Seascape

If you are a conservative...this book is not for you... not what I thought it was going to be about...very detailed but not about the characters ...about everything else...not for me but I will finish it.

Britt James, a chemist, has an epiphany as she testifies for the defense in a case involving the environment. Seeing the large blown-up photos of the dead birds the company she works for has killed because they ignored the protocols of dumping chemicals sends Britt into a tailspin and she runs away - from her job, her girlfriend, and herself. She heads northwest from Seattle and ends up on the wild, untamed coast near Forks, a small town at land’s end.Tess Hanson, a marine biologist, has taken a leave of absence from the college she teaches at for a few months to return to the northern coast near Forks to help take care of her father after he injures his back. She knows she’s going to be bored and stifled just as she’d been as a teenager. She begins volunteering at a lab studying her beloved Orca whales and that helps her to remember why she wanted to be a marine biologist in the first place.When the two women meet, there’s chemistry, but each knows she will be returning to “civilization” so neither wants to start something that can never be finished. But there’s that attraction thing going on…Walsh has captured the wildness of the Forks area perfectly. Her characters are likable, including the curmudgeonly characters who live there. The writing is smooth and well done.There are times when Britt bogs down Walsh’s very real portrait of a woman at a crossroads, and you may find yourself wishing Britt would make a decision, any decision, regarding what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

This was the second book I picked up from this author, the first was years ago with Blindsided, and I have to say I totally forgot I read that one until I recognized 2 characters she brought back in Seascape. Since I am reviewing this newer one, I'll leave Blindside out of it (but it was a pretty good book if interested).With Seascape I had a hard time keeping my focus for the first 30% of the book, there was very little, and I mean very little dialog, more just setting up the understanding of the characters-how they got to where they were a few weeks into the timeline. If you like books with more narrative, third person then this is the book for you. Even as I progressed, the book overall had little dialog so I really had a hard time liking the characters. It all felt more like someone was just reading about 2 people and no interaction between them really.It wasn't a bad book, the author does a wonderful job describing the surroundings, and the areas of Washington State. And you do get a feel for each character individually, but I didn't not come away with a great impression of them together, interacting.I'll keep an eye out for more books by this author (like I said I enjoyed Blindsided) but I'll definitely check reviews before purchasing.I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own

I just love a romance where the location provides a sweeping epic background that becomes a major character to the story itself. Seascape does just that as the Washington state coastline and it’s wildlife provide an exotic setting for Brittany and Tess. The author does an outstanding job of immersing you in the senses surrounding the sea and wilderness and I really felt I could smell the salt air and hear the waves crashing on the rocks. Brittany hopes this peace and nature’s beauty will help guide her to a different life’s purpose other than as an expert witness to the dubious chemical company she defends in court over shady environmental infractions. If you’re an animal and nature lover this story will appeal to you in spades. Tess and Brittany’s battle to detour around impropriety while trying to maintain professionalism in the midst of undeniable chemistry becomes an entertaining dance of two hearts on a terminal collision course. They are both likable and relatable in their imperfect ways in addition to being exceedingly accomplished in their scientific fields. Getting lost in their romance amidst the beautiful coast was so worth it. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of all the characters and their relationships. There were a lot to keep up with, but it never got confusing.The handling of Britt's realization of the harm done by her company and the steps she goes through to mitigate it were very well done - including Tess's assurance that it was perfectly okay that she came to the realization when she did - even though Tess initially criticized her former job.So many romance books focus on just the main characters, and just on the romance and sex. This book has them - separately and together - spending quality time with others. And spending quality time together doing regular activities that don't necessarily scream "romance!" In this way, it was much more "real life" than so many other romance books. And I, for one, thoroughly appreciated that.This is the first Karis Walsh book I've read, and it won't be the last. I also wanted to mention that *so* many of her book covers draw you in.