I think this book was one of the free offerings that I got through a digital book website. I’d give it ★★★★. One of the things that I found very interesting in this book is that the sinking of ships off the coast of the United States during WWII is not something we ever hear anything about. According to Google AI, during WWII, German Uboats sank almost 400 ships off the eastern coast of the US and in the Gulf of Mexico (sorry, I’m not sure if it’s still called that or if it’s called the Gulf of America). The fictional area described in this book sounds as though it was the area along the North Carolina coast that was known as “Torpedo Alley” where 80 to 100 ships were sunk.

From Amazon:

It’s been seven years since a tragic diving accident took her mother’s life, leaving Tula Cassidy with a crushing fear of the sea. The ocean she once loved is no longer a part of her. And she can’t imagine it ever will be again.

Until her return to the Outer Banks changes everything.

While clearing out an old beach house, Tula receives a mysterious manuscript about the Oceanus. The passenger ship’s final voyage ended in disaster in 1942, and its underwater wreckage ultimately became her mother’s final resting place.

As Tula unravels the ship’s haunting history, she uncovers not only an unexpected family connection, but also a story of survival that helps her understand her own journey toward healing.

With help from Nathan, the charming dive instructor she left behind years ago, Tula faces her deepest fears to unlock the secrets of both past and present. Sometimes the greatest journeys begin when we find the courage to dive back in.