This was my first Hilary Tailor read. The title, cover artwork, and the description intrigued me. The narrative is well-written, and the characters have depth. Three families vacation together on a remote island while their children are on school break. The youngest child goes missing. The tragedy causes the dissolution of three friendships. Twenty years pass, a podcaster wants to interview the three girls who were classmates about the disappearance of Hazel. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys these themes / tropes: remote island, complex female friendships, podcast element, witch lore, paranormal energy from rocks, and dual timeline.

Thank you to #Hilary Tailor, #BrownwenPrice, #BrillancePublishing, #Brillance Audio, and #NetGalley for my audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was okay. It felt like we had alot of unnecessary parts to get to the entire point of the story. And while i enjoyed the build up, it was pretty clear that one of the three women was involved. And the reveal? It was honestly pretty anticlimactic to me.

The story had potential but fell flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the ACL.

I am torn about this book. The writing style and overall story pretty were good, but I had a couple of issues with it.
The ending was drawn out (I would have expected it to wrap up quicker after we found out the truth).
My biggest issue was Roz. I HATED her and she made it really hard to get through parts of the book. This could be interpreted as a testament to the author’s character creation (creating a character that provoked such strong feelings towards, even if negative feelings). However, with audiobooks, I usually binge them and get through them in 1-2 days and this one took me over a week to finish as I had to keep shutting it off because I couldn’t stand Roz that much. I understand what happened was traumatic but holy cow! Get a grip, Roz! To get through some parts of the book, I had to listen to it sped up so I likely missed/didn’t pick up on some things.
If I had read (instead of listened to) the book, I might’ve been able to tolerate Roz more, but I really can’t say.
The narrator was great but I don’t understand why there weren’t multiple narrators (one for each character POV).

Twenty years ago, during a family holiday on the remote island of Little Auger, eleven-year-old Hazel vanished without a trace. The unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance shattered the bond between three friends: Roz, who broke a promise; Catrin, whose idea led to that fateful night; and Nina, who slept through it all. Now, two decades later, a true-crime podcaster named Stella reaches out to them, claiming to have unearthed new evidence. As the former friends reunite on the island, they confront buried secrets and the lingering effects of that tragic event.​

“Between the Waves” by Hilary Tailor is a captivating exploration of friendship, guilt, and the enduring impact of unresolved mysteries. From the moment I started reading, I was hooked and found it nearly impossible to put down. The narrative is rich with twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout.​

The story delves deep into the emotional wreckage left behind after Hazel’s disappearance. Tailor’s atmospheric writing immerses readers in the eerie beauty of Little Auger Island, making the setting almost a character in itself. The complex web of guilt, secrets, and fractured friendships is portrayed with depth and authenticity.​

What sets this novel apart is its focus on the emotional journeys of Roz, Catrin, and Nina. While the mystery of Hazel’s disappearance is central, the true essence lies in witnessing these flawed, haunted women confront their past and seek redemption. It’s a moody, beautifully written tale packed with quiet tension that resonates deeply.

I rated this book five stars for its compelling narrative and the way it masterfully intertwines suspense with profound emotional insights. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page, prompting reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the secrets we keep.​ I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, and the author. All opinions are my own.

Tropes and Vibes:
🏝️ Remote Island Setting​
👩‍👧‍👧 Complex Female Friendships​
🕵️‍♀️ Unsolved Mystery​
⏳ Dual Timeline​
🎙️ True-Crime Podcast Element​
😨 Atmospheric and Haunting​

The audiobook is narrated by Bronwen Price, whose performance adds depth and nuance to the story. Her ability to convey the emotional complexities of each character enhances the listening experience, making the narrative even more immersive. Price’s narration captures the haunting atmosphere of Little Auger Island and the intricate dynamics between the characters, bringing the story to life in a compelling way.

"Between the Waves” is a must-read for those who appreciate psychological thrillers that delve into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Hilary Tailor delivers a story that is both suspenseful and deeply moving, leaving readers eagerly anticipating her next work.

The narration for this book went with the story very well. Twenty years after after their friend Hazel disappeared on the Little Auger and was never found. Stella Cox a true crime podcaster has uncovered new evidence. Now her three friends from the past reconnect. They have guilt and have drifted apart. What answers will they learn and what will they make of each other? This was a very moody and emotional book. I would listen/read another book by this author.

Between The Waves...

I loved the title.

This audio right here is it.

A haunting, suspenseful and spine tingling thriller that will uncover fractured friendships and long buried secrets. ,

I fell in love with Hilary Tailor's writing style after reading The Vanishing Tide.

Her books, always atmospheric and I love that she incorporates it into her titles.

Page one, this book will put you in a choke hold. Undeniably gripping.

Set on the remote island of Little Auger, a place where a childhood tragedy casts a dark shadow. The disappearance of a little girl, twenty years prior, isn't just a mystery; it's a wound that has been tearing apart the lives of Roz, Catrin, and Nina, all guilt ridden about what had happened many years ago.

Enter Stella Cox, true-crime podcaster, ,injecting fresh urgency into a cold case that has long been left untouched. The question of trust—can these estranged women trust Stella, or each other?—immediately raises the stakes, creating a palpable sense of tension

This book delivers. The psychological complexities of guilt and the destructive power of secrets will stay with you long after concluding.

Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself :

Twenty years ago, during a family holiday on the savage and remote island of Little Auger, eleven-year-old Hazel left her bed and was never seen again. The unanswered questions surrounding Hazel’s disappearance tore three families apart and the girls left behind all experience their own terrible guilt. Roz, because she broke a promise; Catrin, because it was her idea; and Nina, who slept through it all. Their friendship never recovers and all three women go on to lead vastly different lives.

Twenty years later, they each receive a phone call from Stella Cox, a true-crime podcaster, who has unearthed new evidence about Hazel’s disappearance. There is no doubt Stella has found something important but the question is, how can the women—once best friends, now strangers—trust her, or each other?

Will their return to the island finally reveal the truth, and if it does, is it something any of them are prepared to learn?

i loved this!! i also love that the book was available as well so i got to read and listen!! this has me hooked from the beginning and i really enjoyed the narrators

Between the Waves is my third book and it explores how childhood mistakes can bleed into adulthood. A few years ago, when I was on holiday in Wales, I came across a tidal island and became fascinated by the idea of being cut off from the rest of the world by something that couldn’t be controlled. I am half Welsh on my father’s side and nearly drowned on a Welsh beach when I was about five years old. Now, after writing my third book, I wonder if this event had a bigger influence on my life than I realised. The audio book is narrated by Bronwen Price, a Welsh voice actor. I hope you enjoy her narration.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for allowing me access to this ALC. Between The Waves by Hilary Tailor is a mystery which is going to be published on April 22th; Twenty years after Hazel vanished on a remote island, the three childhood friends who were with her—Roz, Catrin, and Nina—are still haunted by guilt and have drifted apart. A true-crime podcaster, Stella Cox, uncovers new evidence, forcing them to reconnect and confront their past. As they return to the island, they must decide whether they can trust each other and if they’re ready for the truth about what really happened that night.
Absolutely loved Bronwen Price’s narration, her accent and voice modulation brought every character to life.