I was really interested in AT SEA based on the premise but I'm sorry to say it's not for me. The beginning is pretty slow and there is So Much Explanation. For a thriller/suspense novel in particular, the exposition slows down the pace. I also did not appreciate the vague ending where so much is left up to the reader. That felt like a cop-out to me. On a line level, the writing is strong and I'll definitely look for others by this author.

Oh my gosh this had so much potential! The writing was gorgeous, the storyline is engrossing, the characters are interesting (though I always felt a little bit at arm’s length from the main character), but then the book just ENDS. OUT OF NOWHERE! I literally gasped when I swiped to the next page and saw Acknowledgments. I kept scrolling back and forth, sure that it was a mistake and I somehow missed the end of the book. Sure, I don’t love when books have vague endings (I love a tidy wrap up!) but that wasn’t the issue here - I’m actually ok with how things ended. It was more so the pacing of the book. The whole time you’re anticipating this thing happening, and then it finally happens, and then the book ENDS when it feels like it should just be beginning!! It was the strangest phenomenon, and one that I’ve never experienced before.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4, begrudgingly. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“At Sea” is a debut novel by Emma Fedor. I was intrigued by the summary - Cara meets Brendan, a military man, who claims to have been surgically altered to breathe underwater. They quickly fall in love and end up having a child together. One day, Brendan and the child go missing … for years. Cara has both tried to move on with her life, but also clings to the hope that, at minimum, she is able to see Micah again. I liked that the description of the coastal areas were rich and lush. I also felt the love Cara had for both Brendan and Micah. I understand why Ms. Fedor alternated between the past (2008) and present (2014), but in some ways I wish the story had been a bit more of a linear flow, with maybe an occasional flashback. The past parts I found more interesting - partially because I just didn’t feel anything for Cara’s husband. The ending of this book is open ended - was Brendan telling the truth, is he suffering PTSD, is he in need of medical care, what is his eventual fate - and what about Micah? I rather liked the open ending of this book, but I can see how some readers would find it frustrating. I wish that I had liked the main characters more than I did - Cara was indecisive yet willing to jump into things without thinking long term, Brendan was broken, and Graham I never warmed up to. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This is an interesting idea for a story and I was intrigued enough to want to read it. That being said, I'm sort of ambivalent with my opinions about the book. On one hand, the idea of someone being able to breathe underwater is fascinating and the story of Brendan and Cara is one of many ups and downs. On the other hand, I wanted more closure and insight into the life of Brendan and the future of Cara and her family.

When Cara meets Brendan, he shares his secret that he has been surgically altered by the "Special forces" (supposedly a branch of the military) to be able to breathe underwater. He has gill-like appendages under his arms and is able to expel water and breathe through his lungs while submerged. Cara is obviously skeptical at first, but as time goes on, she begins to believe him. They have a baby together and life moves forward although not without disturbing behaviors and occurrences. Cara wakes one day to find Brendan and Micah (her months old baby) missing. The story goes back and forth from present day to the past covering Cara and Brendan's relationship, the disappearance of her baby and the immediate aftermath.

Almost six years later and Cara is understandably still shaken and fragile from this turn of events. She lost her partner and her child. However, it was difficult to connect with her because she was SO insecure and wishy-washy. She would bend to fit the needs of everyone else. She wouldn't speak her mind and often deferred to the other person's wishes. It was very frustrating!

The story unfolds in such a way that the reader is left wondering what is fiction and what is reality.... Is Brendan mentally ill or is he truly being tracked and is in danger? Is Cara delusional and unable to process the loss of her child? Is anything being shared based in reality or is it all the figment of someone's imagination? and what will happen to Brendan, Cara, Micah, Grant if Brendan is telling the truth? if he's not?
Ultimately, many of those questions remain unanswered which is both annoying and genius. Ha!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting story about a woman who looses both her husband and son and the search to reunite them. Is her husband really involved with secret forces of the Army or is he mentally ill? Do father and son share an unique gene that allows them to breathe underwater for extended periods of time? Not one of my favorite reads but it kept me interested to the end.

This is a interesting story. I was compelled to read because of the horror of losing by kidnap your son and husband. Thinking the worst of your husband and all the questions surrounding that. The story itself unfolds from past to present jumping timelines each chapter. I honestly could have done with less of 2014. I hate that the writer left it up to the reader to decide which story to believe. If the husband was honest or mentally ill. I wish Cara would of stood more by her husband. Overall terrible to imagine missing your child for 6 years.