Left Drowning

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.I finished this book almost 2 days ago. Normally I write my reviews immediately after reading, because I want to capture exactly how I feel and pass it on! I have been unable to come up with words that I find sufficient to review this book. The depth of what I felt while reading, and STILL feel, is simply overwhelming...I want to express it in a way that is intelligent and persuades others to read it, without (1)giving anything away, and (2) sounding like a crazed fangirl...I am afraid I will fail miserably at #2, but I am determined to avoid spoilers at all costs! Fair warning: I am going to use the word "perfect" (and variations on it) a lot in this review. I am going to run out of ways to say it. But that's what this book was to me. PERFECTION.I LOVE Jessica Park. Flat-Out Love is on my "top 5 favorite books of all time" list. I must admit it was with a tiny bit of trepidation that I started this book. What if I hated it?? I would have to be honest, and that scared me spitless! I shouldn't have worried!! I said in my review of Flat-Out Love: "I am in love with this book!". That is still true, but I want to marry Left Drowning and have its babies!! LOL!! So, let's get to the review already!!The writing in this book is absolutely stunning. The words she chooses are just the perfect words...every time! There weren't any times I thought "she should have used this word" or "that sounded weird" (and this is a rarity for me while reading)! She selects just the right words to fit the mood perfectly...there are no unnecessary words, there is never a feeling that more would have been better. Her words...oh, her alternately gorgeous, haunting, shocking, sexy, hilarious, flippin' PERFECT words!! I love your words Jessica!!The characters are completely believable. And that is saying a lot considering the extreme personalities a few of them have, and the circumstances they have lived through. I feel like I know them all. I want to spend time with them, help fix them, shelter them from any further trauma in their lives, and let them help fix ME! I want to lean on them, open up to them, know that they have my back. They are totally real to me, and if that makes you think I need therapy, well...whatever - you may be right!! There are quite a few characters, but the book doesn't feel crowded at all. There are no "place holders", each person feels real and necessary and perfectly flawed. I ached for them...every single one of them! None of the characters becomes a caricature - their actions and words feel utterly authentic, and they are impossible not to connect with, impossible not to fall in love with from the very beginning. I love these characters Jessica!!The story. Oh, the story. This is a HUGE...I would even say epic, story. There is so much to see, to learn, to FEEL...and I loved every moment. Even the moments that made me uncomfortable. Even the moments that made me want to look away, to STOP reading for my own sanity, to throw the book across the room. I loved the moments that were sexy (whew, baby, are they sexy!), and the ones that were sarcastic, and the many, many moments that made me laugh. I loved the ones that made me cry (ok...I sobbed, whatever...don't judge me!), and the ones that made me angry, the ones filled with so much raw emotion it hurt not just in my heart, but in my stomach, and almost made me feel like a voyeur who shouldn't be observing this moment of intense pain and healing.So what is the story about? It's about damaged people. It's about faith and belief, and how damaged people turn to those things, or away from them, when trying to heal...or at least to stop hurting. It's about how they find themselves, or lose themselves in that same struggle. It's about how they turn to other people, or shut out the world. It's about fate, destiny, something bigger than ourselves...or not. It's about learning to live with your damage...or in spite of it...or because of it. It's about hope. Learning to breathe again when you've been left drowning. It's about life.This is not an easy story to read, but it is impossible to put down. It is completely entertaining, but it goes so far BEYOND entertainment. It is beautiful, haunting, stunning, heartbreaking, downright terrifying, infuriating, full of hope, and just plain amazing. I laughed out loud, I sighed, I giggled, I huffed in frustration, and I was traumatized. I FELT. I felt it all...everything, and that is what I want most from a book! Jessica - oh Jessica - I. Love. This. Story.As I told the author the day after I finished it (when she said she was glad I liked it) "liked" is not in the ballpark. LOVED isn't even right. This book rocked me. To my core. I will never forget it, and I will re-read it over and over again. There is nothing about this book that I would change. It works for me from start to finish without a single miss-step. It is a rare gem to find a book that touches your heart this way. I read over 100 books every year, and have a list of 5 books (or series) that have made me feel this way, that are a level above everything else I have ever read. Left Drowning makes that list six.Go read it. Do it now. Thank me later.Please note the content warnings. This book contains adult themes and sexual situations. Ummm - actually it contains sex. Hot, steamy, fairly graphic sex. Repeatedly. You have been warned.

In this book, Jessica Park brings various characters who have suffered traumas into a healing family which digs to clean out the wounds and bring the necessary support for healing and personal growth. Each character is intense and well-rounded, they make mistakes and struggle to right them and learn from them. As I read, I reflected often on how there was no comparing of who had greater hurts, just who was hurting and needed intervention the most.

4 stars — OK, I’m about to disappoint my friend Joooood. While I enjoyed Ms. DeLisle’s narration, she wasn’t my favourite. She was fantastic during normal narration, and with Blythe’s thoughts, but I was only meh on her other character dialogue narration. I think I’m really picky about that. It was partly that I wasn’t keen on the way she voiced Chris…it’s a personal taste thing, not something inherently wrong. But it was also partly that I occasionally found the differences in voices for characters wasn’t consistent. She was good with Blythe, Chris and Sabin…but maybe it just became too many characters after that? Sometimes her Estelle was great, but sometimes I would think it was Blythe talking, and then find out it was Estelle. Again, not a huge deal, just something I noticed. Honestly, I think it’s Ms. Park’s fault for writing so many secondary characters that had a huge part in the story! *snort*This book went in all sorts of directions, and I LOVED so much of it, but there were also things that bugged me. So I’m going to preface the rest of this review by saying that while I can’t help but want to mention the things that bugged me, this was still a fantastic book! I really did enjoy SO MUCH of it, I just inevitably end up focusing on the things that prevented this from being a 5 star read. So read the rest of the review with that in mind…it was still 4 freaking stars…it just…wasn’t 5. *rolls eyes*One of the major things that bugged me was the way depression was depicted and addressed….BUT I might be thinking of it in normal depression ways, not situational depression, which I know less about. It’s just that the fact that Blythe never sought any outside help irked me…it might work that way for some people, but it might also contribute to the unhealthy way we view mental health as a society. I was glad that at least the rest of the cast eventually sought out help by the end.The rest are pretty minor…and probably just Lenore specific, you know? Like, occasionally I was uncomfortable with Blythe’s body image and the way she talked about it…and then with the running. There was this teeeeeensy tiny element that almost felt…preachy? No. Judgey? I can’t figure it out, it just twigged me I guess. I also found the relationships depicted in this story to be really unhealthy. Which…is kind of the point in some ways…but I wished they’d more openly realized that. Then there was the odd fate stuff…I’m not big into that, and it definitely felt like there was a bit of woo-woo going on at the end there. And finally, I read a friend’s review that remarked on the sex, and I laughed it off because that’s typically not a problem with me…but there really was a LOT of sex in this book. I think it stood out more in an audiobook though. When you’re listening to a 20 minute sex scene, and it’s one of many, it gets a bit much, you know?OK, now that that’s out of the way, onwards!!!There was a very rich and interesting set of characters in this one. They were ALL damaged, and damaged hardcore, but I still liked them all. I liked them together too, even as they were a bit crazy and occasionally unhealthy. I appreciated the way they were there for one another. I wish I could have seen more gradual growth in Blythe, but I still felt like she had an almost coming of age story. They were all likable people that I’d enjoy observing. I truly felt the depth of their caring for one another. I liked that not all their interactions were picture perfect — Sabin was all kinds of f’d up, and Thanksgiving was crazy…like super duper crazy. And the Christmas revelation with her brother was also f’d up, but I appreciated how she could be mad at him but still want to make sure he knew she still loved him.I feel like I had other thoughts, but apparently I got sidetracked while writing this review and no longer remember. Ms. Park always writes about trauma and f’d up people really well…she enjoys taking a strange situation and delving into it. I do believe I will eventually tackle Restless Waters, but I’m not feeling a rush at this point. I liked the stability that was finally semi-achieved at the end.

After reading 180 seconds (thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend) I knew I had to see what else this brilliant and insightful author had written.I wasn't disappointed with this.You instantly fall for all the characters and their interactions wanting more and more.I binge read it in about 2 days because I had to know what happened next.I will read this again as the story keeps your attention all the way through and I was crying at some of the descriptions of what these characters went through but fell in love with them and read to the end for the outcome instead of skipping like I sometimes do.Blythe and Chris will have you reaching all new levels of compassion and understanding and I guarantee you will need someone to hug you after you've completed this book.A work so emotive and pure you'll be searching for her other books just like I am about to.Jessica, this book serves on so many levels that I don't think I can do you justice suffice it to say you knocked it out the park with this one and I can't wait to see what you release next.A shout out to Sienna Blake for recommending this author to me, Thank you so much for the introduction and you were right, I love her!!!

LEFT DROWING by Jessica ParkEven when you're drowning and so far under, there is always time to reach for someone who will teach you how to breathe again.Immeasurably profound, deep and breathtakingly honest. This book gave me everything from total elation to absolute heartbreak and everything in between. Left Drowning is a powerful story of how shattering events in the past have a direct hit on the present and the future. How it haunts, drowns and manifests itself in different ways in different people. The key is not to forget, not to accept, not always to forgive in order to move on...but to breathe. To find strength in others and to build a foundation based on love and trust in order to survive.There are many strong voices in this story, even though it's predominantly written in Blythe's first person narrative. These characters are not perfect; in-fact each one of them is flawed in their own way, but that is what made it so easy to connect with them.Blythe, our heroine is a shadow. In the four years she has attended Matthews College, she has shied away from others. Isolated and numb, her only escape is to drink booze, excessively. Blythe is suffering with depression, burdened with guilt since the loss of her parents. One day however, everything changes...Little does she know, the morning a strange student named Sabin stole her coffee it started a catalyst of events that spiral out of her own control, except it may just be the thing she needs because depression is about to get a shot of `family Shepherd,' and it may just prove to be the best medicine...ever!Sabin - the crazy best friend and drama student. He's a riot! I loved everything about him. He injected a lot of light into the `darker' backdrop proving to be a breath of fresh air.Estelle - The foul-mouthed sister in the Shepherd crew, religious yet carefree, strong on the outside, soft in the middle with a big heart, you definitely want her in your corner!Eric - Estelle's twin Brother is the gay quiet one. He is the dependable guy, the one you can go to for support. Even though he likes to keep his distance on occasion, he is friendly and genuine with a gorgeous boyfriend called Zach.Chris - The oldest. The Shepherd family provider and the beautiful boy who teaches Blythe to breathe again...The perfect family.Or is it?When Blythe becomes the fifth member of the Shepherd clan having forged friendships tougher than stone, she quietly starts to notice that maybe Sabin drinks too much, Estelle is highly secretive, Eric can be introverted and distant and Chris......is broken.Now it's her turn to be the saviour - the damsel in distress becomes the hero in this compelling, yet tragic story of love, loss and survival.*Jessica Park has done an exemplary job in portraying the shocking damage that one event can cause, how guilt and grief can destroy lives, relationships and ones self belief. Yet, what is truly magic is the hope she injected in almost every scene. It was palpable and truly beautiful to witness the TRUE POWER of friendship and irrevocable love. If you enjoy second chance romances, then you cannot go far wrong with this book!Where there is dark there is always light, just remember to 'breathe into it.'READ IT!5-STARS

Oh dear god I love this author!! Just when I thought she couldn't pull anything better out of the bag, she unleashes Left Drowning on us. This story is just WOW! and I don't say that lightly believe me.Blythe is the most tortured soul trapped by past life events and a tremendous amount of guilt which is holding her back. That is until she meets Christopher Shepherd, a boy who teaches her to breathe again. The relationship between them is beautifully written as you would expect from this author. Chris has his own secrets to contend with but remains strong for his siblings and Blythe.I have to say my absolute favourite character has to be Sabin, Chris's brother. What an absolute star this guy is, the sort of best friend every girl needs in her life. His character is so rich, warm and oh so funny, had me laughing out loud!I will say one thing though, if you download this book you will need a box of tissues and copious amounts of alcohol to hand when you reach the 65% - 70% mark in the book! What a killer Ms Park!!!Just go read it, no amount of reviewing can do this book the justice it deserves.

This was beautifully written and cleverly plotted but a little too angsty for me.The first half is a slow burn, friends to lovers story as Chris helps bring Blythe back to life after the death of her parents. I loved the story up until this point, there were lots of belly tingling moments, even with the heartbreaking circumstances. Then around 60% their story took a turn and without spoiling it for anyone else, I really lost faith in Chris. I understand the reasons for what he did, but I didn't like it. I would've preferred Blythe to be stronger, behave a little less like a patient doormat, waiting on him to find himself. I was cross with him, cross with her...while powerful, it didn't make for a very pleasant read for me.The ending was fine, but doesn't feel very permanent to me. I can understand why so many people love this, but I still feel unsettled by what I just read and not very optimistic.

I was really amazed at how much I enjoyed this book. I expected it to be an easy afternoon read and so had kept it downloaded on my kindle for a time when I was bored and wanted a distraction. I am upset I didn't pick it up sooner.From reading the blurb I expected lots of angst and personally I don't really connect much with angst ridden female narrators as i just find them whiny rather than endearing, so i was happily surprised when I ended up liking Blythe (if only I could get over her unfortunate name). I also really liked all of the Shepherd siblings and liked how it built up to reveal their back stories in snippets rather than in one long awaited confession. And another thing is that it did this well. All of the revelations felt right within the timeline and the context in which they were revealed rather than just dropping hints along the way. I found this very well written and would definitely continue with it if it is made into a series.