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Review: Left Drowning by Jessica Park and Giveaway (MUST READ!)

left Drowning coverI had Left Drowning by Jessica Park in my possession for a while, and for some reason, I kept putting it off. I loved Jessica’s quirky YA/NA Flat Out Love (my review) and Flat Out Matt (my review), but sometimes I feel like I need to work my way to a NA book like Left Drowning, and be prepared for the emotional upheaval. Well, I’m an idiot.

Because Left Drowning was one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Blythe has been drowning. Drowning in her own sadness and guilt for four long years, since her parents died. In her last year of college, she is alone, no friends, and mostly estranged from her younger brother. Until one day it all changes. She meets a charming, funny, entertaining and endearing student, Sabin. I dare you to read this without totally loving Sabin yourself. After her chance whirlwind meeting, and making a new friend, Blythe feels energized and heads to the lake for the first time.

There she sees him. A beautiful, strong guy, skipping stones into the lake. And she can’t take her eyes off of him.

Left Drowning

When they meet and she realizes they have gone to the same school for four years, and she has never met him, or anyone else for that matter, she begins the process of healing.

“Four years. Jesus, I have been like this for four fucking years? I start to wonder what I have missed out on. Who I have missed out on.”

As they skip stones together, something happens that breaks down all of Blythe’s walls, and she has a panic attack, where memories of her parent’s death engulf her.

“Breathe into it,” he says again. His voice helps, his touch helps. “Let it happen. I’m here.”
•••
I have spent four years without touch and affection and without wanting any, but now there is Christopher Shepherd, the boy who has changed all the rules.

They spend the whole day together, and she learns that Chris is there at school with his two brothers, one of which is her new friend Sabin, and his sister. Immediately, Blythe has 4 new BFFs.

I have to say, I just LOVED all 4 of them. They lost their mother years before, and don’t talk much about their father. Outwardly they are a happy, close-knit family who always hang out together. And as Blythe hangs out more with them, she begins to realize that they may be just as broken as she is. Blythe and Chris though are just perfect for each other.

“We both know that there is no God.”

“No,” he agrees. “There is no God. Not for us.”

Blythe and Chris want each other, and have a hard time keeping their hands off one another. Blythe, feeling alive again for the first time, touches herself thinking about him.

“I might just stay here and masturbate all the time, classes be damned”

She begins running to block out some of her thoughts, but Chris heals her.

Left Drowning breathe

But for him, it’s the opposite. She is just too much. She brings his emotions to the surface, emotions he just can’t handle.

“I went too far with you and I shouldn’t have. I’m not really boyfriend material.” …
“Did you ever consider that I’m not girlfriend material?”…
“Yes, you are. You’re outstanding girlfriend material. I’m the one who’s all kinds of fucked up. Trust me.”

 The first half the book was wonderful, a great build up, a wonderful story. We get to know and love the characters. Then BAM! Holy crap, my heart, it just totally broke.

“I want more than anything for the power of us together to be stronger than the power of the damage. If I still believed in God, in anything, I would be praying.”

I am going to fight with everything that I am to save him and to save us, but I won’t be able to do it alone. 

I was so in love with the family, and how Blythe came alive with them. There were a few twists and turns that although mostly predictable, were amazing to watch unfold. There was also passionate and well written love scenes. There was so much story, so much going on, it was almost too much, but yet I couldn’t put it down, I read it holding my breath.

“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. “

I’m not big on twitter, but I just wanted to scream from the rooftops how much I loved this book, so I tweeted away:

Holy fuck. I have so much to do but I’m busy bawling my eyes out from Left Drowning by @jessicapark24 #icantstopreading

51% done with Left Drowning, by Jessica Park: Loving the crap out of this book!

It’s 3:36am and I’m still reading. @jessicapark24, it’s all your fucking fault. #leftdrowning is unputdownable.

94% now….omg so fucking good.

Fuck. I can’t finish reading through the tears. @jessicapark24

One of the best of 2013: Left Drowning by @jessicapark24

I promise, the tears are so worth it, good, bad, and ugly. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Left Drowning just had everything I love in a book. The characters were awesome and I fell for each of them, there was love, angst, heartbreak, tragedy, a group of friends I wanted to hang out with, fun times, giggles, great sex, a swoonworthy hero, and healing. Lots of healing.

Left Drowning run

It took me two weeks to write this review because I just don’t feel like I can do it justice. I swear though, if I reviewed it right away I would have been gushing even more about it.

“He tastes like eternity, and healing, and completion.”

Likes:

  • I love all the characters, especially Sabin.
  • There was so much in this book. So much of everything–love, pain, healing, forgiveness, family, tragedy, and it came together beautifully.
  • Jessica has a way of writing smart, quirky, realistic characters like nobody else.
  • The dialogue is rich and comes to life.
  • So many great quotes it killed me not to use half of them.
  • A unique story with a few twists.
  • I loved how one of the characters, who was gay, was not portrayed in the stereotypical gay way, and it was never a big deal, everyone loved the couple.
  • The sex was well written and hot.
  • There were tons of little funny moments throughout the book.
  • How all the little pieces came together in the end.

Dislikes:

  • A few too many random coincidences, but that’s actually what made the book special, so scratch that lol.

Rating: 5+++++ Stars, Heat 4 H

stars_5plus

Flame_FOUR copy

Left Drowning pulled every emotion possible out of me. It was so well written that I feel no review can do it justice. You can tell this one took a lot out of the author to write. Jessica Park knows how to write a unique story that is completely addicting. She took what could be depressing and made it delightful. She knows just when you’ve had too much and turns it around on you. I think the dedication of Left Drowning really speaks well for the book.

“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.”

Left Drowning is an Amazon exclusive. But I’m telling you now, download the Free kindle app for any device to read this book. It is so worth it.

Purchase Left Drowning by Jessica Park

Amazon

 

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Comments

  5. Megan Wickland says

    Truth be told… I was waiting for your review before buying it. And now…well obviously I 1-clicked. 🙂
    Awesome review and nice giveaway!

    Reply

  9. Tatia White says

    I’ve Ben wanting to read this book for a while now! I’ve heard so many great things about it.

    Reply

  10. Lisa Carta-Gates says

    I loved this book, except that he constantly pushed her away and truly hurt her.

    Reply

  14. Karina says

    I bought the ebook not to long ago, but just like you I’m not sure if I can handle the emotional roller coaster that it will put me through! But, even though this review was awesome and makes me want to bump it up on my TBR. I’m not sure I can handle it!

    Reply

  18. Tamara L. says

    WOW, what an amazing review! I’ve been wondering if I should buy it and you just made the decision for me. Thank You!

    Reply

  21. Kristie says

    I, like you have been waiting, for what ever reason, to read this…..now you’ve inspired me to read it next!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  24. Kay Tillman says

    I, as usual, agree absolutely with you, Anna (even on the coincidence comment but I also agree it made the book)!! LOVED!! the book. Love Jessica Park.

    Reply

  25. Leslie T. says

    I love your review, it makes me want to read Left Drowning even more than I already did! Thank you for the review and giveaway.

    Reply

  27. Megan M. says

    Bought this awhile ago, but haven’t gotten to it yet. It sounds really great, so it’s definitely one I’m looking forward to reading…maybe I should bump it up on my TBR? Also, it’s a beautiful cover, so thanks a bunch for the chance to win a signed hard copy 🙂

    Reply

  30. Amy Pollard Woolard says

    I have heard wonderful things about this book!! I have it on my TBR list & I hope to read it soon!! To have a signed copy of this book would be amazing!! Thank you for the giveaway & the chance at winning a copy!!

    Reply

  31. Casey Britton says

    This sounds amazing! I really would love to win and read this one! Thanks for the chance!!

    Reply

  36. Aerynsun says

    You have a great site. Some of the best books I have read lately have been from your recommendations. THis is another recommendation for my to read list.
    Thanks!

    Reply

  40. Arely Z. says

    I loved this book! I actually asked (and was accepted) for it on NetGalley, but it wouldn’t download so I ended up buying it anyway! Really good, was pretty much the same. Love, love, love it.

    Reply

  47. Melissa Crisp says

    I’m kinda like you when it comes to YA but I do always get around to them and usually love them.

    Reply

  48. Melissa Crisp says

    I’m kinda like you when it comes to YA but I do always get around to them and usually love them. But this one sounds like I will read it sooner rather than later

    Reply

  49. Kim Perry says

    I’m not a big fan of YA, but I’ve heard great things about this book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  53. Mick Murphy says

    This is on my TBR! Thanks for the giveaway! I’ve heard SO many good things about this book! Hope to win!

    Reply

  59. Erika says

    I’ve been dying to read this one! Hope to soon! Thanks for the great review and giveaway!

    Reply

  64. Maria Esquivel says

    Thanks for the giveaway. Love Jessica’s work. Read great reviews on this book. It’s on my TBR list.
    Maria

    Reply

  66. Jenny Dauksa Schaber says

    Sounds fantastic…added to my TBR. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy

    Reply

  76. Valerie Rhodes says

    Just love this book and would love the paperback!! Thanks for the chance giveaway! vals_hemi at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  86. Darci says

    Loved, loved, LOVED this book! I’m pretty sure everyone needs to read it. Your tweets pretty much summed up how I felt while reading it, and I was a mess at the end, so it’s totally okay 🙂

    Reply

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