BREATHING UNDERWATER

Tess has her entire life planned out, and it revolves around one thing: swimming.

The water is where Tess thrives. She’s a talented swimmer who never slows down; she’s on track for a college sports scholarship and professional career. But when she has a seizure and receives an epilepsy diagnosis, those careful plans fall apart. Over the course of the summer, there are more surprises in store for Tess, including a romance with new neighbor Charlie and repairing her fractured relationship with her best friend, Mac. Nash allows time for Tess to adjust, exploring the uncertainty following her first seizure as well as the aftermath when her symptoms recur. Her seizures are realistically frightening and unmooring. She has a network of support in her frazzled but loving family members, and her relationships with them, Charlie, and Mac are sweet, if not as fully fleshed out as they could be. While Tess’ journey is heartfelt, readers will wish that the novel explored in greater depth how she progresses beyond total denial and despair. Ultimately, the most interesting dynamic is between Tess and swimming: the dangers it now poses and the overriding passion she must regain and harness to learn once again why she loves it. Her athletic spirit drives her against the odds to find a place for herself in a sport that may no longer have one for her. Main characters read white.

A sincere story of approaching a new reality with a competitive edge.