4.5 stars, beautifully written book

I'm not typically a very big fan of historical fiction, but this book is more of a character driven novel that happens to be set in the past. It has lovely themes of friendship, family, found family, love, and learning what fulfills a person and makes them happy.

This is the tale of Beatrix, who at age eleven is sent by her parents Millie and Reginald from London to live in America during the peak of World War II. She lives with the Gregory family, with the parents and sons William and Gerald. They forge their way to becoming a family of sorts, spending summers in Maine and with Bea finding herself falling for William. Then the war ends and Beatrix moves back to London. Years pass, and they fall in and out of touch, there are marriages, divorces, deaths, births, and so much life lived on opposite sides of the ocean.

This is a beautifully resonant book. It's wistful, sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful. There are so many relationships and I found myself able to relate to the characters, even the ones who weren't just like me. The longing, the growing and changing, those emotions are so universal and each reader will see something of themselves in the characters and their life journeys.

I partially listened to this as an audiobook and partially read it on the page, and the narrator of the audiobook is superb. She is a wonderful voice for Bea, but also does justice to the other characters and their accents as well. Either medium is an excellent way to experience this book.

4.5 stars.

Set in the backdrop of WWII, Beyond That, The Sea is a character-driven family saga. In London, Reginald and Millie Thompson make the impossible decision to send their daughter Beatrix to live with a family in America in order to shield her from the German bombs landing far too close to home. When Beatrix arrives in Boston, she meets the Gregorys: Mr. and Mrs. G, and their sons William and Gerald. Bea seamlessly assimilates into their world and begins to forge incredible bonds with each of the Gregorys. When she returns to post-war London, her time with American family remains with her, feeling torn between her biological family and “found family.”


Thoughts: This story was absolutely beautiful. I loved how the author covered everyone’s POVs, and although there are a lot of characters, keeping track of them all was manageable. This is a great pick for readers who do not want a fact-heavy historical fiction, as this story really straddles historical fiction and literary fiction. WWII really functions as a backdrop, rather than a major plot element. The relationships forged in this story are powerful and memorable, and it is easy to be touched by their stories. I was quickly invested in the characters and loved how well the loose ends were tied. The slow pace may not work for all readers, but if you like character-driven stories with themes of found family, this one is for you!

Thoughts: You will notice I am omitting the summary for this book, and that is because I think this is one you should go into blind and just let yourself go with the flow of the story. This is a coming of age story, a love story, and a woman’s journey to figure out where she belongs. And while war is the catalyst for some of these events, it is very far removed.

Within the first chapter, I became completely immersed in the lives of these families. The prose, while stunning, is also very easy to understand and get lost in (in the best way). I adored each and every one of the characters and was so sad to reach the end of their story.

I did an immersive read, utilizing the physical book and audiobook, and found this to be a great way to take in the story. The narrator, Ell Potter, did an exceptional job bringing this beautiful story to life. Although third person omniscient narrator is not my favorite, she did a fantastic job giving these characters such a unique voice, it often felt as though it was told in first person.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is on the short list for my favorite book of 2023. Snag this one on audio, ebook or in print asap! You will not regret it.

Read if you like:
•stories about family
•ww2 era fiction
•love stories
•multiple pov

Thank you {partners} Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.

During WWII, many British children were sent overseas to keep them safe. This is the fictional story of Beatrix Thompson, daughter of Millie and Reg. Her parents argue over whether or not to send her to America for the war but her father prevails and in 1940 off goes 11-year old Bea. Placed with the Gregory family in Boston, Bea quickly becomes part of the family, the only girl with two boys and a blessing for “Mrs. G,” who always wanted a daughter. The family vacations in Maine every year are a delight as Bea learns to swim. She is devastated to learn of the death of her father back in England during the war.
At war’s end, Beatrix’s mother quickly arranges for her to return to England to live with her and her new husband. Bea never feels quite at home in England after she’s back and must deal with her mother’s jealousy over the lost years.

Ell Potter narrates the story and does an excellent job of portraying all points of view. Though the book is written in a variety of viewpoints (that of Bea, her parents, and each of the Gregorys), Potter does an excellent giving each of them a voice. Between Spence-Ash and Potter, all of the characters come to life though Beatrix herself is always the primary focus.

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash is a captivating historical novel about the life of a young girl, Beatrix, who lives in London during WWII. Her parents choose to have her sent to the US to stay with the Gregory's until the war is over. This is a multi-POV that spans thirty-seven years. Each chapter is from one person's point of view and is short which cuts down on the confusion that often times comes with multi-POV books.

The story was sweet and unpredictable. It was interesting and unique to see the WWII era from an adolescent's point of view. The narration was wonderful and very easy to listen to. Obviously a lot happens in the span of thirty-seven years, but the author did an outstanding job tying everything up by the end. Very satisfying read!

Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the copy of this ALC.

This was such a unique work of historical fiction. I loved that we started in WWII with a really gutwrenching situation: a couple in London deciding to send their child to live in the United States so that she can have a childhood. But as years go by and Bea spends more time in the US, where is her real home? Who is her family? All involved have conflicting, hard feelings and I thought Laura Spence-Ash did a great job of exploring these throughout the War. This was all in Part 1. After that, we fast forward a few years and while I enjoyed how all of the characters grew apart and back together through many events, I didn't particularly love how it all played out. So in the end, this ended up more as a "like" than a "love."

Absolutely LOVED the narration by Ell Potter. Highly recommend listening to this audiobook!

Read if you:
- want a bit of heartbreak
- enjoy character-driven stories
- want historical fiction that's not too heavy on history

4.5 stars rounded up—Thank you to NetGally and MacMillan audio for this ALC of Beyond That, The Sea. This historical fiction is beautifully written, and follows many POVs in short chapters, spanning years. It open during the war, but the focus is really on the 2 families. We meet Bea, William, and Gerald as children and follow them into adulthood. The narrator was fantastic, and I found myself caring for each of the many characters we followed. Definitely recommend to fans of historical fiction and family sagas.

This beautiful story starts in the midst of WWII on opposite sides of the pond, if you will. Beatrix's lives in England with her family. They make the choice to send her to live in America while the war rages on to keep her safe and hope for a better life. Beatrix is thrown into the mix of the affluent Gregory Family in Boston with their sons William and G. She quickly adapts to her new life and family. When the war ends, Beatrix is expected to move back to her home with her family. She feels conflicted as her life in America has become one more familiar to her old life in England. The story goes on to to tell of love and loss and finding new happiness through change.

Laura Spence-Ash has a magical way of developing her characters throughout this story. I fell in love with Beatrix and Mrs. Gregory instantly. As the characters grow and develop, you cannot help but be invested in them. I'm a sucker for a historical fiction piece, so naturally, I was drawn to this story. But I must say it takes on a unique plot, as it isn't centred around bombs, soldiers and killing. Those aspects very much stay in the background. It is the relationships and journeys that takes centre stage. I found the characters and storyline relatable and convincing. You too will feel a part of the Gregory family and be rooting for Beatrix and her happiness.

I have been reviewing titles on and off for Netgalley for years, but this is one of the few titles that captivated me utterly almost from the first page. Laura Spence-Ash has written a beautiful tale of two families brought together by chance when a 12-year-old girl, Beatrix, is sent to to shelter with an American family during the WWII bombings in London. Her parents love her desperately and hate saying good-bye; her welcoming American family come quickly to love her and want her never to leave. Beatrix spends her formative years (approximately 10-15) with her heart and mind split between her two allegiances. The attention to detail during that relatively short time is well-matched by the second half of the book which follows the families in the 30+ turbulent years that follow the war. Every scene fits perfectly, and while the author has made the unusual choice to write from multiple voices, the story retains its cohesion and grip on the reader's emotions through to the very end. There is a love story within these pages, but there is also a heart-rending paen to the love between parents and their children and to the idea of chosen family. And then of course, there is the sea. I was gifted the opportunity to listen to this story in audio, but I have purchased a print copy as this is a book I know I will return to repeatedly.

Beyond That, the Sea is a deeply moving historical fiction novel with a touch of romance. Its about a piece of history I knew very little about (but of course I spent time researching after reading this).

I have read countless WWII novels, but this is the first about the evacuation of British children during WWII, which is such an interesting, complex topic and a brilliant idea for a book. 👏🏻

Amidst the second World War, as bombs drop on London, parents Millie and Reginald make the difficult decision to partake in the evacuation program by sending their only child, Beatrix, to the U.S. for safety.

11-year-old Bea is sent to Boston to live with her host family, the Gregorys, until the war is over. Bea is welcomed with open arms and quickly becomes part of the family. As the war wages on back in London, Bea finds herself growing more and more at home in the states and with her new family.

After the war, Bea is torn between two places, two families, two lives. Bea will be pulled between these two worlds for decades, as the reader goes along on this incredible journey across continents and time.

Beyond That the Sea is a beautiful, tender story about life, loss, love and the people who become ours by chance and choice. It is told over many years, from many perspectives -- and it works!!

I read along with the audiobook, which was narrated with perfection by the extremely talented Ell Potter. Potter performs a large cast of characters flawlessly. Very well done!

I won't soon forget this story or these characters, and I absolutely recommend this in both formats.

Thank you Celadon for my gifted print copy, and Macmillan Audio for my gifted ALC.
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BOOK: Beyond That, the Sea
AUTHOR: @laura_spence_ash
RATING: 4/5 stars
GENRE: Historical Fiction
PUBLISHER: @macmillanaudio
NARRATOR: Ell Potter
PUB DATE: 3/21/23
THANK YOU @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for my #gifted Advanced Listening Copy!

SYNOPSIS: “I had four parents. I think a little of each of them is in me, in some way or another. It’s a nice thought though, isn’t it? Dead or alive, we carry these people with us.”

In 1940 England, Millie and Reginald Thompson make the difficult decision to send their eleven year old daughter (Beatrix) to America to stay with another family in hopes that she’ll remain safe through the end of the war. Bea meets The Gregory’s (Mr & Mrs. B, and their songs William and Gerald). They welcome her with open arms and her feelings of loneliness dissipate quickly when they treat her as part of their family. Everything seems easier and more natural in their life compared to the life she left back home.

Years later, everything comes to a halt when the war ends and Bea is called home, and she makes the trip back across the Atlantic to return to her old life; the memory of her new family never leaving her mind.
This story is told from an 8-person point of view that gives a nice feel in understanding the entire tale.

REVIEW: I found myself not wanting this beautiful, tenderhearted story to end. It’s more than a love story. It’s also a coming of age that’s full of growth, grace, forgiveness and understanding. It’s exquisite from start to finish. This debut novel comes out March 21st!

Happy reading!
#BeyondThatTheSea
#netgalley
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#comingofage
#newbook
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DNF at 18%. This book just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t interested in any of the characters and the plot was minimal. The timeline moved too fast for my liking.

I absolutely loved this novel. I sunk into it--one of those stories you have a hard time leaving to go back to the "real" world. It was lovely, heartbreaking, deep, thoughtful, and insightful. I adored the characters and really connected to each of their journeys.

The story is told from the perspective of several women, from different generations and backgrounds over a couple decades. (There are some male POVs too, but it really felt like the women's story.) I loved the different connecting stories and voices and the beauty of how their relationships were entangled. I just loved this story.

There's a strong focus on a the romantic subplot, which is always a favorite for me. I just had to know what happened! And I really liked how the romantic subplot ended.

It broke me a few times, and it really sunk in deep. I would highly recommend it for readers of upmarket/book club readers of historical fiction and mother/daughter relationships.

In 1940 London, working-class parents, Millie and Reginald Thompson, decide to send their daughter Beatrix to America to live out the duration of World War II with a wealthy host family. Over the years, Beatrix develops into a girl stuck between two very different lives with two very different families. Both of which she loves very dearly.

What an incredible debut! Laura Spence-Ash takes a classic historical fiction period and develops an emotional coming-of-age story. WWII subtly provides the backdrop, but the tale digs through the deeply layered meaning of family and everything a family entails: love, loss, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Spence-Ash's beautiful prose produces a quietness to the reading experience I rarely feel. It’s emotional and heartbreaking yet with rays of hope and love. I love how Spence-Ash explores nature vs. nurture, the innate need to belong, and how marital love can take multiple forms.

The audiobook, narrated by Ell Potter, is terrific. She offers a gentleness to the characters that I felt deep in my heart. I paired the audiobook with the physical. And I love the format (structure) of the book - short chapters, a timeline printed on the bottom of the page, and conversations italicized instead of using quotes. All of which elevated the reading experience.

Thank you @Celadonbooks and @MacMillan.Audio for the #gifted ARC/ALC of BEYOND THAT, THE SEA.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I’m not a big WWII historical fiction reader, so I was hesitant to pick this one up. Thankfully, WWII serves as a backdrop and a plot device to get one of our main characters, Beatrix, to America as a child, therefore setting the stage for her life split between two families.

The chapters are incredibly short and rotate between each character’s POV for both the British Thompson family and the American Gregory family. I did at times have a hard time keeping track of which POV I was reading/listening to as their individual voices weren’t super distinct. But the short chapters did serve to move the book along quickly.

This book is incredibly character focused. If you love immersive character studies, then this book is definitely for you. It spans several decades so you really get to know these characters.

While this book is being marketed as a sweeping love story, I don’t think I would call it that. The romance is minimal and I really had a hard time Bea was truly in love at the end and not just marrying for comfort/convenience. But that’s just my opinion. This book has many glowing reviews so I think it's more a me problem.

If you love historical fiction or character focused books, then don’t miss out on this one.

BEYOND THAT, THE SEA comes out on March 21!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5385738736
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpnZ0jUJYx-/

What an absolutely beautiful debut novel from @laura_spence_ash! My book club had the chance to speak with the author, and I loved hearing about her process and passion.

I thought I’d read all I needed to in WWII historical fiction but this was so much more! This story spanned decades and was simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking with characters that felt deeply real. The growth of Beatrix and all who loved her was nuanced, and I was entranced by the progression of the story. The audio is wonderful too!

Highly recommend this read for something fresh and lovely when it releases on 3/21!

This was a nice historical fiction novel, but there wasn't really anything special about it. I enjoyed the different family dynamics that were explored. It was well written but the plot seemed a bit loose throughout.

Review of Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

So this book is not one I would normally pick up as we all know thrillers are my jam. However, I was so fortunate to receive a copy from @celadonbooks in addition to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio. Even more fortunately, I was able to buddy read this one with my good friends #sqafbookclub and @randombookswithmj arranged for a zoom call with the amazing author. Sadly I missed that one but still had a blast discussing with them throughout our reading. The bottom line is I absolutely loved this book. It was a lovely, gripping story that was beautifully told. I can hardly believe this novel is a debut by @laura_spence_ash. We all struggled to our it down once we had reached the cut off for our discussions. I was completely engrossed in the lives of the characters in this book and loved the dual timelines. I will definitely be picking up then next one by this author.

Quick synopsis: Bea is a young girl living in England when WW2 reaches her. Her parents bravely make the decision to send her to live with a family in the US until it’s safe for her to return. While she is at first terrified and angry, she quickly bonds with her host family and becomes even happier than she could have imagined. She’s heartbroken to return home once the war ends. The story follows the years she was in the US as well as currently her life in England as an adult.

I received Beyond That, the Sea as an audio ARC through Netgalley. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of family and love that spanned from WWII until the '70's. In London before the massive bombings begin during WWII, families started sending their children to the countryside, and some to other countries like the United States. Bea's family makes the tough decision to send her across the sea to live with the Gregory family. Bea goes from being a only child to having two brothers, G and William. This story is told from multiple point of views, spanning decades. Laura Spence-Ash did a wonderful job weaving in actual history, with the the interwoven stories of two families in two different countries and all the feelings that would go along with that.

4.5 stars
I love reading historical fiction and this one sounded so different since it straddles 2 lifestyles in 2 continents. This was a powerful and moving story that pulled me in from the start. I really enjoyed this novel reading about the connections between Bea and her pseudo brothers. I could feel the emotion as Bea was struggling to find her place and learning about why she was separated from her family.