Holy Yowza! Rachel McGuire delivers one heck of a book with On the Surface, a story as twisted as they come. This dark and unflinching tale follows Dani, a shallow travel influencer dripping with conceit, and her equally self-indulgent partner, Sawyer Stone, a privileged rich guy. Rarely do I find myself disliking both main characters so strongly, but that’s precisely the intention here—and McGuire pulls it off brilliantly.

Dani and Sawyer are calculating and exploitative, using each other and their audience in ways that make them utterly detestable. Yet, despite my deep dislike for them, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The plot is so gripping, and the storytelling so masterful, that I had to see how their tangled, toxic web would unravel.

The characters are incredibly well-written, even if you’re rooting for their downfall rather than their success. I kept hoping for some form of redemption by the end, but McGuire doesn’t give us the closure we might crave. While I knocked off a star for the lack of resolution, I can’t deny that this was a terrific, edge-of-your-seat read.

On the Surface isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for a dark, twisted story with deeply flawed characters and a plot that keeps you hooked, this one is worth diving into.

Thank you Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books & Rachel McGuire for the arc!

3.5 stars, really.

Sawyer and Dani are “cruisers,” people who live on boats and sail around living life on their own terms. But tensions have been high, as the couple head to a birthday party aboard a fellow cruiser’s boat. The next morning, Dani, a YouTube influencer, is nowhere to be found. Sawyer becomes the number 1 suspect in her disappearance and with him unable to remember anything about the night in question, he’s in the fight of his life, for his life.

This book alternates between multiple POVs: including Dani and Sawyer’s, as well as the investigator on the case and other side characters.

I won’t give anything away, but this story has a lot of great tension and suspense, but when the twists are revealed, some of them are fairly obvious. Some, on the other hand, are pretty good. And I certainly kept turning pages, which overall, I take as a win for the book. I’ve said it before, I don’t mind if I can guess the outcome of a book, it’s whether or not the author can set up a situation that keeps me reading and intrigued.

Really, the main “thing” about the book is that neither Dani or Sawyer is likable at all. They’re both pretty vile people. Which kind of makes you hope both of them disappear, if that’s possible, lol. But short of that, you have to go with what happens in the book. In fact, there’s almost no likable characters at all in the book, which means, you’re not too invested in what happens to anyone.

So, I did like this book, but you just have to be aware of its limitations going into it.

I saw another review that basically said this was a gone girl fanfic and tbh I can see that. Saying that I did enjoy the book which is weird because I did not enjoy gone girl at all 😅

It has the perfect amount of twists for me and I am a SUCKER for dual/multiple POV so this book was already off to a great start. What knocked it down for me (other than GG) was the fact I wasn't really sure whether to believe the narrators. Maybe I'm just sceptical maybe I'm just not you'd have to read this to find out...

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This was an incredible quick read. I was hooked from start to finish. The short chapters and multiple POVs kept the pace up! You’re easily sucked into playing the internet detective during this book. It’s such an interesting spin on what would happen in this day and age with social media all around us. I did guess part of the twists but it didn’t make it less enjoyable. I loved the cruiser element, really gives it an extra layer.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Quick read
Short chapters
Multiple POCs
Detective stories
Boatlife

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪 𝘍𝘰𝘹, 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 42' 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭 𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘹𝘶𝘮𝘢, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴.

𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪 𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘮𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪'𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳.

𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳?

This was SUCH an engaging and suspenseful book! I was literally shook by some of the twists and turns—it was so gripping. I could not stop reading this book once I started.

Things aren't what they appear to be on the surface: a twisty thriller that would no doubt delight fans of Little Monsters (Kara Thomas), Lock Every Door (Riley Sager) and Everyone Here is Lying.

A book set around social influencers from different views. I mean that premise on its own is enough to pick this up! It’s going to keep you guessing as you try to work out who did what. Loved the interactions with the characters who you may love or you may love to hate. Absolutely gold. Strong 5/5.

I really enjoyed this story: fast-paced and full of utterly despicable characters. I could see this making a great movie - very 'Gone Girl'ish.
That ending, though....

On the Surface by Rachel McGuire is a suspenseful thriller novel. The story in On the Surface is one that does change the point of view between multiple characters in the story giving all sides and told in the current timeline.

Sawyer Stone and Dani Fox have been trying to live their best lives together while sailing around in their sailboat. The idea was once to sail the world but with some bad investments by Sawyer it’s now on Dani’s YouTube channel, Sailing with the Foxes, to fund their adventures as they spend time in Exuma, in the Bahamas.

Living the life out on the water Sawyer and Dani often find themselves surrounded by fellow cruisers while anchored at the islands. One night everyone decides to throw a party with their boats anchored together but when Sawyer wakes up alone the next morning having drank a bit too much he has no idea where Dani is and ends up with all eyes on him when she doesn’t return.

I’ve said before that I love cruising but I also just like being out on the water in any old boat I can be too so seeing On the Surface by Rachel McGuire and knowing it was set in the Bahamas I couldn’t pass it by. The story was a little slow moving overall but honestly I was still hooked into finding out what would happen all the while it was unfolding. What really got me to rate this one at three and a half stars though was I wasn’t overly fond of how it all ended but I’d give the author/s a try again sometime.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a HOT topic of convo at Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse this summer!

Dani & Sawyer spend their days living on their catamaran in the Bahamas, earning money by sharing their adventures on YouTube. Unfortunately due to a bad business deal by Sawyer, that income isn’t enough to keep them afloat and traveling so they’re stuck idling while they attempt to recoup their poor investment. Then Dani goes missing. As the social butterfly and the one who had made connections amongst the other cruisers, everyone immediately looks to Sawyer as the prime suspect. Especially as Dani’s YouTube videos continue to upload on a schedule, painting their seemingly perfect relationship in a darker light. What really happened when Dani left the boat to take her morning swim? Did she drown or did something more sinister happen? Does Sawyer or the other cruisers know something?

I work in yachting, I love vacation thrillers, I love toxic couples. This was basically written for me. And I devoured it.

If you’re the kind of person who needs to make a connection with your characters or who needs to like a main character, then this isn’t for you. Sawyer & Dani were not likable people. In fact, I spent most of the book hoping they’d both just disappear! Self-involved, shady, arrogant, and daft are all words that come to mind. But isn’t that just how I like my characters?!

If you love delicious drama, love/hate relationships full of mistrust, and plots that involve exotic locations and/or social media exploit then step right up because you don’t want to miss this one.

The plot was quick moving, there were a couple of twists that were mostly predictable…but I don’t get bothered by that. I fully believe the intent of this book was to be a quick hit, fun popcorn thriller and it succeeded on all fronts in that regard. I will absolutely look for Rachel’s next book.

Phenomenal. A perfect setting, true deviousness…this would make a killer movie.

I loved learning so much about the cruising lifestyle. I also had no idea so much went into hitting big on socials as an influencer.

I was so committed to this cast of characters from the very beginning of chapter 1. I had almost forgotten about the prologue when it eventually popped up again…and did it hit right!

Well done. Highly recommend—especially if you’re like me and trying to hold on to summer a tiny bit longer!

On The Surface is a palpitating, what on earth happened, who did it with layers of mystery, psychologically flawed characters all cushioned around social influencers and how to up viewership and money. Are you ready?

Dani Fox and Sawyer Stone run a little YouTube channel called Sailing With The Foxes. They have been traveling by sailboat and documenting their experiences. Although viewership is low and slow, and they are running out of money, and getting a bit sick of each other, they keep trying to figure out ways of gaining attention. Because with more viewers comes more money.

But their dreams all stop when one night after going to a party on another boat, Dani disappears the next day and Sawyer doesn't remember what happened the night before. While everyone seems concerned, Sawyer knows Dani. She has probably just gone off for some alone time.

Then the police receive some disturbing information which seems to indicate that Sawyer who seems to be an alcoholic and was becoming abusive towards Dani could have harmed her. When they find a bloodied dress hidden on the boat, well the Bahamian Police suspect he killed her.

While the investigation is going on, Dani's disappearance is not only turned into a top news story, but podcaster, true crime followers and YouTubers all begin to focus on the mystery with tips and conspiracies. But still no Dani. What could have happened? Did Sawyer kill her or did she drown. One thing for sure, they begin to dig up information on Sawyer which makes his look even worse if that's at all possible!

Unfortunately, Sawyer was not the only one who had secrets. So did Dani.

As the search continues and some of the unhinged true crime people descend upon the Island, Sawyer is now the center of attention. But all he can think of is...how can he make some money? Unfortunately, if he goes to jail, there will be no fortune.

On The Surface will keep you guessing as to what really happened as each twist is revealed and secrets exposed. But in the end, the likes, clicks and algorithms will be more important than any missing person. What would you do to keep your numbers up? Kill?

Thank you #NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #OnTheSurface #RachelMcGuire for the advanced copy.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

"ON THE SURFACE" is a thriller about a YouTube influencer's disappearance and her abusive boyfriend, who becomes the top suspect. The book's slow-burn pace and repetitive text make it a tedious read. The author exposes the toxicity of social media, but the storyline lacks suspense and is a tedious read. The audiobook, read by Frankie Corzo, Evan Sibley, Chanté McCormick, Savy Des-Etages, and David Bendena, is available very well-done.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy for an honest review.

Honestly I really struggled with this book. The concept was interesting enough, but it was slow paced and I did not find the two main characters (The Foxes) likable. Mid way the book picked up. I did love the setting and look at the fakeness of influencing.

I would say to give this a shot if you like good settings, social media, and suspense.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be frank, I did not like this book really at all. I am thinking 1.5 stars, but rounded up to 2 stars... this book was completely surface level (no pun intended). Not one character was relatable or even likeable. It felt like it was trying too hard to be the new "Gone Girl" and fell completely flat. I wish there was more that I enjoyed, but there wasn't. Only one twist made me somewhat surprised, and I am normally always shocked in books.. probably won't be trying others from this author.

The description of this book really intrigued me, but when reading it, I just couldn't really connect to the story or the characters. I felt distanced from both, and can't really pinpoint what it was about them. All in all, an entertaining book, but one that will probably not linger in my memory very long.

On the Surface
by Rachel McGuire

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-arc!

★★★☆☆

Sawyer and Dani are a vlogging couple, sharing their lives living on a boat in the Caribbean. Their money is running short, so they're depending on the income from YouTube to be able to afford to fix a few boat fixes and move on to the next stop. Dani goes missing after a party, and Sawyer was drinking and has no memory of the night at all. While her disappearance seems like an accident at first, Dani's pre-scheduled vlog posts release each week, making people look at Sawyer and his possible involvement.

I thought this setting was a neat concept- cruisers on a boat, YouTube channel, Caribbean. Plus reading this on a boat would be the perfect situation! I do love the cover!

It was so easy to dislike the characters immediately- everyone just kind of sucked. There were Gone Girl -type clues and the scheduled posts similar to notes and diaries in other stories. One thing I do think this book did well was touch on the dark side of amateur crime junkies and keyboard detectives

Dani Fox and Sawyer Stone are a YouTubing couple. Traveling the world on their sailboat and filming their adventures. They seem to be having the perfect life, until one of them goes missing. Then it all starts unraveling. Told through multiple POVs, including the detective who lands the case, this is an entertaining book that keeps you guessing.
I didn't really like Dani and Sawyer as people, but I'm sure the reader wasn't meant to. Two entitled kids without a care or a job to worry about, until one of them goes missing, I was seething with jealousy at points.
If you want a fun beach read with some despicable characters, check this out.

Influencer Couple’s Mysterious Disappearance

On the Surface by Rachel McGuire is a thrilling novel that follows the seemingly idyllic life of a YouTubing cruiser couple, Dani and Sawyer Stone III, as they sail around the world, documenting their adventures on their popular YouTube channel. Their life appear perfect until one day, one of them goes missing, turning their world upside down and revealing the darker truths hidden beneath the surface.

On the Surface by Rachel McGuire is a riveting psychological thriller that offers a deep dive into the glamorous yet treacherous world of social media influencers. With its engaging narrative, complex characters, and timely themes, it is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the intersection of real life and digital personas.