As the Tide Comes In

In a poignantly written story, Woodsmall tells the story of a young woman who has had more bumps and bruises in her young life than anyone deserves yet still stands tall and proud. At 18, Tara ages out of foster care and find out that her grandmother is dying. She steps up and agrees to raise her two half-brothers when tragedy strikes again 12 years later. With major brain trauma that affects her memory, all Tara can remember is that she was supposed to go to St. Simons Island Georgia for some reason. But after reaching there, her confusion and memory problems get even worse. Gavin, a local EMT, and his mom and the other Glynn Girls take Tara under their wing.

This is Woodsmall's first non-Amish book and she definitely hit a home run. The emotions run high throughout the book as you follow Tara's ups and downs and her heartbreaking and God-threatening peace. The characters are so well created you feel like you are right there with them on the vividly painted St. Simon's Island. Wonderful spiritual content is woven perfectly throughout the story. The story just sucks you in from start to finish and fills you with a gamut of emotion from laughter to tears.

If you like contemporary fiction with a light touch of romance, this is one you will definitely one to read. It made my 2018 favorites list.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher WaterBrook through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I have not read any of the authors books prior to As The Tide Comes In, BUT now I will be adding them to my reading pile. Tara Abbott, the main character, will capture your heart from the very beginning. She’s a fighter, adventurous, courageous and loving. Despite her circumstances or what is put in her path, she keeps trudging on. The stories backdrop begins in the mountains of Georgia and picks up on St. Simon’s Island in North Carolina alongside the ocean. You will experience a full range of emotions from anger to grief, laughter to love. It delivers on them all while beautifully weaving a story that you feel as though you are right in the middle of. And once you meet the supporting characters the Glynn Girls (just think Golden Girls) and the charming, patient hero Gavin, you will not be able to put this book down. Oh how I want to meet the Glynn Girl’s on St. Simon’s Island! They put a twist of comedy to lighten the grief and sorrow Tara is feeling from loss of her family and physical pain from a head injury. That is the only detail I will unveil. You need to ride the wave of emotions for yourself that this book delivers with a punch. You will not be left with sadness but filled with joy and wisdom along the way. This is a book you will want to add to your reading list!

This book was delightful. The Author Duo used the phrase “mischief magnets” to describe a group of women friends and immediately you’re endeared to these spirited ladies. This quartet of ladies are the supporting cast to a pair of male and female main characters who are multifaceted and mature. I liked the multi generational aspect of the plot, the emphasis on how important family ties are, and the words of wisdom about showing love and kindness.

The main character, Tara, makes some outlandish decisions in the beginning. You want to call out to her, “What are you thinking?” Of course the irrational behavior is explained when you consider her physical challenges and state of mind. There are tragic events that set this state of mind in motion.

This is a contemporary fiction book complete with a family mystery and romance. The mystery is resolved in a surprise ending that is foreshadowed by just a few breadcrumbs of clues. Family roots are untangled and revealed for a positive and satisfying ending. The author duo, Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall, show great skill in presenting the characters’ full slate of emotions through triumph and tragedy.

If you are a fan of Cindy Woodsmall’s Amish Fiction, you will be pleased to venture into this book with a new setting. Most of the story takes place on Saint Simons Island, off the coast of Georgia. Woodsmall has some fun with Southern dialogue and customs. You’ll be moved emotionally. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

AS THE TIDE COMES IN by CINDY WOODSMALL is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. It is a lovely book and one I will definitely read more than once.
Abandoned by her mother and growing up in foster care, Tara longs to know the love of a family, and feels she has a family at last when she takes over the care of her two half brothers at the age of eighteen.
When tragedy strikes, she sets off for St Simon's Island in South Georgia. She is in denial, has recently had a head injury and subsequent surgery, and is taking heavy doses of Vocodin for the pain.
I don't want to tell you any more of the story as I might spoil it for you if I do.
I love the characters, especially the Glynn Girls, and the humour that runs throughout the book. We get to feel Tara's pain and Gavin's desperation, and through it all we see the hand of God, in even the most horrible situations. We are made aware of the fact that it is always safe to trust Him, no matter what happens. We get a real sense of his love and caring.
The Christian content is really good, the story is gripping, and I can highly recommend this book.
I was given a free copy of the book by Waterbrook & Multnomah from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I have been a fan of Cindy Woodsmall for a long time. I knew this would be a good story but I’m amazed at the atmosphere created in the book. Without giving away too much of the plot I can tell you to be prepared for a dark and immensely sad tale. After being raised in foster homes Tara has finally found satisfaction and purpose by raising her two half brothers. After tragedy strikes Tara now has to find a new peace but she first needs to come to grips with the abrupt change in her life and the discovery of who she really is. She must become a “ vessel of love”. That was my favorite part of the book. In the self centered and misogynistic world we live in this is a lesson we should all learn. Woodsmall has created a delightful group of characters and made them real people with real problems. I would love for more books to be written about the characters in the story. Overall this is one of Cindy Woodsmall’s best book yet!
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.