Thank you Goodreads Giveaway for the advanced copy of Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Soence-Ash. This is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have been incredibly lucky with my reading selections lately, and Beyond That, The Sea continues my lucky streak. This unique story is about eleven year old Beatrix Thompson who is sent from London to Boston to live with the Gregory family in order to protect her from the dangers of WWII. Feelings of anger and betrayal against her family for sending her away evolve into a true love of the Gregorys and a desire to remain with them once the war is over. Additionally, after so much time away, Beatrix (Bea) seems to fit better with the Gregorys than her own mother and father. Written beautifully, with all of the feels, I so enjoyed getting lost in the novel. There were many good, kind characters in this story, parents struggling with impossible decisions to protect their daughter and guardians loving their ward as they would their own. It was heartwarming, but with a feeling of melancholy too. Sad for the parents who released their child not realizing that years would pass before they saw their daughter again. Sad for the generous Gregorys who opened up their home and hearts to a stranger and made her part of their family, but eventually having to return her to her London family. Sad for Bea no longer belonging here or there. This was just amazing story-telling. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
I have been incredibly lucky with my reading selections lately, and Beyond That, The Sea continues my lucky streak. This unique story is about eleven year old Beatrix Thompson who is sent from London to Boston to live with the Gregory family in order to protect her from the dangers of WWII. Feelings of anger and betrayal against her family for sending her away evolve into a true love of the Gregorys and a desire to remain with them once the war is over. Additionally, after so much time away, Beatrix (Bea) seems to fit better with the Gregorys than her own mother and father. Written beautifully, with all of the feels, I so enjoyed getting lost in the novel. There were many good, kind characters in this story, parents struggling with impossible decisions to protect their daughter and guardians loving their ward as they would their own. It was heartwarming, but with a feeling of melancholy too. Sad for the parents who released their child not realizing that years would pass before they saw their daughter again. Sad for the generous Gregorys who opened up their home and hearts to a stranger and made her part of their family, but eventually having to return her to her London family. Sad for Bea no longer belonging here or there. This was just amazing story-telling. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.