bookladysreviews's review
4.0
"And when you dare to take on life
I'll be here to watch you survive
Cause I'm drowning in you
Waiting in the deep of this never ending blue."
Alice's life has never been easy.And it has been anything but peaceful and happy.The darkness that surrounds her won't let her rest and enjoy life.And the demon itself tortures her every day,with memories she can't forget and thoughts she can't get out of her mind.
"I need to wash away the tears falling from my face.I need to cleanse the ugly thoughts from my body.Remove the memories from my mind."
She didn't have a childhood and her father won't rest until he gets what he wants.She's never felt love and her father scarred her for life.Inside and out.
"This would be my life until E.Harrison died.He'd want me,take me and I'd fight the only way I knew how to...by surviving."
And that's exactly what she's doing.But then she meets Seth.She smacks into him in the elevator and both their lives change.Seth is everything Alice has ever wanted and everything she knows she can't have.She doesn't want to become part of other peoples' lives and hurt them in the process.And it's not easy for Seth either.He wants to show her how to be happy and help her get away from the unbearable pain she's living with.
"No one can look into those sweet eyes and not see her pain.Just be sure it's her you want and not the pain."
"I won't let the evil taint of my life touch those that I love.Not even those that don't want to love me back."
But when the times comes for the truth to come out,and Alice's past is revealed,Seth might not be able to help her.He might not be able to be her hero.And he might give up...
"I don't need a hero.I didn't need one before you and I won't need one now.I'll save myself.I'm pretty good at that."
Will Alice finally find the peace and freedom she's been after for her whole life?And will Seth decide to risk everything for love?
"I may have risked everything for love,but in the end,love risked everything for me."
When I started reading Drowning I didn't know what to expect.At first I felt like everything was a bit slow paced but then I really got into it and couldn't stop reading.This was such a heartbreaking story.What Alice went through really got to me and I couldn't stop thinking about it.I felt really depressed when she revealed what happened to her and how others treated her.How can anyone stand to know that a girl was tortured since she was a child and do nothing about it?That is what angers me and frustrates me the most.
Moving on to the characters.I really loved Alice as a character.She was such a brave,loyal,caring and selfless person.The list goes on and on.She cared about people,she helped people and most importantly,she managed to escape the darkness that surrounded her and find love,happiness and people that cared for her and were determined to set her free.She developed so much as a character and I loved how she handled certain situations.She was such a strong and determined character and that's what really made an impression.She went through so much but she kept going.
Moving on to Seth...I really liked him as a character but sometimes,it was really hard to connect with him and accept his decisions.Everybody makes mistakes and what he did was understandable because nobody is perfect.There's that moment in someone's life when he'll screw up or do something other people won't approve of.And maybe I couldn't connect with him as much as I wanted to because I didn't agree with the things he said or did which really affected other people.I think he really helped Alice to heal and during the process,he developed as a character too.After everything that happened,I'm really satisfied by the fact that he learned from those experiences,good and bad.Alice did too.
And let's not forget about the secondary characters who I loved with all my heart and I can't wait to read their stories.Especially Gabe.He was such an overprotective and caring guy.I fell in love with him from the beginning.I liked Molly as a character but what she did was unacceptable.She could have save Alice but I felt like she didn't care enough to do so.
The story is told by both their perspectives which of course made everything much more enjoyable since we got to read what both of the characters went through and thought about.I think the author could have explained a bit more about their backgrounds and what happened in both their lives.It would certainly explain some things about their pasts which would make these questions running through my mind disappear.The plot was realistic and believable and I really enjoyed the writing.This was a great New Adult story and I can't wait to read more of the author's work.
"I may have been drowning all my life but this man will be my lifeline.I'll be his anchor.Together we'll fucking conquer the world."
Drowning was a quick,enjoyable read.A heartbreaking story about sacrifices,the need a woman has to love and be love and a man who's willing to be her hero.Highly recommend it!
I'll be here to watch you survive
Cause I'm drowning in you
Waiting in the deep of this never ending blue."
Alice's life has never been easy.And it has been anything but peaceful and happy.The darkness that surrounds her won't let her rest and enjoy life.And the demon itself tortures her every day,with memories she can't forget and thoughts she can't get out of her mind.
"I need to wash away the tears falling from my face.I need to cleanse the ugly thoughts from my body.Remove the memories from my mind."
She didn't have a childhood and her father won't rest until he gets what he wants.She's never felt love and her father scarred her for life.Inside and out.
"This would be my life until E.Harrison died.He'd want me,take me and I'd fight the only way I knew how to...by surviving."
And that's exactly what she's doing.But then she meets Seth.She smacks into him in the elevator and both their lives change.Seth is everything Alice has ever wanted and everything she knows she can't have.She doesn't want to become part of other peoples' lives and hurt them in the process.And it's not easy for Seth either.He wants to show her how to be happy and help her get away from the unbearable pain she's living with.
"No one can look into those sweet eyes and not see her pain.Just be sure it's her you want and not the pain."
"I won't let the evil taint of my life touch those that I love.Not even those that don't want to love me back."
But when the times comes for the truth to come out,and Alice's past is revealed,Seth might not be able to help her.He might not be able to be her hero.And he might give up...
"I don't need a hero.I didn't need one before you and I won't need one now.I'll save myself.I'm pretty good at that."
Will Alice finally find the peace and freedom she's been after for her whole life?And will Seth decide to risk everything for love?
"I may have risked everything for love,but in the end,love risked everything for me."
When I started reading Drowning I didn't know what to expect.At first I felt like everything was a bit slow paced but then I really got into it and couldn't stop reading.This was such a heartbreaking story.What Alice went through really got to me and I couldn't stop thinking about it.I felt really depressed when she revealed what happened to her and how others treated her.How can anyone stand to know that a girl was tortured since she was a child and do nothing about it?That is what angers me and frustrates me the most.
Moving on to the characters.I really loved Alice as a character.She was such a brave,loyal,caring and selfless person.The list goes on and on.She cared about people,she helped people and most importantly,she managed to escape the darkness that surrounded her and find love,happiness and people that cared for her and were determined to set her free.She developed so much as a character and I loved how she handled certain situations.She was such a strong and determined character and that's what really made an impression.She went through so much but she kept going.
Moving on to Seth...I really liked him as a character but sometimes,it was really hard to connect with him and accept his decisions.Everybody makes mistakes and what he did was understandable because nobody is perfect.There's that moment in someone's life when he'll screw up or do something other people won't approve of.And maybe I couldn't connect with him as much as I wanted to because I didn't agree with the things he said or did which really affected other people.I think he really helped Alice to heal and during the process,he developed as a character too.After everything that happened,I'm really satisfied by the fact that he learned from those experiences,good and bad.Alice did too.
And let's not forget about the secondary characters who I loved with all my heart and I can't wait to read their stories.Especially Gabe.He was such an overprotective and caring guy.I fell in love with him from the beginning.I liked Molly as a character but what she did was unacceptable.She could have save Alice but I felt like she didn't care enough to do so.
The story is told by both their perspectives which of course made everything much more enjoyable since we got to read what both of the characters went through and thought about.I think the author could have explained a bit more about their backgrounds and what happened in both their lives.It would certainly explain some things about their pasts which would make these questions running through my mind disappear.The plot was realistic and believable and I really enjoyed the writing.This was a great New Adult story and I can't wait to read more of the author's work.
"I may have been drowning all my life but this man will be my lifeline.I'll be his anchor.Together we'll fucking conquer the world."
Drowning was a quick,enjoyable read.A heartbreaking story about sacrifices,the need a woman has to love and be love and a man who's willing to be her hero.Highly recommend it!
emilyhei's review
5.0
With his own demons to confront, Seth James has started anew trying to prove to his judgmental father that he knows what he is doing with his life. His first big step is moving out and booking gigs with his band. Seth doesn't expect his new neighbor Alice Harrison to blow his mind though. Seth knows she is about to become something special in his life, but Alice has walls erected so high that even he is not sure he can break them down.
Alice has lived her life carefully guarding her secrets, but after another incident of her need for adrenaline left her sister blind Alice is trying to change. Even though her sister does not blame her, Alice feels it deep within and when her father reengages in her life, Alice finds herself spiraling but Seth seems determined to conquer every hurdle she is up against.
Powerful story. Alice is a wounded soul and her pain is so raw throughout the story. Trust doesn't come easily for her and she opens that tiny door and lets Seth slip in. Seth tries his best to prove to her that he is worthy of every ounce of trust she gives him, but outside interference has a way of complicating a new relationship and they both will need to decide if they are willing to weather the storm.
Alice has lived her life carefully guarding her secrets, but after another incident of her need for adrenaline left her sister blind Alice is trying to change. Even though her sister does not blame her, Alice feels it deep within and when her father reengages in her life, Alice finds herself spiraling but Seth seems determined to conquer every hurdle she is up against.
Powerful story. Alice is a wounded soul and her pain is so raw throughout the story. Trust doesn't come easily for her and she opens that tiny door and lets Seth slip in. Seth tries his best to prove to her that he is worthy of every ounce of trust she gives him, but outside interference has a way of complicating a new relationship and they both will need to decide if they are willing to weather the storm.
cocktailsandbooks1's review against another edition
4.0
DROWNING is a fascinating story that will keep you captivated throughout the book. The type of captivation where you don’t want to put the book down. In all honesty, you will experience a range of different emotions when you read this story. You will experience Alice Harrison’s roller coaster ride of emotions and you might find yourself getting a little teary eyed when you read this book. Intrigued? Let me tell you a little about Alice Harrison.
Alice Harrison is a young adult who has been drowning in the memories of pain she endured; and her guilt of ruining Molly’s (half sister) life. Alice was tortured in ways you cannot imagine and she endured this cruelty by a very powerful man. Her guilt stems from Molly’s accident. Alice challenged Molly to jump off a cliff, which left her disabled and she can’t seem to forgive herself for the incident. Alice needs to feel the rush of being on the edge. The need to avoid the memories and pain she endured. She has been running from her past, but this all changes when she meets Seth James.
Alice and Seth happen to live in the same swanky condo building. Both have experienced pain and turmoil, but in different ways. Neither one of them is looking for love, but their chemistry and connection is undeniable. It’s almost as if they know each other’s anguish and guilt. They guard their emotions and resist showing any vulnerability. They both know what pain can do to your soul and fear what will happen if they allow their feelings to take over. Alice also has it in her mind that she destroys everything good in her life, while Seth does not want the added stress of a relationship.
Although Alice and Seth are not looking for love, they cannot deny the bond and sexual desire. Will they knock down their walls, learn to trust, and allow each other to fall in love? Alice Harrison may have been drowning all her life, but will Seth James be her lifeline? You will just have to read this fascinating story to find out (wink).
Rachel Firasek provides an attention grabbing story. She does a remarkable job depicting the characters. The content is deep, so you might find yourself getting a little teary eyed. I’m looking forward to Rachel Firasek’s next book and I guarantee you will as well.
Reviewed by Shirah for Cocktails and Books
Alice Harrison is a young adult who has been drowning in the memories of pain she endured; and her guilt of ruining Molly’s (half sister) life. Alice was tortured in ways you cannot imagine and she endured this cruelty by a very powerful man. Her guilt stems from Molly’s accident. Alice challenged Molly to jump off a cliff, which left her disabled and she can’t seem to forgive herself for the incident. Alice needs to feel the rush of being on the edge. The need to avoid the memories and pain she endured. She has been running from her past, but this all changes when she meets Seth James.
Alice and Seth happen to live in the same swanky condo building. Both have experienced pain and turmoil, but in different ways. Neither one of them is looking for love, but their chemistry and connection is undeniable. It’s almost as if they know each other’s anguish and guilt. They guard their emotions and resist showing any vulnerability. They both know what pain can do to your soul and fear what will happen if they allow their feelings to take over. Alice also has it in her mind that she destroys everything good in her life, while Seth does not want the added stress of a relationship.
Although Alice and Seth are not looking for love, they cannot deny the bond and sexual desire. Will they knock down their walls, learn to trust, and allow each other to fall in love? Alice Harrison may have been drowning all her life, but will Seth James be her lifeline? You will just have to read this fascinating story to find out (wink).
Rachel Firasek provides an attention grabbing story. She does a remarkable job depicting the characters. The content is deep, so you might find yourself getting a little teary eyed. I’m looking forward to Rachel Firasek’s next book and I guarantee you will as well.
Reviewed by Shirah for Cocktails and Books
spatlese's review
4.0
This one has a little more going on other than juat a typical romance, so hence the rating....but then again, the higher rating may just be a result of my recent run of just so-so reads.
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