[Review] Girl Underwater by Claire Kells

Girl Underwater by Claire Kells 
Publisher: Dutton
Publishing Date: March 31, 2015
320 Pages
Format: ebook, ARC
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Goodreads rating: 4 stars

Synopsis 

Nineteen-year-old Avery Delacorte loves the water. Growing up in Brookline, Massachusetts, she took swim lessons at her community pool and captained the local team; in high school, she raced across bays and sprawling North American lakes. Now a sophomore on her university’s nationally ranked team, she struggles under the weight of new expectations but life is otherwise pretty good. Perfect, really.

That all changes when Avery’s red-eye home for Thanksgiving makes a ditch landing in a mountain lake in the Colorado Rockies. She is one of only five survivors, which includes three little boys and Colin Shea, who happens to be her teammate. Colin is also the only person in Avery’s college life who challenged her to swim her own events, to be her own person—something she refused to do. Instead she’s avoided him since the first day of freshman year. But now, faced with sub-zero temperatures, minimal supplies, and the dangers of a forbidding nowhere, Avery and Colin must rely on each other in ways they never could’ve imagined.

In the wilderness, the concept of survival is clear-cut. Simple. In the real world, it’s anything but.

My Review

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. 

What a really great debut novel by Claire Kells! I knew this book was about a plane crash and it would be emotional, but I didn't expect it to suck me in so much! I was really touched by how well this was written and how much the author dove into the feelings and after effects of a plane crash. Avery and Colin have to learn to survive in the middle of nowhere with three small children. Their skills are put to the test when they realize that help won't be coming any time soon. Avery is a tough character. She's terrified about what is going on, but knows she has to be strong for the children and Colin. And Colin is her rock; he gives her the courage and fight to push through the tough days. I really like these two characters together. Avery clearly has feelings for him, but she tries to push them away. 

I was quite surprised with this book and I must say, Claire Kells has a new fan! I can't wait to see what else she comes out with as her career flourishes, which I'm sure it will. If you pick up this book, be ready for an emotional, harrowing journey.