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Below the Surface
Paperback
Publisher Price: $17.99
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Published: Oct 14 2025
Pages: 310
Weight: 0.79
Height: 0.70 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
BOOKFEST AWARD: Second Place, Fiction, YA, Mystery & Thrillers
As the new girl at Oak Park High, Emily quickly learns that small towns come with big judgments. When a student mysteriously vanishes, suddenly whispers turn into accusations-and Emily finds herself at the center of it all.
When her high school's art program is cut, Emily Libert and her parents relocate to the seemingly idyllic town of Oak Park. Struggling to fit in, she bonds with fellow outsiders Agata and Oliver, who help her navigate the town's rigid social circles. As Emily's art flourishes and her connection with Oliver deepens, she begins to believe Oak Park might be the right move after all.
But beneath the town's picturesque surface, tensions simmer. Matt and Lexy, the school's golden couple, resent Oliver's rising athletic success-and his growing relationship with Emily. When jealousy and rivalry reach a boiling point at a party fueled by alcohol and reckless accusations, one student disappears without a trace.
As fear grips the town, the locals are quick to turn on the newcomers, desperate to place blame. Now, Emily and her friends must fight to save themselves before it's too late. How far will both sides go to protect themselves? As the truth begins to unravel, one question lingers: What if, deep down, Emily's not as innocent as she believes?
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While the novel addresses heavy topics such as grief, betrayal, and mental health, it also offers moments of hope and growth. Below the Surface is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged story that examines the fragility of trust and the impact of community judgment. Andrea Beck's debut novel is a powerful exploration of the challenges of growing up and finding one's place in an imperfect world. - Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite (5-stars)
Beck creates immediate and compelling conflict by contrasting Emily and Oliver's families with the established families of the golden couple. The use of a prologue and flashbacks also immediate suspense as the relationships and rivalries develop with a sense of impending doom. - Gabriella Harrison for Independent Book Review
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