When the Ocean Roars is the debut novel of Charlsie Estess, set in present-day Japan with a romance-forward plot. Keane, the hero, is an American mixed martial arts athlete who's in Japan for a world champion match against native son Niko Ono. By chance, Keane meets Ami, a Japanese science researcher, and the attraction between them is immediate and strong.
But of course external factors challenge their relationship. Can Keane maintain focus and his intense training schedule to prepare for the championship? Will Ami defy her dominating father and brothers to pursue a relationship with man of her choosing? The "third act conflict" went in a direction I didn't expect (and explains the title) which had me quickly turning the pages. In bookish serendipity, the same event was featured in the novel I read just before this one.
It was a change of pace to read a romance that focuses on physical attraction; the novel contains many descriptions of Keane and Ami's physical appearance and their high-end wardrobes. Yet both main characters have experienced grief and regrets that impact their personalities and choices. Keane's career is very successful, and it was interesting to read about the lavish tactics he takes to avoid the paparazzi and public interest in his relationship with Ami. I'd classify this as a clean romance with a light thread of Christian faith.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions are my own.
But of course external factors challenge their relationship. Can Keane maintain focus and his intense training schedule to prepare for the championship? Will Ami defy her dominating father and brothers to pursue a relationship with man of her choosing? The "third act conflict" went in a direction I didn't expect (and explains the title) which had me quickly turning the pages. In bookish serendipity, the same event was featured in the novel I read just before this one.
It was a change of pace to read a romance that focuses on physical attraction; the novel contains many descriptions of Keane and Ami's physical appearance and their high-end wardrobes. Yet both main characters have experienced grief and regrets that impact their personalities and choices. Keane's career is very successful, and it was interesting to read about the lavish tactics he takes to avoid the paparazzi and public interest in his relationship with Ami. I'd classify this as a clean romance with a light thread of Christian faith.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions are my own.
