I rated this book 3.5 stars on Fable and Goodreads.

I was kept very entertained and never knew what was coming next in the story. I loved the grown the FMC goes through and the way her relationship with her children begins to evolve.

Not my cup of tea, unfortunately but I did finish though so will watch for more from this author & try again. Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy. I took too long to read this one, so I actually bought the finished copy and read that. I was expecting this to be more of a romance, and while there was a bit of romance in the story, it was not the focus. I also thought this would be more of a time travel story, and it was not that either. Despite all of my wildly incorrect assumptions, I had a really fun time reading this book. I never knew what was going to happen or what the kids were going to suggest next. I will definitely be recommending this one.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a very creative, quirky story. I liked the characters and the chaotic tone. It was the kind of story that was a lot of fun, as long as I didn't think about it too much. It was like a mature '90s kids adventure movie in book form.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

This book was full of surprises and I enjoyed it immensely. I don't think it can be classified as one or even two genres because it had a little bit of everything out there. Science fiction, family drama, action, some violence, time travel, romance, personal growth, humor and the war between good and evil just to name a few. It was just a very fun read that I could not put down once I got about half way through. Recommended for fun. 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Net Galley for a chance to read an ARC version of this book.

This book swept me away. Here Beside the Rising Tide is an intriguing and wonderfully fun read that made me rethink everything I thought I knew about genre mashups. It’s a buoyant, emotionally rich story that blends science fiction, romance, and family drama—each genre distinct, yet harmonized with surprising grace.

Even though the narrator is closer to my own age, the story made me feel young again. There’s a sense of wonder and emotional honesty that pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. Normally, I’d shelve this under Women’s Fiction, but Emily Jane defies easy categorization. She honors each genre’s voice while crafting something wholly her own.

I’m not sure how to describe it except to say: I fell into this book and didn’t want to leave.

Looking back, I don't really know what I was expecting with this book but it was definitely different from what I read. Not to say that in a bad way, just that this book was more than the blurb. I really enjoyed the story, even the sad parts. It was a little slow but not too bad.

This is GORGEOUSLY written, surreal and dreamlike. But it's more vibes than plot, which left me a little disappointed. That said, I don't consider my time reading this wasted.

This was an interesting book! It really drew me in and I found Jenn to be relatable and interesting. The writing itself was really enjoyable, and the voices of the characters were all consistent. Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC!

Here Beside the Rising Tide had a beautiful, almost haunting atmosphere that really pulled me in at first. The writing was lyrical, and the coastal setting gave everything a dreamy, melancholic feel. That said, the pacing felt uneven, and I found myself wishing for a bit more development in the plot and characters. There were moments of real emotional depth, but they didn’t always land as strongly as I hoped. Still, there’s something compelling about the tone and mood of the book that stuck with me—worth a read if you like introspective, moody stories with a touch of mystery.

Politely… what did I even just read? I’m not sure even what genre I would put it in… some people said science fiction but the sea monster aspect was totally weird — add in time travel and I was confused. Was it mystic was it sci fi was it urban fantasy? I liked the premise of a mom trying to figure out her life after confronted with the plot of divorce and how she bonds with the children, but by the end it’s like she tried to blend the plot of the characters book with the storyline and I got confused all over again. Maybe if I would have expected it more (Nina did you read the back cover, yes I did) but still. Final verdict… I read it, I didn’t really like it (sorry) and I wouldn’t recommend it :(

This book went far beyond my expectations of it. I expected a bit of fun, which this absolutely was. But it was also so gripping! Between the engaging action scenes, the immersive setting, and the fantastic characters, this was thrilling from start to finish.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting fun read, I would recommend it.

I really loved Emily Jane's descriptive writing style with this book! I thought the concept was cool and refreshing, and sea monsters? C'mon sign me up. This book was quirky, sometimes weird, but those two things kept me really engaged and enjoying this read. Will be picking up a physical copy for my shelves at home!

The combination of science fiction and romance elements in this book won me over; it was strange and entertaining.

I absolutely adored Emily Jane’s debut novel, On Earth as It Is on Television, so I was elated when I saw her second novel was available. Here Beside the Rising Tide brings us more of her humor and insights and whimsy, in a magical tale told in two connected timelines that explores the depths of childhood and parenthood, reminding us of the magic we sometimes lose sight of in adulthood.

Thank you Emily Jane, Hyperion Avenue, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

A romance author takes a trip to her childhood beach home, but her summer is upended by the startling return of a deceased childhood friend, newfound love, and . . . sea monsters

In a nutshell, Here Beside the Rising Tide is about a bestselling romance novelist, her 2 kids and a time-traveling childhood best friend team up with an unexpected species to battle a sea monster. It’s fun and well-paced, and even had a couple moments that teared me up.

Emily Jane has a descriptive style that is refreshingly unique - I found it kept my brain engaged and interested (no easy feat with our shortened attention spans!) with creative and amusing plot lines. Really looking forward to her next book!

Whimsical, weird, and occasionally moving, this novel blends domestic drama with speculative coastal fantasy in a way that’s more charming than it is cohesive. The premise is undeniably intriguing—a missing boy returns from the sea, unchanged after thirty years—but the execution wobbles between tones, never quite settling on whether it wants to be a heartfelt family story or a quirky sci-fi romp.

Jenn is a relatable protagonist—overworked, emotionally frayed, and juggling the chaos of parenthood with the strange reappearance of her childhood friend. The nostalgic flashbacks to her youth are some of the book’s strongest moments, grounding the more surreal plot points in real emotional stakes. That said, the story’s pacing can be inconsistent, and some of the absurdity (sugar-addicted sea creatures, for instance) feels more distracting than delightful.

This is a summer read with plenty of potential and moments of insight, but one that doesn’t fully commit to its strangeness or its sentiment.

This one has me going between a 2 and 4 star rating, so I’ll average it out and put it at a three. I enjoyed most of this book but other aspects just… didn’t hit.