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Beyond the Ripples
How might a small decision you make, an action you take, a phone call you initiate change your path? Impact other lives? Months after spying a bottle wedged into a fallen cottonwood snag in the Columbia River, Ernest pulls it from the river. The bottle’s note connects Ernest, an old man living in a tiny Oregon town, to teenage Annie, provoking a mysterious and sudden friendship between Ernest’s daughter Amelia with Sarah, the daughter of the most recent resident of the home Annie once occupied. The two middle-aged women’s quest to learn more about Annie and her secret introduces readers to stories about family members through backstory, and introduces new characters, all connected through the finding of the bottle. Together, Amelia and Sarah explore their unfinished business with their mothers, intimate relationships, and regrets over life choices as they embark on their personal searches for something bigger in their very different lives.
220 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2019
About the author
Dede Montgomery
5 books56 followersDede Montgomery is a sixth generation Oregonian, blogger and author of Humanity’s Grace, Beyond the Ripples, and My Music Man. Her newest memoir, From First Breath to Last: A Story About Love, Womanhood and Aging, will be released by Bedazzled Ink Publishing in March 2024. Dede lives in the Portland area and works at the intersection of workplace safety, health and well-being.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 27, 2021
The characters in Beyond the Ripples were as varied as could be on the personality spectrum, yet all had so much in common. Mistakes were made and lives were changed. Decisions which carried life altering repercussions were carried out, regretted, culled over and forgiven, and I was rooting for each and every one of the charismatic characters.
In this story, one girl (Annie) decides to reach out as far away as Japan via a note in a bottle thrown in the river when her parents are going through a rough patch. Her note was the catalyst for an unlikely journey of two lonely women to find happiness, forgiveness, and friendship when they learn to do the same as Annie by reaching out as they bond over the mystery of the note, the history of anger, and growth after forgiveness.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Dede Montgomery.
In this story, one girl (Annie) decides to reach out as far away as Japan via a note in a bottle thrown in the river when her parents are going through a rough patch. Her note was the catalyst for an unlikely journey of two lonely women to find happiness, forgiveness, and friendship when they learn to do the same as Annie by reaching out as they bond over the mystery of the note, the history of anger, and growth after forgiveness.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Dede Montgomery.
May 28, 2019
Beyond the Ripples is a delightful and satisfying read -- for me, it functioned as an antidote to the stress-inducing headlines that are rapidly invading my newsfeed. The author's skill at bringing the reader eye-to-eye with the characters playfully carries the story onward. As the story develops, the cadence seems almost in rhythm with the currents of the Willamette River, which gives it a very natural story-telling feel. Interesting local history and other tidbits. This book will appeal to a broad audience and would make a great gift!
August 19, 2019
I loved this book! I was intrigued how author Dede Montgomery told the reader enough to get to know the characters pretty well, but she left some aspects of their lives to our imagination. Same with the story line - the ending isn’t an absolute final ending, but leaves room for thoughtful possibilities. Enjoyable and creative.
January 29, 2022
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of Ripples from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
Have you ever wondered what would happen to a note in a bottle dropped into a nearby river that leads to an ocean? In Dede Montgomery's novel, Ripples, the reader has a front-row seat watching a group of various and different characters, one of whom sent the bottle into the river and one who found it.
Montgomery's character development is in itself an education in interacting with people who are not the same as we are. Her insights into this eclectic group of people shows us why it is not harmful to step outside the box when it comes to making new friends or acquaintances, nor is it problematic to delve into the differences found in the lifestyles of others. I found these characters intriguing, lovable, and unique.
Furthermore, the author shows us the beauty found in the Columbia River on the Oregon side of said river. The reader isn't required to know Oregon's history or background. The only thing the reader needs to do is read and consume Montgomery's descriptions of the river, where it is traveling, what there is to see, and listening to what we can hear through her storytelling.
In writing this story, Montgomery paints a glimpse into lives we likely never will live. She shows us how important it is, however, to embrace every opportunity available to us not to live in isolation. To reach contentment, she shows us we must reach out to others who may end up being the ones who guide us, who help us, who witness our actions. If we reach outside our usual circle, we are likely to reach the goal of making a human connection.
This is a well-written and structured work that sends a message of affirmation, something we all need and seek constantly. A book well worth reading.
Have you ever wondered what would happen to a note in a bottle dropped into a nearby river that leads to an ocean? In Dede Montgomery's novel, Ripples, the reader has a front-row seat watching a group of various and different characters, one of whom sent the bottle into the river and one who found it.
Montgomery's character development is in itself an education in interacting with people who are not the same as we are. Her insights into this eclectic group of people shows us why it is not harmful to step outside the box when it comes to making new friends or acquaintances, nor is it problematic to delve into the differences found in the lifestyles of others. I found these characters intriguing, lovable, and unique.
Furthermore, the author shows us the beauty found in the Columbia River on the Oregon side of said river. The reader isn't required to know Oregon's history or background. The only thing the reader needs to do is read and consume Montgomery's descriptions of the river, where it is traveling, what there is to see, and listening to what we can hear through her storytelling.
In writing this story, Montgomery paints a glimpse into lives we likely never will live. She shows us how important it is, however, to embrace every opportunity available to us not to live in isolation. To reach contentment, she shows us we must reach out to others who may end up being the ones who guide us, who help us, who witness our actions. If we reach outside our usual circle, we are likely to reach the goal of making a human connection.
This is a well-written and structured work that sends a message of affirmation, something we all need and seek constantly. A book well worth reading.
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August 4, 2019Dede Montgomery's Beyond the Ripples (Bink Books, 2019) is a lovely story about making connections with unlikely people and how these connections teach us to open ourselves up to forgiveness, courage, and the acceptance of others.
With great and detailed backstories that bring these characters to life, Montgomery sends the universal message that we cannot live a full and contented life in isolation. We need each other -- people to witness us, to help us, to guide us, and sometimes, these people are not our closest friends or family. It's people outside of our circle looking for the same things we're looking for: human connection. This is a warm and well-structured novel with a life-affirming message worth the read.
With great and detailed backstories that bring these characters to life, Montgomery sends the universal message that we cannot live a full and contented life in isolation. We need each other -- people to witness us, to help us, to guide us, and sometimes, these people are not our closest friends or family. It's people outside of our circle looking for the same things we're looking for: human connection. This is a warm and well-structured novel with a life-affirming message worth the read.
August 22, 2021
Enjoyed parts but did end up skimming last couple of chapters. Characters were interesting and rang true enough but didn’t hold my interest and I gave up to start a new book. There were a good number of times that it seemed the author used a ten-dollar word when a more everyday one would have worked and that is something, for me, that gets in the way.
Because a big chunk of the story is two women getting to know each other there is a lot of telling instead of showing.
My reaction is closer to “it’s ok” but I’m rounding up because at least some of that is about me and “liked it” is a better representation of what I think.
Because a big chunk of the story is two women getting to know each other there is a lot of telling instead of showing.
My reaction is closer to “it’s ok” but I’m rounding up because at least some of that is about me and “liked it” is a better representation of what I think.
January 16, 2020
This is a hard book to pin to a single category! It's about watching your life go by, and feeling powerless to change it until something changes your life for you...it's also about a girl growing up not feeling understood but turning out okay anyway...it's about trying to do the right thing according to your intuition but being stymied by life...as we have all probably felt at some point.
There are some very tender moments in this novel, and the ending is a sweet one.
There are some very tender moments in this novel, and the ending is a sweet one.
May 24, 2019
Various characters come together after one finds a note in a bottle in the Columbia River. Beyond the Ripples is a novel of small town secrets, life choices, and family dramas that pulls you along from the first page. Fans of Maeve Binchey and Anne Tyler would really enjoy this Pacific Northwest version of their kind of engaging, heartfelt stories.
December 22, 2019
A very touching story. I felt connected to the characters.
March 23, 2020
This is a beautiful story that demonstrates how we are all more similar to each other than we often admit and more connected to each other than we realize.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews