Title: Sea Change
Author: Karen White
First published January 1, 2012
416 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780451236760 (ISBN10: 0451236769)
Rating: 3.88
Overview
In Sea Change by Karen White, Ava Whalen embarks on a new journey as she moves to St. Simons Island and starts a new chapter of her life with her husband, Matthew Frazier. Despite her hopes for a happy future, Ava is haunted by her past and the feeling of not belonging.
As she delves deeper into her husband’s family history and the mysteries of the island, Ava uncovers secrets that threaten to unravel her own life. With gripping suspense and heart-wrenching emotion, Sea Change explores the power of the past to shape our present and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
About the Author
Karen White is a successful author with a passion for storytelling. Her 23 novels, including the popular Tradd Street mystery series, have been printed in eight languages and sold over 1.8 million copies worldwide.
Growing up with brothers, Karen’s love for books and strong female characters started when she was issued a library card in the third grade. The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, was the first book that was placed in her hands.
Karen has deep roots in the South, which is reflected in many of her novels. Her stories are a perfect blend of family drama, mystery, intrigue, and romance that captivate readers with their intricate plots and compelling characters.
Initially, Karen was not convinced that she wanted to be a writer. She pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University.
However, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book, In the Shadow of the Moon, which was published in August 2000. Her books have been nominated for numerous national contests, including the SIBA Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s latest novel, Dreams of Falling, was published in June 2018 by Berkley Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing Group.
When Karen is not writing, she spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing the piano, and avoiding cooking. She and her husband have two grown children and live near Atlanta, Georgia, with their two spoiled Havanese dogs.
Editoral Review
Karen White’s “Sea Change” is a novel that beautifully captures the complexities of human relationships and the power of forgiveness. White, an American author of women’s fiction, skillfully weaves together a tale of love, loss, and redemption set against the stunning backdrop of the Lowcountry in South Carolina.
The book follows the story of Ava Whalen, a young woman who finds herself at a crossroads in her life after the sudden death of her husband. She inherits a failing bed and breakfast from her mother-in-law, and decides to leave her life in the city behind and start again in the small coastal town of St. Ann’s.
As Ava works to breathe new life into the B&B, she begins to uncover the secrets of her mother-in-law’s past, including a long-lost love affair and a tragic family history. White’s writing is rich in detail, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of the Lowcountry with vivid descriptions and lyrical prose.
She expertly captures the nuanced dynamics of small towns, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and past mistakes can easily come back to haunt you. Her characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and fears.
At the heart of the novel is the theme of forgiveness, both of oneself and of others. Ava is forced to confront her own mistakes and learn to let go of her anger and resentment towards her late husband, while her mother-in-law faces the consequences of her past actions and tries to make peace with the people she’s wronged.
White handles these complex emotional arcs with sensitivity and nuance, never shying away from the messiness of life. One of the book’s strengths is how it seamlessly blends together the past and the present, weaving together historical and contemporary storylines in a way that feels organic and cohesive.
The flashbacks to the 1940s add depth and richness to the story, providing a historical context for the present-day struggles of the characters. Overall, “Sea Change” is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel that will linger with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.
White’s beautiful writing, nuanced characters, and layered themes make this a standout book in the women’s fiction genre. That said, there are some elements of the book that could have been stronger.
The pacing can be slow at times, and some of the twists and turns feel too predictable. Additionally, some readers may find the portrayal of small town life a bit clichéd.
Despite these limitations, “Sea Change” is a book that comes highly recommended, especially for readers who enjoy character-driven women’s fiction. It’s a book that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the power of love and forgiveness.
