Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I was really excited for this one- especially once I heard it was Reese Witherspoon’s pick for her book club.
This book starts out great with a great premise and then quickly falls apart once we discover the “something” in the water. The story requires an incredible amount of suspension of disbelief. I have a hard time believing that Erin and Mark would actually behave in any of the ways they do. Also, they are so unlikeable it’s impossible to care what happens to them. It says a lot when the most likeable character in this book is an incarcerated murderer. Skip it.

Erin thinks she has found her true love. Little does she know that her honeymoon will be a turning point.
This is a good read. The characters are very believable. I would definitely recommend it.

Between a 3 and 3.5 star rating.

Something in the Water is Catherine Steadman's first novel. And for her first, I felt it was good. She starts the book off with a bang and a sneak peak into what the ending is. Enough of a sneak peak to make you want to bite, but not to where the ending is spoiled.

You have Erin and Mark who are in love and about to get married and go on the honeymoon of a lifetime. But Then Mark loses his job and that stressor drives all future decisions they make - both good and bad. The storyline is strong and enjoyable, at times a little slow and muddled down, but that bite at the beginning is enough of a pull to wade through the slow part to find out what happens. And while the storyline is slow at times, it's intriguing enough to spark conversation. I put the book down several times to talk with my husband about the story and see if he would make the same decisions the characters did. It's interesting. Some of the characters will make you want to pull your hair out in frustration. But it's Erin's naivety that makes her believable, albeit frustrating yet you want to root for her good decision or bad. And while the story is an intriguing one, I felt the ending left more questions than answers, which is why my rating is a little lower. I feel the author could have wrapped up the loose ends a little better while still maintaining a wickedly deceptive ending. Having said that I would still recommend this book, and I look forward to reading future books from this author.

My thanks to Catherine Steadman and Ballentine Books at Random House Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read this book and write this review with many mixed feelings. Erin and Mark meet, fall in love and marry. During all this, Mark, who has a high powered, money-making job, loses his job and becomes despondent about never finding another job. Erin is a film maker, whose current project about prison inmates and their life changes right before and right after their release from incarceration, is interesting, and she loves her job, but she does not make nearly as money as Mark. When he loses his job, Mark begins to question everything he is and believes in. The couple are forced to cut back on their elaborate wedding and honeymoon to save some cash. Marl worries about how they will ever afford their life style if he never finds a job, though Erin remains optimistic about how things will turn out. Thus, they forge ahead with their somewhat elaborate and expensive wedding plans, because, as Erin points out, they have saved the money for the whole wedding thing and she is sure Mark will find a job soon. During their honeymoon in Bora Bora, they find something interesting while diving off the island coast. This find changes the entire trajectory of their lives, as well as impacting in many different ways on their relationship. The book goes through a myriad of twists and turns as the couple grope with the find and its impact while trying to work it all out in the context of their relationship.

I found the book interesting. I did not always like Erin, as she sometimes seemed flighty, making decisions and acting without good, solid thought and/or discussion and sometimes seemed like she did not really know what was what in the real world. I also did not like the way she did not tell important things to Mark on several occasions, as I think doing this is rather important in a marriage, if it is to be a good one and one that lasts. Mark, for his part, also kept thins to himself that he should have shared with Erin. In fact, Mark came across, at many points as bossy and/or domineering as well as stuck on himself because of his high- powered job and the money he earned. There was an awful lot of deception and non-communication of important facts in their relationship, which led to some interesting and different conclusions. I found the ending interesting and, after reading the story through, not terribly surprising or unbelievable, as the story kind of led right up to it. The author also did do a good job of characterization throughout, and I felt I knew both Erin and mark well enough. Of course, though there were other less important characters who did lay significant roles in the tale, she focused mainly on Erin and Mark, but this is their story and they were the people involved in everything. The book was likewise written okay, but I thought the author jumped around a lot and sometimes spent an inordinate amount of time and effort on descriptions, which dragged. All in all, the book did hold my attention from the start, though not always as well as at other times. I do wish the author had written the prologue a little more vaguely, not naming who Erin was burying, as it got me started wondering about the ending, and was almost too much of a clue. I think most readers who enjoy a good mystery will enjoy this one, though some may be turned off by how slowly it moves along with the long and many descriptions. Still, if you keep with it, as I did, you will enjoy it and find it worth the time and effort. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This was a compelling read, that readers will love. I found the structure to be very engaging and helped propel me through the plot and the twists were exciting if not entirely original. I enjoyed this and think it will be a very fun vacation read for the summer.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

The first chapter of this book drew me in and I didn't want to stop reading because of such a strong intro! That being said, parts of this felt very slow to me but then it all came together for a somewhat satisfying twist. I can't say that I was fond of the ending, but still, it was worth a read.

Wow. If you're not hooked by the end of the first chapter, then this genre is not for you. I loved this book! (I'm a bit biased though, since I love Catherine Steadman as an actress). It was very well written, and well paced. Great debut book. I look forward to reading more from Catherine Steadman.

AMAZING BOOK!!! but... the only problem was that there was so much going on in this story line. It's what makes it great and also does not because of all of the moving parts. The main character was a little crazy and that is what made me so intrigued because I had no idea what she was going to do next. Sometimes I thought she was a robot, just acting out on what she saw in front of her. Definitely a plot twist at the end but I wish they would have gone into more detail about her husband's past because it was never really brought to the surface. The ending also could have been wrapped up a little neater, it tied up all of the loose ends but there was still some things that could have been clarified more. All in all, awesome read and I have already recommended it to my friends.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman was quickly added to my read list when I heard that Reese Witherspoon's company Hello Sunshine had snapped up the film rights last year, almost 12 month prior to publishing in the USA.

This mysterious thriller was a delight to read, and I could not get enough! The plot was well thought out, to ensure the right twists were in place to throw audiences off the scent of what was "really" happening right under the newlywed's nose.

The story follows Mark (investment banker, now unemployed) & Erin (documentarian, focusing on the reintroduction of prisoners back into their lives on the outside), they are madly in love and planning their dream wedding when Mark looses his job, and wedding and honeymoon plans are adjusted. Little did they expect to find something in the water during a romantic scuba dive trip out to an old shipwreck. What they uncover shocks them, changing the course of their lives forever.

This book is action packed, but make sure you don't read the last 100 pages at home alone, a creek on the stairs with send shivers down your spine!

I would recommend Something in the Water to anyone who loves Shari Lapena, Ruth Ware, or B.A. Paris, or mystery/thrillers. This is a very impressive novel by first time author Catherine Steadman.

**I received this book from Netgalley for the purpose to read and provide an unbiased review.

Though slow to start out, once the action started, it never stopped. The plot was definitely exciting, and the suspense was high. I could feel physical fear, my heart racing, as I continued reading. I devoured this book in a two days, and if I wasn't trying to be a mother in between reads, it would have been faster. I highly recommend, and I can't wait to read what Steadman will have for us next.

Erin is a documentary filmmaker. Mark is a banker. They are happy and in love, planning their upcoming wedding. While on their honeymoon in Bora Bora, they find a mysterious bag in the water. The contents of the bag forever change their relationship.

The story is told from Erin's viewpoint. She and Mark seem to have everything going for them, but things get very complicated during and after their honeymoon. The characters are mostly likable and believable. A slow build up that is intriguing and suspenseful.

A page-turning psychological thriller. Great for fans of domestic thrillers with a strong female protagonist.

Erin and Mark a young couple are very much in love and are busy planning their wedding and honeymoon to Bora Bora. Erin is budding documentary filmmaker and Mark a successful investment banker but just before the wedding Mark loses his job and finds it difficult to get another one. They both still decided to put their troubles decide and go on their lavish honeymoon. During their two weeks of of pure enjoyment they decided to go on a scuba diving adventure and what they find in a bag there changes their lives forever.

Something in the Water is an enjoyable debut thriller by Catherine Steadman. The start of the book was a little slow as we are introduced to the characters but the book picks up pace at around 35% .Strong well developed characters makes this an interesting read and will look forward to reading more by this author.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Ballantine Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

This book was so good! Kept me guessing till the very end!!! I’ve never read this author before until now. Will definitely be adding to my favorite list!

Okay so perhaps a somewhat unpopular opinion here, at least based on what I am reading on Reese Witherspoon's Instagram comments (this is a RW Bookclub pick) - but this book did not hit the "Mark" for me (a pun for those who read it - sorry I couldn't help it). I also gleamed from the comments in IG that I may have enjoyed the audible version more, as people seem to be up all night listening. I thought the book dragged for much of the narrative and was bogged down with unimportant details.

I was slightly more interested when we got to the honeymoon, but found the rest of the book predictable at many points. Nothing about the ending came as a surprise, and the prologue was just unnecessary as it featured characters I did not get to know well enough to care about.

The bright spot in the book was ex-con and gangster Eddie. He was charming and helpful and had a calming presence that helped our protagonist through. The only issue is I would have much rather read a book about Eddie.

Thank you Netgalley for this preview!

After grabbing you in with a cliff-hanger, this book sloooows way down. I understand the necessity of the background to the build-up of the mystery but honestly it was a little to slow. But I’m here to say do not give up on it! Once you get over that first hump (roughly 1/3 of the book – and it’s not bad reading, there’s just no thrill) this book turns into a wild ride! I ended up really enjoying it!

I thought the idea was original and not something I’ve read a bunch of times. I also thought the main character was really relatable and she got further and further entangled you could see how you would have done the exact same thing! I also liked the elements that kind of exposed what money can do to people.

You need this book if you like Ruth Ware – it was a similar writing style – just don’t give up on it in the beginning! It is definitely worth it – good twisty read.

Entertainment Value: 4
Characters: 3 or 4
Voice: 4
Plot: 4
Overall: 4 stars

<i>Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!</i>
See my reviews @ mamaneedsabook.blogspot.com

A decent read and a premise that differs from many thrillers as of late. However, I didn't care for the characters or feel connected to them. This makes a fine "beach read" - holds your attention but doesn't stay with you long after finishing. I would still read future works from this author.

Read my 4-star review of Something In The Water by Catherine Steadman

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2421222073

I am so pleased with this! Catherine Steadman's, Something in the Water is a great story with a great narrator. I was quickly drawn into the story as it starts at a very peculiar place that gets you intrigued immediately. This story, in contrast to a lot I seem to be reading lately, is told from one POV. This was so refreshing for me; I really related to the Erin, our protagonist and felt really comfortable just sitting in her voice and hearing this story told.

Erin, is a documentary filmmaker who we find working on a project interviewing convicted criminals on the eve of their release from prison and just after. In the midst of all of this, she also marries the man of her dreams, Mark a once successful investment banker who comes under great stress due to difficulties with his career - like he doesn't have one any more. With all of this going on they decide to go on the honeymoon of their dreams to Bora Bora. Whilst there, on a private scuba diving excursion, they discover something in the water that will forever change the course of their lives.

This book has mystery, intrigue, some very intense moments, some moments where I was appalled by how reckless our MC was acting - this book is an excellent examination of what human beings are willing to do for something valuable to them. If you value wealth and stability, what would you do to get and maintain that? What sorts of lines would you cross? Would you be the same person? Are you any different from any other person who may have crossed lines of their own? I found the story was formatted perfectly - it kept me guessing, it kept me wanting to keep turning pages. I would definitely recommend this as a perfect summer Thriller!

This was a disappointment. The author gets too bogged down on the descriptions of little things that I got bored. I kept putting this book down because I was just not interested. I didn't like any character. there was nothing redeeming.

ARC provided to me in exchange for honest review.

This book captured me in the beginning then towards the middle it started to get slow. For me, it didn’t pick up until about a 1/3 of the way towards the ends.

The characters were great, I loved Erin and mark! They find something in the water and they both have different ways of handling the situation. Whatever way they decide, they somehow make it work. Without giving away too much, I recommend this book to thriller lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free eARC!