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The Light Over Broken Tide
Reach beyond the pain. Reach beyond the darkness. Hope is a lighthouse.
Out of the blue, Rebecca Stafford’s Father arrives to parent her after years of absence. He then extracts her last bit of normalcy by moving them to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The shocking news plunges Rebecca into a despair that brings about an otherworldly encounter; she begins to have visions of her deceased Mom.
Uncertain whether what she sees is reality or the product of a troubled mind, Rebecca searches for an anchor to keep her from drifting in the new coastal town. She clings to Shawn, the eccentric, spritely boy-next-door promising adventures…with surprises of his own, involving an Irish legend and a hidden lighthouse. This brings on a whole new dimension to Rebecca’s visions, and sparks feverish romance between her and Shawn. A bond eventually threatened by forces beyond her control, sending her spiralling into dark, stormy places, leaving her to wonder how broken a mind can get.
Out of the blue, Rebecca Stafford’s Father arrives to parent her after years of absence. He then extracts her last bit of normalcy by moving them to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The shocking news plunges Rebecca into a despair that brings about an otherworldly encounter; she begins to have visions of her deceased Mom.
Uncertain whether what she sees is reality or the product of a troubled mind, Rebecca searches for an anchor to keep her from drifting in the new coastal town. She clings to Shawn, the eccentric, spritely boy-next-door promising adventures…with surprises of his own, involving an Irish legend and a hidden lighthouse. This brings on a whole new dimension to Rebecca’s visions, and sparks feverish romance between her and Shawn. A bond eventually threatened by forces beyond her control, sending her spiralling into dark, stormy places, leaving her to wonder how broken a mind can get.
- GenresYoung Adult
250 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2018
2 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Holly Ducarte
10 books35 followersHolly is the author of soulful poetry and meaningful creative fiction stories with atmospheric settings and complex, relatable characters.
Her works have been published as paperbacks, hard covers, e-books, showcased in magazines, newspapers, various online sites, and highly applauded over Wattpad. To date, she's received two poetry awards and a nomination for an award in literature for Black Worm; a short story.
Holly is an old soul with plenty more tales to tell.
Aside from the author life, she enjoys the comfort of a good book, shopping in antique stores, junk journaling, watercolour painting, meeting other writers and readers on Instagram, going for walks outside, spending time with loved ones, binging fave movies and tv shows, a variety of music, shameless dancing, good food with tea or coffee, and growing in the Christian faith.
Holly currently resides in a modest lake town with her husband, daughter, and two cats by the names of Lulu and Dela.
Her works have been published as paperbacks, hard covers, e-books, showcased in magazines, newspapers, various online sites, and highly applauded over Wattpad. To date, she's received two poetry awards and a nomination for an award in literature for Black Worm; a short story.
Holly is an old soul with plenty more tales to tell.
Aside from the author life, she enjoys the comfort of a good book, shopping in antique stores, junk journaling, watercolour painting, meeting other writers and readers on Instagram, going for walks outside, spending time with loved ones, binging fave movies and tv shows, a variety of music, shameless dancing, good food with tea or coffee, and growing in the Christian faith.
Holly currently resides in a modest lake town with her husband, daughter, and two cats by the names of Lulu and Dela.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 28, 2020
This intriguing debut novel was a real page-turner! Dealing with loss, grief, despair, mental illness, and yes, even love, made Rebecca, the main character, someone who was very relatable. Setting descriptions were extremely vivid; I felt like I was in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, even though I have never physically been there. If you enjoy reading about troubled souls, then you will devour this book!
February 5, 2018
I've been well aware of Holly Ducarte's talents just from watching her Instagram page. She's a beautiful poet, a talented singer and now she has graced us with her debut novel, The Light Over Broken Tide. Is there nothing that Holly can't do?
The opening lines draw you right in. "We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand? I'll tell you what happens; we blow away into uncertain air, then desperately search for anything to pull us out of the chaos." From here there was no turning back.
Right off the bat I had a hard time dealing with Rebecca. So ungrateful, rebellious and rude to her father. I wanted to shake her a couple of times. Then I sat back and realized that hey, she just lost her mother, a father she barely knows comes back into her life and then whisks her away from everything she knows. Yeah, I'd be pretty pissed off too. As I grew to understand her, I had so much empathy for her. I remember all too well the feeling of being sixteen, the feeling of that very first love and thinking I knew everything. Ah Becky, I've been there. I feel ya girl, I really do.
I loved bringing in a local legend and putting them on an adventure. References to Peter Pan were super cute and her blind loyalty to Shawn was very realistic. She so desperately wanted him to rescue her from her father, her mother's death.... herself. He became her Peter Pan - someone to whisk her away from her problems like the story does when she reads it. I do think that my favorite character was Andy, her father. He has certainly made his fair share of mistakes but family is family and damn if he's not giving it his all!
Look you guys, this is a fairly somber read with the issues it tackles and Holly's talented writing really shines in this book. This is a story of first love, adventure, forgiveness, mental health, grief and letting go. Sixteen is hard. First loves are hard. And sometimes... just breathing is hard. The level of care Holly uses in tackling these strong issues is done intelligently and you can see traces of her poetic mind sprinkled throughout. This is not your typical YA novel and I suggest you put this on your radar. I look forward to more from Ducarte.
The opening lines draw you right in. "We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand? I'll tell you what happens; we blow away into uncertain air, then desperately search for anything to pull us out of the chaos." From here there was no turning back.
Right off the bat I had a hard time dealing with Rebecca. So ungrateful, rebellious and rude to her father. I wanted to shake her a couple of times. Then I sat back and realized that hey, she just lost her mother, a father she barely knows comes back into her life and then whisks her away from everything she knows. Yeah, I'd be pretty pissed off too. As I grew to understand her, I had so much empathy for her. I remember all too well the feeling of being sixteen, the feeling of that very first love and thinking I knew everything. Ah Becky, I've been there. I feel ya girl, I really do.
I loved bringing in a local legend and putting them on an adventure. References to Peter Pan were super cute and her blind loyalty to Shawn was very realistic. She so desperately wanted him to rescue her from her father, her mother's death.... herself. He became her Peter Pan - someone to whisk her away from her problems like the story does when she reads it. I do think that my favorite character was Andy, her father. He has certainly made his fair share of mistakes but family is family and damn if he's not giving it his all!
Look you guys, this is a fairly somber read with the issues it tackles and Holly's talented writing really shines in this book. This is a story of first love, adventure, forgiveness, mental health, grief and letting go. Sixteen is hard. First loves are hard. And sometimes... just breathing is hard. The level of care Holly uses in tackling these strong issues is done intelligently and you can see traces of her poetic mind sprinkled throughout. This is not your typical YA novel and I suggest you put this on your radar. I look forward to more from Ducarte.
March 23, 2019
I met Holly through Instagram and we became fast friends. Holly is a poet. I read her collection, HIDING BONES when it made its debut and I enjoyed Holly's voice immediately (even though poetry is not really my thing)
THE LIGHT OVER BROKEN TIDE (what a beautiful title) is not a book I would have picked up on my own. Being a horror lover, a reader of thrillers and dark, dark fantasies--a moody, YA story wouldn't be high on my TBR--and to be honest, after Holly sent it to me, it did sit around for awhile because books in my wheelhouse cycled through my hands over and over again.
But Holly is my friend and she's an amazing, supportive person and I was feeling bad for neglecting her book.
One weekend, I picked it up and I read the first page. Again, Holly's unique, lyrical voice captured my attention and I kept reading.
The protagonist, Rebecca (Becky) is all of sixteen. A tragic death leaves Becky feeling alone and retreating into herself.
Her father shows up and whisks Becky off to some remote, coastal town for a bit of fresh air and a change of scenery.
I was low key annoyed with Becky for the better part of the book-just because she's a typical teenager who primarily thinks of herself. She complicates everything and treats people poorly.
But I also felt sorry for her since sixteen would be an awful time in one's life to have to deal with the weight of death, abandonment and mental illness.
So I was patient with her. It's a testament to Holly's writing that she was able to plumb the depths of a young girl's mind like that a draw out the complexities of her struggles.
I don't want to spoil and reader discoveries but I wanted to mention that I loved the way Holly tied in some age appropriate coping mechanisms to illustrate some strong themes of growing up. Life deals us a tough hand sometimes and this book is an insightful look into one, young girl's journey towards mental health and stability. I would definitely buy this for an YA readers in my life but adults who love these kinds of coming-of-age stories will enjoy it too.
THE LIGHT OVER BROKEN TIDE (what a beautiful title) is not a book I would have picked up on my own. Being a horror lover, a reader of thrillers and dark, dark fantasies--a moody, YA story wouldn't be high on my TBR--and to be honest, after Holly sent it to me, it did sit around for awhile because books in my wheelhouse cycled through my hands over and over again.
But Holly is my friend and she's an amazing, supportive person and I was feeling bad for neglecting her book.
One weekend, I picked it up and I read the first page. Again, Holly's unique, lyrical voice captured my attention and I kept reading.
The protagonist, Rebecca (Becky) is all of sixteen. A tragic death leaves Becky feeling alone and retreating into herself.
Her father shows up and whisks Becky off to some remote, coastal town for a bit of fresh air and a change of scenery.
I was low key annoyed with Becky for the better part of the book-just because she's a typical teenager who primarily thinks of herself. She complicates everything and treats people poorly.
But I also felt sorry for her since sixteen would be an awful time in one's life to have to deal with the weight of death, abandonment and mental illness.
So I was patient with her. It's a testament to Holly's writing that she was able to plumb the depths of a young girl's mind like that a draw out the complexities of her struggles.
I don't want to spoil and reader discoveries but I wanted to mention that I loved the way Holly tied in some age appropriate coping mechanisms to illustrate some strong themes of growing up. Life deals us a tough hand sometimes and this book is an insightful look into one, young girl's journey towards mental health and stability. I would definitely buy this for an YA readers in my life but adults who love these kinds of coming-of-age stories will enjoy it too.
April 26, 2018
Thank you so much to the author for my ecopy of THE LIGHT OVER BROKEN TIDE by Holly Ducarte - all opinions are my own.
An Irish legend, a hidden lighthouse, magic, and mystery are exactly the reasons why this book caught my attention! Then I read it and fell in love. The story centers around Rebecca, who after devastating news of her mom’s death, falls deep into melancholy. Her father, after years of abandonment, comes back to be a parent and moves them to a coastal town. She starts to have visions of her deceased mom, sparks a romance with the boy-next-door, and as time goes on, spirals into a dark and woeful place.
The writing is so beautiful! Immediately when you start reading you can tell Ducarte is a very talented writer. The prose is atmospheric with lovely imagery and the characters are well thought out. I felt tremendous empathy for Rebecca and I really loved her father. The best part for me is the psychology and mental illness aspect. Ducarte writes about some really sensitive issues but does it with such ease. I don’t want to give too much away, but I always love stories that are thought-provoking with a sense of adventure.
My rating is 4.5 / 5 stars!
An Irish legend, a hidden lighthouse, magic, and mystery are exactly the reasons why this book caught my attention! Then I read it and fell in love. The story centers around Rebecca, who after devastating news of her mom’s death, falls deep into melancholy. Her father, after years of abandonment, comes back to be a parent and moves them to a coastal town. She starts to have visions of her deceased mom, sparks a romance with the boy-next-door, and as time goes on, spirals into a dark and woeful place.
The writing is so beautiful! Immediately when you start reading you can tell Ducarte is a very talented writer. The prose is atmospheric with lovely imagery and the characters are well thought out. I felt tremendous empathy for Rebecca and I really loved her father. The best part for me is the psychology and mental illness aspect. Ducarte writes about some really sensitive issues but does it with such ease. I don’t want to give too much away, but I always love stories that are thought-provoking with a sense of adventure.
My rating is 4.5 / 5 stars!
January 23, 2018
You know it's going to be a good year when it's only January but you already have a new favourite author <3 I usually give new authors at least two books before deciding whether they're worthy of my insta-buy list or not, but Ducarte did it in one. If you're thinking about self-publishing your debut novel this year, read this novel because this girl rocked it!
I love a main character I can connect with on a deep personal level, and Becky was that. I saw myself in her so much in so many ways (just, she's a great swimmer whereas I sink), which made this book quite personal for me and made it even easier to enjoy.
"I've always wanted magic to exist."
"A girl after my own heart," Shawn said. "But what if it does?"
Speaking of Ducarte getting personal--depression and schizophrenia are not easy subjects to tackle, and harder to do well. Ducarte smashed it. She did it so beautifully I was worried Shawn wasn't real (not saying he's not, either--no spoilers here!). The issues in this book--psychological and otherwise-- were so real it hit home big time.
This was really hard to put down for me. I always looked forward to coming back to it, and Ducarte's voice is a big part of that. It's melodic and lovely, and even poetic in places.
The banter was another strong point. I loved listening to the characters talk and argue, especially between Becky and Shawn & Becky and her father. Some of those conversations were the most realistic ones I've ever read. Ducarte dug deep into the human mind and why we do what we do, even when we know it's wrong and when we really want to but are too scared to move forward.
We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand?
How is that for an opening? #dies
I loved Becky and Shawn so much, and I'm heartbroken with how it ended. HEARTBROKEN
So, yes, this was excellent and YES, I recommend it. It's out in March and I urge you to add it to your tbr lists and snatch a copy!
I love a main character I can connect with on a deep personal level, and Becky was that. I saw myself in her so much in so many ways (just, she's a great swimmer whereas I sink), which made this book quite personal for me and made it even easier to enjoy.
"I've always wanted magic to exist."
"A girl after my own heart," Shawn said. "But what if it does?"
Speaking of Ducarte getting personal--depression and schizophrenia are not easy subjects to tackle, and harder to do well. Ducarte smashed it. She did it so beautifully I was worried Shawn wasn't real (not saying he's not, either--no spoilers here!). The issues in this book--psychological and otherwise-- were so real it hit home big time.
This was really hard to put down for me. I always looked forward to coming back to it, and Ducarte's voice is a big part of that. It's melodic and lovely, and even poetic in places.
The banter was another strong point. I loved listening to the characters talk and argue, especially between Becky and Shawn & Becky and her father. Some of those conversations were the most realistic ones I've ever read. Ducarte dug deep into the human mind and why we do what we do, even when we know it's wrong and when we really want to but are too scared to move forward.
We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand?
How is that for an opening? #dies
I loved Becky and Shawn so much, and I'm heartbroken with how it ended. HEARTBROKEN
So, yes, this was excellent and YES, I recommend it. It's out in March and I urge you to add it to your tbr lists and snatch a copy!
January 9, 2021
4.5 stars.
I always worry a little bit when I have a debut novel to review, because I'm fully aware that this is a writer at the start of their careers, and what happens if I don't like it?
But Holly DuCarte set my mind at rest and delivers a debut novel that does not read like a debut. Her grasp of language is strong, her ties to the setting so much a part of this story, as stable as the Canadian landscape.
This book deals with difficult subjects - mental illness is still seen as a weakness, a thing to be 'got over', by a lot of society, and it is a tribute to Ducarte's storytelling that she winds the complexities of this around a tale of young love and the search for a buried magical vial. I must admit that I didn't gel with Becky at first, I found her to be overly dramatic, but as the book progresses and we learn more and more about her, I found that my allocated chapter a day wasn't enough. I wanted to know what happened next!
I loved the alluring, dreamlike element of parts of this book (and it is up to you to decide what is real and what is not) and its links to Peter Pan. It paves the way for two lost young people clinging onto a dream and each other, whilst being forced apart. Grief and loss, hope and acceptance are huge themes to tackle but Ducarte negotiates her way through with ease.
'We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often aware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand?'
An intelligent YA read, filled with splashes of poetic beauty and the rawness of grief. Pick it up when it releases in the spring of 2018!
I always worry a little bit when I have a debut novel to review, because I'm fully aware that this is a writer at the start of their careers, and what happens if I don't like it?
But Holly DuCarte set my mind at rest and delivers a debut novel that does not read like a debut. Her grasp of language is strong, her ties to the setting so much a part of this story, as stable as the Canadian landscape.
This book deals with difficult subjects - mental illness is still seen as a weakness, a thing to be 'got over', by a lot of society, and it is a tribute to Ducarte's storytelling that she winds the complexities of this around a tale of young love and the search for a buried magical vial. I must admit that I didn't gel with Becky at first, I found her to be overly dramatic, but as the book progresses and we learn more and more about her, I found that my allocated chapter a day wasn't enough. I wanted to know what happened next!
I loved the alluring, dreamlike element of parts of this book (and it is up to you to decide what is real and what is not) and its links to Peter Pan. It paves the way for two lost young people clinging onto a dream and each other, whilst being forced apart. Grief and loss, hope and acceptance are huge themes to tackle but Ducarte negotiates her way through with ease.
'We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often aware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand?'
An intelligent YA read, filled with splashes of poetic beauty and the rawness of grief. Pick it up when it releases in the spring of 2018!
May 1, 2018
To say that I was cautious going into this read would be an understatement. Not because I feared it might not be good, but more because it's something well outside of my usual go-to genres, not the kind of subject matter I would automaticaly gravitate towards, and I feared doing it a disservice if i didnt love it just because it wasnt 'my thing' (so to speak.)
But any initial worries I had soon fell aside, and what I found instead in this story was a tale of mental struggle, an artful portrait of weakness and strength, frailty and solidity and the bonds between people that can be as fragile and tenuous as paper dolls, and at the same time as strong as the clenched hands of loved ones. This book is riddled with such opposing forces, and they pull at the characters like the moon pulls at the tide.
In short, character portraits need to be STRONG if you're going to tackle issues of gravitas, which this book certainly does, and the characters in this book are believable and sympathetic, without ever toppling into caracature or shmaltz. Each is drawn with layers of personality, nuances of character and distinct voices and viewpoints that really pulled me in a a reader and made it easy for me to become invested in their story.
I initially didnt like Becky. I know that might be an unpopular opinion to hold, but when i first met her in the book, i found her to be dramatic and slightly histronic, and feared I may be in for a book filled with overblown teen angst. But I couldn't have been more wrong.
In a book which deals with invisible illnesses like schizophrenia, depression and mental health, the sufferers of which are often generalised and percieved by wider society as 'being dramatic' or 'over the top', I found that I had been forced into that very initial viewpoint, which made my warming to her story and plight all the stronger as the narrative progressed and I spent time inside her head. (some of it uncomfortable, some of it eerily dreamlike and beautiful)
It was a clever way to say 'here's how the world sees things. if you think you know how things are, read on,' and then proceeds to subvert all your expectations.
An accomplished and clever thing to do.
Unless you are made of stone, this book should leave you feeling emotinally exhausted, a little heartbroken, and honoured to have been privy to the intricacies of the relationship dynamics weaved in and around this plot.
What is real and isnt real, is a subjective matter to each person, a subtly toyed with notion in this story. This is a excellent read, especially if you are interested in what makes people tick.
Highly recommended
But any initial worries I had soon fell aside, and what I found instead in this story was a tale of mental struggle, an artful portrait of weakness and strength, frailty and solidity and the bonds between people that can be as fragile and tenuous as paper dolls, and at the same time as strong as the clenched hands of loved ones. This book is riddled with such opposing forces, and they pull at the characters like the moon pulls at the tide.
In short, character portraits need to be STRONG if you're going to tackle issues of gravitas, which this book certainly does, and the characters in this book are believable and sympathetic, without ever toppling into caracature or shmaltz. Each is drawn with layers of personality, nuances of character and distinct voices and viewpoints that really pulled me in a a reader and made it easy for me to become invested in their story.
I initially didnt like Becky. I know that might be an unpopular opinion to hold, but when i first met her in the book, i found her to be dramatic and slightly histronic, and feared I may be in for a book filled with overblown teen angst. But I couldn't have been more wrong.
In a book which deals with invisible illnesses like schizophrenia, depression and mental health, the sufferers of which are often generalised and percieved by wider society as 'being dramatic' or 'over the top', I found that I had been forced into that very initial viewpoint, which made my warming to her story and plight all the stronger as the narrative progressed and I spent time inside her head. (some of it uncomfortable, some of it eerily dreamlike and beautiful)
It was a clever way to say 'here's how the world sees things. if you think you know how things are, read on,' and then proceeds to subvert all your expectations.
An accomplished and clever thing to do.
Unless you are made of stone, this book should leave you feeling emotinally exhausted, a little heartbroken, and honoured to have been privy to the intricacies of the relationship dynamics weaved in and around this plot.
What is real and isnt real, is a subjective matter to each person, a subtly toyed with notion in this story. This is a excellent read, especially if you are interested in what makes people tick.
Highly recommended
January 28, 2018
“We’re all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there’s no one there to hold our hand.”
.
That’s the opening paragraph in Holly’s book. And it moved me to read the first six chapters in one sitting. I would’ve kept going—it’s that good—if I could have. When next I picked the book up, it was bedtime and I thought to read a few more chapters, but I was so engrossed in the story and just couldn’t put it down. So I read 19 chapters over the next four hours, staying up until 2:00 am to finish the book.
.
Holly’s writing style is beautiful (you do know she writes poetry, right?) and it flows so well, that I was immediately drawn into the story. The main character, Rebecca, is a teenage girl who was raised by a single mom because her dad left them. When her mom dies, her dad suddenly reappears and tries to be the parent he never was. He plans to pack them up and move across the country, for a fresh start. In all the trauma, Rebecca begins having visions of her dead mom.
.
As they settle into their new home on the coast of Nova Scotia, Rebecca meets Shawn, the eccentric, adventuresome boy next door. They quickly become friends and even fall in love. But as Rebecca goes all in with Shawn in his quest involving the legend of a mysterious lighthouse and its keeper, her visions really become otherworldly.
.
I didn’t think that I would love this story as much as I did, only because I’m not really into contemporaries, but Holly knocked it out of the park with this one and I may have stumbled onto a genre that I really like after all! Look for this book to be available for purchase early Spring online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Holly’s website, as well as in a select few bookstores in Canada.
.
That’s the opening paragraph in Holly’s book. And it moved me to read the first six chapters in one sitting. I would’ve kept going—it’s that good—if I could have. When next I picked the book up, it was bedtime and I thought to read a few more chapters, but I was so engrossed in the story and just couldn’t put it down. So I read 19 chapters over the next four hours, staying up until 2:00 am to finish the book.
.
Holly’s writing style is beautiful (you do know she writes poetry, right?) and it flows so well, that I was immediately drawn into the story. The main character, Rebecca, is a teenage girl who was raised by a single mom because her dad left them. When her mom dies, her dad suddenly reappears and tries to be the parent he never was. He plans to pack them up and move across the country, for a fresh start. In all the trauma, Rebecca begins having visions of her dead mom.
.
As they settle into their new home on the coast of Nova Scotia, Rebecca meets Shawn, the eccentric, adventuresome boy next door. They quickly become friends and even fall in love. But as Rebecca goes all in with Shawn in his quest involving the legend of a mysterious lighthouse and its keeper, her visions really become otherworldly.
.
I didn’t think that I would love this story as much as I did, only because I’m not really into contemporaries, but Holly knocked it out of the park with this one and I may have stumbled onto a genre that I really like after all! Look for this book to be available for purchase early Spring online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Holly’s website, as well as in a select few bookstores in Canada.
October 18, 2018
I loved this book! The main character, Rebecca, felt like a real person to me throughout the whole story. A real person that I wanted to hug and talk to and help and give advice to when she needed it. My heart broke for her many times, and when she falls in love, I felt in love as well. It's that kind of book. It has a perfect balance of romance, humor, sadness, drama, and mystery. A little bit of everything! Also, it's so well written that it's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Author Holly Ducarte is very talented and I have no doubt that she has a very successful career ahead of her as a writer. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. This book is wonderful. Highly recommended!
March 24, 2018
Awestruck, and a sucker for a fabulous first line in a novel, I had difficulty continuing on from the initial sentences of this debut novel:
"We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand? I'll tell you what happens; we blow away into uncertain air, then desperately search for anything to pull us out of the chaos."
I was blown away by the truth and power of the author's opening words. Contemplating what I'd just read. I could have put the novel aside at that moment, leaving completely satisfied with reading just those few lines. Such bitter-sweetness. I will never forget those words and the imagery, seldom does a novel opening touch my heart so profoundly. (I had a similar reaction to some of the micro-poetry in Ducarte's "Confetti Confessions" - also a must read!)
Eventually curiousity did get the better of me; I continued to read, albeit with trepidation. How could the rest of the novel ever be as engaging and intriguing as the opening? Oh but it was! Ducarte's character development, plot, pacing, and evocative description are so well done it is difficult to believe this is her debut novel. Having recently read several best-selling novels, I felt Holly's debut could easily be in the same league. Her maturity as a writer is evident; she tackles the difficult issues of grief and mental illness with sensitivity, at the same time she brings us along with Rebecca to be swept away by romance and the promise of adventure. The novel has many layers, which is a difficult thing to pull off as a beginning author, but Holly Ducarte does it well. You can tell she is well-read, and a lover of all things literary. I look forward to her next novel with anticipation.
"We're all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand? I'll tell you what happens; we blow away into uncertain air, then desperately search for anything to pull us out of the chaos."
I was blown away by the truth and power of the author's opening words. Contemplating what I'd just read. I could have put the novel aside at that moment, leaving completely satisfied with reading just those few lines. Such bitter-sweetness. I will never forget those words and the imagery, seldom does a novel opening touch my heart so profoundly. (I had a similar reaction to some of the micro-poetry in Ducarte's "Confetti Confessions" - also a must read!)
Eventually curiousity did get the better of me; I continued to read, albeit with trepidation. How could the rest of the novel ever be as engaging and intriguing as the opening? Oh but it was! Ducarte's character development, plot, pacing, and evocative description are so well done it is difficult to believe this is her debut novel. Having recently read several best-selling novels, I felt Holly's debut could easily be in the same league. Her maturity as a writer is evident; she tackles the difficult issues of grief and mental illness with sensitivity, at the same time she brings us along with Rebecca to be swept away by romance and the promise of adventure. The novel has many layers, which is a difficult thing to pull off as a beginning author, but Holly Ducarte does it well. You can tell she is well-read, and a lover of all things literary. I look forward to her next novel with anticipation.
August 23, 2018
Although I'm fairly new to YA fiction as an adult reader, and even newer to tales of love and loss, this was a book that still had me hooked. As a character Rebecca is so well written and defined, and as a narrator she tells the story perfectly from her own unique, if somewhat naive, perspective. Her feelings towards others are never in question, but are written in such a way that will always leave you wondering who she should believe, and who really has her best interests at heart.
August 6, 2019
This book had been on my radar for a while, and I’m so glad I finally got to read it. Ducarte does an incredible job of weaving fantasy into a very real story of the struggles of grief, depression, and anxiety. Once I got halfway through, I couldn’t put it down, finishing the remainder in one sitting. The way Ducarte adds her flavor of prose into the text is magnificent. A beautiful, beautiful story
April 9, 2018
I am not going to lie...this book contains a lot of themes that hooked me even before I started reading it. Young romance, potential mental illness, adventure, drama, loss, and a wonderful backdrop of the east coast of Canada. With the high hopes of all of those things, I could have easily been disappointed or let down, but Holly Ducarte did not disappoint at all.
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down...and when I had to, I could not wait to go back to it. I became invested in all of the characters and the story. It is a young adult book, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to any adult. I also feel that it is something both females and males would enjoy.
The story is told from the point of view of Rebecca, the central character. Ducarte's descriptions and way with words is magical. Her vocabulary is so beautiful and thoughtful. I love that I didn't like all of the characters all of time and that I didn't know how I felt about all of the characters all of the time. This is especially true of Rebecca, our main character; her father, Andy; and Shawn, her eventual love interest. This added realism and kept me interested and invested in all of them.
Holly makes wonderful references back to various things in the book (for example, paper dolls, tanagers and Peter Pan), which helps the story stay cohesive and connected. The imagery is superb.
To me, this book is about relationships and self discovery. Rebecca has navigate through various relationships and during that she goes down a path of self-discovery. She hangs on to the relationship she had with her now deceased mother, she has to forge some sort of relationship with her father, and she wants to build a relationship with Shawn. This is only the beginning...
As a middle school librarian, I am shelving this as realistic fiction but it could easily go into romance, suspense, or adventure. Truly, there is something for everyone.
I wait with great anticipation for more from Holly Ducarte:)
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down...and when I had to, I could not wait to go back to it. I became invested in all of the characters and the story. It is a young adult book, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to any adult. I also feel that it is something both females and males would enjoy.
The story is told from the point of view of Rebecca, the central character. Ducarte's descriptions and way with words is magical. Her vocabulary is so beautiful and thoughtful. I love that I didn't like all of the characters all of time and that I didn't know how I felt about all of the characters all of the time. This is especially true of Rebecca, our main character; her father, Andy; and Shawn, her eventual love interest. This added realism and kept me interested and invested in all of them.
Holly makes wonderful references back to various things in the book (for example, paper dolls, tanagers and Peter Pan), which helps the story stay cohesive and connected. The imagery is superb.
To me, this book is about relationships and self discovery. Rebecca has navigate through various relationships and during that she goes down a path of self-discovery. She hangs on to the relationship she had with her now deceased mother, she has to forge some sort of relationship with her father, and she wants to build a relationship with Shawn. This is only the beginning...
As a middle school librarian, I am shelving this as realistic fiction but it could easily go into romance, suspense, or adventure. Truly, there is something for everyone.
I wait with great anticipation for more from Holly Ducarte:)
March 17, 2018
Young love, an Irish legend, a hidden lighthouse and Peter Pan - I was hooked before I started reading.
This is also a story of mental illness, an otherworldly encounter, loss and grief. Holly Ducarte handles these difficult themes with great sensitivity.
‘We’re all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand?’
These are the opening lines of the story.
Becky is torn and is reaching out for a hand to hold. She finds it in Shawn, the boy-next-door, who believes magic does exist.
In the beginning, I had mixed feelings about Rebecca because she is rebellious and so difficult to get along with, but I sensed her vulnerability. She is a teenager, she’s lost her mother, doesn’t know her father well, and is then whisked away to a new house in a new coastal town in Nova Scotia. I soon felt empathy for her. This is really a testament to Ducarte’s writing that she portrayed Becky so well.
Becky’s relationship with her father, Andy, is an important thread in the story and I was pleased with how it developed. In the beginning, I wasn’t certain if I’d like Andy but my respect and liking for him grew.
I loved the references to Peter Pan and, in the magical dreamlike scenes, I felt myself fly away with them on their adventure. Shawn becomes Becky’s Peter Pan. This gives her a lifeline but forces beyond her control send Rebecca spiralling into dark places. When she emerges, she wonders what was real.
This book moved me so deeply.
I highly recommended this YA read. It’s excellent, something very different.
Well done, Holly Ducarte, on your debut novel.
This is also a story of mental illness, an otherworldly encounter, loss and grief. Holly Ducarte handles these difficult themes with great sensitivity.
‘We’re all like paper dolls. Happiest when linked to another, often unaware of our flimsiness. So easily torn. What happens when we reach out to find there's no one there to hold our hand?’
These are the opening lines of the story.
Becky is torn and is reaching out for a hand to hold. She finds it in Shawn, the boy-next-door, who believes magic does exist.
In the beginning, I had mixed feelings about Rebecca because she is rebellious and so difficult to get along with, but I sensed her vulnerability. She is a teenager, she’s lost her mother, doesn’t know her father well, and is then whisked away to a new house in a new coastal town in Nova Scotia. I soon felt empathy for her. This is really a testament to Ducarte’s writing that she portrayed Becky so well.
Becky’s relationship with her father, Andy, is an important thread in the story and I was pleased with how it developed. In the beginning, I wasn’t certain if I’d like Andy but my respect and liking for him grew.
I loved the references to Peter Pan and, in the magical dreamlike scenes, I felt myself fly away with them on their adventure. Shawn becomes Becky’s Peter Pan. This gives her a lifeline but forces beyond her control send Rebecca spiralling into dark places. When she emerges, she wonders what was real.
This book moved me so deeply.
I highly recommended this YA read. It’s excellent, something very different.
Well done, Holly Ducarte, on your debut novel.
May 22, 2021
I sit in the wake of finishing this book meditating on hope and loss and how stories like these help us grab hold of both at once.
Ducarte is a beautiful soul, and that is made clear in her fiction. Becky's plight is heart-wrenching from the start. She's got her feet on sandy foundation, desperately seeking solid ground, with her mother passed too early and a new life with her once absent father. She hopes to find solid ground in Shawn, but she's naive and heartbroken and struggles with trusting that her faith is in the right place.
I like that Becky knows she is broken. I like that she did things that she should not have, but that I couldn't blame her for anyway. I like that she and Shawn wanted to be good, pure, and brave, and that even though they were convicted of such things, failure still met them. Because the point of this story is that hope is not absent in grief, and love is not dead in death, and that trials cannot be avoided, but they can be faced if you are willing to try.
Where I was hoping for more was in the dialogue. As deep and emotional as this book is, I struggled to connect with the characters because they didn't sound like real people sometimes. It was a bit stiff for my taste, but it was clear and the direction and development was still there.
My favorite part was the very end. Where all the hope and longing and acceptance was lived out. It was worth finishing to take it in as a whole. It was a beautiful end,, because I felt the message linger on and all the pain that came with it felt married with hope. And that is something we need out of stories today
Ducarte is a beautiful soul, and that is made clear in her fiction. Becky's plight is heart-wrenching from the start. She's got her feet on sandy foundation, desperately seeking solid ground, with her mother passed too early and a new life with her once absent father. She hopes to find solid ground in Shawn, but she's naive and heartbroken and struggles with trusting that her faith is in the right place.
I like that Becky knows she is broken. I like that she did things that she should not have, but that I couldn't blame her for anyway. I like that she and Shawn wanted to be good, pure, and brave, and that even though they were convicted of such things, failure still met them. Because the point of this story is that hope is not absent in grief, and love is not dead in death, and that trials cannot be avoided, but they can be faced if you are willing to try.
Where I was hoping for more was in the dialogue. As deep and emotional as this book is, I struggled to connect with the characters because they didn't sound like real people sometimes. It was a bit stiff for my taste, but it was clear and the direction and development was still there.
My favorite part was the very end. Where all the hope and longing and acceptance was lived out. It was worth finishing to take it in as a whole. It was a beautiful end,, because I felt the message linger on and all the pain that came with it felt married with hope. And that is something we need out of stories today
February 23, 2018
Ok, I am officially a Holly Ducarte fangirl. I already knew that this girl could write - she frequently posts snippets of poetry on Instagram and it's stunning. Holly's first novel embodies the same raw beauty as her poetry and I was captivated for the duration. The opening imagery of paper dolls hooked me straight in and I felt gripped until the very end of the book.
I loved the small-town Canadian setting of the book and thought that Ducarte used pathetic fallacy perfectly to enhance her story. I could picture the island so vividly. The Peter Pan connections were abundant and were another element of the book that I really liked.
Rebecca is a difficult character; I found her quite tempestuous, a little like Cathy from Wuthering Heights, but then that's what made her so interesting! It's quite heavy on the insta-love but it does make a degree of sense given what the protagonist is dealing with.
I genuinely didn't expect the plot to go in the direction it did; Ducarte kept me guessing right to the end! I love the final message - but you'll have to read the book yourself to find out what that is ;)
I loved the small-town Canadian setting of the book and thought that Ducarte used pathetic fallacy perfectly to enhance her story. I could picture the island so vividly. The Peter Pan connections were abundant and were another element of the book that I really liked.
Rebecca is a difficult character; I found her quite tempestuous, a little like Cathy from Wuthering Heights, but then that's what made her so interesting! It's quite heavy on the insta-love but it does make a degree of sense given what the protagonist is dealing with.
I genuinely didn't expect the plot to go in the direction it did; Ducarte kept me guessing right to the end! I love the final message - but you'll have to read the book yourself to find out what that is ;)
May 6, 2021
Had I not met Holly through the Instagram writing community, I might not have come across this absolute GEM of a story. When I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I read it in 2 sessions, two days, back to back, because I simply had to finish this story. The main character, Rebecca(Becky) lives in a bit of a fantasy world in order to block out the major life changes she is going through. When she meets Shawn, everything changes, and she's able to live out a some of those fantasies. The relationship between Becky and Shawn was so genuine, realistic, and truly beautiful. It's also a story of a father trying to regain his daughters love and respect. Being a Dad, this part of the story struck me straight to the core. When I finished reading this book late at night, I marched straight to my daughter's room and gave them both the biggest hugs I could, thoroughly confusing them in their half-asleep states. I cannot overstate how much this book moved me and hit me straight in the heart. It was the type of story that I needed to read right now, and I am so thankful I found it. In fact, this book is one that, once I finished it, I began reading it again almost immediately. This story will move you, shake you, and turn you into a puddle on the floor, and I am all here for it.
March 19, 2025
This novel was a true labour of love for me. It took me years to get it to the point it's at in between a full-time career and then motherhood. I miss being in Lunenburg with the characters that have become such a big part of my heart. I prompt you to take a chance on this book and fall into the mysteries of an old Irish legend and a troubled girl on a journey to find out who she is with the help of an eccentric boy you might find resembles a certain character from Never Never Land. My hope is that this book stays with you long after you've read it, takes you away on a journey, and the realistic characters are one you can relate to or at the very least sympathize with.
May 20, 2021
Loved it!!! So often I read YA and the teenagers are making these mature choices and reacting in ways adults would react, but Holly did such a good job of really capturing the impulsive and emotionally driven parts of the teenage years.
It hurt to read some of the parts because I’m like “nooo! Don’t!” But it was so authentic and heartbreakingly real.
I love the imagery and how Holly really explored how hard it is to fight loss and even more so to fight the voices in our heads.
Such a good book! I want more!!!
It hurt to read some of the parts because I’m like “nooo! Don’t!” But it was so authentic and heartbreakingly real.
I love the imagery and how Holly really explored how hard it is to fight loss and even more so to fight the voices in our heads.
Such a good book! I want more!!!
May 22, 2021
Couldn’t put it down
It didn’t end how I’d hoped, but it ended how it needed to. I was wrapped up in this book from the beginning. It broke my heart in a good way. Skillfully written and perfectly crafted, this book offers hope amidst grief and light in the darkness.
It didn’t end how I’d hoped, but it ended how it needed to. I was wrapped up in this book from the beginning. It broke my heart in a good way. Skillfully written and perfectly crafted, this book offers hope amidst grief and light in the darkness.
September 10, 2020
In 'The Light Over Broken Tide,' Rebecca forms an instant crush on her neighbour, Shawn, becoming enveloped in love, lust and a quest spurred on by a legend, involving an old lighthouse.
I came across Holly Ducarte's debut novel as the winner of an Instagram giveaway. While I found the protagonist frustrating and fool-hardy, as I believe she is intended to be, Ducarte offers an interesting take on an old classic, Peter Pan.
In reading and reviewing Ducarte's work, it is a pleasure to support another Canadian writer.
I came across Holly Ducarte's debut novel as the winner of an Instagram giveaway. While I found the protagonist frustrating and fool-hardy, as I believe she is intended to be, Ducarte offers an interesting take on an old classic, Peter Pan.
In reading and reviewing Ducarte's work, it is a pleasure to support another Canadian writer.
June 26, 2022
I enjoyed this book so much! Holly perfectly captured the angst, stubbornness, and naiveté of the teen psyche, and the amazing things the human brain will do to protect itself. I was rooting for Becky and her dad's relationship all the way through
July 13, 2021
Holly. Why you gotta do me like that? Why you gotta make my heart ache so bad? My little paper person heart! You stuck a knife in my chest half way through, and then spent the rest of the book dragging it down until I was ripped to shreds by the most BEAUTIFUL story I've read in a long, long time.
I'm still aching. I'm still trying to tape myself back together. I started a support group with a friend and we are accepting members all year, every year from now on. Need a shoulder to cry on? Come on over to "Holly Broke our Hearts in the Best Way"
Y'all. Run and get a copy of "The Light over Broken Tide." It's Peter Pan in all the best ways - irresponsible, irresistible Peter Pan in all his wild glory foiled to a sensible, broken-hearted Wendy who wants him to be as drawn to her as she is to him.
Beautiful writing, thoughtful composition, palpable tension, and deep, essential themes of grief - choosing life even when death seems easier.
It's a little spooky at times (but it just made me cry), there's a touch of suicide, and reckless kids... All artfully woven with Holly's careful diction.
I loved it too much. I can't shake free! I will be reading it again soon and I NEVER re-read books!! EVER.
I'm still aching. I'm still trying to tape myself back together. I started a support group with a friend and we are accepting members all year, every year from now on. Need a shoulder to cry on? Come on over to "Holly Broke our Hearts in the Best Way"
Y'all. Run and get a copy of "The Light over Broken Tide." It's Peter Pan in all the best ways - irresponsible, irresistible Peter Pan in all his wild glory foiled to a sensible, broken-hearted Wendy who wants him to be as drawn to her as she is to him.
Beautiful writing, thoughtful composition, palpable tension, and deep, essential themes of grief - choosing life even when death seems easier.
It's a little spooky at times (but it just made me cry), there's a touch of suicide, and reckless kids... All artfully woven with Holly's careful diction.
I loved it too much. I can't shake free! I will be reading it again soon and I NEVER re-read books!! EVER.
September 30, 2022
A beautifully written and fascinating book that I found myself reading on two levels. The first was as a reader enjoying the intriguing and nicely paced plot, and the second was as a mother. Whilst our sympathies are intended to lie with the protagonist, Rebecca, my heart would clench with horrified pity for her father, Andy.
Following the death of her mother, care of the teenage Rebecca is taken on by her estranged father. Struggling to cope with her bereavement, Rebecca cannot connect with this stranger so shuts him out of her life. Her misery is further compounded by relocation due to her father’s job, but then Rebecca meets and becomes obsessed with their new neighbours’ teenage son, Shawn.
As this obsession spirals dangerously out of control in an almost “Romeo and Juliet” scenario, Rebecca and Shawn take ever increasingly dangerous decisions which ultimately will end in misery and despair.
Well-written and with three-dimensional characters, this story is an exploration of grief, loss, and denial. Hard-hitting in places, some readers may find many scenes disturbing, but this rawness only gives strength to the book. A definite five stars from me.
Following the death of her mother, care of the teenage Rebecca is taken on by her estranged father. Struggling to cope with her bereavement, Rebecca cannot connect with this stranger so shuts him out of her life. Her misery is further compounded by relocation due to her father’s job, but then Rebecca meets and becomes obsessed with their new neighbours’ teenage son, Shawn.
As this obsession spirals dangerously out of control in an almost “Romeo and Juliet” scenario, Rebecca and Shawn take ever increasingly dangerous decisions which ultimately will end in misery and despair.
Well-written and with three-dimensional characters, this story is an exploration of grief, loss, and denial. Hard-hitting in places, some readers may find many scenes disturbing, but this rawness only gives strength to the book. A definite five stars from me.
March 29, 2025
I’m so grateful to have connected with Holly on Instagram and even more excited to share my thoughts on her book.
The Light Over Broken Tide - A legend of yesteryears intertwined with the modern day into a heartwarming tale. I was hooked from the very first sentence “we are all like paper dolls”. I could have finished this in a few short days but I took my time getting lost in the rich descriptions, almost poetic in tone. I could not only imagine the seas of the maritimes but each character became alive and it felt like saying good bye to a cherished friend at the end. This novel spanned loss, hope and healing. Although the last few chapters were a difficult read, I came to understand why it unfolded the way it did. There are words of wisdom scattered throughout this book and I’ll definitely be revisiting it.
On a brighter note, how many books do you know of that have their own playlist? This was such an interesting little gift to find at the end.
If you enjoy YA Fiction shrouded in mystery and stories that keep you on edge, I highly recommend picking this one up (even as an older reader like me).
The Light Over Broken Tide - A legend of yesteryears intertwined with the modern day into a heartwarming tale. I was hooked from the very first sentence “we are all like paper dolls”. I could have finished this in a few short days but I took my time getting lost in the rich descriptions, almost poetic in tone. I could not only imagine the seas of the maritimes but each character became alive and it felt like saying good bye to a cherished friend at the end. This novel spanned loss, hope and healing. Although the last few chapters were a difficult read, I came to understand why it unfolded the way it did. There are words of wisdom scattered throughout this book and I’ll definitely be revisiting it.
On a brighter note, how many books do you know of that have their own playlist? This was such an interesting little gift to find at the end.
If you enjoy YA Fiction shrouded in mystery and stories that keep you on edge, I highly recommend picking this one up (even as an older reader like me).
January 16, 2022
This is book is an absolutely beautiful piece of story-telling. The author’s character development, plot pacing and structure, ability to create emotionally dynamic scenes, portrayal of suicide ideation and mental deterioration, and overall writing styler were truly remarkable. Think Peter Pan meets Lord of the Flies. We read to connect to the characters, to feel their pain, to see ourself in their struggles, to resonate with their hope and their joy. And that’s what this story did—it swept me into its reality and made me feel something beyond what I could grasp. Though technically an “indie” book by classification, this had the feel, tone, and structure of a major best seller. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys suspense, action, teen romance, psychologically emotional tales, and the truth that no matter where life takes us, there is always hope in a better tomorrow.
March 19, 2023
From the very beginning I was drawn into the story. The book is very descriptive of characters, surroundings and issues taking place in the story. I was drawn in and night after night stayed up too late to finish it. The issues at hand are not easy subjects, not light subjects but I had to know how it turned out, so I kept on. The author deals with complicated characters, and handles the subject matter beautifully. I believe this is the first novel the author has written, but it didn’t feel like a first, and felt like someone that was a seasoned writer to get into the mind of someone who is struggling so deeply with issues takes skill. This is a five star read, and I recommend it highly
April 6, 2025
I had this book strongly recommended to me for years, and for years I’ve been putting it off. For the hype that surrounded this book I felt a little disappointed. I understand the intentions the author has by touching on mental health- and those intents did come through. As an overall I just thought the book was okay.
July 15, 2024
Interesting take on the effects of greif and mental health.
June 9, 2021
I was an arc reader, which means an advanced reader. I had the privilege to read this beautiful book before it's release. Thought provoking, adventurous, emotionally capturing, & poetically beautiful are just a few ways i can describe this novel. I couldn't put it down, and that's a lot to say since i haven't had a lot of time to read books recently. I FOUND time to read Holly's book. I read it in between work breaks, before bed, morning...till i was done. I will read it again, because it was so well done. Congratulations for this debut novel, Holly! What a way to begin. Definitely a strong start. I wish you all the success.
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