Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Addiction is a terrible beast that was all-consuming during Georgette’s childhood. Dianne C. Braley’s The Silence in the Sound features Georgette’s point of view of growing up in a home with an alcoholic father, sharing her memories of Martha’s Vineyard. Later estranged from her family because of a decision she made, she lives on the island as a home health nurse and takes care of a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who depends on constant care for his immobility. Grumpy Mr. “S” is a man of few words and hates change so much that Georgette lives in the guest house of his property. One morning she wakes up to work being done at the neighboring Yacht Club and discovers her knight. She remembers Dock stepping in and saving her from a drunk man several months ago. However, there is more to Dock than Georgette could ever imagine.

Dianne C. Braley created a common denominator in Georgette’s life. Her father’s behavior affected her because of the constant tension at home between her parents. She also disliked her mother, because she felt her mother should have been able to discuss issues instead of pretending everything was okay. Ray, her brother, seemed to be the worst affected because of his loyalty to his father, while Georgette shut off her ability to care. She continued this behavior into her adult life, but repressing feelings is not healthy. I know that never worked for me when I tried it. In some parts of the story, I noticed that Georgette emulated her parents' behavior from when she was a child. I liked Mr. S’s advice about writing when he said, “Write what you know.” This story touches on how addiction affects both the addict and the surrounding people. The end of the story left me hoping, with tears in my eyes. I felt the anger, depression, and joy in every moment of this book from all the vivid depictions of Georgette’s feelings. I would recommend The Silence In the Sound to readers who are interested in the psychological and social effects of addiction.