It's 1942. WWII. Ellis Hyde and his wife Mattie are cut off by Ellis' father after an embarrassing display on New Years Eve. Ellis' father is already embarrassed by his son's inability to serve in the war. To try to win his father over, Ellis decides to go to Scotland to search for the Loch Ness Monster. This was a dream of his father's. Ellis, his bestie and his wife make the trip during the midst of the war. While the guys go hunt, Mattie goes on her own journey - although hers is a bit more personal and eye opening.

With this book, you'll get love, history, mystery, magic, twists and turns.

I rarely am drawn to historical fiction books, but I am glad I picked this one up.

I give At the Water's Edge 4/5 stars

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Did not receive/read in time due to technical error on kindle/tablet. Not having left feedback has due to error has impacted my shelves. Leaving 4 stars.

In "At the Water's Edge," Sara Gruen artfully fuses the majesty of the Scottish Highlands, the thrills of a Loch Ness Monster quest, and the grave reality of World War II into a tapestry of historical fiction.

The 1940s come alive in her hands, each detail meticulously chosen to immerse readers in this tumultuous period. We journey alongside the protagonist, Madeline Hyde, as she transforms from a carefree socialite into a woman of grit and tenacity. The charm of Scotland and its people, intertwined with the enigmatic legend of the Loch Ness monster, paints an enchanting picture.

However, the book's high aspirations occasionally stumble over its plot. The Loch Ness narrative seems forced, lacking a seamless fusion with the main storyline. Character development is inconsistent, with some figures resembling caricatures more than believable individuals, leading to diminished emotional resonance.

Despite these hurdles, Gruen's evocative writing and the irresistible allure of the setting make "At the Water's Edge" an engaging read. Those with a soft spot for historical fiction, with its blend of folklore and reality, and those who can pardon minor narrative missteps will likely find pleasure in these pages.

While it doesn't quite match the high bar set by Gruen's previous hit, "Water for Elephants," "At the Water's Edge" showcases her talent for crafting atmospheric scenes and intriguing plotlines. It garners a three-star rating, marking it as a worthwhile diversion but not quite a standout in its genre.

A good read but I didn't love it as much as Gruens other work. I'll definitely read more of her work in the future though!

There were aspects of this book that I really liked. I think that Gruen writes historical fiction well and I felt like I was in the locations that she wrote. The parts of this book regarding the search for the Loch Ness Monster I thought were fun and interesting.

The problem I had with this book is that I really didn’t enjoy the romance, which ended up being a big part of the plot. I’m not against romance in this type of book in general, I just didn’t feel that this one worked and it was a little awkward to read - I felt that the type of graphic romance that she wrote here just didn’t work with the feel of the rest of the book.

I personally wish that there had been more plot around the small group looking for the Loch Ness Monster and their drama (of which there was plenty), and less of the romance.

Rating: 3/5 stars.

Note: I was approved for this book years ago before I knew how NetGalley worked. All these years later, I finally read it!

The summary of this book explains this as centering around a quest to find the Loch Ness Monster. While there are some plot points around this, this is really the story of Madeline. Maddie, her husband and his best friend head off to Europe to find fame and fortune. While there, Maddie finds connection with others and starts to really think about who she wants to be. This is one that kept me reading as I did want to see who ended up where, especially given there was lots of drama. It was also an era of historical fiction I've read a lot of told in a different way. which I appreciated. All in all, it was a good book.

A rich American woman travels to Scotland in the middle of World War II with her entitled husband and their friend so they can find the Loch Ness Monster. That's the plot of AT THE WATER'S EDGE by Sara Gruen. And no, I'm not joking.

What I hoped would be a thought-provoking historical fiction story turned into a weird romance novel. Our protagonist, Maddie, is super unlikeable for the majority of the book. She's self-absorbed and has a "better-than-thou" attitude, yet she's extremely ignorant. It's quite difficult to root for her until 60-70% through the novel when you finally find out more about her past. I ultimately finished the book because I wanted to know what would happen to her.

Moreover, the writing style felt strangely out of place. I felt like I was reading a teenage girl's diary, and not a book from the perspective of a young woman in the 1940s. In fact, it had a fanfiction vibe to it, which was surprising since I remember loving WATER FOR ELEPHANTS when I read it years ago. Either I now expect better writing from authors, or Gruen has simplified her style immensely.

In the end, I thought the book resolved well, albeit quickly. What was a long and drawn out plot gets wrapped up within a few pages despite some dramatic events. Yet because the story ends in a way I overall enjoyed, I'm happy to give the book a 3-star rating. That being said, I wouldn't recommend it, and I probably won't be picking up more from this author.

This was a beautiful novel with romance, intrigue, and the haunting, atmospheric Scottish setting. I loved it. Highly recommended!

I am sure I am not the only reader with profound love for Water for Elephants. I can't even begin to imagine the pressure an author feels writing a follow up to a book so successful and beloved. At the Water's Edge is NOT Water for Elephants. Something like that should be obvious but I think readers' expectations are usually colored by previous works.

I simple fell into the world of At the Water's Edge from the very first page and did not come up for air until I finished the book. Set in Scotland in 1942, the story follows American couple of socialites Maddie & Ellis Hyde. After a very public fall from grace and having been cut off financially by his father, Ellis decides that the only way to redeem himself is to succeed where his father has failed - hunting Loch Ness monster. Accompanied by another wealthy socialite, their friend Hank, the three embark on an adventure in a new land, with the backdrop of WW2 spreading slowly but steadily across Europe. Maddie finds herself changed gradually and in unexpected ways by her new surroundings and the people she meets.

I absolutely loved this story. So much so that I couldn't help but look up the author wondering when we could expect her next novel. And then came across story stranger than any fiction. For all those interested Sara Gruen's life took such unexpected turn after she took on the mission of trying to help someone who's incarcerated and who reached out to her for help.

This book will be such a treat for those who enjoy historical fiction and memorable characters but don't care much whether the main characters are likeable or not. Maddie's journey was such a reading treat.

Thankful to Random House Publishing Group & Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Eagerly awaiting Sara Gruen's next work.

This book has been in my TBR pile for… too long. Still, I’m glad it took me until now to read it. Other reviewers say they dislike how self-centered the main characters are, and how the main character interacts with her husband. I’d argue this book reads differently post-#MeToo, especially when it comes to Ellis’s gaslighting and control issues. Heck, it reads differently now that “gaslighting” is a main stream term.
I loved the Scottish characters and the depiction of 1940s life in Scotland. The plot was satisfying, especially as Maddie started to assert herself and stand up to Ellis and Hank. If you picked this up in 2015, consider taking a second look at it in a new light.

I'm not going to lie, the first half of this book had me worried. None of the characters were very likeable, they squandered their privilege's and made incredibly dangerous decisions. That said, the second half of this book I greatly enjoyed.

This book covers the personal upheaval of a married socialite couple searching for the Loch Ness Monster during WWII. Enter a cranky tavern keeper who is not what he seems, a ghost, and a tragic history tying them all together. So far from home she must learn to live without the luxuries she is use to during the rationing of war time Europe. With her husbands crazed plan to prove the existence of the monster she is left with some time on her hands and she starts to realize, maybe her perfect life, isn't anywhere near as perfect as she thought it was.

Trigger Warnings for: Assault, Drug Abuse, Infidelity,

Very cool idea for a book, and an excellent execution of that idea. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Recommended. .

I'm torn with this one. On one hand, I read it and I found it enjoyable enough to keep reading it. On the other hand, I just didn't connect. There was never that "ah-ha!" moment that happens when I've landed on something I really love.
And that is why I'm torn.
I want the book to move me.
And I wasn't moved.

WWll, Scotland, the Loch Ness monster and characters with hearts reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. As a child tales of the Loch Ness had always fascinated me and with the Outlander series highlighting the romance of Scotland, I couldn’t resist Sara Gruen’s At the Water’s Edge. Reading this made me long for simpler times with less technology where mysteries were more easily believed and not so easy to solve.

It took me a while to get to this one but I'm glad I kept it in my Netgalley downloads. I've always admired Sara Gruen's writing and thought this was well researched, moving, and interesting, and I especially loved the Scottish setting.

I absolutely loved Water for Elephants, but this one just didn't rise up for me. As I'm only giving it 3 stars, not sharing on social media

This was a very good read. It is much more than just a fun read, it is a brilliant adventure with some of the most well developed characters in recent memory. The context of World War and the details that are included make it a very believable story.

As usual with Gruen's books, her characters are fully realized: struggling, irritating, and appealing. It's also a great story, and even though I figured out the main dynamic early on, I stayed to enjoy the good story, her great ability with setting and atmosphere, and characterization. If you liked Water for Elephants you'll enjoy this one.

While the ending is a bit predictable, and sometimes the characters were either a bit all-too-good or all-bad, but this historical romance was a fun read with a beautiful setting and compelling story line.

Good vacation reading.

"In this thrilling new novel from the author of Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen again demonstrates her talent for creating spellbinding period pieces. At the Water’s Edge is a gripping and poignant love story about a privileged young woman’s awakening as she experiences the devastation of World War II in a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands.

After disgracing themselves at a high society New Year’s Eve party in Philadelphia in 1944, Madeline Hyde and her husband, Ellis, are cut off financially by his father, a former army colonel who is already ashamed of his son’s inability to serve in the war. When Ellis and his best friend, Hank, decide that the only way to regain the Colonel’s favor is to succeed where the Colonel very publicly failed—by hunting down the famous Loch Ness monster—Maddie reluctantly follows them across the Atlantic, leaving her sheltered world behind.

The trio find themselves in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, where the locals have nothing but contempt for the privileged interlopers. Maddie is left on her own at the isolated inn, where food is rationed, fuel is scarce, and a knock from the postman can bring tragic news. Yet she finds herself falling in love with the stark beauty and subtle magic of the Scottish countryside. Gradually she comes to know the villagers, and the friendships she forms with two young women open her up to a larger world than she knew existed. Maddie begins to see that nothing is as it first appears: the values she holds dear prove unsustainable, and monsters lurk where they are least expected.

As she embraces a fuller sense of who she might be, Maddie becomes aware not only of the dark forces around her, but of life’s beauty and surprising possibilities."

Anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? That Sara Gruen has to have "water" in all her book titles?