Rebecca Benison's "Harvest Cruise" Wins The BREW Readers' Choice Award
Rebecca Benison's compelling novel Harvest Cruise, a powerful exploration of self-discovery and personal transformation, has been awarded the coveted October 2024 BREW Readers' Choice Award. The novel, which follows the journey of a reserved professional named Geri as she reluctantly embarks on a life-changing cruise, has resonated deeply with readers.
The BREW Readers' Choice Award, distinguished by its reader-driven selection process, celebrates literary works that forge meaningful connections with their audience. In their official review, BREW praised Harvest Cruise as "a heartfelt odyssey" that masterfully weaves psychological insights about resilience with the transformative power of new experiences.
Harvest Cruise captivates readers through its protagonist’s evolution from a routine-bound professional to someone open to life's unexpected possibilities. The novel has garnered particular acclaim for its nuanced character development, evocative writing, and carefully crafted pacing. BREW's review highlighted the book's "vivid details that immerse the reader in Geri's world" and praised its "intricate pacing" that maintains suspense throughout the narrative.
By day, Benison works as a professional storyteller, when she engages audiences on behalf of companies. Her creative work has appeared in numerous publications, including Empyrean Literary Magazine, Workers Write!, Newsday, and the Long Island Herald. Harvest Cruise, her debut novel, has been particularly celebrated for its appeal to fans of character-driven narratives and introspective fiction, drawing comparisons to works by Elizabeth Strout and Gail Honeyman.
The novel's strength lies in its delicate balance of fear and excitement, particularly evident in moments like Geri's unexpected beach encounter, which the BREW review praised as exemplifying the book's themes of embracing life's spontaneous beauty. While the story may not cater to readers seeking high-action thrillers, it has found an enthusiastic audience among those who appreciate thoughtful explorations of friendship, self-discovery, and personal growth.
This achievement places Harvest Cruise in contention for the Reader's Choice of the Year Awards, where it will compete alongside other monthly winners for the annual recognition.
The BREW Readers' Choice Award represents a monthly and annual celebration of literature that puts readers at the forefront of literary recognition. By empowering readers to determine the most impactful books of our time, BREW has created a unique platform that celebrates the democratic essence of literature and honours the diverse tastes of readers worldwide.
Rebecca Benison's compelling novel Harvest Cruise, a powerful exploration of self-discovery and personal transformation, has been awarded the coveted October 2024 BREW Readers' Choice Award.