Complex and chaotic this is an interesting family drama with a thrilling undertone. I thought this was a little slow in parts but overall an enjoyable story told from different viewpoints. Secrets and lies and ultimately a rushed ending left me wanting a little more.

The title “Beneath the Surface” definitely has a double meaning. The plot revolves around the Vermuyden family who live close to the fens in Cambridge and whose fate seems to be intertwined with the marshy, murky waters. But there are also secrets that all of the family hold and are threatening to break free. The plot is sparked by daughter Lilly (who has a secret boyfriend) collapsing at school and the impact this has on mother Grace (who has a past she has kept secret from her family), father Patrick (who has been keeping the significance of their financial problems a secret) and impressionable sister Mia (who keeps secrets for others as well as her own).

The book feels part thriller and part family drama. The characters are equally relatable and baffling depending on whose perspective you are reading at any point. Overall, I enjoyed it and got through it very quickly. However, I found some of the character’s decisions a bit bizarre, parts of it were repetitive and I was a bit disappointed by the ending. It felt rushed and incomplete almost like the author had reached their word count.

But if you’re looking for an easy to read page turner, then I would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 3*
Pace: 3*
Characters: 4* (Mia 5*)

This was a lovely unexpected surprise, what a marvel of a book.
I’ve grown a bit bored of family mystery/thrillers where the main storyline is based on lies, but this was way more than the tagline on the cover.
It was an emotive, suspenseful novel, full of great characters (Mia was a breath of fresh air) and an unexpected ending. Fans of Amanda Prowse and Marian Keyes should enjoy this.

It took me forever to finish this as I kept putting it down and not picking it back up. It didn’t grab me or at least I didn’t stay grabbed, I didn’t think about it when not reading it. I felt pacing was off at bits although other bits I enjoyed.

A very modern tale of love, loss and family, stretching across the generations. Well worth a read. It also features political commentary on current housing problems, cost 9f living etc.

Beneath the Surface is an enthralling psychological drama from Sunday Times bestseller Fiona Neill. Following the story of Grace Vermuyden, a determined mother of two who works to fulfil the dreams she was denied in her childhood, the reader embarks on a suspenseful journey of revelations, family dynamics and complicated relationships.

The novel explores how the weight of the past affects the present, delving into themes of paranoia and secrets in a small community on the edge of the Fens. When the golden daughter, Lilly, mysteriously collapses in class, dark rumours start to swirl around their tight-knit neighbourhood and Grace begins to search for the truth behind her daughter's sudden ailment.

As she starts to discover evidence of a secret life Lilly has been leading, the burden of responsibility weighs down on her and young Mia, who develops her own wild theories and faces unforeseen and devastating consequences. Through Fiona Neill's gripping narrative, Beneath the Surface uncovers the delicate balance between parental protectiveness and the agency of growing up, providing an eye-opening perspective of the murky depths of our inner lives.

I am currently rewatching Brothers and Sisters and all the family drama in the tv series, quite strikes me similar as the family drama in this book. This is a tight knit family, but each has their own problems and secrets, but they must come together as a family in the end. Book was very well written and entertaining throughout. Recommended for anyone who likes a good read with good vibes at the end.

I kinda had high expectations for this. The reviews are all over the place and I wondered what side I’d be on.

What a great concept for a book, unfortunately for me, as a reader I wasn’t taken in so well. It was slow and sometimes a little boring.
I think personally it could have been made much more upbeat, interesting and throw something in there that grabbed my attention now and again it might have gone up a star or two.

This could have been oh so much better for the reader.

I’m glad I listened to it.

I struggled to get into this one and have made numerous attempts at doing so. I loved the premise but it felt a little flat and didn't keep my interest.

I struggled to stay interested in this. While I was originally intrigued I soon felt that the book focused on the wrong things at times. Like Mia theories that didn't make much sense. The suspense or intrigue around what happened just wasn't there. I had hoped by the end and the big reveal it would get better.
Sadly the reveal was just underwhelming. The book itself felt a little unfinished.

Mia herself didn't sound like a 10 year old. But she also was neglected by her parents in a way. She clearly needed some sort of help and they just brush it off as she is being weird. Even if she is harming someone else.

The mother was overbearing. I understand why due to her past. But she was just too annoying.

Also the Eel in the bucket? Why? That just seems animals cruelty.

I wanted to like this book I really did, but sadly it all fell a little flat for me. I struggled to get into this book, in the end I did DNF this.

Beneath the Surface by Fiona Neill.

Beneath the Surface is a great book about a dysfunctional family. This book is about the Vermuyden family; Grace and Patrick and their 2 daughters Lily and Mia.
I adored this book, each character is sympathetic and real. They each have a secret and tell lies to cover it up, this affects their lives and how they interact with each other.
Patrick is hiding his decreasing salary and increasing debts, Grace is hiding her unconventional and tragic upbringing, Lily is hiding her relationship and what really happened at the festival and Mia is hiding a stolen ring that she hopes will help Tas, her only friend.
The family dynamics are frustrating, touching and relatable. The story starts off with Lily collapsing at school and builds with unbearable tension.
A enjoyable and gripping read.

This book wasn't what I had hoped. I struggled to get into this as the start was rather slow, and I felt the action never picked up from there. Unfortunately it was a DNF at 20 per cent.

Unfortunately this book just did not grip me and I did not finish it. Other readers may enjoy this one more

Well written enjoyable book. Engaging characters and a story that held my interests from beginning to the unexpected end.

I lost interest. This wasn’t the book I thought it would be. The writing wasn’t engaging and I felt it was written well but wasn’t as thought provoking as it could have been. DNF

I definitely would not class this a a thriller, very strange storyline and quite boring in parts. Not my cup of tea at all unfortunately.

This read drew me in but didn’t hold me. When 18 year old Lily collapses with an apparent seizure everyone in the small town is talking about what has caused it and slowly things in the past and present come to light. This book explores how past experiences impact the present and how secrets never stay buried. An easy read but ultimately not one that I was running back to. Many thanks to Penguin Books and net galley for the ARC .

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

I was offered a copy of this publication due to reviewing a previous book written by the same author.

The same qualities that impressed me in 'The Betrayals' are present once again in 'Beneath the Surface'. I enjoy the way Fiona Neill writes very much. There is a subtlety to her narration which in turn translates into the portrayal of very real and authentic characters.

The only reason I gave this book 3 stars and not 4 like with the previous one is that on the whole I found the pace a little too slow.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest and impartial review.