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Adrift: The Truth Won't Always Set You Free
For fans of The Last Thing He Told Me comes a page-turning thriller about hidden identities and the terrifying realities of climate change.
The truth won't always set you free...
Ess wakes up alone on a sailboat in the remote Pacific Northwest with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She finds a note, but it's more warning than comfort: Start over. Don't make yourself known. Don't look back.
Ess must have answers. She sails over a turbulent ocean to a town hundreds of miles away that, she hopes, might offer insight. The chilling clues she uncovers point to a desperate attempt at erasing her former life. But why? And someone is watching her…someone who knows she must never learn her truth.
In Ess's world, the earth is precariously balanced at a climate tipping point, and she is perched at the edge of a choice: which life does she want? The one taken from her—and the dangerous secret that was buried—or the new one she can make for herself?
A galvanizing riddle that is just as unmooring as it seems, this sharp character-driven odyssey explores a future challenged by our quickly changing world and the choices we must make to save what matters most.
The truth won't always set you free...
Ess wakes up alone on a sailboat in the remote Pacific Northwest with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She finds a note, but it's more warning than comfort: Start over. Don't make yourself known. Don't look back.
Ess must have answers. She sails over a turbulent ocean to a town hundreds of miles away that, she hopes, might offer insight. The chilling clues she uncovers point to a desperate attempt at erasing her former life. But why? And someone is watching her…someone who knows she must never learn her truth.
In Ess's world, the earth is precariously balanced at a climate tipping point, and she is perched at the edge of a choice: which life does she want? The one taken from her—and the dangerous secret that was buried—or the new one she can make for herself?
A galvanizing riddle that is just as unmooring as it seems, this sharp character-driven odyssey explores a future challenged by our quickly changing world and the choices we must make to save what matters most.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2023
223 people are currently reading
14388 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 467 reviews
May 10, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
SYNOPSIS: Ess awakes on July 5, 2038 with a splitting headache on a drifting, unmanned sailboat in an archipelago in British Columbia. Her memories are gone. She doesn’t know her name and doesn’t remember any life events or experiences. She discovers she’s been left a note that tells her, “There are pills in the drawer for the headaches. You want answers, but this has been done to keep you from them. This is the only way out alive. Start over. Don’t make yourself known. Don’t look back.” Not only does Ess have to navigate a boat, she also has to navigate how now to proceed in life, taking extra precautions along the way. What lies ahead for her and how she makes decisions could alter her course in more ways than one!
REVIEW: This debut novel was full of intrigue and suspense, and I loved her writing style! I found myself asking what I would do if I were in Ess’s situation, and how difficult it would be to trust anyone, especially given the instructions she’s left with This story takes place 7 years into the future and discusses the devastating effects climate control has had on the world – worse each year – not allowing communities to recover from floods, storms and fires before the next one. Without giving anything away, the title of this book is perfection in every sense of the word!
This one comes out May 9, and you’re going to want to get your hands on it!
SYNOPSIS: Ess awakes on July 5, 2038 with a splitting headache on a drifting, unmanned sailboat in an archipelago in British Columbia. Her memories are gone. She doesn’t know her name and doesn’t remember any life events or experiences. She discovers she’s been left a note that tells her, “There are pills in the drawer for the headaches. You want answers, but this has been done to keep you from them. This is the only way out alive. Start over. Don’t make yourself known. Don’t look back.” Not only does Ess have to navigate a boat, she also has to navigate how now to proceed in life, taking extra precautions along the way. What lies ahead for her and how she makes decisions could alter her course in more ways than one!
REVIEW: This debut novel was full of intrigue and suspense, and I loved her writing style! I found myself asking what I would do if I were in Ess’s situation, and how difficult it would be to trust anyone, especially given the instructions she’s left with This story takes place 7 years into the future and discusses the devastating effects climate control has had on the world – worse each year – not allowing communities to recover from floods, storms and fires before the next one. Without giving anything away, the title of this book is perfection in every sense of the word!
This one comes out May 9, and you’re going to want to get your hands on it!
April 21, 2023
This book hard to classify, but I wouldn't call it a thriller. It's more of a psychological mystery. I love the premise. The main character, Ess, wakes up on a sailboat, alone, and has no idea who she is. Her efforts to reveal her identity, layer after layer, are compelling. It's more of a slow burn than I would like, but it maintains its mystery and intrigue throughout.
The author's knowledge of sailing is obvious, and some of the best parts of the book are when Ess is re-learning how to sail and fighting the ocean alone on her boat.
I think adding more "thriller" elements would have improved the book overall.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
The author's knowledge of sailing is obvious, and some of the best parts of the book are when Ess is re-learning how to sail and fighting the ocean alone on her boat.
I think adding more "thriller" elements would have improved the book overall.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
April 24, 2023
Imagine waking up with zero memories of who you are, or anything from your life on a sailboat, in the future where global warming is in full swing and natural disasters are everywhere.
That is the general idea of this book. I loved the mystery of Ess trying to figure out who she is, what kind of person she was, and her connections she makes with two people she meets in Canada. I literally feel like I can’t say much about the plot because it would be giving you spoilers, but it was an enjoyable read! The plot went in a direction I didn’t expect at all, and the pacing was on point. It starts with a bang right off the bat so you immediately get sucked into the storyline. I’m not sure how I would classify the genre. It isn’t a thriller, maybe more of a psychological mystery? This was a fantastic debut novel!
That is the general idea of this book. I loved the mystery of Ess trying to figure out who she is, what kind of person she was, and her connections she makes with two people she meets in Canada. I literally feel like I can’t say much about the plot because it would be giving you spoilers, but it was an enjoyable read! The plot went in a direction I didn’t expect at all, and the pacing was on point. It starts with a bang right off the bat so you immediately get sucked into the storyline. I’m not sure how I would classify the genre. It isn’t a thriller, maybe more of a psychological mystery? This was a fantastic debut novel!
February 11, 2023
This debut is a MUST read. Mysterious, suspenseful and emotionally taut. I loved everything about this book. Fantastic characters you can't help root for with themes of environmental and climate disasters all while having a character run TOWARDS the danger she was running away from before having her memory wiped. Sounds twisty because it totally is!! A great read that immersed me from the very first page. Cannot wait to see what comes next from Brideau ♡
November 13, 2022
Super cool premise! ESS (Sarah) Awakens on a boat, all alone with a note that advises her to move forward and not look back. She has a selective amnesia and cannot remember if Ess is her name, or where she is from or why she is on the boat, When she learns that other amnesia refugees are turning up, she decides to hide her knowledge until she learns more.
What transpires next is thrilling - especially adding in the stormy seas.
If you like a great thriller (somewhat speculative), a stormy adventure, or just ready for a questionable heroine to root for, then ADRIFT is for you! #Sourcbooks
What transpires next is thrilling - especially adding in the stormy seas.
If you like a great thriller (somewhat speculative), a stormy adventure, or just ready for a questionable heroine to root for, then ADRIFT is for you! #Sourcbooks
January 4, 2024
A great debut novel!
The story begins with a young woman waking up on a sailboat with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She spots a note telling her to move forward and not look back. Ignoring the note "Ess" embarks on quite the journey.
This novel is dystopian and has a near-future (2038) setting, in a world that has been devastated by natural disasters.
Intriguing topics with elements of science fiction, focusing on climate change.
Gripping and thought provoking!
The story begins with a young woman waking up on a sailboat with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She spots a note telling her to move forward and not look back. Ignoring the note "Ess" embarks on quite the journey.
This novel is dystopian and has a near-future (2038) setting, in a world that has been devastated by natural disasters.
Intriguing topics with elements of science fiction, focusing on climate change.
Gripping and thought provoking!
September 15, 2024
I bought this book in Ketchikan at Parnassus Books in May after a fellow bibliophile who was browsing the same section put it into my arms and told me I needed to read it! I purchased it because it was written by a Vancouver debut author, set in Alaska and features speculative fiction (set in the near future) which would push my comfort boundaries a little!
"This is the only way out alive. Start over. Don’t make yourself known. Don’t look back."
Have you ever wanted a fresh start? I have. Many times. However, I don’t know if I could handle how Ess is forced into her ultimate fresh start: She awakens on a strange yacht, doesn’t know where she is or who she is and finds a dire warning not to look into her past. While being free of baggage that makes one jaded and bitter would be a great idea, I don’t know if I’d be willing to wipe everything to be free.
This compelling read centers around the ultimate ghosting: living off grid. Because we all have secrets and things we’ve regretted, we can all identify with the protagonist’s regret-filled suffering and the carrying of useless burdens from the past. However, there’s encouragement in pivoting to redefine one’s identity and forging ahead.
I smiled at the references to Nanaimo bars, pulled out my map and charted Ess’s journey, vowed to be careful about wishing for ‘do overs’, and squealed on our walk when I spotted a yacht with the same name as the one Ess sees - ‘Fish & Chics’.
Although this pushed me a little, I was glad I’d read it. I was absorbed in great eco-fiction about climate change and climate migration.
"This is the only way out alive. Start over. Don’t make yourself known. Don’t look back."
Have you ever wanted a fresh start? I have. Many times. However, I don’t know if I could handle how Ess is forced into her ultimate fresh start: She awakens on a strange yacht, doesn’t know where she is or who she is and finds a dire warning not to look into her past. While being free of baggage that makes one jaded and bitter would be a great idea, I don’t know if I’d be willing to wipe everything to be free.
This compelling read centers around the ultimate ghosting: living off grid. Because we all have secrets and things we’ve regretted, we can all identify with the protagonist’s regret-filled suffering and the carrying of useless burdens from the past. However, there’s encouragement in pivoting to redefine one’s identity and forging ahead.
I smiled at the references to Nanaimo bars, pulled out my map and charted Ess’s journey, vowed to be careful about wishing for ‘do overs’, and squealed on our walk when I spotted a yacht with the same name as the one Ess sees - ‘Fish & Chics’.
Although this pushed me a little, I was glad I’d read it. I was absorbed in great eco-fiction about climate change and climate migration.
May 10, 2023
ᴛʜᴇ sᴄᴀʀɪᴇsᴛ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴛᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇ sᴛʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀ ʙᴏᴀᴛ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴜᴘ 🤯 ᴛʜɪs ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ɪs ғʀᴏᴍ ᴏɴᴇ ᴘᴏᴠ ᴀɴᴅ ɪs ᴀ sʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ. ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʜᴀʀᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴘɪᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴜᴘ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪ ᴡᴀsɴ’ᴛ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ɪ ᴡᴀs ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ. ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴᴠᴇsᴛᴇᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs ᴄᴀᴍᴇ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴀʏ. ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ sᴀɪʟɪɴɢ/ʙᴏᴀᴛɪɴɢ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴡᴀs sᴜʀᴘʀɪsᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ʜᴏᴡ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ғɪɴᴅ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ sᴘᴇᴄɪғɪᴄ sᴀɪʟɪɴɢ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴏᴄᴏʟs, ᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴏʟᴏɢʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴀʀᴛs ʙᴏʀɪɴɢ. ᴛʜɪs ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ɪs ᴛɪᴍᴇʟʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛᴏᴘɪᴄs ʀᴇʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟɪᴍᴀᴛᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴍᴍɪɢʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟᴀᴡs. ᴛʜɪs ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴀ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴏʀ ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ’ᴠᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀ ᴠᴇʀsɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ᴅᴀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀɢᴇ - ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪs ᴀ ᴡɪɴ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴏᴏᴋ! ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀsɴ’ᴛ ᴀɴʏ ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ ᴛᴡɪsᴛs ᴏʀ ᴊᴀᴡ ᴅʀᴏᴘᴘɪɴɢ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs, ʙᴜᴛ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴠᴇʀʏ sᴀᴛɪsғɪᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ.
📖 ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ @bookmarked ᴀɴᴅ @netgalley ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʀᴄ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ 📖
📖 ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ @bookmarked ᴀɴᴅ @netgalley ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʀᴄ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ 📖
May 11, 2023
Release May 9 2023
ADRIFT (Release May 9 2023) is a complicated and complex, but fascinating, Psychological/Climate Change Thriller. Set on Canada's Pacific Coast (North of Vancouver) in 2038-2039 (so not that far into the future), the globe is near or possibly just past, the Tipping Point of Climate Devolution, with many island nations already submerged and frequent "unprecedented" storms. Emigration and Immigration are hot topics, urgently, and as an estimated 50 million populace are confined to refugee camps or endangered by rising sea levels and flooding, established nations such as Canada struggle to balance national needs with the intensifying influx of Immigration. Suddenly a new issue arises: individuals discovered alone, on rickety boats, completely amnesiac. They speak English, have grasp of tasks, function normally, yet their autobiographical memories (personal experience) are absent. One of these discovers herself on a boat, Sea Dragon, anchored near an island chain in Canada's Haida Gwaii. With no recall, she sails to the mainland and from there to the town of Nanaimo, in pursuit of bizarre clues she finds on the boat, several times unwittingly endangering herself.
The outworking of the puzzling mystery of the "amnesiac refugees" is convoluted but ultimately valid. Author Lisa Brideau skillfully delves into deep-level characterization and study of Memory; and the Climate Change consequences are realistically depicted.
ADRIFT (Release May 9 2023) is a complicated and complex, but fascinating, Psychological/Climate Change Thriller. Set on Canada's Pacific Coast (North of Vancouver) in 2038-2039 (so not that far into the future), the globe is near or possibly just past, the Tipping Point of Climate Devolution, with many island nations already submerged and frequent "unprecedented" storms. Emigration and Immigration are hot topics, urgently, and as an estimated 50 million populace are confined to refugee camps or endangered by rising sea levels and flooding, established nations such as Canada struggle to balance national needs with the intensifying influx of Immigration. Suddenly a new issue arises: individuals discovered alone, on rickety boats, completely amnesiac. They speak English, have grasp of tasks, function normally, yet their autobiographical memories (personal experience) are absent. One of these discovers herself on a boat, Sea Dragon, anchored near an island chain in Canada's Haida Gwaii. With no recall, she sails to the mainland and from there to the town of Nanaimo, in pursuit of bizarre clues she finds on the boat, several times unwittingly endangering herself.
The outworking of the puzzling mystery of the "amnesiac refugees" is convoluted but ultimately valid. Author Lisa Brideau skillfully delves into deep-level characterization and study of Memory; and the Climate Change consequences are realistically depicted.
September 16, 2023
I thought this was such an interesting premise. A woman wakes up in the middle of the ocean with no memory. She soon learns there are many who are turning up this way and she seeks to try to figure out who she was and what's happening to these others that are also waking up like her.
But this story also had an undercurrent of climate change for the worse. It had storms and mentions of refugees and waiting lists to get into Canada. But what it didn't have was actually living in hardship. It said there were adverse affects from the climate but the MC saw very little of it because she, luckily, woke-up with amnesia in the middle of an ocean that hadn't changed as much as other areas (like Arizona or Texas in the US). There is talk of the high temps elsewhere and the poor medical care, but it's just talk. I never felt it in the story.
The story itself was interesting until I hit about 30%. Then it veered into a romance with very little work on the mystery. It lost me a little, slowed way down, and I felt the disconnect to it. I didn't find the ending satisfying as it had a few but not many answers. Sure, that's life, but a little bit of a let down in a story that was built around a mystery.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
But this story also had an undercurrent of climate change for the worse. It had storms and mentions of refugees and waiting lists to get into Canada. But what it didn't have was actually living in hardship. It said there were adverse affects from the climate but the MC saw very little of it because she, luckily, woke-up with amnesia in the middle of an ocean that hadn't changed as much as other areas (like Arizona or Texas in the US). There is talk of the high temps elsewhere and the poor medical care, but it's just talk. I never felt it in the story.
The story itself was interesting until I hit about 30%. Then it veered into a romance with very little work on the mystery. It lost me a little, slowed way down, and I felt the disconnect to it. I didn't find the ending satisfying as it had a few but not many answers. Sure, that's life, but a little bit of a let down in a story that was built around a mystery.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 24, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley, Lisa Brideau, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this debut author’s book.
As a thriller, it was strongly encompassing. It was different in that the story was set in the future and the main character’s role was markedly different from other novels. It is about knowing yourself and what is important to you as an individual. It combines mystery with emotional and seriously physical conflict and puts the heroine in some unbelievable situations. It’s a great read from this debut author.
As a thriller, it was strongly encompassing. It was different in that the story was set in the future and the main character’s role was markedly different from other novels. It is about knowing yourself and what is important to you as an individual. It combines mystery with emotional and seriously physical conflict and puts the heroine in some unbelievable situations. It’s a great read from this debut author.
April 7, 2023
I'd long to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of Adrift.
I wouldn't call this a thriller but more of a mystery. This book was an interesting read. It takes place in 2039. The entire world is dealing with global warming, which in turn is causing a host of climate issues. All the climate issues are causing a mass amount of people to flee, and as a result there's a refugee crisis dealing with amnesia. Ess, short for Sarah, wakes up on a boat and cannot remember anything about her life. Ess is confused as she knows how to sail, is on a boat, and has money. Ess is determined to find out about her prior life and how she ended up on this boat.
This was an intriguing book, but as someone who isn't huge in sailing, it left my kind wandering at times. I did enjoy Adrift though. The pace built up as the story went along. The ending was great.
I wouldn't call this a thriller but more of a mystery. This book was an interesting read. It takes place in 2039. The entire world is dealing with global warming, which in turn is causing a host of climate issues. All the climate issues are causing a mass amount of people to flee, and as a result there's a refugee crisis dealing with amnesia. Ess, short for Sarah, wakes up on a boat and cannot remember anything about her life. Ess is confused as she knows how to sail, is on a boat, and has money. Ess is determined to find out about her prior life and how she ended up on this boat.
This was an intriguing book, but as someone who isn't huge in sailing, it left my kind wandering at times. I did enjoy Adrift though. The pace built up as the story went along. The ending was great.
October 23, 2023
The description of this book is more interesting than the book itself. Nothing of interest happens in the first 80% of the book, beyond Ess waking up without a memory. Even when something finally does happen, it’s incredibly dull and anticlimactic. There is no big reveal, as everything that happens in the end is made very clear earlier in the book.
Listening to the audiobook, the name “S” (apparently spelled Ess?) sounded so stupid and annoying. In addition, there didn’t seem to be any real reason to set the story so far into the future. I think the point was to show effects of climate change and maybe some political unrest? I don’t know, things were alluded to but the author did not do a great job of making the reader really feel and understand the impact of the current state of the world. So much more could’ve, and should’ve, been done with that.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone waste their time on this when there are so many interesting reads and intriguing mysteries out there.
Listening to the audiobook, the name “S” (apparently spelled Ess?) sounded so stupid and annoying. In addition, there didn’t seem to be any real reason to set the story so far into the future. I think the point was to show effects of climate change and maybe some political unrest? I don’t know, things were alluded to but the author did not do a great job of making the reader really feel and understand the impact of the current state of the world. So much more could’ve, and should’ve, been done with that.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone waste their time on this when there are so many interesting reads and intriguing mysteries out there.
May 27, 2023
This book was not what I expected. Right away there was a twist I didn't see coming and it surprised me. I love when books do that. It was interesting the way the author created her setting. The book however, was slow in some parts and nothing was happening. It really picked up towards the end, but the end itself was bland. The book was entertaining and I enjoyed it
October 30, 2022
Timely and deeply compelling, Brideau's debut crackles with urgency and humanity, knotting together issues of climate, selfhood, and loss in a book made to meet the moment. A must read for 2023. -- Katie Lattari, author of DARK THINGS I ADORE
May 15, 2023
ADRIFT by Lisa Brideau is an intriguing mystery. Ess, the protagonist, wakes up on a sailboat with no memory of who she is or how she got there. With a warning note in hand, she sets out to uncover the truth about her past. As she sails over the Pacific Ocean to a nearby town, she discovers chilling clues that point to an attempt to erase her former life. She will do all she can to recover what she lost.
Set in a world facing a climate tipping point, this slow-paced story explores the choices we make and the consequences of those choices. The author successfully weaves together themes of identity, survival, and the environment.
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June 10, 2023
You know those Thrillers where the MC wakes up with memory loss and the whole story is about finding out who they are and why they can’t remember? And it usually has something to do with the husband? Yea, I hate those stories! It’s like rinse and repeat for me. Every one I’ve ever read has been a carbon copy of the first one I read. <>
Except this one! This one is u like any memory loss story I’ve ever read.
Not gonna lie, I almost didn’t pick this one up when I saw it was a memory loss theme. But the Climate Change and Pacific Northwest theme had me take a second look… and I’m really so glad it did.
I really loved this story and actually could not put it down!
Great, different type of characters, unique settings and the dystopian type feel to the story gave this a fresh new perspective.
Full of action and suspense, this one is definitely worth the read!
Except this one! This one is u like any memory loss story I’ve ever read.
Not gonna lie, I almost didn’t pick this one up when I saw it was a memory loss theme. But the Climate Change and Pacific Northwest theme had me take a second look… and I’m really so glad it did.
I really loved this story and actually could not put it down!
Great, different type of characters, unique settings and the dystopian type feel to the story gave this a fresh new perspective.
Full of action and suspense, this one is definitely worth the read!
March 18, 2023
3.5 stars
The memory loss trope is catnip to me so I was very excited to read this. It’s set in the near future where people around the globe are dealing with widespread climate issues such as flooding, forest fires, extreme heat, tornadoes, etc. This in turn is causing a refugee crisis in many parts of the world. Adrift takes place on the islands around Canada such as Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. Our protagonist is an expert at sailing so there are a lot of tense scenes of her navigating between the various islands. They are unique settings and I liked learning about these locales that are unfamiliar to me.
In terms of the mystery, it’s a bit of a slow burn. This book is definitely not a thriller. One element of the mystery was predictable but it was still intriguing. I did want more out of the mystery but I also understand the direction the author took. There is a slight romance element but I personally didn’t care for it. Overall, Adrift is an entertaining mystery set in unique locales featuring some very pressing issues we are starting to see today in our world.
The memory loss trope is catnip to me so I was very excited to read this. It’s set in the near future where people around the globe are dealing with widespread climate issues such as flooding, forest fires, extreme heat, tornadoes, etc. This in turn is causing a refugee crisis in many parts of the world. Adrift takes place on the islands around Canada such as Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. Our protagonist is an expert at sailing so there are a lot of tense scenes of her navigating between the various islands. They are unique settings and I liked learning about these locales that are unfamiliar to me.
In terms of the mystery, it’s a bit of a slow burn. This book is definitely not a thriller. One element of the mystery was predictable but it was still intriguing. I did want more out of the mystery but I also understand the direction the author took. There is a slight romance element but I personally didn’t care for it. Overall, Adrift is an entertaining mystery set in unique locales featuring some very pressing issues we are starting to see today in our world.
September 1, 2025
Ess awakes on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest with no memory of who she is or how she got there. A simple note hints at the danger from which she’s running — start over, don’t look back. But when other amnesiacs start popping up adrift in these waters, Ess isn’t so sure she can leave her past alone. Even if that means putting her life at risk… I really wanted to love this book. I love cli-fi and I love amnesia stories usually but this one didn’t work for me. #1 the pacing was really slow #2 it was definitely more character driven than plot driven #3 there wasn’t enough about the climate and #4 there wasn’t enough amnesia. I thought the beginning had a fine set up, but then I never felt like the story took off. It just idled the whole time. I wasn’t shocked by anything nor was I really interested because it felt like fiction. I didn’t care what happened in Ess’s past but that’s all she was focused on. I was more interested in how she was gonna blend in and make a new life with authorities after those with amnesia. Her being undercover would have been so much more interesting to me. Instead she kept digging into her past, trying to figure out what was wrong, and honestly it wasn’t that interesting. The setting wasn’t that great in my opinion either. I mean maybe if I was more familiar with the landscape or could picture it better, but as an east coast lifer I had a hard time picturing it. Basically the description of the book is more interesting than the book itself. Nothing happens in the first 80% of the book, beyond Ess waking up without a memory. When something finally does happen, it’s incredibly dull and anticlimactic. There is no big reveal because everything that happens is made very clear earlier in the book.
September 21, 2023
A woman wakes up on a sailboat with no memories and a note saying she shouldn't dig into her past. She doesn't recognize her face or the name on her passport: Sarah Jane Song. Oddly enough, she does remember how to sail. Of course, it's human nature to ask questions, so she navigates to every port that might hold a clue. And it seems that she's being followed.
Sarah -- or "Ess" as she begins calling herself -- feels off-kilter without a history, but she slowly starts to develop a sense of belonging with the friends she meets in Nanaimo in British Colombia. And I can't blame her because I liked them, too. I love the characters the author has created as much as the storyline.
The book takes place in near-future Canada, where many people are fleeing because of climate change. There's a bit of sci-fi and mystery to the book, but there's also a nice warmth from the characters and how much value she's getting from life even without knowing her past.
Sarah -- or "Ess" as she begins calling herself -- feels off-kilter without a history, but she slowly starts to develop a sense of belonging with the friends she meets in Nanaimo in British Colombia. And I can't blame her because I liked them, too. I love the characters the author has created as much as the storyline.
The book takes place in near-future Canada, where many people are fleeing because of climate change. There's a bit of sci-fi and mystery to the book, but there's also a nice warmth from the characters and how much value she's getting from life even without knowing her past.
June 28, 2023
It’s been a HOT minute since I’ve read an ocean based book and old friends know I love the hell out of ocean based books. I can never find enough!
However, this book just didn’t work for me.
This book is more of a drama/mystery than a thriller- the pace was slow. The action was mellow. The villains are easily handled and the big confrontation ends swiftly. There is an audience for this, but it wasn’t me.
Our main character isn’t very compelling. While everyone keeps telling us she’s great in all these ways… I didn’t really see that? She was a loyal friend, but I don’t see *how* they became friends in the first place? She’s distant, sketchy, and hiding herself (or lack of self) from the world. People seem to get easily wrapped up in her, but the reason never shows up.
Which leads me to the romance in the book. Again, I don’t know why they’re interested in one another. It never appears on page, there is no chemistry. The romance aspect seemed shoehorned in and didn’t work for me.
However, there are good aspects of this story. I enjoyed the sailing aspect of it and how the author showed how muscle memory prevailed even with a wiped memory. Our main character is surprised by her sailing skills and while occasionally bits and pieces of her knowledge slipped away- she was very adept at what she did.
I enjoyed the climate aspect of this book BUT- I think the circumstances should’ve been laid out more. I think this is due to a lack of world building.
With all of that being said- I would still try another book from this author. I feel their ideas need more development (and characters), but there is promise within these pages. Lots of potential. I think with the right story and more time I will read something fantastic from Brideau.
However, this book just didn’t work for me.
This book is more of a drama/mystery than a thriller- the pace was slow. The action was mellow. The villains are easily handled and the big confrontation ends swiftly. There is an audience for this, but it wasn’t me.
Our main character isn’t very compelling. While everyone keeps telling us she’s great in all these ways… I didn’t really see that? She was a loyal friend, but I don’t see *how* they became friends in the first place? She’s distant, sketchy, and hiding herself (or lack of self) from the world. People seem to get easily wrapped up in her, but the reason never shows up.
Which leads me to the romance in the book. Again, I don’t know why they’re interested in one another. It never appears on page, there is no chemistry. The romance aspect seemed shoehorned in and didn’t work for me.
However, there are good aspects of this story. I enjoyed the sailing aspect of it and how the author showed how muscle memory prevailed even with a wiped memory. Our main character is surprised by her sailing skills and while occasionally bits and pieces of her knowledge slipped away- she was very adept at what she did.
I enjoyed the climate aspect of this book BUT- I think the circumstances should’ve been laid out more. I think this is due to a lack of world building.
With all of that being said- I would still try another book from this author. I feel their ideas need more development (and characters), but there is promise within these pages. Lots of potential. I think with the right story and more time I will read something fantastic from Brideau.
March 11, 2023
What a pleasant surprise 😍😍 this book’s premise is so intriguing (woman wakes up on a boat with no memory of who she is or why she’s there) but this story is so much more than just that initial premise. I loved the commentary on the climate crisis (the book is set slightly into the future), refugee policies, sci fi/technology advancements, and the question of who a person is if they don’t have their memories. Don’t go into this one expecting a fast-paced thriller. While there are fast-paced moments, it’s much more of a mind bender that you have to take your time to appreciate. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this one early, I’m excited to be on the hype train for it!! Will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
February 1, 2024
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the plot of this story! It was very interesting to have a dystopian world in the future plagued by global warming. It wouldn’t be that far of a stretch to see the world coming to that and I would probably want to have my memory wiped away and travel somewhere else too! If you like dystopian and science fiction, give this book a try!
I really enjoyed the plot of this story! It was very interesting to have a dystopian world in the future plagued by global warming. It wouldn’t be that far of a stretch to see the world coming to that and I would probably want to have my memory wiped away and travel somewhere else too! If you like dystopian and science fiction, give this book a try!
August 29, 2025
Maybe 2.5 😬 I’m still not sure what the point of this book was. I probably would have DNF’d if I wasn’t reading for a book club. I was interested in finding out the reason behind her memory loss but the reveal wasn’t really satisfying. This is definitely not a thriller so don’t go into it expecting that.
nope-dnf
July 10, 2023DNF 20% honestly this is just Very boring. Despite the interesting synopsis the story was dull.
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Synopsis: A woman searching for answers with no memory of who she is or how she got there.
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Synopsis: A woman searching for answers with no memory of who she is or how she got there.
April 27, 2023
NetGalley ARC.
What would you do if you woke up with no memory? With a new ID and a note that said to move forward, don't look back?
Half of this seemed like a waste. Boring. And the ending, though predictable, was anticlimactic after finding out what really happened. Did I want it to go another way? Maybeeee. Give me a choose-your-own-adventure and give me the other option too! That would be pretty cool.
What would you do if you woke up with no memory? With a new ID and a note that said to move forward, don't look back?
Half of this seemed like a waste. Boring. And the ending, though predictable, was anticlimactic after finding out what really happened. Did I want it to go another way? Maybeeee. Give me a choose-your-own-adventure and give me the other option too! That would be pretty cool.
September 2, 2024
4 1/2 Stars
Had me guessing right till the end!
While this was a good thing, I was disappointed with the ending in another way.
The female main character got closure, but this reader didn't.
I wanted to know more!
In the final acceptance of where her life now was, and moving forward...
Epilogue please?
Had me guessing right till the end!
While this was a good thing, I was disappointed with the ending in another way.
The female main character got closure, but this reader didn't.
I wanted to know more!
In the final acceptance of where her life now was, and moving forward...
Epilogue please?
July 16, 2023
I love this book so much, it will definitely be in my top 10 reads of 2023.
The mystery, the writing, the setting - I love it all.
The mystery, the writing, the setting - I love it all.
January 21, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.
I totally went into this one blind, and I think I am glad I did. I wasn't totally expecting the slightly dystopian feel of a story set a decade into the future, where climate change is wreaking havoc on the world, and the main character finds herself waking up on a boat, alone, with zero memories of how she got there, who she is, or where she came from.
There isn't a good way to describe this book without giving too much away, other than to say the mystery of the amnesia refugees is totally compelling, watching Ess trying to find her way in a world where she knows nothing about herself was fascinating and I really enjoyed just rooting for her as she went. I liked the suspense aspect of Ess's past being a huge off limits mystery that she is trying to solve and I have to say, I really liked how this story all came together in the end.
So no spoilers, but be sure to get this one on your list. It's a bit of a slow burn, but totally worth the reading time!
I totally went into this one blind, and I think I am glad I did. I wasn't totally expecting the slightly dystopian feel of a story set a decade into the future, where climate change is wreaking havoc on the world, and the main character finds herself waking up on a boat, alone, with zero memories of how she got there, who she is, or where she came from.
There isn't a good way to describe this book without giving too much away, other than to say the mystery of the amnesia refugees is totally compelling, watching Ess trying to find her way in a world where she knows nothing about herself was fascinating and I really enjoyed just rooting for her as she went. I liked the suspense aspect of Ess's past being a huge off limits mystery that she is trying to solve and I have to say, I really liked how this story all came together in the end.
So no spoilers, but be sure to get this one on your list. It's a bit of a slow burn, but totally worth the reading time!
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