"Between the Sound and the Sea" is an excellent addition to your library if you've read and enjoyed other books by Amanda Cox. This is a book that had a slow build for me but once I was halfway through it, it started to pull me in more and more and the ending brought some twists and turns. I stayed up late finishing this one because I was wanting to see how the WWII mystery was all tied up.

The cast of characters in the WWII and modern timelines were excellent and well thought out. I liked seeing different generations being portrayed in both timelines. There is a lot of heart in the story and I love seeing how they all come together at the end. I wish the book was a bit faster at the beginning since I know some readers want to be gripped right from the beginning but if a reader does push through they are rewarded with an excellent finish.

This book has an intriguing mystery, historical detail about the outer banks during WWII, talks a lot about different family dynamics and a bit of romance - though I feel the book is more about the mystery and various family storylines than romance so this one is for people looking for something light on romance.

Thank you to Revell Fiction for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox. As with all of her books, this story is full of wonderful main and secondary characters and an interesting and well developed storyline. It also has a sweet romance, which I loved.

Joey and Finn were my favorite characters. I really liked their relationship and how it developed. All of the secondary characters were wonderful and added so much depth to the story. I felt that the mystery surrounding the lighthouse and what happened there so many years ago was interesting and I loved how things turned out in the end. The epilogue was the icing on the cake! I love epilogue’s that are set a bit into the future so we can see what our main characters are up to.

I was pulled into this story from the very first page and my interest was held until the very end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light.

Between the Sound and Sea is a sweet story filled with mystery and love lost. It had a dual-time vibe, aided by stories shared and long-lost letters found. 

When Joey accepts a position to revamp a decommissioned lighthouse, she jumps at the chance. Once there, she meets Walt and his grandson Finn. Walt is easy to love (Finn, not so much). Walt has surprised his grandson and Joey with the news that he bought the island along with the lighthouse for personal reasons.

As the story develops, we learn about lost love, WWII battles at sea, a ghost, and, of course, the real reason Walt bought the island.

While I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the lighthouse keeper and his daughter, the romance between Finn and Joey seemed a bit forced and unnecessary. Walt’s story was the most interesting. If you like mysteries, you will probably enjoy Between the Sound and Sea.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.

This book simply warmed my heart.
In an attempt to put her problems behind her, Joey Harris takes a job restoring an old lighthouse that seems to be full of mysterys.

As the restoration process starts and the mystery of the lighthouse unfolds, its clear that a lot more than the old lighthouse needs to be healed.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

What a beautiful, moving story! The story grabs you from the opening pages and doesn’t let go until the last page is turned. This is one of the those books that I finished with a smile on my face and a contented heart because it exceeded every expectation. It has all the elements that make a great book- a great setting, lovable characters, mystery, drama, and romance.

Joey Harris finds herself reeling and needing a fresh start after her hometown turns on her due to no fault of her own. Wally O’Hare finds himself needing to resolve past regrets from his youth after the passing of his wife. Wally’s grandson, Finn, is concerned about his grandfather’s future and still struggling with his own past failures. As the three come together to restore an old lighthouse, they discover not only things about themselves, but also unearth mysteries long hidden.

This book is excellent! It captivated me and tugged at my heartstrings. I cannot recommend it enough.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Overall rating 3.5 stars. The story of breakpoint Island was interesting but for some reason it felt a bit redundant at times to me. Like there wasn't a lot of side character plots or anything extra to keep me invested.
Joey was a likable enough mfc. Finn did kind of irk me but I think that was his role to play. Walt was pretty adorable. I probably liked him most of all.
Interesting to imagine the history of war world two and how it impacted the local beaches and lighthouses.
Overall the story was about healing from past hurts and fixing/making right what's broken while time still marches on. Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read early. This is my honest opinion.

I loved how the author wove this story. From lost loves to new found romance. From throw away teens to long sought answers, yes, this is a page turner!

We are given an 81 year old seasoned gentlemen, he has recently lost his wife of over 60 years, and just bought a light house! Not the usual!

Enter a young woman that has experience in restoring, but is working as an event planner. Joey is not what Walt's grandson was thinking of when they decided to have an overseer to the restoration. Nothing here is what you expect, but oh, what a great read this makes!

The epilogue is wonderful, will bring tears to your eyes!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Thank you to Amanda Cox, NetGalley, and Revell for this #gifted book!*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: Between the Sound and Sea
Author: Amanda Cox
Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: “And to work on a light house, of all things? A beacon that stood through wind and storm to guide people safely home. Being part of making a place like that beautiful again could be the perfect respite.” Joey’s event planning business is falling apart due to a family name scandal and she’s not sure it will ever be successful again. But when presented with the opportunity to restore a lighthouse, Joey realizes her future and passions may lie elsewhere. As the project goes on, Joey is drawn in by the history of the lighthouse, the secrets of the family who hired her, and the dreams of a future with the man working alongside her.

Analysis: Amanda Cox pulls you into the coast of North Carolina with little known history, family pressures, and lost love. I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Joey is a strong woman fighting for a spot in the construction world. Finn is a man with a tough past. And Walt is an elderly man sorting through old regrets. Each of the characters is dealing with real-life issues and learning slowly to face them head on. The themes of forgiveness and restoration flowed organically throughout the story in this beautiful tale. If you’re looking for a moving mix of contemporary, romance, and historical fiction, Between the Sound and Sea is the perfect summer escape.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions ťexpressed in this review are my own.

Amanda Cox has a way of not just writing an amazing story but also weaving a heart moving tale of faith, forgiveness, and love.

You will lose sleep turning the pages to see what happens next, and be filled with a desire to check out your local lighthouse.

Joey is a refreshing character, full of drive and determination. I love the way the story unfolds in modern time with flashes of the past.

With mysteries left to reveal, forgiveness to yourself and to others, loveable characters, and finding love when you least expect it, this has it all.

This is another must-read by Amanda Cox.

This story was ah-mazing! The mystery element is so good and I LOVED the characters. I was surprised by a couple of twists that I thought would go a different way and there were multiple laugh out loud moments for me which is always my favorite. This is definitely a top favorite for 2o24 and in my top 3 reads thus far for 2024. A fantabulous read! I read an ARC of this book and after finishing it, I have already preordered a final copy for my keeper shelf. This has reread written ALL over it!


I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

I really loved this book. It follows two different timelines and both are interesting and intriguing. Joey and the disaster that she left behind in her hometown was sad, but her new life in NC was a great move. I love the blossoming romance and the reuniting of the Walt and Catherine. It was a great story. I loved it!

This is a timeless novel from a multiple Christy award winner, Amanda Cox. I am marvelled at her plot of story that want to risk everything for a chance in happiness. I hope I have that courage in my own life.

I have absolutely loved the books written by Amanda Cox. Her writing style is excellent and I am always sucked into the story and it won’t let me go until I have absorbed the last word on the last page. This will definitely be one I recommend for our book club! Having just spent a long weekend at Nags Head, NC, I could envision the lighthouses, the sand dunes, the estuaries, the entire setting. The characters are so richly developed and I loved traveling through the pages with Joey, Finn, Walt, Peter, and Cay. Watching them each grow and face the difficult situations they each endure. There were moments of flashbacks that gave you a glimpse into the history of Cay and Walt and life at the Bleakpoint Lighthouse in the 1940s. There is enough of a mystery to keep you flipping through the pages to see how it is resolved and enough romance and the building and healing of relationships that you are filled with joy.

I really appreciate the Christian aspect of her stories and how she weaves a theme of hope, healing, love, family, second chances, and redemption throughout the pages. A delightful ah ha moment and a few tears will be shed toward the end. This is a book that you will find yourself soaking up the words so that once you have read the final word on the last page and close the cover, you will sign in satisfaction. Put this one at the top of your to-be-read list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

☕ “You were never forgotten. Not by me. Not by God. He kept a record of every tear. Every fear.”


📚 WOW. Just Wow.

I’m at a loss for coherent sentences to describe this book…

Gripping.
Mysterious.
Emotional.
Transportive.
Immersive.
Touching.
Hopeful.

I was provided an advanced reader copy of this Christian contemporary novel. The release date is August 6th, 2024. Mark your calendar! This is the perfect summer island getaway story because it features a mysterious island. The intrigue of this story would also make this a great autumn read.

Can you tell I’m a seasonal, mood reader?

There are so many facets to this exceptional storyline that weaves contemporary family drama and misunderstandings with folklore and misunderstandings on a 1940s secluded, North Carolina island.

This book was SO incredible that I was hooked on the first page of the prologue. Not many authors can do that! The mystery begins right away about the longtime lightkeeper and his daughter. Legend has it that the Outer Banks Lighthouse is haunted by McCorvey’s lost daughter, but one man who was once connected to them is determined to make amends with ghosts of the past.

Ahhh. I was enjoying this book and didn’t want it to end. So much so, that I stopped reading it for a few days when I neared 82%. I NEVER go to those extremes [haha].

And the ending was not a simple tying loose ends together. There were many twists, turns, and satisfying answers to the questions you’ll have throughout. I cried at least once in the last five chapters and the epilogue!

Whew.

My only prayer is that Amanda Cox’s other books are as incredible as this one!

*No profanity
**Romance, yes, but no spice.

📚 CAUSE FOR PAUSE? There are descriptions of war, illness, and loss.

📚 CONSIDER READING IF… you want to travel back in time to the untold dangers the southern Atlantic coast faced during WWII - then back to the present when many along NC’s Outer Banks strive to make peace with their past! 😀

MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I’m stingy with my stars, but this book gets 5!

Really great story,
The setting was fantastic, the characters well done, and the ending was so good.

Simply put, this was a fabulous read. I don’t give 5 stars lightly but I just loved this book from start to finish.

The moment I read the synopsis - lighthouse restoration, historical flash backs, mystery - I was in! And boy did I choose well. I couldn’t recommend this book more highly. This could easily be made into a movie that we’ll hope they don’t ruin.

The author did such a beautiful job weaving the story together through modern times and inserting historical flashbacks (not in the entire chapter way I’ve grown tired of but in a beautiful, lyrical way).
The scenery was a lovely escape.

This was my first Amanda Cox book but it definitely will not be my last.

I received this book as an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This novel is multi-generational, multi-layered and so engrossing that it was hard to put it down to do anything else. I was totally invested in the story of Joey, Walt, Finn and Cay as well as the secondary characters of Peter and Kit. The author made the characters live and breathe in my imagination and I could not wait to continue the story each day, waiting for new revelations of secrets long hidden and a love that was never forgotten. Walt and Cay were friends when they were young, occupying the marshland of the Outer Banks in the time of WWII. Cay’s father was the lighthouse keeper of Bleakpoint Island and her secret about his health changed her life in unimaginable ways. Walt hires Joey Harris to come to Bleakpoint and restore the keeper’s cottage and the lighthouse. When she accepts the job, Joey has no idea of the commitment and history that she will find as she works on fulfilling Walt’s dream. The plot is mesmerizing, with layers to each character’s story that are methodically and masterfully revealed. With family secrets, unresolved disagreements and broken relationships, this book has everything that tugs at the heart in one very neat and well-crafted package. The descriptions of the setting are so realistically portrayed that I could hear the sound and smell the marsh as I read. The entire book captivated my imagination and my desire to see everyone have a happy ending. Amanda Cox knows how to write a story that pulls you into the place, the lives of the characters and the conflict, all with a compassion and love that is at the center of the story. This is one of the best books I have ever read and I cannot recommend it highly enough for its entertainment value as well as the themes of restoration, forgiveness and seeking the lost in order to find peace. Five stars do not do this masterpiece justice!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Thank you to Net Galley and Revell for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. When Josephina "Joey" takes a job restoring an old lighthouse on a North Carolina Island, her life begins to change. She discovers strange notes tucked into the crevices in the lighthouse walls. Joey begins a quest to solve the mystery of who left the notes, and what happened to the lighthouse keeper and his daughter. I really liked the characters in this story. Amanda Cox writes clean, interesting stories that pull you in right away. This is my second book by this author, and I have enjoyed both.

This beautiful novel by Amanda Cox will be published on August 6, and I am so thankful to have had the chance to read an ARC of it!

After a lawsuit tarnishes her family name, Joey Harris is given an opportunity to restore a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island.
As the work begins, Joey discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls—pages torn from a lighthouse keeper’s log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there’s never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.
When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story—one that’s not over yet.

Between the Sound and Sea was the Goldilocks of books for me when it comes to both romance and faith - just the right amount and just the right way. I loved the sweet and slow building romance in this book and how it never crossed the line of being cheesy or unrealistic. I also loved how Cox was able to weave faith into the story without it feeling forced or didactic.
Between the mystery and the setting in the Outer Banks of NC, this book checked all the boxes for a great summer read for me. Be sure to add this to your TBR or preorder!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was like a 1.5 ish ⭐️ This story was truly so dull. Honestly, most of the issues could have been resolved if Gramps just told everyone why he was trying to restore the lighthouse. I found myself skimming so many parts. Additionally, the romance between Finn and Joey felt hurried, I maybe would have liked the story a bit more if there was some more focus on that. Another thing that didn't work for me was all the religious references - which is my own fault, I should have done my research on the author before I requested this book, but I found myself eyerolling a but at every sentence that was like "it was all in the hands of Him" etc. Sorry 😬

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