What I liked:
✔️the overall premise. I love anything about disasters. I was the child that hyperfixated on the Titanic 😂
✔️the interactions and differing personalities of the characters. They all seemed to blend well together and it was super believable how they bonded over tragedy
✔️I learned stuff! Nonfiction elements within a fiction thriller

What I didn’t like:
✖️some of the military moments were hard to keep my attention. The lingo was difficult at times

What an adrenaline fill wild ride of a book! Flight 1421 crashes into the ocean just outside of Hawaii six minutes after taking off. This happens literally in the first pages of the book, and that's not even the craziest thing to happen. The writing was enthralling, it kept me engaged the entire time. I could not put it down because I had to know if the passengers of Flight 1421 made it out!! It was an intense story that focused not only on just a plane crashing into the ocean, but the humanity behind such a tragic event. I felt the characters were relatable, most even likeable. I appreciated the development of all the characters, the back story on Will and Chris and just want to scream from the rooftops about how perfect their daughter Shannon is. Overall, I highly recommend this fast paced and stunning book, and cannot wait to read more by this author!

Thanks so NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This was a little too, "Dad needs to use the TV to watch an action movie" for me. I did read the first one and thought it wasn't bad, and this is not bad, it just was not for me.

Not my favorite of this authors books, but I still really enjoyed it. It was a quick read kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re looking for a thriller, I would recommend.

When Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean just six minutes after takeoff, mass chaos among those on the plane ensues. Some passengers immediately want out while others believe they will be safer if they remain inside the plane. The only chance for survival is an elite rescue team - but is there enough time?

If you are looking for a fast-paced suspense book, look no further than TJ Newman’s books Falling and Drowning. She was a flight attendant before becoming an author and she provides such a realistic perspective at what goes on behind the cabin doors when something goes awry on a plane. Both of her books have hooked me from the first chapter and they are so captivating. This story will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page - from the crash itself, the characters that you’re rooting for, and all the action your heart can take. I listened to this one on audio and it was narrated so incredibly well - it was emotional and I was completely immersed in the story. There was so much tension between the characters and you could truly feel it. I was so anxious listening to this one and could relate so much to the characters and their thought process of “what happens next?” I would definitely say this is more of an action-packed suspense book vs. a thriller, but so enjoyable nonetheless. Let’s just say I was glad I didn’t have any air travel planned after reading it!

Drowning by T.J. Newman is a suspenseful read, especially if you are looking for a book to read on a trip. However, I did find that some of the characters were a bit over the top. I enjoyed the book and it was one that kept me reading.

wow this one had my heart pumping from the very beginning. open ocean is definitely one of my biggest fears in life so i definitely struggled at the start, like i cannot think of anything worse than this series of events.

but the story was so fast paced and the characters were so interesting that i felt really invested. there were some real heart-tugging moments, but those also didn’t take away from the fast-paced action of the rescue operation.

there were a few kinda cringey moments, especially toward the end. just the kinda thing that really made me feel like i was reading a book, ya know? like if disrupted the flow a bit for me personally, so i feel like that took away from my experience ever so slightly. but overall i’d highly recommend if you love fast-paced action books

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5! WHAT A BOOK. Can you believe a suspense novel actually put me in tears? Go figure lol! This book grips you right from the start, and doesn’t let up until the very end. I loved every second of it, and I definitely need to read Falling now! If you’re looking for a quick and suspenseful survival story, pick this up now. Don’t wait any longer!!

Six minutes after takeoff from the islands of Hawaii, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Terror ensues and the horrors multiply when the evacuation goes terribly wrong. Those still in the plane are forced to close the doors and the plane sinks with twelve passengers and crew on board. Engineer Will Kent and his preteen daughter Shannon are two of the passengers. Will the group of individuals with different skills be able to survive long enough for those on land to mount a rescue?

Having read the author's first book, I had high hopes for Drowning. Unfortunately, this novel was a bit too predictable and scripted. The plot was clearly directed and meant to follow a path, resulting in characters that were just too good to be true. Too much of the novel was spent on flashbacks and musings, along with plot points that were too unrealistic. Drowning read more like a survival movie and might be better as such. Overall, it was a fast read and certainly not a waste of time. I would recommend Falling over Drowning to readers new to this author.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this novel was entirely my own.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. If you do not want spoilers- stop reading this review now. Right now. Not kidding. First, let me say this book was absolutely fantastic, better than her first title, Falling and I loved that book! I did however encounter a few things that kept me from giving this a full five stars. First, when it started into flashbacks of Chris and Will's marriage and daughter Annie's death, I thought- 'this is long, drawn out and pointless.' My reasoning being that it took me out of the action for what I thought was no real enhancement of the plot. Wouldn't they have fought just as hard to see Shannon (their other daughter) survive simply because she is their daughter? Why make it seem their motive was 'not to lose another'? That gave it an overly manufactured plot point in my opinion, having them divorced and coming together for Shannon when they could have simply been working together as a married couple that wanted to keep their kid alive- and so I was already thinking '4 stars at best'. But then, the action ramped up, Chris was badass sacrificing herself to save Will and Shannon with a beautifully written last chapter that got me choked up as they said goodbye in the hospital and Chris went to be with Annie- this made me think "Ah, this is why we have the backstory with Annie, well played". Back up to five stars! I actually teared up. Until....the epilogue. The last full paragraph of the epilogue to be exact. For me, it ruined the end. I was on a wild ride, got off feeling exhilarated and a bit fearful of planes and sad but okay, thinking the author couldn't have wrapped up better. Then it was gone with the epilogue. Truthfully, it is still one of the best thrillers I've read in a while and I recommend it wholeheartedly, even convincing my husband to read it and buy the hardcover for my collection. Can't wait to see where her next book takes me...

If you liked Falling, you'll love Drowning! I realize how absurd that sounds, but Newman has a knack for knocking her niche genre of thrillers out of the park! This book, like the first, contains nonstop suspense and makes you feel like a passenger on this plane that's on the brink of disaster.

Plot: Flight 1421 is going down...there's no "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it. Just 6 minutes after takeoff, the plane spirals down in between the Hawaiian Islands and doesn't have any chance of a safe landing. The captain and flight attendants do their best to brace the plane for inevitable disaster and plane evacuation, but things don't quite go according to their plan. The airlines don't exactly teach how to prepare for this type of bailout. When the aircraft hits the water, things start to go downhill quickly. After an engine explodes, the passengers that decide (against advice from engineer on board, Will) to ditch don't have much of a chance for survival. The ones who stay on board, just volunteered for the most traumatic bonding experience of their lives. As the plane descends into the ocean and survivors team up with outside forces to plan their own rescue, it feels as if their entire existence is up in the air.

Not only is this book super suspenseful and Newman's storytelling heart-pounding, but the human emotions on display are palpable. Will and his daughter Shannon are battling family drama outside the plane and their plight comes through in such a relatable way. Even as their earth is shattering, Will's crumbling relationship with his wife, Chris, is still at the forefront of his mind. Chris leads a team of professional divers and as her whole world is quite literally sinking into the ocean, she crafts a rescue plan with astounding mental clarity and strength.

Newman's background as a flight attendant gives her the ability to add such vivid detail to a story like this in a way that makes it 100% believable. While the thought of being in a sinking plane is daunting, Newman gave it such an electric energy. The character development along with the impending doom somehow worked hand-in-hand to bring readers a story they won't soon forget. Once again, I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!

Thank you so much to Avid Reader Press, T.J. Newman, and NetGalley for the ARC of Drowning!

T.J Newman has done it again! I would say Drowning is even better than the last one. The story kept me on the edge of my seat and had me feeling for all the characters in their own way.

A great action package emotional journey!!!

I may need to rethink future travel plans but if I do I'll remember the tips. Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the copy. Looking forward to more by T.J Newman in the future.

Pure adrenaline rush. Still, very solid writing. I read Newman's FALLING and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is more of the same. She's carved out a niche writing unputdownable airplane thrillers. Recommended!

Realistic doesn’t do this book justice. Impossible to read on a plane or if you’re getting on a plane anytime soon. Palpable suspense. Awesome science too. I liked Falling more, but Drowning added some tearjerker moments that I absolutely succumbed to— I think this shows where TJ Newman will go next!

4.25 stars
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TW: Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Cancer, Infidelity
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As someone who has a fear of flying, this probably wasn't the best choice for me. That being said, I LOVED Drowning by T.J. Newman. I applaud this book for jumping straight into action, six-minutes after taking off, flight 1421 is forced to make an emergency water landing. During the rough landing, the engine explodes and chaos ensues. Passengers are forced to make a choice - and fast. Leave the plane and die, or stay in and fight for survival.

We're left with twelve passengers left on the plane, as they start to sink to the bottom of the ocean. We get a glimpse into the passengers lives as we deal with the fact that they may not survive. Their only hope? An elite rescue team led by diver Chris Kent, who's daughter Shannon and soon-to-be ex-husband Will just so happen to be on board of the plane. The stakes are high, and it seems like nothing can be done. This is a page-turner! Once you start it, you won't want to put it down. This thrilling novel allows us to see the 'ins' of a flight and crew, and what happens once disaster strikes. Although I appreciated all the technical flight terms, sometimes it got a little too detailed and was a little hard to follow along.

I really enjoyed the different POV's one from the plane, and the other from the crew above the water. It really added to the tension of how they were going to pull off the rescue, I really liked Chris' determination, although her rescue plan was not first choice, she didn't give up as she knew it was the ONLY way to have everyone on board survive. I've always avoided disaster and rescue movies, and books so I was hesitant going into this one, but in the end it had me in tears.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another superb novel by TJ Newman! The action aspects of these books remind me of a Harrison Ford movie. Another cracking read!

[4.5 stars]

TJ Newman's sophomore novel (the follow-up to Falling) is the fastest-paced novel I've read all year. 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. I’d read my reset book for the last 10 minutes before turning out the light to slow down my heart rate enough to fall asleep. Drowning stays in Newman's lane of aviation action thrillers. I recommend skipping the publisher's blurb, as it gives away the first third or so of the story. Just know that, a few minutes after taking off from Honolulu airport, a passenger jet crashes into the ocean, but things go horribly wrong with the rescue effort and this story is primarily about the rescue effort. I’m fascinated by all the flight procedures and she did such a good job explaining them in a way that made sense and was interesting to a civilian, which makes sense since Newman is a former flight attendant. There’s also a family element to this story, which adds heart. My one complaint is I felt a little manipulated by one particular part of the ending. It felt like something unnecessary tacked on at the end.

📖 Book Review 📖

📘🎧 "Drowning" by TJ Newman

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
published May 30, 2023

The author is a former flight attendant and the vivid details that went into this novel showcase her love and knowledge of aviation. When a commercial jetliner crashes into the ocean, just 6 minutes after takeoff from Maui it is the worst outcome imaginable. A water ditching, fuel being leaked onto ocean surface, a fire and a change in wind direction, ultimately causes 3 crew and 9 passengers to shut the plane doors and sink to the bottom of the ocean. Luckily the plane lands on a volcanic ledge about 180m down…this is the story of how they are rescued.

The ingenious engineer Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter Shannon and Chris Kent, a professional diver and Shannon’s mom make this book. The love of family, impossible odds, suspense, plus all the emotions made me race through this story. I found the last chapters intense- with so much happening and time running out, it was a sweat, pray, can’t read fast enough feeling.

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I can safely say I am obsessed with T.J. Newman's writing. She does such a great job at character building and really makes you connect with the characters in her books. As a fellow aviation girly, I also love that she has past experience in the aviation world and feel it really helps to make the stories feel so REAL.

'Falling' is one of my favorite books ever, so this had a lot to live up to and I feel it fell a *bit* short comparitively, but I still LOVED this. It was so suspenseful and kept me guessing 'til literally the very end. I typically don't cry from books and this one had my tearing up. My only issue is I felt there were a few too many characters working the rescue and really struggled to keep them straight. Regardless, YOU MUST READ THIS!!