After the Ocean
How do you find your way back when you’ve left yourself behind?
A painful unsolved mystery resurfaces after decades of confusion, sending one woman and her daughters on a journey of redemption in this emotional story about intergenerational trauma, family, and the beauty of Puerto Rico for fans of Nina LaCour, Xochitl Gonzalez, Elizabeth Acevedo, Jodi Picoult, Celeste Ng, and Julia Alvarez.
Thirty years ago, musicians Emilia Oliveras and Paul Winstead were married in Puerto Rico. Forty-eight hours later, Paul vanished from their honeymoon cruise, leaving Emilia devastated—and the prime suspect in his disappearance. So, she ran for her life, leaving behind her love, her dreams, and her identity.
Today “Emily Oliver” is a divorced music teacher and mother of two daughters who know nothing about her past: Gracie, a talented attorney who excels in the courtroom but grapples with personal relationships, and Meg, a gifted concert pianist who wrestles with her ambition and purpose.
When a cryptic caller claims the unthinkable—that Paul is alive, Emily returns to Puerto Rico in search of the truth. What she doesn’t know is that her daughters aren’t far behind. Shocked to find their mother isn’t the woman they thought she was, Gracie and Meg wonder how much of their lives have been a lie.
As the paths of the three women intertwine, they are compelled to confront their pasts, reevaluate their relationships, and seek forgiveness. Together they embark on a quest to unravel the mystery of Paul’s disappearance and redefine their futures on their own terms, navigating a maze of family ties, secrets, and redemption.
A painful unsolved mystery resurfaces after decades of confusion, sending one woman and her daughters on a journey of redemption in this emotional story about intergenerational trauma, family, and the beauty of Puerto Rico for fans of Nina LaCour, Xochitl Gonzalez, Elizabeth Acevedo, Jodi Picoult, Celeste Ng, and Julia Alvarez.
Thirty years ago, musicians Emilia Oliveras and Paul Winstead were married in Puerto Rico. Forty-eight hours later, Paul vanished from their honeymoon cruise, leaving Emilia devastated—and the prime suspect in his disappearance. So, she ran for her life, leaving behind her love, her dreams, and her identity.
Today “Emily Oliver” is a divorced music teacher and mother of two daughters who know nothing about her past: Gracie, a talented attorney who excels in the courtroom but grapples with personal relationships, and Meg, a gifted concert pianist who wrestles with her ambition and purpose.
When a cryptic caller claims the unthinkable—that Paul is alive, Emily returns to Puerto Rico in search of the truth. What she doesn’t know is that her daughters aren’t far behind. Shocked to find their mother isn’t the woman they thought she was, Gracie and Meg wonder how much of their lives have been a lie.
As the paths of the three women intertwine, they are compelled to confront their pasts, reevaluate their relationships, and seek forgiveness. Together they embark on a quest to unravel the mystery of Paul’s disappearance and redefine their futures on their own terms, navigating a maze of family ties, secrets, and redemption.
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Community Reviews
thenextgoodbook.com
What’s it about?
Emilia and Paul Winstead are on their honeymoon when he disappears from their cruise ship. Upon hearing the news, Paul’s powerful parents immediately set into motion a plan to discredit Emilia. Knowing she is no match for their wealth and power, Emilia chooses to disappear. Thirty years later, she receives a photo that looks like Paul, and she is drawn back into the mystery.
What did it make me think about?
How nice it is to suspend belief and enjoy a good story.
Should I read it?
I have had a busy couple of weeks, so I have been absent from my reviews. I was slightly distracted during the reading of this book, but I did enjoy it. As with many suspense and mystery books, you do have to suspend disbelief at times. But this author did a nice job of creating an interesting family with mostly believable back stories. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes a good light page-turner.
Quote-
“If she was going to figure out what was going on, she’d have to stay calm and think clearly, despite the fact that she felt like utter crap.”
What’s it about?
Emilia and Paul Winstead are on their honeymoon when he disappears from their cruise ship. Upon hearing the news, Paul’s powerful parents immediately set into motion a plan to discredit Emilia. Knowing she is no match for their wealth and power, Emilia chooses to disappear. Thirty years later, she receives a photo that looks like Paul, and she is drawn back into the mystery.
What did it make me think about?
How nice it is to suspend belief and enjoy a good story.
Should I read it?
I have had a busy couple of weeks, so I have been absent from my reviews. I was slightly distracted during the reading of this book, but I did enjoy it. As with many suspense and mystery books, you do have to suspend disbelief at times. But this author did a nice job of creating an interesting family with mostly believable back stories. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes a good light page-turner.
Quote-
“If she was going to figure out what was going on, she’d have to stay calm and think clearly, despite the fact that she felt like utter crap.”
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