*********** PRAISE FOR BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA:
“Jessica Guerrieri’s powerful debut is a deeply moving account of motherhood, addiction, and how we lose–and find–ourselves within family. I loved getting to know Leah, Lucas and the entire O’Connor clan within the sweeping backdrop of a Northern California surfing town.”—Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of Community Board
" Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is an unflinching look at the perceived expectations of raising children and the emotional turmoil of trying to balance motherhood and identity, mirrored perfectly by the intense atmospheric imagery of the Northern California coast.” —Lindsay Currie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms
“ Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea examines the delicate balance between identity and obligation, exploring the quiet struggles and unspoken truths of motherhood. With piercing honesty and lyrical prose, Jessica Guerrieri illuminates the spaces between love and resentment, sacrifice and self-preservation, and the impossible choices women face in their quest to hold it all together while they secretly self-destruct. This is more than a beautiful novel—it’s a mirror, a reckoning, and ultimately, a lifeline for anyone who’s ever felt like they are drowning under the weight of being everything to everyone.“—Lara Love Hardin, New York Times bestselling author and Oprah’s Book Club Pick
" Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a powerful and eloquent novel that plumbs the depths of the conflicts between domestic tranquility — particularly parenthood — and a growing dependence on alcohol to fuel the creative life. This book is highly recommended and impossible to put down!"— John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author
“A compelling exploration of the human experience. This novel captures the intricacies of family dynamics layered with money, status, and the weight of expectation. Each page resonates with universal reliability that draws readers deeply into its story. The interplay between characters is so vivid and profound that I was utterly absorbed, losing track of time in the process. This is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive debut novels I've encountered- a remarkable achievement. I eagerly await Guerrieri's next work, as this is only the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary literary journey.”—Katherine Rhadan, Quit Lit Writer, Speaker, Addiction Recovery Advocate
"I read it in one sitting and loved it. Told in Jessica Guerrieri's inimitable voice, Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea is both real and unflinching. I was struck on every page by how painfully familiar it was, like I was reading my own story. Each chapter is both epic and powerful, causing the reader to root for Leah, while at the same time, quietly hoping that she gets the help she needs. A beautiful debut."—Laura Cathcart Robbins, author of Stash, My Life In Hiding, and host of Only One In The Room podcast
“Motherhood isn’t necessarily every woman’s dream. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea tells the important story of a woman whose decision to marry and become a mother has been more complicated than she bargained for, leading her to feelings of self-doubt and guilt and addiction as escapism. This engaging and introspective tale expertly peels away the mysteries of addiction, painting a riveting portrait of how quietly it can start, persist, and destroy. A compelling story of vulnerability, family resentment, and second chances told in beautiful prose reminiscent of Ann Napolitano, Guerrieri’s debut is not to be missed!” —Jacqueline Friedland, USA TODAY bestselling author of Counting Backwards
“A powerfully written page-turner about impossible choices, motherhood and creativity, and the devastating results of using alcohol to fill the void. I read it in a single day, riveted by Leah’s inexorable descent into addiction. A delicate and unblinking study of addiction and recovery, but most of all, an intense portrayal of the ways we lose ourselves to motherhood and how to find the impossible balance. A beautiful book!” —Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids
“Every once in a while, a novel comes along that so completely encapsulates a piece of the human experience. Jessica Guerrieri’s debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea , does exactly that for both motherhood and alcoholism in a breathtaking story about the bonds and trauma of family, the struggle to retain a sense of self while parenting tiny humans, and the difficulties of marrying into a family with different values than the ones you were raised with. With a cast of characters so real that you’ll swear you know them, this is the perfect read for fans of Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty. Mothers of all ages will relate to Leah’s desire to remember who she was before having children, as well as her perceived inability to live up to the standards of seemingly Stepford-perfect moms.” —Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write and She’s Up to No Good
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ABOUT BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA:
Leah O'Connor's life takes a dramatic turn after an unexpected pregnancy derails her carefree, nomadic lifestyle.
Over a decade and three children later, she feels trapped, her artistic aspirations buried under the relentless demands of motherhood and a tense relationship with her mother-in-law, Christine.
A secret she keeps threatens to destabilize her already fragile family connections as she spirals deeper into self-destructive behavior.
As Leah descends further into darkness, her behavior becomes more erratic as she alienates herself from her family.
When the inevitable waves come crashing down, it's the O'Connor women who give Leah a lifeline: 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.
This masterful blend of book club and literary women's fiction is a poignant exploration of motherhood, identity, and redemption offering a sharp critique of Wine Mom culture.
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