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.

I was excited to receive a copy of this but I ended up DNFing at about 25 percent. It just could not keep my interest. I may circle back and give it a try again and then will update my review. Thank you to Net galley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this.

I truly cannot believe this is a debut book! I loved that everything about it is relevant today, and it's almost like a locked door mystery, except the locked door is the whole ocean...

I don't know why but I love books that involves mysteries on the water. There is something so intense about it. I loved this read and felt like I couldn't trust any of the characters. McGuire did a great job leading us along!

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the digital copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

First of all, I didn't really care for this book. It was too much like Gone Girl (I only saw the movie) and I didn't care for that either.

I didn't like Dani and I didn't really trust Sawyer. All of their "boating" friends were meh, to me. I don't even know if there was anything positive for me say about this book. I was really bored reading it.

3.5 ⭐️’s
Sawyer and Dani are a YouTubing cruiser couple. Dani is extremely ambitious looking for the next big thing to break through the social media barrier. Sawyer sails the boat and videos her. Things aren’t going quite so well for them at the moment. They are in the Bahamas with a group of other cruisers, but rather stuck as the boat needs repairs and Sawyer lost all their money in crypto. When Dani goes missing after a birthday party on another boat, Sawyer is immediately the main suspect, his past isn’t lily white and it’s all about to hit the fan. Their social platform has gone viral and most want Sawyer arrested. Did Sawyer harm Dani? Is she dead? Did she drown on her regular early morning swim or get attacked by a shark? Is there a possibility she’s still alive? This book had some good twists, but was filled with unlikable characters. The YouTube aspect was quite fascinating as it chronicles the depths influencers go to for ratings. The story held my attention throughout, but the ending was a bit of a disappointment. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

What I really liked about On the Surface was the setting of the Bahamas and the insight into the lifestyle of cruisers, along with a porthole view into the minds and actions of fanatical influencers. I also found the author collaboration seemed seamless in the reading and they did a good job with changes of point of view and voice. What didn't work for me is that it felt like Gone Girl fan fiction. The plot lines are too similar and that spoilt my enjoyment.

As someone who is just starting my own Youtube channel, I thought this is a very interesting read when I requested for it. The life of Dani's content creation is a nice one to follow and tquite wishing I can be one, too, one day someday. 😊

If you have not read any mystery books before, this will be an easy read for you and an entertaining one. However, if this is your genre, this will just be a no surprising read. A very used story, plots and twists. And I agree that it was similar to a popular book that I've read before.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC copy of this one, which is out now!

I wanted to like this one so much more. I truly loved the setting and thought the characters had a pretty strong start, but this fell so incredibly flat for me at the end. It also left me with tons of questions that were unanswered. I’m not sure if this needed to be longer to encompass a better ending or if a whole new ending was needed altogether, but this just was bleh.

Majority of the book had a decent pace and I was so interested to see how it was going to play out, so I’m definitely disappointed with the way this turned out.

Maybe the end will work for you, hopefully it does. It was a decent read otherwise!

Dani and Sawyer are the Foxes, a social media team who sail around the world together. At least, they will be. They finally got enough views on YouTube to start making money. But after a party at a friends boat sawyer wakes up with no memory, and Dani is missing. Why can’t he remember what happened last night, did he do something to Dani, or was someone else involved?

I immediately knew what the plot twist was going to be, but I had a fun enough time getting there. We watch sawyer try to navigate life as the police, the cruiser world, and the internet target him for murdering his girlfriend, and we watch the inspector on the island trying to solve the disappearance and find Dani’s hopefully alive.

More than just a simple missing person story. It was enjoyable but totally predictable and the characters were just alright, some I liked more than others.