Verdict: McFarren has written an easily “readable” novel that, perhaps, is overtly sentimental in places, but nevertheless isn’t a waste of the readers oh-so-valuable time.

Author Kaylin McFarren’s poetic, adjective riddled, saga begins underwater. Diving partners Chase Cohen and Sam Lyons are on a mission for a corporate salvage company. At first glance the trip is fairly mundane. Both men are professional divers with years of experience under their belts.

McFarren vividly depicts the wonders of ocean life with detailed descriptions of various kinds of fish, coral reefs and crustaceans; so much so that even the most cynical among us might, at the very least, be compelled to take that trip to the Caribbean long yearned for. However, as the preliminary chapters progress, the reader becomes instantaneously aware that something isn’t quite right, that this diving mission, though seemingly routine, will be different from all the rest.

Though it is thinly foreshadowed, in a terrible twist of fate, Sam Lyon’s equipment malfunctions, or so Chase speculates. He dies on the same day.  Devastated by her father’s untimely passing, protagonist Rachel Lyons retreats into a minuscule existence as an administrator at a foundation office.

Life is fairly mundane until, seemingly, the chance of a lifetime unexpectedly emerges. Rachel has been given the opportunity to aid a prominent museum in its quest to retrieve artifacts from a sunken Chinese Merchant ship. As with most things, there’s a catch: she will be assisting her ex- love interest. As the tale furthers, Rachel embarks on an adventure that enables her to come to terms with her father’s accident and with the sense of helplessness in her life.

McFarren has written an easily “readable” novel that, perhaps, is overtly sentimental in places, but nevertheless isn’t a waste of the readers oh-so-valuable time. Her characters summon our empathy and are considerably engaging.

Reviewed by Rebecca Nichloson for IndieReader