I enjoy reading about people being on a deserted island. This was one of those with the YA theme.
Bass and his girlfriend Rosie skip school to go on a boat trip. Unfortunately, a storm interrupts their trip and they become stranded on a deserted island miles from the main shoreline.
They try to think of how to get back home and Rosie decides to climb to a high point of the island to see if she can get help. She falls and injuries herself and is unable to get help. Bass has to summoned the courage to swim back to the mainland is Rosie is to survive her fall and they are to be rescued.
A fast read and would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sixteen year old, Bass has a distinct thing for his friend Rosie, but he's not sure if she reciprocates, exactly. It's a little difficult, maybe, because Bass is trans, and he's afraid that dating Rosie will bring her trouble at school, or at home. Also, he doesn't want to mess up their firendship, and Rosie's an adventurous and lovely girl. She's all sport, while Bass, well, he reads a lot.


One sunny school day Rosie gets the daring idea to steal a rowboat from school grounds and have a sweet little picnic lunch at a nearby secluded cove, Bass is pretty eager--despite not being a strong swimmer. He really just wants some alone time with Rosie, and it seems that this is going to be a fun afternoon. Except for those thunderheads approaching swiftly on the horizon. And, the huge thunderstorm that arrives brings huge waves that capsize the boat, leaving Bass and Rosie stranded in a tiny cove for damp and miserable shelter overnight. Rosie daring cliff climb for  help leaves them in worse straits than before. It's up to Bass to swim for safety and help--if possible.

This is a quick, suspenseful read that evokes all the tenderness and exhilaration of new and young love--combined with the heart-twisting struggle of a life-or-death experience. Bass is a great kid, and he's so hopeful, in the beginning. Putting all his worries into Rosie's capable hands. Their connection seems strong, but the continued misadventures have Bass fearing that he's lost all chance of friendship, even, by the end--if they even do make it back home. I really loved being in Bass's head. He's a reliable narrator, and his fears are all well-founded. The resolution brings a satisfying end, with Bass and Rosie getting help and happiness. 


Highly recommend for readers looking for a short adventure, and those who enjoy LGBTQ YA romance.

i requested and got approved for this e-arc that comes out august 17 , its a fat easy read about Sixteen-year-old shy, socially awkward trans teen Bass and his adventure-seeking girlfriend, Rosie when they skip school to go on boat trip to an island, but then theres a storm that smashes their boat, and they wash up on the shore of the island with no resources except their wits. i like both characters rosie seemed to know a lot boats and survivng and she was brave. bass was more shy and quiet and not adventurous but he did help build the fire and helped rosie climb and saved her and he went to get help. i was happy that both of them were fine at the end and got together. also bass tape came to save the day!! that was pretty cool! overal i enjoyed this fast entertaining read and recommend it for people who are looking for somethin quick and easy to read with a bit of survival in it

Thanks to Netgalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review

Sink or Swim is a fast paced novel about a young sixteen year old boy and his girlfriend as they are caught in a storm while out on a boat trip.

I thought this was a fun fast paced book I would have loved as a young teen. I also really like seeing trans characters just exist in stories meant for teens.
This is definitely a book to get for young teen readers that like getting to the action.

This was a good young adult novella. The whole story is what you see in the synopsis but it's well written and compelling. I like that Bass being trans is an incidental part of the story (in that sometimes it is nice to see representation that is not central to the story, just trans folks living their lives.)