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kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Quite a dramatic family drama with both main characters having the opportunity to tell their side of the story. The author creatively switched between Holton a man who has recently lost his wife and can't seem to find his passion since the accident and Libby who is on the cusp of a wedding that is getting out of hand and learns that her parents and past isn't what she thought it always was.
These characters made the book. They played off each other and challenged each other at the same time. This book could have been set anywhere (although I love Nags Head!) which gives this book the ability to relate to almost any reader. The pursuit of self and passion made me easily fall in love with this book.
Quite a dramatic family drama with both main characters having the opportunity to tell their side of the story. The author creatively switched between Holton a man who has recently lost his wife and can't seem to find his passion since the accident and Libby who is on the cusp of a wedding that is getting out of hand and learns that her parents and past isn't what she thought it always was.
These characters made the book. They played off each other and challenged each other at the same time. This book could have been set anywhere (although I love Nags Head!) which gives this book the ability to relate to almost any reader. The pursuit of self and passion made me easily fall in love with this book.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Driftwood Tides is a lovely novel of faith, forgiveness and redemption by Gina Holmes. This heartwarming story deals with serious topics such as grief, alcoholism and adoption but it is not dark or angst-ridden. Instead, it is a rather hopeful tale of new beginnings for the characters as they overcome their pasts and in doing so, they discover the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Libby Slater is planning her wedding when she unexpectedly learns she is adopted. Her search for her birth mother takes her to her stepfather Holton Creary's beach house where she is disappointed to discover her mother passed away a few years prior. Desperate for information about her mother and birth father, Libby becomes Holton's intern but her search for answers is quickly complicated by Holton's alcoholism and his financial difficulties. With the help of Holton's assistant, Tess, Libby devises a plan to revive his faltering career but will Holton's self-destructive behavior sabotage her efforts to help him?
Libby is relieved that her temporary position at Holton's art studio frees her from her overbearing, controlling mother, and the distance provides her with a surprising perspective of their somewhat contentious relationship. Libby is undergoing a bit of an identity crisis as she works through her feelings of rejection resulting from her adoption and her uneasy relationship with her adopted mother. The move also has unintended consequences on her relationship with her fiancé, Rob, and their future becomes uncertain as a result of his fears and insecurities. She also re-evaluates her definition of family as she finds acceptance and friendship with Tess. But it is her relationship with Holton that is most confusing and for a good portion of the novel, his alcoholism is an impenetrable chasm that prevents Libby from getting the answers she is searching for.
Holton is mired in grief over his wife's death and he has been drowning his sorrows since her death. He also feels an overwhelming sense of guilt that he is responsible for the accident that took her life. It is not until he enters treatment for his alcohol addiction that Holton begins to admit long suppressed and unacknowledged feelings that have impacted his spiritual relationship as well. Once Holton faces these unresolved issues, he is able to make an emotional connection with both Libby and Tess and his feelings of hopelessness and despair begin to disappear.
Tess is undeniably the character with the least problems but, for much of the story, it is difficult to understand her devotion to Holton. Once Holton's drinking culminates in a crisis situation, some of these reasons become clear. These revelations provide Libby with a different viewpoint of alcoholism that helps her understand Holton's addiction a little better. As Holton hits rock bottom, Tess and Libby's tight bond is strengthened as they remain united in their efforts to aid him in his recovery.
Although Driftwood Tides is Christian fiction, the spiritual aspects are understated for much of the novel. Gina Holmes gradually and gently incorporates faith into the unfolding story and this makes it easy for the reader to understand how religious beliefs factor into the characters' decisions.
A beautiful lesson in the faith, forgiveness and acceptance, Driftwood Tides is a powerful story that fans of contemporary Christian fiction are sure to enjoy.
Libby Slater is planning her wedding when she unexpectedly learns she is adopted. Her search for her birth mother takes her to her stepfather Holton Creary's beach house where she is disappointed to discover her mother passed away a few years prior. Desperate for information about her mother and birth father, Libby becomes Holton's intern but her search for answers is quickly complicated by Holton's alcoholism and his financial difficulties. With the help of Holton's assistant, Tess, Libby devises a plan to revive his faltering career but will Holton's self-destructive behavior sabotage her efforts to help him?
Libby is relieved that her temporary position at Holton's art studio frees her from her overbearing, controlling mother, and the distance provides her with a surprising perspective of their somewhat contentious relationship. Libby is undergoing a bit of an identity crisis as she works through her feelings of rejection resulting from her adoption and her uneasy relationship with her adopted mother. The move also has unintended consequences on her relationship with her fiancé, Rob, and their future becomes uncertain as a result of his fears and insecurities. She also re-evaluates her definition of family as she finds acceptance and friendship with Tess. But it is her relationship with Holton that is most confusing and for a good portion of the novel, his alcoholism is an impenetrable chasm that prevents Libby from getting the answers she is searching for.
Holton is mired in grief over his wife's death and he has been drowning his sorrows since her death. He also feels an overwhelming sense of guilt that he is responsible for the accident that took her life. It is not until he enters treatment for his alcohol addiction that Holton begins to admit long suppressed and unacknowledged feelings that have impacted his spiritual relationship as well. Once Holton faces these unresolved issues, he is able to make an emotional connection with both Libby and Tess and his feelings of hopelessness and despair begin to disappear.
Tess is undeniably the character with the least problems but, for much of the story, it is difficult to understand her devotion to Holton. Once Holton's drinking culminates in a crisis situation, some of these reasons become clear. These revelations provide Libby with a different viewpoint of alcoholism that helps her understand Holton's addiction a little better. As Holton hits rock bottom, Tess and Libby's tight bond is strengthened as they remain united in their efforts to aid him in his recovery.
Although Driftwood Tides is Christian fiction, the spiritual aspects are understated for much of the novel. Gina Holmes gradually and gently incorporates faith into the unfolding story and this makes it easy for the reader to understand how religious beliefs factor into the characters' decisions.
A beautiful lesson in the faith, forgiveness and acceptance, Driftwood Tides is a powerful story that fans of contemporary Christian fiction are sure to enjoy.
mustreadsoon's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay, but just didn't go beyond that. While I appreciated the story of forgiveness and redemption, it just fell flat for me. I loved that he was an artist of driftwood pieces, but beyond that I probably would not recommend. It felt too predictable and nothing was really unique to the story. Something was just off. I was hoping for more.
*I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
*I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*