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Breathing Under Water
"Breathing under Water combines the intrigue of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, the pacing of Lisa Jewell’s The Family Upstairs, and the glimpse inside the elite athletic world of Alena Dillon’s The Happiest Girl in the World.” —STARRED BOOKLIST REVIEW
"A touching novel about unexpected connections and found family. Leo’s growth and change are paramount, and he feels like a real person, not a token.” —Kirkus Reviews
A Zibby Owens Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2026
The current is threatening to pull them under.
Berry thought she had it figured out—juggling her vice principal role while raising her sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo. But when a promotion opportunity collides with her family's deepest needs, she must confront whether she's been fighting the wrong battles all along.
McKenna is drowning. Between caring for her grandmother with dementia, losing her swimming scholarship, and facing homelessness, the college student's carefully constructed world is crumbling. Her only lifeline? Teaching swim lessons to children with autism—including Leo.
As these two women's paths converge in the most unexpected way, they discover that sometimes the people who need saving the most are the ones who end up saving you.
"A touching novel about unexpected connections and found family. Leo’s growth and change are paramount, and he feels like a real person, not a token.” —Kirkus Reviews
A Zibby Owens Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2026
The current is threatening to pull them under.
Berry thought she had it figured out—juggling her vice principal role while raising her sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo. But when a promotion opportunity collides with her family's deepest needs, she must confront whether she's been fighting the wrong battles all along.
McKenna is drowning. Between caring for her grandmother with dementia, losing her swimming scholarship, and facing homelessness, the college student's carefully constructed world is crumbling. Her only lifeline? Teaching swim lessons to children with autism—including Leo.
As these two women's paths converge in the most unexpected way, they discover that sometimes the people who need saving the most are the ones who end up saving you.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Jacqueline Friedland
6 books560 followersJacqueline Friedland is the author of award-winning novels Trouble the Water and He Gets That From Me. A graduate of The University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School, she practiced as an attorney before returning to school to receive her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in New York with her husband and four children. For contact info, tour dates, and book clubs please visit www.jacquelinefriedland.com and Instagram @jackiefriedland
Her new novel, Counting Backwards, will be out on March 11, 2025.
Her new novel, Counting Backwards, will be out on March 11, 2025.
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August 29, 2026
Solid 4 - maybe even 4.5 ⭐️
I’m so glad I waited until I finished the book to read the synopsis for this one. Once again, it gives away a few too many details, details that were much more impactful discovering them as I read rather than knowing them beforehand.
This book was so good and drew me in from the very first chapter. I loved Leo, Berry, McKenna, and Glory and wanted to give them all a big hug. I listened to it in two days, and it only took me that long because life was busy. But, as usual, when I finish a book I enjoy this quickly, I’m left missing the characters and wishing I had taken my time. When will I learn?
Berry is an assistant principal who must decide whether she’s ready to put herself out there for a promotion while struggling with the pressure she feels to always be available for her sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo.
McKenna is a collegiate swimmer on a full-ride scholarship who has a lot on her plate. She’s balancing school, swimming, a part-time job, the community service hours required to maintain her scholarship, and caring for her grandmother, who has dementia.
Their paths cross when McKenna agrees to teach swim lessons to a group of autistic children, including Leo. With little prior knowledge or experience with autism, she enlists Leo’s help to better understand how she can adapt her approach to more effectively teach the children.
This book tackles so many relevant topics, some of them quite heavy, without ever feeling like it was too much or overdone. The author handled these complicated situations, relationships, and family dynamics with sensitivity. She realistically portrayed some of the struggles parents and siblings of neurodivergent children can face, but I especially loved that she also explored the fear that can come with letting go and allowing your child to become more independent. I really appreciated the thoughtful and realistic ASD representation.
This was my first book by this author, but I will most definitely be checking out her backlist and looking forward to whatever she writes next. Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end to learn more about what inspired her to write this heartfelt story.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott. Both narrators did a great job giving the characters distinctive voices and bringing just the right amount of emotion to the story.
Now available! My thanks to Harper Muse Audio via NetGalley Shelf for my ALC. 🎧
I’m so glad I waited until I finished the book to read the synopsis for this one. Once again, it gives away a few too many details, details that were much more impactful discovering them as I read rather than knowing them beforehand.
This book was so good and drew me in from the very first chapter. I loved Leo, Berry, McKenna, and Glory and wanted to give them all a big hug. I listened to it in two days, and it only took me that long because life was busy. But, as usual, when I finish a book I enjoy this quickly, I’m left missing the characters and wishing I had taken my time. When will I learn?
Berry is an assistant principal who must decide whether she’s ready to put herself out there for a promotion while struggling with the pressure she feels to always be available for her sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo.
McKenna is a collegiate swimmer on a full-ride scholarship who has a lot on her plate. She’s balancing school, swimming, a part-time job, the community service hours required to maintain her scholarship, and caring for her grandmother, who has dementia.
Their paths cross when McKenna agrees to teach swim lessons to a group of autistic children, including Leo. With little prior knowledge or experience with autism, she enlists Leo’s help to better understand how she can adapt her approach to more effectively teach the children.
This book tackles so many relevant topics, some of them quite heavy, without ever feeling like it was too much or overdone. The author handled these complicated situations, relationships, and family dynamics with sensitivity. She realistically portrayed some of the struggles parents and siblings of neurodivergent children can face, but I especially loved that she also explored the fear that can come with letting go and allowing your child to become more independent. I really appreciated the thoughtful and realistic ASD representation.
This was my first book by this author, but I will most definitely be checking out her backlist and looking forward to whatever she writes next. Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end to learn more about what inspired her to write this heartfelt story.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott. Both narrators did a great job giving the characters distinctive voices and bringing just the right amount of emotion to the story.
Now available! My thanks to Harper Muse Audio via NetGalley Shelf for my ALC. 🎧
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ Sometimes the people who need saving the most are the ones who end up saving you.
.. and the most quiet, autistic child become the hero of the story. Isn't that lovely?
The novel follows two women, Berry and McKenna, whose lives are not the easiest yet they intersect through an autistic sixteen year old teenager, Leo. Everyone in the story has something major going on and the title of this book carries a deeper meaning: everyone is trying to stay emotionally afloat. This is a touching novel about how life sometimes pulls us under but we might be saved by people who enter our lives unexpectedly. As swimming is used as a metaphor, breathing underwater functions as the central idea of survival, specifically learning to survive the circumstances that feel overwhelming.
A little about our characters. NO SPOILERS
McKenna is a college swimmer struggling to maintain her swimming scholarship while caring for her dementia-stricken grandmother who raised her with whatever low means she had. McKenna has never had it easy. Her life is hard and its defined by survival. Her grandmothers dementia is progressively getting worse: she forgetting who she is, forgetting places and her own daily routines. As the primary caretaker, the stress is getting to her and the fear of housing insecurity drains her completely. The isolation she experiences is emotionally troubling. To earn more money, she starts giving lessons to a group of autistic kids and this experience not only serves as a new learning curve but a rather emotionally transformative experience.
Berry is Leo's mother and a vice principal of a school with a quite a demanding career that sometimes feels more like a strain than an escape from her home life. She is married but her marriage is also strained because one her husband lately feels more distant and avoidant and two because their parenting styles are quite different. It's not easy raising a neurodivergent child, especially a teenage boy whose physical and emotional needs are changing so rapidly as Leo grows into adolescence. Kudos to her for being a superwoman and doing it all--the career, motherhood, partnership.
Leo is the bridge between two women. He is intelligent, smart, focused. His autism is not exactly portrayed as a hardship for himself per se (perhaps more for Berry who had to deal with its repercussions-the looks, the behind your back talks, the social isolation) but more grounded to the reality of the differences--sensory, communication, independence, etc. His character is complex both socially and emotionally. One of the novels central points is that society often misunderstands autistic individuals. Not unless you have medical understanding/knowledge of what autism really is, most peoples perceptions and assumptions about autistic people are narrowed to one thought: something is not right up there.
Autistic children are intelligent and capable. They are no different from neurotypical children and I say that from experience because just like Berry, I too have an autistic son who sees the world differently and requires specialized support 24/7, routines, consistency, therapies and strong advocacy. As a mother, I understood Berry. She is a reflection of my life, of my struggles and of my worries. I have a lot of respect for her and applaud her for her unwavering devotion towards Leo and her family. Berry's story meant a lot to me and the author handled autism and dementia/caregiving with care. Friedland showed the hardships of dependence and its motional strain as well as reward. I thought that the women's parallel journeys' created a strong point about the invisible labor it takes to continue persevering.
If you love character driven stories that pose great life questions and offer life-lessons, then this story might be for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author, Jacqueline Friedland for one early ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for an early ALC!
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell, Annalee Scott
Duration: 10 hours 5 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 4, 2026
.. and the most quiet, autistic child become the hero of the story. Isn't that lovely?
The novel follows two women, Berry and McKenna, whose lives are not the easiest yet they intersect through an autistic sixteen year old teenager, Leo. Everyone in the story has something major going on and the title of this book carries a deeper meaning: everyone is trying to stay emotionally afloat. This is a touching novel about how life sometimes pulls us under but we might be saved by people who enter our lives unexpectedly. As swimming is used as a metaphor, breathing underwater functions as the central idea of survival, specifically learning to survive the circumstances that feel overwhelming.
A little about our characters. NO SPOILERS
McKenna is a college swimmer struggling to maintain her swimming scholarship while caring for her dementia-stricken grandmother who raised her with whatever low means she had. McKenna has never had it easy. Her life is hard and its defined by survival. Her grandmothers dementia is progressively getting worse: she forgetting who she is, forgetting places and her own daily routines. As the primary caretaker, the stress is getting to her and the fear of housing insecurity drains her completely. The isolation she experiences is emotionally troubling. To earn more money, she starts giving lessons to a group of autistic kids and this experience not only serves as a new learning curve but a rather emotionally transformative experience.
Berry is Leo's mother and a vice principal of a school with a quite a demanding career that sometimes feels more like a strain than an escape from her home life. She is married but her marriage is also strained because one her husband lately feels more distant and avoidant and two because their parenting styles are quite different. It's not easy raising a neurodivergent child, especially a teenage boy whose physical and emotional needs are changing so rapidly as Leo grows into adolescence. Kudos to her for being a superwoman and doing it all--the career, motherhood, partnership.
Leo is the bridge between two women. He is intelligent, smart, focused. His autism is not exactly portrayed as a hardship for himself per se (perhaps more for Berry who had to deal with its repercussions-the looks, the behind your back talks, the social isolation) but more grounded to the reality of the differences--sensory, communication, independence, etc. His character is complex both socially and emotionally. One of the novels central points is that society often misunderstands autistic individuals. Not unless you have medical understanding/knowledge of what autism really is, most peoples perceptions and assumptions about autistic people are narrowed to one thought: something is not right up there.
Autistic children are intelligent and capable. They are no different from neurotypical children and I say that from experience because just like Berry, I too have an autistic son who sees the world differently and requires specialized support 24/7, routines, consistency, therapies and strong advocacy. As a mother, I understood Berry. She is a reflection of my life, of my struggles and of my worries. I have a lot of respect for her and applaud her for her unwavering devotion towards Leo and her family. Berry's story meant a lot to me and the author handled autism and dementia/caregiving with care. Friedland showed the hardships of dependence and its motional strain as well as reward. I thought that the women's parallel journeys' created a strong point about the invisible labor it takes to continue persevering.
If you love character driven stories that pose great life questions and offer life-lessons, then this story might be for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author, Jacqueline Friedland for one early ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for an early ALC!
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell, Annalee Scott
Duration: 10 hours 5 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 4, 2026
August 23, 2026
Jacqueline Friedland was inspired to write this story because of her mother’s work and influence in working with autistic children. I always enjoy knowing a writer’s inspiration. Leo, a sixteen year old autistic boy is in many ways the heart of this story and he definitely found a way into my heart. He’s intelligent, bullied and without a friend. But it’s more than just Leo’s story . It’s about the tensions in his family about how best to help Leo move forward. We get his mother Berry’s point of view, reflecting the common struggle that a lot of women face trying to balance being a good mother with the demanding job that she loves and about the things that happen in life whether or not you have a neurodivergent child .
Chapters alternate with McKenna, a swimming star on her college team, dealing with emotional, physical and financial burdens even though she has a scholarship. She’s also coping with how to be there for her grandmother who has dementia. (I should have read the description more carefully. This is the third book in a short time with a character having dementia and the ramifications are sad.) Leo comes into McKenna’s life when she takes on teaching a group of autistic kids to swim just as she is at her breaking point. They change each other’s lives.
Somewhat predictable, but it was enjoyable to watch Leo grow. It was emotional and sad in many ways, but full of love and hope. I received this advanced copy through Edelweiss, started to read it a while ago and gave up because the messy prepub format was too distracting. This happens occasionally with prepub titles and I’m fortunate given how many I read that this only happens once in a while. I kept seeing this book and my interest was piqued each time, so bought a copy for my kindle. It was worth it.
Chapters alternate with McKenna, a swimming star on her college team, dealing with emotional, physical and financial burdens even though she has a scholarship. She’s also coping with how to be there for her grandmother who has dementia. (I should have read the description more carefully. This is the third book in a short time with a character having dementia and the ramifications are sad.) Leo comes into McKenna’s life when she takes on teaching a group of autistic kids to swim just as she is at her breaking point. They change each other’s lives.
Somewhat predictable, but it was enjoyable to watch Leo grow. It was emotional and sad in many ways, but full of love and hope. I received this advanced copy through Edelweiss, started to read it a while ago and gave up because the messy prepub format was too distracting. This happens occasionally with prepub titles and I’m fortunate given how many I read that this only happens once in a while. I kept seeing this book and my interest was piqued each time, so bought a copy for my kindle. It was worth it.
May 25, 2026
A big thank you to Harper Muse for the chance to read an advance copy of Breathing Under Water by Jacqueline Friedland! I think this will be among my top reads of 2026.
The story is told by two women, Berry and McKenna, both of whom are facing challenges in their lives, and I fell in love with both of them. Among the main themes are autism, the pressure on elite student athletes, housing and food insecurity among college students, dementia, marriage and communication, and more. All this with an engaging story.
We meet two families living on current day Long Island, New York. One is the Becker family, and Berry is the mother. She is an assistant principal at a private elementary school and her major focus outside of her job is her 16-year-old younger son Leo, who is autistic. McKenna is a local college student who is a star swimmer at the nearby college. McKenna is under a lot of stress from the requirements of her scholarship along with the substantial work for her intended nursing degree, piled on top of all the hours she spends training in and out of the pool. On top of all that, she lives alone with her beloved grandmother, who is showing signs of dementia. Whew!
How these two come together because of Leo is the heart of the story. Leo needs better social skills. McKenna needs money and her scholarship requires community service. While working at a country club over the summer, she starts a swim class for autistic children. Leo is suggested as an assistant to her. During one of the classes, an event happens that derails both McKenna and Leo. And then something awful happens (no spoilers!) that truly derails McKenna’s life.
I loved how McKenna quickly figured out how to best communicate with Leo, without overwhelming him (with too much direct eye contact, for example). Their relationship was a highlight of the book for me.
The book gradually became a real page-turner for me, not in the thriller sense of page-turner, but I really, really wanted to see how things were going to turn out for everyone!
There's a smidge of Jewish representation here, not a main theme. It was just "matter of fact", which was nice, like the mentioning of having needed a special tutor for Leo's Bar Mitzvah.
There's a lot to discuss here, so this would make a great book club book. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
The story is told by two women, Berry and McKenna, both of whom are facing challenges in their lives, and I fell in love with both of them. Among the main themes are autism, the pressure on elite student athletes, housing and food insecurity among college students, dementia, marriage and communication, and more. All this with an engaging story.
We meet two families living on current day Long Island, New York. One is the Becker family, and Berry is the mother. She is an assistant principal at a private elementary school and her major focus outside of her job is her 16-year-old younger son Leo, who is autistic. McKenna is a local college student who is a star swimmer at the nearby college. McKenna is under a lot of stress from the requirements of her scholarship along with the substantial work for her intended nursing degree, piled on top of all the hours she spends training in and out of the pool. On top of all that, she lives alone with her beloved grandmother, who is showing signs of dementia. Whew!
How these two come together because of Leo is the heart of the story. Leo needs better social skills. McKenna needs money and her scholarship requires community service. While working at a country club over the summer, she starts a swim class for autistic children. Leo is suggested as an assistant to her. During one of the classes, an event happens that derails both McKenna and Leo. And then something awful happens (no spoilers!) that truly derails McKenna’s life.
I loved how McKenna quickly figured out how to best communicate with Leo, without overwhelming him (with too much direct eye contact, for example). Their relationship was a highlight of the book for me.
The book gradually became a real page-turner for me, not in the thriller sense of page-turner, but I really, really wanted to see how things were going to turn out for everyone!
There's a smidge of Jewish representation here, not a main theme. It was just "matter of fact", which was nice, like the mentioning of having needed a special tutor for Leo's Bar Mitzvah.
There's a lot to discuss here, so this would make a great book club book. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
September 9, 2026
Thank you Jacqueline Friedland and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
I loved this book for many reasons. Firstly, having a neurodivergent character a main character who begins to learn and thrive on their own as they enter adulthood. Secondly, the highlighting of the struggle for the parents of someone with autism. As someone who has worked with kids and parents in this field I have seen how lonely it can be, usually for the mother, or the one who takes the bulk of responsibility in raising the child with autism and ensuring you are doing everything you need to do to set the child up for a healthy and productive future.
I loved the relationship between the main female character and the son with autism. It really is magical when you meet people who get autism and care to understand and make connection with people regardless of the areas they may struggle in.
I think this can be an important read for people who want to get a peek into what life can be like for families who deal with autism.
The second plot theme of the struggle that college students can go through to push past their circumstances to become something better and the sacrifices that determination can push them to do.
The narrative performance was perfect for the story. The voices fit the characters and the ambience of the narrative.
Overall, a great read.
I loved this book for many reasons. Firstly, having a neurodivergent character a main character who begins to learn and thrive on their own as they enter adulthood. Secondly, the highlighting of the struggle for the parents of someone with autism. As someone who has worked with kids and parents in this field I have seen how lonely it can be, usually for the mother, or the one who takes the bulk of responsibility in raising the child with autism and ensuring you are doing everything you need to do to set the child up for a healthy and productive future.
I loved the relationship between the main female character and the son with autism. It really is magical when you meet people who get autism and care to understand and make connection with people regardless of the areas they may struggle in.
I think this can be an important read for people who want to get a peek into what life can be like for families who deal with autism.
The second plot theme of the struggle that college students can go through to push past their circumstances to become something better and the sacrifices that determination can push them to do.
The narrative performance was perfect for the story. The voices fit the characters and the ambience of the narrative.
Overall, a great read.
August 5, 2026
This one made me feel seen.
Jacqueline Friedland weaves together the stories of two women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Barry (short for Bernice) is an assistant principal determined to become a principal while raising her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna is a talented swimmer caring for her grandmother, who has dementia. As part of the requirements for her NCAA swimming scholarship, McKenna begins teaching swim lessons to autistic children—including Leo—and their lives become connected through a compassionate, character-driven story with a compelling subplot that I won’t spoil.
As the mother of a teenage son with autism, I found this novel incredibly validating. Leo is one of the most authentic portrayals of a high-functioning autistic teenager I’ve read in recent years. Friedland’s understanding of autism feels deeply informed, and knowing that her own mother worked with autistic children adds another layer of authenticity to Leo’s voice and Barry’s experiences as a parent.
What resonated with me most was Barry’s struggle to balance motherhood with her career. She loves her son fiercely while also wanting the professional opportunities she’s worked so hard to earn. That tension felt remarkably honest. I also appreciated how the novel gently explores the ways families can disagree about what support an autistic child needs, without ever losing sight of Leo as a fully realized person rather than a diagnosis.
McKenna’s storyline is equally compelling. Watching her navigate caregiving responsibilities, difficult relationships, and an uncertain future made her easy to root for, and I loved the way her journey complemented Barry’s. Together, their stories create an uplifting reminder of resilience, community, and the ways people can change one another’s lives through unexpected acts of kindness.
The audiobook deserves special recognition. Cassandra Campbell and Anneliese Scott both deliver exceptional performances, bringing warmth, vulnerability, and distinct personalities to every chapter. This is one of those audiobooks where the narration genuinely elevates an already wonderful novel.
Readers who enjoy the emotionally rich storytelling of Jodi Picoult or the warmth and humanity of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt should absolutely pick this one up. It’s also an excellent choice for book clubs, with thoughtful discussions waiting on nearly every page.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
Published August 4, 2026.
Thank you to the Libro.fm Influencer Program for providing an advanced listening copy.
Jacqueline Friedland weaves together the stories of two women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Barry (short for Bernice) is an assistant principal determined to become a principal while raising her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna is a talented swimmer caring for her grandmother, who has dementia. As part of the requirements for her NCAA swimming scholarship, McKenna begins teaching swim lessons to autistic children—including Leo—and their lives become connected through a compassionate, character-driven story with a compelling subplot that I won’t spoil.
As the mother of a teenage son with autism, I found this novel incredibly validating. Leo is one of the most authentic portrayals of a high-functioning autistic teenager I’ve read in recent years. Friedland’s understanding of autism feels deeply informed, and knowing that her own mother worked with autistic children adds another layer of authenticity to Leo’s voice and Barry’s experiences as a parent.
What resonated with me most was Barry’s struggle to balance motherhood with her career. She loves her son fiercely while also wanting the professional opportunities she’s worked so hard to earn. That tension felt remarkably honest. I also appreciated how the novel gently explores the ways families can disagree about what support an autistic child needs, without ever losing sight of Leo as a fully realized person rather than a diagnosis.
McKenna’s storyline is equally compelling. Watching her navigate caregiving responsibilities, difficult relationships, and an uncertain future made her easy to root for, and I loved the way her journey complemented Barry’s. Together, their stories create an uplifting reminder of resilience, community, and the ways people can change one another’s lives through unexpected acts of kindness.
The audiobook deserves special recognition. Cassandra Campbell and Anneliese Scott both deliver exceptional performances, bringing warmth, vulnerability, and distinct personalities to every chapter. This is one of those audiobooks where the narration genuinely elevates an already wonderful novel.
Readers who enjoy the emotionally rich storytelling of Jodi Picoult or the warmth and humanity of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt should absolutely pick this one up. It’s also an excellent choice for book clubs, with thoughtful discussions waiting on nearly every page.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
Published August 4, 2026.
Thank you to the Libro.fm Influencer Program for providing an advanced listening copy.
September 6, 2026
3.75⭐️
Thank you Libro.fm and Harper Muse for my ALC. All opinions are my own.
This isn’t my usual genre of choice though I do love fiction. I went in thinking it was going to be quite mysterious but it ended up being a solid lit fic. I enjoyed the character growth and hearing the two women’s perspectives. I recommend going in blind because the synopsis does not match what the book is actually about.
A working mother Barry decides she wants to advance her career but has trouble depending on those who support her to help out with her son who has autism. When her son is hired at their local YMCA for a swimming class to help other children with autism he sparks a friendship with his swim coach.
Swim coach McKenna is barely hanging on. Hanging on to her scholarship while processing the grief of her mother and taking care of her ailing grandmother she really just needs a break. When she takes community service at the local YMCA as a swim instructor she makes a friendship that she didn’t know she needed.
Thank you Libro.fm and Harper Muse for my ALC. All opinions are my own.
This isn’t my usual genre of choice though I do love fiction. I went in thinking it was going to be quite mysterious but it ended up being a solid lit fic. I enjoyed the character growth and hearing the two women’s perspectives. I recommend going in blind because the synopsis does not match what the book is actually about.
A working mother Barry decides she wants to advance her career but has trouble depending on those who support her to help out with her son who has autism. When her son is hired at their local YMCA for a swimming class to help other children with autism he sparks a friendship with his swim coach.
Swim coach McKenna is barely hanging on. Hanging on to her scholarship while processing the grief of her mother and taking care of her ailing grandmother she really just needs a break. When she takes community service at the local YMCA as a swim instructor she makes a friendship that she didn’t know she needed.
August 12, 2026
Breathing Under Water is an uplifting and emotional novel tackling multiple family issues: dealing with dementia, caring for a family member with autism, college athletic ethics, surviving homelessness, learning to stand up for yourself and recognize “there are no bad days”. The two main characters are: Berry, a school vice principal, who is mother to an older son and Leo her 16-year-old autistic son and McKenna a college student on scholarship for swimming, with a tough past, who is caring for her grandmother with dementia. These women's paths converge in unexpected ways and they are exactly what the other person needed.
What I loved most was the unexpected connection between McKenna and Leo. Leo’s autism is an important part of who he is and how he experiences the world, but it never becomes the entirety of his character. He and McKenna manage to teach each other valuable lessons that help with them cope with problems they’re experiencing.
This is definitely a character driven book, that focuses on themes of resilience, forgiveness, motherhood, and finding people who understand you. It’s heartfelt, thought provoking, and ultimately hopeful. Plus I learned a lot about neurodivergent individuals and how they think about things and work through problems. I highly recommend this beautiful book.
What I loved most was the unexpected connection between McKenna and Leo. Leo’s autism is an important part of who he is and how he experiences the world, but it never becomes the entirety of his character. He and McKenna manage to teach each other valuable lessons that help with them cope with problems they’re experiencing.
This is definitely a character driven book, that focuses on themes of resilience, forgiveness, motherhood, and finding people who understand you. It’s heartfelt, thought provoking, and ultimately hopeful. Plus I learned a lot about neurodivergent individuals and how they think about things and work through problems. I highly recommend this beautiful book.
July 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Berry, a high school vice-principal and mother to a sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo, is barely keeping her head above water. She is finally up for a promotion at work, but her marriage is struggling, and she and her husband disagree about the best way to help Leo.
McKenna, a college athlete, is also drowning in the responsibilities she is facing. Between caring for her grandmother diagnosed with dementia, meeting the requirements to keep her swimming scholarship, and working full-time, she feels as though she's barely surviving. Her only glimmer of hope is her job teaching swim lessons to kids with autism, including Leo.
This was such a refreshing read! I especially loved the unlikely friendship between Leo and McKenna. I enjoyed reading about the way McKenna learned how to better communicate with Leo, but I equally loved the care he had for her in return. In fact, while the story is centered around the two women, Berry and McKenna, I would have loved to read more about Leo or even have had a few chapters from his perspective. He was the star of the show for me, and I found myself wanting more of his character.
While I appreciated that this was a quick read, I did feel like the pacing was a little too fast in a few sections. In particular, the tension between Berry and her husband was palpable throughout the first 70% of the book, then it was resolved in a page or two. I would have liked to see that unpacked a bit more thoroughly. The wrongful accusation of McKenna and the resulting consequences also felt a bit rushed and unrealistic when there was no proof of her committing the crime.
All in all, I found this to be a wonderful story of found family and unlikely friendship. I would definitely recommend.
The Life-Giving Factor: This story reminded me that we are all made in the image of God. Those who are different from us or those we struggle to understand are worthy of respect and love, because they are image-bearers and therefore have deep value.
Content Considerations:
-Moderate use of strong language
-Descriptions of dementia
Berry, a high school vice-principal and mother to a sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo, is barely keeping her head above water. She is finally up for a promotion at work, but her marriage is struggling, and she and her husband disagree about the best way to help Leo.
McKenna, a college athlete, is also drowning in the responsibilities she is facing. Between caring for her grandmother diagnosed with dementia, meeting the requirements to keep her swimming scholarship, and working full-time, she feels as though she's barely surviving. Her only glimmer of hope is her job teaching swim lessons to kids with autism, including Leo.
This was such a refreshing read! I especially loved the unlikely friendship between Leo and McKenna. I enjoyed reading about the way McKenna learned how to better communicate with Leo, but I equally loved the care he had for her in return. In fact, while the story is centered around the two women, Berry and McKenna, I would have loved to read more about Leo or even have had a few chapters from his perspective. He was the star of the show for me, and I found myself wanting more of his character.
While I appreciated that this was a quick read, I did feel like the pacing was a little too fast in a few sections. In particular, the tension between Berry and her husband was palpable throughout the first 70% of the book, then it was resolved in a page or two. I would have liked to see that unpacked a bit more thoroughly. The wrongful accusation of McKenna and the resulting consequences also felt a bit rushed and unrealistic when there was no proof of her committing the crime.
All in all, I found this to be a wonderful story of found family and unlikely friendship. I would definitely recommend.
The Life-Giving Factor: This story reminded me that we are all made in the image of God. Those who are different from us or those we struggle to understand are worthy of respect and love, because they are image-bearers and therefore have deep value.
Content Considerations:
-Moderate use of strong language
-Descriptions of dementia
September 2, 2026
"Breathing Under Water" is a wonderful mash-up of themes, spanning coming-of-age, disability independence, and grief. The characters feel real in a messy authentically human sort of way, and I appreciated the consistent representation of neurodiversity and Jewish culture.
My one small complaint: the book occasionally tells us more than it needs to, leaning just ever so slightly towards preachy by hammering a message through. The ASD parenting experience comes across a bit too heavy handed at times, though that will likely land differently for readers depending on their own familiarity with the spectrum. I found myself wishing the story trusted its readers just a little more to sit with the harder moments instead of explaining them.
That said, this is exactly the kind of book built for conversation. Identity, independence, family, loss — there's enough here that a book club could spend a whole evening happily examining different characters, decisions, and angles. Read this if you want a story that takes on hard topics through real, specific characters.
Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for an advance copy for honest review.
My one small complaint: the book occasionally tells us more than it needs to, leaning just ever so slightly towards preachy by hammering a message through. The ASD parenting experience comes across a bit too heavy handed at times, though that will likely land differently for readers depending on their own familiarity with the spectrum. I found myself wishing the story trusted its readers just a little more to sit with the harder moments instead of explaining them.
That said, this is exactly the kind of book built for conversation. Identity, independence, family, loss — there's enough here that a book club could spend a whole evening happily examining different characters, decisions, and angles. Read this if you want a story that takes on hard topics through real, specific characters.
Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for an advance copy for honest review.
August 14, 2026
Listened to this on audio and was invested in these people from start to finish. The characters were so fully developed, their stories were heartfelt, and the portrayal of autism was well done. I recommend this to anyone. And I recommend on audio. Cassandra Campbell is in my top five for narrators, and new to me -Annalee Scott, does a great job as well.
Jacqueline Friedland is also a new to me author, and I will be looking out for more from her!
Jacqueline Friedland is also a new to me author, and I will be looking out for more from her!
August 9, 2026
Thank You NetGalley and Harper Muse for letting me read and review this story. The premise of this book is incredible and needs to be talked about so much more. Autism hits home for me because i am a parent of an autistic adult. I think this author did a great job with Leo and giving him the ending that he deserved. I also liked the dementia reference as well. I will say that there were some parts of the book it was a little slow for me but overall I did really like the book. I would definitely recommend.
August 17, 2026
Oh, my!
This novel would be perfect for adaption into a tv movie or miniseries. I would definitely watch it, then go back and re-read the book!
Leo’s character is very relatable. He’s a high-schooler trying to navigate through all the typical drama, while dealing with being on the autism spectrum. This makes for some awkward situations, because no teenage boy in the world wants to stick out from their peers.
His family, particularly his mother, tries hard to balance being naturally protective of Leo, and letting him “learn to fly” on his own. This is made more difficult due to the fact that both parents, and the older son, are all dealing with high-stress situations in their personal lives.
Then there is McKenna, who has had much misfortune in her young life. When it seems like she’s finally starting to soar with a coveted swim team spot and and a promising college scholarship on the horizon, it only takes one serious error in judgement to make everything crash…
I highly recommend this book; it will keep one turning the pages!
*I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.*
This novel would be perfect for adaption into a tv movie or miniseries. I would definitely watch it, then go back and re-read the book!
Leo’s character is very relatable. He’s a high-schooler trying to navigate through all the typical drama, while dealing with being on the autism spectrum. This makes for some awkward situations, because no teenage boy in the world wants to stick out from their peers.
His family, particularly his mother, tries hard to balance being naturally protective of Leo, and letting him “learn to fly” on his own. This is made more difficult due to the fact that both parents, and the older son, are all dealing with high-stress situations in their personal lives.
Then there is McKenna, who has had much misfortune in her young life. When it seems like she’s finally starting to soar with a coveted swim team spot and and a promising college scholarship on the horizon, it only takes one serious error in judgement to make everything crash…
I highly recommend this book; it will keep one turning the pages!
*I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.*
September 16, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ I went into this book blind and really enjoyed it and fell in love with the characters. Especially Leo and McKenna’s relationship, I loved Leo so much. Though I do not know anyone with Autism, I feel like the author did a good job of showing the struggles people and families have without it being the main focus of the story.
August 10, 2026
As a mother to a child with ASD, I was so excited to read this one. The first half of the book had me hooked but there is such whiplash and unnecessary difficulties that pops up in the 2nd half.
These characters feel so one dimensional and don’t feel fleshed out. Leo, the child the autism, is written so one dimensional. We never get a POV or full feeling of knowing him.
I’m coming away from this book feeling icky and not like I read anything profound. I understand this is fiction but there is a way to show care to characters and this wasn’t it. McKenna was just dealt the worst hand throughout the book back to back to back. I can’t recommend this one.
These characters feel so one dimensional and don’t feel fleshed out. Leo, the child the autism, is written so one dimensional. We never get a POV or full feeling of knowing him.
I’m coming away from this book feeling icky and not like I read anything profound. I understand this is fiction but there is a way to show care to characters and this wasn’t it. McKenna was just dealt the worst hand throughout the book back to back to back. I can’t recommend this one.
August 12, 2026
BREATHING UNDER WATER by Jacqueline Friedland is a beautiful story about two very different women, both dealing with very different life issues, yet connected and brought together by one sixteen-year-old autistic boy.
Berry is the mother of Leo, the autistic boy, searching for ways to support his ever-changing needs and wants through high school, dealing with a distant husband who doesn’t seem to share her concerns, as well as competing for a promotion to head principal at the school she works at.
McKenna is a struggling college student barely hanging on to her swimming scholarship, trying to make ends meet by teaching swimming lessons to autistic children, on top of dealing with her grandmother’s recent dementia diagnosis.
Both women have a lot on their plates. These two characters are so easy to love and root for. Friedland crafted two down-to-earth and admirable souls who I could relate to and empathize with. I was invested in each of their individual storylines, and absolutely adored how Friedland weaved their paths together.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Dual POVs
- Autism awareness
- Family drama and dynamics
- Motherhood and marriage
- Found family storylines
- Unexpected friendships
- College life and struggles
- Character-driven novels
- Emotional reads
- Work/life balance for mothers
This audiobook was so easy and satisfying to listen to. I was quickly caught up in the lives of these two women, anxious to do more chores around the house, or add an extra mile or so to my daily walk for more listening time! The two narrators did a phenomenal job bringing Berry and McKenna to life.
Jacqueline Friedland has most certainly caught my attention. I absolutely loved her novel from last year, COUNTING BACKWARDS, and was just as impressed with her latest. I’ll be reading everything she writes from now on!
BREATHING UNDER WATER is available now, and it gets 4.5/5 stars from me! Highly recommend!
Berry is the mother of Leo, the autistic boy, searching for ways to support his ever-changing needs and wants through high school, dealing with a distant husband who doesn’t seem to share her concerns, as well as competing for a promotion to head principal at the school she works at.
McKenna is a struggling college student barely hanging on to her swimming scholarship, trying to make ends meet by teaching swimming lessons to autistic children, on top of dealing with her grandmother’s recent dementia diagnosis.
Both women have a lot on their plates. These two characters are so easy to love and root for. Friedland crafted two down-to-earth and admirable souls who I could relate to and empathize with. I was invested in each of their individual storylines, and absolutely adored how Friedland weaved their paths together.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Dual POVs
- Autism awareness
- Family drama and dynamics
- Motherhood and marriage
- Found family storylines
- Unexpected friendships
- College life and struggles
- Character-driven novels
- Emotional reads
- Work/life balance for mothers
This audiobook was so easy and satisfying to listen to. I was quickly caught up in the lives of these two women, anxious to do more chores around the house, or add an extra mile or so to my daily walk for more listening time! The two narrators did a phenomenal job bringing Berry and McKenna to life.
Jacqueline Friedland has most certainly caught my attention. I absolutely loved her novel from last year, COUNTING BACKWARDS, and was just as impressed with her latest. I’ll be reading everything she writes from now on!
BREATHING UNDER WATER is available now, and it gets 4.5/5 stars from me! Highly recommend!
September 17, 2026
This story focuses primarily on two women; Berry, mother of Leo, and McKenna, student swim star and coach. Their lives intersect around Leo, a teenager on the spectrum who struggles with relationships and stepping from his comfort zone. We get glimpses of Leo through the eyes of the women circling his orbit. The book begins with Leo missing, and cycles back in time to chronicle what took place up to this moment.
I expected to see more of Leo and what difficulties he might have, but really gained my understanding of him mostly through the eyes of others as they tried to define and navigate their roles with him as he evolved himself. Each woman also had multiple challenges regarding jobs, partners, finances, scholarship demands, an aging grandparent with growing dementia, etc., which contributed to the tension and drama of the story.
The author's note indicates that she wrote this story due to the influence of her mother, who spent her life supporting and advocating for those others saw as "impaired" and less than able. As such, the story hints at what is actually helpful to someone who is neuro-atypical versus things that might impede progress. There is a push-pull involved in support versus enabling or simply getting in the way of personal evolution. This story does a nice job of exposing that and I think is true to the author's mission.
The story was readable and kept me wondering where it was headed and how things would get resolved, but it did not give much insight into life on the spectrum, which might disappoint some who try this one out.
3.75
I expected to see more of Leo and what difficulties he might have, but really gained my understanding of him mostly through the eyes of others as they tried to define and navigate their roles with him as he evolved himself. Each woman also had multiple challenges regarding jobs, partners, finances, scholarship demands, an aging grandparent with growing dementia, etc., which contributed to the tension and drama of the story.
The author's note indicates that she wrote this story due to the influence of her mother, who spent her life supporting and advocating for those others saw as "impaired" and less than able. As such, the story hints at what is actually helpful to someone who is neuro-atypical versus things that might impede progress. There is a push-pull involved in support versus enabling or simply getting in the way of personal evolution. This story does a nice job of exposing that and I think is true to the author's mission.
The story was readable and kept me wondering where it was headed and how things would get resolved, but it did not give much insight into life on the spectrum, which might disappoint some who try this one out.
3.75
August 23, 2026
🎧4.5⭐️
If I’m being honest, found family stories aren’t my favorite. They almost always seem a little too sappy.
Thankfully, Breathing Under Water is a story that is heartwarming without the sappiness. A college athlete who is struggling befriends a teen on the Autism spectrum. We get the dual perspectives of the college student and the mother of the teenager.
🤷🏻♀️Why not five stars?
If I’m being picky, there was one storyline that seemed a little over the top in terms of how it played out. But overall, this book is one I can see a lot of readers loving.
🤔Bottom line: This reminded me the tiniest bit of Remarkably Bright Creatures. The plots weren’t at all similar, but the storytelling gave me similar feelings. Read this if you’re a fan of stories involving unlikely friendships. 🥰
🎧Excellent audio narration by Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott.
🫶🏻Thank you to @harpermuse and @netgalley for my ALC.
⚠️Content considerations:
Profanity: 3/5 (a few in most chapters, perhaps 10-12 total, including f-words)
Sexual content: none
Other: A grandparent has dementia.
If I’m being honest, found family stories aren’t my favorite. They almost always seem a little too sappy.
Thankfully, Breathing Under Water is a story that is heartwarming without the sappiness. A college athlete who is struggling befriends a teen on the Autism spectrum. We get the dual perspectives of the college student and the mother of the teenager.
🤷🏻♀️Why not five stars?
If I’m being picky, there was one storyline that seemed a little over the top in terms of how it played out. But overall, this book is one I can see a lot of readers loving.
🤔Bottom line: This reminded me the tiniest bit of Remarkably Bright Creatures. The plots weren’t at all similar, but the storytelling gave me similar feelings. Read this if you’re a fan of stories involving unlikely friendships. 🥰
🎧Excellent audio narration by Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott.
🫶🏻Thank you to @harpermuse and @netgalley for my ALC.
⚠️Content considerations:
Profanity: 3/5 (a few in most chapters, perhaps 10-12 total, including f-words)
Sexual content: none
Other: A grandparent has dementia.
August 4, 2026
3.5–4 stars ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early access copy! This was a heartfelt read that tackled some really heavy topics, and I especially loved McKenna’s storyline. I really enjoyed how everything came together and thought it wrapped up nicely.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early access copy! This was a heartfelt read that tackled some really heavy topics, and I especially loved McKenna’s storyline. I really enjoyed how everything came together and thought it wrapped up nicely.
July 28, 2026
4.25⭐️ rounded all the way up. I loved the relatability, the rawness, and the uncomfortable flaws in the pursuit of trying our best.
I almost DNF’d when it felt too painfully familiar, specifically receiving a call from school for yet another ‘something happened’ talk. My anxiety spiked as my memories came flooding over me. Back to when I felt like we were drowning in what can we do scenarios, aka Breathing Under Water.
I’m so glad I stuck this one out, a painful yet powerful experience.
I’m torn on how to recommend this one. Read this if you are a parent. Read this if you feel like your wheels are spinning. Read this is you constantly look through a lens of risks and rewards. Read this if you can’t relate but seek to understand.
I almost DNF’d when it felt too painfully familiar, specifically receiving a call from school for yet another ‘something happened’ talk. My anxiety spiked as my memories came flooding over me. Back to when I felt like we were drowning in what can we do scenarios, aka Breathing Under Water.
I’m so glad I stuck this one out, a painful yet powerful experience.
I’m torn on how to recommend this one. Read this if you are a parent. Read this if you feel like your wheels are spinning. Read this is you constantly look through a lens of risks and rewards. Read this if you can’t relate but seek to understand.
July 23, 2026
I would like to first thank NetGalley and the author for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Such an amazing, hopeful, heartfelt, inspiring story! I didn’t know what to expect from this story. There was some heartbreaking moments, I shedded some tears, some happy and some sad! This is a story about caregiving, autism, independence, identity, and an unexpected connection. The story follows the life of a vice principal who is juggling her career and the needs of her autistic son and the life of a NCAA swimmer on a scholarship with a grandmother who has Alzheimer’s and who lost her mother from cancer at a young age. She loses it all due to false accusations, and endures financial instability. Their lives intersect through Leo’s swim lessons and they form an unlikely bond that reshapes him, his mother, and McKenna. The dual structure allows you to see both their stories side by side and gives the story emotional depth. The resilience all the characters possess is remarkable. This is a very heartwarming story and even the backstory on the author is remarkable. Definitely recommend! Perfect read for my current mentality!
Such an amazing, hopeful, heartfelt, inspiring story! I didn’t know what to expect from this story. There was some heartbreaking moments, I shedded some tears, some happy and some sad! This is a story about caregiving, autism, independence, identity, and an unexpected connection. The story follows the life of a vice principal who is juggling her career and the needs of her autistic son and the life of a NCAA swimmer on a scholarship with a grandmother who has Alzheimer’s and who lost her mother from cancer at a young age. She loses it all due to false accusations, and endures financial instability. Their lives intersect through Leo’s swim lessons and they form an unlikely bond that reshapes him, his mother, and McKenna. The dual structure allows you to see both their stories side by side and gives the story emotional depth. The resilience all the characters possess is remarkable. This is a very heartwarming story and even the backstory on the author is remarkable. Definitely recommend! Perfect read for my current mentality!
August 21, 2026
4 stars. although some of the situations were way too contrived for me, I enjoyed the author’s approach to neurodiverse children and teens.
The following is copied from the notes at the end of the novel which I strongly believe. “Breathing Under Water is ultimately a story about resilience, connection, and the refusal to underestimate people, even (and especially) when they’re struggling. It’s about recognizing how much more we’re capable of when someone believes in us, and how powerful it can be when we begin to believe in ourselves.”
The following is copied from the notes at the end of the novel which I strongly believe. “Breathing Under Water is ultimately a story about resilience, connection, and the refusal to underestimate people, even (and especially) when they’re struggling. It’s about recognizing how much more we’re capable of when someone believes in us, and how powerful it can be when we begin to believe in ourselves.”
August 17, 2026
DONE DNF page 91.
Ok I think getting to page 91 is good enough. I’m really sick of reading this. That’s a sign. I LOVE character driven books but I’m so bored. I’m simply
Not picking this up. It’s a cute idea a young swimmer in nursing school teaching a group of autistic kids to swim. The kids are interesting but it’s from the POV of an autistic mom and the teacher. The kids are not in it enough for me imo. The writing is very good. 2.5/5. Next …..
My initial assessment :
YES: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend's reviews. This is what I did and didn't like:
Love small size & HCM pub
Love this plot of found family, autism & dementia. Written in two people perspective in first person. The writing is good and characters feel very real. $29.14 Amazon
Ok I think getting to page 91 is good enough. I’m really sick of reading this. That’s a sign. I LOVE character driven books but I’m so bored. I’m simply
Not picking this up. It’s a cute idea a young swimmer in nursing school teaching a group of autistic kids to swim. The kids are interesting but it’s from the POV of an autistic mom and the teacher. The kids are not in it enough for me imo. The writing is very good. 2.5/5. Next …..
My initial assessment :
YES: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend's reviews. This is what I did and didn't like:
Love small size & HCM pub
Love this plot of found family, autism & dementia. Written in two people perspective in first person. The writing is good and characters feel very real. $29.14 Amazon
August 12, 2026
I received both the audiobook and the digital ARC copy of this book and read them in tandem.
The audio: I liked the audio. I felt like the narrators did a great job showcasing the appropriate tone of voice and emotion. The only thing I did not like was that, in McKenna's POV, Berry's voice has a different tone and accent than when it's from Berry's POV. That bothered my OCD brain lol.
The story: The author's note at the end really put the themes and purposes of this story into perspective. I thought it was well written, and the emotional toll and reactions that all three main characters experience throughout the story were well portrayed based on the type of interactions and lives that they have. This story is written from two POVs but the third main character is the link between them. I actually really liked this concept. I was invested in the characters (even though sometimes I found Berry to be really annoying), and appreciated that the author included perhaps some irrational dialogue, showcasing the imperfections of the way a human can think and act in certain situations. Thanks for a great book and experience! 4.75⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the author, publisher or NetGalley.
The audio: I liked the audio. I felt like the narrators did a great job showcasing the appropriate tone of voice and emotion. The only thing I did not like was that, in McKenna's POV, Berry's voice has a different tone and accent than when it's from Berry's POV. That bothered my OCD brain lol.
The story: The author's note at the end really put the themes and purposes of this story into perspective. I thought it was well written, and the emotional toll and reactions that all three main characters experience throughout the story were well portrayed based on the type of interactions and lives that they have. This story is written from two POVs but the third main character is the link between them. I actually really liked this concept. I was invested in the characters (even though sometimes I found Berry to be really annoying), and appreciated that the author included perhaps some irrational dialogue, showcasing the imperfections of the way a human can think and act in certain situations. Thanks for a great book and experience! 4.75⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the author, publisher or NetGalley.
August 19, 2026
This is told from two different points of view, Berry and McKenna. Berry is juggling her vice principal role while raising her sixteen-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna is caring for her grandmother with dementia, possibly losing her swimming scholarship, and facing homelessness.
I loved both of these women. And trust me, both are so different and are dealing with difficult circumstances.
Berry seems to be so strong, and she is, but she is also vulnerable in so many ways, especially where her family is concerned. I enjoyed how Leo is portrayed in this tale. Also, the problems with raising an autistic child is never ending! The author showed it all! The effects on a marriage, family, and the struggle with letting go…are paramount to Berry’s life.
Then there is McKenna. Her situation breaks your heart in so many ways. Some of it is her fault but not all! Her relationship with Leo is a lifeline for her and him. I love how Leo and McKenna’s friendship grows!
This is narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott. They each did such a great job!
Need a story about life, love and friendship…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I loved both of these women. And trust me, both are so different and are dealing with difficult circumstances.
Berry seems to be so strong, and she is, but she is also vulnerable in so many ways, especially where her family is concerned. I enjoyed how Leo is portrayed in this tale. Also, the problems with raising an autistic child is never ending! The author showed it all! The effects on a marriage, family, and the struggle with letting go…are paramount to Berry’s life.
Then there is McKenna. Her situation breaks your heart in so many ways. Some of it is her fault but not all! Her relationship with Leo is a lifeline for her and him. I love how Leo and McKenna’s friendship grows!
This is narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott. They each did such a great job!
Need a story about life, love and friendship…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
July 30, 2026
Breathing Under Water by Jacqueline Friedland. This one sounded like something I would enjoy. Thought provoking, kindness, friendship and struggle. I am a big believer in treating everyone with kindness no matter the situation. As well as understanding people where they are. Friedland did a fantastic job in creating McKenna, a girl who has her own life struggles when she befriends a boy with autism and the friendship along with trust that is easily built between them. The other story lines and characters such as the boy Leo's family flowed right along with the friendship growing because it was so real. I have seen things like this first hand where lives are changed because someone takes the time. The authors note at the end allowed me to see that she also has seen a lot of difference made from people understanding one another and letting others into their lives.
The story was great and I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story was great and I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2026
𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧
Berry is juggling her vice principal role while raising her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna, a college swimming athlete, is caring for her grandmother with dementia, losing her scholarship, and facing homelessness.
As these two women's paths collide in the most unexpected way, they discover that sometimes the people who need saving the most are the ones who end up saving you.
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
This book was all over my feed last week, so I decided to request it on NetGalley and was lucky with a very fast approval.
I jumped into this audiobook immediately, and let me tell you - it was SO HARD to hit pause. I finished it in under 24 hours.
I loved McKenna and her determination. I work with college students, and the author did an amazing job of describing some of the issues that college students struggle with nowadays. I also thought that the struggles of a student with special needs and their parents were very well portrayed in this story.
This story kept me engaged from start to finish. A must-read!
🎧The narrators, Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott, did an amazing job. I loved their pacing and how they fluctuated their voices. They added another emotional layer to the story, and I highly recommend this format. Also, it was easy to understand the story even when sped up.
Berry is juggling her vice principal role while raising her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna, a college swimming athlete, is caring for her grandmother with dementia, losing her scholarship, and facing homelessness.
As these two women's paths collide in the most unexpected way, they discover that sometimes the people who need saving the most are the ones who end up saving you.
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
This book was all over my feed last week, so I decided to request it on NetGalley and was lucky with a very fast approval.
I jumped into this audiobook immediately, and let me tell you - it was SO HARD to hit pause. I finished it in under 24 hours.
I loved McKenna and her determination. I work with college students, and the author did an amazing job of describing some of the issues that college students struggle with nowadays. I also thought that the struggles of a student with special needs and their parents were very well portrayed in this story.
This story kept me engaged from start to finish. A must-read!
🎧The narrators, Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott, did an amazing job. I loved their pacing and how they fluctuated their voices. They added another emotional layer to the story, and I highly recommend this format. Also, it was easy to understand the story even when sped up.
September 1, 2026
While I wanted to love this one and found myself eager to return to it whenever I wasn't reading, I ultimately couldn't give it all the stars because of one reason: the language.
Language doesn't automatically bother me in fiction, especially when it reflects the reality of a character's wounds and brokenness. But in this case, the volume and frequency of the language felt less like an expression of pain and more like immaturity and a lack of self-control, and ultimately took away from the story and affected my overall enjoyment.
With that said, there are elements of this story that I loved. Leo was the standout character for me. He encouraged me, inspired me, and gifted me with knowledge that I didn't have before opening this book. He has earned a place among my favorite characters of the year.
I also appreciated the glimpse into family dynamics and relationships that I don't often read about, as well as the honest portrayal of caregiving, sacrifice, friendship, and the many forms family can take.
Though I can't wholeheartedly recommend this one because of the language, I'm grateful I read it. Between Leo, the relationships, the themes of caregiving and sacrifice, and the opportunity to learn from experiences different from my own, there was much goodness to be found within these pages.
Content Considerations: This novel contains moderate to strong language throughout (43 instances). Additional content includes dementia, the death of a parent, homelessness, suspected adultery, attendance at a same-sex wedding, and brief mention of same-sex attraction.
Language doesn't automatically bother me in fiction, especially when it reflects the reality of a character's wounds and brokenness. But in this case, the volume and frequency of the language felt less like an expression of pain and more like immaturity and a lack of self-control, and ultimately took away from the story and affected my overall enjoyment.
With that said, there are elements of this story that I loved. Leo was the standout character for me. He encouraged me, inspired me, and gifted me with knowledge that I didn't have before opening this book. He has earned a place among my favorite characters of the year.
I also appreciated the glimpse into family dynamics and relationships that I don't often read about, as well as the honest portrayal of caregiving, sacrifice, friendship, and the many forms family can take.
Though I can't wholeheartedly recommend this one because of the language, I'm grateful I read it. Between Leo, the relationships, the themes of caregiving and sacrifice, and the opportunity to learn from experiences different from my own, there was much goodness to be found within these pages.
Content Considerations: This novel contains moderate to strong language throughout (43 instances). Additional content includes dementia, the death of a parent, homelessness, suspected adultery, attendance at a same-sex wedding, and brief mention of same-sex attraction.
August 22, 2026
At first, I was skeptical of all the glowing reviews. But my friend Renee’s (@apuzzledbooklover) review convinced me I should give this a try. I’m so glad I did! I just loved this story so much.
Meet Berry and McKenna. Berry thought she had it figured out—mother of an adult son, juggling her vice principal role while raising her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna is drowning, metaphorically. Between caring for her grandmother with dementia, striving to maintain the top spot on her college swim team, and facing homelessness, her carefully constructed world is crumbling. Her only lifeline? Teaching swim lessons to children with autism—including Leo.
In this dual POV novel, the two women's paths converge in unexpected ways, and each is forced to reckon with who they are and who they want to be.
I loved this story and its emotional resonance at once heartbreaking and uplifting. Both main characters were completely relatable, and I loved the balancing act that both women--like most women everywhere--go through each and every day. Every decision seems monumental, life-altering.
And while a cherished each and every moment with Berry and McKenna, it is Leo who steals the show. He felt incredibly real and his story was handled with care and compassion. Leo won me over immediately, struggling for identity and independence beyond his autism diagnosis. And nobody sees him more clearly than McKenna. My heart broke so much for the young woman with so much happening that was so far out of her control.
The story was so well crafted as it unfolds over the course of a year. It explores themes of motherhood and marriage, happiness and grief, hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. This was my first novel by Friedland, but now I feel I must explore her backlist.
Many thanks to LibroFM and Harper Audio for the complimentary advanced listening copy of this audiobook featuring dual narration from Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott.
Meet Berry and McKenna. Berry thought she had it figured out—mother of an adult son, juggling her vice principal role while raising her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo. McKenna is drowning, metaphorically. Between caring for her grandmother with dementia, striving to maintain the top spot on her college swim team, and facing homelessness, her carefully constructed world is crumbling. Her only lifeline? Teaching swim lessons to children with autism—including Leo.
In this dual POV novel, the two women's paths converge in unexpected ways, and each is forced to reckon with who they are and who they want to be.
I loved this story and its emotional resonance at once heartbreaking and uplifting. Both main characters were completely relatable, and I loved the balancing act that both women--like most women everywhere--go through each and every day. Every decision seems monumental, life-altering.
And while a cherished each and every moment with Berry and McKenna, it is Leo who steals the show. He felt incredibly real and his story was handled with care and compassion. Leo won me over immediately, struggling for identity and independence beyond his autism diagnosis. And nobody sees him more clearly than McKenna. My heart broke so much for the young woman with so much happening that was so far out of her control.
The story was so well crafted as it unfolds over the course of a year. It explores themes of motherhood and marriage, happiness and grief, hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. This was my first novel by Friedland, but now I feel I must explore her backlist.
Many thanks to LibroFM and Harper Audio for the complimentary advanced listening copy of this audiobook featuring dual narration from Cassandra Campbell and Annalee Scott.
August 11, 2026
***This ebook was provided to me by NetGalley***
What to say about this book? It’s not good, that’s for sure, although I enjoyed parts of it. The writing is very clunky. There’s too much detail in some scenes and some references just feel like product placement; while other important scenes are just completely missing and the narrator tells us about it after the fact. Some characters also just stop and info dump in a very unnatural way on some special topic that the author wants to touch on, even the characters who are not autistic. I was waiting for the main characters to be diagnosed, but that does not come up so I don’t think it was an intentional choice. As it stands, it just makes the book self-aggrandizing pats on the back for two (ostensibly neurotypical) women on how well they handle someone else’s autism.
Leo, the teenager with autism in question, is a great kid but with no point of view of his own he is a tool for the character development of his mom, Berry, and his swim-instructor, McKenna. Leo could be a very interesting character, but his development is completely glossed over so that credit can be given to those that helped him — we don’t see him at his jobs, we don’t see him at school, we don’t see him with the girl that he likes, and we don’t see him on the online forums that lead to the climax. McKenna and Berry are the narrators, so everything about Leo’s growth is filtered through them, meanwhile they are focused on themselves. Berry has typical marriage and work problems, but nothing actually too difficult; I don’t know why the book is focused so much on her, to be honest. The most interesting relationship is between McKenna and Leo, but because she is going through hell this entire time she is mostly isolated in the story. Two stars.
What to say about this book? It’s not good, that’s for sure, although I enjoyed parts of it. The writing is very clunky. There’s too much detail in some scenes and some references just feel like product placement; while other important scenes are just completely missing and the narrator tells us about it after the fact. Some characters also just stop and info dump in a very unnatural way on some special topic that the author wants to touch on, even the characters who are not autistic. I was waiting for the main characters to be diagnosed, but that does not come up so I don’t think it was an intentional choice. As it stands, it just makes the book self-aggrandizing pats on the back for two (ostensibly neurotypical) women on how well they handle someone else’s autism.
Leo, the teenager with autism in question, is a great kid but with no point of view of his own he is a tool for the character development of his mom, Berry, and his swim-instructor, McKenna. Leo could be a very interesting character, but his development is completely glossed over so that credit can be given to those that helped him — we don’t see him at his jobs, we don’t see him at school, we don’t see him with the girl that he likes, and we don’t see him on the online forums that lead to the climax. McKenna and Berry are the narrators, so everything about Leo’s growth is filtered through them, meanwhile they are focused on themselves. Berry has typical marriage and work problems, but nothing actually too difficult; I don’t know why the book is focused so much on her, to be honest. The most interesting relationship is between McKenna and Leo, but because she is going through hell this entire time she is mostly isolated in the story. Two stars.
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