Happy Friday! I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower, where participants share the first line of the closest book. Today I’m sharing from a new release by one of my favorite authors, Erin Bartels. Her fourth book, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, is a evocative novel about the power of memory and the roles we play in each other’s stories.

“The summer you chopped off all your hair, I asked your dad what the point of being a novelist was. He said it was to tell the truth.

Ridiculous.”

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels

The Basics

Title: The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

Author: Erin Bartels

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

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.

My Review

I have loved Erin Bartels’ books since her debut, We Hope for Better Things. She is a must-read author for me, but this book was a little different from what I was expecting. I know that she does not shy away from tough topics, but this book had some dark and heavy moments. At one point in the middle I wasn’t sure if I wanted to finish it, but I’m glad I did! It definitely was redeemed by the end.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the author’s writing style. Her descriptions of lake life in Michigan make me feel like I am right there with Kendra and Cami on a hot summer day, and her beautiful prose lets us into the hearts and minds of her characters. Kendra’s story of confronting her past and discovering the truth through her writing is one that will stick with readers long after the last page. There is a bit of romance in the story as well, and while it isn’t the main focus, it does provide a lightness and sweetness to an otherwise heavy book. The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water is a powerful story of overcoming abuse and tragedy, hope, healing, and forgiveness that fans of the author will enjoy.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.