I absolutely devoured TJ Newman’s first novel “Falling”, and I can confidently say the same about her new book “Drowning”. I easily finished this book in one sitting and now I can’t wait for her next novel. TJ Newman has experience as a flight attendant, which makes all the little details in the novel even more real. I would highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about reading it, but maybe not before your next flight!

What happens when your flight from Hawaii turns into a nightmare? Six minutes after take off, Flight 1421 crashes. Some manage to make it off the plane, but when an engine explodes, the plane door must shut. They should be dead, but the twelve people inside the plane are left with an air bubble allowing them only hours worth of oxygen. A rescue mission begins, but proves to be nearly impossible since this plane is on the edge of an underwater cliff. To make matters more complicated, a member of the rescue team, Chris, realizes her ex-husband and six year old daughter are trapped in the sunken plane. Can she save them? Or will everyone drown?

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the ARC of this book.

Drowning by T.J. Newman is THE thriller of the summer, and I loved it!

Soon after takeoff, a commercial jet flying from Honolulu to the mainland suffers a catastrophic malfunction. The pilots are unable to control the plane so the only option is to ditch into the ocean. The 99 souls onboard include Will, an oil rig engineer, and Shannon, his 11-year-old-daughter. Miraculously, nearly everyone survives the water landing, but then the situation gets more complicated when jet fuel catches fire, separating the survivors into two groups - those who've already exited the battered aircraft and the twelve who remain onboard.

Many private and military resources race to the crash site to help the victims, including Chris, a professional deep sea diver who is Shannon's mother and Will's estranged wife. The rescuers can’t agree to the best plan for extraction. Can they reach the people trapped inside before it's too late?

I really enjoyed Newman's debut Falling, but I liked Drowning much more. In both, a unique aspect is the author’s insider knowledge about flight operations from her experience as a flight attendant. The third person narrative switches between the survivors and rescuers. I got fairly well acquainted with the trapped passengers and crew and felt great empathy for most of them, but the many rescuers blended together in my mind, except for Chris. Chris and Will's backstory, including a tragic loss, is shared in flashbacks, which brings more emotional depth to an already intense and fast-moving plot. The ending could have gone two ways, and Newman led me to be happy with either option.

I highly recommend reading this via audiobook narrated primarily by Steven Weber with Laura Benanti voicing Chris. At 1.0 speed, it's just under 8 hours long, but I'm guessing most listeners, like me, will bump up the speed as the plot's pace increases. As many reviewers have stated, this novel is truly like a movie in your mind, and I hope this story will inspire a film adaptation.

Many thanks to Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster Audio, NetGalley, and Libro.fm for access to review copies of this summer blockbuster.

This book was SO MUCH FUN! If you are looking for a fast, fun and thrilling beach read, look no further. Drowning by T.J. Newman is the book for you. An action thriller in book form with characters who are easy to keep track of and non-stop action. I really loved this one.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars

I was hooked on the first page! It was an intense, fast paced read full of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s a story about a plane crash, but it’s also a story filled with hope, loss, and second chances. I was so engrossed with the story and the characters I couldn’t put it down…I just wanted to know what was hoping to happen. If you’re looking for an action packed read, then this is it!

As a suspense-driven, beach read type of thriller this is…fine.

I was hoping for more because I really loved Falling, and this is entertaining enough, but not of the same originality or quality.

Action books without a villain are tough, and I suppose if you really like search and rescue stuff you’ll probably like this more than I did.

I also could have done without the very overwrought and tragic back story for the family at the center of the plot, which felt like a little much for a book that’s supposed to be mostly fun.

The plans crash and immediate aftermath is probably the best part of the story, and the majority of the book that comes after is less interesting and exciting than I hoped.

At any rate, this doesn’t stand up to Falling, not by a long shot. But it’s worth a read as a relatively light summer thriller.

DROWNING by T.J. Newman // Almost immediately after takeoff, the passengers of Flight 1421 find themselves amid the floating wreckage of a plane crash. Though some escape, 12 make the decision to close the doors of the plane while still inside and begin sinking with only a slowly diminishing pocket of air to protect them. Meanwhile, a crew of divers work to figure out how best to rescue those trapped on board. The twist? The lead diver’s ex-husband and child are submerged, hopeful she can save them before it’s too late. LOOK. You’re going to have to suspend your disbelief on multiple levels for this one (coincidences abound), but it’s a hell of a ride once you commit. I couldn’t care less about the familial aspect of the novel, but if you’re craving something fast paced and tension building this easily does the trick. I liked her first - FALLING - but think this one is actually a bit wilder and captivating. A great poolside thriller!

Suspense Thriller. Six minutes into Flight 1421 takeoff from Hawaii, the plane crashes into the ocean due to an engine explosion. After the plane sinks, 12 passengers and crew are miraculously still alive, but the water is rising and oxygen is running out. Will Kent, and engingeer, and his daughter, Shannon, are among two of the passengers. It’s up to Will’s wife, Chris, to lead her team of elite divers to figure out how to save the passengers, before they run out of air or fall off the underwater cliff the plan is pre seriously resting on.

Woooo was this a ride. Maybe not the best book to read days before I have to fly, but I’m not crossing an ocean so not too worried lol. Had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and couldn’t put it down. Much like the author’s previous book (Falling), it was super fast paced and would make a really fun action movie. Is it extremely far fetched? Yes, but it’s a great break from reality.

Thank you tot he publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!

This is a Dark Suspense, but I would not call this a mystery or thriller. There is no real twist, but there is suspense and build up. I really loved this book, and I did not want to put this book down. I also fell in love with all of these characters. I also do not want to fly again in my life. This book puts you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end. The ending of this book was just so great. This is a must read book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Avid Reader Press / Simon Schuster) or author (T.J. Newman) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Such a page-turner! I loved Newman's debut, Falling. Her follow-up, Drowning, did not disappoint. I didn't know that aviation thrillers were a thing but I am here for it. It's gripping. It's exciting. This is a finish-in-one-sitting kind of read. Anyone who is a fan of action and suspense will eat this book right up!

4.5 ⭐️‘s
Eleven year old Shannon Kent is about to embark on a journey from Honolulu to San Francisco. She’s a bit miffed because her over protective dad, Will,insisted on accompanying her. Six minutes and thirty-seven seconds after take off, flight 1421 crashed into the ocean. Those that survived the crash thought it was a miracle, thought they were the lucky ones, having no idea what was to come. Twelve passengers are still inside the plane, underwater, is there even a remote chance of rescue, Shannon’s mom, Chris, has a plan, but the Navy and Coastguard have their own agenda. She will wait, but not for long. With Will on the inside and Chris on the outside they are struggling to be heard, they are fighting to save their child. If there’s a chance they will take it, even if it means sacrificing themselves. With water rising in the cabin and air running out, how much time is left? What follows is another nail biter from Newman. An unrelenting thriller that you won’t be able to put down until the very last word is read!! Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I’ve never read something that literally made my heart pound. I furiously turned these pages because I needed to know what happened. Also shed some tears. There is quite a bit of reflection on being a parent and how far you’ll go to save the ones you love. Bravo!

T.J. Newman's latest, DROWNING is everything I hoped it would be!

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I read an ARC of Falling a while back and promptly passed it on and bought a finished copy! I loved it so much. DROWNING is yet another plane disaster story with a look at what humanity is capable of in the midst of life or death decisions.

I don't want to say too much because it really is a very fast paced story and I loved not knowing too much. I will say it has the plane crashing into the ocean and sinking with less than a dozen people left inside. With some good luck and some bad, the inside group and those who are tasked with rescue must figure out how to navigate this disaster without killing each other in the process.

I loved the action. I loved the details about the logistical problems and proposed solutions (this made it feel possible). I loved the relational aspects that came forward in crisis. I loved Ruth. And the ending...

This was, again, a book I read in one day, easily. I actually have been redoing my office and had to work on it as well as run some errands, and I still finished it in a day. Sometimes I feel bad reading a book so fast knowing how long it takes to produce it! This could not be helped, however, as the pace kept me ridiculously caught in its hold.

I absolutely recommend reading this book as a quick, action-packed, summer book. As quick as it is, it has such great human stories in it, even if I wanted just a tiny bit more of that! I just loved some of these characters.

Thank you to @avidreaderpress and @netgalley for extending me this digital ARC and letting me share my thoughts!

“The life of a child is about firsts. The life of a parent is about lasts.”

I’m giving this four stars for the drama alone. This was a riveting, action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller!! Scary in the sense of wondering if you should have ever joined the cub scouts and learned survival skills. 😅 I can honestly say I went on Amazon and started buying anything to use if I was ever stranded. 😅

I knocked off a star because I don’t like it when MCs are basically geniuses with the exact knowledge they need for every situation that went wrong (and there were plenty!!) Having two people who knew exactly what to do was just too unrealistic for me.

“It didn’t matter if you died in a car crash or peacefully in your sleep at 102 or if you drowned in a plane at the bottom of the ocean. The end result would be the same. That was all life was. Shifting the balance, every day, to make room for joy and grace in whatever circumstances you’ve got before your time runs out.”

I did love LOVE the ending of the book. It all came together so perfectly and extremely heartfelt.

“Time is luck. You grab it. You hold on tight. And you be there. You have to be there. It’s going with or without you. And no one knows for how long. No one knows.”

This book was wow ! I was worried it would be a repeat of falling but holy cow this was even better.

I loved the character development and the backstory on Will and Chris. I loved the action. I loved the ending.

I am excited to see what the next book might be! TJ has become an auto buy author for me.

I absolutely LOVED Newman's first novel and was so excited to get an ARC of "Drowning". And I loved this one just as much. This book read like a fast paced suspenseful movie. The description created a great picture in my mind and I could not turn the pages fast enough. I found myself almost gasping for air like the characters. Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this advanced copy.

This book is my dream book. A thriller, featuring an aviation incident. It has more going for it than just subject and genre though. I have chewed my nails almost off with the constant tension. I was so invested in Will, Chris, Shannon, Kit et al. That I've stayed up far too late once again.
I thoroughly recommend this book, not just to other plane nerds, other thriller lovers, but to everyone going. Even my mum (she is a tough sell, I'll let you know how that goes).

One word? INTENSE!!! Right from the first page when the plane catches fire till the very last page, I guarantee you will have palpitations. If there's a thriller THIS IS IT.
Non stop action, fast paced, mad adrenaline rush.

I don't have any engineering background nor do I know anything about diving or deep sea exploration and rescue but this book sounds like it's well researched. It sounds credible! There is a lot of jargon about planes and submarines and ships but the writer makes it all understandable. The whole book feels like a movie in your head. You're watching an 8-hour nerve-racking movie where there's hardly any down time.

In terms of language, there is some profanity but hey given the circumstances they're in, I'd think that's normal.

The side plot involves some domestic drama but that just strengthens the story, gives it more meaning.

I can't wait for the author's next book. I thought Falling was intense. And then the book happened!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Press Reader /Simon and Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved T. J. Newman's first book, Falling. I was worried Drowning would fall victim to the sophomore slump and not be anywhere near as good. I am very pleased to say I could not have been more wrong! Drowning was even better than Falling in my opinion. Special thank to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one!

This book was one of the best books I've read in the past couple years. I couldn't put it down. It had gripping suspense while also having character development. I was invested in each one of the characters. I read T.J Newman's first book, Falling, and loved that -- it's safe to say this book is even better. I'll be recommending this book to everyone.

"Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the excavation, an engine explodes, and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors, but it's too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside."

Wow! This book was intense! I loved every minute of it, even though it caused this somewhat nervous flyer a little bit of anxiety! The characters were well written and easy to connect with. I loved their sense of survival and couragousness. I also loved the twist at the end!

If you are looking for an action-packed book, this one is a must-read!

Thank you @netgalley @avidreaderpress
@simonandschuster and the author for the e-arc of this book!