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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book took me awhile to get interested. It started out really slow for me. But as the story progressed, it drew my interest in quickly. It's a great journey of growing and loving.
Serious feels plus some sexytimes
There was some pretty heavy stuff in this book. It was an emotionally taxing read for a sizeable portion of it. But it was really well done; it pulled me in, and it was rough only because I got so invested in the characters. There are some pretty heartbreaking, angsty scenes, but the characters are all college aged kids who come from serious trauma, so the drama is as it should be.
There are some interesting and complex family dynamics and friendships, and they're handled well. We don't get too far in to the characters of the siblings, but what is shown makes sense.
The romance part is intense. It includes some very sexy scenes but also a lot of emotional turmoil.
The writing, overall, is really good. One thing that stuck out to me, because I listened to the audio book, is that there's an absence of contractions amongst the dialogue as well as the first person narration. That was a bit awkward but it's the only real issue for me (aside from wanting to learn more about the other characters, which I think might happen in later books?).
There was some pretty heavy stuff in this book. It was an emotionally taxing read for a sizeable portion of it. But it was really well done; it pulled me in, and it was rough only because I got so invested in the characters. There are some pretty heartbreaking, angsty scenes, but the characters are all college aged kids who come from serious trauma, so the drama is as it should be.
There are some interesting and complex family dynamics and friendships, and they're handled well. We don't get too far in to the characters of the siblings, but what is shown makes sense.
The romance part is intense. It includes some very sexy scenes but also a lot of emotional turmoil.
The writing, overall, is really good. One thing that stuck out to me, because I listened to the audio book, is that there's an absence of contractions amongst the dialogue as well as the first person narration. That was a bit awkward but it's the only real issue for me (aside from wanting to learn more about the other characters, which I think might happen in later books?).
More like 3.5 stars?
This book was really slow-going at the beginning. It was also frustrating because it was predictable and I was like "Get it together, you guys!" But the characters are lovable, the sex is hot, and the story is ultimately sweet.
This book was really slow-going at the beginning. It was also frustrating because it was predictable and I was like "Get it together, you guys!" But the characters are lovable, the sex is hot, and the story is ultimately sweet.
OHHHHHH WOOOOOWWWW! Great book! I loved this book! I would read this over and over! I felt every emotion that was on the page! I just can't process how people are, this story is a prime example. It left me in awe of the ones that these things really happen to. I just can't imagine. I read this as my " A Book A Friend Recommended" book for the Reading Challenge 2015! :)
Overall a good read
It dragged on in some parts and I think some of the story could have been cut out to make read better. All in all I am glad i read it.
It dragged on in some parts and I think some of the story could have been cut out to make read better. All in all I am glad i read it.
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great book. I didnt want to put it down when i got to a certain part in the book , I just HAD to know what was going to happen next. Loved the Shepard siblings , I did find some parts predictable and I wish there had been a little more mystery which stopped me from giving it 5 stars but its a definite 4.5 stars for me!
Before I go into my review I’d like to mention that I was expecting Left Drowning to be similar to Flat Out Love, at least in writing style. If I didn’t know any better, I would say each book had a different author. Is that good or bad? Definitely not bad in this case, but it was a surprise and slightly jarring. With most authors, you know what you’re going to get when you pick up one of their books. Jessica Park is not this kind of author. And how refreshing that is.
Blythe McGuire is a senior in college and drowning in her past. With darkness behind her and no light leading the way, she struggles to find peace and happiness in her everyday life. She’s felt alone since the death of her parents and stays withdrawn from the world, just doing enough to get by. And then she meets Chris Shepherd and his rambunctious and chaotic family. They take her in and make her feel a part of something again. As Blythe begins to heal, she discovers she’s not the only one with a traumatic past laden with secrets. Can Blythe and Chris survive together or will the past hold them back?
First, I would like to note that I devoured this book in almost one sitting. Second, I would like to say that I struggled with this book. I could not warm up to Blythe, the main character. She and I did not connect on any level for pretty much the entire book. More often than not, this is a deal-breaker for me. I just didn’t get her. What did the other characters see that I, the reader, was missing? But I’m trying, as a character-driven reader, to convince myself that that’s okay. It’s all about the story, right?
The story? It was a hot mess. Heavy, depressing, full of angst, and emotionally draining. I could not relax, always waiting for the other shoe (or fifty) to drop. And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, I was proven wrong. Again and again. So Left Drowning was pretty much the perfect book of choice for me. That being said, there were some aspects of the story that I struggled with. The characters could all use a good mouth-washing. I don’t mind swearing, but these characters do not hold back. They have no filter. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Also, I don’t like preachy books, whether they’re preaching about Jesus or telling me he doesn’t exist. At times it was a bit overkill. Got it, you’re an atheist. Check. Now let’s move on. But then there were things I really loved, like the growth of each character, the complexities of their relationships, and the gut-wrenching struggles each lived through. But mostly I loved Chris (he did piss me off a few times though) and Sabin (character-driven reader, remember?). Oh Sabin. You were almost my first choice (don’t worry, no love triangle there). I felt like he was my best friend, and I just wanted to gather him up in my arms and plant motherly kisses all over his face. He was a sad little boy trapped in a big, strapping young man’s body. You can’t help but cheer him on. Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris. You sexy, protective, selfless, dirty talker, you. This was as much his story as Blythe’s. And honestly, he was the saving grace for me. I could not get enough of him. And yet, never have I been so uncertain of the direction a character would take, and that is so refreshing in any book. Park was believable in her storytelling and the gritty tale pulled me in effortlessly.
So it comes down to a girl I’m not crazy about, a boy I love, and a story that will rip your heart out (but, you know, in a good way ;)), 4 glowing stars. Jessica Park has found a devoted fan in me.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Blythe McGuire is a senior in college and drowning in her past. With darkness behind her and no light leading the way, she struggles to find peace and happiness in her everyday life. She’s felt alone since the death of her parents and stays withdrawn from the world, just doing enough to get by. And then she meets Chris Shepherd and his rambunctious and chaotic family. They take her in and make her feel a part of something again. As Blythe begins to heal, she discovers she’s not the only one with a traumatic past laden with secrets. Can Blythe and Chris survive together or will the past hold them back?
First, I would like to note that I devoured this book in almost one sitting. Second, I would like to say that I struggled with this book. I could not warm up to Blythe, the main character. She and I did not connect on any level for pretty much the entire book. More often than not, this is a deal-breaker for me. I just didn’t get her. What did the other characters see that I, the reader, was missing? But I’m trying, as a character-driven reader, to convince myself that that’s okay. It’s all about the story, right?
The story? It was a hot mess. Heavy, depressing, full of angst, and emotionally draining. I could not relax, always waiting for the other shoe (or fifty) to drop. And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, I was proven wrong. Again and again. So Left Drowning was pretty much the perfect book of choice for me. That being said, there were some aspects of the story that I struggled with. The characters could all use a good mouth-washing. I don’t mind swearing, but these characters do not hold back. They have no filter. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Also, I don’t like preachy books, whether they’re preaching about Jesus or telling me he doesn’t exist. At times it was a bit overkill. Got it, you’re an atheist. Check. Now let’s move on. But then there were things I really loved, like the growth of each character, the complexities of their relationships, and the gut-wrenching struggles each lived through. But mostly I loved Chris (he did piss me off a few times though) and Sabin (character-driven reader, remember?). Oh Sabin. You were almost my first choice (don’t worry, no love triangle there). I felt like he was my best friend, and I just wanted to gather him up in my arms and plant motherly kisses all over his face. He was a sad little boy trapped in a big, strapping young man’s body. You can’t help but cheer him on. Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris. You sexy, protective, selfless, dirty talker, you. This was as much his story as Blythe’s. And honestly, he was the saving grace for me. I could not get enough of him. And yet, never have I been so uncertain of the direction a character would take, and that is so refreshing in any book. Park was believable in her storytelling and the gritty tale pulled me in effortlessly.
So it comes down to a girl I’m not crazy about, a boy I love, and a story that will rip your heart out (but, you know, in a good way ;)), 4 glowing stars. Jessica Park has found a devoted fan in me.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)