The Girl from the Sea

By: Shalini Boland

Narrated by: Katie Villa

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

"I can’t remember anything. Not even my own name."

When Mia James is washed up on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach, she has no idea who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t even recognize her own face–until her boyfriend, Piers, comes forward, providing her with an identity. 

Piers is handsome and attentive, Mia’s home is huge and stylish, and her friends are eager to help her fill in the blanks. As Mia steps into the perfect life she was living before her accident, she should feel lucky to be alive. But she struggles to adjust, lost for words around people she is meant to know and love, grasping for clues about who she really is. 

And as her memories slowly return, Mia realizes something is very wrong. Her neighbors are avoiding her, her emails have all been wiped, and she is haunted by the face of a woman standing by the water. Too many things just don’t seem to add up, and she begins to question those closest to her....

What if nearly drowning didn’t happen by accident? 

How does she know who to trust, when she’s not even sure she can trust herself?  

From the million-copy best-selling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this completely addictive psychological thriller will have you racing through until the final jaw-dropping twist. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, and The Wife Between Us, this book is for you. 

©2018 Shalini Boland (P)2022 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Wonderful mystery!

I love Shalini Boland’s writing and Katie Villa’s narration. It’s the perfect pair!

This was a creepy mystery that kept me wondering what was going on. Very easy listen and hard to stop!

I really enjoyed it.

What an infuriating book

Do not waste your time unless you love totally unrealistic and infuriating endings. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t been well written. I feel like I’ve been seduced and then laughed at. I’ll never read another book by this writer!

Not her best, but definiently worth listening too

I have previously listened to at least a half dozen of her other stories but kept passing this one up due to the negative reviews. Finally with not many more books from Shalini to listen to, I decided to just get it. I love Katie Villa as a narrator and listen to almost all books she narrates. This book is very good, it just doesn't end how most of her others do. It left me feeling slightly disappointed, probably the last half hour. But overall the story was very good and had me gripped and at the edge of my seat wanting to listen to the whole thing in one sitting. If you like her other books, I would recommend listening to this one as well, just now it's not her best, at least to me. Not because of the entire book, but just the ending.

Big Let Down and very disappointing!!!!

Most of this authors books have wonderful twists and turns! She builds up the story and then you’ll get a surprise twist and another one and another one!
In this book she built it up she had it well written and then it was a very weak ending!
It’s like this author has no more twists and turns and surprise endings in her!
You expect surprises up to the very end but this and another book of hers has let me down and instead of another chapter of this book (which it really could use a good ending) you get another books chapter!
Don’t get me wrong she has written some excellent books but this is not one of them it really let me down!!! Very disappointing!!!
The last couple books I’ve read of hers seems like she’s just out to write a book and doesn’t care about pleasing the audience anymore!!! Otherwise why on earth would she put a chapter from another book in the book that you’re reading big let down!!!!

Frustrating!

I loved the first part of the book but the twist in the latter part didn’t make sense and it felt like the character development was all for naught. I usually like this author’s twists in her books but not this time. Very good description of the setting, however, and I visually felt like I was there.

Not my favorite😟

I really enjoy all of Shalini Bolands books book this one was just ok. Not my favorite.

haunting and beautifully written

"The Girl from the Sea" is a haunting and beautifully written tale that immerses readers in a world where the line between reality and myth blurs. The author's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions create an enchanting atmosphere that is both mysterious and evocative.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, particularly the enigmatic girl from the sea who serves as the central figure. The story weaves together themes of love, loss, and the inexorable pull of the ocean, crafting a narrative that is both emotional and thought-provoking.

While the book's dreamlike quality is part of its charm, it may leave some readers desiring more concrete answers and closure. Additionally, the pacing can be slow at times, requiring patience.

In sum, "The Girl from the Sea" is a mesmerizing read that rewards those who appreciate poetic storytelling and don't mind a touch of ambiguity. It's a journey into the unknown that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Love Shalini Boland books

Not my very favorite of Borland’s books, but definitely kept me reading. One of my favorite go-to authors…

Entertaining

I almost always like Shalini Boland. This book felt like it took a bit more time to get going.

So Good!!!

I couldn’t stop! This is my second book from this author, and I am going straight into another. I love these addicting stories.

Excellent

Enjoyed this ...great narration....great plot and was sorry when it ended.....next book awaited......the narration really does make or break a book.....

Read in one sitting

I have just spent a very pleasant Sunday devouring this audiobook while pottering around. It provided the perfect entertainment and I honestly can't remember the last time I listened to a full audiobook in all one sitting!

The narrator, Katie Villa, was delightful, which I'm sure helped. She sounds a bit like Emily from friends, though don't hold that against her. Her mix of voices and accents was impressive and I'll definitely look out for her name on audible again.

The story itself was a puzzle with one very important piece missing; the memories of the main character. She washes up on shore not even knowing her own name. We then watch as she tries to put the pieces of her life together. People seem to know her but who should she trust and how did she end up in the water in the first place?

Dive into this well-written mystery by Shalini Bond and while away a thoroughly enjoyable few hours unravelling a forgotten lifetime.

Mediocre

This book is extremely badly written and had a very underwhelming intrigue. Not to mention the irritating narration

Amazing

Fantastic book from start to finish and great narrator read this book now so great

E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G : )

I loved it. It was captivating throughout. However, it ended rather abruptly. But what a twist! The narration was fab, really embracing the characters. I love Shalini Boland as an author anyway, and she certainly never fails to captivate me. A definite 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nice idea for a story but ….

I Liked the premise for the story but sadly I don’t think it was very well executed. The ending, in my opinion, was predictable and weak. Shame as I have enjoyed a few of this author’s books. The narrator was good and kept my interest, otherwise I may have tuned out.

Not exactly gripping

It seemed too long and drawn out. I just wanted to fast forward to the end to see what happened.

The story itself could have been much better. Found it a bit boring really.

Really a disappointment

I have read almost all of Shalini Boland's books and this one was real disappointment. It is very weak for an experienced author; I don't think it took her very long to write. 90% of the book is about a woman who loses her memory after an accident (doesn't seem that worried bizarrely enough) and just goes along trusting everybody she speaks to. Then in the last 30mins it sort of picks up to a level you might expect, but even that isn't enough to save a very bland and average book. The narrators voice doesn't help either as her voice is very suited to a pathetic woman's character. Suffice to say, I wouldn't waste a credit on this book.

An interesting listen, but underwhelming as story.

It’s an interesting ish story, but one which isn’t entirely gripping or one that has to many twists.
Girl losses her memory, struggles to piece together her past life, twist, end.

I felt the book was well narrated and but not one I would go back to listen to.

Not her best book

I usually like this author’s books but this book was boring I had to return it midway.Katie villas narration was great as always