Blog Tour: Sunny Shelly Reviews Someone Else’s Ocean, by Kate Stewart

The first time I met Ian Kemp in the sparkling blue waters of St. Thomas, I was six years old and we shared a summer beneath the stars.

The second time I met Ian Kemp, he was a shell of the boy I once knew. Turbulent and infuriating, he refused my friendship at every turn. Like me, he was a casualty of life’s cruelty, but we were planets apart.

We’d both sought refuge on the island, hoping to find our anchor. Instead, we found each other and managed to reclaim our stars…until we both got swept away.

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

I liked Someone Else’s Ocean, but I didn’t love it. I loved The Real. I didn’t love Drive. I’ve come to the conclusion that KS is kind of hit-or-miss for me. Don’t get me wrong: her writing is beautiful. I have been to St. Thomas and imagined it in my head vividly from her words. And the connection between Koti and Ian — who spent a childhood summer together on the island many years ago — was lovely and I definitely felt their chemistry.

Unfortunately, Ocean just didn’t click for me the way that The Real had. (I loved the cameo by Abbie and Cameron!) I felt like a big piece of the puzzle was missing. I didn’t feel the moment — or feel like the reader saw — where Ian realizes he’s head over heels with Koti. I hate being TOLD something is so; I want to experience it with the characters, and did not feel as if I had.

Both characters found their way back to the island after major life disasters, and I loved how the sea and sand healed them both as they helped each other. But it just lacked the punch that I want in a romance that I’ll keep coming back to reread.

Overall, Ocean is a angst-filled story of second chances, letting go and healing. So if that’s your jam, this book is worth checking out. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.