In Which I Review... Left Drowning by Jessica Park

*** This book is NA and recommended for my older teen and adult readers.***

Expected publication: July 16th 2013 by Skyscape

more details...ISBN: 1477817158 (ISBN13: 9781477817155)
Received for review via NetGalley

SYNOPSIS:

What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?

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.

Note: due to mature content recommended for Ages 17+



MY REVIEW:

Eff you, Jessica Park! It's just not fair to play with my heart like this and you played with my heart bad with Left Drowning. Like, really bad.

Okay, on to the review.

 

Left Drowning by Jessica Park is an emotionally heart wrenching novel about the adverse effects of tragedy on the human spirit. It took me for a fast paced ride and mentally tossed me into the deep end.

As a whole, Left Drowning leaves you with a sense of sad nostalgia (that I am sure will weigh down on me for days), while also filling you with a rush of adrenaline (like the feeling you get when you drink too much caffeine or drink  just one shot too many).

The characters are all equally diverse, opinionated, and charismatic and there is no way not to like them (or at least have a love hate relationship with a few).

It's safe for me to say now that the prominent characters of this story are screwed up- mainly due to the circumstances in which they have been given- and Park reveals their pains and emotional traumas in the classiest of ways.

Left Drowning is poignant and heartfelt, and by the end of the novel, you too feel as if you were left drowning. Drowning in Blythe's revelations, Chris' inner battle, and the turmoil each character feels.

Do not for one second think that this story is all drama though. Park relieves the tension of the novel with interesting characters (I love Sabin and have a sweet spot for Zach) and a nice stack of some intense, and exciting sexual scenes that are sure to make anyone wish they had a love life even partially resembling that of Blythe's and Chris'.

A great aspect of this novel is that though it is NA, which many people have come to think of as "smut for younger people", Left Drowning highlights what NA is meant to be, stories of people transitioning from youth to adulthood. The sexy parts of the storyline only add to a story that would have still garnered a five star review from me without it.

Left Drowning is an amazingly invigorating novel, filled with heartbreak and happiness, that leaves the reader obsessed and thoughtful. Park's latest release is definitely one of my best for 2013.

5 Stars.