<i>Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for the ARC.</i>

*3.75
Tess Cooper is a 17-year-old swimmer who has her future planned. Get a college scholarship through swimming. However, things suddenly change direction when Tess has a seizure, forcing her to rethink her future and choices.

Even with the first-person point of view, it seems that at no point do we get to know the MC. We know that she likes to swim, the job she has every summer, and a few other superficial things, but hardly anything about her inner thoughts and her character.

Some things that bothered me – besides the lack of depth in the characters – it was their relationships. It felt like Charlie and Tess ended things as fast as they started, and Mac and Tess, who could have a beautiful friendship throughout the book, were apart for most of it and then they apologized like nothing really happened.

I think the conflict between them could have been better worked on, as could Charlie's complicated relationship with his father (which was mentioned a couple of times and forgotten in the end).

Overall, it was a quick and interesting book that could have better character development, but it was an okay read.

(3.25) Breathing Underwater is a short, slice-of-life story, following Tess, a swimmer, after her diagnosis with epilepsy.
This is a classic storyline with sports, and the author explores Tess’s love, sister, parents, and friends, all quite quickly in the novel. While the story is easy to read and quick-paced, the focus on Tess’s emotions and reactions meant that the rest of the characters weren’t that built up. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between her and her love interest. I didn’t see the rivalry between her and a swim mate. I didn’t see the break up and replenishing of her friends. That would have made the story for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Breathing Underwater is a lovely little slice of life story with a strong cast of characters and important message, that I think would be a great addition to any young teen's shelf.

I found myself completely engrossed the entire time and the writing itself was very clear and concise, at no point did I feel like parts of the story were unnecessary. I was also very impressed with how fleshed-out the characters were. At first, it bugged me that Tess' motivations seemed one dimensional, but when I look back at how my thought process worked at 15/16, the 'this or nothing attitude' was actually quite endearing. Despite the story clearly focusing on Tess, it was nice to see that the supporting characters also accomplish little things and lived their lives in the background, without the need to bring it to the main plot and focus of the narrative.

The book had me captivated from the beginning and I want to know more about Tess' story. That is not to say that I felt the story was unfinished, but rather that I would absolutely pick up a hypothetical sequel to this story.

Overall, if you are looking for a light, charming read, Breathing Underwater should be noted down as something to check out once it is released in March.

Okay, so I'll be as nice as I can while reviewing this book since it has a lot of the author's personal experiences with epilepsy.

There are three things that I didn't like about the story, and they're about as major to the book as they're intertwined: lack of character deepness, their relationships with each other and lack of lore.

I don't know Tess. Like, I know swimming is her life and that she's diagnosed with epilepsy and that she's going to Nationals and her future depends on how they go... but what else? I have nothing. I don't know what she likes beside swimming, I don't know how she spends her time when she's not swimming/sleeping, I don't know what she thinks period.

When doctors suspect she might have epilepsy her world crumbles for sure, but it's like... I don't know how to express myself on that one. Like her feelings are not really deep. She focuses on what that means to her swimming career and her future, sure, and I get since swimming is the most important thing for her right now the focus is on that, but I don't think she really thinks about her health realistically. Like, yeah, it sucks and you might not be able to swim in a competition ever again, but *also* you could like... die.

I didn't get Tess because of that. Her lack of deepness as a character made me realize I couldn't ever get her feelings towards the fact that epilepsy made her think only about her future in swimming competitions and not in like... the rest of her life.

But Tess isn't the only I didn't get. Charlie went from being the only one she could rely on, the only one that didn't tell her that everything's gonna be fine, that it's just a phase and she'll move on, etcetc to... exactly that. Literally. And it's super sudden because again, we don't know *anything* about Charlie. Sure, we know he just moved here since his parents got divorced, that he doesn't talk with him and that he got the job that was supposed to be Tess' at the pool. That's literally it. We also know a couple of things (like he's living with his aunt and that he likes rock music) that don't really mean anything to the story.

Tess and Charlie's relationship feels void because we don't know them. They go out for like two weeks and suddenly, when she sees him again, feels a lot of feelings as if she couldn't live without him. And that could 100% be a natural reaction to a teenage, new relationship, but feels fake because we don't really know these people.

The relationship with her family is also weird due to lack of deepness. I understand her relationship with her dad, also an athlete; I also understand the mother, worried sick for her daughter's health; and I also get her relationship with her sister, kinda the black sheep of the family... but I don't understand the family dynamics.

The only normal one is the mom: she's worried, she wants her to quit but when she doesn't she decides to support her even if she doesn't approve, making sure she's safe anyways. The dad's super weird; I get you're super supportive of her swimming career and that you're frustrated your own sports-related career ended early, but like... dude?? Your kid might have epilepsy?? Stop with the jock thing and like start to act like a supportive but responsible parent as your wife does?? Even when he cleans up his act it's still super weird and still pushes her daughter to swim. And I get it, okay? But at the same time I don't.

Ali (the sister) is another thing on its own. And with this (alongside Charlie's story and Mac and Tess' story) I open the whole lack of lore thing. Why is Ali there for? It could've been any other character and it'd have been the same. She's there because she apparently quit her job and went back to her parents' house, not wanting to go to college either. She gets an earful from her mom when she first appears and she drives Tess when she can't plus a couple of scenes in which she's there during family time, but that's it. She also doesn't get an ending... she's just there. Why did we have to know about her and her story? It doesn't lead to anything and that makes the character feel even more blank. If she were to stay and NY and FaceTime Tess all throughout the story (when the fist seizure happens, when she kisses Charlie for the first time, when she has to decide wether to stay on the team or quit forever, etc) she could've provided sooo much more to the story! Even more if she confessed to Tess that her job wasn't the best and that it's hard out there but she was following her dream and that's what counts yadda yadda... instead we got a watered down character that lacked lore and didn't get a proper ending.

Long story short: I really liked the plot but couldn't really enjoy the story due to these things. I'd still love to read more from Nash because I feel like she had a great idea to develop but the execution on this particular book wasn't my thing.

Thanks to Holiday House and Netgalley for the eARC!

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“I’m a swimmer. I don’t know how to be anything else.”

Tess has always had one lifelong passion - swimming. It's in her blood, her soul, her entire life has revolved around swimming competitively and honing her skills. She doesn't have much time for anything else when she has only one goal in mind - winning Nationals in her senior year so she can get into the prestigious college offering her a scholarship - 'every win matters. Even a few added seconds can mean shattered dreams.' 🏊🏻‍♀️ But, when she's afflicted with an unprompted and unexpected seizure whilst in the water, she's not quite prepared for how difficult her life would suddenly become, and how she has to relearn what it's like Breathing Underwater.

“You’re going to get through this,” Dr. Cappalano says. “It’s hard, but it’s not hopeless.”

The writing was very clear and concise and the story solely focused on one thing - how Tess' swimming career faced a dramatic and drastic upheaval due to this sudden shift. I appreciated how the author showed the care and concern that her doctors and parents and Coach were treating it. 👍🏻 It's a gentle and soft reminder that it shouldn't be taken lightly, to be regarded with a lot of sensitivity and responsibility, especially when there's a risk of epilepsy happening in the future. It was not treated lightly and as much as it hurt them to see their star swimmer suffer, her health was their top priority - her safety was their utmost requirement. 😟

It was tough seeing how hard it affected her relationship with her best friend, Mac - how having her adjust to the changes made her cut off from her respective teammates and seen more as a burden rather than the spirited swimmer she was. It was a healthy and heartfelt portrayal of how friendships can suffer by it, but the way Tess fought to maintain her friendship was something that I respected and admired. I’m learning that so much about epilepsy is waiting and hoping and doing your best.' 😔 As she learns to cope with her new way of life, she starts to not see it as a burden, but as a part of her - and not let it defeat her dreams.

“I’m a swimmer,” I blurt. “Or I used to be. I guess my first seizure could’ve killed me, but instead I lost the sport I love.” A tremor creeps into my voice, and the room blurs.

“Sometimes, I’m not sure which one is worse.” It’s quiet for a moment. I stare at my hands, thumb away my tears.

“Dying,” Lisette says.

I look up at her.

“Dying would definitely be worse.”

Tess' thoughts and emotions were believable and valid; the frustration of not being part of a team again, the anger at missing out on practices, the embarrassment of the special treatment required at pools to guarantee her safety - 'the fastest you’ll ever see a fish swim is when it finally realizes it’s free.' 😥 The description of her swimming and her drowning - her time in the water and out of it - was compelling and alluring. It shows how viscerally swimming is ingrained in her system so much that she doesn't want to have a life without it - 'no dates, no real social life. Just swim, school, repeat.'

Her feelings emanated realistically enough for me to believe that this was a young girl - whose entire future plans were being flushed down the drain, and she didn't know how to stop it - how to control it or prevent it from slipping from her grasp. 'A seizure disorder is literally the worst possible thing that could happen to me. I want out, I want out, I want out.' 🥺 But, just as suddenly everything changed, just as slowly, the author gives her a chance to face the challenge head-on. She fought to cope and adjust and re-align her situation so that she could still swim and still not deny that she did have special needs, but she can learn to accommodate herself with treatment, medication and careful consideration of her health. That it's not entirely hopeless or necessary to give up the dream - that she shouldn't lose hope or faith that her dreams can still come true. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

“As I ease into a familiar workout that leaves my heart racing with joy, I remember that the human body is 70 percent water, that we’re basically breathing underwater all the time. ”

Charlie, the love interest - the “non- athletic regular people” was alright, I guess - nothing too outlandish or significant about him that made his appeal any different than your typical YA love interest, complete with his own painful past that made him even more appealing. ' Messy, unmotivated, and clearly doesn’t care what people think about him' he was so very kind and sweet to her, someone Tess was immediately drawn to, that despite how she's never had time for a social life or boys, she's comforted by him and was happy that he cared for her, even after their small-lasting breakup. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

'You’re definitely a swimmer,” he says. “But you’re more than that, too.' I know it makes me sound bitter about their romance, but, maybe it would be an interesting trend where a guy can be introduced and they can just be friends till the end of the book - no boyfriend needed! I think it just made me feel that it took for her to come to a bad place to find a relationship with someone - something that she's never attempted to have because of her swimming career. 🫶🏻 Something like a hopeful belief that you really can have it all - the dream and the guy while still learning to cope with her new change of life. So, I guess, it is a nice hopeful note to end on for those who may have to face similar situations as Tess'. ☺️

And, on a last note, can I just say that if there were annual book awards held, I would totally nominate this as the most beautiful cover of the year. I'm honestly in awe of how visually striking it really is. 😍😍

*Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I usually don’t read slice of life books, but occasionally I do and once again I was not disappointed.
I’ve been having trouble focusing on a book and actually being reeled into it but, this was really easy to get into, and so this is my first read of the year! I’m sure I would have read this in one sitting had I not started it so late.

It was nice to read how every one of the characters developed their personalities, ambitions and thoughts. I would definitely recommend everyone read this!

The protagonist Tess is a competitive swimmer and the best in her team. She has a secure future with a sports scholarship on the horizon, but all of that seems to be on the brink after one night. Tess is diagnosed with epilepsy after multiple doctor visits and examinations. For the seventeen-year-old, a time filled with doubt begins - can she ever swim her best time again or compete in swimming at all?

The book had me captivated from the first page. Not only is the writing style light yet profound, but Tess is described in an incredibly relatable way, capturing her thoughts and emotions. I found her to be so likable and passionate about swimming. Since I have no personal experience with epilepsy, I learned quite a bit while reading. The author manages to describe in great detail, which might not be easy for some readers. In my opinion, it's just right, as the book also mentions that epilepsy can be an "invisible disability," and raising awareness is crucial to learn the right approach and to think and act more inclusively.

Furthermore, Tess's story provides so much courage and strength to pursue all goals! A clear recommendation from me.

Breathing Underwater is a slice-of-life novel with a solid disability plot focusing on epilepsy. The main character has to deal with the struggles of becoming sick right in the middle of training for Nationals for swimming, knowing that her entire life won't ever be the same again.

This book is a good book if you're looking for a well paced, not too heavy book about overcoming problems out of your control. The main character not only has to tackle her own feelings, but also those around her, some of who understand and some who don't.

I cannot put this book down. I'm glad I get to read it because it's my cup of tea: a young adult tale about resilience, dreams, and always giving your best. Everything that has potential to be cliche takes a satisfying turn. I almost like every character—yes, even Rachel—because of how supportive they are to Tess. The writing style is concise, kind of deep-POV and can be perceived as distant for readers who like blatant 'tell' description, but for me it works elegantly. The cover art is also beautiful even though I'm not really a fan of typeface choice/layout.

I just don't get why it is marketed as slice-of-life because what I had in mind are stories like Spy X Family or Yuzuki Family's Four Sons. This story feels solid, there are causalities and stake that's not low (after all teenagers do worry about their future, especially ones with talent and passion like Tess), and the vibe is not oneshot-like mundane. It does read easily, but it doesn't mean it is a light read. Maybe because it is written in such sensitivity that it feels like a breeze slowly tugging your heart. If you adore stories like Wendelin van Draanen's The Running Dream, you'll like this one too. P.S. We need a Charlie in our lives 🥹

Thank you Holiday House and NetGalley for the digital ARC. Reviews are my own.

Tess is a character who sparkles with hope and humanity. A delicate story about what it means to overcome, and become more yourself along the way.

listen i love slice of life and i was also a swimmer in high school so this really hit hard. i thought the writing was great and i liked the story

I liked this one! As someone who has had quite a few friends and families with epilepsy, I found Tess' story incredibly moving. It was a great coming of age novel that anyone could relate to as we've all been at a crossroads when it feels like something is getting in the way of the things we love. I liked Tess as a character, but felt that her development fell flat and needed some more backstory. Other than that, I enjoyed the quick pacing and representation that this novel brings to the YA genre. Thanks so much for the ARC!

The cover is beyond beautiful and the title just makes me want to grab the book!
Overall this was a great quick and fast paced read. I enjoyed the storytellling from the author a lot and the characters were quite sympathetic. The idea was great as well and it seemed really unique to me!

I was originally drawn to this book because of the stunning cover, but I really enjoyed it. Tess is a swimmer who puts her sport before everything until she unexpectedly has a seizure. The seizure if effecting all aspects of her life as it has jeopardized the swimming career she is depending on for a scholarship, and has cost her her summer job life guarding.

Her replacement is Charlie, a boy who has moved to her neighborhood recently and is the polar opposite of Tess. He is laid back, goes with the flow and is exactly what Tess needs during this time of uncertainty.

A touching story about living with epilepsy and chasing your dreams.

Tess Cooper lives to swim, and with a college scholarship on the line, she needs to stay focused now more than ever. Tragedy strikes when she has a seizure while swimming, and her whole world is turned upside down. She has to give up her lifeguard job, and maybe even her dreams. Tess is determined to stay in the water, no matter the cost.

This is a great quick read, the writing is smooth and the plot is fast paced. Despite the YA tag, it's more suited as a middle grade book, seeing as it has simple characters and a “puppy love” like highschool romance.

I love seeing disabilities like epilepsy written in positive heartwarming stories on acceptance and resilience. I hope more books, on all grade levels, can include more disabled characters just like Tess.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for this ARC.

This slice of life book was very well written. The main character has a good balance of trying to fight for what she wants and has the fear of the unknown. I highly enjoyed reading about her journey to acceptance.

The author did a great job expressing the medical concern and and the complications of teenage love. I found that the author was very good at expressing the ups and downs of finding your self during a hard.

Love the end and that the situation was cared for but left it open to interpretation. Way to Rock it!

The story is interesting enough; there's so much potential, but I desperately wanted more from the narration. And while I get that delving into a character's emotions isn't easy, it's so important since that's what gives more depth to the story and the characters. Without it, everything that happens feels sort of bland, underdeveloped, and unimportant.

I don't think I've ever known so little about the main character. Tess is a goody-two-shoes who loves swimming and… well, that's it. Where are her other interests? What are her thoughts on everything happening around her? What about her deeper worries regarding the diagnosis or her feelings about potentially losing her best friend? We barely saw any of it, and it drove me crazy.

On the other hand, Charlie is slightly more developed as a character and a main love interest. However, due to the limited insight into Tess's thoughts, I'm not convinced that she likes him as much as she says. Even their first kiss lacks the expected spark. Where's the slow build-up, the anticipation, the music swelling up in the background?

All in all, I just think if you're going to write from a first-person point of view, don't forget to include their point of view. Simply put, Breathing Underwater felt more like reading a screenplay than a novel.

This was a great read especially as it coupled the relatability of growing up woth the uncertainty of a diagnosis!

75/100 or 3.75 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was better than I was expecting! I enjoyed the representation in the book, and it felt well done.

While the following critique isn't all on this book, it is in so many books and it grinds my gears.
Can we stop putting in dialogue that goes along the line of "oh this dessert is going to give me diabetes?" Like why in 2023 are books still putting in lines like this? I don't have diabetes and I don't know a lot about it, but I do know that is not how diabetes works. The books has this dialogue twice, and both times it annoyed me.

The romance was cute and the ending was not as cheesy as I was expecting. Decent Middle Grade story!

Tess is hoping to be offered a full scholarship for swimming until she has a seizure one day while swimming. The doctor says further testing is needed because she could have another seizure and that no one is considered epileptic until they have two seizures. When Tess meets Charlie, a lifeguard, they start seeing each other. Tess begins losing her focus on swimming, and Tess worries the college won’t offer her a scholarship if she can’t swim. When running one day, Tess has another seizure. Tess wants to quit the swim team, but Charlie says focus on the positive. Words are said and Tess and Charlie break up. Does Tess end up quitting the team? Do Tess and Charlie get back together? Would love to see a second book showing us Tess’’ future.