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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.

REVIEW:

“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.” –Jessica Park

Left drowning was MIND-BLOWING! I was not expecting it to be so EMOTIONAL. It was an all-day pass to an emotional roller coaster. I was crying, laughing, and so much more. It made me feel certain emotions that I’ve never felt before. It was so powerful. the story taught me so much about pain, grief, and healing. The reason i loved it so much was because it was so descriptive. Jessica Park took the time to describe each and every character with so much depth and complexity. The book didn’t seem rushed or slow. It was perfect. This is the first book I’ve read by Jessica Park, and it will not be the last. I give Left Drowning 145,689,386,729 stars. It was everything I needed and more. Even when we are falling further and further down a pit of despair, there will always be a way out. We just need to allow ourselves to heal.

Blythe McGuire is a senior at Matthews College. She’s counting down the days until she can graduate and drown in her emotions. Four years ago, a fire killed her parents. The death of her two parental figures caused tension between Blythe and her brother, James. After constant fights and arguments, Blythe blames herself for her parents’ death. She starts hurting so much that she turns to alcohol to numb the pain. She goes through college unenthusiastic and depressed. College is supposed to be a time of self-discovery and experiences with new friends, but Blythe refuses to feel anything. Alcohol and depression have consumed her life and she begins accepting the fact that she is drowning in a dark hole that she can never EVER get out of.

Then comes Chris Shepherd. She meets him by the lake near their school. She has her first physical human conversation in months. To Blythe’s surprise, she begins to feel again. She feels whole, calm, and normal. Chris and Blythe develop a friendship. She thinks sharing her past would drive him away like everyone else, but Chris always stays. Chris teaches her to allow herself to heal and to just breathe. Blythe changes dramatically. She opens her heart to her new founded friends: Sabin, Estelle, Eric, Chris, and Zach. She starts enjoying life like a normal person. She even ends up falling in love.

“Shut up” he says teasingly. “I know what you’re thinking, and that’s not why you’re here with us”
We walk for a minute. “Why am I?”
Sabin shrugs. “Does there really have to be an answer to that? Sometimes it’s just right. You fit. Jesus, kid, can’t you feel it? Don’t question everything.”
I smile. I do feel it. Belonging.”

She tries to get Chris’s attention, but for some reason, he pulls away. We find out that Chris also has a dark past, darker than Blythe’s. He feels like he is not good enough for Blythe and that she deserves someone not broken. After Chris helped Blythe overcoming her past, Blythe helps Chris overcome his. But as Chris reveals glimpse of his past, Blythe realizes that they are both involved in each others’ past. Will the both be able to keep themselves from drowning? Read to find out!!!

Until next time…….

Catcha later readers!


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