The Ocean Between Us

An ocean between does not separate true, deep, heartwarming love. The best story I've read in a long time. All about relationships husband and wife Grace and Steve's relationship based on love more importantly on commitment. Brian, Emma and Katie's love and bond as sisters and brothers and children, and their love for their family. Great emotion provoking book. Thank you Me Wiggs.

For two decades Grace Bennett has been the perfect navy wife to her beloved Steve while traveling the globe when her husband gets restationed and raising their three delightful children. So why is the devoted family matriarch feeling worthless and dissatisfied? Perhaps it is simply that her youngest is in ninth grade and like her older siblings needs mom less, but Grace thinks it goes deeper as she believes it is her identity that she lost.
Steve is bewildered by Grace's sudden change of heart towards him, as he believes that his career proves how much he cares for his family. Now deployed, he knows his marriage is in jeopardy especially since Grace has established a communication black out. He refuses to accept that he lost her without going down fighting as he loves his wife and children, but panics that Grace will not be there when he redeploys. When Stephen's ship is in troubled waters, Grace may not have a choice whether to remain a sailor's spouse with the overseas danger to her husband and the rest of the sailors on board.
THE OCEAN BETWEEN US excitingly plays out on two levels. There is the conflict between Grace and Stephen that serves as a reminder of how much family members sacrifice so that their loved ones can serve in a military that constantly ships out to hot spots (whom else but the military and their family have really sacrificed anything for the Global War on Terrorism?). The second theme is an action subplot that shows how dangerous the world is. Both the relationship drama and the naval suspense thriller combine to make a terrific thought provoking tale.
Harriet Klausner

The Ocean Between Us revolves around a few US Navy families, and the hardships that come with living that kind of lifestyle. Grace's husband Steve has been in the Navy ever since she's known him. He is gone half of the time, and she runs their family when he's not around. She's always loved his career, but now she is about to turn 40 and the kids are in high school, she realizes that their marriage is in trouble and wonders if she truly wants to be a military wife forever.

I really enjoyed getting to learn about the Navy lifestyle, specifically in regards to the family that stays behind, as I don't know anybody in the military and I haven't read many books on the subject. I also liked the fact that this novel was a lot more about Grace re-discovering herself than it was about a romance -- although, obviously, her relationship with her husband was an important part of the story.

A big part of the book was the secret that came out in Grace and Steve's relationship at the beginning of the book. Although her mid-life crisis about her marriage wasn't completely about this secret, it was definitely the catalyst.

This secret was the biggest problem that I had with The Ocean Between Us. I just thought that it's really weird that such a big secret came out in their marriage. I can't imagine marrying somebody without knowing everything about them. And, even if I did date them for only a short time before marrying, like Grace... they've been married for something like 20 years. And she's NEVER asked him about his previous relationships?! That makes no sense to me. I understand that maybe she didn't want to ask about his difficult childhood, but wouldn't it start to raise some red flags if he didn't talk at all about his life before he met her? I mean, eventually it would have to come up. She never asked him about how many sexual partners he had, or if he ever had an STD, or if he'd ever been engaged before, or how old was he when he first had sex? I literally can't comprehend being married to somebody for 20 years and not being able to answer all of those questions about him. It just seems incredibly unrealistic that they could've been married for that long without him having told her about this secret that is revealed.

Grace and Steve Bennett have been married for twenty years and they have three children in high school. Steve is a career Naval officer and his career has taken precedence over everything else in the family's life. They've just moved to Washington state and Grace starts to feel the need to put down roots and begins to question all the sacrifices the family has made for Steve's career.

On the eve of Steve's deployment, the family finds out some shocking news, so the relationship between Steve and Grace is strained as he leaves. Several things happen while Steve is gone that test their strength, their love and their resolve as a family.

Deep down inside, The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs is a love story. It's not the story of a new romantic love, but rather the story of a deep, abiding love, and I thought it was just wonderful. The book was a quick read, because I found myself so engrossed in the story.

I could relate to Grace so much. Even though Carl's not in the service, we have moved a lot for his career, and I know what it's like to pack up, leave friends behind and start all over in a new place. I know what it's like to set aside your own needs to try to get your family settled and happy in a new place. I also know what it's like to appreciate all the opportunities those moves afford you - meeting new people and experiencing new places and things. I totally got it when Grace wondered whether giving up her own dreams to pursue her husband's had been too much of a sacrifice.

I could also relate to the Bennetts' three children, since my own father served in the Navy. My father retired when I was fairly young and he mostly had shore duty after I was born, but I do remember picking him up after a long deployment on an aircraft carrier, and wondering if I would recognize him when I saw him again. The children also made me think of Vance and the moves he's had to make throughout his life.

Overall, I liked The Ocean Between Us a lot and what I liked the most about it was the deep sense of love and respect the Bennetts had for each other and the way they learned to appreciate each other. I think Susan Wiggs did a fantastic job of portraying the life of a service family. This book was an emotional read for me - it made me cry several times, especially at the end. It serves as a reminder that when someone is enlisted in the military, their whole family serves and makes sacrifices.

Marriage takes a lot of work. When husband and wife love each other and can’t imagine a life without each other it’s worth it. What better legacy than to pass on to children and generations to come

While back-to-school shopping with her teenaged children, navy wife Grace Bennett catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror and doesn't like what she sees. She's nearing 40, has gained weight, and is still 'waiting' to get started with her life. Things she realizes are important, like getting a house, settling down, and developing a career of her own have been put on hold to let her devote herself to her family and to her husband, Navy Captain Steve Bennett's career. When she spots and falls in love with a beautiful home, she decides she can't take the waiting any longer.
Steve Bennett knows that his navy career puts strains on the family. Still, Grace knew that when she married him and it doesn't seem fair that she's changing the rules now. And a house is silly, really, as he'll be transferred again as he moves up the career ladder. He blows off Grace's concerns--until a long-buried secret from his past rears up and puts a tear in their already damaged relationship.
Steve and Grace's children are dealing with their own issues: their son is rebelling against his father's pressure to attend the Navy Academy; their older daughter is dealing with her new-found sexuality--and gets caught in a dangerous situation she can see no way out of; the younger daughter is the shy one--a curse in a family that moves every few years and must make new friends, new alliances whenever they do. The pressures military service puts on families are echoed in the problems and joys faced by Grace's circle of friends, especially her fitness coach Lauren, who has fallen for a young navy airman.
Author Susan Wiggs brings a strong emotional focus to the issues of the military spouse and woman's search for identity in a world still largely defined by men. Grace is a strong and sympathetic character, torn between her love for a man and her own need for autonomy, reinforced by her discovery that he has kept a secret from her throughout their marriage. Wiggs further hooks the reader by dealing with the issue of date-rape. Ultimately, the story is that of Grace's growth. She transforms herself from a woman who defines herself by her husband to a woman who can stand on her own feet--yet is strong enough to welcome a man into her arms if he is prepared to treat her as an equal rather than someone to whom orders can be given.
It took me a few chapters to get into this story but the payoff was definitely worth the investment. Wiggs demonstrates again why she is one of the top authors in romance/woman's fiction today.

The book was just okay for me. In my opinion, too many characters thrown in that could have been more developed. Even after finishing the book, I am undecided about Steve and Grace. Not sure how much I liked either of them. The story had me interested, it just didn't keep me interested. The ending was too rushed. I never knew how Steve really felt about anything. Would have liked to see more emotion from him with his wife and children, including Josh.

Susan Wiggs is one of those authors I've stumbled across who seems very at home in many different genres and settings. I've read books of her set in different centuries and with very different stories/angles. "The Ocean Between Us" is set in modern times and it focuses on a husband and wife, Steve and Grace Bennett, and a time of learning and trouble in their relationship.

This sounds rather gloomy and in fact I was a little worried when I started the book that it would be depressing. There are some aspects of this book that are sad but the overall feeling is definitely uplifting. Steve is a Navy Captain who is away on an Aircraft Carrier for six months at a time; Grace has been a brilliant Navy wife, bringing up their three children well despite Steve's long absences. But now that Grace is turning forty she finds herself looking again at aspects of her life and wondering if it is worth carrying on with her marriage. A secret from Steve's past threatens her sense of security and with him away and her changing her life she wonders if there's room for him. There are some side-plots involving a friend of Grace's with her new Navy boyfriend, Grace's children and of course Steve's view of the situation from at sea.

I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of life at sea - and on land - for a Navy couple. There was a lot of detail about the Aircraft Carrier and flying a Prowler which was fascinating - and rather unusual for a book authored by a woman and aimed at women. I also thought that the way that Susan Wiggs described the sort of marriage that Navy personnel have - requiring long separations - was excellent.

Once again Susan Wiggs has provided an excellent book which explores human emotions, family and individuality and it's a book I can very much recommend.

Once again, Susan keeps you spellbound in another wonderous adventure. For those of you who don't live in the Pacific NW - you're missing out on a lot of beauty. We're a retired military family and so many of the emotions Susan shared in her book were absolutely true. Her research of the military lifestyles and choice of "research" people is outstanding. If you've never been in a military setting, you've GOT to read this book. If you've been in the military (or still are), you've GOT to read this book. The military lifestyle is a most difficult one, but one I would live over again if I had a choice. We made so many friends throughout our career; we've seen so many fabulous places and feel so blessed. There are a lot of Bennett families around the world serving our country. We can be proud of each and every one of our sailors, soldiers, Marines, and Air Force who give their all every day of the year...and as we celebrate the upcoming Memorial Day "holiday", remember those who didn't make it home to their families - all for the love of their (and our) country!

Thank you, Susan for doing such a wonderful job. Keep up the good work!

The best part of this book was the very beginning with the information dump concerning the workings and life aboard a naval aircraft carrier. After that the book is cheesy and predictable, kind of like a bad made-for-TV movie.

Sometimes change is provoked by a moment's reflection rather than life's big crises. Grace is startled one day when she looks at herself in the mirror and sees a frumpy, middle-aged woman staring back. Approaching her 40th birthday and dreading the impending departure of her two oldest children from home, Grace takes stock of herself and is dissatisfied with what she discovers. She is a mother and loyal Navy wife, but she longs for more. Her personal frustrations are magnified when a crisis threatens her marriage.

Susan Wiggs writes a satisfying story about love and family, honor and duty, and creates a nicely defined cast of characters. I found myself enlightened about the unique challenges that Navy personnel face because they live half of their lives an ocean away from their families at home. The family rituals of preparing for deployment, the way each character coped with the seperation, and the officer's sense of estrangement in a time of personal crisis on board ship was a poignant storyline.

Wiggs reminds us how soldiers make sacrifices in peacetime and throughout their lives as the call to serve their country sometimes demands that they make choices at the expense of their relationships with loved ones who are left behind. Highly recommended.

I found SW as a new author late last year and I have gone on to buy most of her books written in the past 10 years. I am a serious reader - one of those - that goes through a book a day if I'm in a good cycle. I have read quite a few SW books over the last few months - standouts include - The Horsemaster's Daughter, A Summer Affair (a sequel to THMD), Halfway to Heaven, Enchanted Afternoon (a sequal to HWTH), The Firebrand and Miranda. I have many more books to read and can't wait! SW is so talented as an author - she brings characters alive, places to life and makes you live the story not just read the story. She is what the joy of reading is all about.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, An Ocean Between Us, as I knew it was not a historical romance (which is my preferred genre of love stories to read) and that it contained the story line with many characters (I was worried I might get lost along the way with too much going on) and that it was a book heavily on the military life of a Naval family (I knew little about this way of life so, unsure if I would find it interesting or too different and a bit boring). But....true to form, SW writes another great one. Let's face it, real emotion, real conflicts, real life surpasses time and space so, when an author brings you into the heart of the story line you can't help but be interested and fascinated all at one time.

I was impressed that SW had so many characters in live action in this book yet, no one got lost along the way. That included the main characters of Grace (mother/wife), Steve (husband/father/military man), kids Emma, Katie, Brian(their teen-aged children), Josh (Steve's unknown first child/military man), Lauren (Josh's love interest) and others such as Patricia/Officer Riviera, ex-wife Cissy, and others. SW was able to write deep enough that you got a real solid feel for who each of these characters really were and what they were going through. Of course with so many characters introduced, you can only go so intricate on who and what they are all about but, frankly, I thought she did a pretty good job with the volume she had going on. Not perfect but, really good over-all. As the book went on, I noticed each new chapter dealt with a different person and their view point/perspective and life event was profiled and then a new character would arrive and a switch would occur again. Eventually, you got to know everyone and back and forth it went and of course, the inevitable happens, the story life comes full circle and show why everyone is tied together.

The difficulty Naval and other military families go through in service to their nation was a powerful and moving story to tell. Life apart is more common than life together. Sacrifice to a thankful nation is critical element to these families but, so is the impact of living apart for a life time when it comes to husbands, wives, kids and relatives.

This book showed what can happen to even the best families when distance and time take their toll. Who do you become? What do you do? What do you hope, wish and desire? Who follows who? Who stays behind? How does life go on while loves ones are away? And all the difficulty to patching up a family due to the affects of distance and duty. The background stories of Steve's first marriage, unknown son and trying to move up in his military career, the teen-age children's difficulties in making friends and going through the trials and tribulations of being young men and women while on the go as a Naval family, loss of life, injuries during military maneuvers and more are all interesting and appealing side plots. There was never a dull moment in this book. Especially when Steve and Josh both got hurt and look lost at sea! What would happen??? The highlights were full of impact, never dull and always believable. I liked that.

I found all the twists and turns in this book enjoyable. The most important of course being, the soul searching Grace did as a middle aged woman with grown kids, a duty bound Naval man moving up the ranks of his profession and trying to figure out who you are in mid life with no career, no house, no set place to call home and a lost identity. Her journey of self -discovery was powerful and important - I'm sure many, many women can relate. I was pleased to see at the end she stayed a wonderful person and did not weaken and take a less traveled route that could have ruined everything. Instead, she did the hard work and made the tough decision at the end to put herself first and not just Steve and the kids. She learned she counts too and she can have what she wants without always being the martyr mom. I was glad she didn't go off the deep end. She pushed the limits but, had the good sense to finally realize she spent her life doing as she was supposed to instead of actually what she wanted. She finally saw the light and rebelled but, only she knew why. She was causing chaos with her family as she was becoming someone they didn't know. Clearly, her change was necessary and good but, not without a lot of conflict, pain and soul searching. Grace's story re-affirmed that you teach people how to treat you so...treat yourself goooooood! A lesson most moms need to learn eventually. A happy and content mom is good for everyone.

Of course this book ended up being pretty thick and long. There was some elements that could certainly have used more time and expansion (Brian's changes after finding out he was a second son, Emma's rape issue and the results to the boy who harmed her, Katie's shyness and development of self, more time to bring Grace and Steve back together at the end when Grace almost strayed to another man, the loss Patricia went through after loosing her husband and quickly giving birth and so on). But... a book can only get so big. This one had so much and so many things and people going on it might lend itself to some follow up books/story lines for some of these characters we met to evolve more but, didn't get too deep on. Just a thought.

This book over-all is a great read. Pick it up soon, read it and add it to your Susan Wiggs library. You won't be sorry you did. If you enjoy honest and real love stories and seeing the human spirit prevail, then this is the one for you.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends THE OCEAN BETWEEN US as a powerful novel of love & lies, youth & maturity, commitment & courage, getting hurt & second chances. It pays homage to military wives everywhere -- those intrepid, dedicated women who will live for the most part alone, raising children, moving from base to base, while being the anchor to which their husbands will return ... hopefully.
In THE OCEAN BETWEEN US, we are embedded with DCAG Captain Steven Bennett on an aircraft carrier somewhere off East Asia. Back home on Whidbey Island, in the heart of the Puget Sound just north of Seattle, there is a military base which has recently deployed hundreds of men & women in the fight against terrorism. There Grace Bennett, a 20 year veteran Naval wife struggles with the fallout from her husband's last time home, her children's imminent graduation from high school, her mid-life crisis, & the fears & troubles of the younger military wives in her care.
A thoughtful, emotional & hopeful novel that makes you want to stand up & cheer!

It's always amazing to me that readers can have such different reactions to books. I confess, I'm mystified by those readers who didn't like this book, because I loved it. The depiction of Navy life was incredibly realistic and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about what it's like to serve on a carrier and/or land a plane on a carrier. I also loved the Pacific Northwest setting, which Ms. Wiggs brought alive so beautifully. But what I enjoyed most about this book were the characters. For me, it's ALWAYS about the characters, and Steve, Grace, Brian, Emma, Katie, Josh, and Lauren crept into my heart and stayed there till the very end, with me rooting for them all the way. This book is beautifully written and a real page-turner. Bravo, Ms. Wiggs! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My mom says the day my dad came home from Thailand during the Vietnam War, I looked at him and asked who he was.

I don't remember those days, but I do remember other times my dad was gone on military duty. I remember how he'd retired before the first Gulf War and how we were so afraid he'd get called up to leave us again.

My mom's told me stories of how hard it was to be a military wife. How just as she'd get used to being a single mom, Dad would come home. How she'd have to relearn the patterns of marraige. How resentful that made her sometimes. But how she loved my dad anyway.

Susan Wiggs captures every bit of the heart break, the passion, the uncertainty of loving a Navy man in this novel. Even if you have no experience with military family life, you'll walk away happy you gave this reunion story of sorts a chance. Every character feels real. The subplots move seemlessly through the main story. This is an awesome book!

Once I started reading this book, I simply could not put it down. Susan Wiggs has developed into a fine writer and this one may well be her best to date. Her character development is particularly good, and her depiction of a military family's life is right on point. I like that she created real teenagers too, complete with all the angst that is typical of those years. Anyone who has teenagers can certainly relate to the eye-rolling and high drama experienced by the two Bennett daughters.

I was pleased to find a female character in her forties who was rediscovering herself. Forty-something women need to be recognized in fiction and this is a good start.

The introduction of the heretofore unknown son was a bit contrived, and may not have been altogether necessary. The couple's problems were serious enough without adding him into the mix. Otherwise, the book was satisfying and well-written.

The title of this book describes the marriage of Grace and Steve Bennett. Steve is in the Navy and has spent the majority of his married life an ocean away from his family. This has eventually led to restlessness and unfulfilled potential for Grace. She has spent most of her lifetime taking care of home and children while Steve has been away, and making sure that everything ran smoothly when he was home. As she hits 40, Grace realizes that there are things that she would like to do which she's never had the opportunity to try because she's been taking care of everyone else. This is the engaging story of the Bennett family, the marital tensions of the parents, and the traumas that their teenagers encounter. Family life and Navy life clash at several points and Grace and Steve must make some important decisions in order to insure their future life together. This is a readable and entertaining book.

With authentic detail and a slightly romanticized version of military life, this is a page turner of a book. Multiple themes intertwine with marriage, mistakes, new beginnings, parenting, and regrets, but it all ties together flawlessly in the end. That's not a spoiler alert, since you already assumed a happy ending from this author and for that, I'm glad. Highly recommended.

When I read this, I thought, "she must be a military spouse...she has captured how we feel." Since I am a military spouse and author, I contacted her, wanting to make connection. Turns out she isn't a military spouse, and never has been. Which just goes to show how much research this novelist puts into her books.
As someone who has lived in the NW and a long time lover of lakes, I loved the setting as well. Whether you are military or not, if you've ever faced a time period of doubt in your life about your choices and life direction, you'll relate. A great summer read! Kathie Hightower, coauthor of Help! I'm a Military Spouse...I Get a Life Too!

I have read all of Ms. Wiggs books. I think that this is one of her worse ones. I finished the book and felt like the ending was rushed and just too happy, almost unbelievable. The beginning of the book really draws you in but after that the events are predictable and a little boring. There are too many characters to really get to feel like you know any of them very well. I didn't feel any chemistry between the main characters. It was a great idea for a story but lacking something in the end. Save your money and borrow this one from the libaray instead. It wasn't a horrible read but after I finished it I felt like it was okay. Nothing to get excited over.

Unlike the rest of the reviewers I didn't like this book at all. Susan wiggs writes superb romance but I guess she 's bored with them. I found Grace very unsympathetic, as I did the main character in Home before dark.

Pamela Morsi and Patrcia Gaffney are two authors who have switched to this I am woman I am strong garbage and now I'll have to start looking carefully at Wiggs before I buy.

I guess what I found most irritating in both Home before Dark and this book are the absolutely sensitive and perfect heroes waiting for both ladies so they really don't have to get along without a man.

And 140lbs being really fat? In what universe does Ms. Wiggs exist?

What can I say, this book just blew me away. The Bennetts are an American family that will remind you of your own, or the way things should be when people love each other.
There was something about the pacing of this one, it just would not let me put it down. I would start thinking I had figured out one of the storylines, and then the story would turn another corner and I'd find myself in a completely different place! Masterful!
This is the ultimate read--rich, rewarding and calorie free.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a heart-warming story of a career Navy man, his family, and the trials of their lives. Steve is the main character, shares what it feels like to be serving his country, sometimes at the expense of his family. Steve's wife, Grace, is in the middle of a full blown mid-life crisis, and can be a bit difficult to take at times, but Susan Wiggs brings it all together as it should be.

Very enjoyable read!

This is far and away the best romance novel I've ever read. The story is beautiful, but Wiggs' writing is what elevates her novels above all others in the genre, and she is at her best here. I am a High School English Teacher and lover of the language. I have studied the worlds' greatest literature and poetry. Still, I find myself impressed with Wiggs' writings, even dog-earing pages and highlighted passages with particularly pleasant wording (such as the beautifully descriptive "he lifted one gloved hand in farewell, and for a moment his splayed fingers looked like a white star in the crisp blue sky" pg 237). If you want an absorbing, easy read, that doesn't sacrifice quality, Wiggs is your author. If you want a powerful love story with full, vibrant, loveable characters, "Ocean" is your book - though I also highly recommend "Table of Five"

When I read this book, my husband was in the Navy and on a 6 month deployment. While I found the book slow throughout, the author does an excellent job of depicting military life, and the sacrifices that every man and woman in uniform, and their families make on a daily basis. Freedom really is not free.

I have read a few of Susan Wiggs novels and I found them enjoyable reads. But this one blew me away, without a doubt, this is her best!!
Maybe because I am at that age and facing those same crossroads in life...but it touched my heart and gave me faith in what we all search for... a true love (of one or a family). It also made me realize how much the miltary men as well as their families sacrafice for our country.
There is so much more...but I suggest you purchase a copy...and kick back...it was THAT good..I read it in one day...and you will want to as well!!!

I find it hard to believe that I just learned of this book. Reading it was sometimes an eerie experience, since I have been there -- twice, in fact. My husband was a seagoing "lifer," as was my father. I often told my husband that I had 20 years' seniority on him in the service. My husband was home for six weeks of our first two years of marriage, and met his first of three sons when he had just turned six months old -- and so it began, and so it continued until his retirement. Before my marriage, complete with starched whites and an arch of swords, I saw my father only rarely during WWII, and I have had father, uncle, brother (a classmate of my husband), and son serve in every conflict our country has seen between 1925 and today. My three sons remain their own best friends, as they never had time to make close friends before that set of orders to a new ship or post would arrive. When my eldest son graduated from high school he had attended as many schools as he had grades.

While the separations were never pleasant, and at times they were indeed frightening, I would not trade my life, or those of my family, for any other.

Well done, Susan. Any wife and mother who could find this book "boring" has never been there.

Ann

I just spent an hour writing a great review only to lose it!! So this will be short and sweet! It was a wonderful story. I loved it and want to hear from these charming and very real people again in a second or maybe third book Ms Wiggs!!!!

My husband was in the military for the first ten yrs of our marriage and I was quickly taken back to that period where I experienced many of the things Grace went through. She captures the heart and minds of the military people with excellence and detail. I especially appreciated her recognition of the sacrifice and endurance of our amazing military personnel and their loved ones at the end of the book. It's a good story for corporate families who face moves and any family who faces scruitiny and sacrifice for their jobs. Keep writing contemporary novels Ms Wiggs! You're great at it!

This story is wonderful. Like so many I've read, this is one that you'll love from start to finish. Not too many writers can manage to keep their books in the 5 star bracket. This one can. I hope you enjoy this book, as well as her others, as well as I did. Happy reading.

I have read several of Susan Wiggs books and have enjoyed all of them, but this one was OUTSTANDING !!!! I loved the realistic relationships that the characters had with each other...and felt like I knew them -- didn't want the book to end. I would highly recommend this book !!!!

This was a pretty good read, and I enjoyed it. However, I found it hard to believe that someone could survive overnight, with no flotation device except a shirt with air blown into it, in cold ocean waters with a badly burned arm.

This was definitely not one of Susan Wiggs' best...I much prefer her historical romances. While I liked the author's look at Navy life, her characters never truly develop and end up leaving you waiting for resolutions that never truly happen or that occur far too simply. Case in point- the author's look at rape in the book- instead of resolving the issue with the offender facing criminal charges, the person is privately sent into a rehab proram without any arrest/jail time. What kind of message is that! Hopefully her next contemporary novel will have more depth.

This is the kind of book you hope for when you open it and start reading. It sweeps you away to another place, where you meet people who touch your heart. This author must have been a military wife or daughter in another life, she knows what she is talking about here. More important, she knows how to write about the things that matter most, love and honesty and family and duty. This is written with a gritty realism that held me spellbound and on the edge of my seat. I really wanted these people to make it. There is a review on this book by my favorite author, Nora Roberts. I'm glad she brought it to my attention because Wiggs is now a new favorite.

Susan Wiggs has outdone herself with this one-----am in awe of such writing talent. You feel like you are part of this family and can certainly identify with the emotions of this book character- couldn't put it down.- Thanks Susan, Carla Keneson- Lafayette, LA

This is only the second book of Susan's I have read, and this was excellent. It gives you a whole new insite on Military life, and what families go through while someone is off to war. I couldn't put this book down. What a great thrift store find! Can't wait to read another one of her books. Kudos to you Susan!!!

This novel is Susan Wiggs at her best. The novel's plot is very believable, and it has very human characters. Wiggs's fans will enjoy this story of love and the struggle to keep it alive when separated by distance and each character's unique set of problems.

This book dives right into the life of a navy family -- all the love, hardships, and secret terror of having a loved-one at sea. While my brother was in the navy, my sister in law described so many events and feelings that I saw expressed in this book. I'm going to send her a copy right away, because even though they aren't a navy family any more, I know she'll appreciate a story that shows how valuable HER sacrifice was (in addition to my brother's). I fell in love with Emma -- her storyline had me riveted -- and especially Grace and Steve.

This was a wonderful read! I found myself thinking about reading during the day so that I could find out what happened next! Being the mother of a teenager, I was very attached to Emma and what she went through. I also related to Grace and how she was feeling at that point in her life!! Finally, finished over half of it in one day...it was so gripping! This is only the second book I have read by Susan, but I am hooked!!! Great writing!!!

I did like this book enough to finish reading it. I liked the basic premise and message of the book... I just felt like some of the writing was a bit contrived. The characters are a little too perfect to be believable. It's a quick and pretty mindless summer beach read, but there's nothing too memorable about this book to me.

It's bad enough that books are now 7.50 but who reads this kind of junk enough to make it a bestseller? I'm not that picky but I bought this book as a bestseller in my supermarket and would love my money back. The characters are shallow and unredeeming. The women pretty much perfect, whenever they aren't weeping. I want real emotion and real people, not this. If they moved in next door to me I would sell my house. I have never read this author before and I won't again. Save your money and buy someone good, like Nora Roberts or Barbara Delinsky.

Not one of my favorites by Susan Wiggs. I took this book to the beach hoping to enjoy it while relaxing on the sand but the book was boring and didn't hold my interest. Finished it but not fast enough!

This is one of those books, you wish there were more of to read. I throughly enjoyed reading "The Ocean Between Us". It tells Navy life the way I never realized it was for the families and officers. I hope there will be more like this from Susan Wiggs.

I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH MY PURCHASE PRICE.I HAD EMAILED THE SELLER TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS BEFORE MY PURCHASE AND THEY RESPONDED QUICKLY WITH MY ANSWERS.THANK YOU TO the store AND THE SELLER FOR MAKING THIS SO EASY.