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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I was not prepared for this book. At all. It's so completely different from "Flat-Out Love" and "Relatively Famous." But that's not a bad thing. Those books were a great introduction to Jessica Park's creation of settings, characters, and tension. And there was a ton of tension in "Left Drowning." And sex. Lots of it. I felt a little awkward reading it on my breaks at work. But I couldn't put it down. I was entranced by Blythe and Chris ... and the rest of the group. Honestly, at first, the Shepherds seemed a little like the Cullens ("Twilight"), and I mean that as a compliment. Siblings that look out for one another and have a bond no one else can understand. Blythe is a tragic character you feel for almost from the beginning. My heart broke for her as she talked about her past, and I found myself cheering for her as she faced that past and also her present head-on. It was an emotional book, but that was not a surprise. Jessica Park is good at pulling those out.
Gah! Jessica Park has a way of creating parents that are dysfunctional and absent, and young adult characters that have difficulties because of it.
This one is about Blythe. Her and her brother lost their parents in a tragic accident, she's completely closed herself off to feelings - all of them - and as such, is a depressed mess. Early one morning while grabbing coffee meets Sabin - who is quirky, outgoing, and appears to be a bit manic. Feeling energized by the encounter, she takes a walk and while sitting on the shore of a lake, see's a guy skipping stones. She's drawn to him and they start a conversation. For the first time in forever, she allows herself to feel. While talking to Chris, she blurts out that her parents are dead, and then is completely mortified that she just told a stranger her secrets. Rather than doing what most do and give her false sympathy, he tells her "It's okay. Just breathe."
She finds that Chris and Sabin are brothers, and they are all studying at the same college along with their other twin siblings Estelle and Eric. The five form a bond of sorts - some more emotional than others. They're all without parents, and while it seems a bit unrealistic at times, the author somehow makes it work if you just go with it.
If you're insightful you can see where the story is leading, and you find the connections these five have and the incidents that have impacted their lives and framed who they are - to themselves and each other.
It's a great read and one that has you questioning the role fate plays in all of our lives.
This one is about Blythe. Her and her brother lost their parents in a tragic accident, she's completely closed herself off to feelings - all of them - and as such, is a depressed mess. Early one morning while grabbing coffee meets Sabin - who is quirky, outgoing, and appears to be a bit manic. Feeling energized by the encounter, she takes a walk and while sitting on the shore of a lake, see's a guy skipping stones. She's drawn to him and they start a conversation. For the first time in forever, she allows herself to feel. While talking to Chris, she blurts out that her parents are dead, and then is completely mortified that she just told a stranger her secrets. Rather than doing what most do and give her false sympathy, he tells her "It's okay. Just breathe."
She finds that Chris and Sabin are brothers, and they are all studying at the same college along with their other twin siblings Estelle and Eric. The five form a bond of sorts - some more emotional than others. They're all without parents, and while it seems a bit unrealistic at times, the author somehow makes it work if you just go with it.
If you're insightful you can see where the story is leading, and you find the connections these five have and the incidents that have impacted their lives and framed who they are - to themselves and each other.
It's a great read and one that has you questioning the role fate plays in all of our lives.
So emotional, heartbreaking, tragic, yet full of hope...just loved it!
Location3743:
I thought the only marriage proposal he'd ever make would be a drunk one, on a rooftop, holding a wedge of lime.
I thought neither of us would ever chase after tradition for the sake of tradition.
I thought we would find our way into a love with no return.
I thought that we were an absolute.
I was horribly, horribly wrong.
Location3743:
I thought the only marriage proposal he'd ever make would be a drunk one, on a rooftop, holding a wedge of lime.
I thought neither of us would ever chase after tradition for the sake of tradition.
I thought we would find our way into a love with no return.
I thought that we were an absolute.
I was horribly, horribly wrong.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
aw can't believe I have to leave blythe chris and the others such as Estelle and sabine Zach etc
what a fab story ... just wish I could see them everyday as they continue on their way
excellent writing made me know them :D
what a fab story ... just wish I could see them everyday as they continue on their way
excellent writing made me know them :D
Left Drowning is a whirlwind of romance and tragedy. Blythe McGuire lost her parents in a terrible accident, causing Blythe to become depressed and feel as though she was drowning in her sadness. Blythe meets a handsome boy by the water and they soon find that they are immensely in love. The book keeps the readers hoping for Blythe and Chris to stay together and guessing their tragic paths.
I could not put this book down. One downfall of the book was the speed in which the story happened. Months would go after reading just one chapter.
There is graphic/sexual content in this book.
I could not put this book down. One downfall of the book was the speed in which the story happened. Months would go after reading just one chapter.
There is graphic/sexual content in this book.
Wow this book just drew me in and I couldn’t stop. It was predictable and I’m not sure if I really liked how quickly they all seemed to click together. It was a great story.
Both Blythe and Chris are working on their own demons, but when their paths cross in college Blythe is able to lean on Chris and start healing. Chris wants Blythe, but is struggling to be with her because she makes him feel too much and he won’t let her be there for him. Chris and his siblings bring Blythe in, but she realizes that they are all struggling as well. It’s a beautiful story and it was interesting to read about the different ways people cope and how actions and experiences when you are young can effect you when you are older.
Both Blythe and Chris are working on their own demons, but when their paths cross in college Blythe is able to lean on Chris and start healing. Chris wants Blythe, but is struggling to be with her because she makes him feel too much and he won’t let her be there for him. Chris and his siblings bring Blythe in, but she realizes that they are all struggling as well. It’s a beautiful story and it was interesting to read about the different ways people cope and how actions and experiences when you are young can effect you when you are older.
I really liked this book! Even though it was a bit predictable at times that was fine because it's exactly what I wanted to happen! Excellent story and I love how this author writes!
"Left Drowning" by Jessica Park is one of those books that I needed to take my time with. I couldn't help but become emotionally invested in both the story and the characters, and even though I already figured out the connection between Blythe and Chris, I still found myself hanging on to every word and absorbed by everything that was going on. Yes, that's how amazing this book is.
The back stories of Blythe and Chris and all their siblings have caused them to deal with their baggage in their own ways, some of which proved to more detrimental than anything else. Individually, they struggled to get past the shadows that were looming in their lives but together, they were able to provide that much needed life preserver (or life boat, if you prefer) to help them from the drowning (pun intended) in all that internal struggle. In short, the interweaving relationships they created served as lifelines, helping them move forward and create better lives for themselves.
This book was intense and the title speaks, not just for what happens in the book, but for what it does to the reader. There were moments that I held my breath, other times, I was trying to catch my breath. Admittedly, I shed a few tears during specific moments in the book, and for any book to get me that emotionally worked up deserves more than just five stars.
"Left Drowning" is a must-read. Yes, it has a LOT of steamy scenes but this book is more than just about the love story of Blythe and Chris and all the sex that goes on. This is, without a doubt, one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading EVER. ^.^
Spoiler
(i.e. that he was the boy along the shore carrying buckets of water and she was the girl in the boat and, halfway through the book, that it was Chris' father who had saved Blythe during the fire that took her parents' lives)The back stories of Blythe and Chris and all their siblings have caused them to deal with their baggage in their own ways, some of which proved to more detrimental than anything else. Individually, they struggled to get past the shadows that were looming in their lives but together, they were able to provide that much needed life preserver (or life boat, if you prefer) to help them from the drowning (pun intended) in all that internal struggle. In short, the interweaving relationships they created served as lifelines, helping them move forward and create better lives for themselves.
This book was intense and the title speaks, not just for what happens in the book, but for what it does to the reader. There were moments that I held my breath, other times, I was trying to catch my breath. Admittedly, I shed a few tears during specific moments in the book, and for any book to get me that emotionally worked up deserves more than just five stars.
"Left Drowning" is a must-read. Yes, it has a LOT of steamy scenes but this book is more than just about the love story of Blythe and Chris and all the sex that goes on. This is, without a doubt, one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading EVER. ^.^