🛥️ Book Review: Uncharted Waters by Sally Hepworth (Kindle Edition, Getaway Collection #1)
A seductive, suspense-tinged short story that explores friendship, secrets, and emotional escape—Sally Hepworth sets sail with a psychological vignette that’s as breezy as it is unsettling.
🧠 Overview
Published in August 2022, Uncharted Waters is a 49-page novella and the first entry in Amazon Original Stories’ Getaway Collection, a series of short fiction centered on dream vacations that take unexpected turns. The story follows Ella, who boards a luxury wellness yacht off the coast of Australia—alone. Her husband, Mac, was supposed to join her, but work kept him behind, leaving Ella to navigate the social dynamics of the retreat solo.
She quickly bonds with Chloe, a newly single woman nursing a broken heart. Their friendship blossoms amid the ocean breeze and curated calm—but beneath the surface, Ella begins to sense that Chloe’s presence isn’t entirely coincidental. As secrets unravel, Ella must confront a devastating connection that could change everything.
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.53/5 from over 15,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s quick pacing, emotional tension, and unexpected twist
- 🧾 Some felt the ending was abrupt or wished for deeper character development, but most found it satisfying for a short format
- 💬 “A super quick read that kept me interested throughout. The yacht setting was perfect, and the twist had me shocked.” — Spellbound Books review
🌊 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Emotional escape: Ella’s journey is as much about self-reflection as it is about physical retreat
- 🧩 Friendship and deception: The bond with Chloe is warm, but layered with mystery
- 🛳️ Luxury setting with tension: The yacht becomes a confined stage for psychological drama
- 💬 “Speak your truth”: A recurring phrase that anchors the story’s emotional arc
“Their devastating connection has the power to forever alter their lives.” — Goodreads summary
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At under 50 pages, it’s a one-sitting read—best approached as a character vignette
- 📚 Part of a collection: Works independently, but complements other Getaway stories with similar themes of escape and revelation
- 🧠 Low on thriller, high on suspense: More emotional tension than action-packed drama
🏁 Final Verdict
Uncharted Waters is a thoughtful, twisty short story that blends luxury escapism with emotional reckoning. Sally Hepworth’s writing is crisp and engaging, making this Kindle edition a great pick for readers who enjoy suspenseful women’s fiction with a psychological edge.
