From my blog: Always With a Book

I have long been a fan of Kaira Rouda’s books. Not only does she do crazy well, but this is the first book in her new series and I for one am super excited about that! This is going to be one wild ride with the Kingsleys and I’ll gladly take a front row seat!

One thing I’ve come to love about Kaira’s books is that her books usually have one or two unlikeable characters. This time around, we have a whole slew of them and I’m not even sure which one I could pinpoint as the worst. I think maybe there was one who I liked, but even she had her quirks. The family dynamics here were so dysfunctional, it was bordering on ridiculous, but given the backstory we are given for each character, it all makes a weird kind of sense they act the way they do.

This book is full of secrets, lies, drama, manipulation, sibling rivalry, power struggles and so much more. I loved that it took some unexpected twists that I did not seeing coming and kept me guessing as to where the story was ultimately heading. It’s a clever play on the title, but you never know what really lies beneath the surface when it comes to anything and that is so true when it comes to all the characters we meet here. No one is above reproach and I loved how ever so slowly we see their true selves revealed.

I really enjoyed this book and am super curious to see where this series goes next.

Another hit from Kaira Rouda that made my top 5 list of new reads for the month of August. Make sure to catch Kaira's episode on the Killer Author Club -- links to watch at https://killerauthorclub.com/killer-episodes.

BENEATH THE SURFACE is the first instalment in Kaira Rouda’s contemporary, adult THE KINGSLEYS dramatic, thriller series focusing on the dysfunctional Kingsley family.

Told from five different perspectives (Paige, John, Serena, Sibley and Richard) as well as intermittent gossip site reporting, BENEATH THE SURFACE focuses on the bitter reunion, sibling fighting and the naming of a new CEO at Kingsley Enterprises. Billionaire CEO Richard Kingsley, the patriarch of the Kingsley family, has invited all of his children and their spouses aboard his new yacht, the Splendid Seas. Along with his much younger wife Serena, Richard has set a plan into motion to ferret out who would be best suited to take the reins at the top but each sibling is determined to win their father’s approval, forgetting that Richard Kingsley knows all, and more than anyone could have imagined. A weekend cruise, a storm on the seas, and the revelation of secrets and lies, proves that Richard is unable to trust those vying for the top prize.

BENEATH THE SURFACE is reminiscent of televisions’ SUCCESSION™ and the maladjusted Roy family. From the top, Richard Kingsley has pitted his own children against one another, in an effort to see who was worthy of the job. All of his children and some of their spouses keep hidden the secrets that could destroy them all but Richard is well aware of everything, including the biggest secret of them all. Murder and mayhem, theft and destruction, drugs, gambling, adultery and blackmail are but a few of the sins uncovered by the man at the top.

We are introduced to the Kingsley siblings: John and Rachel, Ted and Paige, only daughter Sibley, as well as Richard’s fourth (or fifth) wife Serena.

BENEATH THE SURFACE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, dysfunctional family values, greed and murder. The premise is intriguing, captivating and dramatic; the characters are pathological, desperate, jealous and lost. BENEATH THE SURFACE is only the beginning as the new CEO is about to have their hands full when betrayal continues to push at the wounds.



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This book was all about family drama and unlikable characters! It was a fast read at 268 pages, and I was curious to see what the outcome of this weekend yacht trip was going to be!

I thought this was a fun read, although I wouldn't really consider it a mystery/thriller. There was one part that I didn't expect to happen, so I did like that twist to the story.

Goodreads has this listed as "The Kingsleys No. 1" so another book will be coming, and I'll be looking forward to picking it up!

Thank you @netgalley @amazonpublishing, Thomas and Mercer and the author, for the gifted e-arc of this book.
3.5 stars rounded

Love Rouda's books! They are always twisty! This is like Succession in a novel and I was here for it!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy!

Sorry to say this didn’t work at all. Connected to zero characters, slow paced, and nothing actually happened plot-wise until the 80% mark. Huge disappointment.

This book grabbed my attention but didn't necessarily keep me hooked throughout. The story was slow going but I enjoyed it!

I am so excited that this dark family novel is going to be a series. Each character has a secret and a past. Page turning and gripping

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Keira Rouda - 4.5 stars!

Billionaire CEO Richard Kingsley and his new wife, Serena, invite his children and their spouses to join them on a cruise to Catalina Island in their new multi-million dollar yacht, Each of his sons, John and Ted, thought they were the sole invitee and were quite surprised to see the other onboard. Because it's time for Richard Kingsley to make his succession plan for the company, and each of his sons feel it's their due. Then Richard's estranged daughter, Sibley, crashes the party. Everyone is hiding secrets and with so much at stake, much can go wrong.

I am a big fan of Rouda's books and am so excited that this is the first in a Kingsley family series! It was full of family drama, lies, and unlikable characters. The atmosphere of the storm on the sea added to the turbulence going on between all the people on the ship. There were twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages, and the ending was perfect. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!

oh Kaira Rouda, what have you done to my soul!!!

Beneath the Surface IS going to be a contender for Book Of The Year.

I was first introduced to Kaira Rouda through our little book corner, "bookstagram" . I hungrily devoured both The Widow and The Next Wife! I finished BOTH of these books in the same day!! To say I became an instant fan, would be an understatement.

When I saw Beneath the Surface, pop up on Netgalley, I knew I just had to have it!

The book fairies were working over time and I lucked out with an approval email and I am so grateful I did as this book is MIND-BLOWING!!!!

I zipped through this book anxious to see what would happen next. As all of Gouda's books are, this one is original and like nothing I have read before.

When you read as many thrillers as I do, they can at times feel like something you have read before, this is not the case with this one.

I was completely lost within the pages and felt as though I held my breath through more than half of it.

This book is sure to be a hit and I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to read and review early in exchange for an honest review! Thank you, Kara Rouda, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for letting me share in the early success of Beneath the Surface.

Check out this teaser :

On a weekend voyage, the power-hungry children of an aging billionaire are unprepared for a storm of deceptions in a novel about ruthless family ambition by USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda.

You are cordially invited to an overnight voyage on the Splendid Seas.

An invitation to Catalina Island from billionaire CEO Richard Kingsley. For his sons, Ted and John, and their wives, it’s an opportunity to curry favor, gain control of a real estate empire, and secure their family’s futures. For the controlling patriarch, succession is a contest. He and his newest wife won’t make it an easy win.

Then Richard’s estranged live-wire daughter, Sibley, crashes the party. She’s the least of the night’s surprises. As the stakes for the inheritance of the Kingsley legacy are raised, the beautiful waters of the Pacific look more like a menacing illusion.

Let the games begin for a family who has everything money can buy, and has used lies, deception, and more to keep it. This weekend one of them will be crowned heir. One is in line to lose everything. That’s the plan. But in the coming storm, so much can go dangerously wrong.

Im convinced that rich families should not boat together. In most of these luxury yacht type settings, the weather turns bad, someone dies, or they get stranded somewhere. You would think that’s the worse thing that could happen.. well it’s not. Sibling rivalry, greed, and deception can rock a boat more then the weather.
You’re going to hate the Kingsley family. Seriously, there really isn’t one member that will have you on their side. They are all backstabbing, gold digging, and entitled millionaires. Of course, when the head of the family is looking for a successor, they circle like sharks. It’s infuriating and totally dramatic. Trapped together on a boat for the weekend, they can’t help but fight. It like watching reality tv, but on open water and in a book, lol.
While there are several secrets revealed, and even murder, the story wasn’t exactly a thriller. It’s more of a slow down and watch car wreck story, lol. You can’t stop reading because you know they will all keep digging their holes deeper, and you need to see how far they will go. The Kingsley family is definitely a storm to watch from the shore.

Mega rich Richard, along with his fifth wife, invites his children to an overnight trip on his newly acquired luxury yacht. Each of the sons is disappointed to see the other arrive as each believed they were the only one invited. They are hoping their father is finally ready to retire and name one of them as successor.

There is a lot of family discord in this one. Are any of them even suited for the roll of CEO?

As the secrets and drama unfolded, I was left not liking any of the characters. That will never stop me from enjoying a book though.

A few of the twists had me laughing as they were revealed to the family. You reap what you sow. Even the rich are not exempt.

A good family saga.

Thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc.

There is so much family drama going on in this fast-paced thriller. 95% of the book takes place in less than 24 hours... and what can go wrong on a family yacht trip where all the siblings hate each other, and everyone is hiding terrible secrets. So many hateful characters and so many twists; this book will have you guessing.

Richard is the patriarch of the family, and after leading a successful business for many years, he is getting older and ready to give up the reins. But who should inherit the business? His son John and attorney wife Rachel? His son Ted and stay-at-home wife Paige? Or maybe his estranged daughter Sibley? And of course, you can't forget his most recent bride Serena, who is wanting to enjoy his riches.

There are so many enjoyable, dislikable characters in this book, you can't really root for anyone. The bad things rich people do and get away with.

Do you like novels with crazy characters? If so, then this might be the story for you. I am not sure who is the craziest but I loved to see them acting insane.

This novel takes place on the rich fathers yacht. He and his wife start playing their mind games with his two sons and their wives. Both sons are competing trying to take over for their father as head of the company. It is an awkward race between them, and there is no love lost.

As the story develops it is amusing to gain insight into each character and what they are thinking or doing.

This was just an okay thriller for me and not my favourite Kaira Rouda book but not bad in any sense. while I enjoyed the characters and seeing how crazy they were, I found it to be a long, where nearly 300 pages felt like 500. I was also disappointed by the ending. To me it was not very surprising or crazy considering the characters themselves were nuts. I felt like I needed a more surprising ending. That being said I enjoy this author's novels and I will be reading her next one!

Thank you to netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC

Is there anything better than reading about rich people antics? Family drama is compelling and then add money and it’s the perfect formula for a bingeable, fun read. The secrets revealed and the twists had me reading late into the night. I also enjoyed the multiple POV’s and always felt one step ahead of the characters. This is the first in a series and I’m interested to see where it goes.

Beneath the Surface is a story of family and dark secrets. Richard's three children have so many issues, they are rich and they are spoiled! But they also carry so much baggage from childhoods of not being loved and being indulged. They come together on a family reunion on their father's yacht. With all the secrets there are so many twist and a few 'I didn't see that coming!'

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was such a juicy, rich people drama and I loved it! This author is especially good at writing sociopaths. This is is first book in the series and I can’t wait to read more about this crazy family. It’s about a family that has always been contentious and they are all invited to their father’s yacht. They are all vying to take over the family business and it gets ugly 👀

I really liked the multiple POVs in this domestic thriller. Everyone has something to hide and the drama amidst this whole family keeps you intrigued. I loved the setting on a yacht and the stormy weather to give it some extra layers of discomfort and interest. I kind of was expecting something more nefarious with more of the characters or a really big twist at the end. I’m the end it felt a little predictable. I was expecting the last person standing (not literally) to have some kind of additional secret right at the end or something. It was a quick and easy read but not anything jaw dropping.

I am a big fan of this author, so I was excited to get a copy of this book. This one was a quick read for me and I really enjoyed it. My favorite part was the setting on a luxury yacht which made for the perfect locked room set up. I liked the family drama and a different point of views. Check out my beautiful hat and sunscreen that came with the book. It doesn’t look good on me, but my son loves it.

Wow this book has everything- family issues, money, power, manipulation , and the twists will blow your mind!!!!!!!!!!! This is definitely one of Kaira Rouda's best books in my opinion.