I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Sea Is Salt and So Am I by Cassandra Hartt Narrator: Lori Gardner, Nick Mills, Tom Picasso
Length: 12 Hours 27 Minutes
Published by Roaring Brook Press on June 8, 2021
Genres: Coming of Age, Depression, Family, Siblings, Social Themes, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 384
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
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I’ll Give You the Sun meets Normal People in Cassandra Hartt's The Sea Is Salt and So Am I, a stunning YA contemporary debut that asks if the secrets we keep and the people we love can change who we are.
"Achingly beautiful.â€â€”Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart
"Turbulent and tender, this deeply-felt debut will make your heart swell time and time again."—Julia Drake, author of The Last True Poets of the Sea
West Finch is one hurricane away from falling into the sea.
Yet sixteen-year-old Harlow Prout is determined to save her small Maine hometown. If only she could stop getting in her own way and find someone, anyone, willing to help. But her best friend Ellis MacQueen “fixes†problems by running away from them—including his broken relationship with his twin brother, Tommy. And Tommy’s depression has hit a new low, so he’s not up for fixing anything.
In the wake of the town’s latest devastating storm, Tommy goes out for a swim that he doesn’t intend to survive. It’s his unexpected return that sets into motion a sea change between these three teens. One that tests old loyalties, sparks new romance, and uncovers painful secrets. And nothing stays secret in West Finch for long.
Exquisitely honest and shimmering with emotion, The Sea is Salt and So Am I is a captivating multi-POV story that probes the depths of what it means to love and trust—both ourselves and others.
Why Did I Listen To The Sea Is Salt And So Am I by Cassandra Hartt?
The Sea Is Salt And So Am I by Cassandra Hartt had a comparison to I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson. The comp title is one of the best books I’ve read, so of course that made me want to dive right into this. And so, I impulsively grabbed this off Netgalley on the literal last day it was available. Only, it was only available via Adobe. So, I popped onto Libby, saw the audiobook was available immediately and went for it. Good thing too, because the audiobook version is quite decent.
What’s The Story Here?
Cassandra Hartt’s debut features three teen main characters – Harlow Prout and twin brothers Ellis and Tommy MacQueen. Harlow is close friends with Ellis and kind of has this antagonistic relationship with Tommy. The three live in a coastal town called West Finch which is at risk because of hurricanes. One day, Tommy who is depressed takes a swim that he doesn’t expect to return from. Only, he survives, which puts into motion a chain of events and secrets between the three. Also important to the plot are protesters who descend upon West Finch and the piping plover.
What Did I Think Of The Sea Is Salt And So Am I?
The Sea Is Salt And So Am I is a bit more literary than I had expected. It reminded me a bit of John Corey Whaley’s books which is truly a compliment. Actually I want to go back in and read through the physical copy for stuff that I missed from the audiobook. I have a hold on the physical copy at the library. This book is really character driven. By the end though, I was just so invested in Harlow, Tommy, and Ellis. Tommy was my favorite of the three and I appreciated having a better understanding of him and his issues by the end. I think if you’re reading for plot and action, you won’t love this. BUT if you’re reading for literary merit and characterization, The Sea Is Salt And So Am I will be right up your alley.
How’s The Narration?
So, I won’t lie to you all, I listened to this audiobook at 2x speed, which was A CHOICE. But honestly, I’ve been feeling self imposed pressure to get through books quickly and onto the next one. That TBR pressure is so real. I will say that after listening to this book sped up, I decided to listen to my next audiobook at 1.5x speed which was a much better choice.
Anyways, The Sea Is Salt And So Am I has three narrators for each of the characters. The narrators are Lori Gardner, Nick Mills and Tom Picasso. I thought each narrator was superb — even sped up. I don’t think I absorbed all that I could have but that is purely my fault and not the fault of the audiobook. However, I did like it to the point where I do plan to come back to this book and give it a re-read.
