Three reasons you should read All the Breaking Waves by Kerry Lonsdale
- The magical realism in All the Breaking Waves sucks you into a world you know with just a little twist.
- Molly and her daughter Cassie are such beautiful characters, and their mother-daughter bond was amazing.
- I did not see the end coming – not at one bit. Kerry Lonsdale threw me a curveball, and I loved it.
About All the Breaking Waves by Kerry Lonsdale
After a harrowing accident tore her family apart, Molly Brennan fled from the man she loved and the tragic mistake she made.
Twelve years later, Molly has created a new life for herself and her eight-year-old daughter, Cassie. The art history professor crafts jewelry as unique and weathered as the surf-tumbled sea glass she collects, while raising her daughter in a safe and loving environment—something Molly never had. But when Cassie is plagued by horrific visions and debilitating nightmares, Molly is forced to return to the one place she swore she’d never move back to—home to Pacific Grove.
A riveting exploration of love, secrets, and motherhood, All the Breaking Waves is the poignant story of a woman who discovers she must confront her past, let go of her guilt, and summon everything in her power to save her daughter.
My Review
Kerry Lonsdale has a way with her characters. Molly and Cassie start the book faced with the frightening reality that Cassie has inherited psychic abilities. It runs in the women of the family, but each generation is a little different. Cassie is forced to see horrible events in the near future, reliving them in her nightmares until the event comes to pass. And someone usually ends up dead. Not a very good thing for a little girl.
When Cassie sees Molly’s death, they both completely freak out – understandably so – and take a trip to Molly’s mother’s house – hoping that Cassie can learn to control her abilities. But also hoping to find a way to avoid Cassie’s tragic vision.
Nana has other ideas though, and this is where things started to take a few very interesting turns. One of those turns was Owen. And while this isn’t quite a romance, there is definitely a romantic storyline between him and Molly – with a long history to drive it forward. Owen and Nana both play a crucial role in helping both Molly and Cassie find their way.
I found myself infinitely frustrated at Molly’s inability to stay away from the very things that could make Cassie’s vision come to pass. Like a moth to the flame – she was drawn to it. Lonsdale used this to create a level of suspense without having an actual bad guy, and it was brilliant. The tension was ever-present and I could feel it in every word and between each line.
I was shocked at the end. Lonsdale led me on and made me believe so many things – and I was wrong about a lot of them. We have a lot of happy moments, but there is some sadness as well. Much like life, this novel took me on a journey the was quite memorable.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
