As the Tide Comes In
A Novel
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4.7 • 29 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times best-selling author releases her first southern novel, a Steel Magnolias-meets-Sweet Home Alabama story set on St. Simons Island.
When an unthinkable loss sends Tara Abbott's life spiraling out of control, she journeys from North Carolina to Georgia's St. Simons Island. Although confused and scared, she hopes to find answers about her past - her life before the years of foster care and raising her two half-brothers as a young adult. Will she find steady ground on the island, surrounded by an eccentric-but-kindhearted group of older women called The Glynn Girls and a determined firefighter? Or will the truth splinter what's left of her identity into pieces?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Woodsmall (The Gift of Christmas Past) takes readers into the picturesque mountains of North Carolina and onto the cozy sands of St. Simons Island, Ga. Since Tara turned 18, she has been in charge of raising her half-brothers, Darryl and Sean. But now almost 30, with her independence near as both brothers are ready to head off to college, Tara's life is ripped apart when a storm destroys her home. She leaves the mountains and memories of North Carolina to head to St. Simons Island for healing and rest. Gavin, a local firefighter, and his four "mommas" eccentric retiree friends who call themselves the Glynn Girls are all recovering from their own personal losses and take Tara under their wing, propelled by their own need for solace and hope. While the Glynn Girls are happy to get Tara out of her depression, Gavin is not as keen on having his simple life disturbed. As they all get to know Tara and she reveals her own family used to vacation on the island, they realize that their lives are connected in ways that they never could have imagined. Although the plot is convenient and the ending is unsurprising, ample humor and faith elements make Tara's emotional journey relatable. Woodsmall tells an enjoyable story about growing through emotional, physical, and spiritual strife.
Customer Reviews
Emotional novel
As the Tide Comes In is the newest Christian novel by Cindy Woodsmall. Tara Abbott lives in Sylva, Georgia where she has raised her two stepbrothers since she was eighteen years old. Sean and Darryl will be heading off to college in the fall and the three of them are going to visit St. Simons Island during the summer. While Tara is out running in the woods, a devastating tornado strikes. Tara loses both of her siblings and suffers a head injury. While in the hospital, Tara has a dream where the boys tell her to go to St. Simons Island. Despite her friends concerns, Tara heads for the island. Unfortunately, Tara becomes confused, disoriented, and ill. She gets rescued by Gavin Burnside and his four mothers’, The Glynn Girls. Can they help Tara recover and find her place? Gavin and The Glynn Girls are having a tough time themselves. Gavin’s father died leaving behind a mess for them to clean up. They have a balloon payment coming due and only one resource. While Gavin is reluctant to use it, they have no choice. Join Tara, Gavin, and The Glynn Girls on their journey in As the Tide Comes In.
As the Tide Comes In is Cindy Woodsmall’s first non-Amish, full-length book and she did not disappoint with this heartfelt narrative. As the Tide Comes In is a well-written and engaging novel. The pace is steady throughout with smooth transitions as the point-of-view switches between characters. The author created realistic characters with Tara and Gavin who are going through true-to-life situations. I was delighted with the quirky The Glynn Girls. Julep, Luella, Sue Beth and Dell are the four ladies who make up The Glynn Girls. Julep is Gavin’s mother, but all four ladies helped to raise him (and still mother him). The four of them have a strong friendship that helps them get through the good and, most especially, the bad times. The Glynn Girls add levity and lightness to As the Tide Comes In. I especially enjoyed watching the romance bloom between Luella and Charles McKenzie. There are beautiful descriptions of the island and the vistas Tara experiences when she is rock climbing. As the Tide Comes In a story of hope, love, grief, heartbreak, joy and faith. It is important to never to lose sight of the fact that God is always with us. It is hard to remember when we are stricken with sadness, grief, or despair. We need to let ourselves mourn the loss of a loved one, but then it comes time to move forward with our lives (though we will never forget our loved one). We need to remember the happy times and find ways to help others. I found As the Tide Comes In to be an emotional, heartfelt novel. You will need to have a box of tissues nearby. There is some predictably to the story, but it did stop me from having a pleasurable reading experience. I am rating As the Tide Comes In 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). You will not want to miss out on Cindy Woodsmall’s poignant novel As the Tide Comes In.