They say opposites attract, but are they meant to last?
'Iwa Young's life is high in the Maui rainforest. As a
field biologist, she's happiest in the company of trees and birds and
waterfalls. When a developer arrives with plans for a so-called eco-resort in
the middle of a forest full of endangered species, 'Iwa puts all her energy
into the fight to protect it. But a chance encounter threatens to distract her.
His name is Dane Parsons, a big-wave surfer from California. 'Iwa has a few
unbreakable rules, and at the top of her list: never date a surfer.
Dane is part of an underground group of big-wave riders,
and his connection to the ocean runs deep. When he meets 'Iwa, he can't get her
out of his mind. But 'Iwa wants nothing to do with Dane until he offers to help
protect her beloved forest and waterfall. Always on the hunt for the ultimate
ride, Dane suddenly glimpses something even greater.
In this thunderous love story, we travel deep into the
Maui rainforest and hop across the globe from Hawai'i to California to
Portugal, chasing waves the size of nine-story buildings -- where the
unthinkable is always just one breath away.
This was my first book by Sara Ackerman, but it won't be
the last. She immediately drew me in with her opening description of Dane
waiting for and riding the big wave at Peʻahi, one of the islands' most
incredible surfing spots. I could feel Dane's excitement at the wave's strength
and his respect for the ocean. It gave an
excellent first impression of his identity and what drives him.
'Iwa is a field biologist, born and raised on the island.
Her job is to track and protect the flora and fauna of the island. That also
includes going up against a developer of an "eco-resort," which is
anything but that. Her love and passion for the land leaped off the page.
Spending time in the forest also brings back memories of her time with her late
mother.
Dane and 'Iwa meet when Dane and the other surfers come
into 'Iwa's dad's restaurant. They are immediately drawn to each other, but 'Iwa
has a rule of no surfers and no off-islanders, having been burned in previous
relationships. Dane is persistent in wanting to get to know 'Iwa better and
finds a way by appealing to her love of nature.
I enjoyed seeing the slow build of Dane and 'Iwa's
relationship. 'Iwa is wary of getting involved with another surfer whose goal
is always the next big wave. But there is more to Dane than just the thrill,
and I loved seeing them connect through their love of nature. There were some
terrific scenes of them showing each other what was unique about each of their
lives. Dane's appreciation of 'Iwa's work and his support of her efforts to
protect the land went a long way toward softening her initial wariness. I
especially enjoyed the scene at the waterfall. As a surfer herself, 'Iwa has a
deeper understanding of Dane's fascination, almost obsession, with searching
out the biggest waves. I enjoyed watching her support him, from Maui to
California to Portugal.
However, some obstacles must be overcome to have a chance
at a future together. A surfing event that goes wrong strains their
relationship by stirring up insecurities on both sides. Dane and 'Iwa need to
deal with their pasts before moving forward. Both journeys were intensely
emotional, and I loved the realistic way they were depicted. The ending was
terrific, and I loved seeing how it all worked out.
The secondary characters were fantastic. Dane's surfing
friends, Kama, Yeti, and Hope, played significant roles in the story, from
surfing to giving advice Dane didn't always appreciate. 'Iwa's friend Winston
was a big part of her life, from being her musical partner to another warrior
in the fight against unwanted development. However, the most important
secondary character is Mother Nature herself. The vivid descriptions of the
oceans as Dane and the others surfed made me feel as though I was there. The
depth of the author's love for Hawaii was evident in the descriptions of the
forests and animals. Seeing a rare endangered bird made my heart beat faster,
just as it did for 'Iwa.
The surfing scenes and the background were fascinating to read about. I looked up surfing big waves at Peʻahi and Navare on youtube and gained a deeper appreciation for Dane's abilities.
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