When the storm-tossed secrets of a secluded coastal town threaten to unravel, a woman returns to face the ghosts of her past. As tides of betrayal, heartache, and newfound love collide, she must navigate a labyrinth of family betrayal and hidden truths that could destroy everything she holds dear. With the ocean's relentless pull and a looming mystery at every turn, loyalties are tested, and the quest for redemption becomes a race against time. Will she find the courage to confront the depths of her family's darkness, or will the rising tides sweep her away forever?
Karen White's "Sea Change" follows Ava Whalen as she seeks a fresh start in St. Simons Island after a whirlwind marriage to Matthew Frazier. Ava, a midwife haunted by her mother's mysterious disappearance, soon realizes that both her new home and her new husband harbor secrets that threaten her peace. Troubled by vivid dreams and a growing sense of déjà vu, Ava digs into the tangled histories linking her family and the Frazier estate. As the tide uncovers hidden betrayals and long-buried truths, Ava must confront her deepest fears to protect those she loves. With atmospheric settings and intricate mysteries, the novel explores family legacies, the cost of secrets, and the healing power of forgiveness.
Ava Whalen's life changes dramatically when she marries Matthew Frazier and leaves Atlanta behind to settle in an old coastal mansion on St. Simons Island. Haunted by her mother’s unsettling disappearance years earlier, Ava is drawn by the promise of a new beginning, but the unfamiliarity of the island and the mansion’s mysterious past begin to weigh on her. Her attempts to adjust are thwarted by strange dreams and subtle unease, sparking questions about her new husband’s background and the motives behind their quick marriage.
Matthew’s elusive behavior and the islanders’ whispered warnings feed Ava’s doubts. As she explores the house and interacts with Matthew’s mother, she stumbles upon old letters and artifacts that seem eerily linked to her own family. The web of secrets stretches back generations, revealing connections between the Whalens and the Fraziers that neither Ava nor Matthew fully understand. Every discovery pulls Ava deeper into a historical mystery, even as her own sense of self unravels.
Haunted by the relentless rhythm of the ocean and plagued by dreams of women long dead, Ava is forced to explore the meaning behind these uncanny experiences. Through her quest, she realizes that the past can never truly be escaped. Each revelation challenges her perceptions, pushing her to question both her marriage and her own origins. Family betrayals and century-old heartbreaks come to light, threatening to shatter her fragile new life.
As Ava’s investigation intensifies, she must choose whether to confront the uncomfortable truths or allow them to be drowned by the tides of secrecy. Love becomes both a source of hope and a test of resilience, as she is torn between protecting her heart and seeking redemption for past generations. In the end, Ava’s courage to face the darkness with honesty and compassion opens the door to healing, forgiveness, and genuine belonging.
Get a free PDF of this summary instantly — no email required.