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The Girl from the Sea
For fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train
A chilling suspense story of wounded hearts and dark secrets.
Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has an idyllic life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.
But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
A chilling suspense story of wounded hearts and dark secrets.
Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has an idyllic life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.
But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
306 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2016
4233 people are currently reading
6297 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
41 books3,436 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,187 reviews
May 7, 2022
3.5 stars
A woman washes up on a beach, with no idea who she was or how she got there. Retrograde amnesia was what the Doctor's told her. Amnesia which was most likely caused by trauma. When a man shows up and claims he is her boyfriend, everyone is relieved. The woman with no name now has one-she is Mia James.
When Mia gets home, she has no recollection of living there. People/friends are happy to see her, and her boyfriend is attentive, but Mia still is uneasy. Imagine how strange and unsettling it must be. To have no memory of your life or people in your life. Everyone knows you and has stories about you, shared memories, but you have no memory of them.
As Mia begins to adjust, she learns that there are those in her life with secrets. Those who like that Mia does not remember the past. Those who hope she does not regain her memory.
This was a fast read which quite a few twists and turns. I listened to the audiobook, and it made for interesting reading/listening. This book was a great escape! I quite enjoy escapism reading (who doesn’t). This was an entertaining fast paced ride. This book kept my attention, had me invested in wanting to know how things were going to end and wondering if Mia would ever get her memory back.
Boland doesn't disappoint.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
A woman washes up on a beach, with no idea who she was or how she got there. Retrograde amnesia was what the Doctor's told her. Amnesia which was most likely caused by trauma. When a man shows up and claims he is her boyfriend, everyone is relieved. The woman with no name now has one-she is Mia James.
When Mia gets home, she has no recollection of living there. People/friends are happy to see her, and her boyfriend is attentive, but Mia still is uneasy. Imagine how strange and unsettling it must be. To have no memory of your life or people in your life. Everyone knows you and has stories about you, shared memories, but you have no memory of them.
As Mia begins to adjust, she learns that there are those in her life with secrets. Those who like that Mia does not remember the past. Those who hope she does not regain her memory.
This was a fast read which quite a few twists and turns. I listened to the audiobook, and it made for interesting reading/listening. This book was a great escape! I quite enjoy escapism reading (who doesn’t). This was an entertaining fast paced ride. This book kept my attention, had me invested in wanting to know how things were going to end and wondering if Mia would ever get her memory back.
Boland doesn't disappoint.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 13, 2022
Who can you trust?
Mia James awakens to find herself in a hospital. No memory, or clue how she got there. For that matter… no idea of who she is. All she knows is she was discovered washed ashore. Maybe a boating accident? Did she fall overboard? Or was something more sinister behind her accident.
Mia must somehow reclaim her life, and quickly realizes this will be no easy task. Everyone may have their own best interests at heart, so she must be guarded about who she chooses to trust. Not her family…or her boyfriend. So just who does that leave?
I listened to the audio and the narrator did a fabulous job. I was totally engaged from the start and flew through this one in no time at all. Plenty of twists I didn’t see coming. Always a bonus!
Only my third read from this author but I’d say it’s my favorite to date. Perhaps because of the audio format?
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio 🎧
Mia James awakens to find herself in a hospital. No memory, or clue how she got there. For that matter… no idea of who she is. All she knows is she was discovered washed ashore. Maybe a boating accident? Did she fall overboard? Or was something more sinister behind her accident.
Mia must somehow reclaim her life, and quickly realizes this will be no easy task. Everyone may have their own best interests at heart, so she must be guarded about who she chooses to trust. Not her family…or her boyfriend. So just who does that leave?
I listened to the audio and the narrator did a fabulous job. I was totally engaged from the start and flew through this one in no time at all. Plenty of twists I didn’t see coming. Always a bonus!
Only my third read from this author but I’d say it’s my favorite to date. Perhaps because of the audio format?
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio 🎧
January 12, 2023
HONDA CIVIC RELIABLE 3 STARS ✨
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 5/5
SYNOPSIS
Mia wakes up dazed and hella confused on a beach with retrograde amnesia. Poor thing doesn't even remember her name. After her boyfriend, Piers, brings her home, Mia finds herself struggling to figure out who she is, and how she ended up washed ashore like limp seaweed.
MY OPINION
I am on a 3-star streak right now, but hey, better than a one-star streak. And this was a HCR suspense, so who am I to complain? Anyways. I've read The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland, which I also dubbed HCR. Then I tried one of her newer releases (can't be fked to find out the title, soz) and dnfed it because it was a two pack of ass. Glad to have rebounded with another HCR from her.
To avoid total frustration with this book, you need to yeet your disbelief out the window with the strength of a shot-putter. I mean c'mon, it's the amnesia trope. You already know it's gonna be hella unrealistic, so if you come into this expecting some sort of medical accuracy and logical decision making, you'll want to drown Mia yourself. Yes, in reality, she probably wouldn't be unleashed back into society and left to her own defenses. Well, Piers came and claimed her, but he was as useless as a bandaid on a burst pipe. In reality, I'd be demanding a 100-slide PowerPoint with pictures, texts, and DNA proof that Piers was who he said he was. And I'd need my IDs. Stat. Instead, Mia wanders about her "new" life without any urgency to get a sense of who she is, where she went to school, what her childhood was like, who her friends are... Nada. So yeah, take that disbelief and yeet it to sun.
Beyond Mia's illogical actions, I liked this well-enough. The characters are clearly drawn and there was even some funny lines in there. I would love to shave Piers head while he sleeps for revenge. A class A wanker, that one is.
But my fave part was the ending. Yes, 5/5 baby!! It's rare to find an ending that doesn't throw 10491024 random twists at you or goes the Scooby Doo route. I was mildly shook by this twist. I really liked the direction Shalini took it; talk about original. There was no forced "catching up with a friend" wrap up of all the major players. I kinda wish we got to spend more time with the "real" Mia. She's very interesting to say the least.
If you're looking for a palate cleanser to resurrect you from a reading slump, this is it. As long as you yeet that disbelief, there's nothing in this book that will annoy tf outta you. Trust me, my tolerance for fuckery is very low (shocking!).
PROS AND CONS
Pros: solid af ending, creative twist that made sense, clear characterizations
Cons: the first chapter was the strongest in terms of writing... then it got a lil lazy. Nothing atrocious or try hard, just what you expect for this type of book
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 5/5
SYNOPSIS
Mia wakes up dazed and hella confused on a beach with retrograde amnesia. Poor thing doesn't even remember her name. After her boyfriend, Piers, brings her home, Mia finds herself struggling to figure out who she is, and how she ended up washed ashore like limp seaweed.
MY OPINION
I am on a 3-star streak right now, but hey, better than a one-star streak. And this was a HCR suspense, so who am I to complain? Anyways. I've read The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland, which I also dubbed HCR. Then I tried one of her newer releases (can't be fked to find out the title, soz) and dnfed it because it was a two pack of ass. Glad to have rebounded with another HCR from her.
To avoid total frustration with this book, you need to yeet your disbelief out the window with the strength of a shot-putter. I mean c'mon, it's the amnesia trope. You already know it's gonna be hella unrealistic, so if you come into this expecting some sort of medical accuracy and logical decision making, you'll want to drown Mia yourself. Yes, in reality, she probably wouldn't be unleashed back into society and left to her own defenses. Well, Piers came and claimed her, but he was as useless as a bandaid on a burst pipe. In reality, I'd be demanding a 100-slide PowerPoint with pictures, texts, and DNA proof that Piers was who he said he was. And I'd need my IDs. Stat. Instead, Mia wanders about her "new" life without any urgency to get a sense of who she is, where she went to school, what her childhood was like, who her friends are... Nada. So yeah, take that disbelief and yeet it to sun.
Beyond Mia's illogical actions, I liked this well-enough. The characters are clearly drawn and there was even some funny lines in there. I would love to shave Piers head while he sleeps for revenge. A class A wanker, that one is.
But my fave part was the ending. Yes, 5/5 baby!! It's rare to find an ending that doesn't throw 10491024 random twists at you or goes the Scooby Doo route. I was mildly shook by this twist. I really liked the direction Shalini took it; talk about original. There was no forced "catching up with a friend" wrap up of all the major players. I kinda wish we got to spend more time with the "real" Mia. She's very interesting to say the least.
If you're looking for a palate cleanser to resurrect you from a reading slump, this is it. As long as you yeet that disbelief, there's nothing in this book that will annoy tf outta you. Trust me, my tolerance for fuckery is very low (shocking!).
PROS AND CONS
Pros: solid af ending, creative twist that made sense, clear characterizations
Cons: the first chapter was the strongest in terms of writing... then it got a lil lazy. Nothing atrocious or try hard, just what you expect for this type of book
March 31, 2021
When you don’t know yourself, who can you trust? A woman is pulled from a beach in Dorset. She doesn’t know who she is, she doesn’t even know what she looks like. She can’t remember how she got there, or why her head is all banged up. A man claiming to be her boyfriend comes to claim her. He tries to fill in all the blanks about her life for her, but it doesn’t seem real. The only thing she knows is that she likes to row. She also kinda likes the guy who teaches there who seems to know her. Can she reinvent herself or will her true past come to claim her?
This story was really addictive. I do love an unreliable protagonist and this book delivered on that in a big way. When the woman discovers who she is, it’s like she hit the lottery. She has the means to stay home and live a posh life. She has everything available to her. Except for the fact that she isn’t sure her being in the sea was an accident. An accident doesn’t explain the bumps on her head or the nagging feeling that someone is out to get her.
I liked Mia a whole lot. She doesn’t know if she is a good person, or if she is the bitch that people keep telling her she was. Not only does Mia not know her own self, but she has no idea how she ended up in the sea. I felt like her actions and questions were totally believable. Mia is genuinely in the dark about her whole life and she doesn’t understand why things feel so off. Mia also has no idea how she ended up in the sea. She does exactly what I would do. She investigates things and uses her gut to tell her how to proceed.
This was an absolute page turner. I had to find out how Mia ended up in the sea. I devoured this book in almost one sitting. I was not disappointing at all with the ending and what Mia discovered. This was an excellent thriller. This is an author I am going to keep on my radar.
March 19, 2019
Mia wakes up, with amnesia, she was found in the sea
She has no idea who she is, where she is, where she lives and who are family/friends are
She also has no idea why she has 8 million pounds in her bank account
She needs to be careful who she trusts, people may pretend they want to help her recover her memory, but do they, what will she remember and just who exactly is she?.....
I really enjoyed this quick read, quick as the book bounds on from page to page and is very hard NOT to want to carry on and find out exactly who Mia is and who the assembled cast of characters are, good, bad and indifferent they all play a part in the mystery that is Mia!
As always the writing is easy and welcoming and draws you quickly into the story and keeps you there as Mia’s life starts to untangle as she realises who she is.....and what she may have done!
I loved the setting of Christchurch in Dorset as spent many Summers around that area and could picture it all and brought back good memories
As the book progresses you get the feeling Mia may not be all she thinks she is.....or wants to be, there is maybe more to her than meets the eye!
A very clever ending, I was outraged!!!!! and an altogether very worthy psychological thriller, fast, twisty and then BAM!
10/10 5 Stars
May 24, 2022
The Girl from the Sea by Shalini Boland, was a great read that had me on my toes! This thrilling psychological suspense story was of a girl (Mia) who is found washed up on a beach. Upon a local woman discovering her, she is taken to the hospital to recover. It's determined she has retro-grade amnesia. She doesn't know her name, her age, where she lives, ...nothing. She doesn't even know what she looks like.
A man claiming to be her boyfriend shows up to claim her. She doesn't remember him either. He takes her home and soon starts to fill in the blanks of her life regarding family, finances (she's rich), and tries to reintroduce her to friends. But she's not feeling it, she's greatly annoyed with him, and feeling nothing for him romantically even though they were suppose to be "a couple" before she got amnesia, as well as supposed business partners too.
Slowly, as information and bigger secrets are exposed, Mia's life gets darker and more complicated. All her emails prior to the accident have disappeared. She has the sense someone tried to kill her. Will they try again? Who was it? Why? If she can't remember any of the events or people from her past, how can she trust anyone?
This book has more twists and turns in it than a pretzel! It's a fast paced page turner that had me engaged from start to finish and what a wild ending!! Narrated by Katie Villa, Ms. Villa does a good job of carrying the story with the characters in realistic tones.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication Date: May 13, 2022
My thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Shalini Boland for an AAC in exchange for my honest review.
A man claiming to be her boyfriend shows up to claim her. She doesn't remember him either. He takes her home and soon starts to fill in the blanks of her life regarding family, finances (she's rich), and tries to reintroduce her to friends. But she's not feeling it, she's greatly annoyed with him, and feeling nothing for him romantically even though they were suppose to be "a couple" before she got amnesia, as well as supposed business partners too.
Slowly, as information and bigger secrets are exposed, Mia's life gets darker and more complicated. All her emails prior to the accident have disappeared. She has the sense someone tried to kill her. Will they try again? Who was it? Why? If she can't remember any of the events or people from her past, how can she trust anyone?
This book has more twists and turns in it than a pretzel! It's a fast paced page turner that had me engaged from start to finish and what a wild ending!! Narrated by Katie Villa, Ms. Villa does a good job of carrying the story with the characters in realistic tones.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication Date: May 13, 2022
My thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Shalini Boland for an AAC in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2016
Mia James has been found lying on a beach half drowned with no memory of what happened. Taken to a hospital Mia is questioned by the local police who are attempting to uncover her name, where she lives, if she has family; but Mia cannot recall one piece of information about herself. The story line was attention-grabbing, but unfortunately the book did not achieve its potential. Other readers interested in reading The Girl From the Sea may well enjoy this book and are encouraged to form their own opinion.
** Thank you to Publisher Adrenalin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
** Thank you to Publisher Adrenalin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
April 7, 2019
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4
A woman's body was washed up on a beach in Dorset. She's alive, but she has no memory of who she is, where she stays etc. A man claiming to be her boyfriend tries to fill in the blanks for her. He tells her her name is Mia. She discovers that she is a wealthy woman and she does not know who she can trust.
This is a fast paced read that's well written with a gripping plot. You just want to keep turning the pages to find out Mia's backstory and the reason why she was washed up on a Dorset beach. I was hooked from the start.
A woman's body was washed up on a beach in Dorset. She's alive, but she has no memory of who she is, where she stays etc. A man claiming to be her boyfriend tries to fill in the blanks for her. He tells her her name is Mia. She discovers that she is a wealthy woman and she does not know who she can trust.
This is a fast paced read that's well written with a gripping plot. You just want to keep turning the pages to find out Mia's backstory and the reason why she was washed up on a Dorset beach. I was hooked from the start.
May 24, 2022
The Girl From the Sea is a fast paced thriller that is full of unexpected twists and turns. A woman is found washed up on the beach with no recollection of how she got there or why. Amnesia and an underlying sense of danger are woven together creating a compelling mystery that is unpredictable and entertaining. The audiobook’s narration adds an extra layer of intrigue and suspense as the twisty plot reaches the surprising conclusion. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.
May 23, 2022
This story had a promising start and I was immediately drawn into it, but I didn't end up loving it. The plot follows an amnesiac in search of answers, and it was all intriguing at first, but it became a bit slow as it progressed.
For the most part, Mia James, the protagonist, is a mystery. She has no memories after being found barely alive on a beach. Shortly after she is taken to the hospital, an attractive young man claims to be her boyfriend, but she does not like nor trust him. Slowly, she's piecing the puzzle of her life together, and the mystery deepens with every page. Because she's an unreliable narrator, you don't really know who to trust, who's on her side, or even who's good or bad. Many people will probably be surprised by the ending, but I saw it coming about halfway through, and I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or pleased with the direction it took.
Yet overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I almost listened to the whole audiobook in one session.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Shalini Boland for an aac in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, Mia James, the protagonist, is a mystery. She has no memories after being found barely alive on a beach. Shortly after she is taken to the hospital, an attractive young man claims to be her boyfriend, but she does not like nor trust him. Slowly, she's piecing the puzzle of her life together, and the mystery deepens with every page. Because she's an unreliable narrator, you don't really know who to trust, who's on her side, or even who's good or bad. Many people will probably be surprised by the ending, but I saw it coming about halfway through, and I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or pleased with the direction it took.
Yet overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I almost listened to the whole audiobook in one session.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Shalini Boland for an aac in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2019
I started reading Shalini Boland’s books quite recently. Of the two of her books I read, before this one, I especially liked ‘The Silent Sister’ which had a good story and moved fast. ‘The Girl from the Sea’ makes for great reading as well – it has an interesting story, great pace and some twists (including a big one).
A lady is found on the beach. As she is admitted to a hospital with a head injury, she can remember nothing of her life. A man named Piers, who says he is her boyfriend comes to the hospital, seeking to take her away once she recovers. She finds out that her name is Mia James and it turns out that she is quite rich – owning a luxurious home with a great view. Over the next few days, she finds that she is simply not able to connect with Piers anymore. Her meeting her mother and sister does not help much either. She decides to take things one at a time, including being cautious in her relationship but determined to find out about her past and what happened to her.
She discovers that she was fond of sailing, and finds herself drawn to Jack, a sailing instructor who has known her well. She has visions of someone approaching her angrily and is unclear if she is hallucinating or is seeing fragments of a real incident. Also, it is not clear if she can trust Piers, Jack or even herself.
The book moves along very quickly, and builds suspense very well. The picture of what Mia’s life was before the incident, and what happened to her, stacks up an incident at a time. The last section which unveils the suspense is very well written as well.
Overall, an engrossing read and a great book to relax with!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture & the author for a free electronic copy of the book for providing an honest review.
A lady is found on the beach. As she is admitted to a hospital with a head injury, she can remember nothing of her life. A man named Piers, who says he is her boyfriend comes to the hospital, seeking to take her away once she recovers. She finds out that her name is Mia James and it turns out that she is quite rich – owning a luxurious home with a great view. Over the next few days, she finds that she is simply not able to connect with Piers anymore. Her meeting her mother and sister does not help much either. She decides to take things one at a time, including being cautious in her relationship but determined to find out about her past and what happened to her.
She discovers that she was fond of sailing, and finds herself drawn to Jack, a sailing instructor who has known her well. She has visions of someone approaching her angrily and is unclear if she is hallucinating or is seeing fragments of a real incident. Also, it is not clear if she can trust Piers, Jack or even herself.
The book moves along very quickly, and builds suspense very well. The picture of what Mia’s life was before the incident, and what happened to her, stacks up an incident at a time. The last section which unveils the suspense is very well written as well.
Overall, an engrossing read and a great book to relax with!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture & the author for a free electronic copy of the book for providing an honest review.
July 11, 2018
She comes to on a beach. How did she get there? What happened to her? When paramedics arrive she can't answer anyone's questions. She doesn't know her name. She doesn't know where she lives. Maybe the injury to the back of her head is causing the memory loss.
While in the hospital, her boyfriend shows up.. at least that's what he says. And he does have pictures of them together. He says her name is Mia.
But the boyfriend may not be her boyfriend. She feels absolutely no connection to him at all. She does feel a little something for Jack, a man she has met before, but has no memory of. And he is married.
She's contacted by her mother and sister .. but something is a bit off kilter there, as well.
Why does she feel that everyone is lying to her? What are they hiding?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
This is an excellent psychological thriller. The suspense starts on the first page and holds fast until the very last explosive ending.... an ending I never saw coming.
The characters are credible and they all have issues. Mia's issue is her obvious loss of memory, but she seems changed from the 'old' Mia. The boyfriend gave me the willies .. he seemed awfully controlling and manipulating. Jack is almost too good to be true. Her mother and sister were greedy people who only were after her money.
Plenty of suspects .. lots of motivation for murder..but who really wanted her dead?
Many thanks to the author / Adrenalin Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this highly suspenseful thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
While in the hospital, her boyfriend shows up.. at least that's what he says. And he does have pictures of them together. He says her name is Mia.
But the boyfriend may not be her boyfriend. She feels absolutely no connection to him at all. She does feel a little something for Jack, a man she has met before, but has no memory of. And he is married.
She's contacted by her mother and sister .. but something is a bit off kilter there, as well.
Why does she feel that everyone is lying to her? What are they hiding?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
This is an excellent psychological thriller. The suspense starts on the first page and holds fast until the very last explosive ending.... an ending I never saw coming.
The characters are credible and they all have issues. Mia's issue is her obvious loss of memory, but she seems changed from the 'old' Mia. The boyfriend gave me the willies .. he seemed awfully controlling and manipulating. Jack is almost too good to be true. Her mother and sister were greedy people who only were after her money.
Plenty of suspects .. lots of motivation for murder..but who really wanted her dead?
Many thanks to the author / Adrenalin Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this highly suspenseful thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 10, 2019
This is a standalone psychological thriller by author Shalini Boland. I only discovered the this authors books relatively recently but I really enjoy her style of writing and have quickly caught up with virtually all her previous novels.
This is a really good psychological thriller, you know the type where you are swept along into the novel lots of suspense, intrigue and unknown elements but not a lot of details to tell friends about when discussing your latest read. The novel builds and builds to a heart thumping finale. Excellent fast moving read with some very good characters and an intriguing plot.
The novel starts with the lead character Mia James been washed up on a beach, she has no idea who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t even recognise her own face in the reflection in the mirror. Her memory is non existent and when a man comes forward claiming to be her boyfriend and providing her with an identity it all new to her. Is this man who he say's he is, is she really Mia James.
Mia leaves hospital and tries to resume her life adjusting to the ways of her life before the accident. She begins to delve into her background and discovers things are not as they should be, people are lying to her, is there something she needs to remember.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really good psychological thriller, you know the type where you are swept along into the novel lots of suspense, intrigue and unknown elements but not a lot of details to tell friends about when discussing your latest read. The novel builds and builds to a heart thumping finale. Excellent fast moving read with some very good characters and an intriguing plot.
The novel starts with the lead character Mia James been washed up on a beach, she has no idea who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t even recognise her own face in the reflection in the mirror. Her memory is non existent and when a man comes forward claiming to be her boyfriend and providing her with an identity it all new to her. Is this man who he say's he is, is she really Mia James.
Mia leaves hospital and tries to resume her life adjusting to the ways of her life before the accident. She begins to delve into her background and discovers things are not as they should be, people are lying to her, is there something she needs to remember.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2018
The Girl from the Sea was my fourth by this author, and I am not done with my binge of her books! They are easy reads, but all page turners with twists and turns and engaging characters. I already look forward to reading more by Boland!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Thanks to Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of The Girl from the Sea in exchange for an honest review.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Thanks to Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of The Girl from the Sea in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for this audiobook ARC.
Mia is found on a beach with memory loss and no idea what happened to her. After being released from hospital she tries to get back into her life, but not sure who to trust.
This was extremely fast paced, it started off really great and kept running. The inheritance that she received 3 years earlier really made for a good curveball and made you think it might be the reason behind her injuries. The ending was quick, smoothly executed but a small bit predictable.
The narrator was really good. Really kept you engaged.
An overall good listen, might have expected a bit more from the ending.
Mia is found on a beach with memory loss and no idea what happened to her. After being released from hospital she tries to get back into her life, but not sure who to trust.
This was extremely fast paced, it started off really great and kept running. The inheritance that she received 3 years earlier really made for a good curveball and made you think it might be the reason behind her injuries. The ending was quick, smoothly executed but a small bit predictable.
The narrator was really good. Really kept you engaged.
An overall good listen, might have expected a bit more from the ending.
February 8, 2017
3.5 Stars (bumped the rating up to 4 stars rather than down to 3 stars because I did not guess the end and that is so unusual as I nearly always guess what's going to happen).
I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. A book that compares itself to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train is one that I would try to stay away from but the plot really intrigued me so I said I would at least give it a go. For me, no other book is going to be like Gone Girl. That book is a one of a kind so I really wish people would stop slapping "For fans of Gone Girl" on everything just to get readers to read it. Also, my god, I loathed The Girl on the Train and I never want to read something like that ever again. Surprise surprise, it is nothing like Gone Girl and THANKFULLY it is also nothing like The Girl on the Train either.
Thrillers are tricky. I'm quite a negative person so instead of thinking about all those wonderful thrillers I've read (probably less than 5 though), I think about all those predictable "thrillers" that try too hard and wreck my head. That's why I tend to stay away from thrillers altogether. Would I consider this a proper thriller? Hmmmmm... I guess. There's definitely a thriller-like feel to it but I feel like every time the story was about to get exciting, Shalini Boland did a complete 180 and pulled back. It happened a couple of times where I'd be reading a paragraph and I would be like "woah, ok here we go" and then suddenly Mia is safe and sound. So for example Mia gets a flashback and she gets spooked and she sees someone and I got really pumped but then it was nothing and she got home safely. The pulling back happened at least 4 times. I wanted Boland to go for it. With a thriller I want 3 main things. 1) I want to be SURPRISED. It's no fun when you guess what happens early on and you're just waiting for the book to wrap it up. 2) I want to be interested and engaged in the story. A good character always helps. And 3) I want to be on the edge of my seat for at least parts of the book but unfortunately this book wasn't very exciting, like at all. Two outta three ain't bad though.
So I figured out most of the missing pieces but then there was a twist at the end. I did not see that coming and if you haven't already guessed, I was impressed. It's a good story. The writing was also good. It kept my attention and the whole memory loss thing didn't get annoying. I really would recommend this book and it deserves some recognition.
*I received a copy from the publishers on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There’s no urgency about anything in my life. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. But instead of enjoying this freedom, I feel untethered, like a balloon floating up and away, unsure if I’ll finally come down to rest somewhere good, or if I’ll fly too close to the sun and explode with a bang."
I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. A book that compares itself to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train is one that I would try to stay away from but the plot really intrigued me so I said I would at least give it a go. For me, no other book is going to be like Gone Girl. That book is a one of a kind so I really wish people would stop slapping "For fans of Gone Girl" on everything just to get readers to read it. Also, my god, I loathed The Girl on the Train and I never want to read something like that ever again. Surprise surprise, it is nothing like Gone Girl and THANKFULLY it is also nothing like The Girl on the Train either.
Thrillers are tricky. I'm quite a negative person so instead of thinking about all those wonderful thrillers I've read (probably less than 5 though), I think about all those predictable "thrillers" that try too hard and wreck my head. That's why I tend to stay away from thrillers altogether. Would I consider this a proper thriller? Hmmmmm... I guess. There's definitely a thriller-like feel to it but I feel like every time the story was about to get exciting, Shalini Boland did a complete 180 and pulled back. It happened a couple of times where I'd be reading a paragraph and I would be like "woah, ok here we go" and then suddenly Mia is safe and sound. So for example Mia gets a flashback and she gets spooked and she sees someone and I got really pumped but then it was nothing and she got home safely. The pulling back happened at least 4 times. I wanted Boland to go for it. With a thriller I want 3 main things. 1) I want to be SURPRISED. It's no fun when you guess what happens early on and you're just waiting for the book to wrap it up. 2) I want to be interested and engaged in the story. A good character always helps. And 3) I want to be on the edge of my seat for at least parts of the book but unfortunately this book wasn't very exciting, like at all. Two outta three ain't bad though.
So I figured out most of the missing pieces but then there was a twist at the end. I did not see that coming and if you haven't already guessed, I was impressed. It's a good story. The writing was also good. It kept my attention and the whole memory loss thing didn't get annoying. I really would recommend this book and it deserves some recognition.
*I received a copy from the publishers on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There’s no urgency about anything in my life. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. But instead of enjoying this freedom, I feel untethered, like a balloon floating up and away, unsure if I’ll finally come down to rest somewhere good, or if I’ll fly too close to the sun and explode with a bang."
August 13, 2016
2.45 stars
Ok, I really wish people would stop advertising a book as "for fans of..." when said book has little in common with the one it's compared to. The Girl from the Sea has little if nothing to compare it to Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train. Mia lacks Amy's sophisticated, cold, cunning mind, or Paula Hawkins's three women's depth. Mia is mostly a cow, as she is characterized in the book. She is just a silly little woman with a bit of luck. Amy would have never made the stupid mistakes Mia did.
With that out of my system, I care very little about this book. I don't like it, nor I dislike it. It just is, and it's an easy read that doesn't require much attention. The twists and turns are lacking, somehow feeling like a B rated thriller movie.
But hey, don't take my word on it. You might like it.
*Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train
A chilling suspense story of wounded hearts and dark secrets.
Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has an idyllic life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.
But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
Ok, I really wish people would stop advertising a book as "for fans of..." when said book has little in common with the one it's compared to. The Girl from the Sea has little if nothing to compare it to Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train. Mia lacks Amy's sophisticated, cold, cunning mind, or Paula Hawkins's three women's depth. Mia is mostly a cow, as she is characterized in the book. She is just a silly little woman with a bit of luck. Amy would have never made the stupid mistakes Mia did.
With that out of my system, I care very little about this book. I don't like it, nor I dislike it. It just is, and it's an easy read that doesn't require much attention. The twists and turns are lacking, somehow feeling like a B rated thriller movie.
But hey, don't take my word on it. You might like it.
*Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2023
3.25⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, amnesia
Imagine waking up on the beach and having no clue who you are. The doctor says she has amnesia likely caused by a trauma. Thus sets forth the 'who is who' and 'who can she trust' as Mia tries to figure out what happened to her.
I didn't really love any of the characters, but this was a pretty fast paced psychological thriller, with some predictability ~ an overall decent read.
Once I got used to the accent, Katie Villa did a nice job narrating for 7 hours and 29 minutes.
*Thanks to Bookouture Audio, Shalini Boland and NetGalley for the ARC audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, amnesia
Imagine waking up on the beach and having no clue who you are. The doctor says she has amnesia likely caused by a trauma. Thus sets forth the 'who is who' and 'who can she trust' as Mia tries to figure out what happened to her.
I didn't really love any of the characters, but this was a pretty fast paced psychological thriller, with some predictability ~ an overall decent read.
Once I got used to the accent, Katie Villa did a nice job narrating for 7 hours and 29 minutes.
*Thanks to Bookouture Audio, Shalini Boland and NetGalley for the ARC audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
March 17, 2019
Girl From the Sea is a standalone thriller and a fast, easy and non-taxing read. The suspect pool is large enough to keep whoever is responsible a mystery for most of the novel, but I predicted quite a lot of the way things would eventually be resolved. The writing, as ever, was good, helping to make it a more rounded reading experience. It makes use of the unreliable narrator to ratchet up the tension, so anyone who enjoys that type of narrative will find much to love here. That said, our main protagonist is more than a little annoying and will definitely rub some readers up the wrong way.
Everything comes together seamlessly towards the end to create an unpredictable and satisfying conclusion. Those who have enjoyed Ms Boland's other novels will likely enjoy this too.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
Everything comes together seamlessly towards the end to create an unpredictable and satisfying conclusion. Those who have enjoyed Ms Boland's other novels will likely enjoy this too.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
October 26, 2016
The Girl From the Sea by Shalini Boland
"The dark water swallows me whole, pulling me under into blackness, dropping too fast. I cannot let the water take me, so I kick and flail. I push my body up. Water flows. Bubbles stream away. The sound of air and desperate splashes. The scent of damp night. And at last, I see the inky sky once more. I don't have enough energy for relief. Instead, I gasp and thrash. All I know is that I must move my arms and kick my legs."
A woman is found on the beach laying in the sand. She is disoriented. She doesn't know who she is or what her name is. Another woman discovers her laying in the sand while walking her dog. She calls an ambulance. The woman is in the emergency accident department in a hospital. The feeling of the writing is deep despair and disorientation. Of being alone and not knowing anybody. Of not recognizing the image that reflects off the mirror. Who am I?
The Doctor orders an MRI and tells the unknown woman that she is suffering from shock. The term retrograde amnesia is used brought on by some kind of trauma. Tests are run but the woman from the sea still doesn't know or remember anything or anybody. She has a couple of bumps on the back of her head. She is given an IV drip to help with dehydration. This brings some physical relief. The police come to the hospital to visit her. They are there to help identify the woman. She still has no memory of who she is. She was found on Southbourne Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset, on the coast of England.
Detective Sergeant Emma Wright and her colleague Detective Constable Christopher Blackford from the Criminal Investigation Department are there to try and find out what happened to the unidentified woman with no memories of who she is or anything about her life. The detectives take fingerprints and swab her mouth for DNA sample. They are hoping she will be in their database or when run through their national computer will yield a match. Maybe they will be able to match her to a parent or sibling. The detectives ask the woman if they can pass her details to the local media to try and find out if somebody knows who she is. The woman tells them to do whatever they have to do.
The two detectives come back the next day and tell the woman that they think her name is Mia James. She doesn't recognize the name. The name doesn't trigger any memories. The detectives have found Mr. Piers Bevan-Price who claims to be Mia's boyfriend. Piers is brought in to meet Mia. Piers recognizes Mia and is happy to have located her. Mia doesn't recognize Piers. She still doesn't remember anything. Piers tells Mia she owns a townhouse in Christchurch on the river. Piers tells Mia that he stays with her sometimes but she lives there alone. She likes her own space.
Mia is happy to hear that she lives alone because she doesn't feel like she could cope living with a stranger. Piers tells Mia she belongs to a rowing club. Piers shows Mia several photographs of the two of them on his phone. The two of them look like they are close in most of the pictures. Piers shows Mia photographs of her townhouse which is really expensive looking. Mia feels no connection to the photos. They leave the hospital and Mia decides she wants Piers to go home. The following morning Mia has a flashback of an angry woman and herself up against a building. Is this a memory or a dream? Does Mia get her memory back?
This is a psychological thriller. I felt like it was somewhat predictable. I wasn't surprised by anything that happened. I did feel the writing was engaging. I prefer to be on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen. This was still very entertaining. I would read another book by this author..
I would like to thank Net Galley, Shalini Boland, and the publisher for providing me with my advanced readers copy for an honest review.
"The dark water swallows me whole, pulling me under into blackness, dropping too fast. I cannot let the water take me, so I kick and flail. I push my body up. Water flows. Bubbles stream away. The sound of air and desperate splashes. The scent of damp night. And at last, I see the inky sky once more. I don't have enough energy for relief. Instead, I gasp and thrash. All I know is that I must move my arms and kick my legs."
A woman is found on the beach laying in the sand. She is disoriented. She doesn't know who she is or what her name is. Another woman discovers her laying in the sand while walking her dog. She calls an ambulance. The woman is in the emergency accident department in a hospital. The feeling of the writing is deep despair and disorientation. Of being alone and not knowing anybody. Of not recognizing the image that reflects off the mirror. Who am I?
The Doctor orders an MRI and tells the unknown woman that she is suffering from shock. The term retrograde amnesia is used brought on by some kind of trauma. Tests are run but the woman from the sea still doesn't know or remember anything or anybody. She has a couple of bumps on the back of her head. She is given an IV drip to help with dehydration. This brings some physical relief. The police come to the hospital to visit her. They are there to help identify the woman. She still has no memory of who she is. She was found on Southbourne Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset, on the coast of England.
Detective Sergeant Emma Wright and her colleague Detective Constable Christopher Blackford from the Criminal Investigation Department are there to try and find out what happened to the unidentified woman with no memories of who she is or anything about her life. The detectives take fingerprints and swab her mouth for DNA sample. They are hoping she will be in their database or when run through their national computer will yield a match. Maybe they will be able to match her to a parent or sibling. The detectives ask the woman if they can pass her details to the local media to try and find out if somebody knows who she is. The woman tells them to do whatever they have to do.
The two detectives come back the next day and tell the woman that they think her name is Mia James. She doesn't recognize the name. The name doesn't trigger any memories. The detectives have found Mr. Piers Bevan-Price who claims to be Mia's boyfriend. Piers is brought in to meet Mia. Piers recognizes Mia and is happy to have located her. Mia doesn't recognize Piers. She still doesn't remember anything. Piers tells Mia she owns a townhouse in Christchurch on the river. Piers tells Mia that he stays with her sometimes but she lives there alone. She likes her own space.
Mia is happy to hear that she lives alone because she doesn't feel like she could cope living with a stranger. Piers tells Mia she belongs to a rowing club. Piers shows Mia several photographs of the two of them on his phone. The two of them look like they are close in most of the pictures. Piers shows Mia photographs of her townhouse which is really expensive looking. Mia feels no connection to the photos. They leave the hospital and Mia decides she wants Piers to go home. The following morning Mia has a flashback of an angry woman and herself up against a building. Is this a memory or a dream? Does Mia get her memory back?
This is a psychological thriller. I felt like it was somewhat predictable. I wasn't surprised by anything that happened. I did feel the writing was engaging. I prefer to be on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen. This was still very entertaining. I would read another book by this author..
I would like to thank Net Galley, Shalini Boland, and the publisher for providing me with my advanced readers copy for an honest review.
September 29, 2016
This is a very quick read, more like a YA novel but I did enjoy it. Mia James wakes up on a beach with waves tumbling over her, she is disoriented and has no idea of who she is or where she is. She is discovered by a woman walking her dog and an ambulance is called, Mia is taken to hospital and although she is a bit sore and sorry, it is her lack of memory that is worrying her the most. Next we meet Piers, Mia's boyfriend, but Piers is not very open and Mia has many questions regarding their relationship, especially as she has no memory of him at all. There are a few twists and turns that keep this story moving forward and I must say I did not pick the end. Overall a pleasant read. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2017
Shalini Boland, a British writer, has penned an excellent psycho suspense thriller: "The Girl From The Sea". I chose the audio version because I enjoy having a book read by a professional actor. A 20 something woman, Mia James, has washed up on the shore by the sea in England. Alive, but with no identification. She has amnesia and doesn't know her name, where she lives, who her family is or how she ended up where she did. (No, she's not related to Jason Bourne.) Her boyfriend comes to identify her and take her home from the hospital. As her previous life gets filled in over time, she senses things aren't adding up right. She recognizes no one and is unsure who she can trust.
The author is a terrific story teller and knows how to build suspense. She leads you along perfectly to a spectacular ending. The location is an interesting one, Christchurch, in the south of England. Her characters are vivid and very real. That author uses slight of hand and misdirection to keep you guessing what will happen next. Incredulous is the word that comes to mind when I think of the ending. I enjoyed the book and want to read more by Ms. Boland.
As other reviewers have commented, I'm a bit tired of so many publishers comparing new books to "Gone Girl" and "The Girl on the Train". This book is nothing at all like either and I really didn't like The Girl on the Train, which I tried to read twice but couldn't stomach the story.
The author is a terrific story teller and knows how to build suspense. She leads you along perfectly to a spectacular ending. The location is an interesting one, Christchurch, in the south of England. Her characters are vivid and very real. That author uses slight of hand and misdirection to keep you guessing what will happen next. Incredulous is the word that comes to mind when I think of the ending. I enjoyed the book and want to read more by Ms. Boland.
As other reviewers have commented, I'm a bit tired of so many publishers comparing new books to "Gone Girl" and "The Girl on the Train". This book is nothing at all like either and I really didn't like The Girl on the Train, which I tried to read twice but couldn't stomach the story.
October 9, 2016
How do I start this review well lets just say it got me in from the start was fast moving & kept me wanting to know who did it? I did not like the characters especially Mia had too many issues for me, but that's not to say the plot wasn't interesting it just lost me a little as I worked out what was going to happen certain characters were not as they seemed.
Mia James was found on a beach not knowing who she was or how she got there? she ends up in hospital under medical supervision she has family a good life but why are people trying to hide things from her & why do they hate her, lying in a hospital bed Mia hears a voice but she can't remember who he is he tells her its Piers her boyfriend & business partner he fills her in on her past but still everything is blank!!
Finally she starts having flashbacks but can't remember faces as its too dark she has a sister& mother but they despise her due to her father leaving her 8 million pounds & left them nothing, so she is told in no uncertain terms to go by her sister, her neighbours Jack & Suki take her under their wing being kind , Suki despises her but Jack tries to help is he genuine or just a façade!!
What happens from here on is the blame game between Mia & jack I must say that the ending wasn't a surprise wont go any further as spoilers might not suit everyone.
Mia James was found on a beach not knowing who she was or how she got there? she ends up in hospital under medical supervision she has family a good life but why are people trying to hide things from her & why do they hate her, lying in a hospital bed Mia hears a voice but she can't remember who he is he tells her its Piers her boyfriend & business partner he fills her in on her past but still everything is blank!!
Finally she starts having flashbacks but can't remember faces as its too dark she has a sister& mother but they despise her due to her father leaving her 8 million pounds & left them nothing, so she is told in no uncertain terms to go by her sister, her neighbours Jack & Suki take her under their wing being kind , Suki despises her but Jack tries to help is he genuine or just a façade!!
What happens from here on is the blame game between Mia & jack I must say that the ending wasn't a surprise wont go any further as spoilers might not suit everyone.
July 16, 2016
We are the sum of our memories. We exist not merely in the present but as the person we know we are from our past. A girl is washed up, half drowned, on a beach in Dorset. Her boyfriend reports her missing so she knows, but doesn’t recognise, her name; Mia James. The face in her mirror is a total stranger to her. She can’t connect with people she is told she knows – all but one. Can she re-invent herself or will she one day regain her memories and her true past?
I found this book utterly gripping. To exist in your own mind only from the day you woke on the beach is a fascinating but terrifying thought. Mia doesn’t know who to trust and neither does the reader. I found the way the author managed to switch the reader’s perceptions particularly well done. We don’t know who to believe. Was she the victim of an accident or was someone trying to kill her? You’ll have to read it to find out. It’s not often I read a book in a day but this one is so compelling. It’s a page turner and no mistake.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher who offered copies for review purposes.
I found this book utterly gripping. To exist in your own mind only from the day you woke on the beach is a fascinating but terrifying thought. Mia doesn’t know who to trust and neither does the reader. I found the way the author managed to switch the reader’s perceptions particularly well done. We don’t know who to believe. Was she the victim of an accident or was someone trying to kill her? You’ll have to read it to find out. It’s not often I read a book in a day but this one is so compelling. It’s a page turner and no mistake.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher who offered copies for review purposes.
February 21, 2021
A quick, easy-to-read mystery suspense thriller with a shock at the end.
This was my second book by this author. My first one was 'The Other Daughter' which had a huge shocking twist, which is always fun. This one had a big twist at the end as well, and although I did not guess it, I did see another huge piece of the plot very early on which affected my being able to fully enjoy this one. It was a case of the author deliberately pushing the reader so hard in a certain direction that the reader feels manipulated and of course knows the scenario is going to turn out to be the opposite. It ruins the shock, IMO.
In addition, as with 'The Other Daughter', the dialogue in this one at times seems unnatural, almost like a stage-play. It felt to me like I was reading dialogue instead of just eavesdropping on actual conversations, which instantly ruins the magic for me and immediately takes me out of the story.
But all in all, I can definitely recommend this one. It's a fun, quick, suspenseful mystery with enough entertainment value to be worth your time.
This was my second book by this author. My first one was 'The Other Daughter' which had a huge shocking twist, which is always fun. This one had a big twist at the end as well, and although I did not guess it, I did see another huge piece of the plot very early on which affected my being able to fully enjoy this one. It was a case of the author deliberately pushing the reader so hard in a certain direction that the reader feels manipulated and of course knows the scenario is going to turn out to be the opposite. It ruins the shock, IMO.
In addition, as with 'The Other Daughter', the dialogue in this one at times seems unnatural, almost like a stage-play. It felt to me like I was reading dialogue instead of just eavesdropping on actual conversations, which instantly ruins the magic for me and immediately takes me out of the story.
But all in all, I can definitely recommend this one. It's a fun, quick, suspenseful mystery with enough entertainment value to be worth your time.
June 20, 2019
Mia is found washed up on the beach with no memory of what happened to her .She can’t even remember her name or recognize her face in the mirror.Next Piers turns up claiming to be her boyfriend and that she has a family that loves her but she soon discovers that people around her are lying to her and will stop at nothing to prevent Mia’s memory from returning
The Girl From The Sea by Shalini Boland is quick psychological thriller with well developed characters.. Full of twists and turns with lots of suspects made it an interesting read.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 3, 2017
2 1/2 stars. I was originally planning to give this 1 star, but the ending changed my mind.
I have some very mixed feelings about this book.
The first 75% of this book was all family and boyfriend drama. The last 15% of this book was some actual thriller shit. The ending was a kick in the balls.
Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has an idyllic life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.
But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
The story started out okay, but from 25% to 75% was just beginning to make me lose interest because of the family and boyfriend drama.
Mia James was a very annoying character. It's like she was just begging people to pity her. When she lost her memory, she was portrayed as such a weak and helpless character.
Some parts in this book were predictable and I couldn't find myself connecting with any characters or caring about anything in this book.
I was approved a request of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
I have some very mixed feelings about this book.
The first 75% of this book was all family and boyfriend drama. The last 15% of this book was some actual thriller shit. The ending was a kick in the balls.
Washed up on the beach, she can’t remember who she is. She can’t even remember her name. Turns out, she has an idyllic life – friends and family eager to fill in the blanks.
But why are they lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
When you don't even know who you are, how do you know who to trust?
The story started out okay, but from 25% to 75% was just beginning to make me lose interest because of the family and boyfriend drama.
Mia James was a very annoying character. It's like she was just begging people to pity her. When she lost her memory, she was portrayed as such a weak and helpless character.
Some parts in this book were predictable and I couldn't find myself connecting with any characters or caring about anything in this book.
I was approved a request of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
May 15, 2022
This is only my second book by this author but I have quite a few of her books on my TBR list. I really enjoyed the first book I read and this audiobook was fantastic, also.
Ms. Boland’s extended conclusion unfolds perfectly. I read a lot of thrillers and I’m usually good at predicting the twists and endings. But this one threw me for a loop!
The audiobook is wonderful and the narrator is fantastic. I enjoyed it immensely and hope to get to her other books soon!
Sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this audiobook arc. All opinions are my own.
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Ms. Boland’s extended conclusion unfolds perfectly. I read a lot of thrillers and I’m usually good at predicting the twists and endings. But this one threw me for a loop!
The audiobook is wonderful and the narrator is fantastic. I enjoyed it immensely and hope to get to her other books soon!
Sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this audiobook arc. All opinions are my own.
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September 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. From the very start it's packed with mystery, uncertainty and bewilderment as we immediately engage with Mia who has washed up on the seashore and has total memory loss. This isn't just 'can't remember how I ended up here', this is absolute memory loss. She doesn't know her own name, where she is, who she is, where she lives, or even what she looks like when she first looks in a mirror. I was totally captivated by the slow recovery and revelations of Mia's life, learning which foods she liked and meeting afresh people who knew her. As Mia starts to live her new life of discovery she is pleasantly surprised that she lives in a very nice waterside apartment and has a very healthy bank balance. She also has a handsome boyfriend who she doesn't feel comfortable with but doesn't know why. One thing she does seem to take to which was in her forgotten life is rowing.
Of course, it doesn't stay with the mundane day to day life, this is a well plotted psychological thriller and all in Mia's life is not as pleasant as she first thought. The rowing club which she is so strongly drawn to holds many answers to recovering the memories of her forgotten life. But how does she know whether the visions she has of drowning are real or a dream, and why does her neighbour dislike her so much?
I found this to be very well written with a well put together plot. The writing is very fluid and so easy to read that I was half way through in no time at all and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The characters are engaging and realistic, though not always likeable, and I felt from the beginning that I was inside Mia's head – I felt I knew what she was going through and had deep sympathy for her.
A fascinating and gripping read and will certainly take a look at this authors other novels.
Of course, it doesn't stay with the mundane day to day life, this is a well plotted psychological thriller and all in Mia's life is not as pleasant as she first thought. The rowing club which she is so strongly drawn to holds many answers to recovering the memories of her forgotten life. But how does she know whether the visions she has of drowning are real or a dream, and why does her neighbour dislike her so much?
I found this to be very well written with a well put together plot. The writing is very fluid and so easy to read that I was half way through in no time at all and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The characters are engaging and realistic, though not always likeable, and I felt from the beginning that I was inside Mia's head – I felt I knew what she was going through and had deep sympathy for her.
A fascinating and gripping read and will certainly take a look at this authors other novels.
December 15, 2016
So a few months ago I saw this on Netgalley and completely fell in love with the cover. There was just something about it that compelled me to request this book. I'm so glad I did because I highly enjoyed it.
When Mia wakes up on the beach with no idea how she got there, who she is, etc, she feels overwhelmed. Mia ends up having amnesia brought on by something traumatic, being almost drowned in the sea will do that to a person. So when her boyfriend identifies her, she goes home to begin unraveling who she is. I thought this storyline was great and well written. I felt the fears of Mia. Who can she trust, who is she really, why can't she remember even her mom or sister let alone her boyfriend? The pace was just right--wasn't rushed but nor was it slow--, the characters were interesting, the plot was great, and there was a twist that was just right for this book. It kept me reading and if I had been able to keep my eyes open last night I would have stayed up to finish it.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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