When we’re together, I can’t breathe. I ran.From my family, my career, from every dream I ever had.I stopped when I met her.But what I realized was that she was running, too.I tried to protect her—from the crash, from the injuries. From HIM.All she ever felt was fists. All she ever heard was abuse.Somewhere along the way, she’d started to believe she deserved it.I was going to change that.I was … started to believe she deserved it.
I was going to change that.
I was going to treasure her.
Because whether she wanted me or not, I needed her.
Her sweetness.
Her body.
Her lust.
Just when I got what I wanted, I had to run again.
But this time, I had to do it alone.more
The first lines just impacted me
For those who are still running.
For those who have found home.
And what a run across the country Andi and Clay had to do…they’re running from their violent pasts. Andi is running from horror of abuse and violence and Clay is running from himself. His tainted name. His friends. The law . And his own shadow , that threatens to blacken everyone unfortunate enough to be associated with him.
They’re both scared, both looking over their shoulders, both lowering the caps on their eyes, both too afraid to trust.
We’re nothing more than two misunderstood people who aren’t done fighting. And we’re not going to give up until we come out on top.
It’s a terrible endeavour to leave your roots, your home to start afresh. They live day to day, hiding their identity and just wandering like driftwood waiting for tides to chart their future course. They find a moment you breathe with each other, so they find anchor and a shoulder to lean on amidst all the hurricane. That soon develops into love and find a tiny glimmer of normalcy till everything blows up in their faces!!
There’s a constant source of strength for Andi, in the form of Charlie, who gives her validation, encouragement to get out and resolve to self preserve
As usual, Charlie doesn’t give himself enough credit. But he’s still everything I need him to be. He listens to my fears and offers advice, and when we’re both standing in front of the shelter, he says the most important things he ever could— with his eyes. That I’m worthy. That I’m a fighter. And that I can move on from this.
Brooks could be any one of the million abusive people who prey on innocent weak women , unable to defend themselves, yet Andi had at one point loved him, she’s such a sweetheart, she still pities him
Watching Brooks self-destruct hurts. How I can look at a monster and still feel that, I have no idea. Maybe he messed me up more than I thought, but I remember our first date and the first time he made me feel responsible for his happiness. I was convinced there was no greater feeling in the world. Proud to have his hand on the small of my back, I let him lead me wherever he wanted to go. Because, as long as I had him next to me, I was invincible. I’ll miss that Brooks— always.
Maybe that’s the dilemma every victim faces !
It’s a great story , very slick and thrilling.
Marni and Gia bring endearing characters to life and the story shall stay with you for a long time !
Wasn’t sure what to expect when these two wonderful authors worked together but what Drowning is is so much more than I could imagine. They gave me a new book boyfriend to swoon over. Clay/Adrian is more than just a sexy man with a beard. More than just a past or headlines, he is a kind, caring, gentle,protective and I even say honest man who has had some very bad things occur to place him in the position he is in now. The ending I couldn’t believe how kind and forgiving he really was until than. He was also very troubled by his past in this book. He didn’t know how to let go for it was always present in the worst ways.
For Andi, she was in danger. She was a good character but drowning in violence and being trapped. When she finally takes a step she is pulled back down under only to have Clay pull her out. When he is drowning from his past she does the same for him. He sacrifices for her when it is needed and he shows her love, understanding, respect and frees her only to be chained now and drowning himself. Except to make sure she stays untethered he tries to let her go. Good thing she is one stubborn girl and doesn’t give up.
their story is emotionally charged, at times dark and always fraught with love and acceptance . There isn’t a moment where you don’t see who they really are and how perfect they are for each other. In ways they heal each other and help each other become stronger people. In other ways they hold each other back. Andi feels so safe with Clay that she doesn‘t really see her own strength and Clay tries to let her go even though it is painful and he allows his chivalry to have him not believe in love and himself. She also proves him wrong on how she can free him. She does this in so many ways.
the writing is phenom. We have two flawed characters due to their past that are kind, gentle and caring come together and give us a epic love story. a story that has you feel what they do and want them to swim to the top and be strong and not just tread water or drown. Drown from the burdens chaining them to their pasts. these two have you feel for them, root for them and see how when you believe enough things can change and become good. We see love at its finest when it fights to change things and how love brings people together to right wrongs. We see how the human nature to be good and help those who need it comes through and shows us how accepting and thankful people can be. These two bring out the good in others and have them want to help them. Clay and Andi are inherently good, kind people who fall in love with each other and keep each other from drowning in their own pasts. A wonderfully emotionally charged story where you are endeared to the main characters and want them to succeed. Where you feel their attraction and each emotion they do. You are lured into their survival and root for them to get beyond survival mode and succeed. A wonderful story from these two and you wish it doesn’t end now I hope that their two friends are next to get a story from these two amazing authors?
Life on the run is always better when yo my have someone to run with and run to. Andi gave that to Adrian/Clay at a time when he needed it most. She gave him that home feeling while she was healing herself from her abusive past. The storyline was great and it was fast-paced so you were never bored. I would love to know what happens with Russell and Camille and Charlie.
Picking up this book I thought I knew what it was going to be about. From the very beginning I realized I had no idea what I was getting myself into. This book had my heart racing in fear and anticipation, and I swear I thought I was going to die. Drowning is such a deep and heartwrenching story. It is about betrayal, fear, love, and true happiness. I loved every second reading this book.
Its so hard to truly tell you how much I loved this book without giving anything away so I will explain it to the best my abilities. Drowning is about Andi, a girl running away from an abusive relationship who meets he salvation Clay, who is running from his past. Together they help each other fight their demons, and Clay finds himself willing to risk everything to protect Andi.
I was immediately invested into these characters. I felt for both of their situations. Abuse and betrayal had drastically changed each of their lives. They meet under the most traumatic circumstances. I can’t believe how many twists and gut wrenching turns that left a lump in my throat. I actually felt Andi’s fear. But I also hoped for her happiness, for her to let go of all the fear. Clay was so perfect. He was patient with Andi and cared so much for her. All he wanted to do was cherish her and treat her the way she should be treated. Marni Mann did an excellent job writing this book. It was absolute perfection and put a spotlight on abuse. I loved the way it was written and all the turn of events that literally had me sick with nerves. Needless to say I really liked this book.
I definitely recommend this book to readers. It is worth picking up. You will enjoy it despite its sad setting, it will also make you love it.