Left Drowning

Left Drowning, Book 1

By: Jessica Park

Narrated by: Arielle DeLisle

What does it take to rise from life's depths, swim against the current, and breathe?

Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn't expect - an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she's been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family's traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

This audiobook is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.

Note: Due to mature content recommended for Ages 17+

©2013 Jessica Park (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Emotional and Gripping!

Any additional comments?

This was a magnificent read! I was taken on an emotional and gripping Rollercoaster ride. I always look forward to reading Ms. Park's books, the way she expresses the characters feelings is outstanding. I literally feel it as I read it. I really enjoyed the interaction amongst the siblings and how they rallied together.

Intense.

So well written. Extremely emotional but still filled with joy, humor and healing. Loved the siblings.

50 shades of grey

Basically porn about halfway through the book . Started out with a very vague back story but was intriguing. Ended up fast forwarding through the sex to get back to the story.

Hurt and healing in the best way possible.

Not that it's any surprise, but I absolutely loved this book. All of Jessica Parker's stories are great - I don't know why I never read this one. The emotions in this one are so raw and heartbreaking, and so many times I felt my eyes filling as I was working and listening to this book. The narration is excellent. Ms. DeLisle brings the characters to life and makes you feel Chris and Blythe's mutual pain and suffering, and then healing. Gah, I'm so overwhelmed, I don't even know what to say. Just listen to it.

Loved It

Would you consider the audio edition of Left Drowning to be better than the print version?

I didn't read much of the print version so I can't honestly say.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Sioban, he was so over the top and adorable.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were too many scenes to deem a favorite but maybe one of the flashback scenes at the lake. It was sweet.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried. Everyone in this story was amazing and it was just so heartfelt.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this to anyone looking for a great read. The characters are great, the story is great. Just a great read overall :).

Good story, excessive sexual detailed

Would you try another book from Jessica Park and/or Arielle DeLisle?

No, I wouldn't bother with another book by the author. She was apparently too lazy to try to think up new ideas and relied excessively on ridiculous excessive fake sounding sexual behavior. Reader was good

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Eliminated 95% of the sexual detail.

Have you listened to any of Arielle DeLisle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Don't believe I heard her before.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Left Drowning?

The excessive scenes on sexual behavior.

Any additional comments?

Overall it was a good story, but we won't listen to any more books by this author. We felt the author was just too lazy so she relied on related to extremes tails of sexual behavior that quickly became obscene in their own way.

Complicated love story!

What a wonderful love story about two families that their lives intertwined many years before they actually really met. Both main people were damaged from previous problems when they were young. Both thought they did not deserve to be happy, but as their relationship blossoms , everything changes.

Fate.

THIS book was epic and connected in ways that most would never think of. Sure I wanted to die because she is with the wrong brother in my opinion but I love them all. Also fucking fate man.

Reader Comments

My fellow victims of child abuse , those who have been left feeling unloved because of child abuse, and those who have been left mentally and behaviorally damaged by child abuse must read this novel. The story does an amazing job of telling of how child abuse affects people and does an equally good job of sharing a message of hope that we can overcome our troubled pasts and find love. Please recommend this novel to your book clubs and friends who you know to be victims of child abuse.

College age romance and loss

Narrator:
Arielle DeLisle is the solo performer in this unabridged audiobook of Left Drowning. She’s a narrator and voice actor. She wasn’t just reading the words she was performing the scenes. It’s import to find the perfect narrator to match the tone of the story. Arielle provides a skilled performance portraying Blythe.
I read this book years ago, but something about having the audiobook experience had me revisiting it. Often times my experience from reading isn’t very favorable because reading seems like a chore. I’m glad I invested in this audiobook because Arielle convinced me with her talented performance that second chances are worth it. It’s amazing how much a persons mood can affect their reading experience. When I first read this book I had a different experience than I currently am.

Left Drowning is a College age romance between Blythe and Chris Shepard. Chris is in his senior year as well as Blythe. In fact, all the Shepard siblings attend the same college.

Four years ago Blythe lost her parents. Chris lost his mom when he was fourteen. He’s been estranged from his father since he left for college. Chris had a good understanding of what Blythe has been feeling. Meeting Chris was like an awakening to her emotions. In fact, the Shepard’s rescued her from her grief and pain. With Chris’s help he helped her face her past.

The minor supporting characters Sabin, Eric and Estelle added to the development of these characters. They were likable characters. Estelle and Eric are twins.

There’s a little bit of that Flat-Out-Love in this book. The familiar writing style. They say write what you know…that has me wondering if Jessica Park has experienced this type of loss. Her writing voice and language seems to focus on loss.

I was surprised by the amount of graphic sex scenes. Dare I say it was too much? I didn’t appreciate the dialogue conversation during sex. The dirty talk didn’t come across as sexy in my opinion.
I love the originality of the storyline, however I wish it had been a little more realistic. Jessica Park had me convinced up until the truth of Chris’s past was exposed.