What We Could Have Been

Written by Jess Sinclair

Narrated by Nan McNamara

In this richly imagined novel, a terrible betrayal triggers a feud that casts its shadow over the fates of two families in a small Florida fishing community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666647877

Jess Sinclair

Jess Sinclair writes relatable women’s fiction aimed at making readers and listeners laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously. She is the daughter of two teachers and works as a nurse when not writing. A Detroit native and mother of three, she lives with her husband and best friend of thirty years and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats.

Reviews for What We Could Have Been

[Leah Barton Tew · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to listen to this book because it takes place on Florida’s Gulf Coast, which is where I grew up. About two chapters in my interest had run out. I gave it two more chapters before I decided that life is too short to waste time on drivel like this.

If you like vapid romances, then this book is for you. If you prefer books with substance and intelligence, then don’t waste your time. There are too many truly great books out there to read instead.

[Emily Lassiter Branch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There's a lot going on in this novel - family drama, mystery, and love story. There's a touch of Romeo & Juliet here - two families in a south Florida fishing town, once close friends, but something has happened to turn the Shea and Castellari families against each other. But for teens Bluebell Shea and Enzo Castellari, friendship has already become love by the time the family feud begins. In the aftermath of a family tragedy, Bluebell ends up running away to live with her aunt in north Florida, and Enzo is left broken-hearted. Fast forward ten years, and Bluebell takes her son and flees her abusive husband, returning to the town where she grew up. She reestablishes her relationship with her father, and the story progresses from there.
I really enjoyed listening to this book, the narration is excellent. As I said, there's a lot going on between the family drama (internal family issues with both families and and the history of Blue's abusive marriage). There's the mystery of what instigated the family feud. And of course there's the question of the relationship between Enzo and Blue - can the adults they are now reestablish the connection they had as teens? I loved the descriptions of the small Florida town life, as well as the joys and difficulties of the life of a commercial fisherman. All in all, it was a very enjoyable listen for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a copy for an unbiased review.