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The Ocean Between Us
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The Ocean Between Us
Author: Susan Wiggs

Book Information
Publisher: Mira
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780778321477 - ISBN-10: 0778321479
Publication Date: 3/1/2005
Pages: 496


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette

Book Description:
Susan Wiggs deftly portrays the struggles and triumphs of an American family facing life's greatest challenges as they come to understand the timeless lessons of the heart.

Grace Bennett has it all -- three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But beneath the calm demeanor of an efficient Navy wife, Grace stands at the crossroads -- of her life and her marriage. When she looks in the mirror, she doesn't recognize the person staring back. She's tired, out of shape and feeling invisible. Somewhere between her husband's demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy's routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. Something needs to change. She needs to change.

Steve Bennett simply can't understand the unraveling of his wife's heart. He thought he was proving his love to her with each promotion. He believed he could still be a good husband and father while juggling an officer's myriad duties. But he now realizes they were seeing their marriage through different eyes. And when a nearly forgotten secret resurfaces, Grace's discontent comes into sharp focus. Now Steve must try to make their marriage right again before his next deployment. For himself. For his family. For the twenty years of shared history that have always anchored him to home.

Then duty calls.

Separated by an ocean of regrets and longing, Grace and Steve take a hard took at their faltering marriage, the love that brought them together and the family they cherish. They confront the choices they've made, the sacrifices they've rationalized and the dreams they've set adrift.

But just as they come to grips with their marriage, the unthinkable happens -- a disaster aboard Steve's aircraft carrier shatters Grace's world. As she gathers her children around her and waits for news, she faces a Navy wife's worst nightmare -- the cold truth that life's biggest chances can slip away while you're looking for guarantees.


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Top Member Book Reviews

Dawn M. (Widow53) wrote on 3/13/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book was written with heartbreaking real emotion and discretion about life in the U.S. Navy and the effect on one man's family. But it is also equally real about military life in any of the armed services with regard to deployments and how they affect the families involved. I laughed and I cried-something I just don't do with any old book! I highly recommend this book!

Doris H. (needin2read) wrote on 6/18/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Wiggs writes an emotionally-charged story of facing tough decisions at an inopportune time. Wonderful tale of a career-Navy marraige and tough times that the family has to work through. Highly recommeded.

Linda S. (lindy3b) wrote on 9/18/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I really had to concentrate when I first started reading this book. Since I have never been around any 'Navy' language I wasn't familiar with the terms Susan Wiggs used. After she introduced the Navy character and moved onto the other main character, I was able to get into this book. It was about a woman who had been known as the Navy wife and wanted to find herself again. It dealt with many things all women go through especially turning 40. Great read and I hope after reading this review you will consider asking for a swap!


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Marguerite O. (MOGO) wrote on 8/3/2009...


This is a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. It is different from the usual books that Susan Wiggs' writes but I could not put the book down until I finished it.

Jan W. (Dahlias) wrote on 9/19/2008...


Good read....S Wiggs does it again, her books are well written.

Barbara M. (LadyExplicate) wrote on 2/7/2008...


A wonderful book about a Navy family and the crisis in personal relationships caused by relocations and family separations in addition to the usual difficulties of family itneractions. Wiggs is as usual an intelligent and articulate writer, and it's ahrd to put the book down. One of my favorite Wiggs books.

Patricia D. (patd) wrote on 3/6/2007...


Great read - couldn't put it down!

Patricia M. (Patty) wrote on 1/28/2007...


Excellent book - could not put it down

Machelle C. (pixistix) wrote on 1/17/2007...


Excellent book!! Susan Wiggs is a wonderful writer!

Michelle D. (Nebraskaparkfan) wrote on 1/8/2007...


She really captures the spirit of the main character

Ernestine C. (Erne) wrote on 11/21/2006...


A gentle exposition of the difficulty of being a Military (Navy) Wife. Quite enjoyable. EC
On the surface Grace Bennett has it all--three wondersul children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But somewhere between her husband Steve's demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy's routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. And when a nearly forgotten secret resurfaces,her discontent comes into sharp focus. Something needs to change. She needs to change.

Catherine M. wrote on 9/30/2006...


This book handles the problems of family relationships and communication with sensitivity.
Good book!

Kelly P. (mrskpete) wrote on 9/22/2006...


Great depiction of Navy life for the famlies and I should know as I am a Navy wife!


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