A weekend getaway to Catalina Island on billionaire Richard Kingsley’s yacht turns into all drama for the entire Kingsley family. Ted and John, along with their wives, agree to the weekend away, thinking their father, Richard will be naming one of them as the successor to his company.

The story switches perspectives each chapter, moving between each family member. The book is loaded with drama and secrets. The unfortunate part is that, it’s very repetitive and we hear the same things from each family member over and over.

There were a few shocking bits at the end, but thrilling? Nope. While reading I found myself wondering how a 268 page suspense novel could possibly be slow, but this was!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author Kaira Rouda for this advanced copy. This novel is due out Sept 5, 2023, and is set to be the first in a series!

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Beneath The Surface by Kaira Rouda. The characters are what really stood out in this book. None of them were likable but they were all well-written and had really interesting stories, so there are reasons to dislike them. Most of the book establishes the characters and their backgrounds, so don’t go in expecting a thrill a minute, just let the (twisted) personalities sink in. The part of the book and that reveal came out of the blue for me, so I realize I should have paid more attention to the ‘little things’ happening and what people said. The story was a diabolical and cautionary family tale.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Book: Beneath The Surface
Author: Kaira Rouda
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub Date: September 5, 2023

Oh me. It just wasn’t good. It’s a short read and honestly you can read the first and last chapter and miss a whole lot of nothing yet know what’s going on. This book was full of repetition. We had the same conversation from different perspectives page after page after page. It was just a soap opera with terrible dialogue. It was all predictable from the get go with no twists or aha moments. I have liked some of Kaira Rouda’s books. Best Day Ever was really good but this needed a lot of work.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is September 5, 2023.

Holy hell!! Scandalous secrets, devious plot scheming, extremely spoiled brats---Kaira Rouda delivers again! I think I say this in all of my reviews of her books, but Rouda definitely has a talent for portraying unlikeable characters. You just love to hate them. I wanted to jump on to that precious yacht and tell them off with my inner sailor mouth! The behavior between these siblings was very immature and I'm proud to say that I loved every single moment of their tit-for-tat mind games. This book was extremely fast-paced with a slow build of intensity. It took awhile before anything was revealed, but OMG, the secrets!! I guessed at some but there were just so many! I am still reeling from the drama. The ending was bittersweet and I absolutely loved how it all played out. And Beneath the Surface is Book 1? I cannot wait to read Book 2!! Bring it on, Rouda!!

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

A billionaire and his family on a weekend getaway turns into murder. The children of CEO Richard Kingsley are invited by their father’s new wife to an overnight on their new yacht, the Splendid Seas.

Sons John, Ted and their wives are invited for an overnight. As they arrive they realize there is more to this voyage. They are expecting their dad to name his successor to his company. They each feel they deserve to take over.

One son is still working for the company and the other left the company years ago under suspicious circumstances. Not long after the arrival their estranged step-sister Sibley arrives. She is a firecracker and adds so much to the family dynamics.

This novel is not smooth sailing for this dynamic family. So many deceptions, family feuds, drama and just craziness. I adore this author and I can always count on a delicious novel.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and author Kaira Rouda for this advanced copy. This novel is due out Sept 5, 2023.