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Capsized
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26A mystery and coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of an elite all-girls rowing club as they navigate first loves, first heartbreaks, and the bonds that form when winning isn’t the only thing on the line.
For high-achieving Margaret Douglas, rowing is everything—her friends, her family, and her way into college. As a senior and varsity captain, she’s sacrificed everything to get where she is. But after mysteriously disappearing over the summer, rumors Was Margaret at Olympic training? Rehab? House arrest? Whatever happened, it haunts her . . . and when she returns at the beginning of the season, Margaret discovers that the sisterhood she once knew has moved on without her.
Meanwhile, spunky freshman and new girl Jo Bryant is being forced to row by her a former Olympian, a Boston legend, and the person Jo blames for her parents’ divorce. Jo knows nothing about the sport, or why Margaret’s return has everyone at the boathouse whispering, but she does know Margaret is the only person who doesn’t treat her like a joke.
For both girls, the varsity team is a fierce, messy found family; a sisterhood earned in five a.m. wake-ups and blistered hands. But there are secrets and scandals waiting to surface—and with the biggest race of the year on the horizon, Margaret, Jo, and their teammates are about to find out just how deep they go.
For high-achieving Margaret Douglas, rowing is everything—her friends, her family, and her way into college. As a senior and varsity captain, she’s sacrificed everything to get where she is. But after mysteriously disappearing over the summer, rumors Was Margaret at Olympic training? Rehab? House arrest? Whatever happened, it haunts her . . . and when she returns at the beginning of the season, Margaret discovers that the sisterhood she once knew has moved on without her.
Meanwhile, spunky freshman and new girl Jo Bryant is being forced to row by her a former Olympian, a Boston legend, and the person Jo blames for her parents’ divorce. Jo knows nothing about the sport, or why Margaret’s return has everyone at the boathouse whispering, but she does know Margaret is the only person who doesn’t treat her like a joke.
For both girls, the varsity team is a fierce, messy found family; a sisterhood earned in five a.m. wake-ups and blistered hands. But there are secrets and scandals waiting to surface—and with the biggest race of the year on the horizon, Margaret, Jo, and their teammates are about to find out just how deep they go.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
Hardcover
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Charlotte Lillie Balogh
5 books44 followersCharlotte Lillie Balogh is an author, screenwriter and comic book writer, born and raised outside Boston, Massachusetts. She self-published her first book at sixteen-years-old, and later graduated as a Remembrance Scholar from Syracuse University. CLB is a lifelong superhero fanatic, and she launched into the television and film industry by working at DC Entertainment on projects including WONDER WOMAN 1984, BIRDS OF PREY, DOOMSDAY CLOCK, TITANS, and the CW’s STARGIRL. When she’s not writing, CLB mentors young women through RowLA and WriteGirl, helping to create the next generation of real-life superheroes. Her first traditionally published book, KILL THE LAX BRO, is scheduled for release Summer 2025 from Delacorte Press and Penguin Random House.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 6, 2026
Is this play about me!? 🤣
A BOSTON ROWING MYSTERY about a girl that goes to a prep school… what more could I ask for? So many twists and turns but most importantly, I love the message it gives about youth sports, leadership, and toxic coach/ athlete relationships. Everyone should read it when it comes out!!!
A BOSTON ROWING MYSTERY about a girl that goes to a prep school… what more could I ask for? So many twists and turns but most importantly, I love the message it gives about youth sports, leadership, and toxic coach/ athlete relationships. Everyone should read it when it comes out!!!
July 29, 2026
What if the one thing you loved most was also the thing you were desperate to forget?
Told through dual perspectives, Capsized follows two girls who couldn’t be more different, but who both have something to prove.
Margaret Douglass is one of the captains of the BRC rowing team and has spent years working toward her dream of earning a full-ride scholarship to an Ivy League school. But after something devastating happens following Nationals the previous spring, Margaret disappears. Rumors swirl about where she’s been-- everything from a European vacation to house arrest, or rehab-- but one thing is certain: she wouldn’t have abandoned her team without a reason.
Then there’s Jo Bryant, who is spending the school year living with her Olympic rower father, a man she’s barely known while growing up. When he offers her an opportunity to attend a better school and start fresh, Jo agrees on one condition: if she makes varsity rowing, she gets to go home. If she doesn’t, she will stay.
When Margaret returns, she discovers that everything has changed. The team has moved on without her; she’s lost her captaincy and her spot on varsity, and the relationships she once relied on are fractured. As Margaret tries to repair the damage and figure out who she can trust, Jo becomes one of the few people willing to give her a chance. As the two girls form an unexpected friendship, they begin to realize that the secrets surrounding Margaret’s disappearance may be much more complicated than either of them imagined.
I was completely fascinated by the world of competitive rowing! I knew very little about the sport before reading this novel, but Balogh did an excellent job immersing readers in the intense training, grueling practices, physical demands, and complicated team dynamics that go into building a successful crew. The competition for the coveted eight spots at the Head of Charles race created an incredible amount of tension, and I found myself invested in who would make the final boat.
What I loved most was the contrast between Margaret and Jo. Their perspectives on rowing and their motivations for being on the team were completely different, but their friendship developed in a way that felt genuine. I also appreciated the exploration of Jo’s complicated friendship with her father. Their struggles felt authentic to a teenager trying to navigate a new family dynamic while also figuring out where she belongs. (I also really enjoy all of the minor characters too!)
The mystery surrounding Margaret’s disappearance and what happened at Nationals kept me turning the pages. As the story slowly peeled back the layers of secrets, betrayal, and fractured friendships, I found myself constantly questioning what really happened and who Margaret could trust. The countdown structure leading to the Head of Charles race also kept the pacing moving and made me feel like I was experiencing the pressure and anticipation right alongside the characters.
With themes of teamwork, determination, friendship, family, loyalty, and trust, Capsized is an engaging sports thriller that combines the intensity of competitive rowing with a compelling mystery. I can’t wait to recommend it to my YA readers who love stories filled with secrets, girl power, fierce competition, and a team worth rooting for!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books and Delacorte Press for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Told through dual perspectives, Capsized follows two girls who couldn’t be more different, but who both have something to prove.
Margaret Douglass is one of the captains of the BRC rowing team and has spent years working toward her dream of earning a full-ride scholarship to an Ivy League school. But after something devastating happens following Nationals the previous spring, Margaret disappears. Rumors swirl about where she’s been-- everything from a European vacation to house arrest, or rehab-- but one thing is certain: she wouldn’t have abandoned her team without a reason.
Then there’s Jo Bryant, who is spending the school year living with her Olympic rower father, a man she’s barely known while growing up. When he offers her an opportunity to attend a better school and start fresh, Jo agrees on one condition: if she makes varsity rowing, she gets to go home. If she doesn’t, she will stay.
When Margaret returns, she discovers that everything has changed. The team has moved on without her; she’s lost her captaincy and her spot on varsity, and the relationships she once relied on are fractured. As Margaret tries to repair the damage and figure out who she can trust, Jo becomes one of the few people willing to give her a chance. As the two girls form an unexpected friendship, they begin to realize that the secrets surrounding Margaret’s disappearance may be much more complicated than either of them imagined.
I was completely fascinated by the world of competitive rowing! I knew very little about the sport before reading this novel, but Balogh did an excellent job immersing readers in the intense training, grueling practices, physical demands, and complicated team dynamics that go into building a successful crew. The competition for the coveted eight spots at the Head of Charles race created an incredible amount of tension, and I found myself invested in who would make the final boat.
What I loved most was the contrast between Margaret and Jo. Their perspectives on rowing and their motivations for being on the team were completely different, but their friendship developed in a way that felt genuine. I also appreciated the exploration of Jo’s complicated friendship with her father. Their struggles felt authentic to a teenager trying to navigate a new family dynamic while also figuring out where she belongs. (I also really enjoy all of the minor characters too!)
The mystery surrounding Margaret’s disappearance and what happened at Nationals kept me turning the pages. As the story slowly peeled back the layers of secrets, betrayal, and fractured friendships, I found myself constantly questioning what really happened and who Margaret could trust. The countdown structure leading to the Head of Charles race also kept the pacing moving and made me feel like I was experiencing the pressure and anticipation right alongside the characters.
With themes of teamwork, determination, friendship, family, loyalty, and trust, Capsized is an engaging sports thriller that combines the intensity of competitive rowing with a compelling mystery. I can’t wait to recommend it to my YA readers who love stories filled with secrets, girl power, fierce competition, and a team worth rooting for!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books and Delacorte Press for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 delves into the realistic drama of cutthroat youth rowing teams, exposing shocking secrets and examining how far an athlete is willing to go for her seat in the coveted varsity eight.
I've occupied many seats over the years, as a rower, coxswain, and coach, all of which have provided different experiences and viewpoints on youth sports and rowing. I've lived the gossip within the community firsthand, seeing - and hearing - things, and 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 is both an ode to the beauty and a raw embodiment of the dangerous edge of such a demanding sport. It examines the commitment, obsession, resilience, and adaptability the sport requires of its rowers. Balogh isn't afraid to rip the Band-Aid off and reveal what's really beneath the $50,000 boats, flashy athleisure, and shiny boathouses.
Readers who enjoy Gossip Girl will feel at home in the secretive, and at times threatening, atmosphere. It's intriguing and mysterious with a tense feeling of building drama and escalating secrets in anticipation of consequences. The pacing is fantastic, switching POVs to keep readers on the edge of their seats as the pressure builds.
This is a book that has a lot to say, and it sends fantastic messages to young athletes. At its core, 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 is an empowering tale of young women refusing to allow their secrets to destroy them. It tackles important topics about team culture and fostering a safe, yet tough environment for athletic development; leadership and sportsmanship in and out of the boat; resilience through life's challenges on and off the water; proper coaching methods and the fine line between challenging athletes and crossing into toxicity; supporting well-rounded athletes balancing education, friendships, family obligations, sports, and activities; exploring first loves and heartbreak as a young athlete; and the importance of diversity in role models and inclusion of all athletes in the boat.
I have long advocated for more books set in the world of rowing, and 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 is the perfect reason why - the stakes are naturally off the charts and the depth of the human experience is a crater to examine. I hope this book will serve as an inspiration to other authors, and I'm eager to see how this story translates onto the big screen!
If I hadn't stopped coaching, I would be recommending all my athletes read this book - it's easily entertaining and will teach a lesson or two along the way.
Thank you to GetUnderlined and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!
I've occupied many seats over the years, as a rower, coxswain, and coach, all of which have provided different experiences and viewpoints on youth sports and rowing. I've lived the gossip within the community firsthand, seeing - and hearing - things, and 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 is both an ode to the beauty and a raw embodiment of the dangerous edge of such a demanding sport. It examines the commitment, obsession, resilience, and adaptability the sport requires of its rowers. Balogh isn't afraid to rip the Band-Aid off and reveal what's really beneath the $50,000 boats, flashy athleisure, and shiny boathouses.
Readers who enjoy Gossip Girl will feel at home in the secretive, and at times threatening, atmosphere. It's intriguing and mysterious with a tense feeling of building drama and escalating secrets in anticipation of consequences. The pacing is fantastic, switching POVs to keep readers on the edge of their seats as the pressure builds.
This is a book that has a lot to say, and it sends fantastic messages to young athletes. At its core, 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 is an empowering tale of young women refusing to allow their secrets to destroy them. It tackles important topics about team culture and fostering a safe, yet tough environment for athletic development; leadership and sportsmanship in and out of the boat; resilience through life's challenges on and off the water; proper coaching methods and the fine line between challenging athletes and crossing into toxicity; supporting well-rounded athletes balancing education, friendships, family obligations, sports, and activities; exploring first loves and heartbreak as a young athlete; and the importance of diversity in role models and inclusion of all athletes in the boat.
I have long advocated for more books set in the world of rowing, and 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 is the perfect reason why - the stakes are naturally off the charts and the depth of the human experience is a crater to examine. I hope this book will serve as an inspiration to other authors, and I'm eager to see how this story translates onto the big screen!
If I hadn't stopped coaching, I would be recommending all my athletes read this book - it's easily entertaining and will teach a lesson or two along the way.
Thank you to GetUnderlined and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Capsized is an intriguing YA coming-of-age drama that follows the story of an elite all-girls rowing club.
Told through dual POVs, the story follows varsity team captain Margaret Douglas and incoming freshman Jo Bryant.
Rowing is everything to Margaret. But rumors start to swirl when she disappears and doesn't join the team for summer training sessions. Was she in rehab? Training for the Olympics? No one knows, But when she returns at the start of senior year, it's clear that whatever happened haunts her.
Meanwhile, Jo doesn't even want to be on the team. The only reason she's there is because her father, a former Olympian, Boston rowing legend, and the person she blames for her parent's divorce, forced her to be on the team.
Despite their different goals, Margaret and Jo soon become friends. As they navigate practices at the crack of dawn, blistered hands, love and heartbreak, and preparing for the biggest race of the year, Margaret, Jo and their teammates soon discover a variety of secrets and scandals within their team sisterhood. With everything on the line, will the girls rally together to discover just how deep those secrets go?
I really enjoyed this book. Before reading it, I didn't know much about the world of rowing. This book brought me into that world and was intriguing enough that I wanted to learn more.
Charlotte Balogh really dives into the bonds that form when you're part of a team like Margaret and Jo. Balogh explores not just friendships, but teen dating relationships, familial relationships, and coach/athlete relationships as well. She really dives into the dynamics of each relationship and fully explores what they are like. We see the challenges, hardships, triumphs, and failures each girl faces.
The mystery of why Margaret was missing over the summer really pulled me in. We get small hints here and there, but it's a shock when the full story is finally revealed. But the mystery in the book doesn't end there. Balogh throws more mystery and plot twists into the story after Margaret's story is shared. We then get to see how, despite their individual hardships, the team really pulls together in the end to overcome the obstacles they face.
Fantastic read with fully fledged characters, a strong storyline, and enough twits and turns and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Told through dual POVs, the story follows varsity team captain Margaret Douglas and incoming freshman Jo Bryant.
Rowing is everything to Margaret. But rumors start to swirl when she disappears and doesn't join the team for summer training sessions. Was she in rehab? Training for the Olympics? No one knows, But when she returns at the start of senior year, it's clear that whatever happened haunts her.
Meanwhile, Jo doesn't even want to be on the team. The only reason she's there is because her father, a former Olympian, Boston rowing legend, and the person she blames for her parent's divorce, forced her to be on the team.
Despite their different goals, Margaret and Jo soon become friends. As they navigate practices at the crack of dawn, blistered hands, love and heartbreak, and preparing for the biggest race of the year, Margaret, Jo and their teammates soon discover a variety of secrets and scandals within their team sisterhood. With everything on the line, will the girls rally together to discover just how deep those secrets go?
I really enjoyed this book. Before reading it, I didn't know much about the world of rowing. This book brought me into that world and was intriguing enough that I wanted to learn more.
Charlotte Balogh really dives into the bonds that form when you're part of a team like Margaret and Jo. Balogh explores not just friendships, but teen dating relationships, familial relationships, and coach/athlete relationships as well. She really dives into the dynamics of each relationship and fully explores what they are like. We see the challenges, hardships, triumphs, and failures each girl faces.
The mystery of why Margaret was missing over the summer really pulled me in. We get small hints here and there, but it's a shock when the full story is finally revealed. But the mystery in the book doesn't end there. Balogh throws more mystery and plot twists into the story after Margaret's story is shared. We then get to see how, despite their individual hardships, the team really pulls together in the end to overcome the obstacles they face.
Fantastic read with fully fledged characters, a strong storyline, and enough twits and turns and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Capsized is a young adult sports mystery by Charlotte Lillie Balogh, told from dual perspectives that immediately hooks readers.
The story follows Jo Bryant, a freshman who has just moved to Boston to live with her father and attend the posh private school where he teaches. Hoping she will fall in love with the sport, her father signs her up for the Boston Rowing Club. Jo has big shoes to fill, as her dad is an Olympic champion rower. While we are introduced to many members of the club, the second perspective of the story is told through Margaret Douglas. Margaret is a senior and the varsity captain—or is she? Following a mysterious scandal over the summer, Margaret disappeared, prompting Coach Clay to strip her of her captain duties. Now, she must earn her seat back in the varsity boat. As we learn more about what led to Margaret’s summer disappearance, we dig into deeper secrets that can no longer be kept hidden.
What I Liked: From the very first chapter, which opens with a gripping scene of someone drowning, I was completely hooked. This is the type of book where you just have to read "one more chapter" to find out what happens ,and before I knew it, I was halfway through. The pacing was absolutely perfect.
Because I don’t know much about rowing, the setting provided a really unique concept for a storyline. I enjoyed learning about the sport and seeing how the girls had to come together to compete, which made me appreciate the intense training the team endured to win. Alongside the fierce athletic competition and the central mystery, I also liked Jo’s storyline with her father. Their relationship was awkward and strained, filled with Jo's resentment over her father choosing rowing over her. While their relationship wasn’t perfect by the end of the story, there was clear healing and good intentions, even if they were occasionally misguided.
Readers who enjoy sports dramas and fast-paced mysteries will be captivated by Capsized.
This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here: https://yabookscentral.com/capsized/
The story follows Jo Bryant, a freshman who has just moved to Boston to live with her father and attend the posh private school where he teaches. Hoping she will fall in love with the sport, her father signs her up for the Boston Rowing Club. Jo has big shoes to fill, as her dad is an Olympic champion rower. While we are introduced to many members of the club, the second perspective of the story is told through Margaret Douglas. Margaret is a senior and the varsity captain—or is she? Following a mysterious scandal over the summer, Margaret disappeared, prompting Coach Clay to strip her of her captain duties. Now, she must earn her seat back in the varsity boat. As we learn more about what led to Margaret’s summer disappearance, we dig into deeper secrets that can no longer be kept hidden.
What I Liked: From the very first chapter, which opens with a gripping scene of someone drowning, I was completely hooked. This is the type of book where you just have to read "one more chapter" to find out what happens ,and before I knew it, I was halfway through. The pacing was absolutely perfect.
Because I don’t know much about rowing, the setting provided a really unique concept for a storyline. I enjoyed learning about the sport and seeing how the girls had to come together to compete, which made me appreciate the intense training the team endured to win. Alongside the fierce athletic competition and the central mystery, I also liked Jo’s storyline with her father. Their relationship was awkward and strained, filled with Jo's resentment over her father choosing rowing over her. While their relationship wasn’t perfect by the end of the story, there was clear healing and good intentions, even if they were occasionally misguided.
Readers who enjoy sports dramas and fast-paced mysteries will be captivated by Capsized.
This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here: https://yabookscentral.com/capsized/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rowing has always been at the center of Margaret Douglas's existence, but when she disappeared over the summer, she may have lost more than her place as captain of her team. Jo, the daughter of a premier Crew coach, could not care less about the sport, but she must participate to satisfy her father’s desires while she is living with him. Though coming from two separate worlds, these young women have Crew to unite them, and their lives become inextricably entwined as a result. And because secrets seem to follow the two, as well, they have to learn to trust one another if they plan to survive the season. This engaging, fast-paced narrative invites readers into the world of Crew through the voices of two young women. Told in alternating points of view, the plot unfolds slowly, offering details of each character’s life in small segments that keep readers engaged. Everything is leading up to the premier event of the year: the Head of the Charles Regatta, and winning this could change life for both of them. Some strong language appears in the narrative, amplifying the big emotions the girls are feeling. Additionally, some romance, underage drinking, and mentions of adult themes are included in the story. While the stakes are higher for some characters than for others, each one is endearing in their own right and readers are compelled to continue reading to discover what happens next. The intensity of the narrative builds to a fever pitch, drawing readers into the camaraderie, competition, and compulsion that exist in Crew (and any high octane team sport). Part mystery, part action, part cathartic emotional journey, this book is an entertaining roller coaster that is built upon the foundation of a love letter to Crew. It is an excellent addition to library collections for mature young adult readers and up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am not a rower, nor am I a teenager, but I absolutely loved this book! Capsized is an action packed drama focused around the lives of several members of a high-performing youth rowing club, the BRC. The two main POVs we get to experience are Jo - an incoming freshman rather unwillingly brought into the world of rowing by her ex-Olympian father, and Margaret - a senior varsity club member with many secrets, returning from a mysterious summer away from the team. We follow Jo and Margaret (and the rest of their BRC team members) as they prepare for the biggest race of the year: the Head of the Charles, and watch them navigate endless challenges both within the sport and in their outside lives, which are constantly intermingled.
This was such a fast read for me because it was exciting and engaging from start to finish. There was a perfect balance of exciting action, suspense and complex character/relationship development. We really got to see Jo and Margaret grow and mature throughout the story, which I loved. I came into this knowing pretty much nothing about rowing and still was able to follow along without difficulty - so I encourage everyone to give this one a try! It has a powerful message, tackles some tough concepts about the challenges of competitive youth sports, and was really really well written. Also, for fellow New Englanders, I loved the artfully described Boston city scenery, reading this felt like taking a trip back home.
Very excited that there will be a screen adaptation of this, I think it will make a fantastic show!
Thank you to Charlotte Lillie Balogh, NetGalley, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was such a fast read for me because it was exciting and engaging from start to finish. There was a perfect balance of exciting action, suspense and complex character/relationship development. We really got to see Jo and Margaret grow and mature throughout the story, which I loved. I came into this knowing pretty much nothing about rowing and still was able to follow along without difficulty - so I encourage everyone to give this one a try! It has a powerful message, tackles some tough concepts about the challenges of competitive youth sports, and was really really well written. Also, for fellow New Englanders, I loved the artfully described Boston city scenery, reading this felt like taking a trip back home.
Very excited that there will be a screen adaptation of this, I think it will make a fantastic show!
Thank you to Charlotte Lillie Balogh, NetGalley, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Capsized is an insightful and compelling look into the competitive world of high school rowing. This is a YA book that follows novice Jo Bryant and varsity captain Margret Douglas as they navigate challenging team dynamics, college applications, family drama, and romantic relationships in the days leading up to the Head of the Charles.
I don’t normally read a ton of YA, but as a former DI rower I will snap up any book that features a crew team. It’s such a beautiful sport with its own unique challenges and pressures, so I was extremely happy with how well everything was portrayed in this book.
I loved the main characters!! They both definitely felt like the kind of people who are drawn to the sport: intense, competitive, passionate, and (while occasionally messy) fueled primarily by love for their teams. The mystery of what happened at Nationals is the propulsive force of the book, but the beating heart is the BRC team and the strength of the relationships between the girls.
Capsized really captures the stress and anxiety of being focused on college recruiting while also navigating demanding schedules, interpersonal issues, and pressure to perform. I saw this book has an adaptation in development and I think there’s so much fertile soil to work with here. Highly recommend for anyone that loves YA, female friendships, sports stories, and thrillers!
Many thanks to Delacorte Press & NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I don’t normally read a ton of YA, but as a former DI rower I will snap up any book that features a crew team. It’s such a beautiful sport with its own unique challenges and pressures, so I was extremely happy with how well everything was portrayed in this book.
I loved the main characters!! They both definitely felt like the kind of people who are drawn to the sport: intense, competitive, passionate, and (while occasionally messy) fueled primarily by love for their teams. The mystery of what happened at Nationals is the propulsive force of the book, but the beating heart is the BRC team and the strength of the relationships between the girls.
Capsized really captures the stress and anxiety of being focused on college recruiting while also navigating demanding schedules, interpersonal issues, and pressure to perform. I saw this book has an adaptation in development and I think there’s so much fertile soil to work with here. Highly recommend for anyone that loves YA, female friendships, sports stories, and thrillers!
Many thanks to Delacorte Press & NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
It broke my heart, but stitched it right back up. I can't even tell how this book destroyed me.
I fell in love with rowing and cried with joy.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, doesn't matter if you like rowing or not, this book is so much beyond that, it's about beautiful relationships between girls who share the same goals, even though they're from different backgrounds. It's about being put against eachother but ultimately finding your path together.
If I could i would give it 100 stars. The best book that's coming out this year, I am soooo blessed and thankful to have had it before the premiere.
Huge congratulations to the author, you wrote a beautiful book, gave it so much depth, I can see the hard work and heart that you put in it, it's so good that i had to write a review and I usually don't do it. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT ON SCREEN!!!
It broke my heart, but stitched it right back up. I can't even tell how this book destroyed me.
I fell in love with rowing and cried with joy.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, doesn't matter if you like rowing or not, this book is so much beyond that, it's about beautiful relationships between girls who share the same goals, even though they're from different backgrounds. It's about being put against eachother but ultimately finding your path together.
If I could i would give it 100 stars. The best book that's coming out this year, I am soooo blessed and thankful to have had it before the premiere.
Huge congratulations to the author, you wrote a beautiful book, gave it so much depth, I can see the hard work and heart that you put in it, it's so good that i had to write a review and I usually don't do it. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT ON SCREEN!!!
April 25, 2026
I like the idea of a book set in the world of rowing. It’s not something i went in with any knowledge of, and learning about it was interesting.
I did have to google a bunch of terms. I think the book took for granted we might know some basic things, and, well, I didn’t. An example would be that i googled what an erg is. I also had to google about the different seats on the boat to get a better idea of what the responsibilities and significance of each spot are. There was a diagram provided and small bits of info shared throughout, but i needed that info way earlier.
I think this will make a great TV show.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I did have to google a bunch of terms. I think the book took for granted we might know some basic things, and, well, I didn’t. An example would be that i googled what an erg is. I also had to google about the different seats on the boat to get a better idea of what the responsibilities and significance of each spot are. There was a diagram provided and small bits of info shared throughout, but i needed that info way earlier.
I think this will make a great TV show.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Much thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. all thoughts are my own.
3.5 stars
I honestly don't have that many thoughts on this book; it was good. I enjoyed it. It was a solid, nice little book that was sad and heartbreaking in all the right parts. It gave the same vibes as boys in a boat. I knew from the start that I was going to like this story, and I did. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it was beautiful. and slightly tragic. The plot moved slightly slower than I was hoping, but I loved how relatable the characters were.
Read good books and drink coffee,
Katherine
3.5 stars
I honestly don't have that many thoughts on this book; it was good. I enjoyed it. It was a solid, nice little book that was sad and heartbreaking in all the right parts. It gave the same vibes as boys in a boat. I knew from the start that I was going to like this story, and I did. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it was beautiful. and slightly tragic. The plot moved slightly slower than I was hoping, but I loved how relatable the characters were.
Read good books and drink coffee,
Katherine
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a must-read!!!!!! I cannot wait to see this on Hulu🚣♂️❤️🔥
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