A review by jennabeck13
The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding 

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Genre: Thriller

About 320 pages

Lee Gulliver used to have it all, or at least a decent level of success, before the pandemic hit. When her restaurant folded and she had to run from investors, she lost everything and was forced to live in her car. One morning she’s peacefully sleeping in her car when she sees a woman, Hazel, walking into the freezing cold ocean. Innately, Lee goes to help Hazel. Hazel didn’t want to be saved as she thought death was her only way to escape her abusive husband. But in Lee, Hazel sees another option and she’s not going to let it slide.

The Drowning Woman is a fast-paced novel that you can’t put down. Harding successfully wrote several twists that I didn’t see coming but a few that I did. I found myself frustrated with both Hazel and Lee throughout. Both women were extremely naive and too easily swayed by others. I frequently found myself wanting to shake them and tell them, “OPEN YOUR EYES YOU ARE BEING USED.” We also were left with some loose ends and potholes that I wish were tied up. 

Favorite Quote: “In some worlds, you trade on good looks; in others, you hide them. Eventually, they abandon you anyway.”