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Some Girls Drown
She wrote the truth they told her to forget.
Ayanna has been quiet long enough.
It started on her eighth birthday. A hallway. A family who looked the other way. Now in her twenties, Ayanna is finally ready to speak the truth they tried to erase.
Some Girls Drown is a powerful, emotionally charged novel based on true events. It follows one woman’s fight to reclaim her voice after a childhood spent shaped by silence, and the betrayal of those who should have protected her.
This is a story of fury, memory, and the love we fight hardest to our own.
For readers of Girl A, My Dark Vanessa, and A Little Life.
Reader
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I have never found a book I couldn’t put down until now.” – Amazon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ “It felt like I was reading her soul.” – BookTok
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Can’t recommend it enough.” – Goodreads
Ayanna has been quiet long enough.
It started on her eighth birthday. A hallway. A family who looked the other way. Now in her twenties, Ayanna is finally ready to speak the truth they tried to erase.
Some Girls Drown is a powerful, emotionally charged novel based on true events. It follows one woman’s fight to reclaim her voice after a childhood spent shaped by silence, and the betrayal of those who should have protected her.
This is a story of fury, memory, and the love we fight hardest to our own.
For readers of Girl A, My Dark Vanessa, and A Little Life.
Reader
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I have never found a book I couldn’t put down until now.” – Amazon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ “It felt like I was reading her soul.” – BookTok
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Can’t recommend it enough.” – Goodreads
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
13 people are currently reading
1527 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Bell
3 books22 followersJess was born in London, UK, in 1989, and grew up in Cheshire. She now lives in South Wales with her husband and children.
She has been writing since childhood, from stories scribbled in crayon to two self-published poetry books that are both unfindable and unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. No matter how hard anyone looks, they will never track them down (although Jess might one day release a few of the less cringe-worthy poems one day)
Her writing has always leaned towards the darker side of emotion, drawing vivid and honest feelings from her own experiences growing up.
Jess is currently studying for two Open University degrees: English Literature with Creative Writing, and Law. She is due to graduate in 2026. She has 8 diplomas in various subjects from Tudor History to Educational Psychology.
When she is not writing, Jess enjoys board games, murder podcasts, punch needling, and DIY projects, which she admits she is bad at but unstoppable in trying. She and her husband Simon have been married for two years and are saving for their honeymoon to Mexico. They hope to welcome a dog into their family once they move to a bigger house.
Her debut novel, Some Girls Drown, was published in 2025.
She has been writing since childhood, from stories scribbled in crayon to two self-published poetry books that are both unfindable and unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. No matter how hard anyone looks, they will never track them down (although Jess might one day release a few of the less cringe-worthy poems one day)
Her writing has always leaned towards the darker side of emotion, drawing vivid and honest feelings from her own experiences growing up.
Jess is currently studying for two Open University degrees: English Literature with Creative Writing, and Law. She is due to graduate in 2026. She has 8 diplomas in various subjects from Tudor History to Educational Psychology.
When she is not writing, Jess enjoys board games, murder podcasts, punch needling, and DIY projects, which she admits she is bad at but unstoppable in trying. She and her husband Simon have been married for two years and are saving for their honeymoon to Mexico. They hope to welcome a dog into their family once they move to a bigger house.
Her debut novel, Some Girls Drown, was published in 2025.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 25, 2025
Great book:
This book made me feel all kinds of emotions.This is a must read book.Would definitely recommend this book too any one.
This book made me feel all kinds of emotions.This is a must read book.Would definitely recommend this book too any one.
April 28, 2025
Some Girls Drown absolutely blew me away! The author has written such a powerful, emotional story that I couldn’t put it down. Ayanna’s journey is heartbreaking, raw, and so real — you can’t help but root for her as she struggles to find her voice in a world that keeps trying to silence her.
The story has some beautifully poignant moments which had me shedding tears alongside Ayanna. My emotions really ran the gambit while reading this, from feeling sorrow for Ayanna, to anger and her mother and other adults who should have been protecting her, to overwhelming love for the family she creates herself along her road of healing.
The writing is beautiful without ever feeling over the top, and the author captures all the messy, complicated emotions of growing up in a family full of secrets and bad decisions. It’s one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish — emotional, brave, and full of hope.
If you’re looking for a story that’s honest, moving, and seriously unforgettable, Some Girls Drown is it. I honestly can’t recommend it enough!
The story has some beautifully poignant moments which had me shedding tears alongside Ayanna. My emotions really ran the gambit while reading this, from feeling sorrow for Ayanna, to anger and her mother and other adults who should have been protecting her, to overwhelming love for the family she creates herself along her road of healing.
The writing is beautiful without ever feeling over the top, and the author captures all the messy, complicated emotions of growing up in a family full of secrets and bad decisions. It’s one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish — emotional, brave, and full of hope.
If you’re looking for a story that’s honest, moving, and seriously unforgettable, Some Girls Drown is it. I honestly can’t recommend it enough!
July 24, 2025
Alright now lemme try to say this best I can cause this here digital book i read called Some Girls Drown it done rattled somethin loose in me like a storm blowin through a screen door that ain't been shut right
That girl Ayanna she come into this world not wanted not loved not hugged not nothin she was born into a house that smiled in front of folks but behind them doors it was mean cold and full of lies the kind that break a kid in half real slow where you don't even know you breakin til you already broke
They didn't treat her like no daughter they treated her like a mistake like she done showed up and messed up their pretty picture cause her skin color wasn't light enough and her hair wasn't flat enough and her eyes seen too much she was made to feel small all the time like she was in the way even when she was just standin there breathin
She was raised in a place where the men do what they want and the women just look the other way cause they were all too scared and too tired to do nothin when that girl tried to speak they told her to keep quiet it ain't that bad they said you makin it all up
And it got worse so bad it will make your chest hurt readin it cause she got hurt by the folks that was sposed to keep her safe and she kept gettin hurt over and over til she started hurtin her own self just to feel somethin different she went down dark roads and found nothin but more pain waitin at the end
But this ain't just some sad story it ain't just her fallin and fallin it's about her gettin up even when the world keep knockin her down she fights back in her own way even when she ain't sure who she is or if she worth fightin for
This book it don't lie it don't pretend it ain't scared to show the truth even when it's ugly even when it makes your stomach twist up and your eyes get hot
Some Girls Drown is one of them books that'll stick to your ribs it'll make you mad it'll make you cry but it'll also make you wanna be better to the folks you love and to the ones you don't even know
I give it 5 outta 5 Catfish
That girl Ayanna she come into this world not wanted not loved not hugged not nothin she was born into a house that smiled in front of folks but behind them doors it was mean cold and full of lies the kind that break a kid in half real slow where you don't even know you breakin til you already broke
They didn't treat her like no daughter they treated her like a mistake like she done showed up and messed up their pretty picture cause her skin color wasn't light enough and her hair wasn't flat enough and her eyes seen too much she was made to feel small all the time like she was in the way even when she was just standin there breathin
She was raised in a place where the men do what they want and the women just look the other way cause they were all too scared and too tired to do nothin when that girl tried to speak they told her to keep quiet it ain't that bad they said you makin it all up
And it got worse so bad it will make your chest hurt readin it cause she got hurt by the folks that was sposed to keep her safe and she kept gettin hurt over and over til she started hurtin her own self just to feel somethin different she went down dark roads and found nothin but more pain waitin at the end
But this ain't just some sad story it ain't just her fallin and fallin it's about her gettin up even when the world keep knockin her down she fights back in her own way even when she ain't sure who she is or if she worth fightin for
This book it don't lie it don't pretend it ain't scared to show the truth even when it's ugly even when it makes your stomach twist up and your eyes get hot
Some Girls Drown is one of them books that'll stick to your ribs it'll make you mad it'll make you cry but it'll also make you wanna be better to the folks you love and to the ones you don't even know
I give it 5 outta 5 Catfish
November 25, 2025
Some Girls Drown is one of those novels that leaves a weight on your chest long after you close the final page. Jessica Bell doesn’t sensationalize Ayanna’s trauma, she hands it to the reader with the same rawness and honesty Ayanna has had to carry since she was eight years old. And that is what makes this book so devastating and powerful.
What struck me most as I read was how Bell captures the silence that surrounds abuse, not just Ayanna’s forced silence as a child, but the suffocating hush of a family that should have protected her and instead pretended nothing happened. The scenes where Ayanna tries to navigate a world that never acknowledged her pain felt painfully real, and sometimes I had to pause just to breathe.
As Ayanna grows into adulthood, the novel becomes less about what was done to her and more about how she claws back her identity. Her voice doesn’t return neatly or triumphantly; it comes through hesitation, therapy, anger, relapses, and the messy human process of healing. That nuance is something I deeply appreciated. Bell understands that trauma doesn’t resolve on a schedule, and she lets Ayanna earn every inch of progress she makes.
I also love that this book is not just tragedy. Beneath everything is a fierce sense of self-rescue. Ayanna’s journey toward learning to love and believe in herself is the emotional core of the novel, and it gave even the darkest sections a piercing sense of hope.
Readers who gravitate toward novels like Girl A, My Dark Vanessa, and A Little Life will find similar emotional resonance here, but Some Girls Drown stands firmly on its own. It’s unflinching, beautifully written, and achingly human.
I walked away from this story with a deep respect for Ayanna and for Jessica Bell’s ability to tell a truth so many are told to forget.
What struck me most as I read was how Bell captures the silence that surrounds abuse, not just Ayanna’s forced silence as a child, but the suffocating hush of a family that should have protected her and instead pretended nothing happened. The scenes where Ayanna tries to navigate a world that never acknowledged her pain felt painfully real, and sometimes I had to pause just to breathe.
As Ayanna grows into adulthood, the novel becomes less about what was done to her and more about how she claws back her identity. Her voice doesn’t return neatly or triumphantly; it comes through hesitation, therapy, anger, relapses, and the messy human process of healing. That nuance is something I deeply appreciated. Bell understands that trauma doesn’t resolve on a schedule, and she lets Ayanna earn every inch of progress she makes.
I also love that this book is not just tragedy. Beneath everything is a fierce sense of self-rescue. Ayanna’s journey toward learning to love and believe in herself is the emotional core of the novel, and it gave even the darkest sections a piercing sense of hope.
Readers who gravitate toward novels like Girl A, My Dark Vanessa, and A Little Life will find similar emotional resonance here, but Some Girls Drown stands firmly on its own. It’s unflinching, beautifully written, and achingly human.
I walked away from this story with a deep respect for Ayanna and for Jessica Bell’s ability to tell a truth so many are told to forget.
August 13, 2025
Five out of five stars from me !!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ayanna’s story is the kind of story that sticks long after you close the book. Growing up, she was silenced at every turn. When she spoke, adults told her not to. When she cried out for help, they said she was making it up. The pain kept piling on until she even hurt herself just to feel something … And yet, this isn’t just a story about falling. It’s about surviving, fighting, and finding strength when the world keeps knocking you down. Ayanna’s journey is raw and so real that you can’t help but root for her. There are moments so poignant they brought me to tears. My emotions ran the full range sorrow for Ayanna, anger at the adults who failed her, and overwhelming love for the family she builds along her path to healing. The writing is beautiful without ever being over the top, capturing all the messy, complicated emotions of growing up in a family full of secrets and bad decisions. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly truth, but it also celebrates resilience, courage, and the power of finding your voice. If you’re looking for a story that’s honest, moving, and truly unforgettable, this is it.
I honestly CANNOT recommend it enough.
Ayanna’s story is the kind of story that sticks long after you close the book. Growing up, she was silenced at every turn. When she spoke, adults told her not to. When she cried out for help, they said she was making it up. The pain kept piling on until she even hurt herself just to feel something … And yet, this isn’t just a story about falling. It’s about surviving, fighting, and finding strength when the world keeps knocking you down. Ayanna’s journey is raw and so real that you can’t help but root for her. There are moments so poignant they brought me to tears. My emotions ran the full range sorrow for Ayanna, anger at the adults who failed her, and overwhelming love for the family she builds along her path to healing. The writing is beautiful without ever being over the top, capturing all the messy, complicated emotions of growing up in a family full of secrets and bad decisions. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly truth, but it also celebrates resilience, courage, and the power of finding your voice. If you’re looking for a story that’s honest, moving, and truly unforgettable, this is it.
I honestly CANNOT recommend it enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
Before reading this book make sure you check the triggers & get a pack of tissues ready as this book brings you all the 'feels' from the 1st chapter.
As the author Jessica Bell explains in their note at the end "This is based on a true story, and in many ways it's also a wishful fairy-tale I pulled together for my own heart", & knowing the premise of the story is based on truth only hits you that much harder in the feels as it covers some strong subjects such as racism, SA, emotional & physical trauma whilst following the life of the MFC Ayanna.
The story starts with Ayanna at a family Christmas gathering when she is 7 years old & follows her throughout her life up until she is 25 years old. Detailing her internal struggles as well as those situations forced upon her by friends & family. Within the 1st chapter I shed a tear & didn't really stop until the end, so be prepared for a tear-jerking time with this book & do not be surprised if you finish it feeling drained & emotionally spent! However, for those that may have gone through similar situations & can get past the triggers, you may find it cathartic to read.
As the author Jessica Bell explains in their note at the end "This is based on a true story, and in many ways it's also a wishful fairy-tale I pulled together for my own heart", & knowing the premise of the story is based on truth only hits you that much harder in the feels as it covers some strong subjects such as racism, SA, emotional & physical trauma whilst following the life of the MFC Ayanna.
The story starts with Ayanna at a family Christmas gathering when she is 7 years old & follows her throughout her life up until she is 25 years old. Detailing her internal struggles as well as those situations forced upon her by friends & family. Within the 1st chapter I shed a tear & didn't really stop until the end, so be prepared for a tear-jerking time with this book & do not be surprised if you finish it feeling drained & emotionally spent! However, for those that may have gone through similar situations & can get past the triggers, you may find it cathartic to read.
November 18, 2025
Title: Some Girls Drown
Author: Jessica Bell
Publisher: J.B.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Some Girls Drown" by Jessica Bell
My Insight:
"Some Girls Drown" is a deeply emotional and challenging read that will leave readers reflecting on the sheer scope of Ayanna's heartbreaking journey.
This compelling narrative showcases how well the author conveys a message that will resonate long after finishing the book.
Author: Jessica Bell
Publisher: J.B.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Some Girls Drown" by Jessica Bell
My Insight:
"Some Girls Drown" is a deeply emotional and challenging read that will leave readers reflecting on the sheer scope of Ayanna's heartbreaking journey.
This compelling narrative showcases how well the author conveys a message that will resonate long after finishing the book.
July 20, 2025
This book brought me to tears and also brought me to utter joy.
Bell has written a truly beautiful and relatable book that is a must read, especially for those who are healing
Bell has written a truly beautiful and relatable book that is a must read, especially for those who are healing
July 20, 2025
I love this book. I couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to read the follow up
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews