⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash is a quiet, deeply moving novel that sneaks up on you and then stays put. Set during World War II, it follows eleven-year-old Beatrix Thompson, sent from London to live with a family in Massachusetts as part of the wartime evacuation of British children. What begins as a temporary arrangement stretches into years, and Bea grows up shaped by two homes, two families, and two very different versions of herself.
Spence-Ash handles this emotional balancing act with real grace. Bea’s American host parents are kind, flawed, and loving in their own ways, while her mother back in England remains a powerful, aching presence—distant but never absent. The novel moves forward in time, showing how early choices echo into adulthood, influencing love, marriage, ambition, and regret.
This isn’t a plot-heavy book. It’s character-driven, reflective, and patient. The writing is spare but lovely, and the emotional payoff feels earned rather than forced. Readers looking for high drama may find it understated, but those who appreciate nuance and emotional honesty will be rewarded.
This is a story about belonging, about the families we’re born into and the ones we find, and about how a single childhood decision can quietly shape an entire life. Beautiful, bittersweet, and memorable. A fabulous debut!
** Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for a complimentary review copy. Opinions are my own.