When Tides Turn

After a few disappointments in love, the glamorous and always popular Quintessa Beaumont decides she needs a change.  She leaves her department store sales job, starts going by the name "Tess," and joins the Navy's new WAVES program.  Lt. Dan Avery is determined to make Admiral one day, and doesn't have the time for distractions of any kind.  When the fun-loving Tess and straight-laced Dan find themselves working in the same office, sparks fly despite their best efforts t act otherwise.  Will Tess be able to prove to Dan-- and herself-- that she's more than a pretty face?  Will Dan realize that the rest and fun that Tessa brings to his life is a blessing and not a distraction? 

Sarah Sundin brings her Waves of Freedom series to a lovely and exciting conclusion in When Tides Turn.  Though I'm a devoted fan of Sundin's work, I'll admit to being a bit skeptical before starting this particular novel.  From previous installments, I'd honestly never been terribly fond of Quintessa or Dan.  A self-centered and overly beautiful blonde, and an uptight, career-obsessed sailor?  Not my first choice for relatable protagonists.  With a truly talented bit of storytelling and character development, though, Sundin proves me absolutely wrong.  

The growth experienced by both characters is both convicting and engaging, and I enjoyed every page of their love story.  The historical context of the series from a Naval and home front perspective continues to prove compelling, and the twists and turns of other sub-plots kept me guessing until the very end as well.  As with Sundin's previous series, all three installments of Waves of Freedom are well-researched, beautifully written, and well worth the time.  

 I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.