Name: Ashley Janssen's review of Left drowning by Jessica Park
Item: Left drowning
Rating: 4
Author: Ashley Janssen

Jessica Park

Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn't expect--an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she's been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family's traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

a novel

Left drowning

Ashley Janssen

Tish

** spoiler alert **
           This is the easiest way I can sum up this book:

Blythe: “I lOvE yOu ChRiS”
Chris: “I’m too DAMAGED FOR YOU”

Except they use the word irreparable wayyyyyyy too many times. I listened to the audiobook and it was a train wreck from start to finish. I gave it a second star because it was entertaining enough to keep me listening but it was more of an Oh God I can’t look away type of thing.

Anna Ureta

This book is for everyone who has survived. You are not broken. You can love and be loved, despite what may feel like the eternally brutal nature of the world. Even when you’re drowning and so far under, there is always time to reach for someone who will teach you how to breathe again.
 
From the first few pages I knew this book was going to have feeling in it. And I mean real deep feelings that were going to get to me in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I knew I was going to love this book probably from page three. I just KNEW that I was going to connect to it.
 
Good people have bad things happen to them, and sometimes it isn’t there fault. From the beginning you know something really bad happened in Blythe McGuire’s past. Something big, something life changing. Four years after her parents’ death hasn’t done anything to ease her pain. But she decides to try to change herself during her final year in college. To try and be better. In that attempt she meets Christopher Sheppard and his family. As Blythe grows into herself again she realizes that she’s changed, but Chris hasn’t, he’s hiding something. He and his family have also suffered a loss. But there’s more to the story than Blythe knows. Little does she know that uncovering it will change all their lives forever.
 
There are times where I feel like Jessica literally crept into my mind and stole my thoughts and feelings, things that I couldn’t say out loud or put on paper. Though I guess that I would be me admitting to being depressed and mildly psychotic…WHICH I won’t do publically anyway >>…. But the book really speaks to those who are hurting, or who have hurt, who have gone to the bottom and are trying to find some solace, some way to stop the hurt. My biggest question has always been, “How do you let go? How do you stop everything from hurting?”
 

Sunshine is supposed to help depression, after all. Not that I would classify myself as depressed. Sure, I have numerous symptoms, but I think that I have good reason. Anyone in my situation would be depressed, right? And the whole concept of depression is … well, depressing. It doesn’t some to take into account that I may damn well be justified in feeling how I do. So what if I’m often in an apathetic haze and spend half my time drinking until I feel numb? It’s not like I cry all the time. I think back to my psych textbook and grimace as I think how clearly my symptoms match up to the clinical definition.
 Fine, fine. I’m depressed. There. I said it.
 
The book is slow paced, easy to follow, and I feel, is a very calming and mellow read. A book you read in private and quiet. AND NOT before work. Especially when you’re at an emotional part. I was reading it on the train in, and almost cried in public. That would have been embarrassing. But the book was just THAT GOOD. Needless to say I was emotionally handicapped that morning.
 
There is something beautiful and magical about this book. Something I just can’t place. Maybe I just love it THAT MUCH. But I feel so at ease and calm reading this it. And just in the middle of it all Blythe drops a A BOMB. I mean literally out of nowhere. I was like “what just happened…” I’m wondering if I’ve ever done that. Just dropped a bomb in the middle of a pleasant conversation. I wonder if telling someone you think you’re crazy counts… Because you really want to tell someone you just met your parents died in a fire four years ago when you just meet them. Kinda depressing…
 
Maybe it’s bad to say that I think everyone deserves their own Chris or even their own Sabin (Chris’ brother). And I don’t mean it necessarily in a romantic sense, but just like early in the beginning of the book it would be nice just to have someone to relate to, and not to judge you when you’re down. It’s important to have friends like that. To guide you through the mess you’re dealing with, someone to help make the burden easier. I’m not saying to lean against them and use them as your personal cloud of sunshine, but use them to help you get better. Let them accept you, and let them help you. Chris is like Blythe’s wall, or rock, or tree. He doesn’t push her or force her to do anything she’s uncomfortable with, but he’s there to support her, he’s there to lean on her if she wants to. I know it sounds the same but it’s the motives behind what you do with that person. I know I would kill to have friends like the Shepards, they just sound like the best group of people to be around.While you’re reading the story you figure there’s something about Chris that doesn’t sit right. Definitely something he’s not fessing up to yet and won’t fess up to for a while. I can’t tell you what it is but it is big. Monumentally big, and it does change everything. Chris is a very interesting character. Not your typical fictional boyfriend at first glimpse. Sure he’s good looking, considerate, takes care of his family even though he’s still young, but the maturity is all there, the feelings, the sensitivity and this compassion…behind him.
 

Chris takes an eternity to respond. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
 
Jessica has this wonderfully magical way with words that I can’t begin to describe. Her words are so fluently translated to pure raw emotion. I’ve never felt so awkward and scared reading a book in all my life. Everything just feels so real, like I’m there, like she knows what I’ve been through and knows exactly what I need to keep afloat.
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: Don’t be fooled by the story and the summary. This book may be deep and heavy on your emotions but there are some PREEEETTTTTYYYYY steamy scenes in it. This book really has everything. I’ve felt dirty reading this book at work and on the train home. Stupid grins on my face, my heart pounding, laughing to myself I swear everyone is staring at me when I’m reading these scenes. It’s embarrassing but I LOVE IT!
 

If I believed in God or was religious to any degree, I might argue that these crazy physical sensations are punishment for masturbating. For masturbating a lot. I think that I may have an addiction. A sex-maniac beast has awoken, and I am a horny mess nearly all the time. I almost feel surprised that I haven’t yet grabbed Estelle and shoved my tongue down that beautiful girl’s throat.
 

And as he talks to me, I start to come. “You feel so fucking good. Do you know how many times I’ve thought about this? The way you would feel, the way you would make me feel… What it would do to me to be inside you? How you would move against me.”
 
I close my eyes and drift.
 
“Yes, there you go.” The seductive edge in his voice rocks me. “I can feel how tight your pussy is now. How close you are. Come, on, Blythe, let me hear you…”
 

I pull his briefs all the way down and start to sweep my tongue slowly over him. Fuck, he feels so good on my lips. Every taste of him makes me want more. When I move up a bit and then wrap my lips around him, Chris groans loudly. Now I know why he wanted to hear me, to know what I sound like, because listening to him is incredible. I take him deeper into my mouth and then pull back again. Slowly I find a rhythm that seems to work for both of us. I have a moment of wondering if I’m doing this right, and then I let that worry fall away. It’s a blow job, not rocket science. I could care less about rocket science.
 
So remember how I said Blythe had dropped some bombs earlier on. Well…I take that back. There aren’t bombs. There are FREAKING GRENADES. She throws grenades, at your face! and you just have to deal with it. But you don’t know how because everything sucks and everything hurts, and you feel just as helpless as Blythe does. You really don’t see any of this coming. I was shocked if not mortally wounded at the turning point between Blythe and Chris. At that point I really just wanted to punch Chris in the face for being such a pussy! (am I allowed to say that?) But Blythe, I think is so much stronger than she may give herself credit for. Because she doesn’t give in to more pain and hurt, she’s learned to tread water, now she’s got to continue swimming.
 
With life comes a lot of ups and downs. Some people have it harder than others. Left Drowning is a beautifully written book about pushing yourself to get back from all the downs in life, to remember that there’s more, to remember to breathe, and to remind us to open ourselves up to the possibilities of love, fun, and to let ourselves be happy and free again.
 
Note: I was so close to giving this book A BILLION HEARTS OF LOVE but there was something that didn’t float my boat. I know why it had to happen and it was justified and warranted in happening and yes it is a HEA, but this book was PERFECT. It didn’t need that tiny bit of corniness or cliché to bring it together and I know you can’t be TOO CLICHÉ but I thought this book could do without it. And I’m referring to the way Chris and Blythe’s fates intertwine. Maybe other people will enjoy it but to me it wasn’t necessary.
 
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Going on my favourite books of all time shelf! And gosh! After reading all these Indie books I think Indie Authors are a lot better writers than mainstream writers. But more support to them when they do make it big! ALL MY LOVE JESSICA! Thank you for writing such an emotionally and thrilling book! <3
 
6/5 Hearts of Love

Read my other reviews at www.akiikomorireading.wordpress.com

Nicole Goldstein

This book... it had its frustrating moments but overall, I adored. I wanted to wrap myself up in this book and cuddle the hell out of the characters. So much pain and heartache but so much love was in this. Chris is my top damaged book love interests. He was perfect in his imperfections.

Jordan /

This book is for everyone who has survived. You are not broken. You can love and be loved, despite what may feel like the eternally brutal nature of the world. Even when you’re drowning and so far under, there is always time to reach for someone who will teach you how to breathe again.

Katelyn Broad

I loved this book and even hated it a little at times which is why I have to give it 5 stars. If you want a happy-go-lucky romance novel, this is not your book. On the other hand, if you want a book full of raw emotion, both joyous and heartbreaking parts, characters that you fall in love with, and a twist that you may think you see coming but you don't know the half of it, then this book is for you. 
I had a feeling that I would like this book when I first heard about it because of the plot and the author-who I already loved from reading Flat-Out Love, but I didn't know the half of it. Once I started this book, I had a hard time stopping (you know, to do normal things like eat and go to work). Once I got to the dreaded 68%, I found it impossible to put down (after my angry sigh and dramatic slamming the cover of my kindle of course). After that, I was all in. 
The further I got into the book, the more questions I had. By the time I was almost finished, I was wondering if the author could possibly answer my questions before the ending, but she did it. 
This is one of my all-time favorite new adult books and I am anxious to read more by this author (hint, hint-come out with a new book NOW, haha!). 
I recommend this book to all of those lovers of NA romance or even just contemporary romance novels with some steamy scenes. This book was fabulous!

Samantha 

4.5 Stars! 


Such an emotional book!


 I had tears!!!


My poor Sheperds!!! 



My heart hurts!

Megan Williams

Blythe lost her parents and still hasn’t recovered. She and her brother are estranged and their relationship doesn’t seem like it’s going to get any better soon. She tries to drown out her sorrow in parties and beer, but it doesn’t work very well. Then she meets Chris, a guy who seems to understand her perfectly. He makes her feel things that she has never felt before and the comfort she gets from his presence amazes her. Soon Blythe is involved in not only his life but also his family. When Chris’s own dark past comes forth Blythe has to fight to stay in the relationships she has built with his family and him.

Blythe was an amazing character because of her strength and her will to survive. I love the way her character changes throughout the book and how her strength grows. She has so much will power but doesn’t seem to realize it. I loved how her character was presented in the beginning as weak and broken but her inner strength shines through as the book continued. I thought that the author created her as the perfect compliment to the story.

Chris and his family were characters that makes the reader fall in love with them. Their background is so heartbreaking I cried frequently throughout the book and felt that the author did a wonderful job in conveying emotion. I loved each of their characters and I know that future readers will too.

I loved the storyline and how the author presented the book. I liked that the book was from Blythe’s perspective and how some parts of the book kept me guessing. This story was definitely drama filled and I really enjoyed it.

I would recommend this book to anyone and feel that anyone can enjoy this book. I hope to read more by this author and publisher in the future and will be adding more books by them into my personal library.

Kinsey

4.5 DROWNING STARS




  
    He puts his hand on my cheek. "You were left drowning"
I nod again.
"And you're struggling to breathe"
I am. It's a constant struggle to stay near the surface I have just enough air to stop me from going totally under, but not enough to thrive.
"So do it. Breathe. Just Breathe."
  


I have been racking my brain for the right words to clearly describe my love for this gut-wrenching, amazing, brilliant novel. I've thought and thought about it, and yet nothing can quite fit the bill. I can only compare it to the feelings I had when I read Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. I was left feeling overwhelmed by the tragedy these characters faced. My chest ached (I caught myself rubbing my chest to try to alleviate the discomfort quite a few times), my heart hurt and my brain was buzzing with all kinds of emotions. Left Drowning is the perfect combination of angst and sex with a story-line that is gripping, thought-provoking, tortured and dark



Blythe McGuire breaks my heart. To say she is an emotional wreck is an understatement! Her life was changed forever when a fire took half of her family. I can't even imagine how one would live with a tragedy like that. She drinks to numb herself from the emotional pain she carries around. She's haunted by a brother, who she was once extremely close to, and now isn't. You can feel her desperation in wanting to be forgiven for her actions the night of the fire. Blythe is closed off, shut down and barely functioning when she meets Chris Shepherd. Almost instantly, Blythe feels a connection to Chris that leaves her reeling, wanting more, and suddenly... hopeful. Hopeful that she can pull out of her despair and be normal again. Hopeful that she and Chris can become something more. 



Blythe becomes close to Chris and his siblings, since they all attend the same college together. As they become their own little family, Blythe finds herself coming to terms with her past and finally allows herself to begin the grieving process and heal. Chris is instrumental with the healing. He knows just the things to say to allow her to cope and keep moving.


  
    "You need songs that make you feel. Some make you string, some make you weak. Some build determination, some tear you apart. But you need all of those...Run through the pain."
  
 



Chris Shepherd is just as screwed up as Blythe is, he's just better at hiding it. He's built walls so high even his feelings for Blythe can't get past them. Blythe makes him feel something real, too real. Chris can't deal with anything other than being numb, so he closes himself off from Blythe. Even after a weekend of letting their guards down and really getting to know each other, Chris can't cope. So he runs. And he hides. And he gives Blythe the ultimate slap in the face.



  
    “you're just....You're everything" 
His words are perfect, but the tone in his voice is not right. Wistful. Apologetic.”
  


I think it was at this point in the story where the tears flowed almost constantly. I was overcome with such a deep sadness for what Blythe had been through, and yet, I admired her strength and determination to become a new version of herself.
Blythe and Chris have a connection that sizzles off the page. You can feel it in your fingertips as you turn the pages. This is one of those books that will stick with you. You'll be talking about it months later and recommending to your friends as a "must read". 

This is what makes me want to give the book 4.5 stars though. Spoilers ahead if you haven't read the book yet! 

(view spoiler)[I gave this book 4.5 stars but for me, I think it deserves 4 and the reason for that being is that I didn't like what happened after the hotel chapters.*Girls, if you read those steamy scenes you get what I'm talking about)! I think Chris should have just been alone. Why even get in a relationship with another girl after? Why even propose to said rebound girl? Why not just be alone? If he didn't want to marry heroine, why would he have wanted to marry safe girl? The heroine just forgave him for all that pain that he put her through, and the issue was just kinda glossed over, and that's always gonna bug me. Oh yeah, and then he had the audacity to say, "Well, I'm glad you haven't been with anyone else, cause it would have driven me crazy!" Really? Really? It's okay for her to put up with all that suffering, and then you just expect forgiveness? That was so wrong on so many levels. He didn't have to have a girlfriend right after they separated, there was no reason for that, and it upset me greatly. Kinda took away from their epic heartbreaking love story really. Didn't ruin it, but dampened it for sure. Sorry, Jessica Park but I think you shouldn't have put that in the book. Kinda ruined things. However, this was a fantastic book overall, and it's getting added to my favorite list <3 (hide spoiler)]

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

  I would recommend this novel

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
.


  
    “We don’t have to know everything. If you believe in fate and some kind of meaning and sense in this fucked-up world, then believe with abandon, love. Enjoy it.”
  

Left Drowning was absolutely brilliant. I was hooked from the very first page. I read it in one sitting. The story was beautiful, heartbreaking and hopeful. The characters were the real stand-0ut here, though. They were complex, charming, real and flawed. Despite the flaws, I would love to be part of a family like the Shepherds. Their love for each other – and eventually Blythe – was so strong. The horrible things they went through in the past might have damaged them individually, but it strengthened them as a group.

  
    “It’s natural to want to connect with other people, I guess. Except I don’t want to. Not really. Which must be why I don’t have any real friends.”
  

Blythe wasn’t your typical college student. Weighted down by the death of her parents, she was barely hanging on to life herself. She wasn’t involved in campus activities, she had a single room… she was just… there. Then she meets an outgoing, dramatic guy named Sabine at the cafe. He begins to draw her out of her shell. Soon after, she comes across a sexy guy, Chris, down by the lake on the Matthews College campus. She feels an undeniable pull to him – and him to her. They begin a friendship then and there, but their chemistry is such that you can’t help but root for them to have more. Both damaged by their pasts, they are very cautious.

  
    “I am hit with the enormity of the impact that this family is having in my life. They, and mostly Chris, are saving me. Or teaching me to save myself.”
  

The boys Blythe meet are the Shepherd brothers. It’s fitting that each of them are responsible for drawing her out of her shell – though in completely different ways. She meets the other siblings, Estelle and Eric, as well as Eric’s partner, Zachary, and the group becomes fast friends. Suddenly, the girl who was barely hanging on is surrounded by friends and truly living.

  
    “He leans into me and kisses me again. Harder this time. He tastes like eternity, and healing, and completion.
No one else could ever kiss me like this, of that I am positive.
I could breathe in him forever.
I could fall in love forever.”
  



  
    “And at least this one thing is certain: Chris and I are inextricably connected. Do I have factual reasons to know this? Proof? Assurances? No. None. Some people believe in God; I believe in Chris.”
  

Blythe and Chris’ friendship grows into something more pretty quickly. It’s hard to fight that type of pull for someone. It’s apparent they were meant to be together, despite how they may fight it. Or how one of them fights it, anyhow. They were electric when they were together. (OMG the sexy scenes. I thought my iPad might melt.) I knew it wouldn’t be easy for the two of them, but W.O.W. Their story took me on a physically and emotionally draining ride. I felt like I had been punched, kicked and slapped. Then hugged. And punched again. I alternated between wanting to throw my iPad across the room and desperately hugging it out of sheer joy. The story absolutely gutted me and I cried buckets during this book. There’s something to be said about a book, and an author, who can bring out such strong emotions, even in an emotional person like me. It’s safe to say this book took me through every single possible emotion.

  
    “Being with you let me feel, feel everything, and I needed that. I remembered better with you, I healed better with you, and you made … you made everything real.”
  

But, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was beautiful. The connections between characters were absolute perfection. While I had figured out the ending before it happened, I was able to be surprised by the way it all came together. I loved these characters and this story. Days after I finished the book, I still can’t get these characters out of my head. I can’t possibly say all that I want to about this incredible book without ruining some portion of the story for future readers. It was wonderful and I loved every minute of it and I could gush forever.

If you want a book that will make you feel all the feels, this is the one. Boy, is it ever.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

After reading Flat-Out Love I fell in love with Park's writing style.  Her humor in that romantic story completely won me over.  When I saw the synopsis for this one I was instantly curious to see how I would like this side of Park, which obviously was going to be very different from what I experienced last time.  After reading this, it's still hard for me to believe it's the same author that wrote Flat-Out Love, simply because of how uniquely different they are from each other.

Left Drowning started off a bit slow for me, but I later was able to see why that was.  It was basically setting the ground work for later on, as a lot of stories do.  I almost felt at the end that I should go back and re-read the beginning to get the full effect.  I still may do that.

Blythe and Chris had a bit of a strange relationship (I'll talk more about that later) that at times I had trouble following.  I did enjoy their unique personalities though, and watching them grow emotionally was great.  The group of characters known as the Shepherd family, Chris' brothers and sister,  were so much fun!  I instantly fell in love with Sabin and all of his kookiness.  He had my heart from the beginning.  The twins, Estelle and Eric, were equally awesome.  Estelle was such a spaz!  I loved her whole "Neon Jesus" painting ritual.  And the way they all kept screaming "Shitting rainbows!" was perfect too.   Eric was quiet and sensitive, and didn't really leave that big a huge impact on me... other than him being quiet and sensitive.  ;).  The group as a whole was a complete train wreck.  All of them were broken, emotionally shattered, and looking for a way back to normalcy.  This was such a thought-provoking and emotional story that at times I felt myself really taking their feels and struggles to heart.

My one complaint is kind of a big one... the whole insta-love in this book just seems almost too unrealistic.  It was bordering on obsessive and it was honestly a bit creepy.  I had a hard time accepting that part of the story.  There were a few things in the second half of the book that I wasn't a big fan of either that had to do with Blythe and Chris, but I don't want to go into those and risk a massive spoiler.  You'll know what I'm talking about when you get there yourself.  I'm happy to say though I was able to look past it and still enjoy the story regardless of their weird, for lack of a better word, relationship.

Entirely dark and tragic, Left Drowning left me reeling.  It was an emotional roller coaster and one I'm glad I decided to partake in.  After reading Jessica's two wholly different stories I'm eager to see what she comes out with next.

(Thanks to Skyscape and Netgalley for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it on my blog, Lost in Literature!!

Lacey

Also posted at Booklovers For Life

I’ve just finished reading Left Drowning, and I… I can’t even form coherent thoughts right now! What. a. book! It was a thrill to read Left Drowning. It was beautiful, heart-wrenching, gutting, and every other feels word that exists. Because truly, you feel everything as you’re reading this book. As soon as I read the first page, I was hooked. And I couldn’t put the book down–I finished in a freaking day!

Bless this book. Left Drowning is beyond words! It’s gorgeously written, and its got the best, snarkiest heroine ever. And I love snarky heroines. They make everything better, more fun, and more hilarious. Blythe (which is such a pretty name!) is a senior at Matthews College, and she is not a happy person at the beginning of the book. At first, I thought, Oh god, it’s another broken heroine with a tragic past, but then as I kept reading, Left Drowning gets to be so much more than that. It becomes a story of family and love and healing and acceptance. And I truly loved reading this beautiful, captivating story.

“What’s a little risk now and then, huh?” … “It makes you feel alive. It brings you crashing into the here and now. Keeps you alert and grounded.”

Blythe has no social life, and nor does she want one. She’s been stuck in depression for years after her parents died, and the only family member she has is a little brother who resents her. She can’t get out of this never-ending cycle of drinking and feeling like crap in the morning, until she meets one of the Shepherd siblings, Sabin. He’s hilarious, sweet, obnoxious, and goofy, the perfect counterpart to Blythe’s dark, depressing humor. And with the lovable Sabin comes his three other siblings: Christopher, and the twins Estelle and Eric.

When Blythe meets Chris, they have this visceral connection with each other. It could be lust, which is definitely there, or it could be something deeper, but Blythe knows that it’s real and it’s there. But Blythe and Chris don’t act on their lust, and instead, become friends. Jessica Park does an incredible job writing this all-encompassing, heartfelt friendship Chris and Blythe form. They grow to lean on each other, when neither of them has ever relied on another person, and they love each other… but only as friends. Right?

Well, yeah there’s that awesome, tingling sexual tension between the two, but the friendship is where they start. And Blythe becomes friends with all the Shepherd siblings, becoming part of their family. I absolutely adored the Shepherd family dynamic. They all love each other so, so much, and they’d do anything for each other. And they are so freaking hilarious! I don’t know how many times I laughed, mostly because of Sabin, but it was a lot.

The romance in Left Drowning is just as important as the family and love the Shepherds and Blythe have for each other, which I love. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean the romance is any less. Chris is so, so incredible and sweet. He’s the perfect guy, except for the fact that Blythe knows that he has a past that scarred him. But still, as Chris and Blythe spend more time together, they can’t not be together, and when they do–wow, it’s explosive.

“Stop looking at me. It’s annoying.”
“I can’t.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Chris takes an eternity to respond. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

Eep, Chris makes me swoon so hard!

But Chris and Blythe both have their own problems they haven’t faced yet, pasts that continue to haunt them everyday. And because of this, they can’t form a relationship. They know that it’ll be a dysfunctional one, and they remain friends, or at least try to. And here is where the heartbreak begins. AH! My heart was hurting so much for Blythe and Chris, because they belong together! They fit each other so well, and Blythe has such a wonderful relationship with the entire family. But as truths come out, things also start taking a more devastating, darker tone. Because Chris’s past is so incredibly painful and heart-wrenching, and my heart went out to him.

Left Drowning will make you feel sad, depressed, and horrified. But it also will make you laugh and giggle and smile. So read this book. It will leave you gutted, in the best way possible. If you want a book that makes you feel, Left Drowning is perfect. And can I just say, it’s got one of the best endings I’ve ever read. I loved everything about this book!

And, the quote that I think perfectly embodies this beautiful book:

“This is all sorts of fucked up.”
“I know, baby. I know. But the best kind of fucked up.”

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Gretchen Gomez

I don't really know how to write in words how I feel about this book.

First off, please be 17+ to read this.

Anyways...I felt like this book could've been great if it didn't drag so much. It took forever and a day for it to get to the point.

Some parts were just unnecessary.

I wouldn't read it again. It's a happily ever after but no I wouldn't read it again.

Ashley Janssen &
Left drowning by Jessica Park

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