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The Woman on the Beach
I was so sure I saw Sophie on the beach that day. But it couldn’t be her. Sophie’s dead…
Ever since we locked fingers and swore to be best friends at school, Sophie was there for me. When she married my brother, I followed her down the aisle as her bridesmaid, thrilled that we were becoming family. We laughed together and cried together. We shared everything. At least I thought we did.
And then she was gone. The terrible accident that took her life devastated me, and though everyone else has moved on, I can’t. She was so quiet, those last few months. I keep thinking there is something I don’t know…
Now I’m standing on the beach we visited when we were younger and there’s a woman with long blond hair a few metres away, playing with a dog in the sunshine. She turns, and I see Sophie. Heart racing, I struggle to my feet, but before I can reach her she’s vanished, leaving only footprints in the sand.
It can’t be Sophie… Can it? And do I want to know what she was running from, if the answer means I can no longer trust the people I love?
Ever since we locked fingers and swore to be best friends at school, Sophie was there for me. When she married my brother, I followed her down the aisle as her bridesmaid, thrilled that we were becoming family. We laughed together and cried together. We shared everything. At least I thought we did.
And then she was gone. The terrible accident that took her life devastated me, and though everyone else has moved on, I can’t. She was so quiet, those last few months. I keep thinking there is something I don’t know…
Now I’m standing on the beach we visited when we were younger and there’s a woman with long blond hair a few metres away, playing with a dog in the sunshine. She turns, and I see Sophie. Heart racing, I struggle to my feet, but before I can reach her she’s vanished, leaving only footprints in the sand.
It can’t be Sophie… Can it? And do I want to know what she was running from, if the answer means I can no longer trust the people I love?
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2021
2540 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 15, 2021
I picked up The Woman on the Beach by Julia Roberts when I saw the tagline gripping family drama, that to me sounded a bit like a popcorn read watching everyone’s problems unfold. However, after reading this one I’d more call it a psychological drama which was perfectly fine too as once invested I fell right into trying to figure out who was lying or telling the truth and who to trust.
The story revolves around Liv who was once best friends with Grace and Sophie becoming friends as children. Sophie had even married Liv’s brother and Liv was in their wedding then Liv married her brother’s best friend so you can imagine how close these women were. However, Sophie and Grace were involved in a horrific accident where Sophie did not survive and Grace withdrew from everyone leaving her friends and family behind.
Liv was left to cope with all the loss on her own all the while having even more pain in her life on top of losing her friends. Once Liv’s marriage becomes in danger she decides to take a trip to a place she’d once traveled with Grace and Sophie to reflect when she spies a woman on the beach that looks just like Sophie. Liv knows that the woman just couldn’t be Sophie but the resemblance really shocks her and before she knows it the woman is gone and Liv heads back home.
As much as the description for the book intrigued me I also picked this one up because I have read Julia Roberts before and have enjoyed her books. This story took a little warming up to in the beginning switching between the points of view in different timelines but despite the slower start I did become completely invested in the characters and story. I loved the psychological aspect of this one and just waited for the twists that I knew would be coming and they certainly did come along and turned this one into something I wasn’t expecting at all which was certainly a gripping ride.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The story revolves around Liv who was once best friends with Grace and Sophie becoming friends as children. Sophie had even married Liv’s brother and Liv was in their wedding then Liv married her brother’s best friend so you can imagine how close these women were. However, Sophie and Grace were involved in a horrific accident where Sophie did not survive and Grace withdrew from everyone leaving her friends and family behind.
Liv was left to cope with all the loss on her own all the while having even more pain in her life on top of losing her friends. Once Liv’s marriage becomes in danger she decides to take a trip to a place she’d once traveled with Grace and Sophie to reflect when she spies a woman on the beach that looks just like Sophie. Liv knows that the woman just couldn’t be Sophie but the resemblance really shocks her and before she knows it the woman is gone and Liv heads back home.
As much as the description for the book intrigued me I also picked this one up because I have read Julia Roberts before and have enjoyed her books. This story took a little warming up to in the beginning switching between the points of view in different timelines but despite the slower start I did become completely invested in the characters and story. I loved the psychological aspect of this one and just waited for the twists that I knew would be coming and they certainly did come along and turned this one into something I wasn’t expecting at all which was certainly a gripping ride.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
August 15, 2021
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Julia Robert's beautiful family drama THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH.
This is a story about family and friendship. Love and loss. Happiness and heartbreak. And above all, memories. It's a story that begins in one vein and ends up totally different in another. Having read the author's previous book "My Mother's Secret" I knew it would be a hard one to top as that one was just totally brilliant...but THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is an enjoyable read in another way.
Three women - Liv, Sophie and Grace - have been best friends since their first day in senior school all those years ago. Upon graduating, the friends decide to take a gap year and travel before settling down at university. While Liv and Sophie both aced their exams, Grace hadn't and so she stayed behind to resit them and then join her friends on their travels in Mexico in January time to celebrate Sophie's birthday. But something happens on that trip that changes their course of their lives, and their friendship, forever.
Spain 2014: A woman sits in the airport lounge awaiting her flight to Guatamela, her hands shaking, when the TV screens surrounding them come to life, reporting the tragic news of a deadly train crash that the lives of all by two people. The woman tries to block it out. But the fragmented snippets invade her memory...falling...the silence...the explosion. The woman smiles beside her and asks her if she's alright to which she replies that she's a bit nervous of flying. But as she closes her eyes all she can hear is the sound of screaming metal and the silence before the explosion. Her hand shakes as she hovers over the button of the email she's about to send that will change everything. Now there is no going back.
Mexico 2018: Still reeling from her husband Jamie's unexpected revelation, Liv lays on the sun drenched beach in Tulum just outside her beachfront cabin ruminating over how their marriage has come to this. She knows she has not been the easiest to get along with in the past three years but it hasn't been plain sailing for her either these past three years. First there was her miscarriage then the tragic death of Sophie in Spain to Grace disappearing off the face of the earth and, more recently, the sudden death of her father to cancer...all of which Liv hasn't had a chance to grieve for any of it. So when Jamie suggested this trial separation Liv was devastated. Jamie's her soul mate and she can't imagine life without him. So to give herself some breathing space and time to think things over, Liv decides to go back to the place where she and her two best friends visited in their gap year but vowed they would never return for a week's reprieve.
Now as she enjoys the quiet almost secluded beach she drifts off to sleep and is suddenly awoken by a dog barking. She follows the sound to a bouncy gold retriever running along the pier and welcoming his owners as they return to the beach from their swim. Something about the woman strikes a cord with Liv as she watches them return to their pile of clothing on the sand and tossing them on over their wet bathers.
And then she sees it...the woman's arm...and it stirs a memory. Sophie. She calls her name...the name of her best friend who died three and a half years ago. And with those words she is sure she sees the woman freeze momentarily...or did she? Eager to catch up to the couple, Liv reaches around to hastily tie her bikini top but when she turns back...they have gone.
Was the woman on the beach Sophie or did she just imagine it? But how can that be since Sophie is dead? It would have been Sophie's birthday just a couple of days ago. What with that, her unresolved grief and her recent troubles with Jamie, it could well just be a case of her conjuring up the memory of Sophie as she has been at the forefront of her mind for the past three years. Without further regard, Liv pushes all thoughts of the woman on the beach from her mind and returns to England and hopefully back into the loving arms of her husband.
But Liv has only been home a week when an unexpected letter arrives throwing caution to the wind and everything she thought she knew is is now under question. The only way to uncover the truth is to return to where it all began...when the three friends were at their happiest before life took a tragic turn and changed them all forever. Before Liv married Jamie and Sophie married Tom, Liv's brother, and Grace moved to Spain. Before the train crash that claimed Sophie's life and caused Grace to disappear in a cloud of grief and guilt at surviving. Before university, when life was good and they were young and carefree. Before everything changed.
But is Liv prepared for what she is about to uncover? And will any of their lives ever be the same again when she does?
The premise for THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is definitely intriguing and upon starting the book it wasn't long before I figured out the line along which it was heading. But that was only the beginning. What ensues is a far deeper tale of the joys and heartbreaks of these three friends and how things went tragically wrong.
The story moves along at a steady pace throughout with easily spaced chapters that weren't long and drawn out. The narratives alternate between Liv, Grace and Sophie mostly between 2014 and 2018 with some leading up the former and latter days. We go to see the respective husbands in Jamie and Tom respectively through Liv and Sophie's eyes whilst life with Luis through Grace's. I didn't like Tom and his behaviour I don't think was adequately explained in the end and didn't sit right with me. I do, however, love Jamie and Luis who were the kindest, most forgiving and compassionate. But my favourite character by far was Vince...and I'm so glad that he got his happy ever after above all!
Julia Roberts has an engaging writing style that easily pulls the reader in unlike others in the same genre. Contemporary women's fiction is not really my thing but there are but a handful of authors who easily capture my attention and hold it throughout and Ms Roberts is one of them. THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is definitely an addictive page-turner with several twists to be savoured along the way and everything being tied up at the end...though not in the way I had expected or would have actually preferred. The original angle was my preferred choice as for me that was far more believable.
Overall, THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is an emotional and heartbreaking read perfect for lovers of contemporary fiction or chick lit. And though it's not a patch on "My Mother's Secret" , it is still worth a read.
I would like to thank #JuliaRoberts, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBeach in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
This is a story about family and friendship. Love and loss. Happiness and heartbreak. And above all, memories. It's a story that begins in one vein and ends up totally different in another. Having read the author's previous book "My Mother's Secret" I knew it would be a hard one to top as that one was just totally brilliant...but THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is an enjoyable read in another way.
Three women - Liv, Sophie and Grace - have been best friends since their first day in senior school all those years ago. Upon graduating, the friends decide to take a gap year and travel before settling down at university. While Liv and Sophie both aced their exams, Grace hadn't and so she stayed behind to resit them and then join her friends on their travels in Mexico in January time to celebrate Sophie's birthday. But something happens on that trip that changes their course of their lives, and their friendship, forever.
Spain 2014: A woman sits in the airport lounge awaiting her flight to Guatamela, her hands shaking, when the TV screens surrounding them come to life, reporting the tragic news of a deadly train crash that the lives of all by two people. The woman tries to block it out. But the fragmented snippets invade her memory...falling...the silence...the explosion. The woman smiles beside her and asks her if she's alright to which she replies that she's a bit nervous of flying. But as she closes her eyes all she can hear is the sound of screaming metal and the silence before the explosion. Her hand shakes as she hovers over the button of the email she's about to send that will change everything. Now there is no going back.
Mexico 2018: Still reeling from her husband Jamie's unexpected revelation, Liv lays on the sun drenched beach in Tulum just outside her beachfront cabin ruminating over how their marriage has come to this. She knows she has not been the easiest to get along with in the past three years but it hasn't been plain sailing for her either these past three years. First there was her miscarriage then the tragic death of Sophie in Spain to Grace disappearing off the face of the earth and, more recently, the sudden death of her father to cancer...all of which Liv hasn't had a chance to grieve for any of it. So when Jamie suggested this trial separation Liv was devastated. Jamie's her soul mate and she can't imagine life without him. So to give herself some breathing space and time to think things over, Liv decides to go back to the place where she and her two best friends visited in their gap year but vowed they would never return for a week's reprieve.
Now as she enjoys the quiet almost secluded beach she drifts off to sleep and is suddenly awoken by a dog barking. She follows the sound to a bouncy gold retriever running along the pier and welcoming his owners as they return to the beach from their swim. Something about the woman strikes a cord with Liv as she watches them return to their pile of clothing on the sand and tossing them on over their wet bathers.
And then she sees it...the woman's arm...and it stirs a memory. Sophie. She calls her name...the name of her best friend who died three and a half years ago. And with those words she is sure she sees the woman freeze momentarily...or did she? Eager to catch up to the couple, Liv reaches around to hastily tie her bikini top but when she turns back...they have gone.
Was the woman on the beach Sophie or did she just imagine it? But how can that be since Sophie is dead? It would have been Sophie's birthday just a couple of days ago. What with that, her unresolved grief and her recent troubles with Jamie, it could well just be a case of her conjuring up the memory of Sophie as she has been at the forefront of her mind for the past three years. Without further regard, Liv pushes all thoughts of the woman on the beach from her mind and returns to England and hopefully back into the loving arms of her husband.
But Liv has only been home a week when an unexpected letter arrives throwing caution to the wind and everything she thought she knew is is now under question. The only way to uncover the truth is to return to where it all began...when the three friends were at their happiest before life took a tragic turn and changed them all forever. Before Liv married Jamie and Sophie married Tom, Liv's brother, and Grace moved to Spain. Before the train crash that claimed Sophie's life and caused Grace to disappear in a cloud of grief and guilt at surviving. Before university, when life was good and they were young and carefree. Before everything changed.
But is Liv prepared for what she is about to uncover? And will any of their lives ever be the same again when she does?
The premise for THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is definitely intriguing and upon starting the book it wasn't long before I figured out the line along which it was heading. But that was only the beginning. What ensues is a far deeper tale of the joys and heartbreaks of these three friends and how things went tragically wrong.
The story moves along at a steady pace throughout with easily spaced chapters that weren't long and drawn out. The narratives alternate between Liv, Grace and Sophie mostly between 2014 and 2018 with some leading up the former and latter days. We go to see the respective husbands in Jamie and Tom respectively through Liv and Sophie's eyes whilst life with Luis through Grace's. I didn't like Tom and his behaviour I don't think was adequately explained in the end and didn't sit right with me. I do, however, love Jamie and Luis who were the kindest, most forgiving and compassionate. But my favourite character by far was Vince...and I'm so glad that he got his happy ever after above all!
Julia Roberts has an engaging writing style that easily pulls the reader in unlike others in the same genre. Contemporary women's fiction is not really my thing but there are but a handful of authors who easily capture my attention and hold it throughout and Ms Roberts is one of them. THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is definitely an addictive page-turner with several twists to be savoured along the way and everything being tied up at the end...though not in the way I had expected or would have actually preferred. The original angle was my preferred choice as for me that was far more believable.
Overall, THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH is an emotional and heartbreaking read perfect for lovers of contemporary fiction or chick lit. And though it's not a patch on "My Mother's Secret" , it is still worth a read.
I would like to thank #JuliaRoberts, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBeach in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
May 3, 2022
I loved it!! Omg I really did!!
Liv saw someone familiar on the beach and called out her name. SOPHIE!! But Sophie had died in an accident. How could it be her best friend? Could it?
The author Julia Roberts should write more of this genre – women’s fiction with tons of mystery. I enjoyed the familiarity of the initial half and the comfort it gave me as I settled into its pages.
Then the truths arrived, loud and banging, leaving both Sophie and me flabbergasted. Oh wow. The author was a cool, wicked woman. I was all piped up for a big confrontation when Ms. Roberts twisted the story upon itself. I love it when authors do that. That made me complete the book much faster.
Final impression – Fun and fast read with mystery and deception, emotions and friendship. Quite a niche for the author to have as she carved the story brilliantly.
Liv saw someone familiar on the beach and called out her name. SOPHIE!! But Sophie had died in an accident. How could it be her best friend? Could it?
The author Julia Roberts should write more of this genre – women’s fiction with tons of mystery. I enjoyed the familiarity of the initial half and the comfort it gave me as I settled into its pages.
Then the truths arrived, loud and banging, leaving both Sophie and me flabbergasted. Oh wow. The author was a cool, wicked woman. I was all piped up for a big confrontation when Ms. Roberts twisted the story upon itself. I love it when authors do that. That made me complete the book much faster.
Final impression – Fun and fast read with mystery and deception, emotions and friendship. Quite a niche for the author to have as she carved the story brilliantly.
August 17, 2021
Ever since we locked fingers and swore to be best friends at school, Sophie was there for me. When she married my brother, I followed her down the aisle as her bridesmaid, thrilled that we were becoming a family. We laughed and cried together. We shared everything. At least I thought we did. And then she was gone. The terrible accident that took her life devastated me. She was so quiet these last few months. I keep thinking there is something I don't know.
Liv, Grace and Sophie have been best friends since they were at school. Live thought see saw her dead friend on a beach in Mexico. Liv is taking a break from her marriage to Jamie and decides to visit Grace. There's been a lot of tragic events in Liv's life recently. Could the stress be making her mind play tricks on her?
the chapters jump back and forth in time and are told from Liv and Sophie's perspectives. This is one of those books I think you are best going into blind, plus I don't want to spoil it for potential readers. The plotline has been cleverly crafted with well developed characters. It's quite an emotional book to read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JuliaRoberts for my ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBeach in exchange for an honest review.
Liv, Grace and Sophie have been best friends since they were at school. Live thought see saw her dead friend on a beach in Mexico. Liv is taking a break from her marriage to Jamie and decides to visit Grace. There's been a lot of tragic events in Liv's life recently. Could the stress be making her mind play tricks on her?
the chapters jump back and forth in time and are told from Liv and Sophie's perspectives. This is one of those books I think you are best going into blind, plus I don't want to spoil it for potential readers. The plotline has been cleverly crafted with well developed characters. It's quite an emotional book to read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JuliaRoberts for my ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBeach in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2021
Wowzers, what an emotionally charged read this was! It's hard to say too much about the storyline as it doesn't give too much away in the description so would hate to spoil it for others. What I will say though is that it takes some very unexpected turns, one that shocked me to the core as I hadn't seen it coming. It will have you asking yourself how well you really know the people closest to you. An enthralling, page turner of a read that well and truly pulls on the readers heart strings.
July 15, 2021
I can’t give you a synopsis as it would ruin this beautifully penned plot. Roberts gives a simple framework of this book and you can check it out online. It’s best to go into it with your heart and mind open.
Can you imagine being a fly on the wall while Julia Roberts is writing this book?! I can only imagine what her plotting must have looked like for such a complex book. With her 8th novel published and a solid background in the entertainment industry, Roberts is no stranger to plotting. She knows how important it is to keep her audience’s attention. This, her 9th novel, leaves readers with food for thought as she’s left some open enders.
Grab some tissues, make sure you aren’t reading in public, and then when you have a full reserve of patience….start this clever, clever book. I’ll be honest, I ditched it a few times because I didn’t have the patience to figure out all the characters and connections. When I was ready to work for it, I couldn’t tear myself away from Liv and her friends’ story. Stick with it because you’ll be rewarded with one of the most emotionally charged and cleverly plotted women’s fiction books you’ll have read in a long time.
Inspired from watching a little dog, like the one you’ll read about, patiently waiting at the water’s edge, Roberts’ mind started reeling about writing a book where a seemingly idyllic lifestyle could be shattered by a ghost from the past. What she has produced is a book where both character and reader will be put through the wringer before ending on a happy note.
In “Woman On The Beach,” Roberts explores the ways we lie to ourselves and how hope and love can heal us.
Publishes August 19, 2021
Can you imagine being a fly on the wall while Julia Roberts is writing this book?! I can only imagine what her plotting must have looked like for such a complex book. With her 8th novel published and a solid background in the entertainment industry, Roberts is no stranger to plotting. She knows how important it is to keep her audience’s attention. This, her 9th novel, leaves readers with food for thought as she’s left some open enders.
Grab some tissues, make sure you aren’t reading in public, and then when you have a full reserve of patience….start this clever, clever book. I’ll be honest, I ditched it a few times because I didn’t have the patience to figure out all the characters and connections. When I was ready to work for it, I couldn’t tear myself away from Liv and her friends’ story. Stick with it because you’ll be rewarded with one of the most emotionally charged and cleverly plotted women’s fiction books you’ll have read in a long time.
Inspired from watching a little dog, like the one you’ll read about, patiently waiting at the water’s edge, Roberts’ mind started reeling about writing a book where a seemingly idyllic lifestyle could be shattered by a ghost from the past. What she has produced is a book where both character and reader will be put through the wringer before ending on a happy note.
In “Woman On The Beach,” Roberts explores the ways we lie to ourselves and how hope and love can heal us.
Publishes August 19, 2021
September 11, 2021
Each page had me desperately turning the pages trying to discover what was going to happen next. The Woman on the Beach is an emotional, captivating read with twists and red herrings that keep you engrossed throughout.
After a tragic accident, the lives of three friends, Sophie, Liv and Grace are devastating changed. When Liv spots a woman on the beach that might be Sophie, who is supposed to be dead, a chain of events are set in place that makes for an entralling, heart-rending read.
With a gripping plot filled with emotion and depth, as well as characters that are written so well that you feel you know them intimately. This novel will have you mesmerised from beginning to end.
After a tragic accident, the lives of three friends, Sophie, Liv and Grace are devastating changed. When Liv spots a woman on the beach that might be Sophie, who is supposed to be dead, a chain of events are set in place that makes for an entralling, heart-rending read.
With a gripping plot filled with emotion and depth, as well as characters that are written so well that you feel you know them intimately. This novel will have you mesmerised from beginning to end.
October 14, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Woman On The Beach' by Julia Roberts.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Roberts, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th August 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Amanda Prowse, Liane Moriarty and Susan Lewis will absolutely love The Woman on the Beach'. I am a huge fan of Susan Lewis so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 41 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧, Spain 🇪🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽 ,North America 🇺🇸. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Liv, Grace and Sophie. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of bith first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions that take you from Spain to Mexico to England all while sitting in the comfort of your own home. The cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The storyline is about the friendship of three friends and the changes losing one can make to the dynamics of the friends left and their families. It is filled with friendship, love, tragedy, tears, secrets, loss and more, everything you could want in an unputdownable family drama. It was quite fast paced and it kept me constantly turning the page until I finished with it in one sitting. There were a few surprises among the way which completely shocked me and I was definitely not expecting so congratulations Julia as it is getting harder to surprise me. This is a book that you can read curled up in front of a fire or laying on a sunny beach. I felt completely absorbed in the storyline and really enjoyed it. The booking ended perfectly and the storyline also touches on some subjects that need to be discussed more which is great. I wasn't sure whether to mention those subjects both as a trigger warning as well as when I was reviewing the book. I decided not to in the end as I feel if I mention them it will give to much away. I hope I make the right decision in doing this but for those who have read it they will know what subjects I'm referring to and another congratulations to Julia on discussing these subjects as it may help future readers who may be going through this themselves.
The characters were realistic and strong and I loved meeting them. The friendship between Sophie, Grace and Liv is beautiful and I loved reading the dynamic between them before the accident and it was intriguing to watch how relationships grew and changed after the accident. Again, the problem I'm having is saying too much without spoiling it for future readers so I won't go into their characters any more than that. I absolutely adored Jamie and thought he was such a lovely guy and Liv was definitely lucky to have him. The fact that he is an animal lover makes him even better. Again (sorry) I have to be careful with what I say but I do want to say that I think 2 other couples were lovely and I'm really glad of the choices made at the end and think they were perfect. This wasn't how I felt half way through with two people in particular being slated by me in their choices and attitudes but everything was a lovely ending. I know that may not make sense if you haven't read it but if you do, and I definitely recommend you do, then you'll understand me.
Congratulations Julia in an absolutely beautiful but heartbreaking unputdownable page turner. I'm looking forward to seeing more from you!!
Overall a heartbreaking but gorgeous unputdownable page turner that will lift your spirits by the end.
Genres covered in this book include Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Susan Lewis and anyone else looking for a beautiful family drama.
255 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Review for 'The Woman On The Beach' by Julia Roberts.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Roberts, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th August 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Amanda Prowse, Liane Moriarty and Susan Lewis will absolutely love The Woman on the Beach'. I am a huge fan of Susan Lewis so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 41 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧, Spain 🇪🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽 ,North America 🇺🇸. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Liv, Grace and Sophie. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of bith first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions that take you from Spain to Mexico to England all while sitting in the comfort of your own home. The cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The storyline is about the friendship of three friends and the changes losing one can make to the dynamics of the friends left and their families. It is filled with friendship, love, tragedy, tears, secrets, loss and more, everything you could want in an unputdownable family drama. It was quite fast paced and it kept me constantly turning the page until I finished with it in one sitting. There were a few surprises among the way which completely shocked me and I was definitely not expecting so congratulations Julia as it is getting harder to surprise me. This is a book that you can read curled up in front of a fire or laying on a sunny beach. I felt completely absorbed in the storyline and really enjoyed it. The booking ended perfectly and the storyline also touches on some subjects that need to be discussed more which is great. I wasn't sure whether to mention those subjects both as a trigger warning as well as when I was reviewing the book. I decided not to in the end as I feel if I mention them it will give to much away. I hope I make the right decision in doing this but for those who have read it they will know what subjects I'm referring to and another congratulations to Julia on discussing these subjects as it may help future readers who may be going through this themselves.
The characters were realistic and strong and I loved meeting them. The friendship between Sophie, Grace and Liv is beautiful and I loved reading the dynamic between them before the accident and it was intriguing to watch how relationships grew and changed after the accident. Again, the problem I'm having is saying too much without spoiling it for future readers so I won't go into their characters any more than that. I absolutely adored Jamie and thought he was such a lovely guy and Liv was definitely lucky to have him. The fact that he is an animal lover makes him even better. Again (sorry) I have to be careful with what I say but I do want to say that I think 2 other couples were lovely and I'm really glad of the choices made at the end and think they were perfect. This wasn't how I felt half way through with two people in particular being slated by me in their choices and attitudes but everything was a lovely ending. I know that may not make sense if you haven't read it but if you do, and I definitely recommend you do, then you'll understand me.
Congratulations Julia in an absolutely beautiful but heartbreaking unputdownable page turner. I'm looking forward to seeing more from you!!
Overall a heartbreaking but gorgeous unputdownable page turner that will lift your spirits by the end.
Genres covered in this book include Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Susan Lewis and anyone else looking for a beautiful family drama.
255 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
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August 19, 2021
Liv is taking some time alone. She heads to a vacation in Mexico to deal with more than one thing. For starters, she is on a trial separation from her husband Jamie. What is more is that she is still grieving the death of her friend Sophie and the fact that her other friend Grace took off after Sophie's untimely death.
However, one day on the beach Liv spots a couple coming out of the water after a swim. The woman raises her arm, and even from a distance, Liv recognizes a one-of-a-kind tattoo - a tattoo that Sophie had. She couldn't stop herself. She calls out Sophie's name, but then thinks she must have been mistaken. The story shifts perseptives from here on in ... Liv, Grace, Sophie. How does Sophie have a voice when she is deceased?
Now back at home, Liv and Jamie have reconciled. Liv receives a letter, one that drains all the color from her face. What is going on? Who is the letter from and why does it cause Liv so much shock? Reading this letter drives Liv back to Mexico to search for answers. The answers are shocking, to say the very least. In fact, credulity and doubt are soon at war.
What an impactful story! There is so much more that I simply cannot add in this review, other than to say go pick up this book and read it. Now! It is impossible to put down. It is a fast-paced read that doesn't slow down, even for the change of perspectives. In fact, it is these very changes that created an incredible puzzle in my mind, one I was more than desperate to solve. This is a stunning book that definitely deserves 5 stars.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinon.
However, one day on the beach Liv spots a couple coming out of the water after a swim. The woman raises her arm, and even from a distance, Liv recognizes a one-of-a-kind tattoo - a tattoo that Sophie had. She couldn't stop herself. She calls out Sophie's name, but then thinks she must have been mistaken. The story shifts perseptives from here on in ... Liv, Grace, Sophie. How does Sophie have a voice when she is deceased?
Now back at home, Liv and Jamie have reconciled. Liv receives a letter, one that drains all the color from her face. What is going on? Who is the letter from and why does it cause Liv so much shock? Reading this letter drives Liv back to Mexico to search for answers. The answers are shocking, to say the very least. In fact, credulity and doubt are soon at war.
What an impactful story! There is so much more that I simply cannot add in this review, other than to say go pick up this book and read it. Now! It is impossible to put down. It is a fast-paced read that doesn't slow down, even for the change of perspectives. In fact, it is these very changes that created an incredible puzzle in my mind, one I was more than desperate to solve. This is a stunning book that definitely deserves 5 stars.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinon.
August 19, 2021
I absolutely loved this book – but have to say that I’ve really found it incredibly difficult to write a review that won’t entirely ruin the story for others. When I picked it up, all I knew about it was the book’s description – it’s really all about the afterwards, what follows after that encounter on the Mexican beach. I really must allow every reader to discover it for themselves, but I’ll happily admit that it was nothing like the book I was expecting. And lest you worry, I mean that in the best of ways – I couldn’t put the book down after its intriguing prologue and opening chapter, enjoyed every moment of its wonderful twists and turns, and when I finally reached the final page (and it might have been accompanied by a “phew!”), I could only think how very much I’d enjoyed it. Well, until I started to worry about how on earth I was going to write a review…
In 2006, Sophie, Grace and Olivia are firm friends – looking forward to a gap year of travel and adventure once they’ve received their A level results. Sophie’s certain to have done well, and does – she’s very much the golden girl, excelling at everything she turns her hand to, very much the most self-confident of the three. Olivia’s less cocky, but does well too – but then comes Grace’s turn, and her results are a disappointment. Grace’s family are less supportive – their focus is always on her brother – and she hasn’t knuckled down as she should have, finding some happiness in the company of her boyfriend, largely as an escape from her unhappy home life. She resits her exams, and joins the other two part way into their trip, when they’ve made it to Mexico – where something particularly unsettling happens, and the partying is drawn to an end.
We rejoin them over ten years later. Olivia has had a particularly rough time with the death of her father and a miscarriage, it’s fairly obvious there are significant problems with her marriage, and she decides to take a beach holiday in Mexico – it’s the one place where no-one would think to look for her, after that unfortunate experience on the earlier trip. Grace is living in Spain, where Sophie joins her to escape from a few problems of her own – but when Sophie is killed in a rail accident, Grace chooses to disappear entirely. Enough though – we’re now at the point of that encounter on the beach, and that’s when the story takes off in an entirely unexpected way…
This book really does have a bit of everything – primarily perhaps family-based drama, but a touch of psych thriller in there too, and a few serious issues handled and explored exceptionally well. If you’ve read the author’s books before, you’ll already know how superbly she handles and builds a character driven story – there are people in this book who you dislike and mistrust, only to find yourself entirely in their corner and wiping away a tear a few chapters later. Her emotional touch is quite perfect, and this book is full of heart-piercing moments – and then the story twists again and carries you away in an entirely different direction. There’s a lot about identity, trust, fresh starts, not judging from first impressions… and my goodness, I thought it was wonderful.
Do try and stay away from the reviews, dive in, and you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one – I most certainly did. You might just feel a teeny bit confused at the start while you’re trying to work out who’s who and the timelines remain entangled, but when it hits its stride the pages turn ever faster and you’ll speed through it, relishing every clever twist and turn. I so enjoy Julia Roberts’ writing – I’m already really looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next!
In 2006, Sophie, Grace and Olivia are firm friends – looking forward to a gap year of travel and adventure once they’ve received their A level results. Sophie’s certain to have done well, and does – she’s very much the golden girl, excelling at everything she turns her hand to, very much the most self-confident of the three. Olivia’s less cocky, but does well too – but then comes Grace’s turn, and her results are a disappointment. Grace’s family are less supportive – their focus is always on her brother – and she hasn’t knuckled down as she should have, finding some happiness in the company of her boyfriend, largely as an escape from her unhappy home life. She resits her exams, and joins the other two part way into their trip, when they’ve made it to Mexico – where something particularly unsettling happens, and the partying is drawn to an end.
We rejoin them over ten years later. Olivia has had a particularly rough time with the death of her father and a miscarriage, it’s fairly obvious there are significant problems with her marriage, and she decides to take a beach holiday in Mexico – it’s the one place where no-one would think to look for her, after that unfortunate experience on the earlier trip. Grace is living in Spain, where Sophie joins her to escape from a few problems of her own – but when Sophie is killed in a rail accident, Grace chooses to disappear entirely. Enough though – we’re now at the point of that encounter on the beach, and that’s when the story takes off in an entirely unexpected way…
This book really does have a bit of everything – primarily perhaps family-based drama, but a touch of psych thriller in there too, and a few serious issues handled and explored exceptionally well. If you’ve read the author’s books before, you’ll already know how superbly she handles and builds a character driven story – there are people in this book who you dislike and mistrust, only to find yourself entirely in their corner and wiping away a tear a few chapters later. Her emotional touch is quite perfect, and this book is full of heart-piercing moments – and then the story twists again and carries you away in an entirely different direction. There’s a lot about identity, trust, fresh starts, not judging from first impressions… and my goodness, I thought it was wonderful.
Do try and stay away from the reviews, dive in, and you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one – I most certainly did. You might just feel a teeny bit confused at the start while you’re trying to work out who’s who and the timelines remain entangled, but when it hits its stride the pages turn ever faster and you’ll speed through it, relishing every clever twist and turn. I so enjoy Julia Roberts’ writing – I’m already really looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next!
August 18, 2021
Book Review: The Woman on the Beach by Julia Roberts
Book Title: The Woman on the Beach
Author: Julia Roberts
Length: 255 pages
Publisher: Bookoutre
Publication Date: August 19, 2021
Genre: Woman’s Fiction, Relationships, Fiction
My Rating: *****/5
Summary:
The story is about 3 friends, Sophie, Grace and Olivia (Liv). One of them dies and the confusion is who actually perishes. The story is the journey of one of the friend perishing, while the other distancing herself totally from all the relationships in her life. The book deals with the topics of Amnesia, Controlling Relationships, Post Partum Depression and Bond of Friendship.
My Take:
I Thank Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with the ARC of this marvellous book. I hereby state that all the views on the book pertain to my own and is not a paid review.
I can definitely state that Bookoutre has become my favorite publisher on Netgalley and till date all the books provided to me by the publisher have been absolutely marvellous. I commend the publisher for bringing gems of books for reading which can hook the reader and make the reading experience worthwhile. I again thank Bookoutre for approving all my book review requests and secretly hoping to be in their auto-approval list.
Talking about this book, what do i say! This book covers so many vast topics and some which are not being openly discussed viz, Controlling Relationships and Post Partum Depression (PPD). While covering the topics the book also focusses on the friendship of 3 main protagonists thereby weaving a beautiful story around it. I simply was hooked to this book and must admit that i completed this book in very little time as compared to other reads by keeping myself up full night.
Characters are beautiful and believable at the same time. The portrayal of characters are such that you actually start believing in the evilness of them. The traits of the characters do change with the difference in views. The story is narrated from 2 people’s perspective and their perspective defines the traits of the other characters in the story which is totally justified.
Pace of the book is fast and constant. The twists and turns are marvellous. Never in the book was there a dull moment. Rather with every new twist, you are keen to read on to know whats coming next. I won’t term this book as a thriller though since for me the thrill factor was a bit less and i was more intrigued by the storyline.
Overall, I adored this book and would definitely be one of my favorite reads for the year 2021.
Book Title: The Woman on the Beach
Author: Julia Roberts
Length: 255 pages
Publisher: Bookoutre
Publication Date: August 19, 2021
Genre: Woman’s Fiction, Relationships, Fiction
My Rating: *****/5
Summary:
The story is about 3 friends, Sophie, Grace and Olivia (Liv). One of them dies and the confusion is who actually perishes. The story is the journey of one of the friend perishing, while the other distancing herself totally from all the relationships in her life. The book deals with the topics of Amnesia, Controlling Relationships, Post Partum Depression and Bond of Friendship.
My Take:
I Thank Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with the ARC of this marvellous book. I hereby state that all the views on the book pertain to my own and is not a paid review.
I can definitely state that Bookoutre has become my favorite publisher on Netgalley and till date all the books provided to me by the publisher have been absolutely marvellous. I commend the publisher for bringing gems of books for reading which can hook the reader and make the reading experience worthwhile. I again thank Bookoutre for approving all my book review requests and secretly hoping to be in their auto-approval list.
Talking about this book, what do i say! This book covers so many vast topics and some which are not being openly discussed viz, Controlling Relationships and Post Partum Depression (PPD). While covering the topics the book also focusses on the friendship of 3 main protagonists thereby weaving a beautiful story around it. I simply was hooked to this book and must admit that i completed this book in very little time as compared to other reads by keeping myself up full night.
Characters are beautiful and believable at the same time. The portrayal of characters are such that you actually start believing in the evilness of them. The traits of the characters do change with the difference in views. The story is narrated from 2 people’s perspective and their perspective defines the traits of the other characters in the story which is totally justified.
Pace of the book is fast and constant. The twists and turns are marvellous. Never in the book was there a dull moment. Rather with every new twist, you are keen to read on to know whats coming next. I won’t term this book as a thriller though since for me the thrill factor was a bit less and i was more intrigued by the storyline.
Overall, I adored this book and would definitely be one of my favorite reads for the year 2021.
August 19, 2021
Liv is convinced that a woman she sees on a beach in Mexico is her old school friend Sophie, but that's impossible as Sophie died in a train crash years earlier.
This book despite being slightly far fetched In places kept me invested in the story, I wanted to keep reading to see what happened next. Parts of the story are based loosely on the Authors experiences. This shows in the very clever writing.
A worthy 4 star novel
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
This book despite being slightly far fetched In places kept me invested in the story, I wanted to keep reading to see what happened next. Parts of the story are based loosely on the Authors experiences. This shows in the very clever writing.
A worthy 4 star novel
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
August 10, 2021
The story starts when Liv is taking a break from her marriage and decides to go to Mexico where she, and her best friends Sophie and Grace used to go. Unfortunately Sophie died in a train crash and Grace dissapeared in grief and guilt. When Liv sees a woman briefly on the beach with the same hair colouring and tattoo as her late friend Sophie it puts her life into perspective and she just wants to come home to be with her husband Jamie. No one realises that she has started a chain of events that will change a lot of lives.
A lovely twisty, turny story, perfect for the summer.
A lovely twisty, turny story, perfect for the summer.
August 15, 2021
I requested this book as I was attracted to the Tulum beach setting and a story of friendship between 3 girls. This novel is a mystery with suspense and a few twists along the way.
At first, I was confused with the 3 different characters but I was fine by the 20-30% mark where the story started picking up.
If you are looking for a fast read and a few suspenseful twists, this is a great book. The pace was good throughout the book and I enjoyed the characters. However, it deals with a few hard subjects such as post parfum depression, grief and spousal abuse but not in dramatic ways.
Do not shy away from this book!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
At first, I was confused with the 3 different characters but I was fine by the 20-30% mark where the story started picking up.
If you are looking for a fast read and a few suspenseful twists, this is a great book. The pace was good throughout the book and I enjoyed the characters. However, it deals with a few hard subjects such as post parfum depression, grief and spousal abuse but not in dramatic ways.
Do not shy away from this book!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
November 13, 2025
Really liked this book, didn’t expect the first twist AT ALL! I really expected the second half of the book to be an even bigger twist and end with a bang but it was completely different than I imagined (which was kind of disappointing) but overall a great read!
August 19, 2021
Three young girls become close friends and swear this bond will never be broken. They keep their promise for years and years and then life happens. Each and everyone of them has to deal with some devastating emotions and they don’t want to burden the others even more. Cracks are starting to show. Is it possible to paste them together again or can even the strongest tie tear completely?
Sometimes though, if you leave it too long, you will be left with guilt and regrets. It’s very hard to make a decision when your head is not in the right place. What seems the best thing to do at that time, might – looking back now – not have been the best thing at all…
You keep secrets, but you don’t realize it and when you do, you still don’t confess because you are afraid of the reactions. Every day it’s getting harder and harder, but suddenly you know you no longer have a choice and you have to take the bull by the horns, before someone else beats you to it.
It was often a very heart breaking story, but the author kept you on your toes too. What was real and who was the victim?
If you are in the mood for an emotional roller coaster, please stop looking because this is a book you definitely should consider. 5 stars
Thank you, Julia Roberts and Bookouture
Sometimes though, if you leave it too long, you will be left with guilt and regrets. It’s very hard to make a decision when your head is not in the right place. What seems the best thing to do at that time, might – looking back now – not have been the best thing at all…
You keep secrets, but you don’t realize it and when you do, you still don’t confess because you are afraid of the reactions. Every day it’s getting harder and harder, but suddenly you know you no longer have a choice and you have to take the bull by the horns, before someone else beats you to it.
It was often a very heart breaking story, but the author kept you on your toes too. What was real and who was the victim?
If you are in the mood for an emotional roller coaster, please stop looking because this is a book you definitely should consider. 5 stars
Thank you, Julia Roberts and Bookouture
August 23, 2021
This was a fantastic read from start to finish. It was written in such a clever way that it was so easy to follow without detracting from the complicated storyline. Tears and laughter, hope and despair all feature and I will looking for more reads from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
March 1, 2022
As emotional and perceptive as the most compulsive family dramas and as captivating and engrossing as a tense psychological crime thriller, Julia Roberts’ latest novel, The Woman on the Beach is an absorbing, astute and spellbinding read that will keep readers guessing until the very last page.
Sophie and Liv had been the best of friends since school. Together through thick and thin, they vowed to always be there for one another. Nothing and nobody was going to come between them and the girls were sure they were going to be best friends for life. Sophie had always been there for Liv. Through the good times and the bad, Sophie was always there with a shoulder to cry on and a supportive ear. The girls shared absolutely everything and were closer than sisters, so when Sophie had died, Liv had been absolutely devastated. Torn apart by grief and heartbroken by the loss of her friend, Liv doesn’t know how she was ever going to get through Sophie’s death. When Liv visits a beach she had visited as a child, she sees a woman who is the exact mirror image of her friend. Liv thinks she’s hallucinating – until she realises that the woman she saw on the beach was the best friend she had been grieving all this time!
Liv is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. As memories of the past come rushing back, Liv begins to wonder what really happened during the weeks leading up to Sophie’s ‘death’. Sophie had seemed so quiet and withdrawn back then, but surely she wouldn’t go as far as faking her own death…or would she? Determined to track down the woman she had seen on the beach, Liv vows to leave no stone unturned. But is she ready for what she is about to uncover? Just how well did she know her best friend? Will solving this mystery provide Liv with the answers she desperately seeks? Or is it only going to make things much worse and end up destroying everything?
The Woman on the Beach is a beautifully layered page-turner that explores friendship, grief, secrets, lies and deception and which unravels in such a nuanced and compelling way that readers will find themselves completely floored by the shocking revelations Liv uncovers. Julia Roberts know how to capture her readers’ attention and keep them eagerly anticipating the next juicy twist and turn and in The Woman on the Beach, she has written a gripping yarn perfect for fans of Susan Lewis and Liane Moriarty.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sophie and Liv had been the best of friends since school. Together through thick and thin, they vowed to always be there for one another. Nothing and nobody was going to come between them and the girls were sure they were going to be best friends for life. Sophie had always been there for Liv. Through the good times and the bad, Sophie was always there with a shoulder to cry on and a supportive ear. The girls shared absolutely everything and were closer than sisters, so when Sophie had died, Liv had been absolutely devastated. Torn apart by grief and heartbroken by the loss of her friend, Liv doesn’t know how she was ever going to get through Sophie’s death. When Liv visits a beach she had visited as a child, she sees a woman who is the exact mirror image of her friend. Liv thinks she’s hallucinating – until she realises that the woman she saw on the beach was the best friend she had been grieving all this time!
Liv is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. As memories of the past come rushing back, Liv begins to wonder what really happened during the weeks leading up to Sophie’s ‘death’. Sophie had seemed so quiet and withdrawn back then, but surely she wouldn’t go as far as faking her own death…or would she? Determined to track down the woman she had seen on the beach, Liv vows to leave no stone unturned. But is she ready for what she is about to uncover? Just how well did she know her best friend? Will solving this mystery provide Liv with the answers she desperately seeks? Or is it only going to make things much worse and end up destroying everything?
The Woman on the Beach is a beautifully layered page-turner that explores friendship, grief, secrets, lies and deception and which unravels in such a nuanced and compelling way that readers will find themselves completely floored by the shocking revelations Liv uncovers. Julia Roberts know how to capture her readers’ attention and keep them eagerly anticipating the next juicy twist and turn and in The Woman on the Beach, she has written a gripping yarn perfect for fans of Susan Lewis and Liane Moriarty.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 23, 2021
Liv is on a beach in Mexico and recognises a woman who was one of her best friends; however, she believed Sophie had died in a train crash years before when visiting another friend, Grace, in Spain. Sophie's husband Tom (also Liv's brother) has since remarried.
The truth is that Sophie suffered a form of amnesia after the fatal train crash and assumed Grace's identity. She has built a new life for herself and has a boyfriend, Luis, and a job teaching Pilates.
Sophie is thrown into turmoil by Liv's reappearance but, learning she has a young daughter, decides to return to England and try for custody. Liv agrees to help Sophie whilst uncertain of the truth, loyalties torn between her friend and brother as she tries to piece events together.
Through a combination of present day and flashbacks, the story of what really happened to Sophie begins to emerge. But what is the truth that Sophie's mind has been repressing all these years, and what will happen when that truth finally comes to light?
This book deals with the difficult subject of postpartum depression and how traumatic events can affect memory. The other main subject is how relationships change based on what we know, or think we know, about the people closest to us. Perhaps the truth isn't always what we imagined it would be, or because it was too frightening to admit even to ourselves.
The book touches on several sensitive subjects, such as grief and miscarriage, as well as the central trauma suffered by Sophie and its repercussions, but remains realistic in how the characters act and behave. Nobody is perfect and some individuals are more flawed than others, but accepting the truth of the past allows Sophie to move forward in the present.
I read this book in a single day, not able to put it down until knowing how things resolved.
Julia Roberts is a new author to me and I will look out for more of her books.
I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Bookouture, in return for an honest appraisal.
The truth is that Sophie suffered a form of amnesia after the fatal train crash and assumed Grace's identity. She has built a new life for herself and has a boyfriend, Luis, and a job teaching Pilates.
Sophie is thrown into turmoil by Liv's reappearance but, learning she has a young daughter, decides to return to England and try for custody. Liv agrees to help Sophie whilst uncertain of the truth, loyalties torn between her friend and brother as she tries to piece events together.
Through a combination of present day and flashbacks, the story of what really happened to Sophie begins to emerge. But what is the truth that Sophie's mind has been repressing all these years, and what will happen when that truth finally comes to light?
This book deals with the difficult subject of postpartum depression and how traumatic events can affect memory. The other main subject is how relationships change based on what we know, or think we know, about the people closest to us. Perhaps the truth isn't always what we imagined it would be, or because it was too frightening to admit even to ourselves.
The book touches on several sensitive subjects, such as grief and miscarriage, as well as the central trauma suffered by Sophie and its repercussions, but remains realistic in how the characters act and behave. Nobody is perfect and some individuals are more flawed than others, but accepting the truth of the past allows Sophie to move forward in the present.
I read this book in a single day, not able to put it down until knowing how things resolved.
Julia Roberts is a new author to me and I will look out for more of her books.
I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Bookouture, in return for an honest appraisal.
August 21, 2021
If there is something I love as much as a morally grey character, it's an unreliable narrator. This book is the story of three girls whose friendship is so strong that they can tell each other everything---IS IT REALLY???? The girls thought so at least but then each one of them has to deal with a different kind of devastating and painful experience and they have to decide how much to tell the others. Julia Roberts tells the story from three different POVs and you, the reader, are the only one who (presumably) knows the whole story---at least that is what YOU think when you read the book. But everything is not what it seems. The author takes you on a rollercoaster ride through emotional struggles, doubt, grief, etc. She keeps you guessing what really happened until the very end. You think you have it all figured out and root for the girls and then, bam!, you get another piece in this puzzle and start doubting your own theories.
While the last Julia Roberts book I read made me ball my eyes out (read my review of My Mother's Secret here), this book kept me at the edge of my seat, not only because I could relate to two of the girls' stories on a very personal level but also because one of the girls is such an unreliable narrator that you keep wondering throughout the book if you can believe what she is saying or if the events did not really happen the way she believes they did. Thank you, Julia Roberts, for giving me hours of thrill, heartbreak, and entertainment!
While the last Julia Roberts book I read made me ball my eyes out (read my review of My Mother's Secret here), this book kept me at the edge of my seat, not only because I could relate to two of the girls' stories on a very personal level but also because one of the girls is such an unreliable narrator that you keep wondering throughout the book if you can believe what she is saying or if the events did not really happen the way she believes they did. Thank you, Julia Roberts, for giving me hours of thrill, heartbreak, and entertainment!
August 27, 2021
If you haven't read any books by Julia Roberts where have you been........I can Highly recommend all her books and they have all been a 5 star read! So when her latest book came out called The Woman on the Beach
I had to put everything on hold for the day, find my comfy spot, turn social media and my iphone off and open my kindle........Wow.......I was gripped from the very few pages till the end.
This latest book had some cracking twists and turns throughout and its about a long friendship between 3 girls. Grace, Liv and Sophie.
Liv is on a trial separation from her husband Jamie and is still grieving the sudden death of her dear friend Sophie and has headed off on holiday alone to Mexico for some me time. Plus, this was their favourite place to go as friends.
Whilst sitting on the beach listening to the sea Liv spots a couple in the distance coming out of the water. They're all loved up, the woman raises her arm, and from a distance Liv recognises the tattoo which is on her arm - it's the tattoo only Sophie had designed to cover up an injury she had a few years previously.
Liv could not help her self and shouts out "Sophie!" But, I must be going mad! Sophie is Dead! and I must of been mistaken! ?
WOW.....Who was she?
Was she Sophie?
This book is a gripping read and will have you on the edge of your seat wondering is Sophie alive and she did not die?
Big Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Julia Roberts for my ARC of The Woman On The Beach in exchange for an honest review.
I had to put everything on hold for the day, find my comfy spot, turn social media and my iphone off and open my kindle........Wow.......I was gripped from the very few pages till the end.
This latest book had some cracking twists and turns throughout and its about a long friendship between 3 girls. Grace, Liv and Sophie.
Liv is on a trial separation from her husband Jamie and is still grieving the sudden death of her dear friend Sophie and has headed off on holiday alone to Mexico for some me time. Plus, this was their favourite place to go as friends.
Whilst sitting on the beach listening to the sea Liv spots a couple in the distance coming out of the water. They're all loved up, the woman raises her arm, and from a distance Liv recognises the tattoo which is on her arm - it's the tattoo only Sophie had designed to cover up an injury she had a few years previously.
Liv could not help her self and shouts out "Sophie!" But, I must be going mad! Sophie is Dead! and I must of been mistaken! ?
WOW.....Who was she?
Was she Sophie?
This book is a gripping read and will have you on the edge of your seat wondering is Sophie alive and she did not die?
Big Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Julia Roberts for my ARC of The Woman On The Beach in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2021
~The story opens up with Liv on vacation in Tulum, Mexico alone, a place she and her two best friends swore to never travel to again. But life has not been easy, and Liv's life in turmoil over the loss of her unborn baby, followed by the loss of her best friend and sister in law Sophie, then the cancer diagnosis and loss of her dad. All the heartbreak has left her marriage on the rocks. On her last day of this solo trip to find herself, Liv is shocked to see Sophie on the beach in Mexico, and calls out to her. By the time she gets to where she's seen her, the woman is gone and Liv is left feeling like she's loosing her mind. If it was Sophie, why did she run away?
~I want to keep my review very vague so as not to give anything away, but this book was amazing! I appreciate books that I can't figure out, and this book delivered. At first the duel timelines confused me, but once I had the time lapses figured out, it was very smoothly written. Sometimes I feel like endings are a little bit too tidy, but I'm not letting that affect my rating on this book. I NEVER cry from reading, ever. Movies, yes. Commercials, yes. Reunion videos, absolutely. But when I read, my heart is a cold block of ice. Well, the end of chapter 38 resulted in several used tissues. That is probably the highest compliment I can give any book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
~I want to keep my review very vague so as not to give anything away, but this book was amazing! I appreciate books that I can't figure out, and this book delivered. At first the duel timelines confused me, but once I had the time lapses figured out, it was very smoothly written. Sometimes I feel like endings are a little bit too tidy, but I'm not letting that affect my rating on this book. I NEVER cry from reading, ever. Movies, yes. Commercials, yes. Reunion videos, absolutely. But when I read, my heart is a cold block of ice. Well, the end of chapter 38 resulted in several used tissues. That is probably the highest compliment I can give any book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 23, 2021
The Woman on the Beach by Julia Roberts
📓Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (3.7 stars rounded to 4 stars)
🔖 The core element of this story is based on the lives of three women and their friendship spanning years.
🔖When Sophie (one of the three friends) dies, her death leaves a gaping and irreversible void in the lives of the remaining two – Liv and Grace.
🔖While both women try to deal with the loss in their own ways, the author has beautifully penned the emotional ups and downs that storm their minds and influence their decisions.
🔖The first significant twist in the tale occurs when a grieving Liv, while on a Mexican beach, briefly notices a woman who she swears is none other than Sophie. And that is where the actual mystery starts.
🔖Told through multiple and alternating POVs, the story starts off slow, as scenes are set and characters are introduced, but the secrets, shifting timelines and the multi-layered characters soon intrigued me to keep reading.
🔖I admit, there were some parts which weren't to my liking, specially some of the things the characters did and said, but the story as a whole was engaging.
🔖Overall, this book is a good emotional mystery.
🔸Final Verdict: Good
🔸Book Cover: Goes perfectly with the story.
🔸Writing Style: Emotional
🔸Character Development: Good
✨Many thanks to Bookouture (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
#TheWomanontheBeach #NetGalley #arc
📓Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (3.7 stars rounded to 4 stars)
🔖 The core element of this story is based on the lives of three women and their friendship spanning years.
🔖When Sophie (one of the three friends) dies, her death leaves a gaping and irreversible void in the lives of the remaining two – Liv and Grace.
🔖While both women try to deal with the loss in their own ways, the author has beautifully penned the emotional ups and downs that storm their minds and influence their decisions.
🔖The first significant twist in the tale occurs when a grieving Liv, while on a Mexican beach, briefly notices a woman who she swears is none other than Sophie. And that is where the actual mystery starts.
🔖Told through multiple and alternating POVs, the story starts off slow, as scenes are set and characters are introduced, but the secrets, shifting timelines and the multi-layered characters soon intrigued me to keep reading.
🔖I admit, there were some parts which weren't to my liking, specially some of the things the characters did and said, but the story as a whole was engaging.
🔖Overall, this book is a good emotional mystery.
🔸Final Verdict: Good
🔸Book Cover: Goes perfectly with the story.
🔸Writing Style: Emotional
🔸Character Development: Good
✨Many thanks to Bookouture (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
#TheWomanontheBeach #NetGalley #arc
August 19, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Woman on the Beach by Julia Roberts.
Sophie, Liv, and Grace were friends from childhood, experiencing school, university, and the beginnings of their lives as young women together until a tragic event occurs, and things are never the same again. Who is the woman that Liv spots on the beach in Mexico, and why are they both there at the same time?
The Woman on the Beach is an emotional rollercoaster of a story, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, desperate to discover just what was going to happen next. The author leads us down so many different paths, with twists and turns along the way, each time with an unexpected outcome.
Roberts has created each and every one of her characters with great thought, love, and joy, delving deep into each one to enable us to know them intimately. I felt their pain and heartache, love and understanding, with each tear-jerking revelation. This book makes you realise that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors and makes you question whether we really know the people closest to us.
Beach read, thriller and psychological drama, The Woman on the Beach has it all. Definitely worthy of 5 stars and I defy anyone not to read it in just a couple of days! Once you’ve started, you won’t stop!
Sophie, Liv, and Grace were friends from childhood, experiencing school, university, and the beginnings of their lives as young women together until a tragic event occurs, and things are never the same again. Who is the woman that Liv spots on the beach in Mexico, and why are they both there at the same time?
The Woman on the Beach is an emotional rollercoaster of a story, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, desperate to discover just what was going to happen next. The author leads us down so many different paths, with twists and turns along the way, each time with an unexpected outcome.
Roberts has created each and every one of her characters with great thought, love, and joy, delving deep into each one to enable us to know them intimately. I felt their pain and heartache, love and understanding, with each tear-jerking revelation. This book makes you realise that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors and makes you question whether we really know the people closest to us.
Beach read, thriller and psychological drama, The Woman on the Beach has it all. Definitely worthy of 5 stars and I defy anyone not to read it in just a couple of days! Once you’ve started, you won’t stop!
August 30, 2021
I was hooked on this book very early on. The scene on the beach in Mexico is dramatic, unusual and intriguing as we really don’t know what is going on – can it really be Sophie?
I loved the way the story and characters developed. There were unexpected twists, cliff-hangers and you are led down quite a few paths of assumption before you uncover the truth. Liv is a wonderful and sympathetic character. She is suffering through her own struggles but still comes across as a wise, caring, compassionate and loyal person.
There is a whole cast of complex, believable characters in this book and it meant I became so completely immersed in these character’s dilemmas and psychological tensions, that I almost forgot it was fiction I was reading. The author touches on very real and raw issues, such as relationship breakdown, addiction, suicide, identity, miscarriage and grief. This ensures that this is an emotionally charged book, but these issues are sensitively dealt with and the book is beautifully written and effectively structured to ensure the reader is completely gripped and engrossed.
Overall, I feel it is completely fair to compare this author and book to the likes of Amanda Prowse and Susan Lewis, who are two of my favourite authors. I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
I loved the way the story and characters developed. There were unexpected twists, cliff-hangers and you are led down quite a few paths of assumption before you uncover the truth. Liv is a wonderful and sympathetic character. She is suffering through her own struggles but still comes across as a wise, caring, compassionate and loyal person.
There is a whole cast of complex, believable characters in this book and it meant I became so completely immersed in these character’s dilemmas and psychological tensions, that I almost forgot it was fiction I was reading. The author touches on very real and raw issues, such as relationship breakdown, addiction, suicide, identity, miscarriage and grief. This ensures that this is an emotionally charged book, but these issues are sensitively dealt with and the book is beautifully written and effectively structured to ensure the reader is completely gripped and engrossed.
Overall, I feel it is completely fair to compare this author and book to the likes of Amanda Prowse and Susan Lewis, who are two of my favourite authors. I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
June 22, 2025
It’s a really rare thing to be able to keep the friendships you made when you were just kids and it’s an indescribable tragedy when a friend you have managed to hang on to for so long is stolen away by death. But is that what really happened? When Liv thinks she spots Sophie on a beach whilst holidaying in Mexico, it can’t be possible. Sophie died in a horrific train accident three years ago. Didn’t she?
The Woman on the Beach is a gripping and emotional tale that had me immediately intrigued and enraptured from its opening. As the story progressed, the ending of each chapter left me wanting more and I needed the answers as much as Liv. When I got them, they were so far removed from how I thought it was going to play out, which is such a credit to Julia Roberts, as she leads you down one path only to throw one massive curveball into the mix which changed everything. It definitely shook me up!
Beautifully written, I really loved this book. It deals with friendship, love, hope, grief and it will just hold you captive. Once again, Julia Roberts has delivered another wonderful read that had me hanging off her every word. It really got under my skin and even had me shedding a tear or two. If you like domestic drama’s then make sure you add this one to your reading. You won’t be disappointed.
The Woman on the Beach is a gripping and emotional tale that had me immediately intrigued and enraptured from its opening. As the story progressed, the ending of each chapter left me wanting more and I needed the answers as much as Liv. When I got them, they were so far removed from how I thought it was going to play out, which is such a credit to Julia Roberts, as she leads you down one path only to throw one massive curveball into the mix which changed everything. It definitely shook me up!
Beautifully written, I really loved this book. It deals with friendship, love, hope, grief and it will just hold you captive. Once again, Julia Roberts has delivered another wonderful read that had me hanging off her every word. It really got under my skin and even had me shedding a tear or two. If you like domestic drama’s then make sure you add this one to your reading. You won’t be disappointed.
July 19, 2021
Liv had been best friends with Grace and Sophie since they were children. Sophie ended up marrying Liv's brother, Tom, and Liv then married Tom's best friend, Jamie. Three years ago Sophie was killed in a train accident while visiting Grace and Grace, believing it was her fault, disappeared.
Liv had a lot of sorrow in her life all of a sudden with the death of Sophie, Grace disappearing, a miscarriage and the sudden death of her father. When she and Jamie have a trial separation, Liv heads to Tulum, Mexico, for a week. There she thinks she sees Sophie at the beach ... but how can that be since Sophie is dead? When Liv arrives home, she receives a letter that will explain everything but it makes Liv eventually deal with unresolved issues from the past and present.
I thought this was an interesting premise. I liked the writing style. There are lots of twists and turns that had me wondering what was going on. It all comes together in the end, perhaps a bit too neatly and I wasn't really buying it. The chapters jump back and forth in time and are from Liv and Sophie perspective (they are labeled).
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/07...
Liv had a lot of sorrow in her life all of a sudden with the death of Sophie, Grace disappearing, a miscarriage and the sudden death of her father. When she and Jamie have a trial separation, Liv heads to Tulum, Mexico, for a week. There she thinks she sees Sophie at the beach ... but how can that be since Sophie is dead? When Liv arrives home, she receives a letter that will explain everything but it makes Liv eventually deal with unresolved issues from the past and present.
I thought this was an interesting premise. I liked the writing style. There are lots of twists and turns that had me wondering what was going on. It all comes together in the end, perhaps a bit too neatly and I wasn't really buying it. The chapters jump back and forth in time and are from Liv and Sophie perspective (they are labeled).
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/07...
August 6, 2024
An Awkward Situation
This is a story of three friends. Two of them went on a trip to Spain. During the trip, the train crashed and ended up in the Mediterranean Sea. One girl died. The other survived but lost most of her memory. When the survivor awoke , she had a purse with Grace's identification in it that she assumed was hers. Three years later, she was living in Mexico when someone called her Sophie. It turned out that the person who recognized her was Liv, the other member of the trio. For three years, Sophie had been using Grace's identification. For some reason, besides the accident, she blocked much of her memory. All she knew was that she had been fleeing from something that had made her afraid. Was it an abusive husband? When Liv informed Sophie that she had a daughter, Mia, something she had forgotten, Sophie immediately knew she needed to return to England, even if it meant facing her fears. She suspected that her husband, Tom, had been abusive to her, but she couldn't be certain. What made it awkward was that Tom was Liv's brother, and Liv's husband was Tom's best friend. When Sophie returned to England, she discovered even more complications that shocked her to the core.
This is a story of three friends. Two of them went on a trip to Spain. During the trip, the train crashed and ended up in the Mediterranean Sea. One girl died. The other survived but lost most of her memory. When the survivor awoke , she had a purse with Grace's identification in it that she assumed was hers. Three years later, she was living in Mexico when someone called her Sophie. It turned out that the person who recognized her was Liv, the other member of the trio. For three years, Sophie had been using Grace's identification. For some reason, besides the accident, she blocked much of her memory. All she knew was that she had been fleeing from something that had made her afraid. Was it an abusive husband? When Liv informed Sophie that she had a daughter, Mia, something she had forgotten, Sophie immediately knew she needed to return to England, even if it meant facing her fears. She suspected that her husband, Tom, had been abusive to her, but she couldn't be certain. What made it awkward was that Tom was Liv's brother, and Liv's husband was Tom's best friend. When Sophie returned to England, she discovered even more complications that shocked her to the core.
October 24, 2021
Liv, Grace and Sophie were inseparable as teens. But a tragic train crash killed one and the other two rejected each other in their grief. Now Liv is on holiday in Mexico when she spots a familiar tattoo...
The Woman on the Beach has drama, mystery and a whole heap of emotional upheaval.
The pace of the book moves quite quickly and developments occur thick and fast. There is plenty of mystery as we unpick the plot strands. The book is written in a non linear way at first to show the past interspersed with present events. There are some big emotional issues involved in the plot including miscarriage and grief. Mental health and domestic abuse also form part of the narrative.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot but the book is written from the first person narrative perspective of two of the friends in the present day and in the past. This allows us to see both viewpoints and understand their emotions and actions. We are misdirected by the characters due to their own skewed opinions.
The Woman on the Beach is an entertaining and emotional book about friendship, love and grief.
The Woman on the Beach has drama, mystery and a whole heap of emotional upheaval.
The pace of the book moves quite quickly and developments occur thick and fast. There is plenty of mystery as we unpick the plot strands. The book is written in a non linear way at first to show the past interspersed with present events. There are some big emotional issues involved in the plot including miscarriage and grief. Mental health and domestic abuse also form part of the narrative.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot but the book is written from the first person narrative perspective of two of the friends in the present day and in the past. This allows us to see both viewpoints and understand their emotions and actions. We are misdirected by the characters due to their own skewed opinions.
The Woman on the Beach is an entertaining and emotional book about friendship, love and grief.
August 11, 2021
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Liv, Grace & Sophie have been best friends since Secondary school. Sophie marries Liv’s brother Tom and then Liv marries Tom’s best friend. Tragedy hits whilst Sophie is visiting Grace in Mexico. There is a terrible accident and Sophie dies. Due to Sophie’s death and two other tragedies in Liv’s life the stress becomes too much and her husband Jamie suggests a trial separation. Liv decides to have a break in Mexico to commemorate what would have been Sophie’s 30th birthday. On her last day on the beach she sees a woman who she is convinced is Sophie but Sophie is dead. Is it the stress of everything that has recently happened in her life getting to her? This sighting sets off a sequence of events.
This is a story about family and friendship. I enjoyed the story overall but because the story kept going back and forth and also from different perspectives I got confused in parts. This was a very easy read and I will be seeking out more books by this author.
Liv, Grace & Sophie have been best friends since Secondary school. Sophie marries Liv’s brother Tom and then Liv marries Tom’s best friend. Tragedy hits whilst Sophie is visiting Grace in Mexico. There is a terrible accident and Sophie dies. Due to Sophie’s death and two other tragedies in Liv’s life the stress becomes too much and her husband Jamie suggests a trial separation. Liv decides to have a break in Mexico to commemorate what would have been Sophie’s 30th birthday. On her last day on the beach she sees a woman who she is convinced is Sophie but Sophie is dead. Is it the stress of everything that has recently happened in her life getting to her? This sighting sets off a sequence of events.
This is a story about family and friendship. I enjoyed the story overall but because the story kept going back and forth and also from different perspectives I got confused in parts. This was a very easy read and I will be seeking out more books by this author.
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