Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea
Available in both E-book & Kindle
When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and who Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.
She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable...until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.
This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who rose with strength and determination from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”
A note from my editor:
“It isn’t easy to edit when you’re crying, let me tell you! But I’m not complaining! This was so beautiful and emotional. It really struck a deep chord in me. It’s an impressive book, and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity (to have been your editor)” ~Bryn Donovan
From Grant Leishman of Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews
5 STARS!
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a powerful, emotional rollercoaster that captures readers from the beginning and takes them on a journey of love, loss, and redemption. This may only be author Richard I. Levine’s second foray into the romance genre, but he has a remarkable talent for evoking story arcs and emotional dramas that will tug at readers’ heartstrings. The character development is superb. As a soldier who has faced the worst that war can throw at him, seen sights no man should have to endure, and been critically wounded on at least three occasions, the depth and complexity of Mitch’s psyche is a master class for other authors. I am a sucker for a good romance and all the elements were present but there was so much more depth, conflict, and suffering than you would normally find in a romance. This lifts the story well above others in the genre. The descriptive prose is wonderfully rich and complex, transporting the reader to the beautiful, rugged island that is the scene of the narrative. I appreciated the battle between small-town coziness and the demands of progress and tourism that sometimes leave locals lost and bemused. I love discovering talented authors, and I will definitely be checking out more of this author’s work. This is a fantastic read and one I highly recommend.
Reviews posted to Amazon
By V.E.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful and Engaging
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is well-written and engaging right from the start. It's descriptive and pulls you in. It isn’t just a love story—it’s a contemplation on memory, time, and the resilience of the human heart. Mitchell and Jessica, childhood sweethearts torn apart by war and circumstance, reunite after twenty years, but their story is anything but predictable. Levine’s prose is textured and atmospheric, steeped in the salt and stillness of San Juan Island, where the landscape feels like a character itself. I love the mood evoked by the Pacific Northwest. This is a novel about love that lingers, wounds that forever stay with you, and the bravery it takes to give forgiveness to others and yourself. It's a great read and recommended.
By Grace Eliot
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slow burn romance
It was such a sweet, slow-burn kind of romance that really hit me in the feels. It’s set in this cozy little coastal town—I mean, the kind of place you daydream about running away to when life gets too loud. The writing has this calm, almost poetic rhythm, and the way the Salish Sea is described? Ugh, dreamy.
The love story isn’t flashy or overly dramatic—it’s mature, tender, and just real. I loved how the characters weren’t perfect; they’re a little bruised, a little weathered, like actual people in their 30s or 40s trying to figure it all out. And the community feel? Don’t even get me started. It made me want to pack up my Subaru and go find a sleepy little bookstore by the water.
If you’re into Hallmark vibes with a bit more depth and a lot more heart, this one’s a quiet gem. Highly recommend with a cup of tea and a rainy window.
By Amy K.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Read!
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a tender, emotional love story that spans decades, anchored in childhood friendship, separation, and the hope of second chances. I was moved by the deep connection between Mitch and Jessica and how their bond endured life’s harshest tests.
What I loved most was the blend of small-town nostalgia with the raw honesty of healing and forgiveness. It’s beautifully written, heartfelt, and quietly powerful—a romance that lingers long after the last page
By Jacob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommend
Richard I Levine tells a story that feels both timeless and grounded in a very real sense of place. Mitch and Jessica's bond is believable, shaped by shared experiences and a deep mutual respect. The writing is steady and evocative, capturing both the simplicity of young love and the complexity of life after it is interrupted. This book lingers in its details and offers a quiet, meaningful exploration of what it means to come back to where you began.
By Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotional and sensitive
Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea completely took me by surprise. What begins as a nostalgic, sweet childhood love story slowly deepens into something much more profound. Richard I Levine writes with such sensitivity and emotional honesty that I found myself completely swept away by Mitch and Jessica’s journey, from their innocent connection as kids to the heartache and complexity of their adult reunion.
By Piaras
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Love Story That Defies Time and Distance.
Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a romance that goes way beyond the usual stuff and really hits you right in the heart. Forget just another small-town love tale—this one dives deep into fate, sacrifice, and how first love sticks with you forever. Levine’s writing is so spot-on that San Juan Island feels alive; you can practically smell the salty ocean air and soak in that Pacific Northwest vibe.
By Robin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Quiet Story of Love, Loss, and Return
This is a heartfelt, reflective love story that explores how time, distance, and life’s hardships shape two people who never stopped caring for each other. Mitchell and Jessica’s connection spans decades and is shaped by personal loss, cultural rifts, and life-altering choices. The novel captures both the pain of separation and the quiet hope of reunion. It’s a touching, deeply human story about how love, even after years apart, can find its way home. I always enjoy reading a good love story and this one did not disappoint!
By L DeRollo
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Profound Love Story
This is a profound story that captures the essence of true first love and the risks we take for it. This book delves into themes of trauma, hope, perseverance, evilness, and those who might save us. The author expertly showcases the characters' emotional complexity and development throughout the book. The world-building with real and relatable characters and detailed settings was very impressive. I was right next to and rooting for the main two characters throughout the whole story! Well worth the read.
By Michele
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Persists Through Time
Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea captures the kind of love story that grows quietly over time and leaves a lasting imprint. Levine’s style draws attention not through drama, but through the silent strength of two people who never fully let go of each other. The writing holds a gentle rhythm, letting the emotional weight build naturally while dealing with traumatic scenarios. It is a thoughtful, deeply human portrayal of second chances.
From Best Selling Author Tae Keller as posted on X (Twitter)
“Poignant, powerful, and tender. Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is more than a romance, it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Mitch & Jess will stay with you long after the final page.” ~ Tae