Book Summary and Reviews of After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico

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Janine_S

Family mystery
This was such an intriguing read - a mystery and a love story - with no sentimentality, just a wrenching honesty and pure joy. It is a novel celebrating music, offering an exotic setting and finding redemption as well as exposing the dark side of law enforcement in Puerto Rico.

Emilia Oliveras’s life turns from joy for her marriage to Paul Winstead, son of a wealthy family into an unsolved mystery that haunts her for over thirty years. Having met as students at a prestigious music school in the US, Emilia, a budding pianist, and Paul, a talented celloist, elope and honeymoon on a cruise to Puerto Rico where Paul disappears. The Winstead family wants to make Emilia into a murderess but through the help of an honest policeman, she’s able to escape and find a new life until thirty years later a clue as to what happened appears.

The book is told in alternating time frames and from different POVs. We get the backstory of what happened to Emilia and then in present time we learn about her two daughters, Gracie and Meg, as well as what is happening with the other characters associated with what happened thirty years ago. This makes the story more poignant and touching. The musical references are especially finely written.

No spoilers here. You must read the book. It’s a story of love, family and music. It blends suspense with sentiment in a most arresting way. Highly recommend.

jillg

Compelling Multi-Layered Read
After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook of After the Ocean

Narrated by Victoria Villareal, Robb Moreira, Frankie Corzo who did a fine job of making this book so enjoyable and come to life. I paired this with the book.

A compelling multi-layered read that brings Emily Oliver’s past reeling back after answering a phone call claiming—-Paul may be alive. Thirty years ago Emily Oliver was, Emilia Oliveras, and a newlywed on a honeymoon cruise, when her husband Paul disappeared. Emily now has two grown daughters and her second marriage has failed due to the secrets of her past. Emily decides to go to Puerto Rico to find answers she has always needed. Her daughters, unbeknownst to Emily, have also traveled to Puerto Rico. Shocked to find their mother isn’t the woman they thought she was and how much of their lives have been a lie.

This is my first read from this author and I look forward to reading more from her. I thought the writing was good and I was engaged in the story from the beginning. Touching upon love, relationships, heartbreak, family drama, mysteries, secrets, and redemption.