Thank you @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for this early copy of The Shark House by Sara Ackerman. A wonderfully enlightening read about these magnificent misunderstood creatures, woven through the story of a brilliant woman healing from grief and finding her people. As always with @saraackermanbooks, Hawai’i steals the show 🩵🦈

There’s something about The Shark House that latches on from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Sara Ackerman’s storytelling carries you straight to 1998 Hawai‘i, where the scent of saltwater hangs in the air, the horizon feels endless, and the ocean hides as much as it reveals. This isn’t just scenery—it’s a living, breathing presence in the book, one that shapes the people who live beside it, for better or worse.

At the heart of the story is Minnow Gray, a marine biologist whose quiet strength is tested the moment she steps onto the Kohala coast. A string of shark attacks has everyone on edge, and she’s there to find answers. But this isn’t a simple case of predator and prey—Ackerman makes it clear early on that there’s more at stake, and much more to uncover beneath the surface. What kept me hooked wasn’t just the mystery of the shark, but the way Minnow’s journey through the water echoed her journey inward. Her work forces her to confront a past she’s tried to outrun, and the bravery it takes to face that—while surrounded by doubt, danger, and a field still dominated by men—makes her story both empowering and deeply human.

One of the things I loved most is how Ackerman treats the sharks themselves. They’re not monsters here; they’re powerful, complex creatures, and the book treats them with the kind of respect and realism you rarely see in fiction. The underwater scenes pulse with tension, but they’re also full of awe, and you can feel the author’s knowledge and care in every detail.

This book isn’t just about the science or the danger—it’s about connection. Connection to the natural world, to the ghosts of our past, and to the pieces of ourselves we’ve hidden away. By the final chapters, I wasn’t just rooting for Minnow to find her shark—I was rooting for her to find her way back to herself.

If you’re looking for a story that blends atmospheric suspense with heartfelt character growth, The Shark House is a journey worth taking. It’s as much about survival and resilience as it is about the beauty and ferocity of the ocean. And it’s the kind of novel that leaves you thinking about what you’d be willing to risk to make peace with your past.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for sharing this engaging, inspirational women’s fiction novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Shark House by Sara
Ackerman. The Hawaiian setting is one relatively rare in my reading experience and it is evoked in sensuous luminous prose. I could hear the coconuts dropping from the trees and the ocean waves lapping the lava shores. It features a marine research biologist who is intimately connected to the sea and its creatures, in particular the great white shark. Through her, this courageous and troubled woman, I gained a greater appreciation for the richness and beauty of underwater life, as well as a sense of Hawaiian culture (each chapter begins with the definition of a Hawaiian word).
Mystery, romance and psychological exploration also add to the complexity of the novel.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advance complimentary copy. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*The Shark House* by Sara Ackerman swept me straight into the crystal-blue waters of 1998 Hawai‘i, where beauty and danger collide. Minnow Gray, a marine biologist with a knack for understanding sharks, arrives on the Kohala coast to help after a series of shark attacks—but the real waves she faces are the ones from her own past. Ackerman’s writing makes you feel the salt on your skin and the tension in the air, blending mystery, emotion, and the wild pull of the ocean. It’s part suspense, part self-discovery, and completely the kind of book you can sink into and not want to come up for air.

4.5 ⭐️

Sharks have always been fascinating to me, so I was more than happy to review this e-ARC (thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse!) - all thoughts are my own. If you like sharks, you’ll probably also like this book. The Shark House follows Dr. Minnow Gray as she works to remember her past, discover herself and reveal the mystery behind a sudden influx of shark bite incidents. Finding corruption and conspiracy up to the local political offices, Minnow creates a bond and connects with her late parents. Definitely worth the read if you’re into conservation, marine biology and sharks!

If you get mad at the shark representation in Jaws, this book is for you 🦈 I absolutely love the way this “shark attack” story is told with an ethical and meaningful twist. As a big shark-lover, I may be a little biased, but I was so wrapped up in this book, and I think it’s going to stick with me for a long time.

I loved the mystery and self discovery elements of this entertaining novel. The author obviously did a ton of research, and she incorporates it seamlessly into the narrative. Minnow is an intriguing protagonist -- I enjoyed her journey. The setting and time period are expertly conveyed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

The Shark House by Sara Ackerman is such a beautifully layered read! If you like stories with strong women and a little bit of danger humming under the surface, add this one to your TBR! The story follows Minnow Gray who heads to the Big Island of Hawaii after a string of shark attacks sparks panic in the community. From the first few pages, I was pulled into that late 90’s island vibe with a creeping sense that something deeper is going on beneath all the shark talk. What I loved about this book is that it’s not just about marine science, it’s about healing from trauma and rediscovering yourself. Minnow is dealing with some heavy stuff from her past, and while she’s trying to piece together what’s happening in the water, she’s also slowly figuring out who she is. There’s a little bit of everything here…mystery, science, self discovery, and family drama. Highly recommend this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Continuing with my accidental sea creature theme, this was a fab read! Full of really interesting characters and great shark facts.

The beginning was so intriguing and the whole plot was great, but the last third seemed to lack the oomph of the rest, so lost 3/4 of a star.

Overall, a great read. Would recommend to shark lovers or those who are scared of them!!

The author is clearly very well educated on the land the story is set on as well as the nature of sharks. I felt like I was learning a lot as I was reading, without it feeling heavy handed or dry. I think that attention to research and detail really added a great layer to the story.
Minnow was an interesting main character, who felt realistic and easy to follow along with right away. I liked that there was a subtle mystery aspect to the story, as well as a look into science in general and what academia can be like for women.