OCEAN CHILD

This emotionally intricate novel follows three 20-something women who were strangers until an investigation revealed that all three share the same biological father: Raymond Corning of Sydney, Australia, who “runs a prestigious school and is a local leader.” Each woman lives in a different country, and none are aware of the others’ existence until the truth forces them to take a closer look at their personal histories and reevaluate what the concept of family truly means. The novel opens with Julia Corning, a passionate surfer in Sydney, whose volatile relationship with her controlling father sets the tone for several conflicts in the book. Miriam Worthington, a polished actress in London, is mourning the loss of her mother, and she becomes the reluctant catalyst for connection after she has a private investigator track down her past. Catrina McDavid is a grounded medical sales professional in Carlsbad, California, who would rather avoid the potential problems that the news of previously unknown siblings and an estranged father might bring into her life. As the sisters’ stories weave together, the novel examines themes of family dynamics, betrayal, and figuring out how to heal emotionally and spiritually after receiving life-altering news. Flatow manages to connect Julia’s, Miriam’s, and Catrina’s backstories with present-day developments, ably moving between time periods to show how their father’s absence has molded each woman’s voice; the author also effectively shows how their new familial connection brings comfort and complications into their lives. The plot tends to take melodramatic turns at various points, but the emotional stakes feel earned, and the characters’ arcs are ultimately satisfying. As the narrative jumps between continents, it focuses on what each woman is thinking and feeling as they wrestle with a messy legacy.