Breathing Underwater a Review

 

Image copied from NetGalley

This contemporary young adult novel by Abbey Nash revolves around Tess, a competitive swimmer who is set to go to Nationals with her high school team when tragedy strikes. At a party with friends, Tess experiences a seizure and nearly drowns. Afterwards, she finds out that it was more than a fluke. In fact, she is diagnosed with epilepsy, something that could put an end, not only to competing with her team, but to her swimming career entirely. Even worse, her seizure costs Tess her summer job lifeguarding, to new guy Charlie, and puts a strain on her relationship with her best friend Mackenzie (Mac). A wedge that only continues to grow as Mac seems more interested in hanging out with teammate and popular mean girl, Rachel, than with Tess. 

Breathing Underwater was a slow read for me, at first. Even though the inciting incident that changes everything in the story happens early on, Tess's singular focus on swimming and nothing else made it hard for me to immediately empathize with her. I did feel bad that she and Mac seem to be having some trouble even before Tess has her seizure. However, as she faces one hurdle after another and gets to know Charlie, her new neighbor, I felt myself being pulled into this story. 

I found the characters to all be well drawn and Tess's reaction, to what she sees as her body's betrayal, very believable and genuine. I appreciated that Nash does this with sensitivity and heart. A story like this one could easily become an angst ridden one with a main character that either lashes out at everyone in anger or wallows in self-pity. But Nash creates a realistic three-dimensional character in Tess, who fluctuates between fear, uncertainty, anger and the pain of disappointment, feeling like she won't ever live up to her full potential or achieve her dreams. Likewise, Tess's interactions with Mac, her family and with Charlie all add layers to the story making it a compelling read. The more I got to know her and the other characters the more I found myself unable to put it down. I especially loved the banter and flirting that goes on between Tess and Charlie as their romance develops. Not only does he become a good friend to her, but the attraction between them has a slow sweet build as their first love blossoms. Charlie also carries some secret pain and disappointments of his own that add intrigue to the story. In the midst of all of this, Nash gives us a nice time clock that intensifies the pace as the Nationals approach and we are left wondering if Tess will still be able to achieve her dream of competing and securing a scholarship at the college she has always hoped to attend. All in all, I would give this 4 out of 5 stars since it did take me a bit longer to be drawn into the story. However, that could also be because I am reading it from an adult perspective. 

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy contemporary young adult fiction that has a slow burn style element of romance. It is a stand alone book as well, which may appeal to some readers who prefer that to series fiction. Breathing Underwater also has a premise I haven't seen a lot in YA fiction since it involves a character who is struggling to adapt to having a serious disorder that could throw all of her aspirations completely off course. Added to that this cover design is gorgeous. If any or all of these things appeal to you as a reader then definitely put this one on your want to read list. Its publication date is March 5, 2024. I was fortunate to receive a free, digital advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

Stayed tuned for my reviews for next month's reads. February's theme will be romance and mystery. My first book on my list to review will be Murder Most Owl a cozy mystery by Sarah Fox. It will be another NetGalley read. Below is a short blurb to wet your appetite. As always, please feel free to leave a comment with book reading recommendations.

The first in the enchanting new Magical Menagerie Mystery series where things are not always what they seem. Georgie Johansen returns to the charming, coastal town of Twilight Cove and quickly finds herself in a whirlwind of romance, magic and murder!

It's been years since screenwriter Georgie Johansen last visited her aunt Olivia's farm in the coastal town of Twilight Cove and things have certainly changed. First of all it's now an animal sanctuary, and then there's the new farmhand who's as mysterious as he is handsome. Her first day on the farm, Georgie encounters the eccentric Dorothy Shale, an older woman who lives in a cabin in the woods. There are rumours that Dorothy's a witch, but Georgie doesn't believe that. Although, Dorothy does have an unusual magical presence around her . . .

When Dorothy ends up murdered, suspicion falls on Georgie - she was the one who found the poor woman's body, and being new in town doesn't help with the suspicion. Things only get worse when it turns out that Dorothy left her valuable plot of land to Auntie O!

Georgie must act fast to clear her and her aunt's names by finding the real killer. But as bodies start to mount up, the pressure rises. With the help of the unusual powers of Dorothy's two dogs and great-horned owl, can Georgie uncover the truth before she becomes the killer's next target?

Image and description for this novel copied from NetGalley.com