Beyond That, The Sea is an atypical WWII story. It concerns a young English girl who is sent to live in America at the outbreak of the Battle of Britain. Unbeknownst to me, apparently 5,000 children came here from England with another 6,000 going to Canada. Beatrix is eleven when she’s sent to live with the Gregorys. Mr. and Mrs. G have two sons, William, 13, and Gerald, 9. Mrs. G is delighted to finally get the daughter she always wanted. It’s a sweet, warm family drama. The story is told from multiple POVs - including all four parents, Bea and the boys. The reader sees Bea grow up, becoming more a member of her new family than her own family. Even after she returns home, that dynamic continues, with Bea feeling in limbo, removed from her mother. The story continues for decades and there are low and high moments as you would expect.
Spence-Ash does a wonderful job of creating a complete set of fully realized characters. I came to care about them all, especially Bea. I was so totally drawn into their lives that I was constantly finding ways to keep listening to this story. Spense-Ash’s writing is crystal clear and it was easy to envision each and every scene.
I did find the first half of the book more engrossing than the second. Spence-Ash includes some historical points in the following decades, especially in the sixties, but they glancing and this should not be considered historical fiction. But I still strongly recommend this as a character drama.
It was interesting to have an English narrator and at times I would be jarred when a section concerning one of the American characters would use an English pronunciation of a word. But overall, Ell Potter did a fine job.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

1940, London. German bombs are falling and many parents at that time chose to send their children to safer places such as the countryside, and as far as America. Bea's parents send her to Massachusetts to live with strangers, the Gregory family. At 11 years old it is hard for Bea to leave her parents and enter into a new family for an unknown period of time, but she quickly falls into place with this family that shares so much love with her.

The book follows decades of the two families lives as we see Bea return back to her family after the war has ended, but she leaves her heart with the Gregory's.

I really enjoyed this book and the characters within. I felt close to them and wanted to best for them. I felt sorrow as they struggled with life's happenings and joy when life was good. This is the type of family drama books that I enjoy. It's so fulfilling to see a large spanse of time in peoples lives, especially when what we see of our lives seems so minimal and slow.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced complimentary audiobook.

Beyond that is a novel that starts off with the heartfelt story of a young British girl sent to America to avoid the dangers of WWII. The story follows Bea through her teenage years of growing up away from her parents and all that is familiar. The normal teenage anxieties and drama are touching as Bea becomes more engrained with her new family and life in America. I give the first half of the book 5 stars.

As the story advances through the years, it became more about daily life with sprinkles of dramatic elements meant to torcher the characters rather than move the plot forward. The second half of the book drags on with the only conflict of the character's poor choices. The historical elements of life in the '50s, '60s, and so forth were lacking. As the only anchor seemed to be the infatuation of one character with the Kennedys. The rest of the story could have happened in any time period. The endings left me with the characters walking off the page but with little character growth. I have to give the second half of the book 2 1/2 stars.

The writing style was enjoyable and I'll look for more books by this author. The narration of the audiobook was superbly done.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of the audio version provided in exchange for an honest review.

The book spans decades starting during WWII. As bombs fell on London, many English families sent their children to the countryside and some even sent them to the safety of the United States. Eleven-year-old Beatrix, or Bea, reluctantly goes to Boston to stay with the Gregory family. The two families are not related but the Americans have generously offered to take in the girl. Bea lives with them for four years and truly becomes a beloved member of the family. The story extends many years beyond the war but the events during wartime establish the basis for the relationships between the characters, both British and American.

The Gregory family consists of a teacher father, a doting mother and two sons – William aged 13 and Gerald aged 9. They all welcome the girl and feel the family is enriched by her presence. Bea comes to think of them as surrogate parents and enjoys the time she spends with them; especially the summers spent on a small island in Maine. Bea’s parents miss her terribly but know they are doing what’s best for her. While their daughter is in America, the London family suffers a tragedy and it reminds Bea of her real home and the family left behind. It was easy to forget the bombs and the parents with so much distance between them. After the war ends, Bea returns to England, leaving behind a part of her heart and never forgetting the family who took her in.

The characters and the relationships are the strength of the book. The children grow into adults who live far apart but can’t deny the tether that connects them. Bea, William and Gerald grow up and realize that their summers in Maine, along with their early years living together, have left an indelible mark on them.

Vacations in Maine are a highlight of the first third of the book. Bea learns to swim and grows into a more assertive and accomplished young lady. Both boys are enamored of her and will forever remember the sweet girl who grew into an accomplished teenager while living in their home.

The novel covers decades and is an emotional story of lives intersecting and of the bonds of love. The audio is narrated by Eli Potter who does an outstanding job of portraying the personal angst and longing of family and friends kept apart, first due to war, and later by residing on different continents. Readers will find themselves so drawn by the sensitive portrayal that they will find it hard to pause the audio. A wonderful, intimate portrayal of connections that span the test of time.

There are sooo many WWII books about the Holocaust and wartime Europe, so I enjoyed a unique perspective focusing on a child whose parents sent her from London to America to live with a foster family during the war. I didn't realize this was happening during WWII and it made me realize how desperate parents must have been to send their children so far away to live with strangers. The bulk of the story takes place during the war, but spans multiple decades. The complex thoughts and emotions that arise from having two sets of families makes for interesting and complex relationships. It is as if the main character, Bea, grew up in two completely different worlds with vastly different experiences in each. Ultimately as the story progresses Bea feels torn between the life she had in Boston and the life she had in London and never quite feels settled. I enjoyed that the chapters were written from a variety of perspectives giving the reader a more holistic view of the character's perceptions. I thought the author did a good job making the characters feels authentic to the time period with their values, thoughts and actions. Worth a read!

My first historical fiction of the year. One of my goals for 2023 is to read more of this genre that I used to love - this was the perfect start!

In a literal sea of WW2 books, BEYOND THAT, THE SEA, gives us a side of the war that isn’t shared often in fiction. I honestly had never considered the number of children that were sent to family and acquaintances in the US for safety during that time.

While I found the book to be a bit slow moving and longer than it needed to be, I did truly enjoy the story. I particularly loved Mrs. G, who loved Beatrix like her own. There was a side of romance - which felt pretty meh for me - but the ending was super satisfying 🖤

The audio definitely kept the story moving and, I think, made the book even more enjoyable for me!

This story completely captivated me. I really enjoyed the premise of the book. It is my first book by this author, and the story like I said, will stay with me for a long time. Please do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

Set during WWII, a young British girl Bea is sent away from her parents in London during the Blitz to live with a family, the Gregorys. Bea fits in well with her host family, especially with her brothers William and Gerald. They have a lot of adventures together especially in their summers together on an island in Maine. After the war ends, Bea returns to England and has to adjust to a very different home than the one she left. Much of the book has to do with the two different families and how they shaped Bea. I really found the first part of the book enjoyable, but the second half dragged a little bit for me. There were parts to the plot that I didn’t find necessary or interesting and some of the characters felt contrived. Readers that enjoy historical fiction will enjoy this unique viewpoint of this time period. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator was pleasant to listen to.

I received this ALC from NetGalley in exchange for this review. Thank you Macmillan audio and Celadon Books.

I can't even explain how much I love this book. The sad start. The middle troubles. The sad ending to then turn into a perfect happy ending. I just don't even know how to explain it. I love that the book goes through everyone's life and that it starts off when B moves to America and stays until B is old. The characters are relatable and loveable. The story is one I really haven't heard before, and I'm so glad it is now here. The family dynamics is something so relatable, and you definitely can feel and understand exactly what and why it's happening. Such a good book. I can't wait to have all versions of this book.

I started out on the wrong foot with this because I expected it to be historical fiction. The book does contain events from World War II through the Kennedys, but they are in the background. The main story is of two families and how their lives touch and change each other. Family drama is not my favorite genre, especially when I am expecting something else, so it was overall disappointing. Despite this, I was curious enough to not give up on it. I would have preferred a different middle and ending, but the beginning was sweet. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC

Though I had been hesitant to read another WWII book, this one called to me. This was a different take on the war – following a young girl from England sent to live in the US for safe keeping!!

There are numerous characters in this novel and therefore multiple POVs. The book is so well written that even with this diversity of viewpoints, the story flowed beautifully.

It is 1940 and the bombings in London are getting closer and closer to the home of Millie and Reginald Thompson, working class people, and their 11 y/o daughter Beatrix. Because of the increasing danger they decide to send Beatrix to live with a family in the US.

Bea is overwhelmed by the two week voyage and not at all sure what to expect.

Mr and Mrs Gregory are an affluent family who live in Boston and they welcome Bea into their household. She seems to fit wonderfully between their sons William,age 13 and Gerald age 9.

The first part of the book covers the five years that Bea spent in the US with amazing summers spent in the family home in Maine. She grows very fond of the Gregory family, Mr and Mrs G and also grows close to William and Gerald.

Because of her wonderful experience in the US she isn’t at all sure she wants to return to London when she is summoned by her mother.

She returns home and the story then moves on to the years after the war, her continued relationship with Mr and Mrs G and the boys.

**First off, the writing is beautifully descriptive – flowing prose that made me feel as if I were in Maine. I want to book a vacation there ASAP and spend a summer like the ones Bea experienced!!

**I admit to loving the first part of the book the best!! This was so much a coming of age book, finding friendship, love and acceptance.

**I was fortunate to have both the audiobook and the physical copy. In the end I read the book more than listened. The narration was very good but I felt the slower pace with the audiobook.

**The reason for my 4* instead of 5 is that there isn’t really much in the way of discussion of the war going on overseas. As the Gregorys are well off, there also isn’t a feel for what the rest of the US was suffering through, with shortages, tremendous loss of lives, etc. I would have liked a bit more of the “historical” part of the novel.

I definitely can recommend this novel. It is a beautiful story to escape into and it’s hard to believe that this is a debut! You won’t soon forget Beatrix, she’s an amazing character!!

I received an ARC of this novel directly from the publisher, Celadon books. I received the audiobook from the publisher through MacMillan Audio through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title. The publication date is set for March 21, 2023.

#BeyondThatTheSea
#CeladonReads

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to and review this audiobook prior to release.

This was an unexpected delightful read. This story begins in London in 1940 when an 11-year-old girl named Beatrix is sent from her family to live with a family in American to keep her safe during the German attacks. While her family back home is heartbroken, Bea quickly falls in love with her new "family", the Gregorys. The two Gregory boys, William and Gerald become the best of friends with Bea and after 5 years with them, she feels more at home there than back in London.

This story is full of love and loss of love and found family. While it takes place during the war, the focus is very much on the drama of the two families and the war is more of a backdrop.

The book alternates between the viewpoints of both sets of parents and all of the children which keeps things interesting and moving along well. I enjoyed all perspectives equally and think the story flowed very well. I was moved by the ending and thought it tied everything together very well.

The narration was very well done and I would highly recommend this one on audio. This will be available on March 21st!

CW: cheating

Wow! Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash absolutely blew me away! What a story. There’s SO much packed into this novel, and truly something for everyone. It’s a family story, a coming-of-age story, a war story, an immigration story, and a love story. It will break your heart into itty bitty little pieces. The novel follows two families living through WWII on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In order to keep their daughter safe, one London family decides to send her off to America to live with another family. Complete strangers! I can’t even imagine. Gah! The chapters switch perspectives back and forth throughout the years, and the reader learns how this difficult decision shaped the lives of all members from both families. I can’t even tell how much I enjoyed the author’s writing style. The experiences of these two families were so beautifully written, and the character development was superb. I only have one complaint about this novel, and it’s an issue I have with the conclusion. It involves two of the characters, and let’s just say that things didn’t sit well with me. That’s all I say about that. Beyond That, the Sea gets 4.5/5 stars from me! Grab a copy on release day - March 21st!

I thought this book was SO GOOD. I loved it so, so much. This is told in three different parts and is such a beautiful Coming-of-Age story that follows the life of Beau as she navigates, war, life away from family, new relationships, grief and so much more. Beyond That, The Sea was very character driven, and I truly fell in love with each character. I loved all of the many different POVs. The story flowed seamlessly, and I really felt their struggles along side of each of them. I thought this story was absolutely beautifully told, and the audiobook version was phenomenal.

🎙️𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧: Ell Potter
⏰𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝: 12h 18m
🗓️ 𝙋𝙪𝙗 𝘿𝙖𝙮: 3/21/23
📖 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧: Macmillan Audio
📚 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: Coming-of-Age

➡️ 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮:
• war stories
• multiple POVs
• multiple timelines
• family drama
• blueberry muffins
• beautiful writing

This review will be shared to my social media accounts very soon! Thank you Macmillan Audio for another AMAZING book!!

My thanks to Net Galley and Celadon Books for an early copy of this audiobook.

4.5. What a beautiful story of young Beatrix living with her parents in London. Her parents feared for her with German bombs falling in 1940. Her parents made a difficult decision that many parents were making at the time - sending their children to America to be raised by an American family. Beatriix is taken in by the Gregory family with 2 boys - William, a little older and Gerald, a little younger. I loved the Gregorys and how they took in "Bea" and made her part of their family. Mrs. G loved her like the daughter she never had. Bea experienced summers on the coast of Maine and learned to swim and experience so many new things. Daily life in Boston with the Gregorys who became her beloved family as she grew from a girl to a teenager....until the war was over and Bea left to return to London and rebuild life with her family that had changed so much. The story takes us through how both families dealt with these changes of lots of adjustments and pain. The story takes the reader through the years as the kids grew, found careers, spouses, while never they never forgot each other. This is a story that lives in my head after the book has ended. Still pondering so many things. Highly recommend!

Beyond That, the Sea is a remarkable piece by the wonderful author Laura Spence-Ash.
To say this audio version was captivating, dynamic, and powerful beyond words is an understatement.
Sometimes, I like to multitask while listening but then I lose my train of thought when listening. Not with this one as it's read so eloquently that it requires your undivided attention.
The story begins with a young lady named Beatrix (11 yo. daughter) who is sent to live with her new family the Gregory's and their two boys William (13yo) & 9 yo Gerald.
It's set during WWII at a time when of the war when everything was on end.
Nobody knew what life would be like moving forward and everyone gave each other all they had to simply get by and assist in whatever fashion that required.
The plot grows exponentially with each new development within these two families from tragedy, heartbreak, and everything in between including divorce and death.
It was not too long thereafter when we learn there's been a tragic car accident and a member of the family passes.
Traveling to Maine becomes the highlight to processing the pain.
These families lived parallel lives yet managed to find that through it all they never lost sight of the shore or the memories they held close to the sleeve.
Thank you to Laura Spence-Ash, the narrator Ell Potter, the publisher Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Beyond That, the Sea is an historical fiction novel set in multiple times but about the WWII era. Eleven year old Bea is sent to America by her family to keep her safe from the bombs and war fallouts in London. She learns to live a different life in America and is torn between her two lives. I listened to the story and recommend the audiobook to readers who enjoy stories in the historical fiction genre (especially WWII although the focus isn't so much on the war), family drama stories, and love stories. I really enjoyed this one!

As World War Two begins to target England heavily with bombs, Millie and Reg make the difficult decision to send their young daughter, Beatrix, to America where she will be safer. The Gregorys take her in, a family that’s middle class and has two sons. As the stretches on for years, Bea becomes increasingly comfortable with her new family in America.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! I find historical fiction is hit or miss for me and this was a hit! The characters were so well developed and I feel like they were so easy to connect with. I loved the short chapters told from almost every character’s point of view. There was romance which surprised me but I really liked how it was written in. I had never really thought about this part of history before so I found it really interesting to read about Bea’s experience. The ending really surprised me and I’m unsure how I feel about it, but I really liked the first 90% of this book.

This book was fabulous. What I thought was going to be a story about WWII, ended up being a beautiful piece of historical fiction, drama, and romance.

I thought the multiple POV were easy to follow and made the book flow smoothly.

There were so many great details that stick out for me such as Rose being obsessed with the Kennedy family and how many of the characters played chess through the post.

The ending surprised me a bit but I thought it really hit home the thought of young love Vs adult love.

✏️ Coming March 2023! ✏️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚9/135
Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
Format: 📖/🎧

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Celadon Books for the chance to read this gem! I requested the ALC, then was surprised with my own physical copy in the mail, so I intertwined the two!

If you ask me my least favorite genre, I am quick to say “historical fiction”. However, I’ve made it a goal this year to try more. And this one was an absolutely LOVELY re-entry point. And to find out it was a debut? I’m impressed! I love that it covers so many pivotal points in both American and European 20th century, and that it does so with rich characters and strong voice. For being outside of my preferred genre, it kept me engaged and interested.

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Amidst the London Blitz, the Thompson family makes the impossibly difficult decision to send their daughter, Bea, across the sea to America for her safety. It is there that she becomes part of the Gregory family- including their two sons with who she shares a special bond. The story flows from her two summers in New England to her return, and to the three children’s adult lives. The losses and gains of their lives are told against the backdrop of World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, the Kennedy presidential campaign, and more mid-century events. Though the sea and time divide them, Bea, William, Gerald, and their families come of age together.

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