Name: Breath Like Water
ISBN: 9781335050236

Anna Jarzab

"Susannah Ramos has always loved the water. A swimmer whose early talent made her a world champion, Susannah was poised for greatness in a sport that demands so much of its young. But an inexplicable slowdown has put her dream in jeopardy, and Susannah is fighting to keep her career afloat when two important people enter her life: a new coach with a revolutionary training strategy, and a charming fellow swimmer named Harry Matthews."--Provided by publisher.

Breath Like Water

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Breath Like Water

Author: Anna Jarzab

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: bipolar disorder openly discussed!

Publication Date: May 19, 2020

Genre: YA Contemporary

Recommended Age: 15+ (verbal abuse, competitive swimming, mental health, language) 

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Pages: 416

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Susannah Ramos has always loved the water. A swimmer whose early talent made her a world champion, Susannah was poised for greatness in a sport that demands so much of its young. But an inexplicable slowdown has put her dream in jeopardy, and Susannah is fighting to keep her career afloat when two important people enter her life: a new coach with a revolutionary training strategy, and a charming fellow swimmer named Harry Matthews.

As Susannah begins her long and painful climb back to the top, her friendship with Harry blossoms into passionate and supportive love. But Harry is facing challenges of his own, and even as their bond draws them closer together, other forces work to tear them apart. As she struggles to balance her needs with those of the people who matter most to her, Susannah will learn the cost—and the beauty—of trying to achieve something extraordinary.

Review: This was such a sweet book! I really loved the character development, the story, and the world building. I never knew how competitive swimming could be, as I grew up in a rural school with no swimming teams. The characters were the lifeline of the story. They really made the story progress and enjoyable. The storyline was intriguing, and the detail the author incorporated was amazing.

The only issue I had with the book is that the pacing was slow in my opinion. I just wish it was a bit faster.

Verdict: It was a great read!

Becca Futrell

Katie Squires

As a former swimmer and swim coach who is still working in the aquatics field (I can't let it go!) I want to get my hands on any book that features our sport. While swimming isn't a focal point of the story it is a background character and the medium in which the characters meet. For most readers the swimming terminology probably isn't relevant but for me there where a few frustrating points. The event that Susannah swims is the 200 IM which stands for individual medley, NOT intermediate medley. The relays are often referred to throughout the book at IM relay, no it's the medley relay (again the I stands for individual so it wouldn't be a single person swimming). The author gets so much else about the sport correct, even down to the Pro Swim Series in Des Moines so it was very surprising for the mistake in the event names.

I also was not a fan of the characterization of the Dave the coach. I understand the author wanted to paint him as old-school and someone who wouldn't listen to her as an individual but the cursing and screaming on deck at a large meet would NOT be acceptable. He'd likely quickly be reported to USA Swimming and SafeSport in this day and age. Also his coaching philosophy is not as prevalent anymore. Beth's methods are much more common then the book let on. Yes there are still clubs who train in high yardage but so many more coaches are developing and adapting training. I think the author could have painted Dave as a hard-ass without some of the extremes, this narrative of verbally abusive coaches is not healthy and does not help youth sports. Yes i know these coaches still exist, I just don't want to highlight them. We need to get them out of the sport!

The story of mental health was done very well. I enjoyed learning more about Harry and his battle with bipolar disorder. I think it's important to show his struggles and downfalls but also that he can work to overcome them. I like the explanations that his medications weren't working and his doctors were working to adjust, showing that one way doesn't work for all. I liked seeing that Susannah could be supportive of him and continue to swim (again the narrative that you can't have a relationships is NOT something to promote). 

I also liked that she didn't excel at Trials, so many kids will have a goal of making the Olympics but never achieve it. I like that she did come back to the sport after some time off and swim in college (assuming it was UC-Berkeley based on her description). Which can also happen. Failing to make the Olympic team does not make someone a failure. Reevaluating goals is important and I liked seeing that.

Mirte

This is such a good book! Why aren’t more people reading/talking about this?

We follow the journey of young swimmer Susannah Ramos, whose dream and goal has always been to make the Olympic swimming team. As a young girl, she’s a real prodigy and well on her way to fulfill that dream. As a teenager though, Susannah’s body starts changing and she struggles to adjust in the water. A year prior to the Olympic team trials, she does everything it takes to get back in her best shape and become even faster than she was before. A new coach – with an entirely different method – enters her life, as well as fellow swimmer Harry. Susannah’s life gets tilted upside down and does not entirely go as she had envisioned it would all these years.

So, I really enjoyed this book! I’ve never read anything that revolves around an athlete, and it was a fun and refreshing subject to read about. I liked seeing the extreme daily routine of elite athletes and all the sacrifices they have to make to achieve their goal. There’s so much pressure on these swimmers, and it is both mentally and physically very tough. 

Susannah was actually a likable character to me, and her character development through the story was great. She’s always been focused on her swimming and making the Olympic team, so she has never had much time for friends or boyfriends. However, after meeting Harry, this changes and she needs to find a way to combine having a relationship with the swimming.

Harry is a great character. He has some issues and is mentally ill. I feel like the author really did a good job of explaining, and incorporating it in the story. I actually learned a lot from Harry’s character on mental illness and depression.

Other amazing characters are Susannah’s parents, who are super sweet and always support Susannah in anything she does. The same goes for her friend and teammate Amber. Her other friend Jessa, is a little less likable, but that’s because she is also really fixated on making it to the Olympics, but she gets pushed more by her parents. This leads to some tension between her and Susannah sometimes, and that might make people like Jessa less.

The writing style was okay; nothing very special, but good and easy to read. 
The plot was really good and well-executed. It was refreshing and unpredictable. I even had to bite back my tears at some point. So, I recommend this book to everyone!!

Oh yeah, and this cover is absolutely stunning!! I mean, look at it??

Favorite quote: "How do you even begin to mourn the death of a dream?"

Trigger warnings: alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm, verbal abuse, depression, bipolar disease

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok | You can find my review here.


  As always, a copy of this book was provided by the author or publisher in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.


Breath Like Water had a lot going for it from the jump. From its dreamy cover, to it poignant premise and beyond, I had a feeling that this book would be something special. Anna Jarzab certainly made her mark on me with this one and something in that has been impossible to shake. Breath Like Water is every bit as moving, thought-provoking, honest and heartfelt as reader's could hope.

Jarzab paints a beautiful portrait of the lives of her main characters and their struggles. As you read it, you cannot help but to feel as though you are reading something truly special and intimate. These are the types of characters that feel like friends rather than fictional characters. And there are several things reader's must know about these characters and their importance:

 1. There were times where you'll want to cry with or for hem. Whether that be because you want to protect the characters from intrusive thoughts and other struggles, or merely you are frustrated on their behalf, this will come.
 2. Just as easily, there are times that cheering for them in their triumphs feel essential. 
 3. THEY ARE JUST SO LOVABLE AND COMPLEX.

Breath Like Water is at its best when it comes the honest portrayal of mental health. When they are in the midst of these moments, you can literally feel the tension pulsing off the page and into your veins. Yes, it's that good. That's Jarzab's writing in a nutshell: you feel what the characters feel.

Admittedly, there was a part of me was more than a little concerned that Breath Like Water would rely heavily on the competitiveness and desire of swim, or come across super sporty, but it didn't. Breath Like Water has nods to the water, but the real heart of this story--and these characters--depend on their growth, relationships, family and more.

Ultimately, this makes the story much bigger than I expected. If you're looking for a coming of age story that is as moving and emotional as it is angsty and romantic, then Breath Like Water should be at the top of your list. It's that good.

Breath Like Water

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