E-ARC Review: Left Drowning
Author: Jessica Park
Release date: July 16th 2013
Publisher: Skyscape
Series: N/A
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository
Add to your library: Goodreads
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.
*This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.
Left Drowning started so heavy. I've never been drunk in my 19-year of existence but I've heard stories about it especially coming from my friends. It was a really funny yet weird feeling they told me before. But Blythe made it look like being drunk was so heavenly good and fun as hell. So which is which? Well, I guess I'll find out.
Blythe's troubled past made it hard for her to move forward. Honestly, when your parents die, it doesn't matter what age you're in. Because it's gonna hurt all over your body and soul anyway. So yes, I didn't find it hard to feel for Blythe because God knows how much I'm afraid if my parents die. Add to her heartache her brother who isn't really much in touch with her. That sucks. Your parents are dead then your only brother doesn't want to talk to you? I guess that's gonna drain all of your energy. I actually find her strong and brave for continuing living like that. It'll take a lot of courage and guts to do that. The feels I have whenever she breaks down. Her emotions were so raw. But as much as I love Blythe, I was sort of irritated with her. She seemed really naive a lot of times. For me anyway. There were instances when I wished she had done something for the people around her. But I guess that's how she really was. She was sort of disconnected to the people around her even if they were trying to connect with her. But at least in the end, she did something really good even if it was sort of stupid.
It's obvious that it's kind of insta-love, really. With all the physical attraction per se. But I felt that their connection was way beyond attraction. And holy hell was I right. I had my own theories of their connection as the story went on. But I kept on denying one guess because it'll shatter both of them especially they both don't believe in fate and the likes. So when my guess was finally put into words, my heart was shattered for them because it was really painful. It was so heartbreaking knowing those things. Especially what Chris and his siblings had to go through. But as much as this is fictional, what they went through happens in our cruel world. *sobs* It's just so painful to know that such things happen. Especially from the ones we should feel safe and protected the most.
Sabin's my favorite minor character. Love that guy so much. Sometimes, I do love him more than I do Chris. Well, because he's adorable! And so caring to Blythe.
What really threw me off guard was the fact that this one has a lot of sexual content and Chris' stupid decision. I know! I read that it has. But I didn't imagine that it would be that you know. So as usual, I skimmed off those parts except for the ones where a conversation was present. I've said this before and now again, I skim those parts because I feel like I'm invading their moment. Yeah, weird me. I also read those parts where Blythe's emotions were concerned. But of course, I really didn't care that it has lots of sexual content even if in the middle, they became like sex addicts of sort. Seriously. They cannot get their hands off each other! About Chris' decision, I know he did that as his defense. But hello! It's not like he should have done that. Yet that's okay and not okay because I totally understand why he had to do that. Still, I hate how Blythe was hurt.
The weird thing about this novel is that, sometimes, I feel Blythe and Chris' love, other times, I don't. There's something about Chris that didn't make me feel their love that much. I don't know why. Maybe the insta-love is a little factor. Or, I just don't know. But whatever, I felt their love most of the time especially when Chris learned what Blythe figured out about their connection and what he said in the ending.
Left Drowning will leave you breathless after reading. Painful memories, raw emotions and a deep connection all in one. Really. What are you waiting for? READ NOW.
Left Drowning will leave you breathless after reading. Painful memories, raw emotions and a deep connection all in one. Really. What are you waiting for? READ NOW.
About the Author
Jessica Park is the author of the young adult novel RELATIVELY FAMOUS and FLAT-OUT LOVE, and the FOL companion novella, FLAT-OUT MATT.
Jessica grew up in the Boston area and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After spending four years in the frigid north, including suffering through one memorable Halloween blizzard, Jessica hightailed it back to the east coast. She now lives in (relatively balmy) New Hampshire with her husband, son, bananas dogs named Fritzy and Finn, and a selfish cat. When not writing, Jessica indulges her healthy obsessions with Facebook and complicated coffee beverages.
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