What do readers think of Everything to the Sea by Alicia Upano? Write your own review.

As the author writes in her notes at the end of this book: this is romance story but also a story of grief. Indeed, in this coming-of-age story, the budding romance of two young Hawaiians comes apart when a devastating tsunami strikes Hilo, separates them as they deal with the grief and loss, but in restoring their home, the two are reunited.

Jane Ito is an architectural student when she meets Kenji Lee. A summer romance ensues but Jane is determined to return to school when a tsunami strikes Hilo causing death and destruction. In sour if this Jane leaves and Benji stays to help rebuild his home. Seven years later Jane is an architect at a prestigious San Francisco firm that’s invoked with Hilo’s rebirth. Thrown together again, Jane and Benji delicately work together to renew themselves, their live, their home and their identity.

The both is divided into four parts. Part I focuses on Jane and how she sees herself and deals with the impact of the tsunami on herself and her family. Part II focuses on Benji and his reaction to the tsunami and his determination to stay and help his community rebuild. Parts III and IV deal with Jane and Benji’s reunion and renewal told in alternating POVs.

This is really a very simple story - and a character-driven one. It focuses on an eight year period in the lives of two young people and how they handle loss. There is such poignancy but intense resilience that emerges in the telling of how two young lovers are able to find their inner selves, forgive the other and renew not only their home but their love for each other.

This is a perfect book for people interested in a coming-of-age second chance romance that’s more about the love of home and community than the passion love engenders. Such a deeply moving book.

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for granting me access to this ARC.