The Girl on the Beach

Morton keeps us guessing all the way through! Fabulous characters that I immediately liked and rooted for. Harry is a very complex character and Ellie wonders if she can trust him in view of his denial of their first encounter years before.

Ellie has her own problems as her ex husband is released from prison and the tension mounts. Her son is a fabulous character and so well written.

I really enjoyed the educational and mentoring side to the story. Very positive and made a lovely contrast to the darker main plot.

I look forward to more from Morton :)

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Recently, I’ve had the privilege of reading some novels before their published date; my thanks
to those who’ve been so generous to allow me to do so, you know who you are. Around two weeks
ago, I was accorded the honour of being sent a copy of the author Morton S Gray’s debut novel
‘The Girl on the Beach’, published by Choclit.

I’ve read a few debuts over the years and obviously some are better than others. If you’re
lucky, you’re left doing a passable goldfish impression with your mouth simply repeating,
‘OMG! OMG! OMG! Whilst some honestly leave you wondering how on earth they got published. This
novel sits firmly, as in set-in-stone firmly, in the former category. I finished it last night
and just sat there enjoying a special feeling…you know the one where you know, you just know
that you’ve found a special author and you’re going to be ticking off the days on your
calendar until their next release!

Those who read my reviews will know that I don’t tend to give much away about the plot, it
spoils the twists and turns – and there are plenty here – that a good author will sprinkle
around their work. Ms Gray’s story is as much ‘Suspense’ as ‘Romance’ and considering the
subject matter, this is just as well. Because of this, I have to explain what I mean and tell
you a little more of the story than I normally would. I prefer to concentrate on how the
writer…um, writes.

Ellie Golden is an artist who’s recently moved to a seaside resort with her son Tom, but Ellie
is a lady of secrets and her carefully planned world is turned upside down by the appearance
of the new headmaster of Tom’s school, a gentleman who bears more than a passing resemblance
to someone from her past she thought long gone, the mysterious Harry Dixon. Ellie is convinced
she knows who Harry really is, whilst he’s just as certain that he doesn’t know who Ellie is.
As a kind of status que is reached, Elli’s ex turns up and rarely have I so enjoyed someone
getting their comeuppance so much. A tale of bluff and double-bluff which shows the best and
worst of people, often on the same page, there is a satisfying ending for the protagonists,
though not quite how you’d expect.

That doesn’t give too much of the plot away, but you need to be aware that this isn’t a piece
of fluff. Yes, it’s a romance and a very well written and plotted one, but it’s so much more
than that and is much more enjoyable for it. This is a novel which obviously took some serious
research to bring together and the fact that generally everything holds and comes together so
well to a satisfying conclusion, bodes very well for her future undertakings I look forward to
reading them very much.

My thanks to the author for allowing me to read her novel.

Ellie Golden and her son, Tom are trying to start a new life far away from her ex-husband. Ellie is shocked to discover her son’s new headmaster is Harry Dixon, a man she knew years ago, a man who is supposed to be dead. Dixon, for his part, seems to have no idea for Ellie is, and claims to have never met her before. But Ellie is sure – why would Dixon lie to her? And if he’s not dead, who is? Ellie’s past and present collide when her ex-husband catches up with her in the tense game of cat and mouse and mistaken (?) identity

This is a debut novel and in my opinion one of the best books of 2017 ! It is a fast paced thrill ride with rich characterization , a well crafted mystery and delightful setting. I read this book in one evening as I could not put it down. I hesitate to give it away and I detest reviewers that just rewrite the plot as every reader should truly experience each book for themselves. and this one is such delicious reading on every level! but I will say you will not be disappointed. The author has a very pleasant writing style that captures the readers attention from page one. Read this book, you will love it ! Looking forward to the next in series.! Thank you to the publisher for the advance reading copy which did not in any way influence my review of this fine book.

The Girl on the Beach by Morton S. Gray is amazing. The novel lures readers deep into a mysterious past and an even more mysterious present life. The future is shrouded in darkness and the unknown. If only the danger could be put behind them, life would be wonderful. A woman thought she lost her husband only to see him at an art exhibit. He is going by a different name and his appearance has been altered. He can't remember exactly who she is...but when he does, it will be hard to let her go again. Especially, when he finds out that he's been a father all this time...

Morton S. Gray has masterfully created a stunning plot. The tale weaves through an emotional rollercoaster and one of a mystery. Lives are once tangled up again...and it's only a matter of time to see where it all will go. I found it interesting. The attraction and detail Ellie felt towards Harry was a hook for me. It even made me curious. Who was Harry and whay did he make Ellie feel like she knew him...puzzling, enticing, and fun. The attraction from both Ellie and Harry is strong. Both want each other. Danger soon comes. Details from the past come spilling out and their lives are up in the air. The Girl on the Beach is a page turner. I couldn't stop reading it. Overall, I highly recommend this suspenseful novel to all.

Ellie Golden is introduced to Harry Dixon, the new headmaster of Borteen High and knows she’s seen him somewhere before. Gradually it comes to her, but it doesn’t make sense because then he was known as Ben Rivers and he’s no longer alive.

So from page one you have this mystery about Harry. Is he really Ben and if so, who was buried in his place? As the story progresses we get glimpses of the truth told from both Harry’s and Ellie’s perspectives. Both have physically changed since they last saw each other. Harry, an undercover detective working in Cornwall, was beaten and left for dead by a drugs gang. Ellie had to have reconstructive facial surgery after being attacked by her husband Rushton, a member of the same gang, who is currently serving time in prison. Since his change of identity and hair colour Harry has left the police force and gone into teaching. He’s lived abroad but is now back. The beating left him with gaps in his memory and he certainly doesn’t remember Ellie.

Once Rushton was jailed Ellie, a painter and potter, filed for divorce and left the area with her son Tom, now fourteen. For the past few years she has run a small art gallery in Borteen. When Rushton is released from prison, he comes looking for Ellie and the money she took from him. Tracking her down to Borteen, he discovers Ellie is not the only past he needs to catch up with. There’s a man there who bears a striking resemblance to Ben Rivers and he has a score to settle with him too.

It’s a well-paced story, with lots of twists and turns to keep you wondering what happens next. There’s a good selection of supporting characters too, from Ellie’s bubbly friend Mandy to Nicholas a disadvantaged boy with a talent for painting. There’s everything there – romance, drama, danger and some sad moments too. All in all a lovely debut novel.

The Girl on the Beach  Morton S. Gray

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

I’ve read lots of books from Choclit, and really enjoyed them. Usually there’s a strong romantic theme running through, but with this one the romance is much more subtle, almost taking a back seat to the suspense part of the story.

I enjoyed this story, its a debut book and very well written.
Its not a story I’d re-read though. I didn’t get totally sucked in to it, you know how with some stories there’s that “can’t put it down” feel, and the characters seem as if they’re people you really know. Maybe with  time that will come, certainly its a great start to a writing career.
I liked the characters but I felt they needed a bit more personalisation, more to make them special. Harry was a nice guy, but that’s it, just an ordinary bloke, and Ellie was a good mum,  a talented artist but I never felt they had more of a connection than as just people living in the same village. I didn't feel much real attraction, no sensuality, no sexual attraction.
There were some nice touches, the school art competition and mentoring scheme which brought in some of the side characters in a good way.  
The suspense side was good though the final wrap seemed a bit simplistic given all that had gone on in the past.
I think possibly that’s my main criticism, that there was lots of build up and then that final part just felt too easy, too simple, I found it hard to believe a seasoned criminal would use that place.

I would happily read more from this author, its a great start even though I felt there were weak parts.
 
Stars: Three and a half, a good debut story. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

It's that time of year again, beach reads—well I am an optimist! The girl on the beach ticks all the right boxes for a delightful romantic suspense. Harry/Ben is a hunk and Ellie is the talented seaside artist who suspects he's not all that he seems, but the truth of it is he can't remember.
I love books set by the sea, books with strong characters and even stronger plot lines and this ticks all the boxes - roll on Summer.
Left on both AMA and Goodreads x

I really enjoyed this book. It is a brilliant debut novel. It is an easy to read love story with plenty of drama thrown in. I read it in an afternoon. I had to find out what happened to the characters. I really liked Ellie and Harry's story and how it all came together. I would definitely recommend this book and will be looking out for the next one by this author.

I liked this book it keeps you guessing all the way through and it full of twists a great first book and i cant wait to see what she fetches out next i would recommend this book its a super read

Our past is always out there. Waiting. Perhaps to bring a comforting memory in times of need. Or perhaps to relive a nightmare we’d thought long buried and gone.

Ellie has built a new life for herself and her son. One that is far removed from the abusive man she was once married to, away from the beatings that left her now looking nothing like her former self. She’s established a new life here one that fits perfectly with who she is right now… beyond the nightmares of the past. Until she meets the new teacher at the school, a man who is vaguely familiar… until she realizes she’s seeing a dead man or should have been. It cannot be Ben, it simply doesn’t make sense. Yet the longer she’s around Harry the more certain she is that something extremely odd and perhaps dangerous is going on. For she remembers this man – but he obviously does not remember her, or the part her former husband had in his life.

The past rarely stays buried for long – and this time, it’s come back with a vengeance.

The Girl on The Beach is one of those stories that slowly washes over you as you see the past and the present come crashing together at your feet. I was easily swept up into Ellie’s world, and her fear, confusion and realizations about Harry. She knows who he is or was, but he has no memory of her whatsoever. Her need to protect herself and her son is strong, but Harry draws her in for so many reasons. It would be foolish to take the risk on this man, but she is sorely tempted.

I don’t believe I can say much more about the details of this story, for to do so would be to give away spoilers. This is a story you need to experience first hand. The tensions, underlying mysteries and the feeling of approaching danger is captivating and will grab your attention from the very start. Harry and Ellie share a past – but now can they take the risk of a shared future. With scenes that are tenderly crafted, at times frightfully real The Girl on The Beach is a striking debut story from Morton S. Gray. One that I can only hope is the first of many in a long, successful career.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*