Fear wasn’t a fleeting emotion for Lucy Abrams. It was something she felt every day of her life. The night she almost drowned was seared into her memory, marking the beginning of her problem with anxiety. Her oceanfront home and the crashing of waves against the shoreline served as an ever-present reminder of her past. Until the day she saw someone on the beach whose very presence calmed her.
… her.
Ellis Sullivan was a recent law school graduate, spending the summer with his best friends at his family’s beach house in Ray Point. It was their last chance to have fun together before they entered the workforce. Summer was supposed to be full of days on the sand and parties at night, but that changed the day he first saw Lucy. She walked into his life and rendered him speechless. He knew he’d never be the same.
A relationship between the two was unexpected, but their connection was strong. Not everyone thought they should be together, though. Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, Gabe, wasn’t ready to give up on a future with her. After all, he was the one who saved her life.
Love and trust came together to help Lucy find the peace within that she had searched for since that terrible night. Only with the right person by her side was she able to move on, beyond the fear that had ruled her life for far too long. The person who made her feel like she was floating.
*This book contains explicit language and sexual content. It is meant for readers 18 and over.
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I really enjoyed this book! It was fast paced and flowed nicely. The turn of events were done beautifully and the ending was terrific!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Michelle Dare is one of my very favorite authors. I have read every book she has published and I was so excited to read Floating. The concept of this book is a bit different, not only is it a wonderful romance, it also shows one young woman’s personal battle with anxiety. Lucy had a near fatal accident that has tainted her life since the night she almost died. Her anxiety rules her life and she has struggled with help from her mother but until she meets Ellis, she is still stricken with her fear. Once she meets him, together they battle her anxiety and fall in love along the way. The characters are well developed and the writing is well paced and beautifully executed. A beach love story with enough angst to wash over the reader and enough passion to be satisfying.
Terrified is a good word to explain how Lucy feels about water. After drowning, it seems like a rational fear. However, Lucy’s anxiety from her fear keeps her from living a “normal” life. She’s tired of being afraid. Her fear is debilitating and causes her panic. Four years after her incident and she still can’t hear or see the ocean without panicking, no problem right…wrong. Lucy has returned home from college to live with her mom in their ocean side home. Her anxiety is not just about water, but about her fear. Lucy is so afraid of being judged she has distanced herself from virtually everyone.
Until him…
Ellis is taking the summer off to enjoy himself before life and responsibilities take over. He’s looking for the ultimate summer with his 2 best friends before they have to take the bar and find jobs. A summer of fun takes a different turn when Ellis sees Lucy for the first time. Tongue tied, mouth open looking like a fool, Ellis is lost. She is the most stunning and beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Almost like he’s floating on a cloud…
Floating is a wonderful story about overcoming fears. It is a sweet love story, but i really appreciate the author’s honesty. Lucy’s anxiety isn’t brushed off and miraculously cured. it is a tangible thing that is not taken away just because she finds a dreamy guy. Even with everything she’s done, she has set backs. I feel like that part of the story is far more significant than my need for an HEA. Don’t get me wrong there is an HEA, for most. I have a feeling others will be addressed in future books. I for one ,can’t wait to read them.
A truly breathtaking, emotional love story. A wonderful cast of characters in this beautiful heartfelt story that will bring laughter and tears. Ellis is struck with fear and anxiety that can grip and take ahold of her and she can’t get out of the fear till she meets Ellis. He is a lawyer thinking is just gonna take it easy and relax till he sees a beautiful blonde that takes his breath away making him starstruck, instant sparks and both decide to pursue the attraction. Ellis’s mere presence calms her and he helps her face her fears and supports her. It was wonderful seeing her grow and take hold of her struggles with Ellis by her side. The secondary characters were great with making the story and support.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A beautiful emotionally deep journey of healing, moving on, and falling in love. An amazing storyline that flows smoothly with a well-developed consistent plot. Loveable sweet characters – they have great depth, strength, and are perfect for each other. The ups and downs Ellis and Lucy had to overcome on their journey make this book a very interesting, enjoyable, and great read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is gripping and keeps you interested while it come to life in the end as they sort out their challenges in their relationship.
The storyline was beautifully written, the plot flowed easily throughout the entire book and the characters were written with great detail and depth! As I turned each page I felt like I was being pulled deeper and deeper in as the story unfolded between Ellis & Lucy!
This was a really fantastic read and I was hooked I could relate to Lucy having suffered from anxiety for the past couple of years I know how hard it can be. Michelle did a great job with this book it was very real and really well written I could not get enough I would recommend this book Lucy and Ellis were great characters.
Absolutely loved this book. Love the fact these characters are completely relatable to real life. Lucy finds her balance in Ellis and the chemistry between is incredible. I loved everything about this book, it was truly amazing and heart touching . Defs a must read for sure!
I am not sure where to begin but here it goes!
This is a beautiful, gripping, healing story about a lovely damaged girl named Lucy Abrams. Lucy has been through a traumatic life event that has left her emotionally crippled and living in fear of anything that has to do with the water. She lives engrossed in fear and full of anxiety on a daily basis. She has adapted her world to accommodate her fear. She certainly cannot control everything in her environment. She has taken upon herself to gradually expose herself in small doses to what she fears the most…..the water. She has secluded herself from family and friends over the years. She doesn’t want to be a burden or feel like she is a on display due to her disability. She has finally finished college and is relaxing for the summer back at home with her mother. Her mother is one of the people that knows the real anxiety ridden Lucy. Coming home has taken courage for Lucy as her mother lives on the beach near the water…Lucy’s biggest fear. She knows that most people find comfort and relaxation in the water but she is not most people. Taking baby steps to conquer her fear may be her only savoir. She forces herself to daily sit on the deck and look at the water. That is when she sees him. The minute she lays her eyes on him she feels an overwhelming feeling of warmth, comfort and peace. How could this be she doesn’t even know him.
Ellis Sullivan is not looking for love. He has just finished law school and is staying at his parents beach house for the summer with some friends. He would love to spend quality time with his family but that has never been in the cards for him. You know what they say you can pick your friends but not your family. His mom and dad have always given him the finer things in life but sometimes it’s the little things that mean more. The moment he lays eyes on Lucy he can’t remember ever feeling this way. He feels an undeniable attraction and connection and he doesn’t even know her. He looses sight before finding out who she is.
When Lucy and Ellis finally meet he immediately realizes that she is hiding something and wants to do anything to help her.
These characters are beautifully flawed. The author has done an amazing job of developing them and making you fall in love with them. I enjoyed every part of this beautifully broken journey that I was taken on by these characters. TO watch Ellis grow emotionally and physically with his love to help Lucy with her fears was overwhelming. Was it an easy journey for Lucy and Ellis …No but anything that comes easy isn’t worth the fight!!!!
Thank you for writing their story and taking me the reader along for the amazing ride!
I was gifted this book for an honest review.
~~Michele McMullen~~ (
This is one of those books that sneaks up on you so unexpectedly as you are reading it, and it devours your soul. My heart was so invested in this book as I read it. I absolutely adored how Ellis and Lucy met, came together and fought through her demons to move on with her life. Their instant attraction is evident but them coming together was so endearing and touching.
Lucy suffers from severe anxiety due to almost drowning. What made this book even more special is that Dare incorporated the real actual feelings from anxiety attacks and more and it made it real. Ellis comes into Lucy’s life and wants to be there for her from the start as they are instantly drawn to each other. He is there for her through everything she faces and helps her confront her demons head on in such a way that you fall in love with this couple and are cheering them on!
What Michelle Dare did, putting herself out there, my heart goes to this amazing lady. This book to me is a must read this year! The flow. The raw emotions. The pain. The fear. It all envelopes you into this book and you are left saying WOW! Pick it up NOW!