Sandy M’s review of After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico
Women’s Fiction/Mystery published by Kensington Books 24 Dec 24
Paul and Emilia have their whole lives ahead of them, but then their happily ever after is stolen when Paul disappears on their honeymoon cruise. Thirty years pass before “Emily” comes close to discovering what happened to her husband.
And Emily nearly loses everything else when her in-laws and their money try to buy anyone and everyone to pin their son’s disappearance on her. Thankfully, the one law enforcement officer who can’t be bought gives Emily the chance to start over where she can’t be found. And start over she does. It’s three decades, a husband, and two daughters later before Emily receives a mysterious phone call informing her Paul could be alive. She drops everything to head back to Puerto Rico where her life began and almost ended so long ago.
On her tail are her daughters, Gracie and Meg, both successful and strong women who can’t believe what they find out about their mother throughout their journey. The reveals keep coming for all three women, leading them not only to answers but also forgiveness and healing relationships when they’re forced to look inward as unthinkable aspects of life are thrown at them.
As usual, Ms. Rico weaves an emotional and heart-wrenching story that will leave you wrung out to the core, but also hopeful and amazed that such things can happen and lead one to a more fulfilling life. I always snatch up her books as soon as they’re released. If you haven’t read her yet, don’t wait any longer!
Grade: A
Summary:
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.
