BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

“Motherhood isn’t necessarily every woman’s dream. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea tells the important story of a woman whose decision to marry and become a mother has been more complicated than she bargained for, leading her to feelings of self-doubt and guilt and addiction as escapism. This engaging and introspective tale expertly peels away the mysteries of addiction, painting a riveting portrait of how quietly it can start, persist, and destroy. A compelling story of vulnerability, family resentment, and second chances told in beautiful prose reminiscent of Ann Napolitano, Guerrieri’s debut is not to be missed!”

—Jacqueline Friedland, USA TODAY bestselling author of Counting Backwards

“A powerfully written page-turner about impossible choices, motherhood and creativity, and the devastating results of using alcohol to fill the void. I read it in a single day, riveted by Leah’s inexorable descent into addiction. A delicate and unblinking study of addiction and recovery, but most of all, an intense portrayal of the ways we lose ourselves to motherhood and how to find the impossible balance. A beautiful book!”

—Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids

“Every once in a while, a novel comes along that so completely encapsulates a piece of the human experience. Jessica Guerrieri’s debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, does exactly that for both motherhood and alcoholism in a breathtaking story about the bonds and trauma of family, the struggle to retain a sense of self while parenting tiny humans, and the difficulties of marrying into a family with different values than the ones you were raised with. With a cast of characters so real that you’ll swear you know them, this is the perfect read for fans of Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty. Mothers of all ages will relate to Leah’s desire to remember who she was before having children, as well as her perceived inability to live up to the standards of seemingly Stepford-perfect moms.”

—Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write and She’s Up to No Good

“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a powerful and eloquent novel that plumbs the depths of the conflicts between domestic tranquility—particularly parenthood—and a growing dependence on alcohol to fuel the creative life. This book is highly recommended and impossible to put down!”

—John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author

“A compelling exploration of the human experience. This novel captures the intricacies of family dynamics layered with money, status, and the weight of expectation. Each page resonates with universal reliability that draws readers deeply into its story. The interplay between characters is so vivid and profound that I was utterly absorbed, losing track of time in the process. This is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive debut novels I’ve encountered—a remarkable achievement. I eagerly await Guerrieri’s next work, as this is only the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary literary journey.”

—Katherine Rhadan, quit lit writer and addiction recovery advocate