Where the Sea Takes Me by Heidi R. Kling

The Quick Cut: Girl and guy end up in each other's lives again 2 years after a devastating tsunami brought them together. Drama ensues as they take a trip for charity and their relationships are effected.

A Real Review:

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got really excited when I read the description for this book because it sounded so unique and different. It's rare when there's a story told from the perspective of charity. So as soon as I received this ARC, I love into it.

Having read this one, it was definitely worth it. Even with it's weak points and soft spots, this is a story worth telling with a character and family you want to root for. Sienna's passion for the past few years of her life has been Team Hope and the good work they do in third world countries. It's a passion she shares with her family and one that was struck two years ago when she met Deni.

In the years since they met, Sienna has done everything she could to forget Deni and move forward with her life. A big part of that has involved Spider, her guy friend that isn't her boyfriend (but definitely wants to be). Just as Spider asks Sienna to move in with her, Deni shows up: he finished a documentary, won an award, and is coming to town. Everything falls apart with Spider right after Deni shows up and the male competition begins.

So when an offer to go on another Team Hope trip happens and Deni is coming with, things get complicated as emotions get involved again. Will their feelings grow like last time? What happens when she goes home again and they're split apart?

Sienna is relatable and easy to understand where she's coming from. Even when things with Spider get chaotic and he throws massive temper tantrums, she acts responsible. She cares even after he disappears from people's lives and insults her passion for Team Hope (in front of her entire family). Her downfall is that, like any chick, she lets her emotions get the best of her. She loses focus and it gets her in trouble. This happens even in Cambodia when they're on their mission helping the girls learn to swim.

A significant theme in the book is child trafficking and the impacts to the children, families, and the countries it happens in. The material is handled really delicately and well in my opinion, including information about how the survivors have PTSD. Helping these girls learn to adapt afterwards is really touching to read, especially when you see how much they struggle at certain points.

As well handled as the tough subjects are, the author could have done a better job on the softer ones. I get that Spider is meant to be the bad boy here, but he's dropped like a hot rock. The guy is such a big presence at the start and then by halfway through, completely disappears with zero closure on his story. It's absolutely frustrating. Why?!?!

With a great story and a powerful point, this romance tale has plenty to say in a story that will teach you about a topic that's impacting society today.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5