The Weight of Past Secrets in “Beneath The Surface” by Fiona Neill

Great writing and all the ingredients for a powerful story didn’t make up for the lack of excitement.

Disclaimer: I’ve received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley, this doesn’t influence my opinion or review. Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with a reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Personal Experience:

Quote: 

“She’s beginning to understand that although adults obsess about telling the truth it’s mostly something they don’t want to hear.”

Who should read it? Fans of this style.

Would I recommend it? It’s a not a book I’d personally recommend.

I was really excited about this book since I loved “The Betrayals” by the same author. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite have the same effect on me. It didn’t hook me enough, and there was nothing in the storyline I felt excited about. In the end, I kept reading but I was not in a rush, I could put down the book at any time and I’d struggle to get back to it.

The problem? It felt like nothing was really happening. There were hints at times that made me feel it’d be worth to keep reading to discover more, but at each reveal, I felt some sort of disappointment. The big final reveal was the one that disappointed the most. Overall, it all felt very anti-climax and uneventful.

Not all is bad though. I thought the first chapter was promising, even though it was a bit long and the following chapters didn’t manage to hook me. Bonus points for Fiona Neill’s writing style which is still as amazing as I remember, even with the occasional head hopping and PoV switch. Mia’s perspective was quite unique and I think the way the story was told enriched the reading experience, even if I didn’t feel much for the story itself. I also have to say that besides Mia, I didn’t feel too attached to the characters.

Since I felt there was nothing surprising happening, the pace felt slow and I felt I was dragging through the pages. Then when things start getting interesting – or so I thought, the ending didn’t surprise or added much. So it was a bit disappointing in that sense as well.

I really wanted to love this book, because I still think it’s thought-provoking and beautiful. But in the end, it’s about each reader’ experience, and mine was just not memorable enough.

Overall, even though this isn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t for me. I felt I kept reading in hopes to be surprised and awaiting a big reveal, but nothing impressed me or moved me.