Absolutely enjoyed this as much as the authors first book Falling. Holds your attention Timon and so suspenseful. Read it you. Will be glad you did!

Two things you should know before diving in (no pun intended) to Drowning:

1. You're going to want to read it in one sitting, so be sure you have a couple of hours set aside to do that. I actually picked this up on the morning of a busy day, read the first paragraph, and promptly stopped reading because based on that alone, I knew this was a book I was gonna need to devour all at once.

2. Take a deep, deep breath before starting it -- because you're going to be holding your breath for the entire book.

The premise is this: Six minutes after taking off from Honolulu, the main engine of Coastal Flight 1421 catches on fire and explodes, leaving the pilots with no choice but to "ditch" the plane in the Pacific Ocean, with 99 passengers and a full crew on board. After an evacuation gone awry, the plane begins to sink -- with twelve souls still trapped inside. Drowning is the story of their harrowing experience in a sinking plane, and the massive operation that is undertaken to rescue them.

Drowning is one of those propulsive, adrenaline-fueled thrillers that grabs you tightly on the first page and doesn't let go. It's suspenseful and action-packed, unfolds at a cinematic pace, and is full of tension and dread -- the very definition of a heart-pounding read. And just when you think it can't get worse for the survivors of Flight 1421, it does, so it's impossible to stop reading. As a former flight attendant, T.J. Newman uses her industry knowledge to the fullest advantage to add so much authenticity to the narrative, and other technical aspects of the story are well-researched too. In addition to being exciting, this book is very smart, while still remaining readable and easy to follow.

But more than anything else, what Newman does so successfully is establish an emotional connection to her characters. Not all of them are likable, but all of the portrayals are incredibly realistic as she uses them to brilliantly highlight the complexities of the human condition and to show the ways different people react to life or death situations. I was incredibly invested in their relationships and their rescue.

If you liked Newman's first novel, Falling, you're going to love Drowning -- because it's even better. Thank you to Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

HOLYYYYYYYYY HELL this book is PHENOMENAL. Honestly that is probably underselling it a little. It is THAT good. TJ yet again, has served us up a story with an action movie plot that is giving major big screen magic vibes, and I am here for it.

I loved Falling by TJ Newman, and I expected that I would probably like this one, but what I did not expect was how much she upped the ante in this story, and how impossibly, utterly, ridiculously addictive this story would be. I physically could not stop reading this book, I inhaled the entire thing in like, three hours, because there was no way I was walking away from finding out exactly how this plane crash was going to play out in the end.

The pacing is top notch, it will leave you frantically flying through chapters as you fall entirely into the intensely atmospheric catastrophe that is this crash. The movement from character POV's and the perfectly timed reveal of more and more of each character is executed flawlessly. The slow countdown of the the time between the crash and the window of rescue is brilliantly laid out, with you as a reader physically holding your breath as things unfold.

No spoilers at all, but for the love of all things reading, go get this book on pre-order, library hold, top of your TBR wish list IMMEDAITELY. You will NOT want to miss this, I promise you.

Thank you so much to Avid Reader and Netgalley for sharing TJ Newman’s new book! If you’ve read her first book, Falling, you’re in for more of the same, in the best way. Someday, my adrenaline and cortisol levels will return to normal I’m sure. I almost read it in one sitting. And if you haven’t read the first one (they’re not related), you’ll definitely want to after reading this. Highly recommended.

Wow. What a ride. An adrenaline packed ride. I’ll start by saying that this is definitely not one for anyone nervous of flying. The theme is unsettling. But the execution of this story? Ah. Can someone please make it into a movie? It reminded me of books and movies about space disasters. And rescues. Only this wasn’t in space but deep in the ocean. Which, curiously, is so similar in some many respects to space. Uninhabitable. Perilous. Dark. Mysterious. Unknown. I loved this books. Just like I did Falling. It was incredible. Everything about it - from Will and Chris to the girls to all other supporting characters. Just… wow. A solid 5/5, no doubt about it.

TJ Newman has given us another nail-biter. A perfect summer read! This is a book that you will read in a day or two because you won't want to put it down.

The author has done it again! I loved Falling and was looking forward to Drowning. It did not disappoint! As I read the first chapter, it read as a great disaster movie and I couldn't put it down! Drowning is a page turner of a thriller.

Will and his daughter Shannon were on a flight from Hawaii to San Francisco when the words you do not want to hear on an airplane come over the intercom. The plane has to ditch in the ocean near Molokai a few minutes into the flight. Will's quick thinking saves them and a few other passengers from the fuel fire on the ocean by closing the plane doors, but then the plane sinks to the bottom. Will's ex-wife, Chris, is an industrial deep sea diver and she and her crew jump into action to try to save those that are enclosed in the submerged plane along with the Coast Guard and Navy divers. The tension of designing and executing the rescue plan is palpable as you read. The terror, hope, and despair of the passengers ebbs and flows two hundred feet below the surface. The author created characters that are interesting and you pull for their survival. As I finished the book, I was exhausted from the characters' journey but so satisfied with the conclusion.

Thank you Avid Reader Press and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whoa! I was not expecting to be thrown right into the middle of a plane crashing into the ocean on page one, but that's what Newman gives us with this book. Right out the gate we are hit with mayhem. My heart was sinking in my chest and I was so anxious as I was reading this book. It gave me chills and edge of your seat tension that I love in thrillers. Oh, and also tears! I really wasn't expecting that part while reading this book. But the characters were just so great and you get some heartfelt moments all while getting attached to every one of them.

I love books that cover a span of a few hours because to me those are the most action packed and bingeable reads, and at only 300 pages, if you have no other obligations, you could finish this in one or two sittings.

This book played out like an action packed thriller on the movie screen for me. I pictured Denzel Washington as Will. It may be because of his movie, Flight, and the fact that my husband consistently watches it when it's on TV. 😂 Although Will's character is nothing like the character Denzel plays in that movie, he just gave me the same general vibe. Plus, Denzel is the king when it comes to being a remarkable, confident main character in action packed thrillers, so it wasn't hard to visualize for me.

Another aspect I enjoyed about this book was not only do we have these tense, heart pounding moments (there's so many of them) playing out with the plane crash and the events that follow, but we also get a family drama subplot. However, I don't want to go into details of what that entails, because I don't want to ruin any of the plot twists for anyone else. I want everyone to experience the chills and the emotions I did by going in blind. Just know it was great and this book could easily be translated into a movie that people would enjoy.

T.J. Newman, I hope you've already quit your day job as a flight attendant, because after this book, you don't need it! This was impeccable writing that kept me entertained the whole time! I can't wait to see what she brings us next and it would be a huge missed opportunity if this book doesn't make it to screen like her debut novel (picked up by Universal)!

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

This might be the best thriller I've ever read. It starts with an explosion and never lets up. This is a quick read - I read it in a day - partly because it's only 300 (really good) pages but mostly because you won't be able to put it down. The characters are real and distinct, and they all react differently but realistically to a terrifying situation. This book is part Apollo 13, part The Abyss, part Titanic, and part Armageddon. It's a thrill ride from start to finish.

I loved this book, and you will too.

Not family friendly due to profanity, gruesome death, and adult topics such as death of a child.

Ooooooooohweeeeeee @tj_author!

I absolutely loved Falling, her first book. I am 85% through this one and oh. my. goodness.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s so quick paced and on the edge of the seat, I finished it in a day! The only reason I had to stop is because I had to drive home after my pedicure and do homework! Stupid grad school. 🤣

This author is becoming an auto but as both of her books have been amazing!

Thank you ti the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the copy!

This book was pure adrenaline and I will be first in line for the inevitable movie! I loved the way the author managed to find a setting even more tense than a plane crash - a plane crash under the sea! Amazing.

Book Review – Drowning – T.J. Newman
Former flight attendant turn author T.J. Newman surely knows how to write suspenseful aviation thrillers. Newman’s debut standalone “Falling” was exciting and dynamic and so is her sophomore penning “Drowning!” Another unique standalone tale, Drowning is a turbulent, non-stop aviation thriller that reminds me of the 1970s aircraft disaster films. From the take off to the conclusion, this book defines the “page-turner” analogy! Six minutes after taking off from Honolulu in route to San Francisco, an Airbus jetliner crashes into the Pacific Ocean and sinks some 200 feet or more below the surface. Teetering on the edge of an underwater cliff, an elite rescue team - led by the mother of one of the trapped passengers on the oxygen sealed airplane – along with the soon-to-be-ex-husband – is tasked with saving the remaining entombed passengers. Emotionally powerful, heart throbbing action, and intensely suspenseful, Drowning is a breathtaking action thriller! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Great plot, noteworthy characters, and fascinating storytelling, Newman does it again with this gripping and remarkable story! Another ‘must-read’ by this fantastic new author! Thank you NetGalley, Avid Reader Press and of course T.J. Newman for the Advance Reader’s Copy.

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Thrilling from start to finish. I was hooked from the first line and couldn’t put it down. Finished it within 24hrs. I loved getting to know all these characters and deeply connected with them. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming, frightening and hopeful, sad and joyful. This perfectly balanced, well paced thriller is an incredible read. It makes you appreciate the life you have or chase for the life you want.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Multiple POVs
Strong Female leads
Unique story
Character built

🛑 ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ:
Do not read if you’re afraid of flying and flying soon.

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘚𝘪𝘹 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘰𝘧𝘧, 𝘍𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 1421 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯. 𝘋𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 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.

𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳-𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘵-𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘵—𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯-𝘵𝘰-𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘹-𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦—𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘪𝘳.

I loved T.J. Newman's Falling, and now the former flight attendant has done it again, crafting a breathless thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you like Andy Weir orthose Harrison Ford movies from the 90s, this one's for you. It’s pure adrenalin in a very physical way…to the point where I had to stop reading it right before bed because it kept me awake. There’s also a family element to this story, which adds heart. Pick up this pulse-pounding read, you won't regret it!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been very against airplane stories for a long time, simply because it is one of my biggest fears, but this was great! I recently read Falling by TJ Newman (also really good!), but Drowning is so much more. While Falling and Drowning are both fast paced, intense reads…Drowning has a more complicated plot and more character depth. It was a highly emotional read from beginning to end and I found myself rooting for the trapped passengers/emergency teams above water throughout. I strongly recommend, the hype around this one is real. It comes out May 30th! Add this to your summer TBR immediately.

Wow! I just experienced every single possible emotion. As someone who loves to travel, I was apprehensive to read about a flight that crashes immediately, but the survival and rescue story embedded here was incredible. I love this author’s writing style and how she Ii corporates the stories of so many characters so seamlessly.

3.5 rounded up to 4

“A laptop. Lodged into the roof of the plane, like an ax without a handle.” Y’all better follow those instructions when you board a plane. Just saying.

“He’d explained that as the sun rose, your feet would get progressively warmer, so you’d wake up slowly.” I want a house like that.

“These people don’t need to know all the ways they could die.”

This was a solid read with a bit more focus (than Falling) on characters without getting super 𝔻𝔼𝔼ℙ (ahhh puns).

This was a fun one with a locked room vibe because…plane at the bottom of the ocean with limited air def has locked room vibes. Ahhh. Scary thought.

This author definitely leaves you thinking “HOW WOULD I SURVIVE THAT!?!” while you’re reading her novels.

I think I preferred Falling, mostly because it was a faster paced book and kept me up until the wee hours of the morning. Drowning is a slower burn but also good. Both will keep you on the edge of your seat and put you into high anxiety mode.

I think it would make a cool movie.

If you like disaster books, that will have stressed out…then definitely read this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher an opportunity to read this amazing book! Right after a flight leaves Hawaii, the plane has catastrophic engine problems. Father Will and daughter Shannon are trapped in the wreckage and Shannon's Mom and Will's Ex is part of the rescue team. This book had vivid descriptions of the passengers, their actions in a crisis along with their injuries. The edge of your seat suspense while workers race again time to rescue those trapped beneath the surface and running out of air. Put this amazing book on your to be read pile! Bravo to Ms. Newman!

Drowning by T. J. Newman is, like her first novel, an action-packed, on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller from the first page...the book literally starts with the plane's engine exploding! Newman does a good job making you care about the main character, Will and his daughter Shannon, as well as his estranged wife Chris, and the predicament that the plane crash puts them all in.

The book reminded me a lot of the movie Titanic, where every time you think the problem is solved and the MC will survive, something happens that impedes their rescue. If I had not grown a bit tired of this, I would have rated the book 5 stars. It definitely was suspenseful, and I was very invested in the outcome. I also found the ending a little confusing...thought something happened that did not, but was happy with the final outcome. If you are looking for an exciting thriller, look no further, and run to the bookstore or library for Drowning!

A trigger warning, though the title is warning enough: If you have issue with drowning or being underwater, this is not the book for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press for the digital ARC of Drowning by T.J. Newman. The opinions in this review are my own.

Drowning will leave you gasping for air, your heart racing, and hoping that your favorite characters survive!! This book will be impossible to read slowly, I'll warn you now! I read this book in less than a day because it's impossible to put down! TJ Newman has written the best thriller of the year so don't miss out!

Imagine boarding a plane in Hawaii to fly home or to visit somewhere else and 6 minutes into the flight the plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean!! That is the story behind Drowning. There are 99 people onboard when the plane goes down. As people try to evacuate with their life vests around them another engine explodes and floods the plane. The people in the life rafts are now on fire or about to be. The people that have not yet evacuated are encouraged to close the door and stay inside the plane. The plane sinks with 12 people still inside. You will get to know these people well and root for their survival.

Will Kent is one of the 12 people still on the plane. He's an engineer who was escorting his eleven year old daughter to her summer camp in San Francisco. She wanted to make the flight alone, but Will has been overprotective since his first daughter, Annie, died from a tragic fall. He and his wife, Chris, have separated as they couldn't get over the pain of losing a daughter. The rescue team that is called in has never dealt with any rescue like this one. The coast guard is there, the navy, and Will's wife's company that specializes in work underwater. Chris and her team were on a job when they found out about the crash.

There's only enough air in the plane for maybe 6 hours and the water has stopped rising so the passengers are together and seem safe for now. Kit, one of the captains is alive and helping the others to know what to expect. They still have some power and they have found a way to communicate with the rescue team. Things look dire for the passengers and it will take a heroic effort to rescue them from the deep depths of the Pacific Ocean. Will the rescue team be able to come up with a plan that will work? How can anyone go as deep as they need to go and live? Will the passengers have enough air to last? Will the water get in and start rising again?

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't stop reading it! Just be warned that once you start reading Drowning you will not be able to stop! Put time aside and enjoy every moment of this book as it's a treasure to anyone that loves a good thriller! Drowning will be out on May 30 so preorder it now! My rating of Drowning is 5 stars and it's the best thriller I've read in 2023! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of Drowning in exchange for a fair review. #Drowining