The best fiction simply tells the truth.
But the truth is never simple.
When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather’s old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend’s brother–and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter’s claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.
But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn’t easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.
Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgivable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon.
Praise for the novels of Erin Bartels
“Bartels proves herself a master wordsmith and storyteller.”–Library Journal starred review of All That We Carried
“A story of love found in the written word and love found because of the written word.”–Booklist on The Words between Us
“A deeply moving story of heartbreak, long-held secrets, and the bonds of family.”–Publishers Weekly starred review of We Hope for Better Things
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
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Summary
From: Rebecca Maney
Book Title: The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water Book Author: Erin Bartels What do you like about this book:
"Once there was a girl who could breathe under water . . . "
The words to an unfinished story. Much like the life of the one who wrote them.
Novelist Kendra Brennan's first and only manuscript to date was a best seller, so naturally her fans (and publisher, and editor) were clamoring for more. At least most of her fans; one person's anonymous letter sends Kendra scrambling back to where it all began, her grandfather's cabin on the shores of Hidden Lake . . . hoping for respite, for inspiration, and quite possibly for closure.
"Your book . . . is the work of a selfish opportunist who was all too ready to monetize the suffering of others. Did you ever consider . . . . "
Maybe she hadn't considered, for you see, the book characterized truth for the ones who knew . . . perhaps Kendra had been just a bit too realistic, one of her fictional counterparts had recognized their role and wasn't happy about it. . . . nor should they be . . . right? Her memories surrounding summers on the lake with her grandfather and friends got a little fuzzy when she overthought them. Those experiences were the best and the worst of her life, which is why she stopped going in the first place. Now she's back. Her grandfather is no longer living and Kendra is . . . living with a deadline looming for her second novel and writer's block sitting squarely in her brain. Would confrontation erase those ugly words from her head?
What an interesting story . . . .about life, about friendships, about convoluted relations, about brokenness, about forgiveness, about love. . . . the right kind, the honest kind, the forever kind. Everyone suffers when there are secrets. And every secret holder needs someone who will believe their story.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.