Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Jessica Guerrieri
List of characters:
Leah O’Connor: mother of Joni, Dottie, and Reid, an artist.
Lucas O’Connor: Father of Joni, Dottie, and Reid
Paul: Lucas brother in law
Christine O’Connor: Matriarch of the family, Leah’s mother-in-law.
Leah was an artist. Her life was carefree, interesting, and fulfilling. She met Lucas and they bonded. Her life was happy until she discovered she was pregnant. Ten years later Leah is deeply depressed. She feels unfulfilled, stressed, bored, and unhappy. Lucas’ appeal has faded. She turned to wine and alcohol to get through each day. The O’Connor family was close, tight knit very different from Leah’s family. Leah feels stuck in a boring life and yearns for a carefree life. She is resentful and feels unfulfilled. Leah is resentful, her dependency on alcohol increases with her resentment.
Leah doesn’t trust her mother-in-law, Christine. As a mother, Christine is altruistic and appears to be the perfect mother. Leah compares herself to Christine and feels she falls short. Leah’s behavior is erratic and irrational affecting her whole family. The relationship between Leah and Christine was complex. I have mixed feelings concerning their relationship. Leah did not give Christine the credit she deserved. I agree that Christine was domineering but Christine saw Leah’s mental state.
Being a mother is not always fun and games, neither is it always easy. A mother must learn to balance her husband, children, career and herself
This is not an easy tale to read; it is dark, and heavy. This tale deals with trials we prefer not to discuss and even go so far as to hide them. Author Jessica Guerrieri shares this tale with compassion but also realism. Leah demonstrates the difference between handling and relying, showing the need for seeking help.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

WOW! It's alarming how much I resonated with Leah. A marriage expedited by pregnancy, the dynamic described between Leah & her mother-in-law Christine, the struggle with self-identity, the temptation of another man, and how overwhelming it can all be & leaning on alcohol. I have lived Leah's life... and reliving moments from my past in this characters life has reminded me how beautiful the ride of life is even when it's ugly and scary. The way the family dynamic was written in this book along with how a mother can struggle with the emotions that come from having your identity essentially change from being just you to being a mom & a wife... Feeling so empty but so full at the same time when it comes to motherhood & life. It's an ugly topic that a lot of women avoid for fear someone will think they're not a good mother but so many women go through. Along with how your marriage changes with time and how resentment can creep in because let's face it, fathers have it easier than mothers. Struggles with alcohol when it's the only thing to take the edge off... This is a beautifully written novel that was heartbreaking but comforting.

This was so close to being fantastic -- but a few one-dimensional characters and one too many over-the-top plot points really hurt it.



Review copy provided by publisher.

Jessica Guerrieri's debut novel is stunning. The story centers around Leah's journey to reclaim who she is, outside of the role of "mom", all while battling addiction. There were parts that I really felt I could relate to her as it surrounded motherhood, and then parts that I certainly couldn't with regard to the addiction piece. I didn't find her all that likeable, but to no fault of her own. The relationships she has with her extended family, and beyond, all demonstrate the wake of the path she takes. It was hard to listen at times, but ultimately really, really good. If I could give half stars, this would be a 4.5.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus and Harper Muse, for gifting me an ALC of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, written by Jessica Guerrieri and read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. In exchange for my gifted copy, I offer my honest review.

Wow! I can’t believe this was a debut novel. Author Jessica Guerrieri created a powerful, poetic, poignant story of motherhood and the struggles of balancing family, career and self. From the very first moment, narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw had me enthralled in Leah O’Connor’s complicated relationship with her domineering mother in law and the obligations of marrying into the tight knit O’Connor clan. Leah raised to be independent, with a carefree surfer lifestyle falls for the quintessential good boy, Lucas O’Conner during a California road trip. Romantic and charming, the two bond over surfing when Leah finds herself suddenly pregnant. Now 3 kids later and nearly 10 years of marriage, the charms of her husband are beginning to fade. Leah feels stuck in the monotony of motherhood and yearns for more; resentment, responsibilities and unfulfilled dreams are slowly weighing Leah down. Leah finds a little splash of wine, or a shot of vodka often helps numb her mind, but too quickly what begins as the occasional drink, spirals into a daily need. The tensions, decisions,secrets and desires all felt so raw and real. I absolutely loved this book. I have no doubt, this book will make its way to my top reads of 2025 and will be a huge success upon publication.
Book publishes in May 2025!

Jessica Guerrieri’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a powerful debut that explores motherhood, addiction, and identity with raw honesty. Her writing is poetic yet accessible, offering a nuanced look at the pressures women face and the allure of escape through alcohol. The novel’s emotional depth and sharp social commentary make it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Leah's surf-filled, carefree young adulthood comes to a quick
halt when she finds out she's unexpectedly pregnant. One
marriage and three children later, Leah is entrenched in
motherhood and has seemingly lost her self-expression. Not to
mention, she's constantly trying to live up to her mother-in-law's
perfect example, and her husband is too busy with his new
business venture to notice Leah is struggling. As Leah's drinking
starts to dominate her life, the other members of the family
finally start to take notice, and once Leah's secret is out of the
bag, everyone else's begin to tumble out as well.


What a fantastic debut novel exploring the angst of motherhood,
the power of secrets, and the insidiousness of alcoholism. The
author herself is in recovery, and this is so evident in her telling
of this story. The transitions between Leah's past and present
were sometimes a little jarring, but both timelines deserved
their time in the spotlight. I tandem read and listened to this
novel, and enjoyed both. 1 predict this one is going to be BIG
and appeal to a wide audience.

Jessica says in the final author's note 'As a person in recovery, my intention was to expose the harrowing experience of being a mother in act of addiction.. . In my addiction, I was never a bad person trying to be good. I was a sick person trying to be well'

This book was a raw exploration of exactly that. If you've ever had to deal with a friend of a member of your family dealing with addiction, please read this book when you feel like you're ready. While not an easy read, it does shed light on the reasons and the traps people have in their path to addiction but also out of it.

The friendship between the two sister (-in-law) is my most favourite part of the novel, together with soem moments when Lia, the protagonist is 'God-shocked', as she calls it, at one of the AA meetings.

Her secret (or so she would like to believe) addiction reverberates in all aspects of her life and only when she finally admits to herself the path she is on can never lead to good, does she begin to turn it around. The way this allows her to finally be open about her feelings with her husband and have a real conversation is another deeply meaningful moment in the book.


Thank you Netgalley for this audio ARC.

WOWWWWW! DEBUT BOOK???? OMG. This book hooked me instantly and held onto me until the authors note after the story ended. The story of addiction of Leah was heartbreaking and raw. I loved the audio narration and felt very connected to her storytelling. I thought this story was beautiful and one I will want to discuss as a book club. So much to unpack!

I struggled to get into this book and had to pull the plug. Given how many people seem to have loved it, I might try again at a later date.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri is an incredible debut that left a deep impression on me. The writing is nothing short of phenomenal—Guerrieri has a way with words that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. She beautifully captures the complex, raw emotions of motherhood and the challenges it brings. What truly stood out to me is how she explores the struggles mothers face and the profound impact it has on a family when those struggles aren’t addressed or properly dealt with. The emotional depth in this story is palpable, and Guerrieri doesn’t shy away from portraying how difficult, yet crucial, it is to seek help and support. This novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and the toll neglecting our own well-being can have on those we love. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a thought-provoking, emotional rollercoaster and an amazing debut. I can’t wait to see what Jessica Guerrieri does next.

Well done and emotional book. Well written and the narrator was great. Definitely pick up this one if you enjoy women’s fiction.

In all aspects a beautiful debut novel that captivates me from start to finish.

An insightful read about motherhood, family, relationships and about alcoholism.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher HarperCollins Focus/Harper Muse for the ARC(audiobook).

I had a very different idea of where this book was going when it started.  But I was wrong.  Wow.  Brutal.  Honest.  An excellent debut novel.
Trigger warnings - difficult pregnancies, pregnancy loss, alcoholism

The story follows Leah, a woman unsure of life and how she got there.  A mother of three, married into a family with a very strong matriarch.  As the story proceeds, you learn more about how she got there and why she is so lost.  Along the way, the reader can see how alcohol becomes a crutch and dependency, distorting possibilities and realities.

I was not prepared for the gut punch.  But it was real and honest.  I am a mom and while Leah and my journies were different, I can understand how a woman can become lost in life as a mother.  Not to the levels of the main character, but I have several times had to consider my relationship with alcohol.  A child of alcoholics, I should be more sensitive to it than anyone.  But I have several times realized how easy it is to pour another glass of wine on a night after a stressful bedtime.  But, wine o'clock, right?

This is not an easy listen, but it is real.  There are a few nitpicks I could make in a review, but for a debut novel, it is not even worth noting.  I haven't felt this emotionally affected by a book by most long-time authors.  

This book will hurt and feel ugly at points, but it is poignant and real.  You will not regret making it through.  

Publish date: May 2025

Thank you Netgalley and HarperMuse for the advanced listening copy.  All opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Muse for the advanced copy of this audiobook. This book is a raw look at the struggles balancing home and work and the pressure parents put on themselves to get it all done. The occasional wind down wine leading to an addiction and its effects on everyone. The narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was delicate and emotional. Each character had their emotional toll expressed with heartfelt emotion. Triggers for alcoholism but also pregnancy difficulties including still births and miscarriage. I felt it was pretty slow to start but about a quarter of the way in the story developed that I couldn’t put it down. Jessica Guerrieri did a wonderful job with some very challenging topics. Look for this to come out May 12,2025.

This was an absolutely fantastic audiobook! The narrator did such a wonderful job at conveying the emotions of the characters as the story unfolded. I literally listened to this in one day and could not put it down. I feel the author handled the complicated subjects of grief and alcoholism in a very gentle way. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

I got really wrapped up in this book, almost felt like I was in the story. I think mothers of young children will identify a lot with the main character, Leah. Excellent debut novel!

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a tale of how complicated motherhood can be. Following what becomes the slowly more complicated life of Leah O’Connor, we traverse along the shores of California learning about the O’Connor women. Leah O’Connor is an artist, surfer, and mother of three children with her husband Lucas. Christine O’Connor, Leah’s mother-in-law, appears as an ominous character as she exudes perfect, selfless motherhood. Christine has raised three boys, including Leah’s husband, and is commanding in her presence as many family functions seem to center around pleasing Christine. Amy O’Connor, Leah’s sister-in-law, is a kind preschool teacher who is currently pregnant, but also lost a previous baby to stillbirth during her first pregnancy. While Leah and Amy are like true sisters, Christine threatens Leah’s closeness with Amy, especially as Leah’s drinking becomes more and more problematic.

Jessica Guerrieri has written an exceptional way that allows readers to feel both sympathy and disgust for the main character of Leah. While acting as a commentary on family and motherhood, Guerrieri also allows for a subtle exploration of ‘wine mom’ culture. Leah’s life trajectory is directed by her unplanned pregnancy and subsequent entrance into the O’Connor family. More than 10 years into her marriage, Leah struggles to balance her work as an artist with motherhood. Her husband is preoccupied with starting a family restaurant, leaving most of the child-related duties to Leah. Leah continues to become unmoored as she numbs her ambivalence with alcohol.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is not a book with happy vibes and a slick crescendo. More of a slow-burn, deep reflection book, this would be a wonderful addition to a women’s book club. Provoking thoughts related to pregnancy, loss, and family I think many women would find this to be an enjoyable work of fiction. My only complaint with this book is that at one point Amy's loss is called a miscarriage, which it is not. She had a stillbirth, which occurs after 20 weeks gestation, and I think any woman who's experienced a loss or has intimate knowledge of the subject would appreciate the appropriate distinction.

I really enjoyed the narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. She has a familiar voice that felt appropriate for our main character of Leah, but she also was able to create enough distinction with her voice when reading lines of other characters. The book flows smoothly, hooking you into it's complicated exploration of motherhood.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse, the author Jessica Guerrieri, and the narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw for an ALC of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Raw and Honest Look at Motherhood and Addiction

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri is a compelling contemporary fiction debut that offers a deeply relatable and unfiltered portrayal of modern motherhood. The novel excels in character development, painting a vivid picture of the emotional and physical toll that often falls disproportionately on mothers—even in households where both parents work. From packing lunches to caring for sick children, the protagonist’s struggles highlight the unspoken expectations placed on women to manage the invisible labor of family life.

One of the book’s most powerful themes is its exploration of “mommy wine culture” and how, for some, it becomes more than just a way to unwind—it becomes a crutch. The gradual progression of the main character’s dependence on alcohol is handled with nuance and authenticity, making it both heartbreaking and eye-opening.

The only drawback was the novel’s timeline shifts, which at times felt abrupt and lacked clear transitions, occasionally pulling me out of the otherwise immersive narrative. Despite this, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a thought-provoking read that will resonate with many, especially those who have ever felt overwhelmed by the relentless demands of motherhood. A strong debut from Guerrieri—I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.

I read some of the book and listened to some of the audiobook, and both formats were engaging. The narrator had a pleasant voice with good pacing, making it easy to follow and enhancing the story’s impact.