A review by tinysierra
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester

adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.75

“People act surprised by what I can do and surprised by what I can't, as if I'm supposed to exist in this narrow, static margin in between. But my body is a fluid thing. Sometimes it's complicated and inconsistent, but it makes sense because it's mine. My choices. My comfort. My decisions.”

Breathe and Count Back from Ten was a fun and beautiful read. I liked the flow of the story. I liked the references to Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid and the magic of the mermaid cove. I liked the definitions that Verónica came up with at the start of every chapter.

The romance was causal and low key. Unlike in rom coms where you see a lot of grand gestures, Alex and Verónica’s relationship felt down to earth. 

Discussions about disability, bodily autonomy, depression, scars, being an immigrant family, heteronormativity. 

“Somewhere on the opposite side of the glass, my parents are finally seeing me the way I want to be seen. No more hiding, no more pretending to blend in. Just a girl in an imperfect body, refusing to swim any further in shame. Telling the stories of her ancestors on new shores and in a new home. Telling legends of her own.”
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