The Twilight Swimmer

by A.C. Kavich

One year after her beloved sister drowned while swimming in cold New England waters, sixteen-year-old Brandi Vine is still struggling to understand what happened. As she mourns on the rocky beach where her sister's lifeless body washed ashore, she is unaware that a pair of haunting gray eyes is watching her from beneath rolling ocean waves.

When Brandi attends a party that goes horribly awry, the mysterious owner of the gray eyes emerges from the ocean depths and comes to her rescue. She only sees him for a few brief moments, but that's all it takes to turn Brandi's world upside down. What were the strange markings on his neck that seemed to flutter with every breath? How did he possess such inhuman strength and grace? And why did he look at Brandi with such longing?

Brandi's fascination with the Swimmer grows. She makes it her mission to find him again and learn who - and what - he is. Meanwhile, the Swimmer’s fascination with Brandi compels him to leave the safety of the ocean behind, to be with her at all costs. They are from two different worlds, but neither of the star-crossed romantics can resist the pull of the other.

Ultimately, when her feelings for the Swimmer swell beyond her control, Brandi comes to realize that the strange young man from the sea can unlock the secret of her sister's final swim.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Suspense

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2013

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★s

Sixteen year old Brandi Vine was still grieving the death of her sister twelve months prior – her school work was suffering, she wasn’t eating; the weight she was losing was worrying her parents immensely. Plus Cody, Brandi’s little brother, had retreated into his video games and rarely lifted his head. They all missed Jenny – they all coped differently.

Brandi was invited to a party and knew her parents wouldn’t allow it – her “sleep over with a girlfriend” was accepted and Brandi ventured to her first, and as it turned out – catastrophic party. But it was also the night she met the stranger she named “The Swimmer” – vivid gray eyes which watched her every move, a phenomenal strength – she was frightened but exhilarated at the same time.

The Swimmer was fascinated by Brandi; he could hear her voice no matter where he was or how far away. It would bring trouble for them both; but could The Swimmer shed a light on the death of Jenny?

The Twilight Swimmer by A.C. Kavich was an intriguing and fascinating tale which kept me enthralled from start to finish. The twist at the end took me by surprise though and it was excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and recommend it highly.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching story of a troubled young girl who learned to appreciate life again is one of those reads that takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster along with its characters. The trauma of the death of her sister leaves Brandi and her family off balance, still scarred and not quite healed from their loss. One night, at a party that got out of control when a fire was accidentally started, Brandi witnesses a man come out of the water and rush into the raging inferno and rescue a young girl from certain death. From that moment on, her life will take a turn beyond her wildest imagination. The Twilight Swimmer by A. C. Kavich is part romance, part fantasy, part mystery and part coming of age all blended into one well-written novel! Who or what is this mysterious creature who is as drawn to Brandi as she is to him? He consumes her thoughts as she tries to get to know more about him and is willing to risk whatever it takes to keep him safe, but is knowing her dangerous for his existence, or could he be a key to unlocking how and why her sister died?

A.C. Kavich has done an amazing job of creating a beautiful story of healing, family relationships and young infatuation while setting a smooth pace that has peaks of intensity and drama that add perfectly to this tale. The characters felt very real, filled with emotional depth, personality and individuality. Most amazing were the final pages that not only wrapped the story well, but made a refreshingly surprising ending that I never saw coming, but when it hit it felt just right! Brilliant creativity! Wonderful reading!

I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. This is one of those books I'm grateful to have read!

Publication Date: September 7, 2013
Publisher: A. C. Kavich
Genre: Paranormal Romance/YA/Mystery
Page Count: 278
Available from: Amazon

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[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on my blog!
*I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion*

I really enjoyed this book. I have read so many paranormal romances, I didn't think one would be able to surprise me that much, but this one definitely did.
I love how Kavich worked around the typical paranormal romance tropes, for example when the Swimmer watches Brandy at night and she finds out. She reacts like pretty much any human being would in that situation: she freaks out and she yells at him, even though he didn't know that something like that was socially unacceptable.
Also, I loved the way their love story unfolds: it felt quite natural and there were some really sweet moments that didn't get too cheesy.
I also enjoyed the way the love square was handled and resolved. I usually hate love squares - I mean, I can take love triangles, but love squares is just pushing it. This one didn't bother me because it wasn't presented as though three guys suddenly felt some great and tragic love for the same girl. The human boys just seemed to have the hots for her and were trying to get a date, which is a lot more realistic. The way it was resolved was also great, but I won't give anything more away on that front.
There were some things I didn't like that much, though. First off, I would have liked the see a bit more of exploration on the mystery angle, so as to create a bit more tension on that side.
Then, I don't really like the way Brandy's mother was handled: she felt really one-dimensional, I would be interested in seeing some development on her and her relationship with her children.
Thirdly, Brandy's anorexia wasn't handled that well - or at all. Anorexia is an important issue and it's also important to handle it well. It's not resolved (or at least, it didn't feel like it was), it's never explored and Brandy does not suffer any consequences from it. If she really ate so little she should be physically very weak and unable to do the sort of stuff she keeps doing throughout the book.
That being said, the good aspects outweighed the bad and I definitely recommend it, especially if you're tired paranormal romance novels that are all basically the same.

Rating:
★★★ 1/2

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars for a couple of reasons. I know it is a self-published book, and because of that fact I can be a bit more gentle. There were quite a few grammatical and editing errors. They were distracting. The main character wasn't all that relatable or true to life. There were several characters in the book that were very flat, especially the mother. The story was interesting enough, and that was the strongest part of the book. The scenes where Brandi spends time with the Swimmer, and the scenes where the swimmer is alone, were some of the most interesting and I would argue, most well-written. There were several parts that distracted me, for instance Brandi being anorexic. The idea of the plot probably would have flowed better if the character development was better. (I didn't really buy Dallas turning into a killer. That seemed forced.) For a young adult novel, it was an ok read.

[Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Twilight Swimmer’ is a book I feel will appeal to a diverse audience. Brandi Vine is a complex and well-developed character, dealing with the loss of her sister. She’s obviously affected by how it has changed her family dynamic. Most especially, it has changed the way Brandi defines herself. ‘The Twilight Swimmer’ does include some fantastical elements, but they are handled deftly and without grandiosity, which I liked. While The Swimmer is a real being, I felt he reflected Brandi’s own state of mind, her fragility, and her longing to find herself and her home again. ‘The Twilight Swimmer’ is a poignant and moving novel with a deep emotional impact and stunning imagery. This is a story which will stick with you for a long time.

[Sassy Ray Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very moving story that kept me on the edge of my seat. It's a story of healing that will capture your heart. The main character, Brandi Vine had just lost her sister. The story tells how Brandi and her family dealt with the loss of their family member. Brandi was my favorite character. She was an adventurous teenager.There were a great deal of unexpected and complicated plots. I have to admit when I got to the part where Brandi met a merman, I almost stopped reading. I'm so glad I didn't. There were so many surprises leading up to the end!I did like this young adult Novel. It was full of mystery and suspense.

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- The Twilight Swimmer by A.C. Kavich

Brandi Vine is dealing with the death of her sister and her family falling apart as a result. She refuses to be herself or as “perfect” as her sister appeared. She sneaks out one night to go to a party with Spider. Things get out of hand and the building catches fire. Everyone escapes but one. Brandi tries to get back to save her but comes face to face with the man who does. He isn’t human. She can tell by looking at him. He doesn’t hurt either girl and disappears in the water. Brandi can’t stop thinking about him from that one night.
The swimmer searches for Brandi. They have a connection. He follows her voice and they spend time together. After he is attacked by a shark, she rescues him from the hospital before they can study him. She and the swimmer grow closer until her sister’s death enters the picture. Suspicions fly and anger reigns. Unfortunately, Brandi learns the truth, putting her life in danger.
This book was interesting. I really liked the storyline. The swimmer gave it a paranormal twist and the death of Brandi’s sister gave it a mysterious edge. No one knows why she was there and how she drown.
The swimmer enters the picture and the reader is thinking in the back of their head, maybe. However, his behavior is confusing as he takes care of Brandi. I like the relationship they form.
Her family is dysfunctional and she needs him. Her anger jumps from the pages in reaction to her family. It is sad in a sense. However, you watch as her character changes before your eyes because of the swimmer. It was an interesting journey to be apart of. The ending was a bit surprising. I wasn’t expecting that. The author was able to keep things secret throughout the whole book. Not often am I taken by surprise like that. I give it a 4 out of 5.

[Sunday Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

About the Book:
Sixteen year old Brandi is dealing with the death of her older sister, Jenny. Jenny loved to swim, especially at night, and one night, late, Jenny lost her life. In the depths of the ocean, watching Brandi as she visits the flat rock where her sister was found, is a human-like creature. A creature who swims near the surface of the water only at night. And this creature is fascinated with Brandi.
Brandi's grief over her sister has caused her to drop out of life, barely acknowledging her teachers or homework, almost ignoring her friends, and practically failing her classes. On one trip to the counselor's office she meets Spider, a tall boy with skinny legs who invites her to a party - an invitation only party outside of town. Brandi's whole world changes when a fire breaks out at this party and she comes face to face with a new obsession. Will it save her from her grief or will she go the way of her sister?

My Take
When I first started this book, I was taken by the language and the depth of the narration of the prologue.

"The Swimmer made his home in water so far below the surface that the sun could not penetrate its depth. And yet, despite the blackness, the Swimmer's gray eyes were always watching. His pupils dilated from lid to hairless lid to sort through the woven shadows of the deep. He could see every alien creature that swam or scuttled by without ever feeling his powerful eyes upon them.
His highly evolved ears were no less remarkable. He could hear the groaning of tectonic plates. He could hear the steady sound of water flowing through his gill line. He could hear the cells of his respiratory system as they strained to draw tiny quantities of oxygen from the liquid and feed his warm blood. His bones were no less ideal for his environment. He could withstand the intense pressure without discomfort, and his veins could process the nitrogen bubbles that left human divers in peril should they kick for the surface too quickly..."

This sort of prose gave way smoothly to the everyday language of storytelling starting in chapter one. Using this device works extremely well as Kavick spins the tale through Brandi and through the Swimmer. It keeps the reader grounded in the story without the usual, who are we talking about/through now questions that can pop up with a limited omniscient POV. I felt the intricate prose of The Swimmer's sections of the story gave it and him an 'old world' feel. I loved it.

The best thing about this book is wondering exactly what is going on with the background story of Jenny's death. It hangs in the air, like a faint unidentifiable smell, tainting everything but just out of grasp. I found myself wondering if this was a tale of how Brandi deals with the aftermath of her sister's death, her own feelings, and the reactions of people around her. Do people really expect her to be her sister's replacement or is that Brandi's own delusion, a delusion of needing to be two people- herself and her sister? Is the creature real or just something Brandi's mind has created? Or is this a tale of how Brandi is doomed to follow the same fate as her sister?

There is a twist I didn't see coming. It is not a slow dawning or a sharp slap, but a sudden dawning. The pieces weren't all there until that point in the story but the pieces click into place over the course of a couple of pages. Then the true tale completes itself.

While I found the book a good read, I did have issues with it being all things and nothing. The story tended to write too many threads, never quite weaving them tightly enough. We know that Brandi hates her mother but it isn't done to any depth at all. Brandi is dealing with how she perceives people see her after her sister's death but that isn't fleshed out either. But the real jewel of the story is Jenny's death and how it remains hidden in the open. It is interesting how Kavick manages this mystery that wasn't suppose to be a mystery. Kudos for that!

I did connect with the two main characters. I understood Brandi's pain and The Swimmer's sorrow and joy. But I didn't live in the characters. The secondary characters were pretty weak but that did not distract from the overall story. It did leave me wanting for more, though.

My Recommendation:
I found the book quite enjoyable. Anyone who wants a light YA read with a paranormal aspect, a bit of romance, and a good dose of mystery will enjoy Kavick's tale. The story is clean throughout and suitable for all ages.

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandi Vine suffered deep psychological scars when her beloved sister, Jenny, drowns while swimming in the cold New England waters. For years, a sudden fever would overtake Jenny and she would feel a need for the water. Her dad Sheriff Conrad Vine dubbed his daughter the twilight swimmer.
Jenny was lying lifeless on her back at the rocky beach when a fisherman found her and called the police to report a dead body. Jenny's family never knew when the sudden fever would overtake Jenny and she would wade into any body of water she could find, fully clothed. She needed to swim and would swim at any cost. And one twilight swim had cost Jenny her life.
Brandi often visits the rocky beach where the lifeless body of her sister washed ashore. It makes Brandi feel close to her dead sister when she visits the last place Jenny was known to be alive. Brandi is invited to a party that friends hoped would get her out of her despair over the death of her sister. That's when Brandi's life is turned upside down and tragedy strikes, but a mysterious swimmer rises out of the water and runs into the smoke, flames and chaos on the shore.
The Swimmer is a very strange creature with webbing between the toes. Was the Swimmer human or a half-human sea creature? The only weakness the Swimmer had ever known was sensitivity to sunlight and moonlight was the only time for a swim or anything else.
In a small town like Edgewater, a mystery can remain a mystery. It was almost a point of pride for the people who whispered about such mysteries to keep life interesting.
I loved the mystery penned by this author and particularly loved the relationship that Brandi and her father had. I hope you check it out...you might feel the same way.

Jeannie Walker - Award Winning Author

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel as if I reveal something about myself and my tastes in each an every post...as I should. So in that spirit, if something has to do with swimming, you can bet that I'm going to be interested in it, you know, because competitive swimming was my life for about 10 years. Keeping that in mind, I read The Twilight Swimmer by A.C. Kavich, for no reason other than the title--and I was pleasantly surprised by the story behind that title.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website:http://jenpaul13.wix.com/makinggoodst....

Brandi is a 16 year old girl living in a waterside New England town. She's battling herself emotionally through an eating disorder and ruffles her family because of it, all of which likely stems from her older sister, Jenny's, mysterious, watery death. Her sister's death doesn't keep Brandi away from the water, instead it still features prominently in her adventuring out at night in her kayak.

There is some standard high school intrigue of a romantic interest that confuses and embarrasses Brandi, some not so standard oddly flirty attention from a young deputy named Dallas, who just happened to know Jenny. And on a fateful night when her high school boy, Spider, takes Brandi to a party that goes awry with fire, she sees a powerful (and, to her surprise, naked) figure with haunting gray eyes who saves a girl from the fire and quickly escapes back to the water from whence he came. Thus the Swimmer enters the tale and consumes Brandi's, sometimes rather angsty, thoughts.

Now, the Swimmer is an interesting character who is a mermaid...or merman...but with legs instead of a tail and he has gills on his throat. I was saddened to not have the Swimmer fully fleshed out as a character, to get to know him, his motivations, and most importantly WHY Brandi was so drawn to him--because, personally, the way he was presented in the text was more creepy than cute. The mythos behind the Swimmer as a being (or creature, if you prefer) was touched upon but not really fleshed out. Basically, when it comes to the Swimmer I'm left with a bunch of whys that go unanswered.

The other characters of the story were reasonably characterized and I felt an understanding of their drives with very little left to question, unlike the Swimmer. The ending of the story had a good twist that I didn’t fully anticipate consciously--and that is saying something as I watch far too many crime shows. In fact, I believe the word "wow" passed my lips after the last page.

Overall, I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Jackie (Jackie's Book World) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World :)*

Rating: 3.5/5

The Twilight Swimmer was a great book, with a good concept that could have been executed a little bit better. Kavich did, however, a good job with the setting and describing the characters well. From the very beginning I was intrigued with what was happening to the characters. It all felt mysterious, yet we are not told what happened to Brandi (the main character) right away. The way the story is structured goes back and forth (from present to past) to give us in an insight to what happened to make the characters the way they are now. The “swimmer”, I found to be a great character with a very likable personality. I found myself wanting to know more of this “swimmer” and reading the chapters where he was in it was were enjoyable to read.

The main character, Brandi, has suffered a lot after her sister's death. The water is what connects Brandi with her and now she has secluded herself from everyone else. She has struggled to understand what happened to her sister when she drowned, but it doesn't take long before she finds her answers with an unlikely source. Now, her life is not always sour, she has friends and a possible guy (who is definitely crushing on her) that made the story better and funnier. There were scenes in the book where I just couldn't contain myself from laughing, because it was just that hilarious.

Although we are not told a lot of “the swimmer,” the snips of his life that we get left me wanting for more. He is the mystery that makes the story intriguing. Kavich did a good job describing him in detail and his feelings. The way he reacts to Brandi's voice was unique. I wish the author could have added more of them and develop more chemistry between them. I found the swimmer's role in the story great, but the ending killed me. Apart from solving the big mystery in the book, we also see Brandi's character grow and move on. Overall, the story had great potential to be great. There were things that could have been added or changed, but it worked in the end. I recommend everyone to give this book a try, it has great elements that anyone can enjoy reading.


*A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest opinion*

[Sharlene Almond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel begins with an unusual being in the water that may know more about a death. The young teenage girl, Brandi, experiences a loss resulting in tensions and an eating disorder.
An interesting figure emerges from a fire rescuing a girl. I usually prefer the main characters being adult, but the fragility of the girl is conveyed very well, with a mix of defiance.
The swimmer is a unique and creative character; the highlight to the novel. Created almost human, but with unusual features that keep him from exposing himself in public, literally. The comical image of him naked in front of a sixteen year-old girl, but innocent and naïve in his nakedness. The sadness, the loneliness reminds one of those out there that are so easily forgotten. Lost. Yet still have feelings, desperately needing companionship.
The closeness of Brandi and the Swimmer is riveting, and of course like many novels, there are those trying to stand in their way. But this strange creature may have more to hide.
Although I do enjoy certain parts of the novel, especially the interactions with the Swimmer, at times it skips back to the past without warning, which can be distracting.
Quite a surprising twist to the end, didn’t see it coming. A sweet but sad ending.
At times in the novel it had my interest, completely riveting, because of the complexity of the characters; while at other times I did struggle to keep focus. It would appear more suited to the teenage audience, but in parts there was maturity about the relationship of Brandi and the Swimmer.
Not usually a novel I would pick out and read, but the creativity of the Swimmer, and the detail that has been described for him, creates a detailed image of him. I could easily picture him as I read about him. Sometimes hard to do for some characters.
A light-hearted and sweet read.
3/5 stars

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis for The Twilight Swimmer was enough to pique my curiosity, selling something that seemed quite different from anything I have read before, and sounded like it was going to be a pretty interesting story.

I am kind of split into two here though. I found when the writer was writing from Brandi’s point of view, that I enjoyed the story a lot. I felt for this troubled teenage girl who was obviously struggling with the death of her sister, and her family’s dysfunctional life during their grieving process, her relationship with the quirky Spider, and the young policeman, Dallas. Even at the end there was a brilliant twist that I can honestly say I didn’t see coming, maybe as it was well hidden by the distracting plotline of The Swimmer.

I feel bad, but The Swimmers’ inclusion in the story is what ruined it for me. The Swimmer was a character that as one of the main characters, should have progressed more but I felt like it didn’t. And when the writing switched to the point of view of The Swimmer was when I really struggled with this book. It went from being a book about teen angst to pages upon pages of heavily descriptive writing, that struggled to hold my attention. There is nothing wrong with trying to paint a vivid picture for a reader, but for me, this was way too much.

It was hard to decide whether I liked this book or not, and I do feel bad for knocking it down a star because of the namesake of The Swimmer, and I have had to wonder why he was included at all. This would have made a great story without him, and in fact had he not this could have had the potential to be a decent crime/mystery book which I personally think I would have preferred

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book intrigued me because it is another one of my favorite type of mashups: romance, young adult and sci-fi with an added twist of adrenaline at the end.

I was a little skeptical at first, come on, fish people? But it is so well written and sounds entirely plausible.

This isn’t typical sci-fi fare. The way the author describes the Swimmer, his abilities, his experiences is extremely scientifically based and entirely believable. But I still can’t figure out what he eats.

Brandi’s adolescent experience is entirely authentic. As is her family dynamics that were more than disrupted with the death of her sister.

The author also paints a vivid picture of a shrinking costal small town. I have never been to that region of the country. But throughout the book, I felt like I was actually there. I can actually picture these places, the sights, the smells. Amazing.

I loved the entire sequence with Brandi trying to teach the Swimmer about her world. I kept on singing songs from “The Little Mermaid” in my head while I was reading. Very light, comical, but not too campy.

I definitely did not expect the dramatic twist events during the last part of the book. That is where it turned from an interesting sci-fi romance to a page turner. Fantastic.

The ending is very satisfying and complete. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I was very grateful for the shot of reality injected at the end.

Overall, this book is extremely fascinating, very well written, with very good plotlines and themes. I can see most young adult romance lovers liking this even if they usually avoid anything sci-fi. Well done.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

By: A.C. Kavich
Published By: A.C.K.
Age Recommended: YA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Twilight Swimmer" by A.C.Kavich was indeed a amazing YA read that I did enjoy and not being able to stop reading till the end. I liked the description of this small New England sea town of Edgewater. This novel had a good plot that will keep you interested...mermaids. Losing a family member can be very hard as it was for this older sister Brandi, sixteen years old who was feeling so sad and alone until a visitor comes and this is where this story picks up...and I highly recommend that you pick up "The Twilight Swimmer" for a wonderful read. Who is this stranger...will he have the 'key to unlocking how and why her sister had died?' I did like how this author was able to present such as intense read with such feeling and emotions that comes when there is a death of a child and a sibling. With all of the 'sub plots' the reader is kept guessing right up till the very end...wow what imagination this author has! The characters were are very intriguing and well developed only helps to give this read a awesome read. Be ready for some romance, drama, action, mystery, fantasy, with some twist and turns only to give the reader a intriguing well written novel that will leave you guessing right up till the end. This author has done a great job with this novel of giving the readers such a beautiful story of family and healing and I would recommend this novel to you as a good read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Twilight Swimmer By A. C. Kavich
Brandi Vine has been in her own world since her sister died a year ago. In fact, their whole family has changed in ways. Her dad is the local sheriff, her mom always in high fashion even when she's cooking, and her younger brother Cody keeps buried in his video games. Brandi is thinner than she used to be, and people think it's been long enough that she grieved. When Spider, an extremely tall and kind of an odd character, asks her to a party, she goes. It changes everything for her. It's the night she meets The Swimmer. A merman.

The Swimmer has swam with his own kind but likes to be alone, and over the years he has learned the language of the beings that look so much like his kind and live on land. He knows voices. He knows Brandi's voice and wants to meet her. The book often goes to some of his life experiences over the years.

This book is unusual and has many twists in turns. The main thoughts and point of view are from Brandy, but it can switch to anyone else's at anytime. I didn't find it to be confusing as it was obvious the way the author writes. The characters emotions were obvious most times through the writing. I wouldn't quite call it a romance, although it has some in it. Mostly Brandi's journey without her sister and meeting The Swimmer.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gahh! My heart is torn in two :(
The ending was great, and I know deep down that it was exactly how it was supposed to end for Brandi, so that she could start living again. But, and it's a big BUT. I so desperately wanted the other alternative, it's just not fair *sighs* quite dramatically. The Swimmer was a great story, the Author did an amazing job. I am always, and I mean always so good at guessing the "who's, what's, and where's in a story line, but with The Swimmer I was never able to guess not one outcome while reading the story. I was always left surprised and that was nice to be surprised, since there are so many books out there that are so typical you already know the outcome just by reading the blurb. The only thing that was a bit overwhelming and lead me to skip a few lines, was that there was just too much detail. I actually love descriptive stories, this coming from a person who's first books were that of Anne Rice (The Queen) of descriptive writing. I'm not sure what the Author can do to correct the situation, but that was the only flaw that I saw... I guess it's because I wanted to get to the parts that contained The swimmer already! Lol I highly recommend, I very much enjoyed the book.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started of pretty slow but once it got rolling, it was alright.

Brandi is a sixteen-year-old whose older sister recently drowned in a lake while out swimming. Because of this, her parents, specifically her mother, are overprotective and obnoxious. Seriously, her mother was a major groan-factor. While out partying with Spyder (Jesse), she meets the Swimmer when a fire breaks out. She only sees her for a few seconds but it piques her curiosity. She later goes back to where she meets him and lays clothes out. They finally meet and she falls for him.

Okay, her love for the Swimmer was odd. It wasn't love, actually. It was lust.
"The Swimmer was handsome."
A book where the lead falls for the guy because he's hot is a book that's grasping at straws when it comes to writing and creativity.
A redeeming factor is she doesn't end up with him. Maybe the author realized this ridiculous notion and made this more satirical? Doubtful, but possibly. If so, then props to you.

The characters were all kind of bland. Not much depth to them. Not much character development. Which is a shame because they had potential, especially Spyder when he did his little speech thing at the bonfire.

It was a light read, though once it picked up.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free download. The idea behind this story was great but the story was so long winded that I found myself skimming the pages to get to the end. The swimmer was a wonderful character I just wished there was more of him and his growing feelings toward Brandi. Brandi was a typical teenager dealing with loss and family drama, but she came across as hard and unwilling to let anybody help her. When the 2 characters were together it was sweet but this was a long book with too little romance and too much description. The writing was very detailed and you cannot doubt the effort this author put in to provide as much detail as possible but it just lacked substance, considering its a paranormal romance. The ending had a good twist regarding circumstances in the plot but I'm afraid the book was lacking the romantic element you would want from a great romance book, plus I'm not sure you could class this as a book with a HEA.

[Debbie Muñiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, heart breaking, breath stopping and most surprising ending. There is so many words to express this story, but I won't spoil the fun. This story stole my heart with its character true suffering and realistic love promises that you could actually see in real life and not just add to the suffering that it would just only appear in novels (girls you know what I mean if there's any doughts). But what shock me the most was the ending, with its double twist you will never guess or predict how this page turning story will ever end until you have finally reach it and read it with your own eyes. Heck! Even I don't believe it and I finish reading it all in two days. It was amazing and I thank you for introducing to this unbelieve book and highly recommend it to all those interested in this fascinating world under the sea.

[Alicen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved, loved, LOVED...did I say loved this book?!

The Twilight Swimmer focuses on Brandi, a sixteen year old girl who lost her sister a year previous. When a party gets out of control, a mysterious figure appears and captivates Brandi's attention immediately.

He is just as drawn to her as she is to him and after risking his life to save hers she realizes he may hold the answers about her sister's death she so desperately seeks.

This book has just the right amount of romance, action and intrigue to keep you guessing until the end. Every time you think you have it figured out something happens to make you realize you don't know anything yet.

There are a few typos in the book which is the only thing keeping it from getting 5 stars. It is definitely worth the read and highly recommended.

This review also appears on AlicenScott.com

[Cindy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandi Vine is 16 years old and an anorexic. She also lost her (perfect) sister Jenny to a drowning. Now, she just walks through her high school life on automatic, showing as little emotion as she can. It helps her to hide her pain from her classmates, her parents, her brother-everyone. She often escapes everything by sneaking out after dark and paddling her kayak across the edge of the waves. One night she will see a pair of piercing gray eyes that will lead her into a mysterious part of the world she never knew existed.

I thought this book was slightly different than most juvenile fiction books. It had elements of love, mystery, and paranormal and science fiction mixed all together. I wasn't sure as I read it that it would all work together, but I was quite surprised when it actually did. And I would not have guessed it to be as interesting as it was. Good read!

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandi Vine is only a teenager , but she has experienced too much already in her short time. Grieving everyday, she mourns her sister who drowned a year ago after swimming in the ocean at night when the waters were too cold. Brandi is invited to a party at a warehouse, but things go terribly wrong. Abandoned and alone Brandi is not expecting the help of a mysterious stranger who saves her friend and then disappears in to the depths of the ocean. The swimmer, Brandi calls him, turns her life upside down as they are drawn to each other, but at what cost?

Well...without being too cliché or sounding like a broken record but wow! Yep this is another wow book, i loved it. I read it in near enough one day because i wanted to know what was going to happen. I would highly recommend this book!

[Nellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. That is rare for me. It was slow, and extremely descriptive. So much so, I had forgotten where we were by the time the author got back to the story. The premise was good, kind of "Man from Atlantis-ish". I kind of enjoyed the characters, but It couldn't hold my interest, and I'm a die-hard find out the ending girl. I found myself skimming. I never do that. I just couldn't take all the descriptions of things that didn't add to the story. Too wordy. Oh well. I would love to know how it ends, but will read another book in the mean time, and go back at some point, just not today.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing Dark YA

This was such a refreshing new read. I found this novel to be more of a dark YA romance novel. The Swimmer is such a mystery. The author painted a beautifully descriptive story that you feel as if you were right there with the characters. You can feel the swirling emotions of the characters. I would recommend this to any reader. It's such a captivating novel even without all the action, adventures, and romance I'm used to reading. Now THAT is saying a lot.

[Y ortz · Rating 3 out of 5]

There maaay bbe spoilers. ****

EXCUSEEE MEEE! That's te end? I wanted so much more damit. I accepted the mother...being insoportable. I accepted the 3 boys after the girl....i accepted the stupidity of her friends...i accepted the absurdity of being anorexic and the parents like it's all normal....BUT THAT END? No. All that for it to end with certain person being the killer and the other one LEAVING? The most interesting one LEAVING!!!! I don't even know how to rate it.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story. A little sad and melancholic but certainly enjoyable. The only reason I'm not giving it a five star rating is simply the ending. It was a little heartbreaking. Rationally I know it couldn't have been any other way but emotionally I'd hoped for something a little more fantastically romantic. I'd hoped for something more. Good though.

[D Nine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars The fantastical elements are worth 5 stars for how believable the swimmer became. The real life relationships and characters didn't feel as believable at times. What parent allows a teen to swim in the ocean at night? Especially one dealing with depression. That was my big "what!" The author kept me reading though -- keep penning your stories!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different than I expected, but "good" different. Mysterious, funny, romantic, suspenseful. All traits of a captivating story. A few parts felt a little slow but overall a really good read!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good YA book. Would benefit from editing for typos and homonyms. Some things did not make sense, such as an inept policeman who apparently directly entered the force out of high school. But I did like the tension and the resolution.