Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

This debut novel is a slow burn, character-focused story that explores motherhood, complicated family dynamics, identity and alcoholism. Leah is the mother of three young kids who feels like she's the black sheep of her husband's very tight knit, conservative family where motherhood seems to be the ultimate goal. 

The story started out light but soon took a darker turn as the focus turns to the less talked about sides of motherhood - the sacrifices made, the unfulfilled dreams and how addiction can impact a mother and the family around them. It's an uncomfortable read at times (probably the author's aim) as we witness Leah's decline into addiction which was inspired by the author's own experiences with substance abuse. Among the darker topics, there are moments of light, specifically Leah's bond with her sister-in-law Amy, which was my favourite part of the book.

I have mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand, I appreciate the topics addressed but felt that the story was too slow burn for me and despite enjoying complicated and flawed characters, a lot of page time focused on Leah's long-winded introspection (mainly her obsessive hatred towards her mother-in-law) which bogged down the story and made her a hard character to connect with.

I think this story will connect more with people who are deep in the parenting trenches and all the demands and expectations they face and while this story didn't quite grab me, I think it will appeal to people who enjoy literary fiction that digs deep into poignant topics and it would make a great book club pick for the discussions it will instigate.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Harper Muse for the complimentary digital copy of this book that was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Jessica Guerrieri

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Harper Muse / Harper Collins Focus

First Published: May 13, 2025

Read: April 29 - May 5, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Leah O'Connor is torn between her current existence and the allure of a phantom life that can no longer be hers.

Swept off her feet by the gentle charm of Lucas O'Connor, Leah's unexpected pregnancy changes the course of her carefree and nomadic existence. Over a decade and three children later, Leah is unraveling. She resents the world in which her artistic aspirations have been sidelined by the overwhelming demands of motherhood, and the ever-present rift between herself and her mother-in-law, Christine, is best dulled by increasingly fuller glasses of wine.

Christine represents a model of selfless motherhood that Leah can neither achieve nor accept. To heighten the strain, Lucas's business venture, a trendy restaurant that honors his mother, has taken all his attention, which places the domestic demands squarely on Leah's shoulders. Seeking an ally in her sweet sister-in-law Amy, Leah shares a secret that, if made known to the wider family, could disrupt the curated ecosystems that keep the O'Connors connected.

As Leah dances with the devil while descending further into darkness, her behavior becomes more erratic and further alienates her from both Lucas and the wider family. Leah's drinking threatens the welfare of her family, prompting Amy to turn to Christine for support. A duel for loyalty ensues. When the inevitable waves come crashing down, it's the O'Connor women who give Leah a the truth of what they've all endured. But Leah alone must uncover the villain of her own story, learn how to ask for help, and decide if the family she has rejected will be her salvation or ultimate undoing.