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When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara ONeal

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When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal is an emotional novel about two estranged sisters, one of whom was long thought dead, and their journey to unearth past secrets and heal old traumas.&nbs ...

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal is an emotional novel about two estranged sisters, one of whom was long thought dead, and their journey to unearth past secrets and heal old traumas.

Synopsis

The story follows Kit Bianci, an ER doctor in Santa Cruz, California, who believes her older sister, Josie Bianci, died fifteen years ago in a terrorist attack on a train in Europe. Kit's world is upended when she sees an image of a woman who is the spitting image of Josie in a live news broadcast of a nightclub fire in Auckland, New Zealand.

Driven by a mix of grief, anger, and a desperate need for the truth, Kit travels to New Zealand to find the woman and confront the possibility that her sister has been living a lie. The narrative alternates between Kit's present-day search and flashbacks to the sisters' tumultuous childhood in California, marked by neglectful parents and an intense bond with a lost teenage boy named Dylan. In New Zealand, Kit discovers that Josie is living under the alias "Mari," is in recovery from addiction, and has a new family and a stable life she is trying to protect. The sisters' reunion forces them to face long-buried secrets, including childhood abuse and the circumstances surrounding Dylan's death, to reconcile their past and move towards forgiveness.

Key Themes

Family and Sisterhood: The novel deeply explores the complex, enduring, and often strained bonds between sisters.
Secrets and Lies: Long-hidden secrets act as a major plot driver, underscoring the idea that concealing the past can prevent true healing.
Trauma and Recovery: The story highlights the impact of childhood trauma and the difficult, non-linear process of healing and redemption.
Identity and Reinvention: Josie's decision to fake her death and create a new life in New Zealand examines the possibility and challenges of escaping one's past and reinventing oneself.

Setting

The book uses a strong sense of place, contrasting the sun-soaked beaches of Santa Cruz, California, with the picturesque and rugged landscapes of New Zealand. The New Zealand setting includes a mysterious historic mansion, Sapphire House, which mirrors the themes of hidden pasts and restoration within the story.

When We Believed in Mermaids has been praised by reviewers for its emotional depth and page-turning quality, making it a compelling read for those interested in family drama and mystery.

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