Review of the Day: Secrets by the Sea by Stefanie Barnfather

I first heard of Barnfather a couple years ago when I read her short story collection You Didn’t Have To. One story I enjoyed in that collection was called “Tech Support”. I thought the story was entertaining and creative. When I heard that Barnfather was looking for people to read an ARC of her new novel, I decided to give it a try.

Secrets By the Sea is a dystopian future novel set in the fictional town of Sable, Canuckia. (Note: I spent several minutes on the web looking for the origins of the term Canuck and wondering if it is pejorative.) This is the third book in a series that includes the books Beneath the Birch Trees and We Call Her Rose. I have not read those books; it is not necessary to read them to understand Secrets by the Sea.

The story in the book is told by Mira who starts as a girl and matures over several years as the book progresses. Much of the story is about her relationship (they are friends not lovers) with another girl named June. Much of the story is about how Mira and June live in a world with very intrusive technology that peers into every area of their lives. 

The only thing I really disliked about the book was the language. Here are a few examples of what I mean:

A smile split my worn face. June was peppery that morning (p. 102).

Her nose, which had been broken in ‘97, sent a sharply-curved shadow down her chin (p. 104).

With a grin I sauntered toward the dunes, taking my time because I knew it would rub June the wrong way (p. 36). 

I will say that many people who are interested in science fiction and dystopian stories will probably be less bothered by these sentences than I was. 

I do not want to give away too much of the plot, but I did enjoy the story. The story and the female friendship are what makes Barnfather’s book worth reading.

Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

epub. 369 pgs. Read 9 September 2025. Scheduled for publication 20 September 2025.