Someone Else’s Ocean
Kate Stewart’s latest JUST WENT LIVE and I had the pleasure of reading an early copy over the weekend!!
It was gentler on us than some of her past super-angsty books that had us in a frenzy, but it sure had it’s share of pull-pull, kindle-throwing moments, and of course… a seriously angsty moment that had my heart in my throat.
So what’s it about?
Koti has been living life on an island renting beautiful vacation houses to tourists, and loving her uncomplicated, and very single life. Having run from her high stress, demanding world, she’s finally found a semblance of peace living on the beach, and helping make visitors happy… even if for just a few weeks. That is, until Ian (her childhood friend that she hasn’t seen in ages) shows up in the vacation home right next door to hers, kicking up a storm.
At one point in time, I thought she was the most beautiful woman alive. At one point in time, I couldn’t imagine a life without her. At one point in time, I would’ve taken a bullet for her, no questions asked. She was my life. She was my purpose, my meaning, my everything. Seething, I fisted my hands at my sides and tried to hold my bite, but it was impossible.
Devastated, furious, brooding and absolutely uninterested in being friendly, he rudely rebuffs her every attempt at trying to connect with him. She has no idea why he’s so upset, but he’s locked himself into his own closed-off world, and she has no idea how to help… or even if she should (despite the promises she’s made his mom to keep an eye on him).
“Why are you concerned about me?”
I could have told him I was paid to be worried about him. But that wasn’t the truth. I was paid to keep an eye on him, but that was the extent of it. My concern stemmed from somewhere else. A place I recognized, a place
I felt like Ian was drowning in.
The lump I tried to speak around kept me quiet for a few moments. And then I gave him exactly what he asked for – honesty.
“Before I came here, I had a really sh!tty thing happen, the kind of thing that breaks people. I think you’re familiar with that.” He slowly nodded.
“Well, I was alone – alone in a way no human should ever be – and I needed just one person to ask me that question. I was surrounded by thousands of people, but I just needed one. And I decided I wanted to be that person for you. Because I do want to know. Because I am worried for you and about you. Because you deserve to have that question asked. So Ian, are you okay?
He didn’t hesitate a second.
“No.”
Tense moments passed as we stared at each other. “And what will you do with that answer, Koti?”
“I’ll keep it in confidence. I’ll respect your need for privacy and I’ll ask you until you say you are, or you could be, or you might be someday.”
And this is the story about how to one-time best friends (now, practically complete strangers) ran away from their lives and ended up on the same beach together.
“God, Koti, he’s so beautiful.”
I sighed. “I know.” A beautiful self-absorbed a$$hole.
There are SO many things I want to expand upon (regarding her issues – she’s got two very personal ones) and of course… what has him so devastated. Both characters are so relatable and even if he ticks you off (which he WILL!!! BIG TIME!!!), you’ll love him.
Okay… shhhhhh!!! I can’t really say anymore (as each one has their own past and present to contend with) and the joy in this book is all in the personal journey that we get to experience for ourselves.
It is heartfelt, with characters that come alive via Kate Stewart’s signature writing, and… for a certain situation (what she’s still struggling with to this day), I could totally relate. I “got” her. But the best part was a certain phone call that had me in tears. LOVED it.
4 stars!
P.S. Thank you to the author for sending me this review copy!!
➔➔➔ Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star reviews. 😀
