Restless Waters: A Left Drowning Novel

First off, Chris is seriously like some kind of superhero with how perfect he is. It's a bit unbelievable how strong, patient and understanding he is.This book is very much about love, intense love, but it doesn't focus on the romantic very much at all. It's about a friendship so strong that best friend doesn't seem to capture its significance. Where Chris and Blythe are like soulmates in the romantic sense, Sabin is like a platonic soulmate to Blythe if such a thing exists. It's a little confusing and hard to relate to for me since I haven't felt or seen the kind of platonic love described (one as powerful and deep as shown), but it's clear that Blythe and Sabin's relationship is incredibly unique and special. It was also nice to see more into the relationship between Sabin and Chris as brothers. Like I said, Chris is some kind of freaking hero with how perfectly he deals with everything. But it's nice to see.If you're looking for more romance this will probably not satisfy you. This is a story of deep friendship and a more familial love, exploring a different perspective into the Shepherd family trauma. Also, as in the first book, fate and a sort of belief in the unbelievable does come into play once again, though not as strongly as in the first book.

Restless Waters is the sequel to Left Drowning, and provided some closure for Sabin fans, but it felt a bit plot-light compared to the first book. Sabin is definitely a wounded soul, and he was clearly struggling to find his place in the world for most of the book. Since the story is told from Blythe's POV, it was sometimes hard to understand what Sabin was feeling (given that so much was explained by Blythe's observations of his behavior, which was filtered by her own lack of understanding (and denial)). Some of his feelings and issues were glaringly obvious, but it would have been great to read his inner dialogue in some instances. The author did try to convey a bit of Sabin's emotions through his song lyrics, which was somewhat helpful. I listened to the audiobook version, and the use of a musical artist to sing Sabin's songs was brilliant. I think the musical interludes saved the book a bit for me - so thank you, Troy (the artist). I am a fan of the author, but this book did not feel like a particularly satisfying read for me.

4.25 of 5 starsI adored Left Drowning and as soon as Restless Waters released it was one clicked. I have always been a huge fan of Jessica Park and my expectations for this book were extremely high. It has to be difficult to write a sequel to a book like Left Drowning since it was so emotional and heartbreaking.The book begins in Maine with both families together in the home Blythe and James's parents bought before their death. They are enjoying their last days of Summer and the twins and James are preparing to head back to college, while Blythe, Chris and Sabin have plans to stay in Maine. It is easy to dissect that Sabin still has demons and can't seem to control his actions at times. On the night before the other kids are set to leave, Sabin springs a sudden move to San Diego on Blythe and Chris. He says that he had it planned for a while but didn't want to ruin the Summer. This leaves Chris and Blythe alone for several months and they have a chance to enjoy each others company and remember how to just spend time alone without their large, boisterous family around.When the holidays arrive everyone plans a trip to see Sabin in San Diego and vacation there for Christmas and New Year. Things still don't add up with Sabin and his actions around everyone. At times he seems his normal self and then he just explodes. It seems as if he is warring with himself over some thing internally and taking it out on everyone around him. He is specifically pissed at Chris and seems to want to hate him and love him at the same time.I was happy that Chris and Blythe are still strong in their relationship and can sense exactly how to help the other. I always love to see Estelle, Eric and James in the scenes because they have the ability to add a lot to stories, even as secondary characters.Restless Waters is told entirely from Blythe's perspective even though the focus is Sabin. I struggled with this aspect of the book and think that if it had been from his POV or alternating the POV I think I would feel more connected to Sabin. That being said, I still enjoyed the story. I think that it was very difficult to live up to the expectation set from Left Drowning. However, I almost think this book is one that opens the door for Sabin to have a book that focuses entirely on him and a love story for him. I would love it if it was told from his POV so we could see the demons in his mind. We can only get a glimpse of his thoughts when it is what others are seeing.If you read and loved Left Drowning, I think you should take the time to read Restless Waters. It is still an emotional book. With the history of these two families, there is a lot of healing that still remains. They will always have scars and issues and that is why I love them. Nothing is fake about their story. Nothing is sugarcoated. It is a story that makes you feel real connections and emotion. Job well done, Jessica!

COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! Jessica Park is one of the only authors who puts me in the bittersweet conundrum where I can't put the book down yet I don't want it to end....Oh what a problem to have, right? I will be honest- "Left Drowning" is one of my favorite books of all times so I had high expectations for this one, especially because I loved Sabin's character. As expected, Jessica Park way exceeded my expectations. I was waiting for an explosive, dramatic climax in this book, and even though I didn't really get my wish what I did get was so much better!!!"Restless Waters" picks up after "Left Drowning" but focuses on Sabin who intrigued me in the first book. When I found out Jessica Park was continuing with his story, I was beyond thrilled. I'm talking shout at the top of my lungs like a maniac. And I am not kidding. (Then again, I am like that whenever I find out she releases a book!) I enjoyed the insight into Sabin's life and how his childhood affected him. I can't say I was at all surprised by what was revealed throughout the book but I was by how it was all handled. That's all I will say about that.If you haven't read "Left Drowning" you MUST because then you can read THIS amazing book! Well done, as always Jessica Park!!!!!

Omg!!Jessica Park has done justice to an already brilliant book with this follow up.I couldn't read it fast enough.Cried, laughed and ached for all the characters especially Sabin in this one. A complicated soul with a unique story to tell and one that will have you loving and hating him then loving him again.Blythe and Chris as dependable as ever with their relationship but there is another level we just discovered with the three of them. The dynamic among the characters is amazing and incredibly well written. Jessica's insight into human psychology and how people interact is beyond belief and you feel every heartbeat and every heartache.I won't spoil it but please have the tissues at hand as you will definitely need them.You will not be disappointed with this book and STRONGLY recommend.Once again thank you to Sienna Blake for the introduction to Jessica Park, you couldn't have chosen another author with whom I would racing to buy everything she has written. Also a shout out to Troy for such beautiful songs powerful and meaningful with just the right amount of angst to want to hear them performed !!!

There isn't much I can say about this book that hasn't already been said other than, Oh My Word, and maybe, Oh Sabin!Restless Waters is a sequel to one of my favourite Jessica Park books, Left Drowning. I'm not always a fan of sequels, as they often don't live up to the first book. This one blew it out of the water. The relationship between Blythe and Sabin is beautifully written, although sometimes heartbreaking to read.Ms Park never fails to tear every last piece of my heart to shreds before she slowly but surely puts it together again. You will need tissues and alcohol to get you through some of this book but its so worth it. If you've never read a Jessica Park novel you're missing out, big time. This author is an amazing story teller, who will grip you from the word go. The journey isn't always easy but it is definitely always, always worth it.Now Ms Park, about that next book...

Oh Jessica you did it again!! Long awaited sequel to Left Drowning, which in its sheer brilliance could never be matched but this came a close second. Loving the complexity of Sabin and this book was hard to put down.

Brilliant, this author is just brilliant.

Well, crap. I just finished "Restless Waters" by Jessica Park and the only thing I can do now is bow to Park in awe, respect and gratitude for sharing this beautiful(ly) heart-wrenching story with us.A story that moved me to the core. A story full of bravery, resilience and love.I was worried about this book, because I loved "Left Drowning" so ferociously hard and Sabin owned my heart. I was scared that "Restless Waters" wouldn't do the characters justice. Boy, was I wrong.As Blythe's, Chris' and Sabin's story continues, it's not all sunshine and flowers. Instead, Jessica Park does what so few authors manage to do.She gives a brutal, unyielding glance at the destruction, the pain and the heart-break caused by abuse and the resulting trauma. She doesn't relent, doesn't let the reader come up for air and through that we get to experience a minuscule fraction of what it feels like to be left drowning.She opens our eyes to the horrible realities some have to go through. She doesn't treat it lightly, doesn't romanticize it or us it for shock value.Instead, she gives a voice to the ones that go unheard.The intensity, the pain that the characters, but especially Sabin, are still suffering from isn't easy to digest. It tore me apart, had me in a constant state of fear, pain and heart-break. But then moments of peace and serenity that Blythe, Chris and Sabin experience feel more rewarding, more meaningful.I love how Jessica Park wasn't afraid to delve into the darkness of the Shepherd siblings' lives. How she had the courage to let us witness them falling apart. And how she refrained from lessening the meaning by resorting to cliches.Love might be a factor that assists in healing. But just because Chris and Blythe fall in love, it doesn't mean the past becomes insignificant. The love and stability between them and their respective siblings is not an automatic "you're free of trauma" card. Sometimes, the pain is so strong that even the biggest love struggles to break through the darkness.I'm happy she didn't diminish the message by turning it into a gooey fairy-tale.I also loved that the definitions of friendship, relationship and boundaries were unique, showing that what Chris and Blythe have or the friendship between Blythe and Sabin are complex. What they share can't be labeled or fit into a mold.It's different, it's intense, it's them. It's so freakin' beautiful it made me weep - happy, that no matter what, they have this profound bond.A bond that might stretch, might fray, but never tears.I have so much love for the characters - ever single one of them.Before "Restless Waters" I still had a bit of a hard time to connect with Chris, but his love, his acceptance and his selflessness made my appreciation for him soar. He's an amazing boyfriend, brother, friend and person.Blythe is lucky to have him. But that also same goes for the other way because she has the most beautiful soul. She's a good person through and through, with a heart of gold, an unparalleled loyalty, strength and understanding - despite her own traumatic past.And Sabin - my beautiful, broken Sabin. He's struggling, consumed by guilt and pain. He's failing at times, falling, but he has Blythe and Chris to pick him up, even if they can't break the fall.His struggle isn't just internal, bus hows on the outside - a brave and beautiful choice by Jessica Park in a ripped, muscly, alpha-male dominated book world.I love the dynamics. I love the ups and downs. I love the story-telling and the characters. I love the twists and surprises. And I love the incredible authenticity.In short, I love everything about this book.Even that it made me late for work, that I looked like a sobbing, blubbering panda and that it stole a piece of my heart that it'll hold forever. Just like "Left Drowning".6 this-rating-doesn't-do-it-justice stars.