I really enjoyed this one! The flooded Marshes setting pulled me in right away, and I could feel Eden’s frustration and determination throughout the story. The Bachelor-style competition was such a fun twist in a dystopian world, and it added just the right amount of drama.

The love triangle had me torn (in the best way), and while some parts could’ve been a little tighter, I still found myself hooked and invested in Eden’s choices. It’s sharp, emotional, and a little messy—exactly what I want in a YA dystopian romance.

Ive heard Jill has another release upcoming so im stoked for that!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mixing politics and an overly used trope isn’t exactly it.

Personally, I am just not super intrigued whenever the common day issues are Incorporated in books. I personally read books to get away from those issues so when they’re brought into the story that I’m reading about it just immediately turns me off.

I also feel like trials are very overdone, everybody is getting sick of them, and I am personally tired of reading about them. This is just my personal opinion if you’re going to do trials, you need to do them well and this felt a little bit too, rushed for me and too forced

Book received for free through NetGalley

A great book that was tough to put down and got me hooked. A great overall story but would love to read more in the world too.

I really enjoyed this book! It had a great, fast-moving plot. I felt that there weren’t any slow parts and every chapter/scene included was a welcome addition to the story.

This book reminded me of The Selection series/the Bachelor show, and I love that trope. It was very well-done. This book is set in a dystopian world, in which climate change has ravaged the world. Eden works as
undercover to infiltrate Theo’s dating competition, in which the winner will receive a large cash prize.

I really enjoyed watching Theo and Eden’s relationship grow. In particular, I liked seeing how they shaped and changed each others perspectives on the world. And Theo’s romantic lines made me swoon. Overall, this book is a great read, both romantic and reflective.

Eden lives in the "low class" marshes, working with her best friend Henry to foil the attempts of the higher class to destroy their land. When she gets an opportunity to bring down the higher class by participating in a dating game, Eden doesn't plan on Theo being someone she could actually like. Now she has to figure out how to protect her home without giving up who she is and what she's fighting for.

I really enjoyed the mystery, love story, characters - everything about this book! I have already looked up what else this author wrote and pre-ordered this book. Highly recommend!

Jill Tew just doesn’t miss.

This is seriously some of the best dystopian I have ever read and it is so good that some real life things have been happening recently that align with this book and make me know we are headed into our own real life dystopia.

This is another dystopian scenario set in the Tewniverse with some easter eggs for The Dividing Sky. Climate change has led to disaster along the coasts of the world, especially in what used to be Miami, Florida. And the rich have decided that rather than dealing with this - and the lack of fresh water - they would go live on giant cruise ships and sail the seas, while also consuming way too much water.

Eden is a fascinatingly complicated character. Theo is a character that starts out seeming to be exactly what you expect, but as the story goes on we get to explore more and more of the depths of his character. Eden faces a bit of a love triangle between herself, Theo, and Henry, her best friend who just confessed his feelings for her before she goes off to join the dating competition for Theo, while pretending to be a rich Cruiser in order to steal from them.

The world is so beautifully and vividly depicted, from the swamps to the cruise ship and all of the dazzling outfits the Cruisers wear. I am already missing this and wanting to reread it! If you’re in your dystopian era or want to be back in it, you need to pick this one up.

Thank you to @joyrevbooks for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

WOW! I love reading dystopian novels and this one is right up with my favorites. There is a world ravaged by climate change where water is now a rare commodity. The rich are living on floating cities (ocean liners) while the poor are struggling to survive on land. On top of all that, you have a bachelor style competition to win the hand of the heir. I stayed up all night reading this because I had to know what happens! If you are a fan of YA dystopian with romance added, you will enjoy this. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.

The good:
Dystopian bachelor/bachelorette? Always a fan. Add in the perfect bachelor - rich, unproblematic, obsessed with the main character who's just better than everyone else for no clear reason? Sign me up. The story absolutely nailed the dystopian energy of Being On a Cruise Ship. It's pretty weird on those things in real life, and our main character expressed her "I'm poor, this is disgusting to me" experience really well. We had a believable dystopia setting- climate apocalypse, the rich get richer, so on and so forth. The story was also packed with twists and turns that kept us moving through the plot, a really fast read.

The bad:
The story ultimately seemed to undercut itself with the ending - we spent a long time in the book feeling like life is unfair and the cruisers are rich and therefore evil, and it bothered me how passively that was resolved in the end. We had a big plot crescendo, and then everything wrapped up way too quickly, cleanly, and saccharinely. Also, as an aside, I felt that the love triangle ultimately just kind of felt like double-cheating a lot of the time, lots of guilt and denial. Romance should be enjoyable!



Big thank you for the ARC access NetGalley and Random House!

This was an amazing dystopian novel in the veins of The Hunger Games combined with The Selection! Tew writes a sharp and compelling commentary on corporate greed and how the interests of a few come at the expense of the many. I was completely enthralled in the immersive world she created!

In just a few chapters, Tew crafts an entire societal structure, one not entirely unlike our own with its lack of resources and a land/people ravaged by climate disasters. I loved how the story focused on water specifically - how access determined class with some using water as a status symbol while others were left fighting for gallons and their survival.

The world building is incredible, but it’s the characters who truly make this story stand out. All three main characters are complex individuals, full of flaws, emotions, and driven by a greater purpose. I loved each of them and rooted for a conclusion that would see each character happy. The side characters, especially the other contestants, were also well developed. I adored their unique personalities. Tew’s genius is in making you root for even the supposed villains of the story. I was surprised by how much I emphasized with the cruisers, despite their seeming lack of care for the Marshers and the world they helped destroy.

If you’re a dystopian fan or are looking for sharp political commentary with softened edges, I highly recommend An Ocean Apart! It’s portrays a critical, but hopeful lens for the world we inhabit. This was my first story by Tew, but I can’t wait to read her backlist and future stories!

Thank you to NetGalley, Joy Revolution, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew blends all my favorite elements of dystopian fiction and elevates them with a balance of softness and sharpness. Ten years after a climate disaster, caused by corporations infiltrating the government and letting greed overrule the needs of the masses, Eden is fighting to survive in the Marshes of Miami. She scrapes together resources for her adoptive family and her best friend, Henry, in a world where water is a precious commodity. Those on land are forced to navigate the manipulative systems created by the wealthy, while rich families live aboard cruise ships, flaunting their access to safety and abundance.

When tragedy strikes, Eden decides to infiltrate a dating competition run by the largest water company. With help from the Ringmaster, a mysterious vigilante determined to expose corporate corruption, she assumes a new identity to get close to Theo, the son of the company’s CEO. But as she becomes more deeply embedded in this world, she finds herself torn between her mission, her emotions, and the question of who is truly pulling the strings.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel was its sharp critique of corporate greed and its human cost, balanced by the tenderness of Eden’s personal growth. She’s forced to reckon with her hatred for the people behind these corporations while realizing that nothing is as clear-cut as it seems. Away from the constant pressure of survival, Eden begins to see her beliefs and relationships, with both Henry and Theo, in a new light. By the climax, Eden is able to fight for what she believes in in a way you can't help but root for!

Another element I loved was how fully immersive this world feels thanks to the author’s intentional use of language. I could vividly picture the devastation of the marshes, the buzzballs flitting about, and the grandeur of the cruise ship’s interior. The way characters use slang, and how certain words carry positive or negative connotations. was such a clever, world-building touch

If you’re looking for dystopian fiction with a strong heroine, biting social commentary, and a touch of romance, An Ocean Apart is a must-read.

Thank you to Netgalley & Random House Children's Books/ Joy Revolution for an ARC of this book!

This was a really enjoyable book! All of the characters ended up being pretty likable which I was surprised by. Eden was such a strong character and even when she was playing a part it felt she was being true to herself. I loved the dynamic between her and Theo and her and Henry. The background info before she went onto the ship was sufficient but I wish we had a little bit more information about her family. The worldbuilding could have used a little bit more explanation or depth but it was easy to understand. Selfishly I just wanted more! I appreciated the diversity in this book and the side characters were given enough attention that I felt I knew them but not so much that it took away from the book as a whole. The book kept me on my toes the whole time and I loved the ending 1/3 of the book, I thought it was going to be rushed but it really worked well with the storyline. Overall, a 5 star read that I would recommend to anyone, I hope there is a sequel or continuation because I need more from this world!

An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew is a dystopian drama about a future where fresh water becomes a problem. The seas are rising and the place formerly known as Florida is now known as the Marshes. The Marsh residents must pay exorbitant prices for water to drink, bathing is not even a question, that would be a great way to squander precious resources.

During this time, there is an undercover personality who calls himself the Ringmaster and he writes graffiti very large and in very public places to object to the way the people who live on land are being treated by the wealthy Cruisers who live on the ocean and have an easy life.

Eden lives with a family who took her in when her mother disappeared. They are the Turners and they have a son of similar age to Eden named Henry. Eden and Henry are just starting to notice at attraction to each other, but really have not become a couple. One day Henry’s father becomes impaled on some rebar while trying to earn money for the family by collecting refuse which he can sell. It can be dangerous and is becoming more so because more people have resorted to collecting scrap to be able to have enough water to drink. The family is struggling to keep fed and more importantly, hydrated.

With Mr. Turner in the hospital, Eden decides she needs to pull more of her weight and decides to go on a Bachelor type program to get the attention of Theo whose mother is the CEO of the water company, which keeps raising the price of water on the Marshers. They are Cruisers. Eden and the Turners have a hate for the Cruisers because the Cruisers lives are so easy that they have water fountains on their boats plus plenty to drink and bathe in, as well as swim in.

She makes a deal with the Ringmaster to get on board the boat and into the contest so she can steal Theo’s heart but more importantly, his money. Then she plans to leave him with a broken heart. Life has a funny way of asserting itself and Eden learns some lessons. It is a very well written read that will keep readers reading when they should be doing other things.

Gripping and unique, AN OCEAN APART by Jill Tew is the kind of story that sticks with you. It made me long for more stories of resilience and revolution in the not-so dystopian world Tew has created — one that feels eerily similar to our own.

This was a super fun, fast paced, dystopian novel set in what we know as Miami. I liked that it has a real love triangle and both Theo and Henry cared about Eden SO MUCH. The world building was great and the imagery really helped me picture this world.

This was a great dystopian world - I really enjoyed the characters, especially Eden. Satisfying ending. Definitely would recommend to young dystopian fans!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

This book had such an interesting concept but the writing style seems very middle-grade to me. I had trouble visualizing these characters as being teenagers as they came off as being younger. I also had trouble with the premise that the rich turned to cruising in the midst of a global warming epidemic as I imagine that the weather at sea would be quite risky. Multiple regions are also mentioned but with no context making the geography confusing too.

I felt like some of the world-building was lacking. It's almost two hundred years in the future after multiple events but we only get a rough idea of what has happened. For example, all the water is owned by corporations. How exactly do they force people to buy water only from them? Eden's family has a rain barrel but they still worry about buying water? I get the whole message about unregulated capitalism but it's repeatedly mentioned that people are forced to buy important items from corporations at great expense and there doesn't seem to be any enforcement on preventing people from seeking alternatives.

People are also forced to watch advertisements to get discounts for things such as water is very much a nod to how advertising is out of control in our present society. While I understand Eden's negative feelings towards this, I found it unlikeable how she refuses to watch some of these advertisements despite her family being incredibly poor. She also judges people for enjoying themselves when they watch the dating competition for discounts too.

Additionally, there still is somewhat of a government because it's mentioned that there's a schooling system, but how exactly does this government work? Presumably, it's controlled by the wealthy, but do the people accept this? How do they maintain power on land if they're at sea all the time? Do the people get to vote, but like in rigged elections? There's also a reference to American healthcare when a character gets injured and can't afford healthcare but is somehow getting treated despite not being able to pay? Admittedly, Eden stresses about medical debt but I would have assumed that the government would have enacted laws that prevent people from getting treated if they can't afford it.

There's also social media introduced during the competition part of the book. Apparently, being an influencer is quite valuable due to advertising, except how do the poors afford to buy goods that aren't necessities? I'd imagine that influencers would lose a lot of their advertising potential if the masses lose a lot of their purchasing power. Ignoring the fact that Eden gets on the cruise way too easily and blends in too well, she somehow doesn't know that there's a social media account attached to her persona?

In summary, I thought this book had a lot of important messaging but it tried to tackle too many topics and the world-building needed more fleshing out.

I had such a fun time with An Ocean Apart! It felt like watching Love Island or The Bachelor — but with a clever dystopian twist. The drama, alliances, and romance all came with high stakes that kept me hooked. I really enjoyed Eden as a main character, and watching her slow shift from hating Theo to falling for him was one of my favorite parts. I didn’t care for Henry as much, but Eden and Theo completely carried the story for me. I also loved the worldbuilding, especially the concept of a government run by mega corporations — it made everything feel both believable and chilling. The little twists kept things fresh, and I loved not always knowing who to trust. If you like your reads bingeable, dramatic, and a little bit dangerous, this is a great pick!

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I would like to give the BIGGEST thank you to Netgalley & Random House Children's Books/ Joy Revolution for an advanced copy of this book!

Well, tickle me pink & call me Wilbur because this book had me squealing like a piglet.

Books such as this literally save lives. I should know, because rediscovering reading once pulled me out of a postpartum I was sure was going to claim me body & soul.. And stories as beautiful as this are what really helped save me.. Having a hard time in the real world? Just need to forget reality completely for a little while? A book like this is where u go to make that happen. I am not even a fan of this genre but the synopsis was just so intriguing, I had never read anything like it in my life.

This book is for everyone. If you're looking for a mindless good time this if for you. If you're looking for a book that's deep & has more layers than an onion, this book is also for you.

On the surface this book presents as a fun dystopian read, with the classic battle between the haves and the have-nots. We have games and trials, think The Bachelor with levels.

But if you actually listen to what you are reading this goes so much deeper than you can imagine and mirrors our countries deplorable history eerily well, IMO.

I really, REALLY hope Jill Tew knows how truly talented she is! May her career be long and prosperous, because her talent & imagination are so beautiful. This was one of the most original concepts I have ever read & I devoured every second of it. You will definitely be seeing this book on my Top 10 for 2025. And OBVIOUSLY, I will be getting a book trophy!


This is my review that as of today can be found on the following platforms:
Goodreads
Tiktok
Fable
Bookmory
StoryGraph

Dystopia is truly back! Tew does an amazing job of braiding serious issues in a way that is palatable. These stories are exactly what we need in classrooms for students to get the message without feeling preached to.

4.25 stars. Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me to read this for an honest review. This was a great dystopian world. I really would like to read more about how the cruisers got started and the fall of everything. The writing was beautiful, the plot was interesting, and I'm so happy it was wrapped up in one book.