3.5 stars

"If you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you?" - from Goodreads summary.

I finally pulled this one off of my shelves after a ridiculous amount of time. It felt like a summer thriller which is exactly what I was in the mood for. The book starts off with a bang that really hooked me as the reader. Unfortunately, I didn't love this book as much as I had hoped to. It's not that it was a bad book by any means. I just kinda hated the choices that the main characters were making. This is one of those books that made me actually anxious at times because of these decisions. It meant that I kept setting the book down, unable to immerse myself fully in it. This is a very me type of thing so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Not only that, but without sharing any spoilers, there was something that happened early on that for me made the ending not a surprise. I may not have figured it all out but I figured out enough - and I will leave it at that. I will say that this was a page turning read even when it had me a bit stressed out. I also really liked Erin's character. The beginning and ending were strong but I just didn't quite love this one like I thought I would.

Readers looking for a suspenseful read perfect for summer reading might want to give this one a try. I'm landing on 3.5 stars and do plan on reading more by this author in the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to review - this was fascinating and very interesting. Would be interested to see more of the author's material.

Super repetitive. Super detailed, in a bad way. I don't need the breakdown on how to give a grave. For pages and pages. I liked the twists, didn't see them coming, but not my favorite Steadman novel.

Wow -- it's a rare book that grabs me from the first page and makes me not want to put the book down! This novel starts with the main character describing how she's digging a grave for her husband. You're instantly drawn into the story and immersed in the suspense. There's a sense of foreboding throughout the entire book. Who has double-crossed whom? Is it Erin, the grave-digging newlywed wife, or Mark, her suspicious and freshly unemployed husband? As the couple gets drawn into a mystery on their honeymoon in Bora Bora, the reader is taken along for the ride, through plot twists galore. It's not until the very end that the mystery is revealed. A very fast and enjoyable read! I can't wait to read more of Catherine Steadman's books.

**3.5 stars**

I’ve had this book on my TBR since it came out and I am glad I finally got it. I read it and also listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the actress author who did a great job. I liked it even though the main character did get on my nerves a bit. But I didn’t entirely guess the ending which is always a big plus for me since I usually do. It was a page turner, definitely a good book for the beach.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 Rounded up

I am finding it very hard to believe that I only just now read Catherine Steadman's debut Something in the Water. This is one of the first NetGalley books I received, and I am kicking myself for waiting so dang long! Steadman became one of my favorite authors pretty quickly, and I can barely believe this is her debut because it was just that good. I didn't find anyone all that likable and Erin makes some pretty stupid decisions throughout the novel, but I didn't want to put this down, and the suspensefulness of what was going to happen easily kept me going. The title is easily recognizable in the story, and I like how vague the synopsis is. I would recommend going into this one as blind as possible while being prepared to not like anyone in it.

It was wonderful to find out Steadman has narrated her audiobooks from book 1, and there has only been 1 book that I wished would have had a different narrator. She felt perfect for Erin and one thing she always nails is the narration. She has great pacing and brings her characters to life with such ease and emotion. I thought I knew where Something in the Water was going, and while I wasn't entirely surprised by the end, it was definitely a twist! I enjoyed the way this story played out overall, and I loved Erin's dynamic with a certain person at the end. No spoilers here, and I probably shouldn't have enjoyed that part but #sorrynotsorry. The pacing is really steady the whole way through, and I would recommend this to readers who can suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride.

Erin Locke is a documentary filmmaker working on a piece about prisoners about to be released from prison. She is also preparing for her wedding to Mark Roberts, an investment banker she's been dating for a few years. On their honeymoon in Bora Bora, they come across a mysterious paper-strewn section of ocean and a locked black bag as they return from scuba diving. They have to decide what, if anything, they should do with the information they've come across.

This book had potential. It starts with a chapter that immediately grabs you: Erin is describing how difficult it is to bury a dead body. Then she goes back a few months to explain how she got to this moment. Here's where we run into trouble. First of all, SO many f-words, so that was a big turn-off for me. The other issue is that Erin is an idiot. You know you have a problem when every time your heroine does something, you want to tear your hear out and shout, "What are you thinking?! Don't do that!" She literally has a former (maybe current) mob boss-type prisoner tell her to leave what she's doing alone, and she decides to keep going. She is always so proud of herself with her clever idea, and then it falls apart and she realizes it was a terrible idea. And then she learns nothing and does something else completely stupid. By halfway through the book, I wanted to get through it just to see how badly she ruined everything and to be done with it. That being said, it was a gripping read and moved along pretty well. I just couldn't connect with the main character because she made so many terrible decisions. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.

This was a slow to start book. Bit then picked up a bit. Then it slowly declined again to where I just threw it down and gave up. I tried to keep picking it back up, but I just couldn't do it.

Something in the Water was a mixed bag for me. I definitely loved some parts, but the beginning was way too slow to keep my interest. The book took me much longer to read because I just didn't feel invested in the build-up to the wedding and honeymoon of Erin and Mark. The mid-point will keep you reading up until the explosive end. A lot of the decisions made me want to shake the characters, but I did feel invested in the outcome.

I could not put this book down!!! I honestly had no idea what was going to happen. The only thing that annoyed me reading was how frustrating the characters were. I wanted to jump into the book and give them a piece of my mind!!! Mark and Erin got away with some crazy stuff but overall it was a fast read. I would love to see this as a movie.

I loved reading as I kid but struggle to find time as an adult. It’s often impossible to sit down to focus. This book shifted that trend in the right direction! Wow!

I need to remind myself that I just do not find psychological thrillers exciting or surprising anymore. I figured out the ending to this long before I finished the book. It was a quick read and I think many will enjoy it, but this one was just not my cup of tea.

I really liked this book! It was definitely a page turner and I can’t wait for more from this author!

I received this as an ARC a while back but actually never got around to finishing it. Saw the audio version on my library’s app the other day, and decided to listen to it instead. Started off promising, but went downhill. I had lots of questions about why they did the stupid things they did (like why would you hang on to the burner phone and flash drive anyways?), and Erin’s inner dialogue drove me nuts. I would have given these things a pass, though, had it not been for the stupid ending. Stupid. Makes no sense. No motive. NO SENSE OF REASON. And for the ending-ending—who cares about Holly?? Just, no thanks. Disappointed in how this book turned out.

When Erin and Mark go on a dream vacation, what they find in the water could shatter everything they have and want for the future. This was a wild ride that I had a hard time putting down.

Fun read! Great edition to Reese’s Book Club! Would recommend to those who love thrillers. Fast paced as well.

This one was just okay for me. It wasn't memorable, and I can't say I'd recommend it. The opener is quite brilliant though, but it was all downhill after that.

Something in the Water starts out with a bang, a narrator telling us how hard it is to bury a body. It was definitely a great setup for the book! What a wild ride! I knew from the first chapter that things were going to get interesting. I will say the first half of the book is a slow burn. There is a lot of character development and a side story with Erin’s documentary.

Wow, what an intense read!! This author is new to me, and I was definitely not disappointed! Edge of your seat storyline to say the least!
Loved the intrigue and the characters!
Definitely a must read!

Not sure how I missed reviewing this great thriller - but let’s just say Catherine Steadman is incomparable! Since this book, she has written Mr. Nobody and her latest The Disappearing Act is next up on my list! Also setting, Bora Bora, occasion, honeymoon and the SECRET make for it a summer must!! Read everything this author has written!