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Note: this is a new adult book and deals with mature themes so it may not be suitable for readers under 17.
Brooke Wright has only two goals her senior year at Charity Run High School: stay out of trouble and learn to forgive herself for the past. Forgiveness proves elusive, and trouble finds her anyway when she discovers a secret club at school connected to the death of her best friend. She learns that swim team members participate in a “Fantasy Slut League,” scoring points for their sexual acts with unsuspecting girls.
Brooke, wracked with guilt over her friend’s death, decides to infiltrate the league by becoming one of the “unsuspecting girls,” and exact revenge on the boys who stole away her best friend. An unexpected romance complicates her plans, and her dogged pursuit of justice turns her reckless as she underestimates just how far the boys will go to keep their sex club a secret.
(This is a New Adult fiction book with mature themes. It contains graphic sex and language and a description of sexual violence.)
Note: this is a new adult book and it deals with mature themes such as rape, and explicit sex.
Going Under is beautifully written. I was really moved by the writing in this book. S. Walden did an amazing job evoking emotion with her writing. Brooke is such a strong young lady. Even though some of the things she did were pretty dangerous and I wouldn’t recommend her course of action, I completely understand why she felt like she needed to. I can’t even imagine losing my best friend the way she lost hers. This book is about her journey really. Sure, there is also the “secret club of jerks” storyline that she is trying to get to the bottom to, but for me it was much more about justice for Beth and closure for Brooke.
Brooke is completely weighed down by her guilt for most of the book. She feels responsible for her best friends death because of certain things that happened before her death. But no one else blames Brooke. She only blames herself. And because of this guilt she hatches a plan to avenge Beth. And she spends most of the book figuring out a way to do it. Along the way, she meets Ryan and they seemed like magnets. They were instantly drawn to each other. Even though they both tried to keep their distance, they just couldn’t stay away for long. But Ryan and Brooke each had their own secrets. (just like everyone else at the school, it seemed). There were a few twists and turns and theories thrown around at various points in the story but I thought it was pretty clear what was really going on. There wasn’t too much mystery surrounding the secret club, but I still loved the way the story flowed.
Nothing felt forced, or rushed. The writing was descriptive and beautiful really. Going Under is a very powerful book. The strength that you see in Brooke is beautiful. She is someone that you are rooting for the whole time. I just loved her. Going under deals with some pretty mature and dark themes and there is some graphic scenes but it is just a great book. One that I would re-read for sure.
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| 4/5 Gavels |
S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. Her dreams include raising chickens and owning and operating a beachside inn on the Gulf Coast (chickens included). When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about it.
She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her blog at http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.com where you can get up-to-date information on her current projects.
Author Links:
Website: http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.ca/
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S. Walden
Hey Michelle,
Thanks so much for taking the time to review my work, and thank you for participating in my tour.
<3 Summer
Giselle
It does sound like a powerful and emotional read! Also an important one with a thought provoking story! Glad you enjoyed it, Michelle!
Jessica S.
I love the premise of this one. It reminds me of Veronica Mars season 3. Well, Veronica Mars in general, but season 3 especially because the element is similar. Based on your review, it sounds like it is written very well. Adding it to the TBR! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This sounds good Michelle and I love that it didn’t feel forced or rushed.