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The Wild Beneath
For readers of Wild Dark Shore and The Time Traveler’s Wife, a fierce, haunting story of one woman caught between her first love and a mysterious stranger who upends everything—and the two worlds that won’t let her go.
Annie MacLeod always knew she was different, growing up on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest, navigating by stars and swimming with sea creatures alongside her parents and best friend Evan. But when a tsunami shatters her world, Annie is stranded on land and forced to confront how eccentric she is. In the wreckage, she rescues a wordless man named Walker, who emits a hum only she can hear.
Their connection is instant, electric. Walker’s touch gives Annie visions of the ocean’s hidden world, a life she’s never known but feels inexplicably drawn to. Yet even as she is pulled toward him, Evan—the steadfast love who has always been there—remains on dry land, offering the stability she may have to leave behind. Annie is torn between Evan’s grounding presence and Walker’s magnetic secrets. But then, Walker vanishes, along with the answers she needs about who she really is.
Six years later, Annie has left the sea and buried the past—until Walker’s otherworldly sound returns, pulling her back toward the ocean and the life she abandoned. The truth under the water is more ancient than she ever could have known, and Annie must confront a choice that will test her heart and determine her future.
Annie MacLeod always knew she was different, growing up on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest, navigating by stars and swimming with sea creatures alongside her parents and best friend Evan. But when a tsunami shatters her world, Annie is stranded on land and forced to confront how eccentric she is. In the wreckage, she rescues a wordless man named Walker, who emits a hum only she can hear.
Their connection is instant, electric. Walker’s touch gives Annie visions of the ocean’s hidden world, a life she’s never known but feels inexplicably drawn to. Yet even as she is pulled toward him, Evan—the steadfast love who has always been there—remains on dry land, offering the stability she may have to leave behind. Annie is torn between Evan’s grounding presence and Walker’s magnetic secrets. But then, Walker vanishes, along with the answers she needs about who she really is.
Six years later, Annie has left the sea and buried the past—until Walker’s otherworldly sound returns, pulling her back toward the ocean and the life she abandoned. The truth under the water is more ancient than she ever could have known, and Annie must confront a choice that will test her heart and determine her future.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
August 8, 2026
Basically if remarkably bright creatures and twilight had a forbidden love child
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 ⭐
A tsunami upends her enviable explorer lifestyle along with all that was solid and reliable, and Annie MacLeod soon finds herself at a crossroads; stay with what’s comfortable, stable and grounding OR risk it all for adventure, magic and secrecy.
I felt the pull of the familiar as much as I longed for her to heed the whispers of adventure. I appreciated the call to leave all that robs us of our childlike trust and sense of wonder and a unique plot focused on choices, resilience and connections.
Unfortunately, the author’s choice of writing style and format didn’t appeal to me.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A tsunami upends her enviable explorer lifestyle along with all that was solid and reliable, and Annie MacLeod soon finds herself at a crossroads; stay with what’s comfortable, stable and grounding OR risk it all for adventure, magic and secrecy.
I felt the pull of the familiar as much as I longed for her to heed the whispers of adventure. I appreciated the call to leave all that robs us of our childlike trust and sense of wonder and a unique plot focused on choices, resilience and connections.
Unfortunately, the author’s choice of writing style and format didn’t appeal to me.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 18, 2025
Beautiful. Breathtaking. Indescribable. Unlike anything I’ve ever read before, in the best way possible. This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page; I truly haven’t stopped thinking about it.
August 1, 2026
I'm starting to think I wasn't particularly lucky with my book choices during this Portugal trip. I really thought The Wild Beneath was going to be THE book.
Maybe I went in with expectations that were a little too high (which is never fair to a book), but the premise sounded exactly like something I would love. It felt very fitting, considering I was reading it while spending my vacation by the sea.
I ended up reading most of it in just two sittings: one on the train to Porto and the other on my journey back home. I don't know if reading it that way affected my experience, but I guess we'll never know.
First things first: the book started really, really strong. I was immediately hooked by the dual timeline and the different povs, although Annie's was definitely the one we spent the most time with. The present timeline follows the aftermath of a tragic event that completely changes Annie's life and it broke my heart. The author did a wonderful job portraying grief because I could really feel Annie's sadness and loneliness through the pages.
I also loved the chapters set in the past—watching Annie grow up on a sailboat surrounded by the ocean was fascinating. I don't think I could ever live that kind of life myself, but I loved reading about it. I could tell how much love the author has for the sea and for that lifestyle because it wasn't romanticized; it was simply an essential part of who the characters are, especially Annie's mother.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the side characters. There wasn't a single one I found uninteresting, and I always loved when we switched povs because it gave me a better understanding of everyone around Annie.
So... if I enjoyed all of that, why only three stars? That's honestly the difficult part to explain. As I said, I liked the writing. I liked the characters. I even liked what the book was trying to say. But somewhere around the middle, I started struggling. The pacing became quite repetitive for me. It felt like some emotions, conversations, and situations kept going in circles, and I just wanted the story to move forward. I even considered dnfing it once I reached the second half. I won't go into specifics because I don't want to spoil the book, but some decisions the characters made didn't convince me, and I don't know the way we reached the ending wasn't my favorite.
I think this book also confirmed something I've been suspecting for a while: magical realism is a very hit-or-miss genre for me. When it works, I love it. But when it doesn't... well, you can guess. It's pretty disappointing. And we can all repeat together: I understood the message, but the way it was presented just wasn't for me.
That being said, I appreciated what I took away from it. Annie (and many of the other characters) go through devastating losses. This isn't an easy story but it reminded me that healing is possible. It also explores what happens when we're forced to leave behind the truest version of ourselves we've always known and learn to embrace someone new.
I also loved the way the book questions the idea of home. Home isn't always a place with the classic four walls. Sometimes it's the people who make you feel understood. And sometimes it's simply finding the place where you finally feel like you belong.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc.
Maybe I went in with expectations that were a little too high (which is never fair to a book), but the premise sounded exactly like something I would love. It felt very fitting, considering I was reading it while spending my vacation by the sea.
I ended up reading most of it in just two sittings: one on the train to Porto and the other on my journey back home. I don't know if reading it that way affected my experience, but I guess we'll never know.
First things first: the book started really, really strong. I was immediately hooked by the dual timeline and the different povs, although Annie's was definitely the one we spent the most time with. The present timeline follows the aftermath of a tragic event that completely changes Annie's life and it broke my heart. The author did a wonderful job portraying grief because I could really feel Annie's sadness and loneliness through the pages.
I also loved the chapters set in the past—watching Annie grow up on a sailboat surrounded by the ocean was fascinating. I don't think I could ever live that kind of life myself, but I loved reading about it. I could tell how much love the author has for the sea and for that lifestyle because it wasn't romanticized; it was simply an essential part of who the characters are, especially Annie's mother.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the side characters. There wasn't a single one I found uninteresting, and I always loved when we switched povs because it gave me a better understanding of everyone around Annie.
So... if I enjoyed all of that, why only three stars? That's honestly the difficult part to explain. As I said, I liked the writing. I liked the characters. I even liked what the book was trying to say. But somewhere around the middle, I started struggling. The pacing became quite repetitive for me. It felt like some emotions, conversations, and situations kept going in circles, and I just wanted the story to move forward. I even considered dnfing it once I reached the second half. I won't go into specifics because I don't want to spoil the book, but some decisions the characters made didn't convince me, and I don't know the way we reached the ending wasn't my favorite.
I think this book also confirmed something I've been suspecting for a while: magical realism is a very hit-or-miss genre for me. When it works, I love it. But when it doesn't... well, you can guess. It's pretty disappointing. And we can all repeat together: I understood the message, but the way it was presented just wasn't for me.
That being said, I appreciated what I took away from it. Annie (and many of the other characters) go through devastating losses. This isn't an easy story but it reminded me that healing is possible. It also explores what happens when we're forced to leave behind the truest version of ourselves we've always known and learn to embrace someone new.
I also loved the way the book questions the idea of home. Home isn't always a place with the classic four walls. Sometimes it's the people who make you feel understood. And sometimes it's simply finding the place where you finally feel like you belong.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc.
July 28, 2026
This story spoke to my soul. The emphasis on our interconnectedness with nature, the prose, the love stories, the yearning, the way Anderson writes with such childlike curiosity. I loved it. I really loved it.
On the surface, this is a story about Annie, a girl raised on a sailboat with an almost instinctive connection to the ocean. But it’s so much more than that. It’s an exploration of what happens when we’re pushed away from the wild, curious versions of ourselves and expected to find our place in a world that often asks us to let go of wonder.
It’s about searching for your people, finding love in those who accept you exactly as you are, and rediscovering the parts of yourself you were taught to outgrow. It’s about the restorative power of solitude in nature. It’s about grief, depression, heartbreak, and the quiet hope that healing is possible. There is magic here, but it’s subtle and perfect.
The ending is ambiguous and may frustrate some readers, but I found it thoughtful and true to the story. It challenged me without feeling unearned. I could also see some readers struggling with the slower pacing. For me, it felt exactly right. Admittedly, Annie and Mara both annoyed me at times but it felt intentional enough that it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
I think weird nature adults who used to be weird nature kids, especially those who sometimes feel overwhelmed by the modern world, are going to adore this. If you gravitate toward stories about self-discovery, belonging, and love, I think this one will stay with you.
Basically, It reminded me to pay attention to the natural world, to stay curious, and to protect the parts of myself that still feel a bit of magic in nature.
Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
On the surface, this is a story about Annie, a girl raised on a sailboat with an almost instinctive connection to the ocean. But it’s so much more than that. It’s an exploration of what happens when we’re pushed away from the wild, curious versions of ourselves and expected to find our place in a world that often asks us to let go of wonder.
It’s about searching for your people, finding love in those who accept you exactly as you are, and rediscovering the parts of yourself you were taught to outgrow. It’s about the restorative power of solitude in nature. It’s about grief, depression, heartbreak, and the quiet hope that healing is possible. There is magic here, but it’s subtle and perfect.
The ending is ambiguous and may frustrate some readers, but I found it thoughtful and true to the story. It challenged me without feeling unearned. I could also see some readers struggling with the slower pacing. For me, it felt exactly right. Admittedly, Annie and Mara both annoyed me at times but it felt intentional enough that it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
I think weird nature adults who used to be weird nature kids, especially those who sometimes feel overwhelmed by the modern world, are going to adore this. If you gravitate toward stories about self-discovery, belonging, and love, I think this one will stay with you.
Basically, It reminded me to pay attention to the natural world, to stay curious, and to protect the parts of myself that still feel a bit of magic in nature.
Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2026
I received this ARC as part of giveaway from Booktrovert. Thank you so much!! I was really hoping to love this one.
DNF at 16% due to undisclosed animal cruelty. The community takes axes and chainsaws to a living beached humpback whale. What the actual fuck - why do this to me. I just watched Blackfish. I can’t take this.
Someone marked this as a TW: brief harm to a whale. I get that they were trying to help. But that wasn’t brief harm. The moment was brief, but the chopping up a live whale is not just harm in my book and the distress lasts longer than a brief moment. The fact someone made this up and wrote it in a book disturbs me.
DNF at 16% due to undisclosed animal cruelty. The community takes axes and chainsaws to a living beached humpback whale. What the actual fuck - why do this to me. I just watched Blackfish. I can’t take this.
Someone marked this as a TW: brief harm to a whale. I get that they were trying to help. But that wasn’t brief harm. The moment was brief, but the chopping up a live whale is not just harm in my book and the distress lasts longer than a brief moment. The fact someone made this up and wrote it in a book disturbs me.
April 27, 2026
THIS BOOK. So dreamy.
🧜♀️ saltwater vibes
🪼 magical realism
🐚 alternating timelines
🌊 coming of age
⛵️ lyrical storytelling
This book felt like salt air, grief, mystery, and longing all tangled together.
I loved the medical threads woven into two of the main characters, one a doctor and one a nurse. The little bits of medical jargon and nursing care? Chef’s kiss.
I loved the boat being such a central part of the story. It wasn’t just a setting. It felt alive. Atmospheric, intimate, and full of secrets.
And the ocean? The author made it feel mysterious and dangerous, but also comforting. Like it was telling its own story. Like it was home.
There’s also this recurring theme of stepping away from phones, work, and the autopilot blur of life to actually live for the people we love. And honestly? Tempting. Extremely tempting. Throw my phone into the sea, babes.
And personally, I read the main character as neurodivergent, and I was very much here for it.
At its heart, this is about love, loss, family, and the kind of longing that lives deep under the surface. Soft, strange, and beautiful.
⚠️TW: brief harm to a whale, death of a parent, alcohol misuse
🧜♀️ saltwater vibes
🪼 magical realism
🐚 alternating timelines
🌊 coming of age
⛵️ lyrical storytelling
This book felt like salt air, grief, mystery, and longing all tangled together.
I loved the medical threads woven into two of the main characters, one a doctor and one a nurse. The little bits of medical jargon and nursing care? Chef’s kiss.
I loved the boat being such a central part of the story. It wasn’t just a setting. It felt alive. Atmospheric, intimate, and full of secrets.
And the ocean? The author made it feel mysterious and dangerous, but also comforting. Like it was telling its own story. Like it was home.
There’s also this recurring theme of stepping away from phones, work, and the autopilot blur of life to actually live for the people we love. And honestly? Tempting. Extremely tempting. Throw my phone into the sea, babes.
And personally, I read the main character as neurodivergent, and I was very much here for it.
At its heart, this is about love, loss, family, and the kind of longing that lives deep under the surface. Soft, strange, and beautiful.
⚠️TW: brief harm to a whale, death of a parent, alcohol misuse
March 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.
This story is ethereal, a little haunting, mysterious and so unique. If you’ve ever felt drawn to the ocean, you need to read this book. I felt enveloped in this story and wrapped up with all of its characters. I found little pieces of myself in all of them and loved the multiple POV. Annie is complex and I didn’t mind being in the dark with her because the journey to the light was so beautiful.
There are so many beautiful themes to explore in this book: love, coming of age, resilience, unconditional love and our relationship with nature, modern day living and technology. I think I could wax poetic about it for weeks.
At first, Mara really bothered me, but I came to understand her much the same as Aiden did, and isn’t that the whole point of the story??
Will be telling everyone to read 🩵
This story is ethereal, a little haunting, mysterious and so unique. If you’ve ever felt drawn to the ocean, you need to read this book. I felt enveloped in this story and wrapped up with all of its characters. I found little pieces of myself in all of them and loved the multiple POV. Annie is complex and I didn’t mind being in the dark with her because the journey to the light was so beautiful.
There are so many beautiful themes to explore in this book: love, coming of age, resilience, unconditional love and our relationship with nature, modern day living and technology. I think I could wax poetic about it for weeks.
At first, Mara really bothered me, but I came to understand her much the same as Aiden did, and isn’t that the whole point of the story??
Will be telling everyone to read 🩵
July 27, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
Annie MacLeod had an unusual upbringing. She spent the majority of her first 18 years on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest with her parents. Her father, trained as a physician, left his career when he found Mara, Annie’s mother, naked and stranded on an island decades ago and they took to the sea.
For Mara was called to the ocean.
But now, a tsunami has destroyed the small community where Annie was staying with her grandmother, and her parents are likely dead.
Evan, Annie’s best friend since childhood and steadfast love is there to help her put the shattered pieces of her life back together.
But then, one morning Annie finds a naked man walking on the beach. Called Walker, he has an undeniable pull that Annie can’t resist.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
Wow. I devoured this one.
Unsure what to expect, but knowing there was some magical realism woven into the story, I was wary, but this magic is subtle and mostly left to the reader’s imagination.
I understood where this was going early on but that took nothing away from the journey, which covers nearly 30 years of Annie’s life.
Evan is introduced as a wounded little boy who comes into his own growing up on the boat with Annie and seems the perfect match, and yet Walker has an undeniable and unexplained connection with Annie as well.
But it’s not a romance, though there are some elements, it’s so much more.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
It’s compared to Wild Dark Shore and I can’t think of any better. The ocean, the strange and unexpected visitors, the atmospheric writing.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
I can’t imagine this not being enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a character driven story that is part mystery, part coming of age, part ethereal oceanic fairy tale.
Annie MacLeod had an unusual upbringing. She spent the majority of her first 18 years on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest with her parents. Her father, trained as a physician, left his career when he found Mara, Annie’s mother, naked and stranded on an island decades ago and they took to the sea.
For Mara was called to the ocean.
But now, a tsunami has destroyed the small community where Annie was staying with her grandmother, and her parents are likely dead.
Evan, Annie’s best friend since childhood and steadfast love is there to help her put the shattered pieces of her life back together.
But then, one morning Annie finds a naked man walking on the beach. Called Walker, he has an undeniable pull that Annie can’t resist.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
Wow. I devoured this one.
Unsure what to expect, but knowing there was some magical realism woven into the story, I was wary, but this magic is subtle and mostly left to the reader’s imagination.
I understood where this was going early on but that took nothing away from the journey, which covers nearly 30 years of Annie’s life.
Evan is introduced as a wounded little boy who comes into his own growing up on the boat with Annie and seems the perfect match, and yet Walker has an undeniable and unexplained connection with Annie as well.
But it’s not a romance, though there are some elements, it’s so much more.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
It’s compared to Wild Dark Shore and I can’t think of any better. The ocean, the strange and unexpected visitors, the atmospheric writing.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
I can’t imagine this not being enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a character driven story that is part mystery, part coming of age, part ethereal oceanic fairy tale.
January 22, 2026
This was a beautiful read that pulled me in from the first page, and from there I couldn’t put it down. It balances romance and mystery perfectly, and I felt totally immersed in another world. I’m grateful to have been able to read an advance copy and would highly recommend!
February 12, 2026
Described as fantasy, this story was so much more than that...mystery, romance, young love, true love, family, our connection to the environment...all so perfectly balanced and real. It was heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. So beautifully written and so compelling that I couldn't put it down and it left me immediately wanting more once finished. It left me with that warm glow that only a superb read can for days afterwards. I’m grateful to have been able to read an advance copy and cannot tell you enough how much I highly recommend it!
April 13, 2026
Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced digital copy. These are the type of stories that I adore. Mostly realistic fiction, with a lot of heart, and a sprinkling of fantasy. I didn't want it to end.
August 5, 2026
📖 4.25 ⭐️. Okay I don’t think this is for every reader. I was confused a bit. You have to be ok with some confusion here. But this book is so beautifully written- mysterious, lyrical, ethereal, mystical. The confusion propelled me forward, though, as I wanted to know what the heck was going on and how this story would play out. Fascinated by the aftermath of a tsunami and Mira & Annie’s connection/pull to the ocean. This story stretched my brain, and I’m still thinking about it the next day.
Notes while reading:
-Do not necessarily recommend for someone who doesn’t read a lot or wants a more straightforward read. Halfway through and still confused- but I think I’m supposed to be- you have to be patient here!
-Sort of virgin river vibes in the sense that they are far from civilization and even farther now as a result of the tsunami damage
-Wow this stretched my brain. Reminds me of Wild dark shore in terms of atmospheric and the power of the ocean
-Love the deep respect for the ocean and forest.
-Also love the Erica Bauermeister quote at the beginning and reference in the acknowledgements!
Notes while reading:
-Do not necessarily recommend for someone who doesn’t read a lot or wants a more straightforward read. Halfway through and still confused- but I think I’m supposed to be- you have to be patient here!
-Sort of virgin river vibes in the sense that they are far from civilization and even farther now as a result of the tsunami damage
-Wow this stretched my brain. Reminds me of Wild dark shore in terms of atmospheric and the power of the ocean
-Love the deep respect for the ocean and forest.
-Also love the Erica Bauermeister quote at the beginning and reference in the acknowledgements!
July 12, 2026
5⭐️
“The sea takes all of it. Annie realizes somewhere in the wild beneath, she’s not alone anymore.”
This book was so different than anything I have read recently, it was so refreshing. The Wild Beneath has a bit of everything: romance, mystery, grief/loss, and magic that captivated me so much I finished it in less than 24hrs.
The Wild Beneath follows Annie who lives in the PNW after a tsunami devastated her remote island and ended her previous life that was filled with sailing with her parents who have now gone missing. She ends up finding a mysterious man in the wreckage who doesn’t speak much, but has a hum to him that only she can hear. As Annie’s story unfolds, she has to choose between her childhood love and the mysterious man that has changed everything for her.
I loved Annie’s refusal to modernize and maintain her wildness along with her parent’s joy for living a simple life sailing on the sea. The glamorization of a simpler life served as a reminder that in the hustle and bustle we all need to slow down and realize who we are and what we want to be.
“The sea takes all of it. Annie realizes somewhere in the wild beneath, she’s not alone anymore.”
This book was so different than anything I have read recently, it was so refreshing. The Wild Beneath has a bit of everything: romance, mystery, grief/loss, and magic that captivated me so much I finished it in less than 24hrs.
The Wild Beneath follows Annie who lives in the PNW after a tsunami devastated her remote island and ended her previous life that was filled with sailing with her parents who have now gone missing. She ends up finding a mysterious man in the wreckage who doesn’t speak much, but has a hum to him that only she can hear. As Annie’s story unfolds, she has to choose between her childhood love and the mysterious man that has changed everything for her.
I loved Annie’s refusal to modernize and maintain her wildness along with her parent’s joy for living a simple life sailing on the sea. The glamorization of a simpler life served as a reminder that in the hustle and bustle we all need to slow down and realize who we are and what we want to be.
Did Not Finish
August 6, 2026NO: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I do not rate these “tested”
books. This is really for me. I will not be buying, reading borrowing this book.
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Stunning cover.
I tried to read this. Oh lord I can’t. The writing is ridiculous. She’s trying to write poetically and this doesn’t work for me. Just say it. It’s post tsunami and suddenly a naked young man shows up on the beach. Stupid. I’m done. Via reviews there’s a love triangle nope. I know it’s also about the love of nature I just don’t think this writing is for me.
I do not rate these “tested”
books. This is really for me. I will not be buying, reading borrowing this book.
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:
Stunning cover.
I tried to read this. Oh lord I can’t. The writing is ridiculous. She’s trying to write poetically and this doesn’t work for me. Just say it. It’s post tsunami and suddenly a naked young man shows up on the beach. Stupid. I’m done. Via reviews there’s a love triangle nope. I know it’s also about the love of nature I just don’t think this writing is for me.
Read
August 15, 2026Wild beneded salt choices
pink huge orange draw horizon
magic ocean whisperes secrets
tsunami of life play by ours griefs
we sink at hot dream
whatever the end was
its our saga
our myth whisper
love
scarafay
tuch
soulmat
pink huge orange draw horizon
magic ocean whisperes secrets
tsunami of life play by ours griefs
we sink at hot dream
whatever the end was
its our saga
our myth whisper
love
scarafay
tuch
soulmat
July 20, 2026
I’m sorry to say this one didn’t work for me…I had started reading it and put it down for a week and decided to start it over again to give it a fair shot since I wasn’t in the head space to concentrate when I started it.
Annie grew up on a sailboat with her parents. When a tsunami destroys her coastal town and wipes away everything she’s ever known, she’s at a crossroads. While the tsunami swept away her parents, it swept in a handsome stranger on the beach. As Annie gets to know him, she finds herself caught between her first love and this stranger. This stranger makes her confront who she truly is, and discovers that despite her fear of the ocean following the tsunami, it seems to be calling to her through this stranger.
I am not sure what the truth is about this story and I just struggled to connect with it. This story is clearly more than a love triangle, but to me that was the most interesting part. But I feel like the true message was Annie’s connection and pull to the ocean. I felt that was lost and muddled with everything else going on.
I just struggled to connect and this one wasn’t for me.
Annie grew up on a sailboat with her parents. When a tsunami destroys her coastal town and wipes away everything she’s ever known, she’s at a crossroads. While the tsunami swept away her parents, it swept in a handsome stranger on the beach. As Annie gets to know him, she finds herself caught between her first love and this stranger. This stranger makes her confront who she truly is, and discovers that despite her fear of the ocean following the tsunami, it seems to be calling to her through this stranger.
I am not sure what the truth is about this story and I just struggled to connect with it. This story is clearly more than a love triangle, but to me that was the most interesting part. But I feel like the true message was Annie’s connection and pull to the ocean. I felt that was lost and muddled with everything else going on.
I just struggled to connect and this one wasn’t for me.
August 6, 2026
3.75/5⭐️ The Wild Beneath is a beautiful and atmospheric tale with magical realism woven throughout. In this story, we are mostly following Annie, who grew up on a boat with her parents. Both Annie and her mother had a strong connection to the sea and always felt called back to it when on land. When a tsunami destroys Annie's small town and likely kills her parents, she has to decide her own future and wrestles with emotional entanglements.
The Wild Beneath's strengths lie in the writing itself. There is no question that Anderson is a talented writer. The story consumes you and the writing made it so easy to imagine. The overall themes were communicated well through magical realism. The main points were the call to the ocean and nature, feeling unwell when consumed by work and technology, and reconnecting with our planet like other animals. I really appreciated the message in this and how it was delivered. I also strongly suspect Annie was written to be a neurodivergent character but that's my own interpretation.
This story can be quite ambiguous at times which is something I don't mind but I can see other readers struggling with that. If you're going to pick this up, I would keep in mind that several elements are left up to the reader's interpretation.
Overall, this was a really beautiful story about human's relationship with nature. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is that I wasn't totally sold on the romance in this. Other than that, I'd be interested in reading more from this author.
Thank you Park Row/The Hive for the eARC and Libro.FM for the ALC! All thoughts are my own.
The Wild Beneath's strengths lie in the writing itself. There is no question that Anderson is a talented writer. The story consumes you and the writing made it so easy to imagine. The overall themes were communicated well through magical realism. The main points were the call to the ocean and nature, feeling unwell when consumed by work and technology, and reconnecting with our planet like other animals. I really appreciated the message in this and how it was delivered. I also strongly suspect Annie was written to be a neurodivergent character but that's my own interpretation.
This story can be quite ambiguous at times which is something I don't mind but I can see other readers struggling with that. If you're going to pick this up, I would keep in mind that several elements are left up to the reader's interpretation.
Overall, this was a really beautiful story about human's relationship with nature. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is that I wasn't totally sold on the romance in this. Other than that, I'd be interested in reading more from this author.
Thank you Park Row/The Hive for the eARC and Libro.FM for the ALC! All thoughts are my own.
August 2, 2026
4.75⭐️
Something I discovered about myself over the last few years is that I don’t always need to completely understand a book in order to love it. Not every ending needs to be wrapped up neatly in a pretty package. In fact, there are some stories that are best when they play on in my head and my heart.
THE WILD BENEATH is one of those books.
I was captivated from word one by Kelly Anderson’s gorgeous writing. Lyrical and atmospheric, every sentence seemed to flow into the next and those sentences held me spellbound as they combined to tell a moving story.
This is a heavily character driven story with characters who are a bit quirky, a lot mysterious, and not always likable. Their decisions seem to occasionally defy logic, yet they are consistent with the profiles crafted by the author. Again, I don’t have to understand it to appreciate the way the pieces fit together.
This is a book about connections —between people and the natural world—and it carried me along much like the ocean currents depicted in the book. It has been compared to Wild Dark Shores and I understand why, yet it stands on its own as entirely unique and creative.
While I may not be able to explain this book to you, I can encourage you to read it. There’s magic in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Something I discovered about myself over the last few years is that I don’t always need to completely understand a book in order to love it. Not every ending needs to be wrapped up neatly in a pretty package. In fact, there are some stories that are best when they play on in my head and my heart.
THE WILD BENEATH is one of those books.
I was captivated from word one by Kelly Anderson’s gorgeous writing. Lyrical and atmospheric, every sentence seemed to flow into the next and those sentences held me spellbound as they combined to tell a moving story.
This is a heavily character driven story with characters who are a bit quirky, a lot mysterious, and not always likable. Their decisions seem to occasionally defy logic, yet they are consistent with the profiles crafted by the author. Again, I don’t have to understand it to appreciate the way the pieces fit together.
This is a book about connections —between people and the natural world—and it carried me along much like the ocean currents depicted in the book. It has been compared to Wild Dark Shores and I understand why, yet it stands on its own as entirely unique and creative.
While I may not be able to explain this book to you, I can encourage you to read it. There’s magic in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
August 6, 2026
I am having the hardest time putting my thoughts about this book into words, but I'll do my best!
Annie grew up on the water, sailing with her parents for most of the year. After an absolutely shattering event, she finds herself adrift on land, disconnected from the water and longing to feel connected to someone or something.
This is a very vibey book. It feels mystical and magical, haunting, and so atmospheric. The author gives us so many messages about nature, about the importance of connection to our planet, and about acceptance and love in its pages, and the whole book almost feels like a dream. It has definite notes of magical realism, a bit of romance, and plenty of familial dysfunction as it time jumps its way through Annie's life.
This is definitely a slower paced, character driven story. The comparisons to Wild Dark Shore feel absolutely fitting, though I enjoyed this one much more than WDS.
*TW for one scene of animal cruelty.
Annie grew up on the water, sailing with her parents for most of the year. After an absolutely shattering event, she finds herself adrift on land, disconnected from the water and longing to feel connected to someone or something.
This is a very vibey book. It feels mystical and magical, haunting, and so atmospheric. The author gives us so many messages about nature, about the importance of connection to our planet, and about acceptance and love in its pages, and the whole book almost feels like a dream. It has definite notes of magical realism, a bit of romance, and plenty of familial dysfunction as it time jumps its way through Annie's life.
This is definitely a slower paced, character driven story. The comparisons to Wild Dark Shore feel absolutely fitting, though I enjoyed this one much more than WDS.
*TW for one scene of animal cruelty.
July 31, 2026
This is the most unique story I've read thus far in 2026!
Go into this one blind like I did and please love the journey. There’s so much magic in this book. It’s a love letter to the ocean and trees and the world around us.
TROPES LIST ⬇️
coming of age
magical realism
dual timeline
sea mythology
love triangle
emotionally driven
life after loss
Y’all need to read this book. It’s a debut that makes me think we are in for a treat for all that comes next for this author.
Go into this one blind like I did and please love the journey. There’s so much magic in this book. It’s a love letter to the ocean and trees and the world around us.
TROPES LIST ⬇️
coming of age
magical realism
dual timeline
sea mythology
love triangle
emotionally driven
life after loss
Y’all need to read this book. It’s a debut that makes me think we are in for a treat for all that comes next for this author.
July 3, 2026
The first quarter of The Wild Beneath completely hooked me. I was constantly asking questions and making wild theories. Who is Walker? Why does he know so much about Mara and Annie? Why did Annie have to be born in the water? What’s making that strange noise? Every night I found myself lying awake trying to piece it all together. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day for me to read this fast enough because I needed to know where it was all going.
Unfortunately, that momentum didn’t last.
This is somehow both a fast- and slow-paced novel. Time passes quickly, but the story itself unfolds at such a gradual pace that around the 40% mark I started losing steam. The middle section felt far longer than it needed to be, and I honestly considered adding it to my DNF pile before deciding to push through. While the final quarter picked the pace back up again, the ending ultimately felt like a letdown.
I had guessed fairly early where the story was likely headed, but I kept reading because I was convinced there would be another layer waiting for me. The book opened so many fascinating doors, yet many of them were never fully explored. There were so many unique directions this story could have taken, and I found myself wishing it had been a little bolder.
The biggest issue for me, though, was the characters. I never really became attached to any of them or invested in their relationships. Walker, especially, felt too juvenile for the romance to land. His shift from childlike curiosity to romantic interest happened so suddenly that their relationship felt more like a device to create tension with Evan than something that developed naturally. Even after acknowledging she’s thinking about Evan, Annie simply moves on, and that entire sequence felt awkward rather than emotionally convincing. I kept waiting to feel the chemistry everyone was acting on, but it never arrived.
Ironically, Evan ended up being the character I cared about the most.
I also found myself far more interested in the women who surrounded the story than the central romance. I wanted to know so much more about Ruth, Mara, and especially Celeste. Their histories hinted at something much richer than what we were shown. Likewise, I wish the parallels between Annie’s relationship with the ocean and Evan’s relationship with the land had been explored with greater intention because there was so much thematic potential there.
The novel’s message about our relationship with water is beautiful, and I absolutely understood what Anderson was trying to say—that water is not separate from us but part of who we are. But I found myself wishing she’d leaned even further into the magical realism. The concept of the literal wild beneath the waves was, to me, the most compelling part of the novel, and I desperately wanted to spend more time there. That was the book I thought I was picking up.
I completely understand why this has so many five-star reviews, but it ultimately just wasn’t for me. In fact, I wonder if readers who haven’t yet developed a strong connection to land and water might get more out of it than those who already have. As someone who already sees those relationships as deeply personal and foundational, I found myself wanting the story to push much further than it did.
There was so much promise here. The mystery at the beginning had me absolutely captivated, but by the end I was left wishing the characters had been more fully realized, the magical elements had been explored more deeply, and the story had followed through on the incredible possibilities it introduced.
Miigwech netgalley & harper collins canada for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, that momentum didn’t last.
This is somehow both a fast- and slow-paced novel. Time passes quickly, but the story itself unfolds at such a gradual pace that around the 40% mark I started losing steam. The middle section felt far longer than it needed to be, and I honestly considered adding it to my DNF pile before deciding to push through. While the final quarter picked the pace back up again, the ending ultimately felt like a letdown.
I had guessed fairly early where the story was likely headed, but I kept reading because I was convinced there would be another layer waiting for me. The book opened so many fascinating doors, yet many of them were never fully explored. There were so many unique directions this story could have taken, and I found myself wishing it had been a little bolder.
The biggest issue for me, though, was the characters. I never really became attached to any of them or invested in their relationships. Walker, especially, felt too juvenile for the romance to land. His shift from childlike curiosity to romantic interest happened so suddenly that their relationship felt more like a device to create tension with Evan than something that developed naturally. Even after acknowledging she’s thinking about Evan, Annie simply moves on, and that entire sequence felt awkward rather than emotionally convincing. I kept waiting to feel the chemistry everyone was acting on, but it never arrived.
Ironically, Evan ended up being the character I cared about the most.
I also found myself far more interested in the women who surrounded the story than the central romance. I wanted to know so much more about Ruth, Mara, and especially Celeste. Their histories hinted at something much richer than what we were shown. Likewise, I wish the parallels between Annie’s relationship with the ocean and Evan’s relationship with the land had been explored with greater intention because there was so much thematic potential there.
The novel’s message about our relationship with water is beautiful, and I absolutely understood what Anderson was trying to say—that water is not separate from us but part of who we are. But I found myself wishing she’d leaned even further into the magical realism. The concept of the literal wild beneath the waves was, to me, the most compelling part of the novel, and I desperately wanted to spend more time there. That was the book I thought I was picking up.
I completely understand why this has so many five-star reviews, but it ultimately just wasn’t for me. In fact, I wonder if readers who haven’t yet developed a strong connection to land and water might get more out of it than those who already have. As someone who already sees those relationships as deeply personal and foundational, I found myself wanting the story to push much further than it did.
There was so much promise here. The mystery at the beginning had me absolutely captivated, but by the end I was left wishing the characters had been more fully realized, the magical elements had been explored more deeply, and the story had followed through on the incredible possibilities it introduced.
Miigwech netgalley & harper collins canada for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2026
I truly have never read a book like this one. A book whose very words ebb and flow like the ocean in which this book is about. This as an absolute spellbinding reading experience from start to finish.
July 26, 2026
this book is a love letter to the sea, and it is perfect for those who are looking for exactly that and nothing else.
gorgeously written with strong prose, but all that beauty is unfortunately overshadowed by the very slow pacing and the painfully bleak main characters.
i genuinely wish we had more time with some of the side characters as they felt like better established individuals, compared to the main female character who—to be honest, i have no idea who she really is nor what the main message of her story is meant to be.
this book wasn’t for me, but i’m sure it has its own audience out there.
many thanks to HarperCollins for providing me an eARC via NetGalley.
gorgeously written with strong prose, but all that beauty is unfortunately overshadowed by the very slow pacing and the painfully bleak main characters.
i genuinely wish we had more time with some of the side characters as they felt like better established individuals, compared to the main female character who—to be honest, i have no idea who she really is nor what the main message of her story is meant to be.
this book wasn’t for me, but i’m sure it has its own audience out there.
many thanks to HarperCollins for providing me an eARC via NetGalley.
August 13, 2026
2⭐️ What did I just listen to?? I finished it mostly because I needed to know if the mermaid/whale/fish transformation thing I invented in my head was actually going to happen.
Want to Read
January 25, 2026What an accomplishment. Creating a novel filled with ocean magic, love, loss, and mystery takes real vision. What a stunning creative achievement. I can’t wait for the world to read it.
August 15, 2026
Thank you Libro fm for the free review copy.
The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson is a magical realism novel. It is Reese’s Book Club’s pick for August 2026.
I did like this one but I do have very mixed feelings about it. I feel like I spent much of the time either confused by what was happening or being frustrated by not getting any closure to many elements of the plot. But, on the flip side, that also means that it’s fairly open to your own interpretations and lets you fill in the blanks by yourself a bit.
The narrator of this audiobook is Sarah Mollo-Christensen. I found her narration to be only okay for me, but I do generally struggle a bit with single narrator audiobooks (I mean, it is a long time to listen to just one voice). Her performance is overall fine, but her voice inflection was a bit grating to me after a while. It is one of those books that I feel I may have enjoyed more if I’d read it instead of listened to it.
This story is told with a nonlinear timeline. The bulk of the plot occurs after a large earthquake near Canada triggers a massive tsunami that wipes out much of the coastline. So, first of all, can I just say it’s a relief to have a book centered around the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake that is *not* set in Southern California. (For context, I live in Southern California lol).
The story follows Annie MacLeod, a young woman with an undeniable connection to the sea after an unconventional upbringing on a sailboat. She’s caught up in the aftermath of the tsunami damage when she rescues a mysterious man on shore. The story follows along as Annie is caught between the mystery man and her best friend Evan, plus her ill grandmother and missing parents, and the devastation of the remote coastal town.
The story kept my attention and it took unexpected twists, which I really like. There’s great depth of characters, the other-worldly magical realism elements add intrigue, and essentially there’s a blooming love triangle to add another layer of strife to the plot. However, overall, I am left feeling like it had a lot of great tension building up—but then it all just fizzled out without any real closure or answers to various events in the plot, which ultimately left me frustrated. So, sure, I can fill in the blanks a bit myself but I’d prefer a neat any tidy happily ever after (which is generally why I stick to romance books).
The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson is a magical realism novel. It is Reese’s Book Club’s pick for August 2026.
I did like this one but I do have very mixed feelings about it. I feel like I spent much of the time either confused by what was happening or being frustrated by not getting any closure to many elements of the plot. But, on the flip side, that also means that it’s fairly open to your own interpretations and lets you fill in the blanks by yourself a bit.
The narrator of this audiobook is Sarah Mollo-Christensen. I found her narration to be only okay for me, but I do generally struggle a bit with single narrator audiobooks (I mean, it is a long time to listen to just one voice). Her performance is overall fine, but her voice inflection was a bit grating to me after a while. It is one of those books that I feel I may have enjoyed more if I’d read it instead of listened to it.
This story is told with a nonlinear timeline. The bulk of the plot occurs after a large earthquake near Canada triggers a massive tsunami that wipes out much of the coastline. So, first of all, can I just say it’s a relief to have a book centered around the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake that is *not* set in Southern California. (For context, I live in Southern California lol).
The story follows Annie MacLeod, a young woman with an undeniable connection to the sea after an unconventional upbringing on a sailboat. She’s caught up in the aftermath of the tsunami damage when she rescues a mysterious man on shore. The story follows along as Annie is caught between the mystery man and her best friend Evan, plus her ill grandmother and missing parents, and the devastation of the remote coastal town.
The story kept my attention and it took unexpected twists, which I really like. There’s great depth of characters, the other-worldly magical realism elements add intrigue, and essentially there’s a blooming love triangle to add another layer of strife to the plot. However, overall, I am left feeling like it had a lot of great tension building up—but then it all just fizzled out without any real closure or answers to various events in the plot, which ultimately left me frustrated. So, sure, I can fill in the blanks a bit myself but I’d prefer a neat any tidy happily ever after (which is generally why I stick to romance books).
August 3, 2026
(3.75 stars)
Many thanks to Park Row Books & HTP Books for my free physical & digital ARCs! All opinions are my own.
This book is for you if you like mystical, mysterious stories where nature and particularly the ocean are a character on their own. We meet our characters in the aftermath of a destructive, tragic tsunami and through flashbacks, we also get to know them before. The story centers on Annie, whose parents raised her unconventionally on the sailboat that was their home. Annie’s mother Mara, in particular, seemed drawn to the ocean and couldn’t tolerate spending too much time on land. The magical elements of this story raised constant mysteries and questions, and I really enjoyed trading guesses and theories in my buddy read chat.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book. The mystery. The tension. The beautiful imagery in the prose and reflections on the power and cruelty of nature - but also the power and cruelty of humans. Author Kelly Anderson has a true talent for creating a sense of place and atmosphere - the way she includes sensory details really puts you in the story with the characters. There are definitely some Wild Dark Shore vibes here, but the stories are also quite different in many ways.
I am committed to reviewing honestly, and I do have to say this didn’t quite work for me as well as it did many of my friends. At the end I wanted a bit more. Answers, sure, though I realize that’s not always the point. More than that, reflecting after reading made me hungry for more characterization and development. As much as the prose transported me to the settings of the book, the characters never became quite fully realized for me. I also wanted to know more about one character’s connection to nature, but I’m withholding details to avoid spoilers. Anyway I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was something missing for me personally. I didn’t gobble the book up as much as I’d have liked and I was more motivated to keep reading by the buddy read discussion than the book itself.
Notwithstanding my personal critiques, I do recommend giving this a try if you’re intrigued by the premise - plenty of readers have raved about this and it’s always exciting to see a debut novel take off!
*Content warning to add: Relatively early in the book there is a tough-to-read scene involving a beached whale. I know many friends don’t do animal cruelty so I wanted to call it out here.
Many thanks to Park Row Books & HTP Books for my free physical & digital ARCs! All opinions are my own.
This book is for you if you like mystical, mysterious stories where nature and particularly the ocean are a character on their own. We meet our characters in the aftermath of a destructive, tragic tsunami and through flashbacks, we also get to know them before. The story centers on Annie, whose parents raised her unconventionally on the sailboat that was their home. Annie’s mother Mara, in particular, seemed drawn to the ocean and couldn’t tolerate spending too much time on land. The magical elements of this story raised constant mysteries and questions, and I really enjoyed trading guesses and theories in my buddy read chat.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book. The mystery. The tension. The beautiful imagery in the prose and reflections on the power and cruelty of nature - but also the power and cruelty of humans. Author Kelly Anderson has a true talent for creating a sense of place and atmosphere - the way she includes sensory details really puts you in the story with the characters. There are definitely some Wild Dark Shore vibes here, but the stories are also quite different in many ways.
I am committed to reviewing honestly, and I do have to say this didn’t quite work for me as well as it did many of my friends. At the end I wanted a bit more. Answers, sure, though I realize that’s not always the point. More than that, reflecting after reading made me hungry for more characterization and development. As much as the prose transported me to the settings of the book, the characters never became quite fully realized for me. I also wanted to know more about one character’s connection to nature, but I’m withholding details to avoid spoilers. Anyway I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was something missing for me personally. I didn’t gobble the book up as much as I’d have liked and I was more motivated to keep reading by the buddy read discussion than the book itself.
Notwithstanding my personal critiques, I do recommend giving this a try if you’re intrigued by the premise - plenty of readers have raved about this and it’s always exciting to see a debut novel take off!
*Content warning to add: Relatively early in the book there is a tough-to-read scene involving a beached whale. I know many friends don’t do animal cruelty so I wanted to call it out here.
August 12, 2026
Thank you, @parkrowbooks, for the gifted ARC!
Rundown:
✨️childhood friends
✨️mysterious stranger
✨️love triangle
✨️two worlds
✨️magical relaism
Thoughts 💭
This novel was breathtaking! The atmospheric tone was set from the first few pages. The writing was beautiful, and I loved the imagry and metaphors sprinkled throughout the book. This was a powerful debut.
Annie has lived most of her life on a sailboat with her parents. They come on land sporadically, but she was still able to connect with a local boy, Evan, who sometimes stayed with her grandmother. Every year, she'd be able to see him, and sometimes, he would stay with her family on their boat. As an adult, a tsunami hits the area where her grandmother and Evan live. They survive and find a mysterious man on the shore. He is different and admits this hum only Annie can here. She's pulled in two directions. On one hand, there's the dependable Evan who can give her a stable and secure life. On the other is the mysterious and unconventional Walker.
I enjoyed the internal struggle she felt between a conventional life on land that people would accept and understand and the unconventional one that pulled her to the sea. Her struggle is something I definitely relate to. I've often wondered about leaving the "noise" of life behind and getting more intune with nature. In the end, Annie has to accept herself for who she was and not what was expected of her by others. Choosing herself was what she really needed all along.
My only issue is that I was chasing answers the entire book, and the ending was up in the air. Some of the biggest questions of the book were left up to your imagination. Which is fine, but I always find frustrating. Who was Walker? What was his connection to her mother? Was he real? Part of Annie's imagination? I desperately wanted to know.
Rundown:
✨️childhood friends
✨️mysterious stranger
✨️love triangle
✨️two worlds
✨️magical relaism
Thoughts 💭
This novel was breathtaking! The atmospheric tone was set from the first few pages. The writing was beautiful, and I loved the imagry and metaphors sprinkled throughout the book. This was a powerful debut.
Annie has lived most of her life on a sailboat with her parents. They come on land sporadically, but she was still able to connect with a local boy, Evan, who sometimes stayed with her grandmother. Every year, she'd be able to see him, and sometimes, he would stay with her family on their boat. As an adult, a tsunami hits the area where her grandmother and Evan live. They survive and find a mysterious man on the shore. He is different and admits this hum only Annie can here. She's pulled in two directions. On one hand, there's the dependable Evan who can give her a stable and secure life. On the other is the mysterious and unconventional Walker.
I enjoyed the internal struggle she felt between a conventional life on land that people would accept and understand and the unconventional one that pulled her to the sea. Her struggle is something I definitely relate to. I've often wondered about leaving the "noise" of life behind and getting more intune with nature. In the end, Annie has to accept herself for who she was and not what was expected of her by others. Choosing herself was what she really needed all along.
My only issue is that I was chasing answers the entire book, and the ending was up in the air. Some of the biggest questions of the book were left up to your imagination. Which is fine, but I always find frustrating. Who was Walker? What was his connection to her mother? Was he real? Part of Annie's imagination? I desperately wanted to know.
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