Scan barcode
enchantressreads's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
I originally requested this book from Celadon Books mostly because I love family dramas. It’s pretty obvious I don’t tend to read historical and literary fiction and prefer horror, but I do love any kind of book surrounding the family dynamic. This book had an interesting premise because it involved two families in a strange mesh.
Beyond That, the Sea is a combining of two separate families through war. WWII is currently ravaging London, and the Thompson’s have no other choice but to send their young daughter Beatrice over to America. She arrives to the Gregory family, and through short glimpses over the years, we see how this one decision changes the rest of their lives.
The chapters in this story are only a few pages long. This doesn’t allow for much attachment to the characters and, depending to who you talk to, could be a good thing or a bad thing. I flew through the book and didn’t get attached to anyone really, but I will say that I cried at the end. It could have been an even bigger emotional response had the characters been fleshed out more.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the chance to read this advanced review copy.
CW for war, miscarriage, death, death of parent, infidelity, and fatphobia
Beyond That, the Sea is a combining of two separate families through war. WWII is currently ravaging London, and the Thompson’s have no other choice but to send their young daughter Beatrice over to America. She arrives to the Gregory family, and through short glimpses over the years, we see how this one decision changes the rest of their lives.
The chapters in this story are only a few pages long. This doesn’t allow for much attachment to the characters and, depending to who you talk to, could be a good thing or a bad thing. I flew through the book and didn’t get attached to anyone really, but I will say that I cried at the end. It could have been an even bigger emotional response had the characters been fleshed out more.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the chance to read this advanced review copy.
CW for war, miscarriage, death, death of parent, infidelity, and fatphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Minor: Fatphobia
oceanwriter's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
4.25
Here I am again judging a book entirely by its cover. Thankfully, what was promised visually did not disappoint. In fact, I think I actually enjoyed it more than I was expecting to.
When the Germans begin bombing London, Beatrix is sent by her parents to stay with a family in America. She remains in Boston with the Gregorys until the end of the war. It's a lot of change for an eleven-year-old, but she pushes through it and eventually bonds with her host family.
I'm not sure why, but I was surprised to see this book had multiple parts. First, we get glimpses of Beatrix's time in America. Subsequently, we see her life in the decades following the war and her reconnection with the Gregorys.
I enjoyed the writing style of this book quite a bit, though I'm not a huge fan of dialogue mid-paragraph or dialogue without quotations, I got used to it. The story was beautifully put together. I especially loved reading about Beatrix's adolescence in America. I haven't seen a lot of books that show British children that evacuated to America. A lovely read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with a free digital ARC of the book to read and review!
When the Germans begin bombing London, Beatrix is sent by her parents to stay with a family in America. She remains in Boston with the Gregorys until the end of the war. It's a lot of change for an eleven-year-old, but she pushes through it and eventually bonds with her host family.
I'm not sure why, but I was surprised to see this book had multiple parts. First, we get glimpses of Beatrix's time in America. Subsequently, we see her life in the decades following the war and her reconnection with the Gregorys.
I enjoyed the writing style of this book quite a bit, though I'm not a huge fan of dialogue mid-paragraph or dialogue without quotations, I got used to it. The story was beautifully put together. I especially loved reading about Beatrix's adolescence in America. I haven't seen a lot of books that show British children that evacuated to America. A lovely read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with a free digital ARC of the book to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Alcoholism, and Car accident
Minor: Body shaming
amobrien's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Beyond That, the Sea is a beautiful and endearing story that follows two families, one British and one American, brought together by Beatrix. It's a story about family and love in every form, and I found myself enjoying it so much more than I thought I would. This is a love story that isn't necessarily a romance, and it is so beautifully written. I can't wait for this to officially publish!
Beyond That, the Sea is a beautiful and endearing story that follows two families, one British and one American, brought together by Beatrix. It's a story about family and love in every form, and I found myself enjoying it so much more than I thought I would. This is a love story that isn't necessarily a romance, and it is so beautifully written. I can't wait for this to officially publish!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, War, and Infidelity
Minor: Body shaming
More...