*REVIEW* Sea

Synopsis:

Still haunted by nightmares of her mother's death, fifteen-year-old Sienna Jones reluctantly travels to Indonesia with her father's relief team to help tsunami orphans with their post traumatic stress disorder—something Sienna knows a lot about. Since her mother's plane went missing over the Indian Ocean three years before, Sienna doesn't do anything if it involves the ocean or planes, so this trip is a big step forward.

But the last thing she expects is to fall for Deni, a brooding Indonesian boy who lives at the orphanage, and just so happens to be HOT. When Deni hears a rumor that his father may be alive, Sienna doesn't think twice about running away with him to the epicenter of the disaster. Unfortunately, what they find there could break both their hearts.

This book was very, very touching and was a nice break from the supernatural reads currently dominating my TBR shelf.

Sea follows Sienna, a girl who has not healed from her mother's tragic death, as she travels to Indonesia to help orphaned children who are victims of the tsunami that has ravished their world. Agreeing to go on this trip is a huge step for Sienna, who has been afraid of flying since her mother's plane crashed over the Indian Ocean. Since her mother's death, Sienna has not been herself. She has been unable to truly cope with her mother's death and her inability to move on has caused her to distance herself from the person that she used to be.

Upon Sienna's arrival in Indonesia, we're introduced to a culture very far removed from the United States. Heidi Kling, the author, does an amazing job making you feel as if you are right there with Sienna as she learns to cope and adjust to a world very different from the one that she is used to.

Sienna is quickly introduced to the orphans that she will be working with, the ones suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the orphans, an older and very attractive boy, immediately catches Sienna's eye. As Sienna gets to know Deni, and we watch the relationship between them grow, we catch glimpses of the person that Sienna used to be. Could helping Deni cope with his situation help Sienna with her own? And will an adventurous, impromptu trip lead them to joy, heartbreak, or a bitter mix of both?

I really, really liked this story. It had a compellingness that kept me flipping the pages. I was completely invested in the characters and wanted to see where their story would take them next. It was beautifully written and well-paced. And the ending? I was smiling through my tears. It was very bittersweet, yet intensely hopeful. It was heartwarming to watch Sienna and Deni start to move on and heal from their tragic pasts. And they are both left with a great deal of hope for the future.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a touching and emotional read. The characters are relatable, the writing is fantastic, and the story is extremely engaging. It was a nice change of pace for me, it could be the same for you. Happy Reading! *XOXO*