Review: By the Sea by Katherine McIntyre

Most kids had imaginary friends, but most weren’t like Megan’s friend Niall. There were rules: only at night and only by the sea. She could’ve sworn he was real, but when someone vanishes without a trace, what else can you believe?

All that was seven years ago, buried in the past until Niall shows up in town with his tight swimmer’s body and easy smile. For Megan, just the sight of him is enough to tear open a scar that never fully healed. However, their reunion only elicits more questions. Niall’s keeping secrets, unbelievable ones, and as Megan delves into the supernatural depths of who he really is, she’s sure he’ll vanish again.

Megan’s not stupid—she knows how bad it’ll hurt if she gets involved. The first time Niall disappeared, she never thought she’d recover. But the moment they lock eyes, it’s too late—because Megan will go to any length to see that boy smile.

Series:
Release Date: June 13th 2014
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Source: Manic Readers
Reviewer: Elizabeth
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

The synopsis is what drew me to the book until I got into the meat of the story. I feel that the synopsis was a little misleading or it might have been that I interpreted it differently than it was meant to be.

Megan had an imaginary friend as a kid and then one day he disappears only to show up seven years later as a new hire at her restaurant job. The synopsis mentions the supernatural and I know I instantly think there’s going to be a ghost/specter element; I was not expecting a selkie shifter.  It was a pleasant surprise but when another paranormal entity is introduced, I started losing interest.

Nothing in the synopsis or at the beginning of the story connected to the paranormal elements revealed later in the book. While the pieces of the elements were interesting, I felt they just didn’t “go together” and that made it hard for me to finish the story.

This is my first read from Katherine McIntyre and although I had some issues with the story, they won’t dissuade me from trying other books from the author.