This was completely mind-blowing! I thought I had it all figured out but wowee!! I never saw -that-coming! What are you waiting for, pre-order your copy now! Because July can’t come fast enough!!

Thank you Rachel McGuire and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reader copy!

First off, this cover is to die for. I absolutely love it! Second, On the Surface has so many elements I absolutely love in a thriller: social media influencer, unreliable narrator, multiple narrators, police investigation, and cyber sleuths. I couldn’t put it down! It’s obvious why we here at The Pulse are all checking this one out and it’s safe to say it’s going to be a summer hit!

I loved the setting of this novel and the details surrounding the cruisers and their lifestyle. I can’t imagine living on a boat anchored off the Bahamas, catching my dinner every night, and not putting in the typical grind of a 9-5. McGuire did a great job painting a picture without bogging us down in unnecessary nuance.

I’m always intrigued by social media influencer stories and On the Surface really hit the mark for me. I liked that this was different from your typical influencer and had the cruising aspect. Some of the mystery and suspense in the first part felt a little obvious to me but I was glad with how quickly things were revealed and how bigger mysteries and thrills unfolded.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and super fun read and I definitely recommend.

Thank you to Crooked Lane for the copy. On the Surface releases July 9th!

The synopsis promises a “twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller” that will “keep readers gripped all the way through the final satisfying turn”. Unfortunately, this was not my experience at all. The so-called “twist” is a trope that is commonly used in thriller books and it was obvious very early on in the story. (I’m trying to be vague so as to not spoil the book for anyone who wants to read it) I kept reading because I thought the author was just trying to throw off the reader from the ‘real’ twist.

Also, the ending is super abrupt and leaves too many things unresolved. There is something to be said for open endings but it has to be very well executed in order to feel satisfying to me and I didn’t think that was the case here.

Having said all that, I think the author writes well and that’s what allowed me to finish the book despite not being engrossed in the story.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

On the Surface started great with the mysterious death of a woman in the past. We then meet Dani and Sawyer, a charismatic couple who share their adventurous sailing life with the world through captivating YouTube vlogs. 𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, everything looks perfect.

However, paradise takes a dark turn when Dani mysteriously vanishes from their boat after a party one night. With Sawyer unable to recall any details surrounding her disappearance, the incident becomes a viral sensation. As internet sleuths unearth secrets from both their pasts, suspicion falls on Sawyer..

I loved the setting and the allure of Dani and Sawyer's sailing adventures definitely make it a great choice for a summer escape.

Add to your TBR if you like:
🌊The sea and sailing
🍿 Popcorn thrillers
🚢 Vacation gone wrong scenario
👫 Multiple POVs

Thank you Thriller Book Lover Promotions and Crooked Lane Books for a copy. ON THE SURFACE comes out April 23, 2024

Overall speaking, I really liked this book.
It was thrilling enough to hold my attention and I thought the media elements were appealing to me and made the story dynamic.
This is a book with unlikeable characters. Some readers might have issues with that. I usually don't. I'm fine with unlikeable, or even despicable, characters, as long as they bring some worthy twist.
I'd say it's a fun reading time if you're into mystery/thrillers about social medias and how people are willing to go all the way for likes and money.
Oh, and multiple POVs, which personally is a narrative style that pleases me a lot in this genre.
The only reason I'm not rating this full 5 stars is the ending.
In my opinion, it was abrupt and inconclusive.
I'm all up for "open to interpretation' endings. But in here, with this book? I'd say it's a straight-up unfinished ending.
Almost like the author plans a sequel, which I genuinely don't think it's the case.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

On the Surface is the perfect summer thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page (I mean it, the very last few pages). Dani and Sawyer are cruisers. Leaving their lives behind to live their days sailing the world all while documenting their adventures for all the see on social media. After a drunken bender, Sawyer wakes up to find the boat in shambles and his girlfriend Dani gone. Did see fall into the deep blue water or did something more similar inter happen. And why can’t Sawyer remember the night before? As days turn to weeks with no sign of Dani the cruising community as well as their followers begin to suspect Sawyer. Where is Dani and why can’t he remember that night?

This is Gone Girl meets the high seas in the best possible way. If you’re looking for a great thriller to read by the pool, check out On the Surface!

Wow, just wow! On the Surface is a completely addictive thriller that I couldn't stop reading! I was completely drawn into the story of Sawyer and Dani, in much the same way that the couple sucked everyone around them in the Bahamas cruiser community into their drama. It is the story of another white woman disappearing in a tropical paradise, against the backdrop of hedonistic partying and drinking, domestic violence and internet fame. They are representative of the type of internet sensations that many love to hate and still would love to emulate. Are they innocent victims of misfortune, or charismatic manipulators? The ending is inconclusive, although I would love to think that ultimately justice is served.

If you love unreliable characters, a tropical setting and page-turning tension, then you need to read this one! Thanks to Thriller Lover Book Promotions, the author and Crooked Lane books for the copy to read.

Sawyer and Dani are a young cruiser couple currently anchored out in the Bahamas. Sawyer is smarting after his cryptocurrency investments tanked, and Dani is trying to monetize their cruising lifestyle with her new YouTube channel. When Dani goes missing after a booze-fueled night of partying that Sawyer can’t remember, the Royal Bahamas Police Force is called in to investigate. After Dani’s disappearance, pre-scheduled videos post to the YouTube channel, showing that her relationship with Sawyer had a dark and potentially dangerous side. Naturally, Sawyer becomes the police’s number one suspect, and as social media posters weigh in, the web around him pulls tighter.

This popcorn thriller is such a fun, entertaining read! Plenty of twists kept me on my toes, and the social media angle (and blurred lines between reality and lies) is fresh and intriguing. It’s written in a breezy, casual style, and the sea and sailing atmosphere is spot on, making this the perfect summer suspense novel to tuck in your beach bag.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions providing me an advance copy of this book.

Such an exciting read! This author has such an addicting writing style. Truly you can't put it down, dying to know what happens next. I am hooked on this author!

Thanks net galley for this great book! my review is unbiased and my own.

On the Surface
By: Rachel McGuire
Pub date: July 9, 2024
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Length: 304 pages

4 ⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️


Perception is everything! We all know social media generally shows everyone what we want the public to see.
⛵️
Dani and Sawyer are sailing in the Bahamas and they have a YouTube channel called Sailing with the Foxes. They are in debt and their channel is not doing well.
⛵️
One night after partying Dani comes up missing and of course Sawyer is the top suspect. Stories are still showing up on their sight, but they can be scheduled!
⛵️
What happened to Dani? A local detective Knowles is looking into Dani’s appearance along with a lot of online sleuths looking for clues!
⛵️
Both of Dani and Sawyers past have secrets which will come out! A MUST read for the thriller lover.
⛵️
I absolutely loved this fast-paced unique psychological thriller.
Thank you Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and author McGuire for this advanced copy.

On the Surface by Rachel McGuire starts the action immediately. The book opens with a murder and from there we learn about the characters. While I found these characters to be mostly unlikable, it worked very well for this story structure. I liked seeing how social media was portrayed and how fake it can be.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
I struggled with this book in places. The overall story was a good one but I felt in places there was additional content that didn’t need to be there, made it feel a little clunky. Personally, I wasn’t pleased with the final outcome being so messy.
That said, unfortunately there is so much truth in this story about the way people manipulate each other and social media. I can see it having a strong following with the 20-30 year olds towards whom I assume it will be marketed.

Having never heard of this author, I was intrigued by the premise of the novel. The introduction into the book brings the reader into the life of a cruiser and social media influencer. As the book unfolds, you find yourself lost in the story line and questioning where the story is going. By the end of the book, I was lossing interest but kept on trudging through. However, the ending left a lot to be desired.

This was an enjoyable, fast paced thriller with an interesting premise. I did find it fairly predictable and found the characters to all be unlikable, which are pet peeves I have in the genre. I was still intrigued enough to enjoy it but the biggest gripe I had was the ending was SO abrupt. Too many loose ends and not enough true resolution after all of the build up.

My Thoughts
Social media has such a huge influence in how the story plays out that it overshadows the actual police investigation aspect of getting to the truth of what happened.

I felt no positive connection to either of the main characters.

As others have mentioned not liking the characters in no way interfered with enjoying the story itself.

Both Dani Fox and Sawyer Stone have personalities that did not endear them to this reader, however the story twists and turns were why I wanted to delve into this mystery in the first place.

Despite it's familiar feel compared to other reads I engaged readily and was able to enjoy events as they occurred, both past and present.

When all the elements of what really transpired were revealed my only peeve was an ending that left me with questions about where things went next.

I would like to read more from this author in future.
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

On the Surface is a gripping, can't-put-down, edge-0f-your-seat thriller filled with villainous characters and beautiful scenery. Dani and her boyfriend Sawyer live on their boat and sail from place to place whenever they desire. Dani is focused on her YouTube channel and monetizing their adventures. Sawyer simply wants to live the simple life, soaking up the sun, fishing the deep waters, and partying with the other cruisers. One night, Dani goes missing and all eyes are on Sawyer. While Sawyer swears he is innocent, the weekly pre-scheduled YouTube videos indicate otherwise. The police have their hands full down in the Caribbean as they try to solve the case of Dani's disappearance (and hopefully not murder).

On the Surface has definite Gone Girl vibes. It is fast-paced, drama-filled, and addictive. The characters are well-developed and super villainous. I had a hard time deciding who, if anyone, I was rooting for. I absolutely loved the ending. Not all authors can pull off an open ending, but Rachel McGuire accomplishes it seamlessly. This is easily one of the best thrillers so far of 2024. This book will definitely make you think twice about whether you'd ever want to live on a boat and cruise from place to place. I will highly be recommending On the Surface. Easy 5 stars!

I really enjoyed reading On the Surface by Rachel McGuire. I read this on a cruise ship which I think added to my experience reading, which was perfect! I would rate this as a 4 star read, but it's really more of a 4.5 star read. It's almost a 5 star read for me, but it was missing just enough to not quite hit that mark.

On the Surface follows Dani and Sawyer, a cruiser couple who live on a boat and are documenting their life on YouTube. When Dani expresses her desire to begin to monetize their account, she suddenly goes missing and everyone fears the worse. With Sawyer pushed into the spotlight, will the police (and the general public) believe his side of the story? What really happened to Dani? Where has she gone? Will they find her alive?? I can honestly say that I didn't predict the ending of this story!

On the Surface absolutely needs to be made into a movie, or better yet, a tv show. I could see this running as a limited series on one of the streaming networks (Netflilx execs - where you at!?) The entire time I was reading this, I could picture how the tv show would go and I saw moments of suspense where end of episode cliffhangers could leave the viewers.

I found this mystery to be a relevant read for our time, while also having a unique plot that will grab your attention!

a You tube couple head out to the bahamas and...things do not go to plan. This novel will make you think about the whole social media/influencer thing and the way we see things nowadays, how our media shapes things and how social media distorts that. A great popcorn thriller to read on holiday - and that;s a good thing!

On the Surface is a mystery about Dani Fox and Sawyer Stone, an unlikely couple that have chosen the cruiser life in the Bahamas. Dani is trying to get their YouTube channel to monetization levels and Sawyer is working hard to keep their beat up boat seaworthy. The couple is somewhat ostracized from their local cruiser community; they aren't boomers, they don't bring booze to share at parties, and really it seems like Dani's physical appearance is why people put up with them.

So when Dani disappears after a raging party, everyone suspects Sawyer. He swears to his innocence, but he has secrets too. This plot slowly unravels alternating between perspectives from the couple and an investigator in the Royal Bahamas Police Force. I really enjoyed the relatively short chapters and the slow and steady unraveling of Dani and Sawyer's pasts.

I think you'll enjoy this one if you like beach settings, a steady drip of reveals, and stories that examine social media influencer culture. This would make a great spring break or summer vacation read.

3.5 rounded to 4 for Goodreads