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Lovely book! I think I heard about this on a podcast, and that's how it got on my tbr. It's not one I've heard much hype about, but it's such a wonderful historical fiction book! It's the story of Beatrix, a young British girl sent to live with an American family during WWII. I know WWII historical fiction floods the market, but this one was not focused on the war, but on how growing up with 2 separate families and existences affected Bea's life.

Sadly, this just isn‘t my genre.

Well, Julie, I finally managed to read another book from your #auldlangspine list. And what a wonderful book it was! I loved every character, I loved the settings (especially Maine ♥️), loved the story. The ending was just perfect 😊 #ALSpine #readyourkindle @RebelReader @monalyisha

I was sent a physical ARC of this book from Celadon Books and an audio ARC was sent to me from Macmillan Audio in 2023. I liked the mom Mrs. G who lives in Maine in this book. This book is set during WWII and this young girl was from London. She was sent to Maine to live with this other family to get away from the war that was going on and they became her second family. This was a nice story.

#SundayFunday

Back then, Beatrix liked to sit next to Mr. G when he rowed them all to the mainland.

#firstlinefridays
#currentlyreading
@ShyBookOwl

The story of these two families is one I will not soon forget. This book is a wonderful example of how historical fiction can be when it is done well. Spence-Ash weaves a story using real events with one that reflects on family, love, grief and compassion. I fell in love with the characters in this book as they grew in their stories. The multiple POVs and the over 3 decades long story really allows the reader to become a part of both families.

One of those little surprise books, it‘s engrossing and just deals with life really (though obviously starts in WW2). A bit melancholy and sad occasionally. But a really good read.

#12DaysofChristmas #Day6 #June

I‘ve moved away from WWII a bit, especially fiction, but since my dad recommended it I had to read it. I am so glad I did. The story of a young girl evacuated to the US, a perspective I hadn‘t read before.

@Andrew65

My book for B in the A to Z challenge!

Oh this book had everything...War, undying love, literary fiction at its finest!

I voted in Round 1 of the Goodreads Choice Awards and this is the book I voted for. I enjoyed this book when I first read it. In the Historical Fiction category, a book called The Echo Of Old Books by Barbara Davis was also nominated but I DNF‘d it when I read it this month because I didn‘t like it so I wasn‘t going to vote for it. I was looking at all the nominees and I haven‘t read all the books.

I love local indie bookstores. 🤓 #bookstorebooty

This was truly an absorbing read. This is a debut author and I found myself totally sucked in. Yes, it's a WWII story but from various points of view and not your typical storyline. Highly recommend this one #ARC

Loved this story from a totally different perspective then typical WWII fiction. With bombs falling on London Reg & Millie decide to send their only child, Beatrix, to America to keep her safe. Just a lovely read from different POV from both sides of the pond. #TBRTarot #WithaPrologue

“Back then, Beatrix liked to sit next to Mr. G when he rowed them all to the Mainland.”

Was so glad to see this book has a prologue, excited to read this for June #TBRTarot

A remarkable debut. Told in short chapters from multiple points of view, it was easy to get swept up in this emotional story of a young British girl sent to America to avoid the dangers during WWII. At 11, Beatrix is sent to live with the Gregory‘s, complete strangers who soon become her second family. I loved that this story is told linearly. I‘m so sick of time jumps and shifting timelines. I loved everything about this book.

I feel so blessed every time I visit my local library. This stack is a combination of holds & other books. 👏🏻😁📚

It is 1940 and the bombs are falling in London. Reg and Millie make the heartrending decision to send their 11-year-old girl Beatrix to the United States to live with strangers until the war is over. Beyond That, The Sea is told through multiple POVs and is primarily character driven. This powerful, emotional, beautifully written complex story of love and loss carries the reader across the ocean and through the decades. Highly recommended. 5 stars

My friend‘s SIL owns a bookstore out on Long Island, NY, so for #IndependentBookStoreDay I bought a book that the owner suggested and she shipped it to me 😁 We‘ll see🤷🏼‍♀️

I‘m a sucker for stories with time lines that follow the characters across decades. I thought this was a beautiful novel.

Book 48/100 of the year.

Review is up! Check it out! This is a good one!

https://reecaspieces.com/2023/03/29/beyond-that-the-sea-by-laura-spence-ash-audi...

Such an interesting depiction of a bunch of complicated lives and how they intertwine! I ultimately liked the vignette style, but I would also read a version of this that had longer chapters and spent more time really diving into these characters ' psyches. Still, well worth the read! #historicalfiction

This really puts a human face on some of the consequences of war on the innocent victims, while shining a light on inherent goodness in people, giving help when needed and doing what‘s right. The characters are very well developed and have an emotional rawness; they are realistic and honest, faults and all. I like how the story is told over such a long timeline, as well as the fact that all the main characters act as narrators at various times.

This historical fiction explored yet another aspect of WWII...the effect on the children who were sent from London to the USA for safety. We follow the life of Bea who we meet when she is eleven and is sent to Boston. The chapters are short, there are many points of view and the time passes quickly, but it is a beautiful story of two families whose lives intersect and of love, sacrifice and adapting. I really enjoyed it. 4.5/5 stars.

♥ 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 ♥

The Bee Hive is an adorable Little Free Library here in Lodi where I happily deposited a copy of 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 by 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐀𝐬𝐡, courtesy of 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬. The cover is stunning & the World War II-era story sounds absorbing. I'm sure that a lucky Lodian will enjoy the book &, hopefully, share it with others. I can't wait to read it.

Here‘s my review for an ARC I finished reading from Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio. This book goes on sale March 21, 2023.

#celadonreads #celadonbooks

I decided to start reading this book next. It‘s good so far. I got a physical ARC from Celadon Books and an audio ARC from Macmillan Audio but I‘m listening to this book on audio. This book goes on sale in March so I need to read it before then. I don‘t usually read ARCs before they go on sale. I usually put them on my shelf and then forget about them. I‘m behind on so many ARCs I received that were 2021 and 2022 releases.

I truly enjoyed reading beyond that, the sea. I love the short chapters which to me makes it a quick read. I liked how you got to know each character. You get to see how they characters grow emotionally. And her relationship with William and Gerald evolved into something I was not expecting at first and wondering how it would have played out if things would have been different I definitely recommend this book.

Today, I‘m sharing a book that was sent to me by Celadon Books. It came with a note and 2 recipes for Blueberry Muffins. I‘m looking forward to reading this book. I‘ve never baked anything but seeing the recipes that were included has inspired me to try it. Maybe I will try baking Blueberry Muffins but I don‘t know yet. I might have to ask my mom for help because I‘ve never baked anything.