From award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli comes a sweeping dual timeline story that explores hope and enduring love in the midst of the impossible. Massachusetts, 1993 After making a grievous mistake that will change her life forever, Emily Robertson is sent away to live with her grandmother on Cape Cod. When Emily finds a timeworn photograph buried in a drawer, she realizes her grandmother has concealed a secret even bigger than her own. Will convincing Gram to reveal their family history aid Emily in making the most important decision of her life or will it prove her parents right—that family scandal is better off buried and forgotten? Massachusetts, 1916 Atta Schaeffer plans to marry the man of her dreams and whisk her little sister away from their abusive father. But when she is diagnosed with a dreaded malady, Atta is forced into a life of exile, leaving her sister in harm’s way. On Penikese Island, Atta’s best hope lies with Harry Mayhew, a doctor who seeks a cure for his patients at any cost. But when experiments fail, Atta runs from Harry—and from God. Can she return to her sister before it’s too late? Or will her illness consume both her body and soul? A testament to faith and love, Hope Beyond the Waves is the raw account of the journey of two generations of women running from desperate situations toward irresistible hope.
Hope Beyond the Waves by Heidi Chiavaroli
Published by Hope Creek Publishers on June 28, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Christian / General, Fiction / Dual Timeline
Pages: 450
Format: Paperback
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My Review:
Heidi Chiavaroli has been on my must-read author list right from the first time I picked up one of her novels. She is a master at gripping readers and holding their hearts hostage within the pages of her novels until the very end. And even then, often the hearts aren’t quite ready to let go. Her novels handle diverse and often very tough topics, and so you never quite know what you’re in for when you pick up one of her novels. This one I can say was truly unique, in that I don’t believe I’ve ever read a novel about a leper colony, and can hardly imagine what a life-altering diagnosis that would be.
Between both the contemporary and historical timelines there was this overarching theme of being an “outcast”–Emily with her teen pregnancy, and Atta with her Leprosy. Yet while their outward circumstances are quite different, some of their heart wounds share similarities, and so it’s through learning more about Atta’s story that Emily is able to begin to work through some of her own healing. This is one of the reasons why I love dual timelines so much. When people not only take an interest in learning about their history, but learning and healing from it as well.
One thing I have to admit I struggled with was that the faith content was very much Catholic, and I am not. I don’t remember this being a part of the author’s other novels but it was definitely heavy in this one. Atta frequently reached for her rosary for comfort, and would pray to St. Pete. Although not all moments where faith was involved included these, it was so interwoven in that it couldn’t be ignored. Although less pronounced, Emily and her family were Catholic as well.
Heidi Chiavaroli sure knows how to write fiction in ways that keep your eyes glued to the pages until the very end. Most importantly, they make you feel something. And they leave you thinking long after you’ve closed the back cover. This one was no exception.
*I purchased a copy of this book. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
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