Beneath the Surface

by Heather Nadine Lenz

Natalia has a secret. She thinks she’s going crazy. But you can’t see her terror.

From the outside in Natalia looks as if she has the perfect life. She has three beautiful children, a handsome husband, a luxurious lakefront home, and an enviable career.

Beneath the surface Natalia is drowning in despair. She believes she is losing her mind. She doesn’t remember marrying the man standing in her bedroom. She doesn’t recognize the children calling her mom. And she certainly doesn’t remember becoming the boss of an elite party planning business in Zürich, Switzerland. Her husband, best friend, neighbor, and even her parents insist that the children and husband she believes to be hers never existed.

Natalia agonizes over how her secret wishes have come true. Her friend’s husband is now in her bed. The business she coveted now belongs to her. But at what cost?

Who owns the truth? Is everyone lying to her? What shifting reality has she awoken to? Where are her children? And why can’t she remember the past few months of her life?

The high concept plot of this psychological thriller keeps you riveted from the very beginning. Beneath the Surface is a gripping mystery that keeps you in suspense, turning the pages to discover the truth.

Beneath the Surface pulls at your heart and challenges your soul. It takes you into the world of delusion and reality, and keep you wondering which one is the truth. Lenz keeps the reader mystified and guessing up to the climatic end.

What are people saying about Beneath the Surface?

"Beneath the Surface by Heather Nadine Lenz is mesmerizing! From the very beginning Lenz ensnares the reader with her narrative hook. As a reader, you feel like you are on the edge. Just about the time you think you have gotten a clear understanding, the plot takes a twist, a dive, and plummets into yet another reality. Lenz keeps the reader mystified and guessing up to the climatic end. Beneath the Surface pulls at your heart and challenges your soul. It takes you into the world of delusion and reality, and keep you wondering which one is the truth." -5 Stars! Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
 
"Beneath the Surface is a scintillating read by Heather Nadine Lenz. Beneath the Surface is an extremely tense and exciting novel. It had me hooked from the beginning and held me hostage throughout the book. The desire to know what is going on will keep you reading non-stop. Is she crazy and in need of medical attention? Has she bumped her head and developed a concussion? Perhaps a brain tumor? Why does she have these memories of a life that obviously is not hers? Why are the memories so real to her, whilst so obviously not true? A must-read if you are the curious type! In fact even if you aren't, this is one mystery you must solve! " – 5 Stars! Carol Coetzee for Readers’ Favorite
 
"Beneath the Surface is a well written story that will keep you guessing until the very end. Beneath the Surface is a great read on a cold winter night snuggled in a warm bed. I highly recommend Beneath the Surface as it is a five star winner. " – 5 Stars! Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
 
"Beneath the Surface by Heather Nadine Lenz is an intriguing story set in the beautiful city of Zürich, Switzerland, which gives us some wonderful descriptions of the country. Readers will find themselves getting more curious page after page, wondering which reality is truly Natalia's. As the mystery unravels, links appear between characters and strands of the narrative in a satisfying way. Simply put, Beneath the Surface is a solid debut from Lenz and I enjoyed it." – 5 Stars! Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
 
"Lenz's prose is meticulously crafted such that the reader is kept off kilter throughout the story. Certainly, Beneath the Surface is an entertaining read but as much as it is entertaining, it also underscores the fact that our subconscious mind is influential in ways that we cannot even begin to fathom." - 4 Stars! Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

268 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2015

About the author

I believe in love at first sight, second chances, and the power of kindness. As a child growing up in Boise Idaho I loved the beautiful landscape and friendly people. I adore my family. I never planned on leaving. But sometimes life takes us where it wants to, especially if we follow our hearts. Mine took me all the way to Switzerland, where I have lived for years now with my Swiss husband. When I'm not writing or reading, you can find me teaching yoga, wellness coaching, enjoying time with my three children, swimming, or hiking.


https://www.ignitewellnessopentojoy.c...

Reviews

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those books where you're hooked from the start and just have to keep reading? This was one of them for me. You might have heard, “Be careful what you wish for” and our main character, Natalie, couldn't agree more. She wished her friend’s husband as her own and now he is. As the children start calling her name she wonder’s what are these strangers doing in her home. “Where are my children? Do I know you? Are you the new neighbors?”

The family and children she used to know have vanished and her entire life is replaced by her secret wishes coming true.

No one can collaborate that the life she knew before ever existed, her mind is drawing a blank on the past few months…..is she delusional and going insane? You’ll have to read to find out, I don’t want to spoil it for you.

The story is suspenseful and the characters are deep, and will keep you turning the pages. Like Natalia, you will be searching for the truth, and agonizing alone with her to discover the truth.

[Noel Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the Surface is a fantastic novel from Heather Lenz. This thrilling adventure tells the story of a young woman as she goes from Idaho to Switzerland for love. You learn about her, her family, and her desire to live life to the fullest. Every page of this book is filled to the brim with descriptive details that makes you feel like you are there as well. You'll find plenty of quotes and beautiful sayings about love, the world, travel, education, and family.

The story itself is a fantastic mystery that will have you reading in the middle of the night as a chill goes through your body and you need to find out what is happening to this girl and her family. When you think you might have figured it out, you get more details and change your mind.

This is certainly a quick read that will have you eagerly wanting more and hoping to find out more about this world that Lenz has created.

[Shanell Meek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! This book had me turning pages and rushing to find out the truth! Who was Natalia's real husband? What about her kids? Lenz leads us down a twisty turny path into all the while messing with our minds making us crave the truth! How does Natalia go to sleep one day and wake up the next living a completely different life?!? I can't tell you! Guess you'll have to read it and find out! I do know that I was really able to put myself in The characters shoes and could imagine exactly how they were feeling! Well played Lenz, well played!
In all seriousness, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to hopefully seeing more about Natalia and her clan in the future! Lenz has definitely gained a new fan of her writing! I'm definitely going to be checking out any future books she puts out there!

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick moving story that keeps you looking for the truth up until the end.

When Natalia wakes up one morning and remembers nothing of the recent events in her life, or of her family, author Heather Lenz begins a quick moving plot that weaves the ideas of truth, reality, and memory into a storyline that will make the reader doubt their own sanity before the end of the book.

I have read several novels that deal with the thin line between reality and perception, and even though this is her first novel, Heather Lenz ranks right up there with any established author I have read.

[Anne Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts hide and loud, and you want to read it quickly to know the answers. Imagine that: you wake up one morning and instead of your husband, find another man in your bed. He tells you you've been married together 11 years and you have 3 kids. You know you have 3 kids, but not the ones you meet in the kitchen. Yours are dark haired, different ages, different personalities. You want your kids back, more than anything! You learn you have created an event company, which is dong very well, you have enough money to buy whatever you fancy, clothes, shoes, etc...
Your new husband used to be your best friend. You have three different kids. The one you thought was your husband is married to one of your close friends, who you thought was married to Evan, your actual husband... and everyone finds it normal.
The book is cute and amusing. The problem is that the author set up the trap so well there is not any logical way to get out of it. And then, the end is disappointing.
I still have a few unanswered questions, from the language they speak (Switzerditch?) or why is Bodensee, which means lake Boden, called Bodensee lake? It could be lake Constance, or just Bodensee, but not the repetition. Bodensee is a beautiful place, like the Como lake. Could really properties be available on the lake, with dock station at a "reasonable price"? Switzerland is quite expensive with real estate! There is a train connecting Romanshorn to Zurich in 1h 30.
I was a bit amazed to read about Mary, going in the spa hotel at 4p.m., using the steam bath and the sauna, and going to her facial and make up and hairdo, before the event starting at 7... Sauna relaxes you, and most people want to sleep an hour after it before they feel ready for the next big event of their day.
I was surprised, too. If Natalia's business enables her to buy what she wants, a nanny/house keeper sounds like a necessity for the person staying home with the kids, no matter wether it is a man or a woman. Just to have some free time, be able to go for a stroll, meet friends, or do more serious things, like doctor appointment. If the money is there, it changes your life!
I don't know if one can manage to be totally fluent in German without growing up there.
I believe we will read more from the author in the years to come, but she picked up a story line impossible to finish properly.
An interesting debut, anyway.

[Myrna Gottlieb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Three stars for the idea and the effort, but the book falls short when it could have been much improved by a pro-active editor.

I liked the book enough to finish it. There is an interesting premise-a woman doesn't remember the man standing in her bedroom who everyone says is her husband. She does not recognize her children. Is this a dystopian novel involving a grand conspiracy? Or is it a story with an unreliable narrator at the center- ie "Gone Girl?" So far, so good. But although the author has an interesting story to tell, the book is badly in need of an editor.

My main criticism is that the characters are not believable. The three women at the center are stun ningly beautiful, and, when dressed to the nines, they turn the heads of all the men in the room. The men at the center are head-turningly handsome, wear delicious cologne, and are so sensitive that they are constantly tearing up. The women cry a lot as well. Too much crying, too many glasses of champagne, too many lavender-scented hot baths and showers. It became repetitive, and the editor should have guided the author to tighten it up. It also reads too much like a romance novel when it could have been a more interesting, more in demand psychological thriller. The editor could have put the author on track to write a better book which might have had a shot at becoming a best seller.

Also, an involved editor would have nixed the title. On Goodreads alone there are MANY MANY books titled "Beneath the Surface"- the lead book is about Blackfish. I had to search the title AND author to review this book. And to top it off, there were two glaring proofreading errors- both used the word "threw" when "through" was appropriate. It made me wonder whether a human had even checked the manuscript for errors before going to print.

My advice to the author- don't give up. You've got good ideas, and you can write. But steer clear of the romance genre, and find yourself an editor who will actively work with you on your next book.

[Sam Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

My initial reaction was that the main concept was something I had once tried to write myself.

Throughout the book I could feel the emotions that Natalia I was feeling the confusion, the depression, the desperation. I liked the flow of the plot and how we, the reader stay with the character rather than getting to know all of the answers before they do. Some of the plot was quite confusing at points, once the ending was revealed they began to come together.

The ending and the unique situation we leave Natalia at is still a little strange to me, but the given reasons do have so logic to them.

I was instantly drawn in and the book kept my attention the whole book enjoyed it. However, I felt that a little more detail could have been added to some of the minor characters to get us a better feel for them.

Overall a low 4.5/ 5.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book free from a goodreads giveaway for an honest review.... Nice idea for a story, and it obviously needed some editing. I would like to think that editing would have cured all... however this story was poorly written. A very disappointing read.

[Cin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book a 3.5 stars. Pretty interesting storyline. Enjoyed reading this novel.
I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Super fun read great plot twists and characters.

[Nathan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect page turner for my Holiday break

[Toni L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Sure kept
you wondering what was going
on and then when it came
to the final chapters WOW.
It all came together.