal relationships: her husband, her best friend, her in-laws and even the demands of her own kids. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was fantastic. It's a slow build, but once you hit the 30% mark you won't be able to put it down.

What a wonderful debut novel by Jessica Guerrieri! There is a fine line when writing about addiction and alcoholism, especially when it involves a mother and children, but Jessica has done a beautiful job of telling this story. Leah's character is well developed and I enjoyed watching her relationship with Amy grow into a strong friendship. An unplanned pregnancy, a mother-in-law with high expectations, family drama, and raw emotion make Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea a must read.

I listened to the audiobook in conjunction with reading the book. Switching back and forth allowed me to connect more to the emotional level of this debut novel. The narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was excellent! Her voice is natural for raw and emotional storytelling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for providing an ARC in exchange for honest thoughts.

I gave this book 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this book. I could resonate with the complexity of dealing with a mother-in-law who is difficult to understand. This was a great debut from the author. I was very impressed.

Leah was a character you really felt for and maybe even relate to a little bit. The writing was amazing. This book really touched on motherhood and family and of course alcoholism. Women have it hard and this book shows it. This is an emotional read and I highly recommend it.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a book that sheds light on the dark side of motherhood and addiction. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I love a family saga with backstory and real emotion. BDDBS was all of that!

A multi- generational, multi-faceted novel that is well written with fully developed characters. It is excellent.

4.5 stars

I was blown away by this debut! The exploration of losing your identity in motherhood, of giving all of yourself to your children and feeling like you have nothing left to give to yourself, of the struggle to regain the energy and vitality that you had in your pre-child life was so relatable it could have been my own memoir. The undercurrent of mommy wine culture was so spot on, and the brutal honesty that the author uses to approach the struggles of alcoholism and addiction was heartbreaking and raw.

I loved the friendship between Amy and Leah, and the complicated relationship between Amy, Amy's mother, and their mother-in-law Christine. The juxtaposition of Amy's mother's alcoholism and Leah's alcoholism added an important layer to this story.

Narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was fantastic! There were a lot of very raw and painful moments in this book and she conveyed those emotions beautifully so that I was completely drawn in to the story. There were also parts of this story where I really questioned the decisions of the characters, and Mia's narration really brought those bad behaviors home.

✨ Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea ✨
By Jessica Guerrieri

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Women’s literary fiction
Format: 🎧 ALC
Steam: None
Mood: Heavy, reflective, emotional, hopeful
Yes, No, Maybe: YES!!!

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea follows Leah O'Connor, a woman struggling with the loss of her former identity as she navigates the pressures of motherhood, a strained family dynamic, and secrets leading her to rely heavily on alcohol. As her addiction deepens, Leah must confront her internal conflicts and decide whether to accept the lifeline offered by the very family she feels alienated from.

I had to let Jessica Guerrieri’s words marinate for a couple of days before I could sit down and write this review. It was such an intriguing, heart wrenching, character driven novel that read like poetry and left me captivated. It was so beautifully written! The narrator, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, also did an amazing job bringing Jessica Guerrieri’s words to life!

At the book’s conclusion I was overcome with so many emotions and had to sit and process this story. I can’t believe this is Jessica Guerrieri’s debut novel. I have no doubt we will be seeing her name a lot in the years to come!

If you enjoy character driven drama with emphasis on identity, motherhood, and addiction I couldn’t recommend this book more. It will definitely be in my top reads of 2025!

📖Read this book if you like:
- Character driven novel
- Examination of motherhood and identity
- Family secrets
- Complex family dynamics
- Non-linear narratives
- Single point of view
-Books that involve addiction and it’s impacts on a personal and relational level

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Contains themes related to alcohol abuse, suicide, miscarriage, and still birth

🙏 Thank you Netgalley, HarperCollins Focus, & Jessica Guerrieri for this ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea publishes 5/13/25. 💖

This was such a beautifully written book, the narrator did a fabulpous job bringing the raw emotion to life.

I will definetly be reccommending this once it is finally released, it gave such a beautiful look into the struggles of motherhood.

Thankyou NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus, and Harper Muse for the ALC of this book!

Well this was fantastic. The audio was extremely well done. I feel like a mother who is struggling is just so relatable and this was so well written. I loved all the characters so much and while it felt like there were a lot of them, you know, they were all family. I have never really read about someone struggling with alcoholism in such a raw and vulnerable way. Highly recommend.

Maybe I misinterpreted what this book is about, in which case I'm sorry I requested it - but I'm sorry to say that I DNFed this book.

The writing just wasn't good enough, fine if this were a trashy thriller, but not literary quality I'm afraid. I'd probably take literary fiction off the label if I were the publisher, it's not where this book should be positioned.

Again, apologies if I got this wrong, nothing worse than a poor review from somebody who isn't your target - but I didn't put literary fiction on the label.