I heard about this book through aardvark and instantly wanted to read it. I decided to try the audiobook and for me that was a mistake. I wasn’t a fan of the narrators and that was really hard for me to get past. I liked the storyline though and a great story of love and family. While the audiobook was not for me I would definitely read again in print and recommend it!

When Emily becomes aware her husband, who she believes to be dead, has been spotted alive somewhere in the back of a photo playing an instrument, she is all too ready to jump on a plane and try to find him. Her experience getting married to him and his disappearance on a boat thereafter lead to her becoming a prime suspect in his case and her going into hiding, changing her identity to protect her innocence. After later building a life with a new man she fell in love with and having two beautiful daughters, it becomes clear that she did all she could to survive, but never got over her first love. In the end and regardless of love, what would she do to seek out an opportunity for truth?

Hearing this s as an arc audiobook, i was taken on a fun ride. I deeply enjoyed listening to it for ongoing stretches as I tried to piece together what had happened to the protagonist’s husband. The story creates real questions that the readers are unaware of until the story progresses. The perception of each character is limited, and therefore the readers’ understanding of the truth is also limited. The deeper in the story gets, the more the picture becomes complete and answers are given; what starts out unsatisfying becomes an enjoyable chase for truth and justice, not only for Emily but also for the love of her life and her daughters, all of whom are trying to build something for themselves based on who they think they are and who they want to be. It’s a story of loss, struggle and overall finding your way home even when you’re not sure what that looks like. I did enjoy the story and the highs and lows. I think anyone who enjoys these themes would find this a tantalizing read!

I am quickly becoming a fan of Lauren E. Rico! I read and enjoyed Familia, and somehow enjoyed this one even more. She does a great job building characters that make you feel like you’re with them in the story, who are real and complex and sometimes living in the gray area but still likeable. This one was no exception: a great building narrative as we follow a mother and her two daughters into a past they didn’t know existed. The side characters are equally as enjoyable and interesting, and there’s always a twist that comes out of nowhere. A great read for any fans of women’s fiction! And an even better listen as a audiobook! Thank you to NetGalley and Rbmedia for the ALC in exchange for my honest feedback!

A painful unsolved mystery resurfaces after decades of confusion in this emotional story about inter-generational trauma, family, and the beauty of Puerto Rico.

After the Ocean was way more emotional than I expected, and I really enjoyed it especially because of it! I appreciated the dual timeline and the different POVs, and it was fun to solve the mysterious disappearance of a man just few days after his wedding. The female characters (literally all of them) were brilliantly written, as well as as intergenerational trauma and family bonds, so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Suspense and surprises are not missing, though some are a little bit predictable - still I really enjoyed this story, and I can't wait to read more by this author. I'm glad I chose this book for my book club (#michelasbookclub on IG) and I'm looking forward to the discussion!

* I'd like to thank Lauren E. Rico, RBmedia Recorded Books and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
#AftertheOcean #NetGalley

The story started out with potential and intrigue, however, I had a hard time relating to the characters and storyline. I was hoping for more and felt a little disappointed in how it progressed. I thought it was going to be more mysterious and revealing but it was more drawn out than I prefer.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Arab media for providing me with an ALC for my honest review.

I listened to the audiobook and quite liked the narrators.
I am not sure I would have picked up this book on my own if it wasn't offered as an audiobook on netgalley, so it was nice to enjoy something I likely would not have come across otherwise.
The characters were well developed, and unique. I enjoyed the jumping back and forth between present and past and learning more about Puerto Rico. The story contained great elements of mystery, family drama and romance.

After the Ocean by Lauren E Rico

Thank you to #RBMedia for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for my #honestbookreview. This is available now in print, audiobook, and ebook formats.

This was unexpectedly emotional! This is a dual timeline mystery that feels disjointed until all the puzzle pieces fall together. This has a solid puzzle and moments of frustration and anticipation. A great read to pick up in advance of summer/spring break! I highly recommend for those looking for a heartwarming mystery.

TWs: SA, DV, ab*se of money and power, judgement, abandonment, more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

**Read If You Like:**
- Intergenerational family sagas
- Explorations of trauma and redemption
- Stories set in Puerto Rico
- Emotional journeys of self-discovery
- Novels by authors like Nina LaCour and Celeste Ng

A painful unsolved mystery resurfaces after decades of confusion, sending one woman and her daughters on a journey of redemption. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Puerto Rico, the narrative delves into themes of intergenerational trauma, family bonds, and the quest for self-discovery. As the characters confront their past, they uncover long-buried secrets that challenge their perceptions and reshape their futures.

Lauren E. Rico masterfully weaves a tale that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, offering readers a profound look into the complexities of familial relationships and personal growth. This novel is a compelling read for those who appreciate deeply emotional stories that resonate long after the final page.

Thanks so much to the publisher for my ALC!

This was a very engaging read. I enjoyed it and I would definitely read another book by this author. I would like to look into her backlist. Will review on my Bookstagram soon.

I enjoyed this audio very much! It had a little bit of thrill, a lot of family drama and a bit of romance and a lasting love. The writing was beautiful and engaging and the narration compelling. I'm glad I got this one!

This was a whirlwind of heartbreak and suspense with a full cast of characters and POVs. I appreciated how this story unfolded. The dual timeline jumps were clear as well as when POV switched.

From the start I was invested in Amelia and Grace. I wanted to know more about them and how they overcame everything life threw at them. While I was able to guess some parts the journey was engaging and enjoyable.

Highly recommend the audiobook. The narrators were fantastic.

This fast paced story is told in dual timelines and multiple points of view. a large portion of the story takes place thirty years ago, when newly wed Amelia's husband is missing from the cruise ship. The chapters alternate between Amelia in the past and Gracie in the present. This could be effective storytelling, but is confusing for the reader because the connection between the two is not made clear for quite a while. Those chapters are eventually alternated with those from the view point of a policeman who is brought in on the investigation. The characters were interesting, and show some growth. I alternated this story between an ebook and the audiobook. The three main characters are voiced separately and the narrators do a fantastic job. If you enjoy your books in either format, you will want to opt for the audiobook.

I accessed both the temporary audiobook and a digital advanced copy of the text version from the publisher, but this review is voluntary. I recommend this entertaining book to fans of contemporary fiction. However, you probably wouldn't want to take this beach read to the ocean.

I loved this book, the storyline was unique and it had me on the edge needing to know what happens next. The dual timeline was well done and it had a great balance between family dynamics and mystery.

WOW! I loved this book. The female main character Emilia and Paul are newlyweds that take a cruise to celebrate. A few nights into the cruise, Paul disappears and Emilia is suspect number one. Emilia disappears to escape the extensive reach of Paul's powerful family who wants her to be persecuted for their son's disappearance. Thirty years later, Emilia is a family woman who is married with two adult daughters, and she gets word that Paul is still alive. She decides to hop on a plane to return to Puerto Rico to try and find him. What happens next is such a beautiful, heartwarming story full of suspense and surprises! I really like Emilia. Her character was so well developed that I was fully invested in her journey. The story develops though varying timelines and POVs, and the ride was absolutely immersive!

The narrators Victoria Villareal, Robb Moreira, and Frankie Corzo were great at making this story come to life.

I highly recommend this book. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia/Recorded Books for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this audio production. The narrators were perfectly theatrical and highly engaging. Told in time dashes between present day and 30 years ago, centered around Emily/Emilia and her two daughters with the mysterious disappearance of her first husband Paul at the heart of it all. I loved the exploration of family relationships and identity as presented from parent to child.

*After the Ocean* by Lauren E. Rico presents an intriguing premise, but ultimately falls short. With too many characters to keep track of, the story quickly becomes muddled, and it’s difficult to form any emotional connections to them. The lack of depth in the character development left me feeling disengaged, and despite the novel's potential, the narrative became predictable and ultimately boring. While the writing is competent, the overcrowded plot and underdeveloped personalities make this one a bit of a miss for me. I'd rate it 3/5 stars—adequate, but not memorable.

I did enjoy listening to this, and I'm glad it was on audio, I think I would have struggled a bit to get through the second half of reading it physically.

The first half of the book was really compelling and I listened to it in one sitting! I think I had the idea that this book was going to be more of a mystery/thriller as opposed to a suspense/contemporary women's fiction. I was a bit surprised when everything was wrapped up by the 50% of the book. I found the second half dragged a little bit and I found myself losing interest.

I would recommend this book to others, but I would preface by telling them it isn't a mystery/thriller!

This was an interesting family drama set across three generations demonstrating how ancestral trauma and familial characteristics can leave an impact from generation to generation.

When Emilia marries Paul after they meet during their studies at a music conservatory, they underestimate Paul's wealthy family's resistance to the marriage and how far they are willing to go to separate the lovers.

But things go from really complicated when Paul disappears during their honeymoon cruise, and the family suspects Emilia of having something to do with it.

This is something of an epic story and I found it initially slightly hard to get into. But after the first 25% the characters begin to grow on you, and you become invested in their outcomes.

All in all, it is a satisfying read, and the narrator does a good job of telling the story. Worth a listen.

After the Ocean delves into family secrets, intergenerational trauma, redemption, and forgiveness. We follow Emilia Oliveras who learns that her new husband Paul has vanished from their honeymoon cruise in Puerto Rico, and that she is the prime suspect. When no one is willing to believe her innocence, she flees and becomes Emily Oliver. 30 years later she returns to Puerto Rico in search of the truth, leaving her daughters to wonder who their mother really is and what secrets she has been keeping.
The character development for each person was great and l liked that they were all able to speak their peace by the end of the book. None of them are perfect but nobody really is in real life. My only critique is that I wish there was more details about Emilia after she left Puerto Rico, and on the relationship with her daughters when they were growing up. I listened to this as an audiobook and liked that the narrators were able to make each character unique. Overall, I enjoyed this book and could definitely see this as a movie!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this mystery novel. I felt invested in the characters and them finding the truth.

Paul and Emilia elope and take a honeymoon cruise, but Paul disappeared. The stroy is secrets unraveling over two generations.  This story has multiple timelines and character perspectives that were easy to follow.

I enjoyed the audiobook.  The narrators did a great job! The different narrators made it easy to decipher who was speaking.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.