Book Review: Drowning is Inevitable by Shalanda Stanley
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Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 280
Format: ARC
Goodreads
(Last Updated On: November 1, 2021)Olivia has spent her whole life struggling to escape her dead mother’s shadow. But when her father can’t even look at her because Olivia reminds him of her mother, and her grandmother mistakenly calls her “Lillian,” shaking a reputation she didn’t ask for is next to impossible. Olivia is used to leaning on her best friend, Jamie; her handsome but hot-tempered boyfriend, Max; and their wild-child friend, Maggie, for the reality check that her small Louisiana town can’t provide. But when a terrible fight between Jamie and his father turns deadly, all Olivia can think to do is grab her friends and run. In a flash, Olivia, Jamie, Max, and Maggie become fugitives on the back roads of Louisiana. They’re headed to New Orleans, where they hope to find a solution to an unfixable problem. But with their faces displayed on all the news stations, their journey becomes a harrowing game of hide-and-seek from the police—and so-called allies, who just might be the real enemy.
Shalanda Stanley’s breathtaking debut novel explores the deep ties between legacy, loyalty, and love, even as it asks the question: How far would you go to save a friend?
I’ve been reading so many amazing contemporaries this year and Drowning Is Inevitable is absolutely no exception. The story follows Olivia, who’s about to turn the same age that her mother was when she committed suicide: 18. Olivia lives with her grandmother in her mom’s old room; she even wears her mom’s old clothes and listens to her mother’s old music. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that her grandmother is constantly calling her by her mother’s name: Lillian.
Awww the dynamic with the grandmother mistaking Olivia for her mother just sounds si heart breaking. Also having the characters on the run would be emotional too. Lovely review!
Awww the dynamic with the grandmother mistaking Olivia for her mother just sounds si heart breaking. Also having the characters on the run would be emotional too. Lovely review!
Great review! I haven't heard much about this book, but it sounds really good.
I'm very intrigued by the fact that they are on the run for almost the whole book. It seems like a really cool and unique book, but emotional too. It seems like there's so many thing going on in this book.
I'll have to check it out!
I think, I've only read one Contemporary in which the characters were on the run (Infinity + One) but I just simply wasn't crazy about that book. However, based on your review Drowning is Inevitable sounds exactly like my kind of book. Also, that cover is absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait to get my hands on this novel.
Lovely review. 🙂