"The Drowning Woman" by Robyn Harding is a gripping thriller that follows Lee Gulliver, a woman who finds herself living on the streets after her restaurant fails due to the pandemic. One morning, Lee saves a woman named Hazel from drowning in the ocean, only to discover that Hazel is trapped in an abusive marriage and wants to disappear. As Lee becomes entangled in Hazel's tumultuous life, the story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers hooked from the very beginning. The book delves into themes of friendship, survival, and the dark secrets that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.
The narrative of "The Drowning Woman" is captivating and filled with suspense, as readers follow Lee and Hazel's journey of escape and survival. The dual perspectives of the female protagonists offer insight into their struggles and desires, adding depth to the character development. With a mix of thrilling plot twists, emotional complexities, and a fast-paced writing style, Robyn Harding weaves a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The Drowning Woman contains medium content warnings for themes of abuse and psychological distress.
Has Romance?
While there is some romance in The Drowning Woman, it is not the central focus of the story.
From The Publisher:
From the bestselling author of The Party comes a "dark and wild ride of redemption, betrayal, and friendship" following a homeless woman fleeing a dangerous past-and the wealthy society wife she saves from drowning: "As twisty and pacey as it gets" (Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push). Most anticipated by Goodreads · Indigo · SheReads
Lee Gulliver never thought she'd find herself living on the streets-no one ever does-but when her restaurant fails, and she falls deeper into debt, she leaves her old life behind with nothing but her clothes and her Toyota Corolla. In Seattle, she parks in a secluded spot by the beach to lay low and plan her next move-until early one morning, she sees a sobbing woman throw herself into the ocean. Lee hauls the woman back to the surface, but instead of appreciation, she is met with fury. The drowning woman, Hazel, tells her that she wanted to die, that she's trapped in a toxic, abusive marriage, that she's a prisoner in her own home. Lee has thwarted her one chance to escape her life.
Out of options, Hazel retreats to her gilded cage, and Lee thinks she's seen the last of her, until her unexpected return the next morning. Bonded by disparate but difficult circumstances, the women soon strike up a close and unlikely friendship. And then one day, Hazel makes a shocking request: she wants Lee to help her disappear. It'll be easy, Hazel assures her, but Lee soon learns that nothing is as it seems, and that Hazel may not be the friend Lee thought she was.
Ratings (15)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (7) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (30):
Read It (16) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (11) | |
Not Interested (1) |
2 comment(s)
I can see why people like this story, but it was over the top for me. The women in this story are just written as they are so dumb and helpless. It's dumb decision after dumb decision. I was interested in the twists but then the twists just kept coming. This was just too much for me but I am glad so many enjoyed.
SYNOPSIS
Lee is currently unhoused & living out of her car. She’s waiting tables at a shady diner in Seattle, and she’s living in her car.
Lee decides to start sleeping in car in a secluded park with a beach area in an upper class neighborhood. One morning, she wakes up when she hears a woman drowning, and she saves the woman. The drowning woman, Hazel, and Lee become friends.
Hazel confides in Lee that she’s in an abusive marriage, and basically, she came out there to end her life that morning. As their new friendship begins, Hazel asks Lee if she will consider helping Hazel disappear & start her new life.
MY THOUGHTS
Harding is a talented writer.
Short chapters.
Structured in different parts. We begin with Lee’s POV, then shift to Hazel’s POV.
I thought the first half was a much stronger than the second half, and I really loved Lee’s part. It started off very strong.
Some plot holes and inconsistencies that don’t make sense. Also, the story generally requires suspension of disbelief.
This one had a lot of potential, and I was let down in some ways. It was an awesome beginning, a blah middle, and an okay ending.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars. Really awesome beginning. Execution wasn’t really up to par for middle & ending. Still enjoyed the read.
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The Drowning Woman?
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