It's Always Been Me - by Megan Walrod (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This contemporary novel about a woman navigating love, loss, and the whispering call of her neglected artistic dreams will appeal to fans of Lily King and Jojo Moyes.

After Sabina watches her rock star husband walk out on their marriage, a phone call reveals that her beloved grandmother is in the ICU in Santa Cruz, CA. So Sabina hits the road with a tear-stained face, a duffel bag of clothes, and no plan for her future.

In her grandmother's seaside world, Sabina reconnects with several old passions: ocean swimming, process painting, and a long-lost summer love named Graham--all of which force her to confront the artistic dream she abandoned to support her husband. Meanwhile, a mysterious voice calls to her. Sabina wonders if it's a Selkie, one of the mythical shape-shifting seal folk from her grandmother's stories.

As both her marriage and her grandmother's health deteriorate, Sabina wrestles with the choices she's made. Is it too late to reclaim her dream? Must she choose between art and love? And is the voice she's hearing a sign she's lost it--or a key to unlocking her true self?

Review Quotes

"It's Always Been Me is a tale of personal rebirth and the transformative power of self-discovery."--Nicole Waggoner, author of The Circus of Women Trilogy

"In this empowering tale, art provides a language rich in metaphor and a path for self-actualization, mystical surprises, and the unfolding of women's wisdom."--Jude Berman, author of The Vow, a 2024 Kirkus Best Indie Book

"A tale of truth and transformation. A must-read."--Laura Munson, New York Times best-selling author of Willa's Grove

"When Sabina's life shatters, art becomes a lifeline that puts her back together, providing a beautiful example of how creative expression through lines, shapes, colors, textures, and images plays a vital role in healing and starting over."--Merryl E. Rothaus, LPC, LMHC, ATE-BC, CHT, ACS, somatic art psychotherapist


"A soothing portrayal of self-discovery for readers who enjoy relatable female characters."--Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling novel about embracing one's identity and reclaiming power and control of one's life . . . dedicated to fans of profound character-driven women's fiction."--Readers' Favorite, 5-star review

"Intergenerational wisdom, matriarchy, the divine feminine, and a healthy dose of magic guide Sabina on her journey towards empowerment. Megan Walrod has deftly woven a profoundly feminist tale."--Emily Wolf, author of My Thirty-First Year (And Other Calamities)

About the Author

Megan Walrod is a writer, women's empowerment coach, and founder of Live Your Yes, LLC. Over the past sixteen years, she's supported thousands of women to break free from their "good girl" training and create fun, fulfilling lives, unapologetically owning their true selves. Megan brings a playful yet powerful approach to personal transformation and has a thing for mermaids, cupcakes, and skinny dipping. It's Always Been Me is her first novel.