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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Set against the backdrop of WWII, Beatrix is eleven-years-old when she is sent to America by her parents to protect her from the dangers of the war. She is paired with the Gregory family in Boston and is immediately brought into this loving family. Over the next five years, Bea enjoys a life she could never have imagined and forges an unbreakable bond with the family, especially the Gregory boys.
Eventually though, once the war is over, Bea returns home to her mother. Yet, as the years pass, the bonds she created with the Gregory’s remain strong and Bea is torn between the life she knows she should have and dreams she left in America.
This book immediately drew me in. The writing is immersive and as the chapters switch perspectives back and forth throughout the years, the reader learns how family can come in all formats and that love sometimes means sacrificing for those closest to you. Each of the characters were so well formed and I was invested in all of them as they ebbed and flowed in and out of each others lives. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.
Eventually though, once the war is over, Bea returns home to her mother. Yet, as the years pass, the bonds she created with the Gregory’s remain strong and Bea is torn between the life she knows she should have and dreams she left in America.
This book immediately drew me in. The writing is immersive and as the chapters switch perspectives back and forth throughout the years, the reader learns how family can come in all formats and that love sometimes means sacrificing for those closest to you. Each of the characters were so well formed and I was invested in all of them as they ebbed and flowed in and out of each others lives. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The book is very well written using a war as a background to tell a story of friendship and growing up.
3.5/5. Generally enjoyed reading it but also didn’t really care when characters died, which is a super great sign…
This book had been on my radar all year so I knew I wanted to get to it before year end. When it was nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards I decided now or never.
I listened to the audiobook and didn't particularly enjoy the narration. It is however a lovely and touching tale of unbreakable bonds, love, hard choices and understanding.
The story is very character driven but provides a unique WWII perspective.
Well worth reading.
I listened to the audiobook and didn't particularly enjoy the narration. It is however a lovely and touching tale of unbreakable bonds, love, hard choices and understanding.
The story is very character driven but provides a unique WWII perspective.
Well worth reading.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
4.75 stars ⭐️ What a quietly powerful historical fiction book. It takes place during WWII, but as the majority of it takes place in America, it is a different experience than the majority of WWII stories that I’ve read.
What I loved:
•Character driven > plot driven
•Multiple POVs with complex characters
•Coming-of-Age during wartime
•Complexities of marriage and family dynamics
•Story structure in segmented parts (spanning decades)
•Beautiful and wistful writing style
The author did an amazing job about portraying the humanity in each character. Every single person was layered and evolving, with hopes and regrets and grief and love.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading about family sagas and/or the far-reaching effects of war. A poignant story that touched my heart.
What I loved:
•Character driven > plot driven
•Multiple POVs with complex characters
•Coming-of-Age during wartime
•Complexities of marriage and family dynamics
•Story structure in segmented parts (spanning decades)
•Beautiful and wistful writing style
The author did an amazing job about portraying the humanity in each character. Every single person was layered and evolving, with hopes and regrets and grief and love.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading about family sagas and/or the far-reaching effects of war. A poignant story that touched my heart.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a story!
This book broke my heart and stitched it back together a few times over.
Putting the emotions you will feel while reading this story into a review is a challenge for me. I can easily say though, be prepared with some tissues nearby and possibly some snacks as you might not want to put this book aside once you start it :)
Beyond That, the Sea is highly character-driven, bouncing between different character's PoVs through the story. It centers mostly around Beatrix from the time she leaves London during the war, the relationships she builds in Boston, and how those relationships change over the years. Bea's story spans many years, but the shorter chapters keep the story from dragging, it's a fairly quickly-paced read.
Being so deeply character-driven, it was a bit harder for me to get a solid hold of the story initially, but if you find yourself there too, definitely keep going. Once I understood the flow, I was hooked and did not want to stop reading. I fell in love with each character, the ups and the downs, all of it! They are all incredibly written and sometimes you love them and sometimes you hate them, but their very human decisions make them all the more relatable.
I highly, highly recommend this story.
It was completely out of my norm and absolutely adored it.
HUGE thank you to Celadon Books for the ARC to read, enjoy, and honestly review.
This book broke my heart and stitched it back together a few times over.
Putting the emotions you will feel while reading this story into a review is a challenge for me. I can easily say though, be prepared with some tissues nearby and possibly some snacks as you might not want to put this book aside once you start it :)
Beyond That, the Sea is highly character-driven, bouncing between different character's PoVs through the story. It centers mostly around Beatrix from the time she leaves London during the war, the relationships she builds in Boston, and how those relationships change over the years. Bea's story spans many years, but the shorter chapters keep the story from dragging, it's a fairly quickly-paced read.
Being so deeply character-driven, it was a bit harder for me to get a solid hold of the story initially, but if you find yourself there too, definitely keep going. Once I understood the flow, I was hooked and did not want to stop reading. I fell in love with each character, the ups and the downs, all of it! They are all incredibly written and sometimes you love them and sometimes you hate them, but their very human decisions make them all the more relatable.
I highly, highly recommend this story.
It was completely out of my norm and absolutely adored it.
HUGE thank you to Celadon Books for the ARC to read, enjoy, and honestly review.