Title: The Bay
Author: Allie Reynolds
ISBN: 9780733645259
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Pages: 405
Source: Private Copy
Kenna arrives in Sydney to surprise her best friend. But Mikki and her fiancé Jack are about to head away on a trip, so Kenna finds herself tagging along for the ride. Sorrow Bay is beautiful, wild and dangerous. A remote surfing spot with waves to die for, cut off from the rest of the world. Here Kenna meets a mysterious group of people who will do anything to keep their paradise a secret.
Sky, Ryan, Clemente and Victor have come to disappear from life. But what did they leave behind?
As Kenna gets drawn into their world, she sees the extremes they are prepared to go to for the next thrill. And everyone seems to be hiding something. What is her best friend involved in and can she get her away? Because one thing is becoming rapidly clear about The Bay: nobody ever leaves.
Official Summary
24 August 2022
I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. It has been all over the place for months. This time I did not even read the blurb, I just trusted that after I enjoyed Allie Reynold’s previous book this one would be a must-read. You can imagine my excitement when my copy arrived four days earlier than scheduled. It’s no surprise this book jumped to the top of my TBR.
When you reach for this book, you can expect a story that feels like a mix between The Beach (1996 book by Alex Garland) and Point Break (1991 movie). You will quickly find yourself engrossed as you flip the pages of this quick moving tale.
Allie Reynolds brings a love for dangerous sports to her writing which adds a genuine passion to her stories. You are left experiencing the thrill of the sport and left with a desire to experience the adrenaline rush she describes. If you enjoyed Shiver, you will find The Bay extremely entertaining. This book tells a twisty tale that keeps you guessing and delivers a brilliant twist t the end.
Kenna arrives in Sydney to surprise Mikki who is getting married soon. They have been best friends since childhood, but recently they have lost touch. As Kenna enters Mikki’s world she notices changes in her friend. She surrounds herself with a curious group of people who live on the edge, taking dangerous risks daily without thinking twice. Kenna is convinced that Mikki is in trouble. Kenna must find a way to pull Mikki away from these people. She is determined to take Mikki home with her. But how far will Mikki’s new friends go to keep her in Australia?
Not having read the blurb, I had no idea what to expect from this book when I started reading. I found myself intrigued and quickly engrossed in this gripping tale. I loved the uncertainty and the way you never knew what to believe. The characters kept you unsure with their secrecy and half-truths.
What a curious group of people. I did not find myself trusting anyone in this book. Kenna arrived in Australia unexpectedly and while her concern for Mikki felt real, I found myself wondering if she had the right to interfere in Mikki’s life. Her concern felt a little more like jealousy at times. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the dynamic between these characters and loved how the pieces of their lives were revealed.
The Bay is an extremely entertaining read. I flew through the pages and loved the final twist. Could there possibly be a sequel heading our way? I do not regret pushing this book to the top of my TBR, I loved it. I cannot wait to see what Allie Reynolds has for us next.
If you enjoy a scenic, twisty thriller that is jam-packed with one adrenaline rush after another, then you will not go wrong choosing this title. I love this author’s writing and cannot recommend this book highly enough. As I closed the cover, I handed the book to my husband to read, I look forward to hearing what he thinks.
Also by Allie Reynolds
Shiver
They don’t know what I did. And I intend to keep it that way.
How far would you go to win? Hyper-competitive people, mind games and a dangerous natural environment combine to make the must-read thriller of the year. Fans of Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell will be gripped by the spectacular debut novel Shiver.
When Milla is invited to a reunion in the French Alps resort that saw the peak of her snowboarding career, she drops everything to go. While she would rather forget the events of that winter, the invitation comes from Curtis, the one person she can’t seem to let go.
The five friends haven’t seen each other for ten years, since the disappearance of the beautiful and enigmatic Saskia. But when an icebreaker game turns menacing, they realise they don’t know who has really gathered them there and how far they will go to find the truth.
In a deserted lodge high up a mountain, the secrets of the past are about to come to light.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
“I was once a freestyle snowboarder in the UP top ten at halfpipe. I spent five winters in the mountains of France, Switzerland, Austria and Canada.
I taught English for fifteen years. I’ve also been a London primary school teacher, bookshop assistant, barmaid, nanny and French teacher/translator. My short fiction has appeared in women’s magazines in the UK, Australia, Sweden, and South Africa. I’ve been a full-time writer since 2018.
Born and raised in Lincoln, England, I moved to Gold Coast Australia in 2003. I have two young children and a cat who thinks he’s a dog.”
Thank you to Allie Reynolds for an amazing read. I loved the book and promise your next one will jump to the top of my TBR pile as well.
Thank you for visiting the blog, your support has been amazing. I look forward to hearing what you think of The Bay, so remember to leave a comment below. Until next time…Happy Reading!
This one sounds interesting! Great review.
Thank you