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In the Shallows
In this captivating young adult novel, two girls set out to unravel a mystery tied to the sea―and fall in love along the way.
On New Year's Day, three fishermen haul a teenage girl out of the ocean. By the time they bring her to land, it’s clear that she doesn’t know where or who she is. Her story goes viral. The media calls her Nicoletta, after the fishermen’s boat. The rumors take a dark turn the next time the fishermen head out to sea―and fail to return. People say Nicoletta lured them to their deaths―their lives in exchange for hers.
And with that, the mystery becomes a legend.
Eighteen months later, Mara Malakar meets Nicoletta, or Nico, at a café. The two become fast friends, but as Mara realizes she wants more from their relationship, Nico remains oblivious, focused only on remembering. She may not want to, though. Could there be a reason she’s locked everything behind a door? And once she's brave enough to open it, what will happen to her? To them?
On New Year's Day, three fishermen haul a teenage girl out of the ocean. By the time they bring her to land, it’s clear that she doesn’t know where or who she is. Her story goes viral. The media calls her Nicoletta, after the fishermen’s boat. The rumors take a dark turn the next time the fishermen head out to sea―and fail to return. People say Nicoletta lured them to their deaths―their lives in exchange for hers.
And with that, the mystery becomes a legend.
Eighteen months later, Mara Malakar meets Nicoletta, or Nico, at a café. The two become fast friends, but as Mara realizes she wants more from their relationship, Nico remains oblivious, focused only on remembering. She may not want to, though. Could there be a reason she’s locked everything behind a door? And once she's brave enough to open it, what will happen to her? To them?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 21, 2024
About the author
Tanya Byrne
8 books529 followersTanya Byrne is an award-winning young adult author.
She was born in London where she spent forty years before moving to Brighton in 2017 with her dog, Frida. After eight years at BBC Radio, she left to write her debut novel, HEART-SHAPED BRUISE, which was published by Headline in May 2012 and earned her a nomination for New Writer of the Year at the National Book Awards.
Since then, she has written three young adult novels, including FLOORED, a unique collaborative novel with six other bestselling and award-winning authors: Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson and Eleanor Wood.
She has also contributed to several short story anthologies including A CHANGE IS GONNA COME, which was named Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week and was honoured with a Special Achievement Award by the YA Book Prize.
As a brown, queer, working class author, she is determined not to pull the ladder up after her so she is passionate about encouraging authors from marginalised backgrounds to tell their own stories and making publishing more open to everyone.
Her next novel, AFTERLOVE, is published by Hachette Children's Group in August.
She was born in London where she spent forty years before moving to Brighton in 2017 with her dog, Frida. After eight years at BBC Radio, she left to write her debut novel, HEART-SHAPED BRUISE, which was published by Headline in May 2012 and earned her a nomination for New Writer of the Year at the National Book Awards.
Since then, she has written three young adult novels, including FLOORED, a unique collaborative novel with six other bestselling and award-winning authors: Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson and Eleanor Wood.
She has also contributed to several short story anthologies including A CHANGE IS GONNA COME, which was named Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week and was honoured with a Special Achievement Award by the YA Book Prize.
As a brown, queer, working class author, she is determined not to pull the ladder up after her so she is passionate about encouraging authors from marginalised backgrounds to tell their own stories and making publishing more open to everyone.
Her next novel, AFTERLOVE, is published by Hachette Children's Group in August.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 15, 2024
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
“ Until I met her, I moved through life without leaving a dent, like the stiff red velvet sofa in my grandparents’ living room that forgets you as soon as you stand up.“
the goodreads description was so interesting and captivating but it literally has nothing to do with the book, I checked, the word “nicoletta” is not used a single time in the entire book so I can pinky promise the media did not call her that! this is a ya contemporary romance where the characters knew each other before the memory loss. they also met again like six months after she was found so like idk where eighteen months is coming from 😭 it was a shit book that villainized mental illness and justifies a very toxic relationship
“not everyone can love you in the way that you need to be loved.“
“things don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be true.“
“ Until I met her, I moved through life without leaving a dent, like the stiff red velvet sofa in my grandparents’ living room that forgets you as soon as you stand up.“
the goodreads description was so interesting and captivating but it literally has nothing to do with the book, I checked, the word “nicoletta” is not used a single time in the entire book so I can pinky promise the media did not call her that! this is a ya contemporary romance where the characters knew each other before the memory loss. they also met again like six months after she was found so like idk where eighteen months is coming from 😭 it was a shit book that villainized mental illness and justifies a very toxic relationship
“not everyone can love you in the way that you need to be loved.“
“things don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be true.“
May 7, 2024
I'll admit: i walked into this one thinking Nico was a mermaid, so i was therefore rather surprised.
March 4, 2024
Content warnings: accident resulting in amnesia (not MC), references to toxic relationships (romantic, and also parent/child), child abuse (drugging the child to make them sick), parent with mental illness and said parent also uses that to manipulate her child.
Rep: Mara (MC) is cis, Desi and lesbian (label not used on page (angry) but she is). Nico (LI) is cis, lesbian and Korean-British. Lots of POC side characters, lots of queer side characters, and a trans girl side character, too.
Why does the blurb say '18 months later?' because it isn't? It's a few months, if that. Especially considering Mara is 15 years old at the time of the accident, and is still 15 years old when she and Nico reunite. Someone needs to do their job properly @ publishing houses!
Anyway.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this. So I'm giving it a 3.
Rep: Mara (MC) is cis, Desi and lesbian (label not used on page (angry) but she is). Nico (LI) is cis, lesbian and Korean-British. Lots of POC side characters, lots of queer side characters, and a trans girl side character, too.
Why does the blurb say '18 months later?' because it isn't? It's a few months, if that. Especially considering Mara is 15 years old at the time of the accident, and is still 15 years old when she and Nico reunite. Someone needs to do their job properly @ publishing houses!
Anyway.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this. So I'm giving it a 3.
May 18, 2024
How can a book that starts off so good fumble the bag so badly. This book is extremely well written, but it wasn't enough to distract me from what the absolutely shit plot. Especially the reveal in the end is horrible. It reminded me a lot of Everything, Everything and I mean that as the opposite of a compliment. I'm struggling to understand why authors still think villainizing mental illness is a good move. Here, it was used as a shocking plot twist rather than handled with care and sensitivity, and I absolutely hated it.
July 12, 2024
Well that 180'd real quick.
There were parts I liked. But honestly, I almost dnf'd it in the beginning.
Mara is completely defined by Nico. From the literal first sentence, which starts something like "I am in love with Nico Rudolph." And it's not just that she likes her, or is in love with her. She's obsessed. But her relationship with Nico in the beginning, is awful. Nico texts her, they hang out, then Nico flakes and ghosts for a couple weeks, leaving Mara confused and devastated. Then it repeats. All her friends hate Nico. But Mara stays completely devoted to Nico. And as the reader, I agreed with her friends.
Which meant that I didn't care about Mara, because she doesn't really have any personality, especially at the beginning. She is self-described as average. She had "no life" until she met Nico (she's 15, come on, she'll do so many other things in her life). Her personality is 50% just being obsessed with Nico. And Nico sucks. She's rude and flakey and selfish. I found it really hard to understand why Mara liked her so much.
Then she falls off the pier.
Now, to not get into the whole book or spoil the ending, there's a pretty big reveal near the end. That kinda validates Mara for still talking to Nico after she's a total jerk. Which... I didn't love. Chasing after someone who's ghosting you is not romantic. It's obsess-y and stupid. Mara has a friend who, for most of the book, is dating her version of a Nico (minus the pier part). They stay together the whole book, and it's treated as a happily ever after. It's not. It creates this whole message that your self worth is tied to whether that random girl in a coffee shop wants to spend time with you.
But anyways, I didn't mean to rant so much about that.
I'm still not sure what to rate this. I did like a lot of Nico after the midway point. And I did like Mara's friends. There's definitely some more things I could rant about, but I'm not gonna.
Anyways, if anything, just know that this is purely a realistic fiction book. Cause I was under the impression it was more fantasy and it was.. not.
There were parts I liked. But honestly, I almost dnf'd it in the beginning.
Mara is completely defined by Nico. From the literal first sentence, which starts something like "I am in love with Nico Rudolph." And it's not just that she likes her, or is in love with her. She's obsessed. But her relationship with Nico in the beginning, is awful. Nico texts her, they hang out, then Nico flakes and ghosts for a couple weeks, leaving Mara confused and devastated. Then it repeats. All her friends hate Nico. But Mara stays completely devoted to Nico. And as the reader, I agreed with her friends.
Which meant that I didn't care about Mara, because she doesn't really have any personality, especially at the beginning. She is self-described as average. She had "no life" until she met Nico (she's 15, come on, she'll do so many other things in her life). Her personality is 50% just being obsessed with Nico. And Nico sucks. She's rude and flakey and selfish. I found it really hard to understand why Mara liked her so much.
Then she falls off the pier.
Now, to not get into the whole book or spoil the ending, there's a pretty big reveal near the end. That kinda validates Mara for still talking to Nico after she's a total jerk. Which... I didn't love. Chasing after someone who's ghosting you is not romantic. It's obsess-y and stupid. Mara has a friend who, for most of the book, is dating her version of a Nico (minus the pier part). They stay together the whole book, and it's treated as a happily ever after. It's not. It creates this whole message that your self worth is tied to whether that random girl in a coffee shop wants to spend time with you.
But anyways, I didn't mean to rant so much about that.
I'm still not sure what to rate this. I did like a lot of Nico after the midway point. And I did like Mara's friends. There's definitely some more things I could rant about, but I'm not gonna.
Anyways, if anything, just know that this is purely a realistic fiction book. Cause I was under the impression it was more fantasy and it was.. not.
February 11, 2024
This is a difficult one for me to review because I wanted to love it so much. Afterlove is one of my all time favourites, so I had high hopes for this but it sadly didn’t quite hit the mark for me. There were elements I loved (the friendships in particular) but I struggled with my feelings about the ‘big reveal’ and the pacing was a little off for me. That being said, I don’t regret my time with this book but I do have complicated feeling about it (essentially I’m still not 100% sure how I do feel about it.)
March 10, 2024
4.5⭐️
Okay, I’m a Tanya Byrne STAN, I can’t lie. This book took me a little while to get into (hence the half a star) but the story is sooo good. Once I got past the initial incident with Nico, I was invested. I definitely am not writing this recipe at 1am because I couldn’t sleep till I found out what happened.
I went from really hating Nico, to loving her and wishing I could be there for her in the matter of a couple chapters. I think that show’s excellent writing.
I expect nothing less than brilliant from a Tanya Byrne book, and that comes from experience not pure expectations, and this book did not disappoint.
Love love love it 🩷
Okay, I’m a Tanya Byrne STAN, I can’t lie. This book took me a little while to get into (hence the half a star) but the story is sooo good. Once I got past the initial incident with Nico, I was invested. I definitely am not writing this recipe at 1am because I couldn’t sleep till I found out what happened.
I went from really hating Nico, to loving her and wishing I could be there for her in the matter of a couple chapters. I think that show’s excellent writing.
I expect nothing less than brilliant from a Tanya Byrne book, and that comes from experience not pure expectations, and this book did not disappoint.
Love love love it 🩷
March 7, 2024
it was definitely a book! i just don’t think it was for me, a lot of beautiful writing but also it felt like nothing was being said 😭😭 and idk the ending still doesn’t explain why nico was such a dick to mara
Want to read
May 8, 2024On New Year's Day, three fishermen haul a teenage girl out of the ocean. By the time they bring her to land, it’s clear that she doesn’t know where or who she is.
June 20, 2024
this was honestly so good? The first half was defo stronger than the second half but I still really loved it!
May 2, 2024
so, i rlly liked this. i feel kinda sad that i "guessed right" what was wrong but i don't think it took anything away from the reading experience!! i loved and definetly got hooked w this 💞💞💞!!
May 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Firstly, I just want to point out that the Goodreads blurb isn't accurate at all - it's a contemporary romance (not a siren book like it sounds from there?) and Mara and Nico already knew each other at the start of the story.
This said - I loooved the author's previous book, Afterlove, so I was really excited to dive into her new YA novel. While the first few chapters felt quite rambly, trying to get the reader up to speed on a pre-existing toxic relationship and several close friendships, I got hooked around chapter 9... and finished the book in 1 day! Tanya Byrne's writing is beautiful and she made her main character so vibrant, and her feelings so tangible.
In The Shallows starts off with Mara and Nico is quite a toxic relationship, with Mara running after Nico like a puppy and Nico ghosting her regularly. Her close friends try to talk Mara out of the relationship, but she won't hear of it and keeps going back whenever Nico comes calling. I hated Nico for that whole portion of the book, because gosh was she awful to the MC! This is obviously explained more later and I felt very differently then, but for a good half of the book I was totally on the friends' side, wanting her gone. Then Nico has a tragic accident and she loses her memory. She returns as a completely different person and it all feels like some sort of fresh start when the two bump into each other again... but something is definitely wrong there and Mara needs to figure it out 👀
... I guessed the reveal a few chapters before the characters did, but still mostly enjoyed reading how they figured it out. Some of it didn't sit quite right with me, hence the not-quite-full 4 stars.
A highlight in the book was the presence of such strong bonds in Mara's life and the way these are described - her parents are amazing and her relationship with her best friend so heartwarming to read about.
What to expect?
🏳️🌈 sapphic relationship
🙅♀️ toxic relationship (for a while)
💭 memory loss
👭 strong friendships
✍️ 1st person POV
Thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours and the publisher for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, I just want to point out that the Goodreads blurb isn't accurate at all - it's a contemporary romance (not a siren book like it sounds from there?) and Mara and Nico already knew each other at the start of the story.
This said - I loooved the author's previous book, Afterlove, so I was really excited to dive into her new YA novel. While the first few chapters felt quite rambly, trying to get the reader up to speed on a pre-existing toxic relationship and several close friendships, I got hooked around chapter 9... and finished the book in 1 day! Tanya Byrne's writing is beautiful and she made her main character so vibrant, and her feelings so tangible.
In The Shallows starts off with Mara and Nico is quite a toxic relationship, with Mara running after Nico like a puppy and Nico ghosting her regularly. Her close friends try to talk Mara out of the relationship, but she won't hear of it and keeps going back whenever Nico comes calling. I hated Nico for that whole portion of the book, because gosh was she awful to the MC! This is obviously explained more later and I felt very differently then, but for a good half of the book I was totally on the friends' side, wanting her gone. Then Nico has a tragic accident and she loses her memory. She returns as a completely different person and it all feels like some sort of fresh start when the two bump into each other again... but something is definitely wrong there and Mara needs to figure it out 👀
... I guessed the reveal a few chapters before the characters did, but still mostly enjoyed reading how they figured it out. Some of it didn't sit quite right with me, hence the not-quite-full 4 stars.
A highlight in the book was the presence of such strong bonds in Mara's life and the way these are described - her parents are amazing and her relationship with her best friend so heartwarming to read about.
What to expect?
🏳️🌈 sapphic relationship
🙅♀️ toxic relationship (for a while)
💭 memory loss
👭 strong friendships
✍️ 1st person POV
Thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours and the publisher for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2024
"In the Shallows" is a book that will surprise you, I think. Our Desi protagonist Mara is in love with the girl of her dreams, Nico, who regularly ghosts, abandons and slights her. Mara's friends are just waiting for the inevitable heartbreak because Nico truly seems to be toxic, secretive and mean. When Mara was set to meet Nico on New Year's Eve and Nico not only cancels on short notice but also dumps her via text, Mara is heartbroken. The next day, a girl is fished from the Brighton sea, it is Nico but she apparently suffers from amnesia. And not everything is as it seems.
I hated Nico at first, I hated how unhealthy and obsessive Mara was. I still think this is quite problematic. Also the depiction of the mother and her struggles as revealed later in the book felt a bit extreme and rushed. I did not see that plottwist coming to be frank but it also felt unrealistic.
I loved Mara's friends who always had her back. I also loved that Mara has loving cool parents who are there for her. I also loved how they navigated their parents / their (diaspora) heritage. I wanted all the food that Mara's parents cooked. I also want friends like Mara, I never had this.
What an interesting sapphic read, although it was overly dramatic YA style.
3.5 stars
I hated Nico at first, I hated how unhealthy and obsessive Mara was. I still think this is quite problematic. Also the depiction of the mother and her struggles as revealed later in the book felt a bit extreme and rushed. I did not see that plottwist coming to be frank but it also felt unrealistic.
I loved Mara's friends who always had her back. I also loved that Mara has loving cool parents who are there for her. I also loved how they navigated their parents / their (diaspora) heritage. I wanted all the food that Mara's parents cooked. I also want friends like Mara, I never had this.
What an interesting sapphic read, although it was overly dramatic YA style.
3.5 stars
August 31, 2024
3.75 stars
September 21, 2024
The library had this in the fantasy section. I thought it was about mermaids for way too long, it super wasn’t.
November 21, 2023
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I LOVED THIS BOOK AAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
March 30, 2024
even i’m shocked i liked it
January 14, 2024
Mara Malakar’s relationship with Nico is… complicated to say the least. They’ve kissed, but never held hands. Mara knows Nico’s age, but not her birthday. She’s never met Nico’s friends but Nico’s met Mara’s. And lately, Nico has been pulling away from her, the gaps between messages and calls lengthening.
Mara’s best friend Michelle wants her to cut Nico out of her life completely. But when Nico invites Mara to meet her on New Year’s Eve, Mara can’t resist… only for Nico to then ghost her and dump her by text.
But then Mara sees the report on TV. A girl has been rescued from the sea on New Year’s Day. It’s Nico. And, as it turns out, she has no memory of what she was doing that night or who she is.
After a chance meeting, Mara and Nico grow close again. But while Nico still has no memory of Mara, or who she was before her accident, Mara is caught between helping Nico remember the past, or focusing on the present.
There was a lot I really enjoyed in this book. Mara’s experience of teenage love and all the messy emotions that go along with it were well-presented with a relatable, realistic level of teenage angst that we’ve all felt. Some of the standout passages for me were Mara’s attempts to “return to normal” after Nico. Anyone who’s ever suffered a breakup will see a lot of themselves and their emotions in Mara and it was deeply relatable. The prose was a real strength, with beautiful imagery that got right under your skin in the best of ways. Most of the characters were bright and lively and I had particular fondness for Mara and her diverse cast of friends - I would have loved a friend group like them - and her parents.
The mystery element of the story was a bit gentler than I expected, but was compelling towards the end of the book in particular. I had made some guesses that turned out to be correct but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story at all and I raced to the end to see how everything would resolve.
There were a couple of things I wasn’t as keen on. I feel like I had a different expectation of the book based on how the Goodreads/Amazon blurbs presented it, and some elements that I expected to be more prominent were glossed over or absent altogether. This isn’t a detriment to the book at all as I enjoyed the story I got but it was a bit jarring and had me feeling a bit mixed up at times, especially in the earlier chapters.
The beginning of the novel I also felt was a bit slow-paced and dragged on a wee bit. For me, there was a lot of backstory embedded in the earlier chapters which took me a while to parse through. At times there was a lot going on with lots of different secondary characters which again, slowed me down when I was more invested in Mara’s internal dilemmas and what happened to Nico.
Overall, there was a lot I enjoyed here. The romance was messy and complex and wonderful in equal manner, Mara’s internal dilemma about telling Nico about their past relationship was compelling, and the emotion from the passages focusing on Mara’s attempts to move on will stay with me for a long time.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc.
Mara’s best friend Michelle wants her to cut Nico out of her life completely. But when Nico invites Mara to meet her on New Year’s Eve, Mara can’t resist… only for Nico to then ghost her and dump her by text.
But then Mara sees the report on TV. A girl has been rescued from the sea on New Year’s Day. It’s Nico. And, as it turns out, she has no memory of what she was doing that night or who she is.
After a chance meeting, Mara and Nico grow close again. But while Nico still has no memory of Mara, or who she was before her accident, Mara is caught between helping Nico remember the past, or focusing on the present.
There was a lot I really enjoyed in this book. Mara’s experience of teenage love and all the messy emotions that go along with it were well-presented with a relatable, realistic level of teenage angst that we’ve all felt. Some of the standout passages for me were Mara’s attempts to “return to normal” after Nico. Anyone who’s ever suffered a breakup will see a lot of themselves and their emotions in Mara and it was deeply relatable. The prose was a real strength, with beautiful imagery that got right under your skin in the best of ways. Most of the characters were bright and lively and I had particular fondness for Mara and her diverse cast of friends - I would have loved a friend group like them - and her parents.
The mystery element of the story was a bit gentler than I expected, but was compelling towards the end of the book in particular. I had made some guesses that turned out to be correct but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story at all and I raced to the end to see how everything would resolve.
There were a couple of things I wasn’t as keen on. I feel like I had a different expectation of the book based on how the Goodreads/Amazon blurbs presented it, and some elements that I expected to be more prominent were glossed over or absent altogether. This isn’t a detriment to the book at all as I enjoyed the story I got but it was a bit jarring and had me feeling a bit mixed up at times, especially in the earlier chapters.
The beginning of the novel I also felt was a bit slow-paced and dragged on a wee bit. For me, there was a lot of backstory embedded in the earlier chapters which took me a while to parse through. At times there was a lot going on with lots of different secondary characters which again, slowed me down when I was more invested in Mara’s internal dilemmas and what happened to Nico.
Overall, there was a lot I enjoyed here. The romance was messy and complex and wonderful in equal manner, Mara’s internal dilemma about telling Nico about their past relationship was compelling, and the emotion from the passages focusing on Mara’s attempts to move on will stay with me for a long time.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc.
August 2, 2024
This is a story that starts with a young Sapphic romance between Mara and Nico falling apart.
When fishermen pull a teenage girl from the ocean, a girl who has no memory of her identity, Mara is shocked to realize that it is Nico. When the two meet again by chance, they form a friendship and Nico's mother asks Mara not to mention their past to avoid upsetting her. The two slowly start to develop feelings for one another again.
This is just delightful. This is a YA sapphic contemporary romance that I really enjoyed. I think this is best for the younger YA crowd, but I found it a pleasant read as well.
I loved the development of the friendships and the gradual, heartfelt romance between the two main characters. The book tackles some tough topics with sensitivity and resolves them in a satisfying (but slightly convenient) way.
While it might be a bit too fluffy to be entirely realistic, it was exactly the kind of light and engaging story I wanted. It was exactly what I needed in between darker stories, so I'm so happy to have read this beautiful story.
Thanks so much to Henry Holt and Godwin Books for the copy. This review is honest, all opinions are my own, and voluntary.
When fishermen pull a teenage girl from the ocean, a girl who has no memory of her identity, Mara is shocked to realize that it is Nico. When the two meet again by chance, they form a friendship and Nico's mother asks Mara not to mention their past to avoid upsetting her. The two slowly start to develop feelings for one another again.
This is just delightful. This is a YA sapphic contemporary romance that I really enjoyed. I think this is best for the younger YA crowd, but I found it a pleasant read as well.
I loved the development of the friendships and the gradual, heartfelt romance between the two main characters. The book tackles some tough topics with sensitivity and resolves them in a satisfying (but slightly convenient) way.
While it might be a bit too fluffy to be entirely realistic, it was exactly the kind of light and engaging story I wanted. It was exactly what I needed in between darker stories, so I'm so happy to have read this beautiful story.
Thanks so much to Henry Holt and Godwin Books for the copy. This review is honest, all opinions are my own, and voluntary.
March 27, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't work for me. I really didn't like any of the characters - the main character, Mara, is very annoying and just completely obsessed with Nico, and yet Nico was completely awful to her! I couldn't understand why Mara would like Nico so much, nor was it ever really explained why Nico was so awful. All of the side characters as well felt like the EXACT same person, I genuinely could not tell a single one of them apart. The timeline would also kind of jump around without any explanation, and it just felt like the story never really led anywhere in the end.
I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't work for me. I really didn't like any of the characters - the main character, Mara, is very annoying and just completely obsessed with Nico, and yet Nico was completely awful to her! I couldn't understand why Mara would like Nico so much, nor was it ever really explained why Nico was so awful. All of the side characters as well felt like the EXACT same person, I genuinely could not tell a single one of them apart. The timeline would also kind of jump around without any explanation, and it just felt like the story never really led anywhere in the end.
February 17, 2024
Mild spoilers!
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder Children's Books for this e-ARC.
Nico and Mara have had an on-again off-again relationship for six months now, but Mara just can't give up on their relationship even if Nico doesn't seem as invested as her. Then a girl is pulled from the sea and she doesn't remember anything. It's Nico.
I really enjoyed this story of second chances. I was Nico's biggest critic at first. We've all got that ex who we were obsessed with, would literally die for, that didn't seem to care about us at all. I really wanted to give Mara a shake and tell her how much better she could do! I completely agreed with her friends (who were absolute gems). But then Mara met Nico again after her near-drowning, and this Nico was completely different. Without her memories, she was sweet, cheeky, innocent and she got nervous when she asked Mara for coffee. It was so adorable to see how much Nico genuinely cared about Mara that I completely changed my opinion on her. I devoured the rest of the book and wow, I saw the twist coming but it was insane none the less.
Definitely recommend this one for amazing friends, cute second chances and being in the now!
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder Children's Books for this e-ARC.
Nico and Mara have had an on-again off-again relationship for six months now, but Mara just can't give up on their relationship even if Nico doesn't seem as invested as her. Then a girl is pulled from the sea and she doesn't remember anything. It's Nico.
I really enjoyed this story of second chances. I was Nico's biggest critic at first. We've all got that ex who we were obsessed with, would literally die for, that didn't seem to care about us at all. I really wanted to give Mara a shake and tell her how much better she could do! I completely agreed with her friends (who were absolute gems). But then Mara met Nico again after her near-drowning, and this Nico was completely different. Without her memories, she was sweet, cheeky, innocent and she got nervous when she asked Mara for coffee. It was so adorable to see how much Nico genuinely cared about Mara that I completely changed my opinion on her. I devoured the rest of the book and wow, I saw the twist coming but it was insane none the less.
Definitely recommend this one for amazing friends, cute second chances and being in the now!
August 1, 2024
4⭐️
-> this took me no time at all and i was never bored
-> i loved Mara and could really connect to her as a character
-> i loved the friendship of Mara and her friends and thought each friend was spotlighted at different times
-> i did like the twist although it didn’t explain some moments fully
-> i REALLY wish we could have explored Nico’s character more and her relationship with Mara - it is a romance after all. I thought we got a few moments but I didn’t feel like it was enough
-> Overall, a cute romance but i would have liked to see more ✨romance✨
-> this took me no time at all and i was never bored
-> i loved Mara and could really connect to her as a character
-> i loved the friendship of Mara and her friends and thought each friend was spotlighted at different times
-> i did like the twist although it didn’t explain some moments fully
-> i REALLY wish we could have explored Nico’s character more and her relationship with Mara - it is a romance after all. I thought we got a few moments but I didn’t feel like it was enough
-> Overall, a cute romance but i would have liked to see more ✨romance✨
June 15, 2024
Beginning was putting me off a bit, however when I got to around the climax it actually started getting better and the plot at the end was amazing
Also what is with Nico's collar bone in the cover? Is it just me or is it really werid and at an unnatural angle?
Also what is with Nico's collar bone in the cover? Is it just me or is it really werid and at an unnatural angle?
April 5, 2024
3.5⭐️
July 13, 2024
it was okay but not It, the plot twist wasnt nearly as shocking as i hoped but it is rly well written
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 18, 2024i didn’t like the writing style or the narrator sadly
June 25, 2024
3.5
main character makes bad decisions yet these decisions work in her favour so who’s the real boss?
main character makes bad decisions yet these decisions work in her favour so who’s the real boss?
May 23, 2024
4.75⭐
August 9, 2024
3.5*
This was honestly so sweet and a very important story about mental health
The acknowledgements also made me tear up 😔
This was honestly so sweet and a very important story about mental health
The acknowledgements also made me tear up 😔
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