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.

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).

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!

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.

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.

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.