Between the Sound and Sea is a story set in the Outer Banks. A story about second chances and forgiveness. Duel time lines. WWII and present day on a barrier island lighthouse.

Finnegan W. O'Hare, also known as Walt, buys the old decommissioned lighthouse. He wants to refurbish it to it's previous condition during his youth. He hires Joey Harris to do the renovations. Walt's grandson, Finn, is skeptical of hiring a woman to do this major project. But Walt wants to make things right. After he lost Cay during an explosion on the merchant ship he was on in 1942, guilt has haunted him.

The story was interesting, although it was slow in parts. The mystery was a little bit of a surprise at the end. The characters told their story well.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amanda Cox does it again! I loved this book, I both couldn't put it down and yet didn't want it to end. I loved the setting, Cox does an amazing job at making you feel like you are there breathing in the salty air. The characters were interesting and the mystery kept me hooked. I loved the character growth and the restoration of family relationships. I also appreciated the faith that was woven throughout the story.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! I don’t know how Amanda Cox does it, but every time I think she can’t top a book she does it with the next! This one is going to be one of my best of the year books without a doubt!

Josephina Harris has worked really hard to get past the dirty looks she gets in town after her family sold their business and it was bought by someone who had less than honorable intentions. When no one will hire her event planning business because of it, she finds herself in a hard position. Does she stay and try and get her family’s good name back? Or leave to pursue a new opportunity? Her friend sends her a job opening for a keeper at a decommissioned lighthouse in North Carolina and she thinks it might be just the thing she needs. As she works at the lighthouse, she discovers secrets hidden in the walls and learns the history of the lighthouse and a tragic love story that might just not be over if she has anything to say about it.

Every time I think Amanda Cox can’t top her last book, she puts out another fantastic novel! I have yet to read one of hers that doesn’t blow me away with how amazing she is able to write these characters and storylines. Each story she writes is unique and charming with its setting, characters, and even the romantic undertones included. Between the Sound and the Sea will transport readers to a beautiful setting with the lighthouse on the coast and an endearing plot with the long-lost romance and characters searching for their identity. Not many books lately have been able to hold my attention and move me in a way her stories are able to. I would normally say thrillers are my go to genre, but I might just have to make an Amanda Cox genre as a favorite! I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantastic plot with characters that will touch your heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I was excited when I saw this book coming out. I’ve read the last two or three Cox books, and loved them—so far, I’m pretty sure they’ve all ended up on my top-10-of-the-year list. I couldn’t wait to get into this one, too.

And there was a lot to love in this story! The history was super fun, and I love how it turned into a bit of a mystery for the main characters. I adored Walt; as soon as he showed up in the book, I knew he would be a favorite character of mine. He’s practical, but also a bit dreamy—and willing to wield his “old man” abilities if he thinks it will make things go his way a bit better. I also loved Joey; she is sweet, but also determined, and I especially appreciated her desire to bring reconciliation to broken relationships.

I was disappointed with the story as a whole, though. The mystery element fell a little flat for me; it felt like answers were handed to the characters without them having to do much searching. Also, one major thing that was different in this book, compared to the ones by Cox that I’ve read previously, was the romantic element. In general, I love books that contain romance—so long as it doesn’t get too descriptive on the kisses or whatever, I enjoy it. And this book did have the kind of romance I enjoy. But I couldn’t help wondering, as I read the book, what complexity of plot or characters we were missing out on by having that element in there. We’ll never know, but this book wasn’t the soul-deep read that Cox’s earlier books were for me.

I enjoyed this story and all the characters, but if I were honest, I never found it to be a gripping read. While I was reading this, I had to remind myself several times to pick it up, just so I could get through it. And when another, slightly more pressing, read came up, I didn’t find it hard to put this book aside in favor of that one for a time. That was also disappointing to me.

Overall, there’s nothing wrong with this book. It’s a lovely story of learning to come to grips with our past and moving into the future without regrets. I love the setting, and the history was both tragic and intriguing—a combination I admire. But overall, this book hit the “okay” mark, when I was hoping for something a lot closer to “great”. If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction with a dash of romance and mystery, and don’t mind a slower-paced read, I’d recommend you check this book out.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

The premise of this had me SO eager to read it! I absolutely LOVE books that revolve around the ocean and add in a lighthouse and some romance? I'm hooked... Generally.
But this one just was SOOOOO slow. I had so much trouble being invested in the story when I felt like the first part went nowhere.

I didn't mind the Bible quotes and whatnot, knowing ahead of time that it was Christian fiction, but I just felt unconnected to the plot and characters. It's really too bad as I was so looking forward to this one.

I loved this book! It's set on a barrier island in the Outer Banks and it's a beautiful setting!

The story revolves in two parts - current day with Joey restoring an old lighthouse for Walt, who is there with his grandson, Finn. Walt grew up in the Outer Banks and spent time with the lightkeeper's daughter until war tore them apart and Cay and her father disappeared one night. Rumor has her ghost haunts the island and the lighthouse. Walt wants to restore the lighthouse back to when Cay lived there and took care of her ailing father. Joey starts the restoration and finds keeper logs in the walls of the lighthouse and starts piecing together what really happened that last night Cay and her dad were on the island. This mystery pulls Joey and Finn closer together and leads them where they need to be. It's a beautiful story - I loved the setting, the mystery and love.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

An enjoyable, multilayered story with a dash of romance and mystery. I really liked all of the main characters: Joey and Finn, Walt and Cathleen. It’s a story of second chances and forgiveness.

I really enjoyed the setting of this story. Over a quarter of a century ago, my husband took me to the Outer Banks for our honeymoon. We never got away from the touristy parts of the islands, but I loved the way Amanda Cox brought that area to life in this story.
I was somewhat disappointed with Between the Sound and Sea overall. It did not feel like it came up to quite the same standard of excellence that I found in her other three books. Those three books were all split-time fiction, and I loved the way Amanda Cox slowly revealed bits and pieces of the story through the earlier lives of the various characters. In this book, however, she kept everyone in the present and the mystery was revealed by someone explaining what happened. To me, that was not nearly as engrossing as the split-time stories.

This is an entertaining novel that combines some WW II east coast history with a contemporary Christian romance. The focus centers around the restoration of a lighthouse and I appreciated learning a bit about it with respect to the German submarines along the east coast.

There are several issues included in the plot, such as regret, family estrangement and second chances at life. The pace of the novel was such that I would not call it a page turner. I liked the characters involved, some hurting from past pain, some a bit quirky, and my favorite, a teen needing a good dose of mentoring love. There is a good faith message included. The plot was predictable, as is often the case with romance, but it is an entertaining novel with interesting historical asides and contemporary character growth.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an honest and independent review.

Happy Publication Day to Between the Sound and Sea written by auto-buy author Amanda Cox! As its lovely cover hints, this story is set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and features a (fictional) lighthouse, its imagined history, and the people of several generations who are drawn to it.

Told in dual timeline format with a strong sense of place, its complex characters deal with a host of issues including fractured family relationships, loss of reputation, dementia, and grief. The author is a professional counselor which enables her to craft their interactions realistically yet compassionately. I especially appreciated how she included one character’s decades of regret about a relationship in his youth even after a long and happy marriage.

The search for home, both literal and philosophical, is a theme throughout, and the ways the title’s symbolism is woven into the novel united the storylines. The subplots of faith, mystery, intrigue, and romance added interest and meaning. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was headed, the author surprised me in the best ways. I keep almost no novels after reading them, but Ms. Cox’s books have a place of honor on my keeper shelf, and I’m thrilled to add Between the Sound and Sea to my collection.

Several times while reading this story, I was reminded of Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes. These novels are each unique but also in conversation in meaningful ways.

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel perfect for summer reading.

This was an enjoyable read. The plot was interesting and the characters were interesting and dynamic. I would recommend this book to others.

Amanda Cox has easily become a favorite author for me. This novel included The Outer Banks, and that has also been a favorite for me, dealing with a lighthouse made it very special as well as the historical mystery that gave depth to the story. I really appreciate the times I have visited several different maritime museums, so I felt immersed in things I knew and enjoy. And Amanda has a way of adding layer upon layer to her characters that keeps me coming back to read all she has written. There was just a dash of romance, done in the manner I like, not the main focus. If you enjoy depth of character, delightful settings, bits of historical interest mixed in with romance you will enjoy this novel. Write on Amanda! Thanks to Net Galley for an advance copy. And many thanks to Amanda Cox and Revell for this opportunity.

This book was so good and easy to get lost in. I loved the characters, they felt to real and the people I would like to know in real life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own*

I was worried that there would be too much religion and faith in this book for me, I was definitely concerned for no reason. While there is an element of faith, it is light, and definitely not overwhelming.

This book takes place in a remote lighthouse, away from society. There is a love story, but the relationship between granddaughter and grandfather is central. The grandfather wants to see the lighthouse restored before he dies, seeing it as a penance for past mistakes. This is the story of what those mistakes are, and what redemption really means.

Between the Sound and Sea becomes a dual timeline story mostly through the memories of octogenarian Finnegan Walter O'Hare, AKA Walt. In the early 1940s sixteen-year-old Walt left his best friend, Cay, behind as he left to join the merchant marines. It was the last time he saw her because she was reported to have disappeared the same night his ship was blown out of the water. Her father was found dead not long after, and so rumors about the father and daughter began. In 2007, Walt is still looking for ways to make things right.

Both story lines are interesting and well-thought-out. Each has its share of love, tragedy, and loss. The overall theme of restoration is well-done. The characters are ones that readers will come to care about. I highly recommend all of Amanda Cox's books. They are rich in excellent writing and deep themes. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Between the Sound and Sea from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Between the Sound and Sea is another captivating read by Amanda Cox. The story has a sweet romance, lost friendships, mystery, family relationships, and wonderful historical details wrapped up into a wonderful storyline. Taking place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina involving a lighthouse, had me glued to the pages from the beginning. The vivid descriptions of the area and the charm made me feel like I was there.

The story unfolds as Joey, Finn, and Wally work together to restore the lighthouse and house. The story has some suspense that had me on the edge of my seat, but then the work of God's intervention shined through the pages bringing more layers to the story. It was balanced perfectly. This one will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.





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Between the Sound and Sea is another engrossing, multilayered story by master storyteller Amanda Cox. The setting is on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where we meet Walt, an eighty plus year old, his grandson Finn, and Joey, an event planner who worked with her father and brother with their construction company. The three come together to restore an old non-working lighthouse on a barrier island between Pimlico Sound and the ocean. Walt has carried regrets for over sixty years, feelings of failing to help his friend when they were teenagers. Cay's father was the light keeper at the time of World War II. He was killed and Cay's body was never found the night of a merchant ship's explosion. Finn has some regrets of his own as a young man. Joey wants to restore her family's name in her hometown in Tennessee. The characters are wonderful, likable, and relatable; the setting was easy to visualize. This emotional story is one rich in history with a touch of mystery, romance, faith, second chances, and surprises.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

This is the best of Amanda Cox, and her books are always amazing in plot and writing style. Last year I wanted a dual storyline novel including a lighthouse and Between the Sound and Sea fit this perfectly!
Joey is not thriving in business in her hometown due to her family name being soured in the community when she hears about a lighthouse needed renovation on the Outer Banks. When she gets the job and start working for the owner Walt and his grandson Finn, they start discovering journal entries about the young lighthouse keeper who saved many from drowning. They three work together to solve the lighthouse keeper's mystery and what became of her as she's Walt's first love.
So many elements to this story that I loved-light romance, historical journal entries and mystery. I hated to see this story end. It will be one of my top three for the year.
I received a complimentary copy of Between the Sound and the Sea, but all opinions are my own.

A beautiful, romantic, faith filled mystery! Between the Sound and Sea completely grabbed hold of my imagination and didn’t let go. Full of secrets, legends, history, and restoration, this dual time line romance takes place on North Carolina’s Outer Banks in 2007 & the 1940’s. I enjoyed both timelines and how the past & present were woven together with plenty of twists along the way. It’s a lovely story about regrets, fear, and moving forward with romance & a touch of humor.

Josephina “Joey” Harris is struggling to find work in the town she adored and grew up in after a lawsuit tarnished her family name. Needing to get away, she decides to take a job restoring an old light house on Bleakpoint Island. When she arrives, she’s welcomed by the 81 year old owner, Finnegan “Walt” O’Hare however his grandson Finn is not so enthusiastic. He decides to give her a chance at his grandfather’s bequest and as she begins working on the lighthouse, she uncovers secret documents hidden in the walls.

As past and present collide, Joey becomes invested in finding out what happened to the light keeper and his daughter and the reason why Walt is so obsessed with restoring the lighthouse. With rumors of ghosts, legends, and a German invasion, restoring peace to Walt’s life becomes an all consuming task. But Joey and Finn have their own pasts they’re trying to overcome and as their once antagonistic relationship becomes more friendly, will they have a chance to restore their own lives as well?

I loved the beautiful prose and imagery in this story. I could easily picture the dilapidated lighthouse and the sandy beaches. Walt is such an endearing character and I loved his matchmaking. I also loved Joey and Finn and their slow-burn frenemies to more relationship. Both of them have reasons to be cautious about falling in love and I enjoyed watching them learn to overcome fears. The side characters will were delightful as well. I enjoyed the teenager Peter whose life takes a turn for the better.

The mysterious disappearance of Cay, Walt’s first love, is teased out throughout the story as letters, logbooks, and secrets are uncovered. I enjoyed finding out what happened all those years ago and seeing the regrets finally being put to rest. It’s a heartwarming story of second chances & restoration that inspirational historical fiction fans will adore.

Highly recommend! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

‼️World War 2 dual time line
⚓️ Boats in danger
💡dilapidation and decommissioned lighthouse on the Outer Banks
💔 lost friendship
👷event planner turned construction manager
💕 Second Chance at love

There is not a page in this book that did not pull me into the story. Amanda Cox has written another masterpiece that has me hooked from page 1.

The dual timeline is well written and you will find yourself traveling back in time to when the lighthouses of the US Atlantic Coast played crucial roles in WWII. Then just as easily you flow back into present day as Joey (female MC) faces hard times and embraces change by risking everything to oversee the restoration of a lighthouse in the Outer Banks.

The lighthouse has been the hot topic of the local small island gossip for years. The mystery unfolds as Joey tries to restore the lighthouse to it former glory. As she oversees this project, she begins to understand why Walt has taken on the project.

The story weaves in forgiveness, real family issues, and second chance love that begins with friendship.

There could be some triggers for those who have experienced miscarriages, divorce, death, and Daniel division. However, the story is focused on the healing process from those issues more than anything.

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley and Revell Publishing. This review is my honest opinion.

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