Cutting isn't something that I often run into in books, so it was refreshing to see it represented and dealt with, since it is such a common way to deal, especially when you're the target age of the YA audience.

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review"

This was a great book that talks about very important topics that really got to me. Even of suicide is the main one, the others are not underestimated in any way.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author, via NetGalley, for an honest review.

Opinion:

Look, I totally see where the author was trying to go with this.

To bring awareness to Mental Health issues, to give a voice to those who might not be able to speak about their struggles, to help the public understand what it means to have inner demons.

I can really appreciate all of that.

These are important topics that REALYY need to be talked about more.

But for me, the way this story was executed - how the characters were developed, their dialogue, reactions and problem solving – was cringe-worthy.

And not in a good way.

I’m obviously completely in the minority on this one, because this book has nothing but amazing reviews on Goodreads. If we’re talking about the message the author is trying to send to the reader, then hell yes, it’s a 5-star read. It covers several difficult topics that so many people can relate to. It gives a voice to those who are suffering from similar demons and traumatic experiences, and sheds light on situations that other people may not know a lot about. The book gets HEAVY with these topics, and it isn’t for the fainthearted.

But if we set that aside and talk about the writing, character development, dialogue, etc.

It’s just not done well.

It was SO hard to make a connection with any of the characters. Their struggles and personalities were voiced, but I didn’t have the chance to really KNOW any of them. The moments of Ivy cutting herself were the closest I could get to having a meaningful connection with her. They were detailed and really expressed the emotional terror that envelopes a person when they self-harm. In those instances, I could really feel her pain and confusion. The dark scenes translated well through the pages! But in every other aspect, Ivy’s character fell flat and seemed really all over the place in terms of her development.

Her character flips back and forth between being all-knowing and dishing out advice, to knowing nothing and not being able to practice any of the things she tells others to do.

That doesn’t make sense to me.

The dialogue felt awkward and forced, it didn’t have a nice flow, and I was cringing the entire time from how uncomfortable it kept making me. Some of the conversations run on for too long, and it causes a lot of repeated sentences and ideas. Every response is “nope” and every emotion that Ivy may feel is summed up with an “ugh” instead of being creatively described. Then when a REALLY serious moment is happening the characters can only come up with the same phrase to say over, and over, and over – “oh, man” or “It’s okay dad, tell me, I need to know dad”.

Can’t they say something else?

Tobias’s character is really frustrating to me too. He instantly latches onto Ivy with his INSTA-LOVE, and becomes REALLY controlling and possessive with her. Why do none of the other characters see an issue with this? He’s super pushy and aggressive. I KNOW HE’S WORKING THROUGH ISSUES, OKAY? But does that make it okay for his character to go around throwing punches and freaking out? AND WHY IS EVERY OTHER CHARACTER OKAY WITH HIS ATTITUDE?! They all continually make excuses for out of control behavior.

Someone gets hit in the face – “here, have a soda”.

Ivy comes clean about her demons and opens up to her friends, and their response? “Yea let’s just drop it and talk about it some other time”.

WHAT?!

It seems to me that the author was so focused on shoving every “hot topic” into this book, that she forgot to put work into her characters and what they say. There isn’t any FEELING behind their thoughts and actions, it’s robotic, stiff and dull. It just feels like lazy writing.

I really wanted to like this, because I feel strongly about Mental Health Issues NEEDING to be talked about in society, and handled with compassion and care. As a society I think we shy away from these topics, or look down on people who think or behave differently.

I commend the author for giving Mental Health a voice.

But in terms of a great book, this isn’t it.

I received an ARC copy from netgalley for my honest review, so thank you netgalley and publishers for offering me this book! ♡
The cover and title is what originally drew me to this book.
I’m a cutter.
I cut because I find solace in it.
I cut because it helps calm my frantic mind.
I cut because the voices inside my head tell me to.
I cut because this is the only way I know how to handle life.
This was my first book by this author. It was alltogether an easy read. ♡ I give this book a
4.5 star rating!

I felt this book should have had a trigger warning. Although it deals with Taboo issues such as mental health and self harming in a very sensitive way. It didn't seem glorified to me at all. In the age of 13 Reasons Why, this is a very touchy subject and sometimes people perceive it in a different way.

This is very hard hitting and it was an emotional rollercoaster of a read. The writing is very heartfelt and well written.

HUGE fan of Margaret McHeyzer and she does not disappoint with Drowning.

This is a story about the stresses teens go through and how they cope, be it cutting, withdrawing from family and friends and so on.

Margaret McHeyzer takes the reader through the emotions as if you are right there with the characters. Her books touch on every day issues kids and even adults go through and how they cope.

If you want an emotional roller coaster of a story and have it touch your heart then Margaret McHeyzer if an author you will want to read. You will not stop with just one of her books. You will want to get your hands on everything she has written.....I know I did!

I tell ya, there’s something about a Margaret McHeyzer book. She sets this fast-pace right from the start where you can’t help but be sucked in. This is my second book from this author and just like in Mistrust, she takes to another place entirely. Honestly, I read this blurb and was a bit unsure on whether I would like it or not but… it’s Margaret McHeyzer, so I took a chance. I’m glad I did!

Very good book about what some people face with mental illness. It is very well written and pulls at your heart strings.

This book was a good read and it was great to see self-harm in a book aimed at young adults. Mental illness is a huge issue that 1 in 4 young people will face at some point but very few will get the help they need. It was cleverly written and I liked how the story didn't revolve around the self-harm rather it was slipped in. The characters were likeable enough, but I found Tobias wasn't relatable at all and his actions didn't make sense at times.
I did find the last 3rd of the book really rushed and felt it could've been a lot better had there been an epilogue instead of time jumping every few years for the final chapters, which left holes and questions that needed to be answered.
I can see what the author set out to do but I am unsure if she has achieved it. I feel the ending needs to be reworked in order for it to hit the nail on the head.

When i was reading the description for this book i was surprised to find it was about self harm, I hardly ever see this topic represented in books so was excited to finally be able to read Drowning by Margaret McHeyzer.

I myself have dealt with Self Harm and Depression and thought the way it was addressed in the book was very accurate to how it affected me. Very well written

However i really disliked the main characters (Ivy and Tobias) They were very unlikable and made me many times infuriated with the way they acted.. The only person i found tolerable was Jared (Ivy's best friend).
I found Tobias to be controlling and insensitive and Ivy childish.and Impressionable
There is multiple scenes of Tobias becoming very angry towards Jared and i became extremely uncomfortable and angry especially with how it was justified.

When I started this book I was not so sure if I will be able to love it or not. Truth to be said, I am also living with my demons, and more than one time in my life they made my life almost impossible. I had to make choices that would also help me keep my weakness a secret, plus drove important people away from me.
Stay Strong.
I also have a tattoo to remind me to stay strong when I am again close to breaking. I know what that means. So, in a way, I have to say this book was amazing. A perfect insight into the soul of someone battling with constant darkness. Although it was hard on the other hand.
I promise you, If you fight through this book, you will be in for a beautiful journey. Amazing characters and an amazing story of coming-of-age and winning over your demons.

I was given an ARC in exchange of an honest review.





I’m a cutter.
I cut because I find solace in it.
I cut because it helps calm my frantic mind.
I cut because the voices inside my head tell me to.
I cut because this is the only way I know how to handle life.



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Mental health issues in youth is growing alarmingly. An early diagnosis can be the difference between life and death.



Is good to have books written to young adults approaching this theme, so commonly avoided in family and school conversations.



I think it was great that they both Ivy and Tobias had problems to overcome. Most books that address the issue, only one of the characters has it, so to both of them struggle with it, and learn how to not trigger the other one crisis its a learning in itself.



Though I didn´t liked it how Tobias just left, I can understand and respect why he did it. He want it to be a better version of himself to be with Ivy.



Kudos to Miss McHeyzer for handle it so perfectly.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Problemas de saúde mental na juventude estão crescendo de forma alarmante. Um diagnóstico precoce pode ser a diferença entre a vida e a morte.



É bom ter livros escritos para jovens adultos que abordam esse tema, tão comumente evitados em conversas em família e na escola.



Acho ótimo que ambos os personagens tenham problemas para superar, então, ambos lutam com ele, e aprendem como não desencadear uma crise no outro, é um aprendizado em si. A maioria dos livros que tratam do assunto, apenas um dos personagens o tem.



Embora eu não tenha gostado de como Tobias foi embora, posso entender e respeitar por que ele fez isso. Ele queria se tornar uma versão melhor de si mesmo para estar com Ivy.



Parabéns à senhorita McHeyzer por saber abordar o assunto tão perfeitamente.

Without getting to personal ad I've already spoke with the author this book helped me more than anyone besides her will ever know. Thank you so very much so writing this and talking about this very touchy subject. I hope this book brings peace to people who are struggling. To know that their not alone and that they too can overcome being a cutter. Thank you for this book. I would like to personally thank the author again for emailing me back. Thank you.
This book was given to me as an arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book. It really tugs at your emotions. It was dark and intense. I enjoyed it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This was my first read by Margaret McHeyzer.  What a book to start with.  Such an emotional sensitive subject. 

Margaret handles some very tough subjects in this story:  depression, cutting, and suicide.  She has written these subject with such care. 

I totally loved Tobias his character, his emotions.  I just want to hug that boy.  Ivy and Jared have an incredible friendship throughout this story. 

I look forward to reading more of Margarets stories.

A wonderful, beautiful, emotional read.

I loved this story so much, I always love reading good mental health books and this is definitely one. The story is about Ivy and Tobias who both have demons they are battling with and struggle to deal with their issue
and we follow them as they gets the help they need. Overall I highly recommend this book and really enjoyed the read.

Drowning
By Margaret McHeyzer
5 Love You Stars!

This is a story that needs to be read by everyone. Doesn’t matter if you are a young adult or a seasoned adult. What an eye-opening story that gives you a better understanding behind what types of demons people battle with each and every day.

Ivy and Tobias both have demons they are battling with. Both embarrassed to open up to anyone about what they are going through. It’s a tough road that we see deeply inside of with Ivy. It’s not until a tragic event happens that causes Ivy to spiral into the spinning that you are unable to overcome.

With love and the aide of family and a wonderful psychiatrist, Ivy gets the help she much needs and is able to move on and attend college. But trust me in saying that getting to where she is today, hasn’t been an easy road to travel.

It’s when Tobias finally opens up and reveals his demons, my heart cracked. But finding out how his father was dealt with, I will admit, I fist bumped to my kindle!

Margaret McHeyzer can pen a book related to taboo situations that people steer clear of. She opens our eyes to see that even though mental illness is a disease, its one that there are resources available for all. Never think you are alone. It just takes the courage to have your voice be heard. Make that phone call, tell a loved one, talk to someone. Never try to battle the demons on your own. Everyone deserves to be loved!!

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Ivy is a self harmer and lives with her dad, her best friend is Jared and on their day back at school after break, there's a mysterious new guy sat by them called Tobias. She feels a darkness around him alike her own where as he later says the same to her.



They get off to a rocky start as he tries asking her to the cinema and she turns him down assuming he just wants sex until they talk later and get along better when Ivy confides her Mum is dead from being caught out in the sea, after he tells her his dad left them. What she doesn't tell him is that's she has nightmares about drowning in the sea herself while in a white prom dress.




Soon enough Tobias and Ivy are dating after meeting each others relatives and sharing some sweet and hilarious moments together but they then get caught up in an ex student's shooting antics at their school as he opens fire on the teacher who caught him when he was doing something disgusting in school. After this event, Ivy tries to give in to her self harm completely and makes a suicide attempt. While she battles with that, Tobias battles with not dosing himself up on pills.



Everything gets too much for the pair but Ivy attends counselling whilst Tobias suddenly disappears out of the blue and is untraceable after a violent anger fuelled outburst.



The novel then flashes through years after Tobias fleeing and what life entailed for keen photographer Ivy and Jared as well as finally getting answers about Tobias and the mystery surrounding his big dark secret from his past.



Ivy personifies the voice in her head forcing her to harm herself and calls him Azael. This isn't uncommon in mental health real and novel life as it's often depicted as a person there telling them or us what to do and lose control because they tell them or us to act on the thought. The book was a very deep read and touched on so many important issues from gun crime, bipolar, self harm, being gay, schizophrenia, grooming, teen angst and relationships. However the relationship between Tobias and Ivy showed a raw look at many couple's real life day to day struggle with them and their partners mental wellbeing. Overall it was dramatic, touching and shocking in the books events but it was a stunning read from an author new to me.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!