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Through the Surface
Two tragedies, a few months apart and multiple states away from each other, leaves four people dead with one fighting for their life. As a result, this uproots the lives of teenagers Ledger Elliot and Iris Brubaker, who know nothing of each other. Fifteen years later, their paths cross when Iris moves to the small Maine island Ledger has lived on his whole life. After her grandmother's death, Iris inherited a lodge on the island and intends to reopen it as a hotel.
Unbeknownst to Ledger and Iris, their lives are about to collide, and their dark pasts will come to haunt them with the help of the history and possession of the lodge. Through an unexplainable draw they are cast together and find themselves fighting for their lives, and the protection of the island residents, against unseen foes. Demonic forces which followed them from their pasts, are determined to take over the lodge and reopen a portal to hell. Through this battle Ledger and Iris discover they were sent to stop one another, yet through their connection unleash a power they'd never known existed.
Unbeknownst to Ledger and Iris, their lives are about to collide, and their dark pasts will come to haunt them with the help of the history and possession of the lodge. Through an unexplainable draw they are cast together and find themselves fighting for their lives, and the protection of the island residents, against unseen foes. Demonic forces which followed them from their pasts, are determined to take over the lodge and reopen a portal to hell. Through this battle Ledger and Iris discover they were sent to stop one another, yet through their connection unleash a power they'd never known existed.
311 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2022
6 people are currently reading
3080 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Rose
19 books464 followersMulti award-winning, cross-genre author, journalist, and librarian!
Focusing on fiction currently, Juliet Rose is driven to bring to life characters from many walks of life and the struggles faced in modern society. Her writing style is open and fluid, giving the characters the ability to shine as the truth of their own story. Her works are honest and sometimes brutally painful but in the end, her characters are given the voice which needs to be heard.
Juliet is a New York native living in the mountains of Georgia. She has lived all over the United States and Mexico and doesn’t plan to stop seeing the world beyond her front doorstep. She spends her time rescuing animals, painting, and writing.
Focusing on fiction currently, Juliet Rose is driven to bring to life characters from many walks of life and the struggles faced in modern society. Her writing style is open and fluid, giving the characters the ability to shine as the truth of their own story. Her works are honest and sometimes brutally painful but in the end, her characters are given the voice which needs to be heard.
Juliet is a New York native living in the mountains of Georgia. She has lived all over the United States and Mexico and doesn’t plan to stop seeing the world beyond her front doorstep. She spends her time rescuing animals, painting, and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 16, 2024
Spooky Occult Suspense!
Small backstory:
Iris Brubaker moves onto a small island off the coast of Maine as she inherited a lodge from her grandmother. When she meets Ledger Elliott she doesn't realize that they are both on a path of bad things to come and they will both be involved in things beyond their control as the rumored secrets of occult dabbling that used to be within the lodge will be coming to a boil and what lies dormant within the lodge along with being involved somehow with Iris is about to explode into their world! Iris along with Ledger are about to be caught up in a chaotic event that could lead to a path of destruction!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you are intrigued then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This was my second time reading this book and once again I am thrown into the storyline and taken on a scary ride once again into the world of the occult along with demonic activity!
The story becomes fast paced once the occult activity starts heating up and then once that happens the story goes into overdrive! Keeping this book at five "Terrifying Occult" stars!
Small backstory:
Iris Brubaker moves onto a small island off the coast of Maine as she inherited a lodge from her grandmother. When she meets Ledger Elliott she doesn't realize that they are both on a path of bad things to come and they will both be involved in things beyond their control as the rumored secrets of occult dabbling that used to be within the lodge will be coming to a boil and what lies dormant within the lodge along with being involved somehow with Iris is about to explode into their world! Iris along with Ledger are about to be caught up in a chaotic event that could lead to a path of destruction!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you are intrigued then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This was my second time reading this book and once again I am thrown into the storyline and taken on a scary ride once again into the world of the occult along with demonic activity!
The story becomes fast paced once the occult activity starts heating up and then once that happens the story goes into overdrive! Keeping this book at five "Terrifying Occult" stars!
August 29, 2022
***Reader's Favorite website review! Five stars!***
Through the Surface by Juliet Rose is a supernatural tale of destiny. On an island off the coast of Maine, evil lurks. It has been lying dormant since the previous owner of the property passed away. Now all of the carefully laid plans are finally falling into place. Ledger has lived on the island his entire life, as did his father. There are roots here and that is why he has found it so hard to leave. Then there is Iris. She inherited the lodge on the island after her grandmother passed away. With few people of his age about, Ledger allows himself to spend time with Iris. In each other, they discover an unbreakable bond. But the evil around them is growing. Pre-destined to confront each other in battle, can they overcome their intended purpose and find peace in their love, or will the ancient evil prevail and rip their world apart?
I kept thinking of Through the Surface as a puzzle without a picture to work from. You have your side pieces. You have the basic color palette while sorting the inside pieces. Just as you build a puzzle and the pieces start fitting together, this book had me in a constant state of wonder. I was terrified. I was ecstatic. I was holding thumbs, hoping that everything would work out for the best. With storytelling this superb by Juliet Rose, it's no wonder I was pulled into the embrace of the pages where I shared each emotion with the characters. This book is recommended for avid readers of the supernatural as well as more mature readers. Do yourself a favor and take the author's hand because the journey she will take you on will be unforgettable.
Through the Surface by Juliet Rose is a supernatural tale of destiny. On an island off the coast of Maine, evil lurks. It has been lying dormant since the previous owner of the property passed away. Now all of the carefully laid plans are finally falling into place. Ledger has lived on the island his entire life, as did his father. There are roots here and that is why he has found it so hard to leave. Then there is Iris. She inherited the lodge on the island after her grandmother passed away. With few people of his age about, Ledger allows himself to spend time with Iris. In each other, they discover an unbreakable bond. But the evil around them is growing. Pre-destined to confront each other in battle, can they overcome their intended purpose and find peace in their love, or will the ancient evil prevail and rip their world apart?
I kept thinking of Through the Surface as a puzzle without a picture to work from. You have your side pieces. You have the basic color palette while sorting the inside pieces. Just as you build a puzzle and the pieces start fitting together, this book had me in a constant state of wonder. I was terrified. I was ecstatic. I was holding thumbs, hoping that everything would work out for the best. With storytelling this superb by Juliet Rose, it's no wonder I was pulled into the embrace of the pages where I shared each emotion with the characters. This book is recommended for avid readers of the supernatural as well as more mature readers. Do yourself a favor and take the author's hand because the journey she will take you on will be unforgettable.
October 19, 2022
I waited until spooky season to read this book and I’m so glad I did. This book defies a single genre and incapsulates the best of mystery, thriller, suspense, and horror. Mostly, it’s a wonderful piece of literature. The book is fantastic and I highly recommend it.
August 12, 2022
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Overall, this book was good. Juliet Rose can sure write! The story was interesting, even though I knew where it was going. (I read too many books and watch too many movies!)
I gave it a whole extra star because of 3 things:
1) The character of Duff. Nonbinary characters are not often put into books, and this was a great way to do it. I love how Duff was talked about in the book, and how their gender was explained to people when the pronoun "they" caused confusion. I also loved that Duff was supported by their family and did not face abuse from them.
2) A female member of the clergy! Any good vs. evil book I've ever read has stuffy old white male clergymen. This was an extremely refreshing touch.
3) The thoughtfulness and care that went into the first intimate scene between Ledger and Iris. As a survivor of sexual assault, I thought the description of Iris' trigger was excellent. I was thrilled that Ledger had an appropriate and caring response rather than being toxic and/or angry about it. I had not read this in a book before, and I gave it a full round of applause as I was teary-eyed.
The only things I would have liked to see were less emphasis on a white knight male character and more feminine power!
Overall, this book was good. Juliet Rose can sure write! The story was interesting, even though I knew where it was going. (I read too many books and watch too many movies!)
I gave it a whole extra star because of 3 things:
1) The character of Duff. Nonbinary characters are not often put into books, and this was a great way to do it. I love how Duff was talked about in the book, and how their gender was explained to people when the pronoun "they" caused confusion. I also loved that Duff was supported by their family and did not face abuse from them.
2) A female member of the clergy! Any good vs. evil book I've ever read has stuffy old white male clergymen. This was an extremely refreshing touch.
3) The thoughtfulness and care that went into the first intimate scene between Ledger and Iris. As a survivor of sexual assault, I thought the description of Iris' trigger was excellent. I was thrilled that Ledger had an appropriate and caring response rather than being toxic and/or angry about it. I had not read this in a book before, and I gave it a full round of applause as I was teary-eyed.
The only things I would have liked to see were less emphasis on a white knight male character and more feminine power!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
Great horror. Chills down your spine!
January 2, 2023
Through the Surface is a terrific supernatural tale that embodies the battle between good and evil. It takes place on a small island just off the coast of Maine, where two people discover a connection with each other buried in their families' -- and the island's -- dark past. Her characters are really well-written and the plot intricate and compelling enough to keep you turning pages. She throws in a bit of spicy romance, and a large cast of interesting supporting characters, some good and others not so much. Highly recommended!
May 1, 2023
Thank you Juliet Rose
This is the third book I have read of this Author. Her writing style keeps the reader wanting more from beginning to end.
Looking for a Haunted House, why not try a Haunted Lodge off an Island in Maine.
This story takes the butterfly effect into account. It makes you think how much Free Will do we actually have or are we living in predetermined destinies.
This book takes you on a supernatural journey with strong developed characters. Iris inherits the Lodge. Ledger is a native to the island. Their world harmonizes together.
The reader develops a relationship with the characters rooting for their positive outcomes. This book is like an onion 🌰 it's many layers uncover with each pull of the pedal. Highly Recommend
Yes there are Triggers
Supernatural 5🦋 s
Occult. 5🦋 s
LGBTQIA+
This is the third book I have read of this Author. Her writing style keeps the reader wanting more from beginning to end.
Looking for a Haunted House, why not try a Haunted Lodge off an Island in Maine.
This story takes the butterfly effect into account. It makes you think how much Free Will do we actually have or are we living in predetermined destinies.
This book takes you on a supernatural journey with strong developed characters. Iris inherits the Lodge. Ledger is a native to the island. Their world harmonizes together.
The reader develops a relationship with the characters rooting for their positive outcomes. This book is like an onion 🌰 it's many layers uncover with each pull of the pedal. Highly Recommend
Yes there are Triggers
Supernatural 5🦋 s
Occult. 5🦋 s
LGBTQIA+
February 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I did read a copy given to me to review. I am glad because I might not have discovered this author. the book centers around Ledger and Iris. Ledger a 30-year-old trapped on an island he grew up on and Iris a murder survivor who moves to the island. Due to past circumstances, there are demons on the island who would control Iris and harm ledger.. the book starts slow and picks up pace about the halfway mark. even though the start is slow there is enough going on to keep the story flowing. this is one of the very few books to bring a tear to my eye when reading. Highly recommended
February 25, 2023
I was given an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review. Demons, ghosts, and island life make for the perfect setting for this book. Juliet does an amazing job with the writing of the story. It’s the perfect blend of horror, and thriller. Highly recommend this book!
August 26, 2022
This isn't my usual genre but I am so glad I picked it up. Through the Surface was well written and captivating - from the relationship starting between Ledger and Iris to the demons that existed both internally and externally. The author tackled a number of challenging topics with grace making me think she has faced her own demons and survived. I look forward to reading more of her works!
July 13, 2022
Different than Rose's other books, this one deals with the supernatural and goes a completely different direction than I thought it would. No spoilers but if you know her other work, this will surprise you!
September 21, 2023
Follow Ledger as he saves the love of his life and the island he was raised on from the evil that was created years ago. Great ghostly demonic story. Recommend.
May 6, 2023
This is my second read by Juliet Rose, and I have been very impressed with her writing ability both times. Her characters are top notch, she handles back stories well (never making them feel like info dumps) and her stories always have loads of emotion. It is difficult to put Juliet's books into genres, because she's kind of a master at blending multiple genres within one book. Through the Surface has moments of family drama, crime, romance, and a couple of different horror subgenres all wrapped into one cohesive story. In this book we follow main characters Ledger (I love that name) and Iris as they meet, become enamored, and begin to learn of a battle between good and evil going on in their small island village off the coast of Maine. Both MC's have had tragedies in their past, and as the story builds and more and more dark things begin to occur, we learn of the connections between the two.
There is also a wonderful cast of minor characters that really clicked for me. Ledger's Mom is a supportive, yet broken woman that really loves her kids. Ledger's sibling, Duffey (Duff) is a wonderfully sarcastic nonbinary college kid that I absolutely adored. Even when they were being an asshole. Other characters come and go and fit perfectly when they are needed to provide backstory or help the MC's on their journey. And a kitten named Roar that knows when evil entities are about!
I was fully engaged from the beginning, this was definitely a page-turner for me. The tension was built at a perfect pace, and the ending was climactic and exciting. I did feel there was one element that I would have liked reading more about before it was introduced toward the end of the book, but it didn't distract from the conclusion. Speaking of conclusion, I feel like this was left open for more stories about Ledger, Iris and company. I would really love it if this were so! Highly recommend checking this one out, especially if you enjoy haunted vibes, demons, occult happenings and cute kittens!
There is also a wonderful cast of minor characters that really clicked for me. Ledger's Mom is a supportive, yet broken woman that really loves her kids. Ledger's sibling, Duffey (Duff) is a wonderfully sarcastic nonbinary college kid that I absolutely adored. Even when they were being an asshole. Other characters come and go and fit perfectly when they are needed to provide backstory or help the MC's on their journey. And a kitten named Roar that knows when evil entities are about!
I was fully engaged from the beginning, this was definitely a page-turner for me. The tension was built at a perfect pace, and the ending was climactic and exciting. I did feel there was one element that I would have liked reading more about before it was introduced toward the end of the book, but it didn't distract from the conclusion. Speaking of conclusion, I feel like this was left open for more stories about Ledger, Iris and company. I would really love it if this were so! Highly recommend checking this one out, especially if you enjoy haunted vibes, demons, occult happenings and cute kittens!
April 8, 2023
Overall, this was a great story. I loved the characters and the depth of development that was presented. I really felt like I knew who they were and what their motivations were. The supernatural elements were handled well and didn't seem forced. There is a touch of Christian beliefs in the mix, but not done in a "preachy" way.
The choice of narrators for the audio book seemed a little odd as his very southern speech patterns didn't really seem to go with the story or setting, but he did grow on me.
The authors inclusion of a non-binary character was done very well, however this is also the only thing about the audio narration that really pulled me out of the story. Not the character themself, but rather the pronoun usage becoming "muddled". There were a number of times when I had to re-listen to portions of the book to determine if the pronouns being used were referring to the character in question, or to the group in the scene. I recognise that this was not a "fault" in the writing, but an experience that I, as a listener, had not anticipated causing confusion.
I will certainly be recommending this one and look forward to additional work by Juliet Rose.
The choice of narrators for the audio book seemed a little odd as his very southern speech patterns didn't really seem to go with the story or setting, but he did grow on me.
The authors inclusion of a non-binary character was done very well, however this is also the only thing about the audio narration that really pulled me out of the story. Not the character themself, but rather the pronoun usage becoming "muddled". There were a number of times when I had to re-listen to portions of the book to determine if the pronouns being used were referring to the character in question, or to the group in the scene. I recognise that this was not a "fault" in the writing, but an experience that I, as a listener, had not anticipated causing confusion.
I will certainly be recommending this one and look forward to additional work by Juliet Rose.
March 26, 2023
Received the audiobook version of this story in exchange for a review.
This was an interesting story! A mix of mystery/thriller combined with a ghost story and a love story. I did enjoy the story itself, but I did find it hard to get into at first because I found the narrator's reading to be somewhat monotonous, especially at first. It made it difficult for me to pay attention until I got used to the narrating style more as the story progressed. A few words were also pronounced a bit strangely, which would briefly take me out of the story, especially when one of the character's names was said. I kept hearing Iris being pronounced "Irish" which was a bit distracting. I think I may have enjoyed this story a bit more if I had read it on paper instead of listening to it on audio, but still ended up enjoying it overall.
This was an interesting story! A mix of mystery/thriller combined with a ghost story and a love story. I did enjoy the story itself, but I did find it hard to get into at first because I found the narrator's reading to be somewhat monotonous, especially at first. It made it difficult for me to pay attention until I got used to the narrating style more as the story progressed. A few words were also pronounced a bit strangely, which would briefly take me out of the story, especially when one of the character's names was said. I kept hearing Iris being pronounced "Irish" which was a bit distracting. I think I may have enjoyed this story a bit more if I had read it on paper instead of listening to it on audio, but still ended up enjoying it overall.
May 18, 2023
This novel had many elements that I very much enjoy when searching for my next read. Iris and Ledger were two made into one by powers much higher than them. The author describes the feeling between Ledger and Iris so well that the reader finds themselves rooting for the couple. It was insane finding out that the couple was chosen ,from a small age, to try and bring about the end of the world or fight off those whom exploit and helped the reader believe that good is stronger than evil. Iris and Ledger were so brave to take on the demons. I was engrossed in finding out the end of this novel. Highly recommend.
August 23, 2025
Through the Surface by Juliet Rose
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a very interesting and unique story.
It has mystery, thrills and some supernatural chills!
Ledger and Iris are on an island full of evil from the past and present. There are demonic forces pulling at them and the challenge is to see if they can move past it together.
This is my first book from this author and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books! This story is very well written!
I listened to the audio version and I wasn’t completely sold on the narrator, but he still did a decent job. It was a fast listen/read, as I found the story very exciting and engaging.
If you haven’t read this one, definitely check it out!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a very interesting and unique story.
It has mystery, thrills and some supernatural chills!
Ledger and Iris are on an island full of evil from the past and present. There are demonic forces pulling at them and the challenge is to see if they can move past it together.
This is my first book from this author and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books! This story is very well written!
I listened to the audio version and I wasn’t completely sold on the narrator, but he still did a decent job. It was a fast listen/read, as I found the story very exciting and engaging.
If you haven’t read this one, definitely check it out!
September 12, 2025
Horror with a splash of romance
Through the Surface is a dark and emotional story about grief, resilience, and the fight against evil. Iris and Ledger, both burdened by loss, find themselves bound together in a mission to rid their hometown of the darkness that haunts it. Juliet Rose blends raw emotion with suspense, creating a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. This book is gripping, powerful, and a reminder that sometimes healing comes through facing the shadows.
Through the Surface is a dark and emotional story about grief, resilience, and the fight against evil. Iris and Ledger, both burdened by loss, find themselves bound together in a mission to rid their hometown of the darkness that haunts it. Juliet Rose blends raw emotion with suspense, creating a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. This book is gripping, powerful, and a reminder that sometimes healing comes through facing the shadows.
October 7, 2023
BOH book.
An island with some sort of mystery, yet two people find each other. A small bit of romance. A lot of occult horror. Creepy type stuff.
This one was a bit longer than the types of stories I normally read, so I'm not a good judge, but maybe it's what you'd call a slow burn? The majority of the excitement is towards the end, but when it happens, it's a major explosion of action
An island with some sort of mystery, yet two people find each other. A small bit of romance. A lot of occult horror. Creepy type stuff.
This one was a bit longer than the types of stories I normally read, so I'm not a good judge, but maybe it's what you'd call a slow burn? The majority of the excitement is towards the end, but when it happens, it's a major explosion of action
August 10, 2025
A very easy story to get into. Most of the story is about this couple, both good characters with some ... interesting history for both of them. The actual "supernatural" stuff is kept to a minimum until later in the book, the first part largely focussed on the two of them. Cozy supernatural I would say, so don't expect anything too, too scary.
March 20, 2023
This was an amazing book! It was so good. Great storyline with good and awful family history. Good verses evil and the fight for true love. This book had it all, captivating from beginning to end. I really enjoyed it and recommend it. I will be reading more by this author.
November 29, 2024
A dark and twisted story that embodies complex layers of one's past. Through the Surface, will make you question your choices and pathways in life, led out and paved by others. Rose does a great job weaving in dark romance and an utterly disturbing storyline.
March 21, 2023
I actually liked this. It had unique characters and an interesting plot. Now look forward to more from the author.
March 30, 2023
Super spooky! The characters leap off the page and drag you into their world. I wasn't sure what direction this would take and was surprised by the ending. Do yourself a favor and read this book!
October 14, 2023
Amazing book !! Love the writing and the story! She did a great job with the characters too. I didn’t want the book to end! I definitely will be reading more of Juliet Rose !!
January 21, 2024
Superb mix of horrible real-world horror and scary supernatural suspense.
January 12, 2024
Creepy and kept me on my toes. Loved the ending.
December 28, 2023
A love story, with a haunting at its heart. A slightly horror tinged boy meets girl story, Ledger and Iris connect immediately once she takes possession of her family’s lodge property in the small town he lives and works in. Things begin to turn wrong, and he quickly realizes there is something deeply evil with the lodge where Iris lives, and maybe even Iris herself. With the help of another local boatsman, and a dedicated physician, he learn the ugly truth of Iris’s past, and moves forward in an effort to secure them a future. This was a quick story, and very unique! Definitely a go to for romance fans.
July 9, 2024
Full review on Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/01/3...
Loved it!
Two totally separate tragedies intertwine in a truly surprising way, with characters that are easy to care about and root for. Brutal real-world horror meets savage supernatural mystery in this story of generational trauma, tradition, and a race against time to break a heinous curse (sort of) before the rest of the world goes down with the island this tale is set on.
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/01/3...
Loved it!
Two totally separate tragedies intertwine in a truly surprising way, with characters that are easy to care about and root for. Brutal real-world horror meets savage supernatural mystery in this story of generational trauma, tradition, and a race against time to break a heinous curse (sort of) before the rest of the world goes down with the island this tale is set on.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews