Too Deep To Drown

by Stacy R. Ward

At seventeen, Meg Pullman has cut ties with her past.

Emancipated and determined, she signs on as an intern in the engine room of a research vessel, certain the wide blue horizon will lead her toward the scholarship and freedom she craves.

But the Pacific Ocean isn’t the escape she imagined. Its beauty is haunted by the cries of a polluted world. Ghost nets and floating trash islands echo her own buried pain.

When a humpback whale and an unexpected romantic entanglement force Meg to confront both the ocean’s wounds and her own, she discovers that true survival isn’t about outswimming the current. It’s about surrender. And sometimes, to survive, you don’t fight the waves.

You let go.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2026

Reviews

[anna grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

my chest hurts whenever i finish a five star read, and right now my chest is hurting perfectly. i DEVOURED this book. picked it up on the treadmill, walked for almost an hour and a half (by accident), kept my kindle next to my shower so i could pick it right back up when i got out, and almost burnt the slop i made for dinner because my mind was fully on the book in my hand, not on the spoon in my other. my "big boat" knowledge begins and ends at below deck, but this felt like i was THERE, which i really appreciated as someone with no nautical knowledge. this book felt so lovingly and expertly woven together. and i formed a HUGE parasocial relationship with a whale that i think will affect me the rest of my days .... let's just say i highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone in need of a story that sucks you in and breaks your heart and fixes it right back up

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Too Deep to Drown. Ward, this book's author, takes on big issues (ocean conservation and mental illness) with compassion and keen insight. Meg, the main character, is brave, tender-hearted, and awkward enough to make me both commiserate with and root for her. She's supported by a diverse cast of characters, all of whom are smart, interesting, engaging, and so grounded that I kind of secretly hope I'll bump into them IRL one day. I don't want to give away any of the plot so I'll just say that the author's juxtaposition of wanting to escape being crushed by the heavy weight of familial expectations (and actual objects) against the backdrop of the possibilities of new adventures in a wide-open expanse of ocean is brilliant. This book is for anyone struggling to figure out who they are or how they might reinvent themselves. It will stay with me for years. Highly recommend!!!
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeanne Benfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story that intertwines interpersonal relationships with our environment and our impact on those around us and the world we live in. Meg has had a tough life- she’s a strong female character who matures throughout the story. Her history is revealed through the book and we learn how she got to this place. The supporting characters are all well developed and continually add to the story. I especially loved Marcel and Izabel- such strong personalities. The story of Papillon is woven into the chapters in a way that makes her seem so real you can imagine being in the ocean with her. The underlying lesson of how our actions contribute to our environment is a strong part of the reading and the author reminds us that our impacts have far reaching consequences. An enjoyable read that will make you stop and think as well.

[Eli Benbenek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This book was a rollercoaster full of fun twists and turns, all the while educating about marine science and environmental conservation in an accessible way. I really enjoyed the setting on the research vessel and thought the writing was very immersive. As someone who doesn’t often read young adult books, I also really enjoyed Meg’s journey through the story and especially as her relationships developed with the rest of the cast. It feels like a found family story that made me want to read more about these characters and what they get up to next. I can’t recommend this book enough and think that the themes of connection and empathy explored in this book would resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Thank you Button Hall Publishing for the free ARC!

[Katie Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ward’s novel gives us everything we want. Vivid characters, beautiful poetry, and heart-pounding adventure to tell a compelling story about the journey we all take in growing up and finding our way, and of the beauty, horror, joy and pain that is life. Set against the backdrop of the mighty Pacific, the story of Meg’s past trauma and circumstances and her determination to live beyond them parallels that of Papillon, a magnificent whale she encounters at sea, and whose very existence seems too incredible to be real. At once exciting, witty and deeply emotional, Too Deep to Drown is not only a call to action for an ocean in crisis, but a moving testament to what the natural world can teach us about hope, and what it means to be loved, to be understood, to belong, to be human.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

a touching and beautiful coming of age story. i absolutely adored it. rugged setting with a big softy center. meg is such a complex and well written character i have a deep para social relationship with her and feel like i could send her a instagram reel and she would probably answer. i loved how the internal conflict in her own life is mirrored in the story. the whole cast of characters is so dynamic and fun and developed. i want to hang out with those science nerds so bad. this is such an important and timely novel to the health of our oceans and planet!! it made me FEEL. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!

[Beth]

This story plunged me into the depths of the ocean and into Meg’s life as she leaves her painful childhood to pursue a life worth living. Stacy does an incredible job creating Meg’s character - one of risk, resilience, and the relentless longing to be known and accepted. We can relate to her because Meg also carries scars deep inside herself, just as the ocean holds unwanted junk caused by humankind. Through vivid character portrayals, descriptive scenes, and well-researched scientific insights, this book offers readers a deeper understanding of both the depths of the sea and Meg's character and relationships. This is beautifully written with heart and hope!

[Laurie]

Meg Pullman emancipates herself, escapes her mother’s treacherous home, and runs away to sea to create a future. But she learns the hard way that she can’t escape the past just like humans can’t escape the harm we’ve done to the oceans. With the aid of a humpback whale she literally comes eye-to-eye with, an aunt who finally sees the truth, and a sympathetic romantic interest, she discovers that we all need a little help to survive. In Too Deep to Drown, Stacy Ward has created a heroine and a page-turning story that is dramatic and ultimately hopeful.

[Haley Gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible journey. What I first thought would be a well thought out coming of age adventure turned into a spiritual connection through the main character, her family, and our planet. The flow of the reading was perfect and leaves me as excited for this characters next steps in life as I was for my own. Would absolutely recommend for any reader. (I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily)

[Anna Benfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing story—I was captivated from start to finish by both the writing and Meg’s journey. The focus on the ocean was beautifully balanced with the story of Meg and her newly found friends. If this book were part of a series, I would read the next installment immediately.

[Jody Swing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so beautifully written, with many different ideas woven together perfectly. Meg’s drive and determination to rise above her circumstances are truly inspiring. The whole story is motivating, encouraging readers to do better and be better. I could not put it down!