Below the Surface

by Andrea Beck

BOOKFEST Second Place, Fiction, YA, Mystery & Thrillers

As the new girl at Oak Park High, Emily quickly learns that small towns come with big judgments. When a student mysteriously vanishes, suddenly whispers turn into accusations—and Emily finds herself at the center of it all.

When her high school’s art program is cut, Emily Libert and her parents relocate to the seemingly idyllic town of Oak Park. Struggling to fit in, she bonds with fellow outsiders Agata and Oliver, who help her navigate the town’s rigid social circles. As Emily’s art flourishes and her connection with Oliver deepens, she begins to believe Oak Park might be the right move after all.

But beneath the town’s picturesque surface, tensions simmer. Matt and Lexy, the school’s golden couple, resent Oliver’s rising athletic success—and his growing relationship with Emily. When jealousy and rivalry reach a boiling point at a party fueled by alcohol and reckless accusations, one student disappears without a trace.

As fear grips the town, the locals are quick to turn on the newcomers, desperate to place blame. Now, Emily and her friends must fight to save themselves before it’s too late. How far will both sides go to protect themselves? As the truth begins to unravel, one question What if, deep down, Emily’s not as innocent as she believes?--

“While the novel addresses heavy topics such as grief, betrayal, and mental health, it also offers moments of hope and growth. Below the Surface is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged story that examines the fragility of trust and the impact of community judgment. Andrea Beck’s debut novel is a powerful exploration of the challenges of growing up and finding one’s place in an imperfect world.” — Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite (5-stars)

“Beck creates immediate and compelling conflict by contrasting Emily and Oliver’s families with the established families of the golden couple. The use of a prologue and flashbacks also immediate suspense as the relationships and rivalries develop with a sense of impending doom.” — Gabriella Harrison for Independent Book Review

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Karoline Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling read! In her debut novel Andrea Beck expertly leads us behind the façade of a seemingly idyllic community to reveal the forces that ruthlessly exclude outsiders. You can't help but root for her protagonist, Emily, as she struggles for acceptance and fights to escape misplaced blame after a horrifying tragedy. Based on a true story, this tale will have you in its grip long after you finish the last page.

[Norah Haubenreich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time with this book.

Characters: Emily is self-centered, Oliver is a cliche sports jock, and they both think their small town revolves around them. It was also giving Anna from Frozen when she decided she was getting married to a guy she met an hour ago. Extremely cringe.

Plot: Thin. Also hidden a bit because Emily and Oliver selfishly think everything is about them. (Murder, suicide)

Dialogue: Very scripted, cheesy, and unlike anything that real high schoolers would actually say.


Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Henri Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

First-time author Andrea Beck enters the YA field with a well-crafted story. Our protagonist, Emily, moves to picture-book Oak Park with her mother, father and their dog Duke. One of the first things they do is plant a tree in their new yard. All seems idyllic, but as with any tight-knit community, it's tough being the new kid in town. Emily thanks her lucky stars when new boy Oliver joins her school, and they quickly hit it off. But when a student disappears in mysterious circumstances, Emily and Oliver are blamed, and their dreams turn to nightmares.

Beck handles the story well, dividing it into four-parts, each prefaced by a poem charting the development of a sapling into a mature tree. The theme of growth is everywhere, with much of the story taking place at school. But every strong tree needs roots, and 'Below the Surface' is as concerned with the psychological aspect of its characters. Written from Emily's point of view, the book is a rollercoaster ride of adolescent emotions. It rattles along easily and sits confidently in the 'page-turner' mould.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! The idea of a missing classmate, and a newcomer uncovering small-town secrets, felt fresh and different. The mystery grabbed me right away and kept me hooked until the end.

I loved Emily as the main character. She’s someone I could easily see myself being friends with when I was a teen. She’s likable, brave, and genuine. The side characters stood out too, even the ones who weren’t very likable, and they added plenty of tension to the story.

The pacing was steady and easy to follow, and the small-town setting came through perfectly. I liked how the author showed both the charm of a close community and the pressure that can come with it.

There are strong themes of friendship, loyalty, bullying, and family dynamics. It’s emotional in all the right ways, with moments that are both heartwarming and sad. A really engaging read for young adult readers.

* I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review*

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolute whirl pool of a ride. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and absolutely devoured it. I was not expecting like any of the plot twists. The only thing I had an issue with was the freaking miscommunication and the fact that Ollie and Emily broke up. Like you went through all of that and it was the distance that broke you. I would have understood if it were the constant reminder of the tragedy that made them break up. That's understandable, but it was the distance. What the freak. It was really good though. I did really enjoy it.

[Shawna Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below the Surface by Andrea Beck is a dramatic and suspenseful story about Emily, a creative and strong-willed girl trying to find her place in a new community and high school. As she navigates friendships, first love, peer pressure, and prejudice, the story takes a gripping turn that leaves her and her friends haunted by the consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This novel pulls you in from the start with its suspense and emotional impact.

[Aileen Ruli McCready · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This book had an intriguing premise, but it felt like it was trying too hard, almost like I could see the writer’s thoughts trying to plot out the next chapter. The characters had potential but felt flat. I kept hoping for a little more depth. The plot was interesting enough to keep me reading, but the payoff was lackluster. Overall, this felt like a promising outline or early version of something better.

[Colleen Alles · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Below the Surface” is exactly the kind of well-crafted, emotionally resonant thriller that stays with you long after the final page. Emily's struggle to find her place, her burgeoning friendships, and her blossoming romance are all rendered with warmth and emotional depth. Beck’s prose is both elegant and accessible, creating an immersive and authentic small-town atmosphere.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below the Surface is a great read by Canadian author Andrea Beck. The second half of the book kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed but I just wanted to know what happened!
It is a nice story about making new friends, first love, teenage angst and growing up. With a little mystery thrown in.
I look forward to more books from this author.

[Emziethebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book to listen to on out loud reader on the netgallery app.
The books plot was amazing and the characters throughout were amazing also.
Will definately be keeping my eyes open for more works from this author in the future.
Thank you to netgallery for letting me read this book.