A review by xabbeylongx
In the Shallows by Tanya Byrne

hopeful reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

SPOILERS AHEAD
Book Review: 
‘Afterlove’ by Tanya Byrne is absolutely one of my favourite books ever, so upon hearing she wrote another one fairly recently, I had to read it. 
I must say, this book went for ages. With her first one, there was a lot of content and context needed, so the length was actually very beneficial, and it did’t feel like it went on for ages. However, this book is something different. Calling this book a slow burn would be an understatement. I think Nico almost drowned around the halfway mark, which meant that the first half dragged on so much. I think the genre was a bit muddled, because towards the end it felt a bit like a thriller. I was a little confused throughout, because we were lead to believe that she either jumped off or was pushed, and that wasn’t the case in the end, so it felt a little bit… forced, sort of? I wasn’t a fan of the characters, if I’m being honest. There were a few cute scenes between Mara and Nico, and I did like the way their relationship developed, but everything just felt a bit muddled, like a load of jigsaw pieces being forced to mould together. It took me ages to finish this read. 
 
Book Summary: 
We follow Mara in this book. Mara has a tight friendship group, though her best friend is Michelle. Mara has been on and off dating Nico, a reserved girl who’s very on and off with her. Sometimes she will really like Mara, and hold hands with her and everything, but other times she will ignore her in school, cancel plans at last minute, and even just not show up. On New Year’s Eve, they are about to hang out, and Mara gets really excited for it. However, when Mara arrives, she gets a text from Nico to say she isn’t coming, and then dumps her. 
Mara is going through heartbreak, and returns home early, to her friend’s surprise. But, what is even more surprising, is that Nico ends up on the news. 
Nico fell into the sea, and was rescued and carried to hospital. Some speculated suicide, whilst others speculated that she was pushed, either way, Mara is knocked for six. Her friends and her family try to help her through it, but Mara doesn’t know where she stands, and whether she should text her or not. 
The problem is out of her hands when she goes to a cafe, picks up someone’s diary, and realises it is Nico’s. When Nico asks for her diary bak, she seems different. Nicer. Of course, she doesn’t remember anything from the accident. Meaning she doesn’t remember Mara. And Mara is left being confused still. 
After talking to Nico’s mother, they decide to keep it from her that they know each other. This is because they want her to organically get her memory back, not create falsified memories. 
Nico’s mum tells her to stay away, but Nico is smitten with her. Mara is there for some of her firsts again, like her coming out for the first time (again). Eventually, they fall in love again. Mara never fell out of love, but she’s still really confused, at the two different versions of Nice that have been created. When Nico starts becoming really sick, seeming like every time Mara was round, Mara starts to get concerned. Turns out, her mum has been making her sick, just like Nico’s nan did to her. Her mum is arrested, and Nico goes to stay with an aunt that she didn’t even know existed. But her relationships flourished, especially the one with Mara. 
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