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On the Surface
A YouTubing cruiser couple sails the world living their best life—until one of them goes missing and their whole world capsizes, in this captivating psychological thriller perfect for fans of Something in the Water and Saint X.
Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox, a young couple who spends their time circumnavigating the globe aboard their 42' sailboat and documenting it for their fledgling YouTube channel Sailing with the Foxes, have anchored in Exuma, in the Bahamas.
As they wait for the price of crypto to rebound so they can provision and continue their journey, they’re partying and exploring with their fellow cruisers off shore. On the surface, everything looks perfect. But one night, Dani vanishes after a boat party, and Sawyer has no memory of her disappearance.
The search for Dani is initially fueled by concerns that she drowned during one of her daily ocean swims, but Dani's pre-scheduled video posts, recorded before she went missing, soon reveal a darker side to her relationship with Sawyer.
Meanwhile, Royal Bahamas Police Force Inspector Veronique Knowles has her hands full trying to keep the investigation on course as the story of the American woman missing in the Bahamas goes viral and the internet sleuths unearth secrets from Sawyer’s past. Sawyer Stone is far from perfect, but is he a murderer?
This twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller will keep readers gripped all the way through the final satisfying turn.
Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox, a young couple who spends their time circumnavigating the globe aboard their 42' sailboat and documenting it for their fledgling YouTube channel Sailing with the Foxes, have anchored in Exuma, in the Bahamas.
As they wait for the price of crypto to rebound so they can provision and continue their journey, they’re partying and exploring with their fellow cruisers off shore. On the surface, everything looks perfect. But one night, Dani vanishes after a boat party, and Sawyer has no memory of her disappearance.
The search for Dani is initially fueled by concerns that she drowned during one of her daily ocean swims, but Dani's pre-scheduled video posts, recorded before she went missing, soon reveal a darker side to her relationship with Sawyer.
Meanwhile, Royal Bahamas Police Force Inspector Veronique Knowles has her hands full trying to keep the investigation on course as the story of the American woman missing in the Bahamas goes viral and the internet sleuths unearth secrets from Sawyer’s past. Sawyer Stone is far from perfect, but is he a murderer?
This twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller will keep readers gripped all the way through the final satisfying turn.
Audio CD
First published July 9, 2024
22 people are currently reading
10384 people want to read
About the author
Rachel McGuire
1 book84 followersRachel McGuire is the pen name for the collaboration between Rachel Graham and Lee-Ann McGuire Whitlock.
Rachel Graham has worked as a firefighter, paramedic, clinical researcher, and health consultant. She lives in San Diego, California with her family.
Lee-Ann McGuire Whitlock is a former lawyer, serial entrepreneur, and national pub trivia champion several times over. She and her husband, two children, two Cavalier King Charles spaniels split their time between Arkansas and Vancouver, Canada.
ON THE SURFACE has been selected by the Amazon Editors as a Best of the Month pick for July in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense! You can check out our FREE bonus content - an alternate ending - here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/7xw6rwxs0j
Rachel Graham has worked as a firefighter, paramedic, clinical researcher, and health consultant. She lives in San Diego, California with her family.
Lee-Ann McGuire Whitlock is a former lawyer, serial entrepreneur, and national pub trivia champion several times over. She and her husband, two children, two Cavalier King Charles spaniels split their time between Arkansas and Vancouver, Canada.
ON THE SURFACE has been selected by the Amazon Editors as a Best of the Month pick for July in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense! You can check out our FREE bonus content - an alternate ending - here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/7xw6rwxs0j
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
July 7, 2024
Let’s go cruizin’! ⚓️
Dani and Sawyer have joined the cruising community, exploring the Caribbean. Dani documents all their adventures on her You Tube channel,” Sailing with the Fox’s.”
It’s all a dream come true. Until reality raises its ugly head.
Their money is running low and tempers are running high.
Now, to compound their troubles, Dani goes missing and all eyes turn to Sawyer! He swears his innocence but this isn’t the first time someone in Sawyer’s life met with an unnatural ending.
This is a debut for the writing duo of Rachel Graham and Lee-Ann McGuire Whitlock, under the pen name Rachel McGuire. I had no idea it was a collaboration until finishing the audio.
The storyline was solid though a bit predictable at times. But I loved the final twist! Well played!🙌🏼
🎧: The audio version involved a large cast of narrators. For me, the standout was the narrator for Sawyer’s character!
If you’re looking for a summer getaway…set sail with this gripping debut thriller!⛵
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
Dani and Sawyer have joined the cruising community, exploring the Caribbean. Dani documents all their adventures on her You Tube channel,” Sailing with the Fox’s.”
It’s all a dream come true. Until reality raises its ugly head.
Their money is running low and tempers are running high.
Now, to compound their troubles, Dani goes missing and all eyes turn to Sawyer! He swears his innocence but this isn’t the first time someone in Sawyer’s life met with an unnatural ending.
This is a debut for the writing duo of Rachel Graham and Lee-Ann McGuire Whitlock, under the pen name Rachel McGuire. I had no idea it was a collaboration until finishing the audio.
The storyline was solid though a bit predictable at times. But I loved the final twist! Well played!🙌🏼
🎧: The audio version involved a large cast of narrators. For me, the standout was the narrator for Sawyer’s character!
If you’re looking for a summer getaway…set sail with this gripping debut thriller!⛵
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
July 24, 2024
Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox, a young couple who spend their time circumnavigating the globe aboard their 42-foot sailboat and documenting it for their fledgling YouTube channel Sailing with the Foxes, have anchored in Exuma, in the Bahamas. As they wait for the price of crypto to rebound so they can provision and continue their journey, they’re partying and exploring with their fellow cruisers offshore. On the surface, everything looks perfect. But one night, Dani vanishes after a boat party, and Sawyer has no memory of her disappearance.
The search for Dani is initially fueled by concerns that she drowned during one of her daily ocean swims, but Dani's prescheduled video posts, recorded before she went missing, soon reveal a darker side to her relationship with Sawyer. Meanwhile, Royal Bahamas Police Force Inspector Veronique Knowles has her hands full trying to keep the investigation on course as the story of the American woman missing in the Bahamas goes viral and the internet sleuths unearth secrets from Sawyer’s past. Sawyer Stone is far from perfect, but is he a murderer?
A page-turner in the extreme, On the Surface had me and everyone else at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse hooked right from the start. Between the flipped script plot and the thoroughly unlikeable characters, I was entirely swept away by this craveable popcorn thriller. After all, the satirical slant and fast pace kept my eyes glued to the pages. Even the witty, thought-provoking social media commentary kept me happily enthralled. After all, instead of feeling lectured, it was a bang up job at entertainment.
The plot itself was utterly dripping in twists. With a premise that provided just a stepping off point, after no time at all, it was left quaking in the dust. More than once the direction took a sharp turn, only to reveal an even more stupendous and twisted bearing. From the attention-grabbing prologue to the shock-inducing last page, there wasn’t a moment where my fingers weren’t flying as my eyes hungrily ate up every word.
As for the characters, this book was full of some of the most vile sort, which made for a few deliciously perfect personas that I just loved to hate. Told via multiple, first-person POVs, the games that were played filled each chapter with a definite sense of foreboding. Adding to the enjoyment was the fact that each of their personalities were perfectly hammered out, giving rise to distinct, clear cut identities that came alive on the page.
The only piece to this binge-worthy tale that slightly missed the mark for me was the finale. Hardly wrapped up with a nice, pretty, little bow, it left me wanting some answers. At the same time, that’s probably more of a me thing than a plot thing, because IYKYK, but I like my conclusions fully spelled out.
All in all, though, while I definitely needed to suspend all disbelief, the writing duo behind this addictive sensation had me in the palms of their hands. To be frank, this book just has to grace a screen near me someday soon. After all, I can so easily see it: a gorgeous locale, sexy sail boats, equally gorgeous characters—all on top of one killer plot. What’s not to love? So if you’ve already been hooked by this downright stunning cover, I beg of you to also discover the magic that is inside to boot. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Rachel McGuire and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 9, 2024
Trigger warning: domestic abuse, gaslighting, mention of: getting roofied, rape
The search for Dani is initially fueled by concerns that she drowned during one of her daily ocean swims, but Dani's prescheduled video posts, recorded before she went missing, soon reveal a darker side to her relationship with Sawyer. Meanwhile, Royal Bahamas Police Force Inspector Veronique Knowles has her hands full trying to keep the investigation on course as the story of the American woman missing in the Bahamas goes viral and the internet sleuths unearth secrets from Sawyer’s past. Sawyer Stone is far from perfect, but is he a murderer?
A page-turner in the extreme, On the Surface had me and everyone else at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse hooked right from the start. Between the flipped script plot and the thoroughly unlikeable characters, I was entirely swept away by this craveable popcorn thriller. After all, the satirical slant and fast pace kept my eyes glued to the pages. Even the witty, thought-provoking social media commentary kept me happily enthralled. After all, instead of feeling lectured, it was a bang up job at entertainment.
The plot itself was utterly dripping in twists. With a premise that provided just a stepping off point, after no time at all, it was left quaking in the dust. More than once the direction took a sharp turn, only to reveal an even more stupendous and twisted bearing. From the attention-grabbing prologue to the shock-inducing last page, there wasn’t a moment where my fingers weren’t flying as my eyes hungrily ate up every word.
As for the characters, this book was full of some of the most vile sort, which made for a few deliciously perfect personas that I just loved to hate. Told via multiple, first-person POVs, the games that were played filled each chapter with a definite sense of foreboding. Adding to the enjoyment was the fact that each of their personalities were perfectly hammered out, giving rise to distinct, clear cut identities that came alive on the page.
The only piece to this binge-worthy tale that slightly missed the mark for me was the finale. Hardly wrapped up with a nice, pretty, little bow, it left me wanting some answers. At the same time, that’s probably more of a me thing than a plot thing, because IYKYK, but I like my conclusions fully spelled out.
All in all, though, while I definitely needed to suspend all disbelief, the writing duo behind this addictive sensation had me in the palms of their hands. To be frank, this book just has to grace a screen near me someday soon. After all, I can so easily see it: a gorgeous locale, sexy sail boats, equally gorgeous characters—all on top of one killer plot. What’s not to love? So if you’ve already been hooked by this downright stunning cover, I beg of you to also discover the magic that is inside to boot. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Rachel McGuire and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 9, 2024
Trigger warning: domestic abuse, gaslighting, mention of: getting roofied, rape
July 8, 2024
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Rachel McGuire and Netgalley.
I loved this book! Right up until the ending. Bummer dude!
Fast paced. Intriguing as hell, Everything I love and appreciate in a great story. Yet? That ending was a bit bothersome.
I'm not sure if I hated that ending or was just a bit worried that it may end up a duopoly.
Still, I was entertained! I didn't like anybody, but the writing was compelling as anything.
So, even with that damnable end, I'm still giving this 4 stars.
I enjoyed the heck outta this one.
I loved this book! Right up until the ending. Bummer dude!
Fast paced. Intriguing as hell, Everything I love and appreciate in a great story. Yet? That ending was a bit bothersome.
I'm not sure if I hated that ending or was just a bit worried that it may end up a duopoly.
Still, I was entertained! I didn't like anybody, but the writing was compelling as anything.
So, even with that damnable end, I'm still giving this 4 stars.
I enjoyed the heck outta this one.
November 25, 2023
"On the Surface" by Rachel McGuire is a slow-burn thriller that revolves around a YouTube cruising couple anchored in the Bahamas.
The book begins with a bang — the mysterious death of a young woman — before moving to the present. We're introduced to Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox, a young couple immersed in the pleasures of cruising, sex, and parties. Dani diligently documents their life on their YouTube channel 'Sailing with the Foxes' as they attempt to make a living from it.
Struggling financially after Sawyer lost his money in a crypto scheme, the plot thickens when Dani vanishes following a boat party, and Sawyer has no recollection of the events after a night of heavy drinking. When Dani's pre-scheduled videos are aired, showing Sawyer's violent tendencies and the cracks in their relationship, he becomes the main suspect in her disappearance due in part to his shady past. The intervention of internet sleuths in the case doesn't make it easy to crack.
The story is told in Dani and Sawyer's first-person perspectives, switching back and forth between them, with some interlude chapters in the third perspective from a couple of other characters such as Local Inspector Veronique Knowles and Sonja, a fellow cruiser.
I enjoyed the book, mostly, but I do have a few reservations. But first, to what I liked. I loved the setting, the description of the lifestyle of the cruisers, and the exposure of the fakeness of social media. What appears as a glamorous life on social media turns out to be pretense and lies. The main characters were well-drawn, and I liked the dynamics between them, but they were unlikeable, to put it mildly. The writing was good and flowed easily from one POV to another.
On the surface, the book has all the elements for a successful story: a brilliant premise, an intriguing plot, complex characters, and good writing. Unfortunately, the execution of the story felt a little flat. The main issues I had with this book were the slow pace, the unlikable characters, and the abrupt ending.
The book was slow-paced until the middle, and I didn’t feel a sense of urgency to keep reading. Some things were predictable once the connection between the prologue and the story was revealed. I didn't like the two main characters. I could not connect with or relate to them, and that detracted from the story for me. I have read books with dislikable characters before, but not like that. I never really got to a point where I could care about them.
The ending was very abrupt; it was open-ended actually, with several loose threads left untied. I thought the book had some missing pages at first. There were a couple of unanswered questions, and I was dissatisfied with the lack of a moral resolution in the book's ending. Therefore, I decided to give the book 2.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars. I recommend the book to those who appreciate a unique setting and are open to navigating unlikable characters, a slower pace, or narratives with open-ended conclusions.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
The book begins with a bang — the mysterious death of a young woman — before moving to the present. We're introduced to Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox, a young couple immersed in the pleasures of cruising, sex, and parties. Dani diligently documents their life on their YouTube channel 'Sailing with the Foxes' as they attempt to make a living from it.
Struggling financially after Sawyer lost his money in a crypto scheme, the plot thickens when Dani vanishes following a boat party, and Sawyer has no recollection of the events after a night of heavy drinking. When Dani's pre-scheduled videos are aired, showing Sawyer's violent tendencies and the cracks in their relationship, he becomes the main suspect in her disappearance due in part to his shady past. The intervention of internet sleuths in the case doesn't make it easy to crack.
The story is told in Dani and Sawyer's first-person perspectives, switching back and forth between them, with some interlude chapters in the third perspective from a couple of other characters such as Local Inspector Veronique Knowles and Sonja, a fellow cruiser.
I enjoyed the book, mostly, but I do have a few reservations. But first, to what I liked. I loved the setting, the description of the lifestyle of the cruisers, and the exposure of the fakeness of social media. What appears as a glamorous life on social media turns out to be pretense and lies. The main characters were well-drawn, and I liked the dynamics between them, but they were unlikeable, to put it mildly. The writing was good and flowed easily from one POV to another.
On the surface, the book has all the elements for a successful story: a brilliant premise, an intriguing plot, complex characters, and good writing. Unfortunately, the execution of the story felt a little flat. The main issues I had with this book were the slow pace, the unlikable characters, and the abrupt ending.
The book was slow-paced until the middle, and I didn’t feel a sense of urgency to keep reading. Some things were predictable once the connection between the prologue and the story was revealed. I didn't like the two main characters. I could not connect with or relate to them, and that detracted from the story for me. I have read books with dislikable characters before, but not like that. I never really got to a point where I could care about them.
The ending was very abrupt; it was open-ended actually, with several loose threads left untied. I thought the book had some missing pages at first. There were a couple of unanswered questions, and I was dissatisfied with the lack of a moral resolution in the book's ending. Therefore, I decided to give the book 2.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars. I recommend the book to those who appreciate a unique setting and are open to navigating unlikable characters, a slower pace, or narratives with open-ended conclusions.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
November 26, 2023
On The Surface is mind boggling good! What seems to be a run of the mill fun thriller or vacation-gone-wrong style mystery is truly a sharp and incisive and incredibly engaging commentary on social media. When an up and coming YouTubing half of a boating couple disappears after a night of drama and drinking, the boyfriend clearly seems to be the culprit.
But is there more tot he story? Sawyer claims his innocence but his missing girlfriend's youtube channel continues to publish previously programmed reels that say otherwise. Plenty of the boating "cruiser " community have opinions on the couple and when one person tips the scales with posts, millions of people look on. Can the police get to the bottom of what happened before vigilante justice takes their place
If you like reality shows but may not always admit to it in public, this is a book for you - a smart and scathing tribute to the world of social media and the denizens that drive it. #Crookedlanebooks #onthesurface #rachelmcguire
But is there more tot he story? Sawyer claims his innocence but his missing girlfriend's youtube channel continues to publish previously programmed reels that say otherwise. Plenty of the boating "cruiser " community have opinions on the couple and when one person tips the scales with posts, millions of people look on. Can the police get to the bottom of what happened before vigilante justice takes their place
If you like reality shows but may not always admit to it in public, this is a book for you - a smart and scathing tribute to the world of social media and the denizens that drive it. #Crookedlanebooks #onthesurface #rachelmcguire
October 30, 2024
On the Surface by Rachel McGuire is a suspenseful thriller novel. The story in On the Surface is one that does change the point of view between multiple characters in the story giving all sides and told in the current timeline.
Sawyer Stone and Dani Fox have been trying to live their best lives together while sailing around in their sailboat. The idea was once to sail the world but with some bad investments by Sawyer it’s now on Dani’s YouTube channel, Sailing with the Foxes, to fund their adventures as they spend time in Exuma, in the Bahamas.
Living the life out on the water Sawyer and Dani often find themselves surrounded by fellow cruisers while anchored at the islands. One night everyone decides to throw a party with their boats anchored together but when Sawyer wakes up alone the next morning having drank a bit too much he has no idea where Dani is and ends up with all eyes on him when she doesn’t return.
I’ve said before that I love cruising but I also just like being out on the water in any old boat I can be too so seeing On the Surface by Rachel McGuire and knowing it was set in the Bahamas I couldn’t pass it by. The story was a little slow moving overall but honestly I was still hooked into finding out what would happen all the while it was unfolding. What really got me to rate this one at three and a half stars though was I wasn’t overly fond of how it all ended but I’d give the author/s a try again sometime.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Sawyer Stone and Dani Fox have been trying to live their best lives together while sailing around in their sailboat. The idea was once to sail the world but with some bad investments by Sawyer it’s now on Dani’s YouTube channel, Sailing with the Foxes, to fund their adventures as they spend time in Exuma, in the Bahamas.
Living the life out on the water Sawyer and Dani often find themselves surrounded by fellow cruisers while anchored at the islands. One night everyone decides to throw a party with their boats anchored together but when Sawyer wakes up alone the next morning having drank a bit too much he has no idea where Dani is and ends up with all eyes on him when she doesn’t return.
I’ve said before that I love cruising but I also just like being out on the water in any old boat I can be too so seeing On the Surface by Rachel McGuire and knowing it was set in the Bahamas I couldn’t pass it by. The story was a little slow moving overall but honestly I was still hooked into finding out what would happen all the while it was unfolding. What really got me to rate this one at three and a half stars though was I wasn’t overly fond of how it all ended but I’d give the author/s a try again sometime.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 19, 2024
OMG my besties 👯♀️ over at @thrillerbookloversthepulse are loving this book!!! I just finished it last night and WOW!! Definitely worth the hype. 😍 How is this a debut?? 🤷♀️ Thank you @crookedlanebooks @rachelmcguireauthor for my absolutely gorgeous gifted copy!!! 🥰🥰
Pub date is July 9th!! 🥳🥳 Definitely get this on your TBR!! Listen to this… ⬇️
A book about an influencer??? Umm yes please!! Sign this girl up!! 🙋♀️ Dani and Sawyer are killing it with their YouTube channel Sailing ⛵️ with the Foxes.. 🦊.. Dani is OBSESSED with social media. The men love her… and the women tend to… not.. 😬
Boat 🚤 hopping.. partying 🍹 with fellow cruisers… life is good 👍… well until Dani goes missing… 😳… She left a party… with Sawyer… and vanished into thin air… OMGGG you know it is ALWAYS the husband… or the boyfriend… YEP we are looking at you Sawyer… 😉
What did I love?
✅ Unlikable characters are my FAVORITE!! These two were so self centered!! BUT I loved it!! It just made them more interesting!! 🤷♀️
✅ Holy Hell of a twist!! I literally said OH NO WAY!! 😳 Which just opened it up for ALOT more questions! 🤔😂👏
✅ Fast paced… edge of your seat… EVERYONE is starting to look 👀… suspicious 🤨…
This thriller had me questioning… who is telling the truth??? What the HELL is actually going on?? 😂 I thought I knew… but .. I was SO wrong!! Bravo 👏 Fantastic debut!!
Pub date is July 9th!! 🥳🥳 Definitely get this on your TBR!! Listen to this… ⬇️
A book about an influencer??? Umm yes please!! Sign this girl up!! 🙋♀️ Dani and Sawyer are killing it with their YouTube channel Sailing ⛵️ with the Foxes.. 🦊.. Dani is OBSESSED with social media. The men love her… and the women tend to… not.. 😬
Boat 🚤 hopping.. partying 🍹 with fellow cruisers… life is good 👍… well until Dani goes missing… 😳… She left a party… with Sawyer… and vanished into thin air… OMGGG you know it is ALWAYS the husband… or the boyfriend… YEP we are looking at you Sawyer… 😉
What did I love?
✅ Unlikable characters are my FAVORITE!! These two were so self centered!! BUT I loved it!! It just made them more interesting!! 🤷♀️
✅ Holy Hell of a twist!! I literally said OH NO WAY!! 😳 Which just opened it up for ALOT more questions! 🤔😂👏
✅ Fast paced… edge of your seat… EVERYONE is starting to look 👀… suspicious 🤨…
This thriller had me questioning… who is telling the truth??? What the HELL is actually going on?? 😂 I thought I knew… but .. I was SO wrong!! Bravo 👏 Fantastic debut!!
July 2, 2024
On the surface, "ON THE SURFACE" had an intriguing premise and an ultra-compelling cast of characters.
When a beautiful American YouTube "cruising life" influencer disappears during her morning swim in the Bahamas, her allegedly abusive boyfriend quickly becomes the #1 suspect.
And the YouTube influencer's social media traffic soars.
This slow-burn "Gone Girl Wannabe" thriller was waaaay too S-L-0-W and, at times, I found myself drowning in repetitive text.
POSSIBLE SPOILER:
Readers are told early on that the YouTube influencer is alive.
IMHO, the book would have been stronger had this "big reveal" surfaced at the end of the book and not in the early chapters.
Although I applaud the author for penning a book exposing the toxicity of social media, the book's overall storyline lacked the suspense I was seeking and, at times, was a tedious read.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook read by Frankie Corzo, Evan Sibley, Chanté McCormick, Savy Des-Etages, and David Bendena.
Full-cast audiobooks are always a treat and special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars rounded up.
June 2, 2024
What you see on the surface is not always the whole story.
What is not to like about this book? Set in the Bahamas, we meet cruisers and social media influencers Dani and Sawyer. They cruise around the world and post about it online. Hard life right? But then Dani goes missing after a night of drinking and partying and Sawyer is the prime suspect. He woke up with the hangover from hell and no memory of the night before. Gotta be him right??
While I did guess most of the twists in this story it was still a very enjoyable read. Full of unlikeable characters except for the police, it was certainly a page turner.
Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on July 9th.
What is not to like about this book? Set in the Bahamas, we meet cruisers and social media influencers Dani and Sawyer. They cruise around the world and post about it online. Hard life right? But then Dani goes missing after a night of drinking and partying and Sawyer is the prime suspect. He woke up with the hangover from hell and no memory of the night before. Gotta be him right??
While I did guess most of the twists in this story it was still a very enjoyable read. Full of unlikeable characters except for the police, it was certainly a page turner.
Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on July 9th.
November 19, 2023
4.25 stars
This is the PERFECT example of loved the book, hated the characters. I think this is growing into a favorite thriller archetype of mine.
Dani and Sawyer, currently docked in The Bahamas, have a fledgling YouTube channel called Sailing with the Foxes, showing their life of sailing. It looks picturesque, but it’s anything but when Dani goes missing one night and Sawyer wakes with no memories of the night before.
Local Inspector Veronique Knowles has her hands FULL with this one. Once word gets out, amateur detectives come out in droves trying to solve this strange case, making her job immensely more difficult.
The way this book plays out was so interesting! It’s very much all about perception… There are things that come into play about people’s pasts that are integral to how individual suspects are treated. What happened to Dani? She is gone without a trace (sort of) and everyone else is left picking up the pieces.
I enjoyed this one so much! I love the untrustworthy nature of the mystery in this book. I was so compelled by the story. There were things I saw coming, and some that took me by surprise. This book left me feeling so satisfied though! Loved it.
This is the PERFECT example of loved the book, hated the characters. I think this is growing into a favorite thriller archetype of mine.
Dani and Sawyer, currently docked in The Bahamas, have a fledgling YouTube channel called Sailing with the Foxes, showing their life of sailing. It looks picturesque, but it’s anything but when Dani goes missing one night and Sawyer wakes with no memories of the night before.
Local Inspector Veronique Knowles has her hands FULL with this one. Once word gets out, amateur detectives come out in droves trying to solve this strange case, making her job immensely more difficult.
The way this book plays out was so interesting! It’s very much all about perception… There are things that come into play about people’s pasts that are integral to how individual suspects are treated. What happened to Dani? She is gone without a trace (sort of) and everyone else is left picking up the pieces.
I enjoyed this one so much! I love the untrustworthy nature of the mystery in this book. I was so compelled by the story. There were things I saw coming, and some that took me by surprise. This book left me feeling so satisfied though! Loved it.
May 7, 2025
Book Blog | Bookstagram
Gone Girl but if it was on a boat, super boring and Amy was a fucking unbearable Youtuber.
RTC.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
Gone Girl but if it was on a boat, super boring and Amy was a fucking unbearable Youtuber.
RTC.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
August 4, 2024
I received a free copy of, On the Surface, by Rachel McGuire, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Dani and Sawyer seem like the perfect youtube sensation, sailing around the world in their sailboat. All goes well til Dani disappears. What a read. I have never despised two characters more then Dani and Sawyer.
April 20, 2024
This book sounded fantastic, and now that I’ve read it, I know why - it’s oddly similar to one of my favorite thrillers. I won’t name the book for spoiler reasons, but it’s quite possible you’ve read it, as well. After finishing this variation of a now-classic story, I read some reviews. Some don’t mention the similarities at all. Some do, but the reviewer didn’t mind the parallels. The rest, like me, seem a bit annoyed by the lack of originality in this book.
Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox are “cruisers”, like “van life” but on the sea. (This did mention the Gabby Petito case, as well as a couple of other true-crime cases, which added to the feeling of this not being very unique.) Dani is an influencer, running the YouTube channel “Sailing With The Foxes”. Sawyer isn’t happy always being on camera, but he puts up with it to support Dani’s dreams.
While spending some time in the Bahamas, they attend a party with a large group of cruisers. Alcohol was flowing, people were behaving badly and hedonism was on full display. The next morning, Sawyer wakes up with a massive hangover and a missing girlfriend. Being the boyfriend makes him a prime suspect, but he isn’t going to go down without a fight - he spends the rest of the book waiting for the police to figure everything out.
Had I never read a similar book with the same big twist, I probably would have given this four or 4.5 stars. It just took pleasure out of what was an otherwise interesting story, as I was trying to find all the similarities (and there were many). I’m not sure if this is an homage or if it was inspired by similar stories, because the acknowledgements didn’t mention anything. That, along with the ambiguous ending and this being two authors working together under a pseudonym - something that should have made the book even more original - left me feeling let down. 2.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.)
Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox are “cruisers”, like “van life” but on the sea. (This did mention the Gabby Petito case, as well as a couple of other true-crime cases, which added to the feeling of this not being very unique.) Dani is an influencer, running the YouTube channel “Sailing With The Foxes”. Sawyer isn’t happy always being on camera, but he puts up with it to support Dani’s dreams.
While spending some time in the Bahamas, they attend a party with a large group of cruisers. Alcohol was flowing, people were behaving badly and hedonism was on full display. The next morning, Sawyer wakes up with a massive hangover and a missing girlfriend. Being the boyfriend makes him a prime suspect, but he isn’t going to go down without a fight - he spends the rest of the book waiting for the police to figure everything out.
Had I never read a similar book with the same big twist, I probably would have given this four or 4.5 stars. It just took pleasure out of what was an otherwise interesting story, as I was trying to find all the similarities (and there were many). I’m not sure if this is an homage or if it was inspired by similar stories, because the acknowledgements didn’t mention anything. That, along with the ambiguous ending and this being two authors working together under a pseudonym - something that should have made the book even more original - left me feeling let down. 2.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.)
July 9, 2024
On the Surface
By Rachel McGuire
Thank you so much @crookedlanebooks for the gifted ARC.
Blurb:
A YouTubing cruiser couple sails the world living their best lives—until one of them goes missing and their whole world capsizes, in this captivating psychological thriller perfect for fans of Something in the Water and Saint X.
✨ My thoughts:
I couldn’t put this one down! Fun, engrossing, and perfect for a beach, pool, or vacation read! It’s a bit of a slow burn, and the characters are not at all likable, but trust me, this story is highly entertaining and enjoyable. It has secrets and mystery that’ll keep you turning the pages. Ahh so much drama… I inhaled this twisty popcorn thriller. This is one you’ll want to read in the heat of summer. On the Surface is out 7/9/24, get to it while it’s hot!
Happy reading 📖
By Rachel McGuire
Thank you so much @crookedlanebooks for the gifted ARC.
Blurb:
A YouTubing cruiser couple sails the world living their best lives—until one of them goes missing and their whole world capsizes, in this captivating psychological thriller perfect for fans of Something in the Water and Saint X.
✨ My thoughts:
I couldn’t put this one down! Fun, engrossing, and perfect for a beach, pool, or vacation read! It’s a bit of a slow burn, and the characters are not at all likable, but trust me, this story is highly entertaining and enjoyable. It has secrets and mystery that’ll keep you turning the pages. Ahh so much drama… I inhaled this twisty popcorn thriller. This is one you’ll want to read in the heat of summer. On the Surface is out 7/9/24, get to it while it’s hot!
Happy reading 📖
June 24, 2024
When one half of a boating couple goes missing after a night of partying on their friend’s boat in the Bahamas, the suspicion immediately falls on the boyfriend. Did he do it? Where is Dani? And what the hell happened that night?!
I love a book with unreliable narrators, and this one has TWO! You never know exactly what is really going on in this one! I loved reading through Sawyer and Dani’s perspectives! The pacing was a little off with this one, starts with a bang and the middle can be a tad slow, but that didn’t stop me from HAVING to know what exactly was going on with this couple!
I love a book with unreliable narrators, and this one has TWO! You never know exactly what is really going on in this one! I loved reading through Sawyer and Dani’s perspectives! The pacing was a little off with this one, starts with a bang and the middle can be a tad slow, but that didn’t stop me from HAVING to know what exactly was going on with this couple!
July 9, 2024
On The Surface (audio)
4⭐️
Rich young people. Internet sleuths. Influencers. Unlikeable characters. Oh the drama that would obviously ensue!
Dani and Sawyer are part of the “cruisers” lifestyle. Living on a boat in the Bahamas. Dani is a rising social media star through her video documentation of their unique life. Everything takes a turn when Dani goes missing. Unfortunately for Sawyer this isn’t the first time one of his significant others were a part of an at-sea incident.
This was a fun twisty mystery. Everyone has their secrets and suspicions. I loved that this audiobook had multiple narrators. I listened to the final chapter a few times because I was expecting more for an ending. Maybe it was just me, but it felt too abrupt and inconclusive.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jul 09 2024
4⭐️
Rich young people. Internet sleuths. Influencers. Unlikeable characters. Oh the drama that would obviously ensue!
Dani and Sawyer are part of the “cruisers” lifestyle. Living on a boat in the Bahamas. Dani is a rising social media star through her video documentation of their unique life. Everything takes a turn when Dani goes missing. Unfortunately for Sawyer this isn’t the first time one of his significant others were a part of an at-sea incident.
This was a fun twisty mystery. Everyone has their secrets and suspicions. I loved that this audiobook had multiple narrators. I listened to the final chapter a few times because I was expecting more for an ending. Maybe it was just me, but it felt too abrupt and inconclusive.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jul 09 2024
June 29, 2024
ON THE SURFACE started out strong. I was very interested to figure out what was going on with Dani and Sawyer. I found the pace and storyline to be fun and easy to listen to. I also liked the different POV's presented throughout the story. Overall, I found it to be a good debut!
Many thanks to DreamScape Media for my gifted ALC.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
Many thanks to DreamScape Media for my gifted ALC.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
February 25, 2024
This book was an engaging read, though I didn’t find the storyline to be all that unique. As others have mentioned, I got “Gone Girl” vibes the entire way through. The story centers on Dani and Sawyer, who are living the “cruiser” lifestyle aboard their sailboat in the Bahamas. When Dani goes missing, their relationship dynamics, as well as Sawyer’s past, are under suspicion.
I liked the alternating chapters told in different POVs, though I didn’t actually feel that I could relate to any of these characters. I liked that we got a little bit of info into the police investigation but it didn’t go into enough detail to read as a police procedural. I figured out most of the twists early on so there really weren’t too many surprises but I did feel like it was an engaging read.
Overall, this felt like a new take on an old story, but was still fun to read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the alternating chapters told in different POVs, though I didn’t actually feel that I could relate to any of these characters. I liked that we got a little bit of info into the police investigation but it didn’t go into enough detail to read as a police procedural. I figured out most of the twists early on so there really weren’t too many surprises but I did feel like it was an engaging read.
Overall, this felt like a new take on an old story, but was still fun to read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2024
I did not love this as much as I thought I would. Details about why are below and are all spoilers.
* thanks to Dreamscape Audio for the NetGalley ALC. On the Surface publishes July 9.
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This was pretty much a fan-fic rewrite of Gone Girl, but with boats.
There were SO many GG ripoffs -- like: the punchable face*, the "I pretend I'm not like other girls" business, the hot blonde psychopath framing her boyfriend for her disappearance, the framing some sadsack dude who liked the blonde lady more than he should have, the female cop who was the only one not taken in by the hot blonde lady's scam, Dani leaving behind incriminating videos very similar to Amy's diary, and more. I couldn't get past the similarities enough to enjoy the differences.
* the line was not said exactly, but it was something very similar said in relation to Sawyer's face
* thanks to Dreamscape Audio for the NetGalley ALC. On the Surface publishes July 9.
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This was pretty much a fan-fic rewrite of Gone Girl, but with boats.
There were SO many GG ripoffs -- like: the punchable face*, the "I pretend I'm not like other girls" business, the hot blonde psychopath framing her boyfriend for her disappearance, the framing some sadsack dude who liked the blonde lady more than he should have, the female cop who was the only one not taken in by the hot blonde lady's scam, Dani leaving behind incriminating videos very similar to Amy's diary, and more. I couldn't get past the similarities enough to enjoy the differences.
* the line was not said exactly, but it was something very similar said in relation to Sawyer's face
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2024
On The Surface is a twisted thriller. It's hard to know which characters are trustworthy and which are not when trying to unravel the mystery of Dani's disappearance. I also enjoyed the concept of sailing Youtubers with the intrigue of the events happening on the water with no one around to witness anything. If you're looking for a quick read to devour on the beach, this book is perfect.
July 3, 2024
We love a debut and this one hits shelves on Tuesday, July 9th!!🙌
This was an entertaining popcorn thriller. I enjoyed the "cruisers" plotline along with the influencers aspect. This book has a cast of unlikeable characters, a whole lot of secrets, and a Bahamas setting. Plus you get that locked room mystery vibe with the main characters living on a sailboat.
Notable Mention:
The Weekend At Bernie's reference! Hilarious!
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books for this gifted copy. Along with Kate Rock Book Tours and the authors themselves. Congrats on your debut!!
This was an entertaining popcorn thriller. I enjoyed the "cruisers" plotline along with the influencers aspect. This book has a cast of unlikeable characters, a whole lot of secrets, and a Bahamas setting. Plus you get that locked room mystery vibe with the main characters living on a sailboat.
Notable Mention:
The Weekend At Bernie's reference! Hilarious!
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books for this gifted copy. Along with Kate Rock Book Tours and the authors themselves. Congrats on your debut!!
July 11, 2024
This book reminded me of another popular book from years ago. Not a likable character to be found, but the story was interesting and twisty and I was loving it. I thought this would be a 4.5 rounded up for sure. And then came the ending, and I'm like WTF? So it is now a 3!
July 9, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy of On The Surface by Rachel McGuire. I liked the description of this book and it started great. I started to lose interest when Dani talked about her childhood because it was such a cliché. When we heard from her uncle, what he said gave me clues about what happened, but was barely acknowledged by the detectives. Although this book kept me reading to find out how it ended, the conclusion felt unfinished, as if the author had a great idea for a twist and once that was written didn’t bother actually to have an end to the story. If you love thrillers for the unexpected twist, you will love this book, but the lack of an ending was frustrating.
December 18, 2023
Influencers suck.
Yeah, I said it and, #sorrynotsorry, they do.
Well, in On the Surface, Rachel McGuire brings us some of the suckiest of the suckiest! You will hate these people.
It’s okay, though, since you’ll love to read them.
This is a wonderfully twisty tale of awful people and the horrible things they do. The only character I liked was the police inspector. Everyone else needed to be drowned.
The author does a great job of making you wonder who is telling the truth and what’s really happening and there are definite surprises ahead!
An absolute blast of a read full of people you hate!
• ARC via Publisher
Yeah, I said it and, #sorrynotsorry, they do.
Well, in On the Surface, Rachel McGuire brings us some of the suckiest of the suckiest! You will hate these people.
It’s okay, though, since you’ll love to read them.
This is a wonderfully twisty tale of awful people and the horrible things they do. The only character I liked was the police inspector. Everyone else needed to be drowned.
The author does a great job of making you wonder who is telling the truth and what’s really happening and there are definite surprises ahead!
An absolute blast of a read full of people you hate!
• ARC via Publisher
October 8, 2024
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.
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.
January 27, 2024
Dani & Sawyer are cruisers, living life on a boat while documenting their journey on YouTube. After losing their savings, they’re hoping monetizing their channel will fix their money problems. Things are just starting to look up for them when Dani vanishes.
This was a very quick, enjoyable read! The chapters were the perfect length, and the paragraphs weren’t overly wordy. Typically if I encounter a lot of just info paragraphs I end up skimming them, but that wasn’t the case here. Everything was very well done! I would definitely recommend this read for fans of a destination thriller.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
This was a very quick, enjoyable read! The chapters were the perfect length, and the paragraphs weren’t overly wordy. Typically if I encounter a lot of just info paragraphs I end up skimming them, but that wasn’t the case here. Everything was very well done! I would definitely recommend this read for fans of a destination thriller.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
July 5, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
“Go, stay or make them f@&king pay.”
Thanks to @katerockbooktours and @rachelmcguireauthor for the opportunity to be on this tour!!!! I was so psyched to get a copy of this one pre-release.
This was a fun entertaining read from start to finish. So many manipulations and characters that you’ll love to hate.
The book was so atmospheric and dropping us in the midst of cruisers. You’ll learn a lot about the lifestyle and laid-back, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” attitudes.
You’ll also get more insight into the influencer life and then narcissistic tendencies that come with it.
When writing a book about terrible people, I find that many authors have a hard time writing them in a way that the reader WANTS to read about them. This author captured the very essence of what it is to be an unlikable YET INTERESTING character. I really love that about this book.
I did the audiobook and that was very well done.
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱/𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮 "𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱" 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀....𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?
“Go, stay or make them f@&king pay.”
Thanks to @katerockbooktours and @rachelmcguireauthor for the opportunity to be on this tour!!!! I was so psyched to get a copy of this one pre-release.
This was a fun entertaining read from start to finish. So many manipulations and characters that you’ll love to hate.
The book was so atmospheric and dropping us in the midst of cruisers. You’ll learn a lot about the lifestyle and laid-back, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” attitudes.
You’ll also get more insight into the influencer life and then narcissistic tendencies that come with it.
When writing a book about terrible people, I find that many authors have a hard time writing them in a way that the reader WANTS to read about them. This author captured the very essence of what it is to be an unlikable YET INTERESTING character. I really love that about this book.
I did the audiobook and that was very well done.
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱/𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮 "𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱" 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀....𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?
July 6, 2024
3.5 rounded up
I love a good social media influencer thriller and this one was so much fun!!! A perfect beach read, this book has an ambitious Bahama boat influencer faking her disappearance in order to increase her following. Told from multiple POVs, this book explores the realm of intimate partner domestic abuse, the power of online followers and a twisty police procedural wrapped into one fast-paced thriller that was especially great on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
I love a good social media influencer thriller and this one was so much fun!!! A perfect beach read, this book has an ambitious Bahama boat influencer faking her disappearance in order to increase her following. Told from multiple POVs, this book explores the realm of intimate partner domestic abuse, the power of online followers and a twisty police procedural wrapped into one fast-paced thriller that was especially great on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2024
On The Surface by Rachel McGuire follows two "cruisers", Dani Fox and Sawyer Stone III as they make a name for themselves enjoying life on their sailboat currently anchored in the Bahamas. A few people who know the couple well suspect there is trouble in paradise and go to the local authorities when Dani is missing. Soon, Dani's disappearance goes viral, and internet sleuths are searching for Dani and digging up dirt on Sawyer.
The setting in the Bahamas and the background information of the "Cruiser Community" helped make this an interesting book. Unfortunately, it's bogged down by too many unlikable characters and improbable circumstances. The plot may seem familiar at first, but this story has a few twists to make it unique. Even though I couldn't connect with either Dani or Sawyer, I really liked the Royal Bahamas Police Force Inspector Veronique Knowles. She didn't let pressure from her superiors, the media, or the community get in the way of conducting a thorough investigation into Dani's disappearance and the aftermath. She was so likable and worked well with the officer assisting her with the investigation. Unfortunately, before things could be fully wrapped up, the book ended abruptly with an ambiguous ending which was disappointing. 3.5 stars
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
* UPDATE - DECEMBER 2024
I just learned that an alternative ending is available from the author through her Goodreads blog. This ending wraps up loose ends and is definitely more satisfying to me than the original. It raises my rating of the book to a full 4 stars.
The setting in the Bahamas and the background information of the "Cruiser Community" helped make this an interesting book. Unfortunately, it's bogged down by too many unlikable characters and improbable circumstances. The plot may seem familiar at first, but this story has a few twists to make it unique. Even though I couldn't connect with either Dani or Sawyer, I really liked the Royal Bahamas Police Force Inspector Veronique Knowles. She didn't let pressure from her superiors, the media, or the community get in the way of conducting a thorough investigation into Dani's disappearance and the aftermath. She was so likable and worked well with the officer assisting her with the investigation. Unfortunately, before things could be fully wrapped up, the book ended abruptly with an ambiguous ending which was disappointing. 3.5 stars
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
* UPDATE - DECEMBER 2024
I just learned that an alternative ending is available from the author through her Goodreads blog. This ending wraps up loose ends and is definitely more satisfying to me than the original. It raises my rating of the book to a full 4 stars.
July 9, 2024
First off, this cover is to die for. I absolutely love it! Second, On the Surface has so many elements I absolutely love in a thriller: social media influencer, unreliable narrator, multiple narrators, police investigation, and cyber sleuths. I couldn’t put it down! It’s obvious why we here at The Pulse are all checking this one out and it’s safe to say it’s going to be a summer hit!
I loved the setting of this novel and the details surrounding the cruisers and their lifestyle. I can’t imagine living on a boat anchored off the Bahamas, catching my dinner every night, and not putting in the typical grind of a 9-5. McGuire did a great job painting a picture without bogging us down in unnecessary nuance.
I’m always intrigued by social media influencer stories and On the Surface really hit the mark for me. I liked that this was different from your typical influencer and had the cruising aspect. Some of the mystery and suspense in the first part felt a little obvious to me but I was glad with how quickly things were revealed and how bigger mysteries and thrills unfolded.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and super fun read and I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Crooked Lane for the copy. On the Surface releases July 9th!
I loved the setting of this novel and the details surrounding the cruisers and their lifestyle. I can’t imagine living on a boat anchored off the Bahamas, catching my dinner every night, and not putting in the typical grind of a 9-5. McGuire did a great job painting a picture without bogging us down in unnecessary nuance.
I’m always intrigued by social media influencer stories and On the Surface really hit the mark for me. I liked that this was different from your typical influencer and had the cruising aspect. Some of the mystery and suspense in the first part felt a little obvious to me but I was glad with how quickly things were revealed and how bigger mysteries and thrills unfolded.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and super fun read and I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Crooked Lane for the copy. On the Surface releases July 9th!
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