Refined Novel for Readers

Ell Potter's captivating narration transports listeners across countries and decades as the story follows Bea's profound connections to two families and their vastly different lives. Through her skilled character development, Potter crafts believable distinctions between well-rounded individuals of varying ages and backgrounds, captivating the audience with this compelling tale.—AudioFile Magazine

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash is a sweeping, tenderhearted love story that chronicles the lives of two families navigating the turbulent waters of World War II on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. At the heart of this poignant narrative is a shy, irresistible young woman who will call both families her own.

As German bombs rain down on London in 1940, working-class parents Millie and Reginald Thompson face an unthinkable decision: they must send their eleven-year-old daughter, Beatrix, to America to seek refuge with another family for the duration of the war, hoping to keep her safe.

Scared, angry, and feeling deeply displaced, Bea arrives in Boston to meet the Gregorys. Mr. and Mrs. G, along with their sons William and Gerald, warmly welcome her into their world. Bea seamlessly becomes part of this vibrant family, learning their ways and stories, and adjusting to their affluent lifestyle. As she grows close to both boys, one older and one younger, Bea fills the gap between them, and her new life with the Gregorys begins to feel more natural than the quiet, sparse existence she left behind in England.

Bea's transformation is gradual as she comes into her own and embraces her new surroundings—summers on the Maine coast, forging new friendships, and immersing herself in the stories of life across the sea. The girl she once was slowly fades away, until she is abruptly summoned back to London when the war ends.

Desperate to not leave this life behind, Bea dutifully retraces her journey across the Atlantic, returning to the post-war landscape of her homeland. The memory of her American family, however, remains etched in her heart, never fully letting her go, and constantly pulling at her as she attempts to move forward and pursue love and a life of her own.

As we follow Bea's navigations between her two worlds, Beyond That, the Sea emerges as a beautifully written, absorbing novel, brimming with grace and heartache, forgiveness and understanding, loss and love.

This Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books promises to captivate listeners with its sweeping, tenderhearted exploration of the human experience.

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