Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another outstanding book by Amanda Cox! I am devouring her books because she is such a skilled storyteller. She has a wonderful way of drawing you into the story right away and making you genuinely care about the characters and what happens to them. I was so sad when this book ended. I found myself wishing I could continue on with these characters and see where their lives took them after everything they had been through. The book does a good job of bringing everything to a satisfying close, and there is no cliffhanger, but I still just didn't want it to end!

This book reminded me quite a bit of The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. However, I felt that this story allowed me to get much more deeply into the characters and their histories, rather than focusing as much on the lighthouse itself and the duties involved in running it. This book is really about the people, their stories, and the things they experience. While the lighthouse plays a very important role in the story, the technical aspects of operating one are not the main focus.

Predictability: Low.  Near the beginning of the book I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I was thrown for a pleasant surprise when it turned out differently. 

Once again, I couldn't put this book down. I stayed up way too late reading and finished it in a little over 24 hours! I only have one more of Amanda Cox's books left to read, and I'm already sad that I'll soon be out of new books from her.

What is this book about?
Joey Harris leaves her small town to escape the fallout from a lawsuit involving her family. She takes a temp job restoring an old lighthouse on a remote North Carolina island, hoping for a fresh start.
While there, Joey discovers mysterious pages from the lighthouse keeper’s log describing dangerous rescues at sea. When strange events begin happening, the islanders believe the ghost of the former keeper and his daughter, who disappeared during World War II, may be responsible.
As Joey investigates the lighthouse’s history and separates fact from local legends, she uncovers a tragic love story from the past that may still have unfinished business in the present.

If you would like to read this book you can find it here. 

If you would like to read the first book you can find it here: The Edge of Belonging, and you can find my review of it here. 

If you would like to read her second book you can find it here: The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, and you can find my  book review of it here.

If you would like to read her third book you can find it here: He Should Have Told the Bees, and you can find my review of it here. 

I consider this a 5-star book and a 5-star author. I highly recommend it!

September 22, 2026 – Started Reading

September 23, 2026 – Finished Reading

View all my reviews

Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Jennifer Chiaverini.
To preface, I am a sewist. I sew apparel and I machine embroidery, and I sometimes quilt, so this book appealed to me. I'm not saying you should be a crafter to enjoy the book, but it really was easy to understand the sewing aspects mentioned.
The book is about Sarah and her husband, Matt. They move to a small town and Sarah struggles to find a job. In the meantime, she agrees to help an older lady, Sylvia Compson, prepare her family estate, Elm Creek Manor, for sale. As part of her compensation, Sarah is taught how to quilt by this crabby elderly woman, who is a master of the craft.

During their lessons, Mrs. Compson reveals how her family was torn apart by tragedy, jealousy, and betrayal, It is a fascinating story in my opinion. The characters are relatable, their emotions and stories draw you into their lives. It is fairly predictable, yes, but that doesn't stop me from loving the book. Honestly, I couldn't put it down. I started reading it one morning and finished it in one day. It was engrossing and fantastic. It made me wish I had a group of friends and a quilting guild like the ladies in the book.

Mrs. Compson reveals parts of her past little by little and it is completely gripping. I was all in and wanting to keep reading to find out more. I was happy with the ending, even if it was somewhat predictable. I was equally excited and happy that this is a series and I am looking forward to continuing to read the story.

I see that some people do not enjoy the book and honestly I don't understand why. It is a captivating story and totally engrossing. I would recommend it to anyone.  It makes me want to get into my sewing room and start another quilt, lol. 

If you are interested in reading this book you can find it here.   

September 12, 2026 – Started Reading

September 12, 2026 – Finished Reading

View all my reviews 

 Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow!! This book had me at the first chapter. It was an amazing book by Amanda Cox. I have read her other books The Edge of Belonging, and The Secret Keepers of Old Grocery. Both were exceptional.  This is the third book she wrote, but they are all stand alone books. I love her writing style. it completely draws me and and the characters are so real.
This book was nothing short of excellent. I read it over two days. There was a passage in it that really hit a raw nerve in me - in a very good way. It described something about myself that I never realized.
The book grabs at your soul. There is a lot of sacrifice and learning to trust between the characters stories. I was so invested in the lives of Beck and Callie. I was torn between the two sides and angry at other characters. I won't explain that as I want no spoilers.
My heart broke reading parts of this story and was slowly put back together as it went on. It was a true roller coaster of emotions as I read it. I experienced so many emotions - confusion, anger, contempt, worry, suspense, hope, happiness - and not in any order. It was a wonderful read and I have ordered another Amanda Cox book because I simply cannot stop reading them. She is an amazing storyteller.
I have read her other books The Edge of Belonging, and The Secret Keepers of Old Grocery. Both were exceptional.  This is the third book she wrote, but they are all stand alone books.  

Book Description: Beekeeper Beckett Walsh is living her dream, working alongside her father in their apiary, until his untimely death sends her world into a tailspin. She suddenly finds she must deal with a new part owner of the family business--one who is looking to sell the property. Beck cannot fathom why her father would put her into the position to lose everything they built together.

If you would like to read this book you can find it here. 

If you would like to read the first book you can find it here: The Edge of Belonging, and you can find my review of it here. 

If you would like to read her second book you can find it here: The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, and you can find my  book review of it here.

I consider this a 5-star book and a 5-star author. I highly recommend it!

September 09, 2026 – Started Reading

September 11, 2026 – Finished Reading

View all my reviews 

 Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~