What do you think?
The Art of Drowning
Once upon a summer, Callum Weeks rescued his brother's best friend and things were never the same.
Damien Flynn was a little bit younger and a lot more popular. He was also the constant companion of Callum’s brother, Sam. From a neglectful home, Damien was a constant fixture at the Weeks's house, often hanging out poolside whether Sam was there or not.
The two boys get in over their heads, literally, when Callum saves Damien from near drowning. The course of their relationship was changed forever, but neither of them expected things to get so serious. Sam was possessive by nature and his best friend should have been off-limits, but that was not enough to keep Callum away. The love that grew between Damien and Callum was also not enough to keep Sam from eventually tearing them apart.
Hell hath no fury like a teenage boy scorned.
One summer day, Callum taught Damien how to swim, and without Callum, Damien has spent his life mastering the art of drowning. He moved away and moved on. He built a life, found a new best friend, a pet rock. Things are good. But Sam dies and turns Damien's life upside down for the second time. Without a good reason to be apart, Callum and Damien are brought back together for the first time in years.
Time can heal many wounds, but history repeats itself. Sam is not done interfering with the lives of the people around him and the secrets that he's left behind threaten to drown everyone who loved him.
Damien Flynn was a little bit younger and a lot more popular. He was also the constant companion of Callum’s brother, Sam. From a neglectful home, Damien was a constant fixture at the Weeks's house, often hanging out poolside whether Sam was there or not.
The two boys get in over their heads, literally, when Callum saves Damien from near drowning. The course of their relationship was changed forever, but neither of them expected things to get so serious. Sam was possessive by nature and his best friend should have been off-limits, but that was not enough to keep Callum away. The love that grew between Damien and Callum was also not enough to keep Sam from eventually tearing them apart.
Hell hath no fury like a teenage boy scorned.
One summer day, Callum taught Damien how to swim, and without Callum, Damien has spent his life mastering the art of drowning. He moved away and moved on. He built a life, found a new best friend, a pet rock. Things are good. But Sam dies and turns Damien's life upside down for the second time. Without a good reason to be apart, Callum and Damien are brought back together for the first time in years.
Time can heal many wounds, but history repeats itself. Sam is not done interfering with the lives of the people around him and the secrets that he's left behind threaten to drown everyone who loved him.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2026
About the author
E.M. Denning
101 books571 followersEM Denning has more than twenty romance novels under her belt and has become an author you can rely on to bring you emotionally endearing, soft and fuzzy, stories. She is well known among her friends for her love of naps and sarcasm. She spends her free time reading as many romance novels as she can get her hands on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 5, 2026
Stayed up until 2:30 to finish this - 5 huge stars
Damien is Sam's best friend and is always over at his house, but over the summer Sam gets a job and Damien doesn't... he's still welcome to come over but the only other person there is Sam's brother Callum. The two bond over secret swimming lessons (and mutual secret crushes) but Sam finds out and is determined to keep them apart. Reunited at a funeral their feelings once again ignite but can they make it work after all the lies and manipulation?
Sam sucked. Fullstop. I couldn't hate him more. His lies and toxic possessiveness kept two people from being happy for YEARS. And he was still creating chaos years later!! What a dick. I was so hooked on this highly emotional heartbreaking book. I'm not usually one for second chance romances but this really worked for me and I'm so glad I read it. Highly recommend.
Damien is Sam's best friend and is always over at his house, but over the summer Sam gets a job and Damien doesn't... he's still welcome to come over but the only other person there is Sam's brother Callum. The two bond over secret swimming lessons (and mutual secret crushes) but Sam finds out and is determined to keep them apart. Reunited at a funeral their feelings once again ignite but can they make it work after all the lies and manipulation?
Sam sucked. Fullstop. I couldn't hate him more. His lies and toxic possessiveness kept two people from being happy for YEARS. And he was still creating chaos years later!! What a dick. I was so hooked on this highly emotional heartbreaking book. I'm not usually one for second chance romances but this really worked for me and I'm so glad I read it. Highly recommend.
August 29, 2026
Just wow...Did I ignore my adult responsibilities to read this in a day? I did, and I don't regret a moment of that. It was the vest decision, because this story is complicated and you just want to know what happens. I loved the blend of chapters from the present and the past. It was great seeing them as high schoolers and seeing how it all started.
I knew from the moment I read the blurb that this would be emotional and make me cry and it did just that. I loved Callum and Damien's story, and I was also sad for them and the reason for why their story was a second chance romance. I'm also not sure that I've despised a character as much as Sam, Callum's brother. He was such a manipulative, possessive person and we just kept discovering more and more of his lies and manipulations. I feel like we didn't even get the full picture of his betrayal and I'm not mad at it, because it didn't change Callum and Damien's love for each other. My heart went out to both of them and I was also mad on behalf of them for what happened and how their lives were. It was great to see them reconnect and try to start anew, while puzzling out what really happened 10 years prior. I loved how they were there for each other and how they kept showing up. You could really feel the depth of their feelings towards each other and it was great to see them rediscover that.
This is a story involving the brother's best friend, but in this case that brother is not happy about it at all. I'm really happy that I read it. It was emotional and just what I needed.
I knew from the moment I read the blurb that this would be emotional and make me cry and it did just that. I loved Callum and Damien's story, and I was also sad for them and the reason for why their story was a second chance romance. I'm also not sure that I've despised a character as much as Sam, Callum's brother. He was such a manipulative, possessive person and we just kept discovering more and more of his lies and manipulations. I feel like we didn't even get the full picture of his betrayal and I'm not mad at it, because it didn't change Callum and Damien's love for each other. My heart went out to both of them and I was also mad on behalf of them for what happened and how their lives were. It was great to see them reconnect and try to start anew, while puzzling out what really happened 10 years prior. I loved how they were there for each other and how they kept showing up. You could really feel the depth of their feelings towards each other and it was great to see them rediscover that.
This is a story involving the brother's best friend, but in this case that brother is not happy about it at all. I'm really happy that I read it. It was emotional and just what I needed.
September 2, 2026
2.5⭐️
So, this is the story of Callum and Damien who see each other after 10 years apart. Damien used to be Sam's best friend. Sam is Callum's older brother, and he is possessive by nature especially towards Damien. Callum develops a crush on Damien, since Damien is always at their house having shitty parents, and has his gay awakening. He thinks Damien is straight and will never reciprocate. But Damien starts to develop feelings toward Callum and the two end up in a secret relationship until Sam finds out and separate them. Now 10 years later, Sam passes away and Damien comes back to the funeral and see Calum after all those years. Damien stopped being Sam best friend since that day, and during the years, Callum tolerates Sam and his hatred during family dinners. The story is told in Then (at 17/18) and Now chapters (10 years later).
The book did not hold my interest and I found it hard to be invested, but I was curious to know why Sam hated Callum so much. Though, I did skim a lot.
I really liked the Then chapters. The flashbacks and seeing how Callum and Damien fell in love were the most interesting part of the story.
The Now chapters felt like "this could have been an email" cause nothing happened except them hooking up and hating on Sam and cursing him.
Sam separated them but I didn't understand why they did not even try to reach out to each other at all in the 10 years.
Sam was abusive and manipulative piece of shit and I did join our MMCs in hating on him. The dude even pretended to still be best friend with Damien by casually telling info about Damien and his life during dinners so Callum would think they are still friends.
Then the big reveal happens but also, is this really why Sam hated Callum? Like just because of that? especially cus Callum was never treated better than Sam. So, this plot point didn't feel solid in my opinion.
I liked Bowie, Damien's best friend and his rock system. I know they are platonic soulmate as Damien described but I found it weird at 89% for Damien to crawl in his boxers only into bed with Bowie, and Bowie pulling him into his arms, kissing the top of his head, the Damien wishing that they loved each other in a romantic way and telling Bowie "I wish it could've been you." Like this part felt weird to me personally.
I skimmed the spice, since I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between them in the Now chapters, I couldn't connect to those scenes.
During the 10 years apart, there were other people for both but nothing on page. It is mentioned a few times that Callum dated guys but never worked out, and Damien been with men and women, but he never bottomed for a men and Callum was the only one.
Overall, the book is not bad but it failed to capture my attention or keep it. Personally, I didn't find it emotional and it didn't speak to me the way I thought it will.
So, this is the story of Callum and Damien who see each other after 10 years apart. Damien used to be Sam's best friend. Sam is Callum's older brother, and he is possessive by nature especially towards Damien. Callum develops a crush on Damien, since Damien is always at their house having shitty parents, and has his gay awakening. He thinks Damien is straight and will never reciprocate. But Damien starts to develop feelings toward Callum and the two end up in a secret relationship until Sam finds out and separate them. Now 10 years later, Sam passes away and Damien comes back to the funeral and see Calum after all those years. Damien stopped being Sam best friend since that day, and during the years, Callum tolerates Sam and his hatred during family dinners. The story is told in Then (at 17/18) and Now chapters (10 years later).
The book did not hold my interest and I found it hard to be invested, but I was curious to know why Sam hated Callum so much. Though, I did skim a lot.
I really liked the Then chapters. The flashbacks and seeing how Callum and Damien fell in love were the most interesting part of the story.
The Now chapters felt like "this could have been an email" cause nothing happened except them hooking up and hating on Sam and cursing him.
Sam separated them but I didn't understand why they did not even try to reach out to each other at all in the 10 years.
Sam was abusive and manipulative piece of shit and I did join our MMCs in hating on him. The dude even pretended to still be best friend with Damien by casually telling info about Damien and his life during dinners so Callum would think they are still friends.
Then the big reveal happens but also, is this really why Sam hated Callum? Like just because of that? especially cus Callum was never treated better than Sam. So, this plot point didn't feel solid in my opinion.
I liked Bowie, Damien's best friend and his rock system. I know they are platonic soulmate as Damien described but I found it weird at 89% for Damien to crawl in his boxers only into bed with Bowie, and Bowie pulling him into his arms, kissing the top of his head, the Damien wishing that they loved each other in a romantic way and telling Bowie "I wish it could've been you." Like this part felt weird to me personally.
I skimmed the spice, since I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between them in the Now chapters, I couldn't connect to those scenes.
During the 10 years apart, there were other people for both but nothing on page. It is mentioned a few times that Callum dated guys but never worked out, and Damien been with men and women, but he never bottomed for a men and Callum was the only one.
Overall, the book is not bad but it failed to capture my attention or keep it. Personally, I didn't find it emotional and it didn't speak to me the way I thought it will.
September 16, 2026
Simply Beautiful
This was an absolutely exquisite read. It is so rare to find a book that balances pacing, intrigued and raw emotion so perfectly.
In The Art of Drowning we get brother's best friend, second chance, forced proximity, grief and hurt/comfort. All the best tropes in one story.
After being forced apart a decade ago by Callum's brother and Damien's best friend, they are reunited at Sam's funeral. This is not a story of being united through grief but of mutual hate for the man who's manipulation broke them both. The chemistry that brought them together as teenagers is still there as adults and they reconnect both emotionally and physically. Sam, however, continues to control the narrative from beyond the grave in the form of letters he left for each of them. He blows Callum's world apart once more.
I adored both MCs who, despite the emotional damage they have both experienced are determined to fight for the future they were once denied.
This was an absolutely exquisite read. It is so rare to find a book that balances pacing, intrigued and raw emotion so perfectly.
In The Art of Drowning we get brother's best friend, second chance, forced proximity, grief and hurt/comfort. All the best tropes in one story.
After being forced apart a decade ago by Callum's brother and Damien's best friend, they are reunited at Sam's funeral. This is not a story of being united through grief but of mutual hate for the man who's manipulation broke them both. The chemistry that brought them together as teenagers is still there as adults and they reconnect both emotionally and physically. Sam, however, continues to control the narrative from beyond the grave in the form of letters he left for each of them. He blows Callum's world apart once more.
I adored both MCs who, despite the emotional damage they have both experienced are determined to fight for the future they were once denied.
Review of advance copy
this is a solid three-star read. i’m a sucker for brother’s best friend and second chance, so that combined with the two characters having to lose the brother is always gonna grab my attention. this book was no different; the writing, setup, and world-building were all well done, and i’ve not read a book with those tropes in it before where the character who dies isn’t exactly grieved by the mcs, especially as they find out more and more about things he’d said & done while he was alive. it was an interesting dynamic that definitely made me think.
i did feel like there were some missing parts in this book that made things a bit confusing. for example, at one point in the present-day, callum stops texting damien after their last scene together ended on what seemed to be a good note. only we don’t hear anything about it from callum’s next present-day chapter, and it’s almost an aside comment made by damien pretty far into his that callum’s not texting him, catching us by surprise. i at first thought he’d maybe been thinking back to when they were teens and callum stopped texting, but then we get callum’s pov again and he’s suddenly not doing well & his friends are worried, but there’s still no shown trajectory of how he got to being happy to see damien again to not wanting to text him anymore.
one thing i really loved is how well the flashbacks are done. i know a lot of people don’t like flashbacks, but in this book there’ll be a few “now” chapters, a few “then” chapters, back and forth, and i always found myself being disappointed when one section ended because i wanted to find out what happened next, only to be sucked right back in to where we’d left off before in the other section.
there did seem to be some other dropped or loose plots, though, too. most of callum’s conversations with his father never really seemed to have a point. there could’ve been an interesting tie-in with a story callum’s father told him about an old buddy of his, but then nothing really came from the story about the buddy. i was, however, proud of callum’s growth in finally seeing the family dynamic he’d come from. a lot of the things he said about his parents were incredibly relatable, and it’s always nice knowing even fictional characters have dysfunctional lives, too, lol.
damien had growth as well, thanks in no small part to his best friend getting him to realize you have to go on with your life even after the worst of breakups. that said, i didn’t really see many, if any, differences between callum’s personality vs. damien’s, to the point where i often forgot whose pov the chapter i was on was from. that’s not to say either of them were dislikable—in fact, both went out of their way to try & be good guys & make what they felt was the right call back in high school—but neither one had a lot of personality traits that stood out, on their own or from each other.
the bits i expected to be dramatic also seemed either too played down or too built-up beforehand. like the scene where callum saves damien from drowning didn’t actually seem as intense as i thought it’d be from the blurb, and the scene when sam finally catches the two hooking up wasn’t as climactic as it sounded like it was gonna be, either. i will say some of that was made up for with something unexpected later in the book, but i still felt like sometimes the guys were remembering things as being a bigger deal than they actually were when we get to see them happening. which is a good lesson, to be fair, but it would’ve been nice to see callum and damien realize that themselves.
callum’s idea for proving his feelings to damien, though, was really well-done. the story had been set up for things to work out like that in the end, but the way they got there was different (in a good way) than the usual grand-gesture-heas we often see. the author definitely has a talent for writing, and i don’t want to speculate but this book definitely gave me the impression the author also knows what love & heartbreak feel like, too. ultimately it’s a good read if you’re looking for something with emotions but some unexplained plot points, & i’ll for sure be picking up more from this author.
thank you to e.m. denning & gay romance reviews for an arc of this book. this is my honest review.
i did feel like there were some missing parts in this book that made things a bit confusing. for example, at one point in the present-day, callum stops texting damien after their last scene together ended on what seemed to be a good note. only we don’t hear anything about it from callum’s next present-day chapter, and it’s almost an aside comment made by damien pretty far into his that callum’s not texting him, catching us by surprise. i at first thought he’d maybe been thinking back to when they were teens and callum stopped texting, but then we get callum’s pov again and he’s suddenly not doing well & his friends are worried, but there’s still no shown trajectory of how he got to being happy to see damien again to not wanting to text him anymore.
one thing i really loved is how well the flashbacks are done. i know a lot of people don’t like flashbacks, but in this book there’ll be a few “now” chapters, a few “then” chapters, back and forth, and i always found myself being disappointed when one section ended because i wanted to find out what happened next, only to be sucked right back in to where we’d left off before in the other section.
there did seem to be some other dropped or loose plots, though, too. most of callum’s conversations with his father never really seemed to have a point. there could’ve been an interesting tie-in with a story callum’s father told him about an old buddy of his, but then nothing really came from the story about the buddy. i was, however, proud of callum’s growth in finally seeing the family dynamic he’d come from. a lot of the things he said about his parents were incredibly relatable, and it’s always nice knowing even fictional characters have dysfunctional lives, too, lol.
damien had growth as well, thanks in no small part to his best friend getting him to realize you have to go on with your life even after the worst of breakups. that said, i didn’t really see many, if any, differences between callum’s personality vs. damien’s, to the point where i often forgot whose pov the chapter i was on was from. that’s not to say either of them were dislikable—in fact, both went out of their way to try & be good guys & make what they felt was the right call back in high school—but neither one had a lot of personality traits that stood out, on their own or from each other.
the bits i expected to be dramatic also seemed either too played down or too built-up beforehand. like the scene where callum saves damien from drowning didn’t actually seem as intense as i thought it’d be from the blurb, and the scene when sam finally catches the two hooking up wasn’t as climactic as it sounded like it was gonna be, either. i will say some of that was made up for with something unexpected later in the book, but i still felt like sometimes the guys were remembering things as being a bigger deal than they actually were when we get to see them happening. which is a good lesson, to be fair, but it would’ve been nice to see callum and damien realize that themselves.
callum’s idea for proving his feelings to damien, though, was really well-done. the story had been set up for things to work out like that in the end, but the way they got there was different (in a good way) than the usual grand-gesture-heas we often see. the author definitely has a talent for writing, and i don’t want to speculate but this book definitely gave me the impression the author also knows what love & heartbreak feel like, too. ultimately it’s a good read if you’re looking for something with emotions but some unexplained plot points, & i’ll for sure be picking up more from this author.
thank you to e.m. denning & gay romance reviews for an arc of this book. this is my honest review.
August 28, 2026
Someone please pick up the pieces of my heart because this book broke it. I’m so angry at Sam for what he did to Callum and Damian. How can someone be so evil that even after death their hate continue to spread?
Callum and Sam were brothers and Damian was Sam’s best friend. From the beginning, Sam was selfish when it came to sharing Damian. His possessiveness was such, that he demanded all of Damian’s attention.
Damian had a rough life at home with parents that didn’t care what happened to him. Sam’s parents became the parents he wished he had and spending time at their place was second nature to him.
Everything he did included Sam, but there were times when Sam wasn’t in the house and Callum was. Sam didn’t like it when Callum was around and Damian didn’t agree with the way Sam treated his brother. But he was too afraid to speak up and lose his only friend, so he stayed quiet.
But when the two of them spent time together without Sam, there was a connection between them Damian couldn’t deny. And when Callum saved him from drowning, that connection deepened into something more. Damian couldn’t deny he was falling in love with Callum.
Callum fell in love with Damian without notice. Trying to keep his feelings hidden was basically impossible, especially from his brother. Callum knew Sam would blow a gasket if he found out he was into his best friend. Sam was very possessive when it came to Damian and made it very clear that he didn’t want them together.
But no matter how hard they tried, Callum and Damian couldn’t keep their feelings away. Not being able to be with each other was eating them up inside. They thought they were hiding their feelings well but when they’re found out, things were worse than either of them expected.
Sam made it his mission to separate them by manipulating them both. He managed to lie in such a way that neither Callum nor Damian knew the what really happened. It isn’t until Sam’s death that they find out the real reason for Sam’s hate. And even after his death, he still managed to create a wedge between them.
So many years wasted when they could have been together if they’d been brave enough to defy Sam. So many years of pain and loss thinking they’ll never be together. So much hurt over neither of them making an effort to find each other and it almost cost them their happiness a second time.
Callum had to make up for abandoning Damian knowing how well what that meant for him. He never had anyone but Sam and losing him and his family and later Callum, just broke him. Callum never stopped to think how much pain Damian went through after they were found out. But now, he was more than ready to show him that it had always been him. All the years gone didn’t do anything to stop him from loving Damian.
“𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
This book hurt, A LOT but it also healed me. They found their way back to each other despite everything that kept them apart. Their love had always been pure and they deserved to be happy.
Callum and Sam were brothers and Damian was Sam’s best friend. From the beginning, Sam was selfish when it came to sharing Damian. His possessiveness was such, that he demanded all of Damian’s attention.
Damian had a rough life at home with parents that didn’t care what happened to him. Sam’s parents became the parents he wished he had and spending time at their place was second nature to him.
Everything he did included Sam, but there were times when Sam wasn’t in the house and Callum was. Sam didn’t like it when Callum was around and Damian didn’t agree with the way Sam treated his brother. But he was too afraid to speak up and lose his only friend, so he stayed quiet.
But when the two of them spent time together without Sam, there was a connection between them Damian couldn’t deny. And when Callum saved him from drowning, that connection deepened into something more. Damian couldn’t deny he was falling in love with Callum.
Callum fell in love with Damian without notice. Trying to keep his feelings hidden was basically impossible, especially from his brother. Callum knew Sam would blow a gasket if he found out he was into his best friend. Sam was very possessive when it came to Damian and made it very clear that he didn’t want them together.
But no matter how hard they tried, Callum and Damian couldn’t keep their feelings away. Not being able to be with each other was eating them up inside. They thought they were hiding their feelings well but when they’re found out, things were worse than either of them expected.
Sam made it his mission to separate them by manipulating them both. He managed to lie in such a way that neither Callum nor Damian knew the what really happened. It isn’t until Sam’s death that they find out the real reason for Sam’s hate. And even after his death, he still managed to create a wedge between them.
So many years wasted when they could have been together if they’d been brave enough to defy Sam. So many years of pain and loss thinking they’ll never be together. So much hurt over neither of them making an effort to find each other and it almost cost them their happiness a second time.
Callum had to make up for abandoning Damian knowing how well what that meant for him. He never had anyone but Sam and losing him and his family and later Callum, just broke him. Callum never stopped to think how much pain Damian went through after they were found out. But now, he was more than ready to show him that it had always been him. All the years gone didn’t do anything to stop him from loving Damian.
“𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
This book hurt, A LOT but it also healed me. They found their way back to each other despite everything that kept them apart. Their love had always been pure and they deserved to be happy.
September 14, 2026
4.5 stars
The story of Callum and Damien’s relationship was so complicated and manipulated, it was easy to root for these two to end up together. Going from his brother’s best friend to his love interest, Callum couldn’t help falling in love with Damien, but their relationship was doomed from the start by Sam, Callum’s younger brother and Damien’s best friend. Sam was very possessive about “his things” —including Damien, and even though they tried to keep it a secret, Sam found out and tore both their lives apart. Ten years later, they meet at Sam’s funeral, and eventually discover things about themselves and Sam that they never expected. With the feelings from all those years ago alive and well, will they be able to get over the past and move forward together, reclaiming and building on what they had all those years ago, or will Sam still keep them apart and have his final revenge. You’ll need to read to find out if the evil that one person does can be undone, leading to rekindled love and a better future together.
It was so easy to get involved with these three characters as they pretty much dominated the whole book, dead or alive. The book is presented in Then and Now chapters, flipping back ten years, then to the present. I understand why the author did this, and it did draw out the reasoning behind Sam’s actions, but I personally don’t do as well with the back and forth timeline, hence the 4 stars overall. The story itself for me was 5, but I’ll compromise on the 4.5, showing as 4 stars since I can’t color in half a one. Both Damien and Callum were likeable, relatable characters, teenagers ten years ago, caught up in hormones and feelings, but up against a manipulative someone they underestimated, sending their lives in two different directions for ten years. But maybe they will have the strength and the desire to accept what they can’t change, but change what they can. As said before, you’ll need to read to find out. There were a couple of twists I definitely didn’t expect, and some choices both Damien and Callum made that weren’t ones I would have done, and I felt bad for some of the other characters because of that. I was also intrigued by the way the mind can twist things to make them fit the scenario you want them to, and also the calculations and hate that can drive manipulative behavior to a point that people do what you want rather than what they believe they should. Anyway, some interesting mind-f**kery going on that went deeper than I had expected, but it kept me interested and engaged the whole way through.
This is a book I can recommend because I found the workings of Sam’s mind to be rather fascinating, though we don’t get as many specifics with him, you need to use intuition and draw some conclusions to try to figure him out and judge the impact on the lives of those around him. It demonstrated to me that personal perception can be everything, that events can be interpreted through different lenses with vastly different conclusions and outcomes, and that one event can definitely change the path of one or more lives. Still has me mulling things over, and I probably will for awhile.
The story of Callum and Damien’s relationship was so complicated and manipulated, it was easy to root for these two to end up together. Going from his brother’s best friend to his love interest, Callum couldn’t help falling in love with Damien, but their relationship was doomed from the start by Sam, Callum’s younger brother and Damien’s best friend. Sam was very possessive about “his things” —including Damien, and even though they tried to keep it a secret, Sam found out and tore both their lives apart. Ten years later, they meet at Sam’s funeral, and eventually discover things about themselves and Sam that they never expected. With the feelings from all those years ago alive and well, will they be able to get over the past and move forward together, reclaiming and building on what they had all those years ago, or will Sam still keep them apart and have his final revenge. You’ll need to read to find out if the evil that one person does can be undone, leading to rekindled love and a better future together.
It was so easy to get involved with these three characters as they pretty much dominated the whole book, dead or alive. The book is presented in Then and Now chapters, flipping back ten years, then to the present. I understand why the author did this, and it did draw out the reasoning behind Sam’s actions, but I personally don’t do as well with the back and forth timeline, hence the 4 stars overall. The story itself for me was 5, but I’ll compromise on the 4.5, showing as 4 stars since I can’t color in half a one. Both Damien and Callum were likeable, relatable characters, teenagers ten years ago, caught up in hormones and feelings, but up against a manipulative someone they underestimated, sending their lives in two different directions for ten years. But maybe they will have the strength and the desire to accept what they can’t change, but change what they can. As said before, you’ll need to read to find out. There were a couple of twists I definitely didn’t expect, and some choices both Damien and Callum made that weren’t ones I would have done, and I felt bad for some of the other characters because of that. I was also intrigued by the way the mind can twist things to make them fit the scenario you want them to, and also the calculations and hate that can drive manipulative behavior to a point that people do what you want rather than what they believe they should. Anyway, some interesting mind-f**kery going on that went deeper than I had expected, but it kept me interested and engaged the whole way through.
This is a book I can recommend because I found the workings of Sam’s mind to be rather fascinating, though we don’t get as many specifics with him, you need to use intuition and draw some conclusions to try to figure him out and judge the impact on the lives of those around him. It demonstrated to me that personal perception can be everything, that events can be interpreted through different lenses with vastly different conclusions and outcomes, and that one event can definitely change the path of one or more lives. Still has me mulling things over, and I probably will for awhile.
August 20, 2026
THE ART OF DROWNING is a standalone story that will take you on a rollercoaster of a ride! Our two MCs, Callum and Damien, fell in love one summer when they were teenagers. Damien was the best friend of Sam, Callum's younger brother. However, Sam wasn't happy with Callum at all, and pretty much lost it when he caught them together. The story takes place between now and then, so you get to see Callum and Damien fall in love firsthand, as well as how Sam reacts. You also get to see the fallout in the current time, as well as other revelations.
Both of these guys fell in love and stayed in love, even when their lives travelled different paths. It's only when they reunite that they are able to start moving forward. However, Sam hasn't finished with them yet. I did feel as though I missed some parts and actually went back to reread in case I had. Callum and Damien had a lot to work through, and they didn't always do it the easy way.
All in all, this was a great read that I definitely recommend. 4 out of 5 great stars.
** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian
Aug 20, 2026
Both of these guys fell in love and stayed in love, even when their lives travelled different paths. It's only when they reunite that they are able to start moving forward. However, Sam hasn't finished with them yet. I did feel as though I missed some parts and actually went back to reread in case I had. Callum and Damien had a lot to work through, and they didn't always do it the easy way.
All in all, this was a great read that I definitely recommend. 4 out of 5 great stars.
** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian
Aug 20, 2026
Review of advance copy
My heart ached, my anger thickened, and agony developed as I realized that this book is not going to make it easy on the main characters (and the reader)... and that is ok because it is beautifully written.
Callum was a good big brother, but his little brother's animosity was always frustrating. What makes matters worse: His brother, Sam's best friend, Damian, is the reason Callum discovered he may not be straight after all. But that makes Damian off limits... well, at least that what he tells himself. Action speaks louder than words.
Damian is trying to be the good best friend to Sam. Sam has taken him in when Damian's own home life is full of neglectful parents and emptiness. However, Damian's growing desire for Callum is making it hard for him to deal with Sam's constant badgering on poor Callum. What's worse: When it comes to Callum, Damian is willing to risk it all. But reality and time aren't on their side.
This book takes you to the past and present of where each character are at in their lives, like the before and after. The thing I will say about this book is that the author doesn't make it obvious what happens and in every aspect of their lives. I don't want to say much more other than: This book is great but be prepared to expect the unexpected.
I received an ARC from GRR and am leaving an honest review.
Callum was a good big brother, but his little brother's animosity was always frustrating. What makes matters worse: His brother, Sam's best friend, Damian, is the reason Callum discovered he may not be straight after all. But that makes Damian off limits... well, at least that what he tells himself. Action speaks louder than words.
Damian is trying to be the good best friend to Sam. Sam has taken him in when Damian's own home life is full of neglectful parents and emptiness. However, Damian's growing desire for Callum is making it hard for him to deal with Sam's constant badgering on poor Callum. What's worse: When it comes to Callum, Damian is willing to risk it all. But reality and time aren't on their side.
This book takes you to the past and present of where each character are at in their lives, like the before and after. The thing I will say about this book is that the author doesn't make it obvious what happens and in every aspect of their lives. I don't want to say much more other than: This book is great but be prepared to expect the unexpected.
I received an ARC from GRR and am leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
I’m with everyone else when they say this book was very emotional, and their love story was not an easy one to follow.
Callum and Damien fall in love one summer when Callum teaches Damien to swim. Sam is Callum’s brother and Damien’s best friend. He’s possessive, jealous, and cruel. So they keep their love a secret until they get caught.
We then get a second chance for the pair when Sam is in an accident and brings them together for the reading of his will. The trauma and hurt just escalates from there, and it takes a while for the two to separate the life they had with Sam and the future they want for themselves.
I want to say I did absolutely love the story; it was a great plot and had some great twists and turns. However, I found it a tad repetitive in the first half, and the whole thing with Callum’s parents felt a little far-fetched after everything else that had happened. I’m also not a huge fan of going back and forth in timelines. I would much rather have like a part 1 and 2 before and after, but that’s just a personal preference.
But like I said, I enjoyed it, and I was so happy for their ending.
………………………………………………..
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
I’m with everyone else when they say this book was very emotional, and their love story was not an easy one to follow.
Callum and Damien fall in love one summer when Callum teaches Damien to swim. Sam is Callum’s brother and Damien’s best friend. He’s possessive, jealous, and cruel. So they keep their love a secret until they get caught.
We then get a second chance for the pair when Sam is in an accident and brings them together for the reading of his will. The trauma and hurt just escalates from there, and it takes a while for the two to separate the life they had with Sam and the future they want for themselves.
I want to say I did absolutely love the story; it was a great plot and had some great twists and turns. However, I found it a tad repetitive in the first half, and the whole thing with Callum’s parents felt a little far-fetched after everything else that had happened. I’m also not a huge fan of going back and forth in timelines. I would much rather have like a part 1 and 2 before and after, but that’s just a personal preference.
But like I said, I enjoyed it, and I was so happy for their ending.
………………………………………………..
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
September 7, 2026
Just wow. I absolutely stayed up way too late to finish this, and I regret nothing. This book completely sucked me in.
I loved the chapters switching between the past and present. Getting to see Callum and Damien as teenagers and watching their relationship begin made their second chance years later even more emotional.
These two completely broke my heart. Their connection was so strong, and I loved watching them reconnect, unravel what happened ten years ago, and slowly find their way back to each other. They never stopped showing up for one another, and you could really feel how deep their love ran.
And then there’s Sam. SAM SUCKED. Full stop. I don’t think I’ve hated a character this much in a long time. His manipulation, lies and possessiveness kept Callum and Damien apart for years, and somehow he was still causing chaos even after his death. What a dick.
This was emotional, heartbreaking and completely addictive. I’m not usually a huge second-chance romance reader, but this one absolutely worked for me. I cried, got angry, and desperately needed these two to finally get their happy ending.
Someone please pick up the pieces of my heart because this book broke it.
Highly recommend!
I loved the chapters switching between the past and present. Getting to see Callum and Damien as teenagers and watching their relationship begin made their second chance years later even more emotional.
These two completely broke my heart. Their connection was so strong, and I loved watching them reconnect, unravel what happened ten years ago, and slowly find their way back to each other. They never stopped showing up for one another, and you could really feel how deep their love ran.
And then there’s Sam. SAM SUCKED. Full stop. I don’t think I’ve hated a character this much in a long time. His manipulation, lies and possessiveness kept Callum and Damien apart for years, and somehow he was still causing chaos even after his death. What a dick.
This was emotional, heartbreaking and completely addictive. I’m not usually a huge second-chance romance reader, but this one absolutely worked for me. I cried, got angry, and desperately needed these two to finally get their happy ending.
Someone please pick up the pieces of my heart because this book broke it.
Highly recommend!
August 24, 2026
WOW THIS WAS JUST WOW!
The art of drowning was absolutely just one of those books that you read and you just can't put down no matter what you do. Then after you read it keep thinking about it like so many days after. Damien and Sam were friends, And Callum with Sam's older brother. Damien could not swim to save his life. So Sam decided to teach him well one thing led to another and Callum had to save Damien. One thing led to another stuff got serious Sam was not happy about it he felt like his best friend should be off limits. And as the blurb said Hell hath no fury than a teenage boy scorned. Because that's exactly what Sam did he tore them apart. Everyone moves on things take place well one thing leads to another Sam passes and they come back together. But let me just say this Sam doesn't stop leaving his mark on things even in death.
This book was absolutely just one of those ones by E.M. Denning that you just eat up. This author is becoming one of my favorite authors very quickly because they are just absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to see if this can continues into a series or what else this amazing author puts out in the future.
The art of drowning was absolutely just one of those books that you read and you just can't put down no matter what you do. Then after you read it keep thinking about it like so many days after. Damien and Sam were friends, And Callum with Sam's older brother. Damien could not swim to save his life. So Sam decided to teach him well one thing led to another and Callum had to save Damien. One thing led to another stuff got serious Sam was not happy about it he felt like his best friend should be off limits. And as the blurb said Hell hath no fury than a teenage boy scorned. Because that's exactly what Sam did he tore them apart. Everyone moves on things take place well one thing leads to another Sam passes and they come back together. But let me just say this Sam doesn't stop leaving his mark on things even in death.
This book was absolutely just one of those ones by E.M. Denning that you just eat up. This author is becoming one of my favorite authors very quickly because they are just absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to see if this can continues into a series or what else this amazing author puts out in the future.
August 25, 2026
Callum saves Damien from drowning one summer, sparking a bond that Callum’s possessive brother Sam later tears apart. Damien builds a new life far away, but Sam’s death brings the two men back together — along with the dangerous secrets Sam left behind.
This was a very emotional story, full of feelings and turmoil, as Callum and Damien tried to navigate the damage Sam caused in both their lives. Sam was absolutely the villain here — bitter, manipulative, and determined to control everyone around him. Even during his health crisis, he used the situation to inflict more hurt, which made his presence loom over the entire book. I appreciated how clearly the Then and Now chapters were marked, making the shifts between past and present easy to follow. Both men had supportive friends who tried their best to help, even when their advice wasn’t always welcome. Through all the danger, grief, and unresolved history, the story carried a strong emotional core that made their journey compelling. This was an MM story with mature content.
This was a very emotional story, full of feelings and turmoil, as Callum and Damien tried to navigate the damage Sam caused in both their lives. Sam was absolutely the villain here — bitter, manipulative, and determined to control everyone around him. Even during his health crisis, he used the situation to inflict more hurt, which made his presence loom over the entire book. I appreciated how clearly the Then and Now chapters were marked, making the shifts between past and present easy to follow. Both men had supportive friends who tried their best to help, even when their advice wasn’t always welcome. Through all the danger, grief, and unresolved history, the story carried a strong emotional core that made their journey compelling. This was an MM story with mature content.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Callum & Damien fell for each slowly and in secret, when it came out they lost themselves and each other until the death of someone brought them together. Callum knew he shouldnt fall for his brothers best friend, but it was inevitable and when Sam finds out he tears them apart and with his passing finds a way to get between them once more. Callum must reach rock bottom, before he is able to build himself back up to be the man who deserves Damien. Falling for Callum wasnt in his plans, losing his real family because of that choice nearly undid him. When Sam passes he is forced to face his past and see if Callum is worth the pain it may cause, yet the timing isn't right yet again and he chooses himself over the boy hes always loved. This is a story of taking chances and making ammends to be the right person at the right time for the person you were meant for, even if that means being hurt along the way.
August 21, 2026
An absolutely stunning novel!
It’s full of emotional turmoil, but it’s beautiful and satisfying.
Admittedly, this paralleled a bit of my own life. I lost my brother this year, but we hadn’t been speaking for a few years prior. I love him, but that complicated relationship mixed with his death is an emotional field of landmines. So this story really hit me deep.
Callum and Damien are orbits in Sam’s life. The possessive, angry man dictates their life and happiness. Making them all miserable. Then he dies.
Sam's death brings a whole host of new complicated emotions, but it also brings Callum and Damien back together.
We get to witness their past and how they built their love in the quiet moments they were alone, how they were torn apart, and the present, when they are forced to reckon with the past, their own roles in the end of their relationship, and who they want to be now that they see what the future could be.
It’s a stunning story.
It’s full of emotional turmoil, but it’s beautiful and satisfying.
Admittedly, this paralleled a bit of my own life. I lost my brother this year, but we hadn’t been speaking for a few years prior. I love him, but that complicated relationship mixed with his death is an emotional field of landmines. So this story really hit me deep.
Callum and Damien are orbits in Sam’s life. The possessive, angry man dictates their life and happiness. Making them all miserable. Then he dies.
Sam's death brings a whole host of new complicated emotions, but it also brings Callum and Damien back together.
We get to witness their past and how they built their love in the quiet moments they were alone, how they were torn apart, and the present, when they are forced to reckon with the past, their own roles in the end of their relationship, and who they want to be now that they see what the future could be.
It’s a stunning story.
August 23, 2026
Angsty and emotional
I have to start with stating that Sam was possibly the most obnoxious, manipulative sociopath that I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. He was terrible in life and just as bad in death. It's a very novel route that E.M. took with him and it worked well for me. I hated him with every fibre of my being from beginning to end.
Callum and Damien's love story was well-written, with lots of angst and regret for actions taken and wrong decisions being made. They were so young when they fell in love and then everything fell apart. Years later, their reconciliation wasn't easy and the spectre of Sam still loomed large between them.
I loved that they had to work for their HEA, fighting the past and the present to find their way back to happiness together.
I know this is a standalone but I'd love to read Bowie's story and Zeke's too (Damien's and Callum's best friends respectively).
I have to start with stating that Sam was possibly the most obnoxious, manipulative sociopath that I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. He was terrible in life and just as bad in death. It's a very novel route that E.M. took with him and it worked well for me. I hated him with every fibre of my being from beginning to end.
Callum and Damien's love story was well-written, with lots of angst and regret for actions taken and wrong decisions being made. They were so young when they fell in love and then everything fell apart. Years later, their reconciliation wasn't easy and the spectre of Sam still loomed large between them.
I loved that they had to work for their HEA, fighting the past and the present to find their way back to happiness together.
I know this is a standalone but I'd love to read Bowie's story and Zeke's too (Damien's and Callum's best friends respectively).
August 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received from the author and GRR
The Art of Drowning by E.M. Denning
Tropes
MM romance
Brother’s best friend
Second chances
This beautiful story of love, loss and reuniting will have you crying one minute then wanting to throw your kindle the next. Damien and Sam are brothers with Callum being Sam’s best friend. Callum started hanging out at Sam’s over the summer by the pool even if Sam wasn’t there. When Callum almost drowns, Damien is the one that saves him. The more time that passes the closer Callum and Damien get and they fall in love. They don’t bring it out in the open at first and when Sam finds out he looses it. Sam drives a wedge between them and Callum moves away leaving both men heart broken. Sam passes and both men are forced together only to find out that they may never get their HEA. This is a story that needs to be read without to many spoilers so you can feel the emotions as they unfold. It will be worth it.
The Art of Drowning by E.M. Denning
Tropes
MM romance
Brother’s best friend
Second chances
This beautiful story of love, loss and reuniting will have you crying one minute then wanting to throw your kindle the next. Damien and Sam are brothers with Callum being Sam’s best friend. Callum started hanging out at Sam’s over the summer by the pool even if Sam wasn’t there. When Callum almost drowns, Damien is the one that saves him. The more time that passes the closer Callum and Damien get and they fall in love. They don’t bring it out in the open at first and when Sam finds out he looses it. Sam drives a wedge between them and Callum moves away leaving both men heart broken. Sam passes and both men are forced together only to find out that they may never get their HEA. This is a story that needs to be read without to many spoilers so you can feel the emotions as they unfold. It will be worth it.
September 3, 2026
Damien and Callum ❤️
I'd like to start off with the fact that this book was as heartbreaking as it was beautiful in the end. The story itself was very emotional, it was heartfelt and puts an interesting spin on the best friend's brother trope. That said, I have never loathed a character in all my 2000+ books as much as I hated Sam, I have no words other than he got exactly what he deserved, he may have caused immense pain to our two mc's but he did not win!! I am choosing not to give much away with the plot because theres a bit of a twisty vibe going on that keeps you guessing as to why Sam is such a dick. I will say this, both characters were well written, likable and it's the type of read that sucks you in with past and present chapters that blend perfectly! I'd recommend for sure, it's one of my favorite books this year.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
I'd like to start off with the fact that this book was as heartbreaking as it was beautiful in the end. The story itself was very emotional, it was heartfelt and puts an interesting spin on the best friend's brother trope. That said, I have never loathed a character in all my 2000+ books as much as I hated Sam, I have no words other than he got exactly what he deserved, he may have caused immense pain to our two mc's but he did not win!! I am choosing not to give much away with the plot because theres a bit of a twisty vibe going on that keeps you guessing as to why Sam is such a dick. I will say this, both characters were well written, likable and it's the type of read that sucks you in with past and present chapters that blend perfectly! I'd recommend for sure, it's one of my favorite books this year.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
Review of advance copy received from Author
E.M. Denning has become synonymous with sweet and spicy stories for me, but this time she ventures into a more angsty territory, so of course I had to read it asap! The Art of Drowning is emotional and emotional. There's a sense of depth and love that utterly compelled me to keep reading until late into the night.
The story itself was great, with some solid twists and turns along the way and a fairly hard-won HEA. Though it did feel a bit repetitive at times and some plot points didn't really seem to go anywhere, while others came out of nowhere. I'm also not that big of a fan of books that jump between timelines, as it confuses my brain nine times out of ten. Though the flashbacks did give a peek into Callum and Damien's past.
Overall though, a beautifully complex story about second chances, hurt/comfort vibes and a healthy dose of angst to keep us on our toes.
The story itself was great, with some solid twists and turns along the way and a fairly hard-won HEA. Though it did feel a bit repetitive at times and some plot points didn't really seem to go anywhere, while others came out of nowhere. I'm also not that big of a fan of books that jump between timelines, as it confuses my brain nine times out of ten. Though the flashbacks did give a peek into Callum and Damien's past.
Overall though, a beautifully complex story about second chances, hurt/comfort vibes and a healthy dose of angst to keep us on our toes.
August 22, 2026
I'm going to try to keep this review short and sweet because I don't want to spoil the magic of this story. I will say that the writing was exceptional, the characters were fantastic, (except Sam, I hate that guy), and the flow of the story was incredible. I loved getting to see the MC's past and their present, that was very cool to read about and done well too. Each time the timeframe switched it was clearly marked which I appreciated.
On the angst scale I'd rate this about a 3.5/5, there is some angst, but for me, this is more of a moderate angst level book. (Which I liked!) I appreciated how EM didn't just have these MC's get their HEA as soon as they reconnected. EM made them work for their relationship and to have a place in each other's lives, I really enjoyed that aspect of the storyline.
All in all, a fantastic book!
On the angst scale I'd rate this about a 3.5/5, there is some angst, but for me, this is more of a moderate angst level book. (Which I liked!) I appreciated how EM didn't just have these MC's get their HEA as soon as they reconnected. EM made them work for their relationship and to have a place in each other's lives, I really enjoyed that aspect of the storyline.
All in all, a fantastic book!
August 23, 2026
This one really pulled at my emotions. Callum and Damien’s history is complicated from the very beginning, and I loved how their childhood connection slowly developed into something neither of them could ignore, even when circumstances made being together almost impossible.
The story moving between the past and present worked particularly well, revealing their history piece by piece and showing how much they had both carried with them over the years. There’s plenty of hurt, frustration, secrets, and heartbreak, but also a strong sense that these two were never quite finished with each other.
I also liked that the story didn’t give everything away and allowed the twists to unfold naturally. It made the journey more emotional and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. A beautifully written second-chance romance with plenty of angst and heart.
The story moving between the past and present worked particularly well, revealing their history piece by piece and showing how much they had both carried with them over the years. There’s plenty of hurt, frustration, secrets, and heartbreak, but also a strong sense that these two were never quite finished with each other.
I also liked that the story didn’t give everything away and allowed the twists to unfold naturally. It made the journey more emotional and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. A beautifully written second-chance romance with plenty of angst and heart.
August 26, 2026
I'm not a fan of second chance or brother's best friend romance, but I am a fan of E.M. Denning, so of course I read it and loved it. It's emotional, full of angst that made my heart ache in the best way.
Callum and Damian had to truly go through it before they got their HEA, but it was worth it all in the end. I both hated and loved going back and forth in the timeline. Loved because, of course, it made me happy to see how they fell in love and, of course, hated because I knew they were broken apart. But thats also why it was such an emotional roller-coaster ride because seeing them grow and repair what was broken healing together was so satisfying.
Tropes:
Brother's best friend
Second chance
First love
Grief/Loss
Hurt/Comfort
Dual POV
Check TW
Thank you, GRR and E.M. Denning for the opportunity to read this book.
Callum and Damian had to truly go through it before they got their HEA, but it was worth it all in the end. I both hated and loved going back and forth in the timeline. Loved because, of course, it made me happy to see how they fell in love and, of course, hated because I knew they were broken apart. But thats also why it was such an emotional roller-coaster ride because seeing them grow and repair what was broken healing together was so satisfying.
Tropes:
Brother's best friend
Second chance
First love
Grief/Loss
Hurt/Comfort
Dual POV
Check TW
Thank you, GRR and E.M. Denning for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This lovely story cast a soul-deep spell over me as I read it, and I would rate it 6 stars if I could. While the book focused on Callum and Damien and their journey to their HEA, Callum's brother Sam was like an ever-present shadow hovering over their lives, from first love to squandered time to second chance. Along with Sam, grief was the fourth MC permeating the story. This is a well-crafted book, beautifully paced with achingly nuanced flashbacks to show how our MCs got to their present situation, laden with mutual pining and heartache, but also a breathtaking devotion to one another. The unexpected plot twist completely floored me, and I shed many happy tears during this moving story. Highly recommended!
August 24, 2026
There were three principles in this love story between Damian and Callum. Damian's brother Sam was Callum's bestie and he was not okay with sharing his bestie with his brother. Sam makes sure to interfere with their budding romance in their teen years which results in Damian and Callum going their separate ways for years. And then Sam dies and they grieve but this also brings them back together. Even with the sadness a second chance to come together and to stop the time apart is there for them. Except, Sam finds a way, even though gone, to mess with that. These guys really had to work for their HEA. Not blaming Sam, everyone has a right to their feelings, but the confluence of feelings made this complicated and emotional.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2026
I received an advance copy from GRR for my honest review.
Wow! When I saw this was an E.M. Denning book I picked it up because I love their writing. I was absolutely blown away by this story. The depth of emotion that is absolutely wrenched out of you. Absolutely phenomenal.
Fuck Sam. Seriously, fuck Sam so hard. I absolutely love that Sam was the villian, and that the author let him stay that way. He needed to not have a redemption story.
The story of Damien and Callum... These two. Soulmates. So heartbreaking and so Fricken sweet. I love their "meet cute". I love that entire summer of them. I loved how after reconnecting they couldn't keep away from each other at all. They are like magnets. I really loved the epilogue.
Definitely recommend picking this book up.
Wow! When I saw this was an E.M. Denning book I picked it up because I love their writing. I was absolutely blown away by this story. The depth of emotion that is absolutely wrenched out of you. Absolutely phenomenal.
Fuck Sam. Seriously, fuck Sam so hard. I absolutely love that Sam was the villian, and that the author let him stay that way. He needed to not have a redemption story.
The story of Damien and Callum... These two. Soulmates. So heartbreaking and so Fricken sweet. I love their "meet cute". I love that entire summer of them. I loved how after reconnecting they couldn't keep away from each other at all. They are like magnets. I really loved the epilogue.
Definitely recommend picking this book up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2026
This was such a moving and emotional story! Callum and Damien are such wonderful characters. Sam is totally another story though. Sam is so possessive of his best friend Damien and expects all of his attention. He really doesn’t like it when his brother Callum is around. Unbeknownst to Sam, Damien and Callum start falling in love and hiding their relationship. Sam really does his best to prevent this when he finds out and comes between them. Secrets come out years later but will it help or hurt more? A very heartbreaking story that is told in past and present and is very well written. A gripping story that will grab your heart! This is my honest opinion of this complimentary copy of this book
August 20, 2026
This is an Friends to lovers to enemies to lovers book. Callum and Damien had a romance when they were younger bonded over learning how to swim. But a family member tore them apart for years. When a death in Callum's family the 2 are reunited but can old wounds be healed?
I like this book but it had some issues for me. I want to know what was said to Damien in the letter and a lot of other questions that were not answered.
Thank you to E.M. Denning and GayRomanceReviews for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
I like this book but it had some issues for me. I want to know what was said to Damien in the letter and a lot of other questions that were not answered.
Thank you to E.M. Denning and GayRomanceReviews for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 22, 2026
The Art of Drowning was absolutely beautiful and completely wrecked me in the best way. Callum and Damien’s story is filled with first love, heartbreak, grief, lost time, and a second chance that feels incredibly earned. The flashbacks beautifully weave their past and present together, while Sam’s presence hangs over everything in such a powerful way. The mutual pining and unwavering love between Callum and Damien had my heart aching, and that unexpected twist completely floored me. Emotional, heartbreaking, and ultimately full of hope—this is one that will stay with me.
August 29, 2026
This was a well written brother's best friend with a twist. Theirs is a love that was never lost but also impossible to be found until tragedy can bring them back together. But can young love be real with the reality of their separate lives? There was angst and drama then so much passion but this is a hard fought HEA with lots of ups and downs. The secrets are unraveled on and a time but it takes both men to understand their truth.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 30, 2026
I really enjoyed this change from many of the brother's best friend romances I've read in the past. It's one of my favorite tropes, but the brother here, Sam is definitely a piece of work. It isn't like he's initially opposed to the relationship between Callum and Damien, he's truly evil in the way he works to destroy it and succeeds for many years. Then, something truly unexpected in this trope happens and even then, Callum and Damien have some seriously hard work to do to be together and overcome Sam's toxicity. An excellent book.
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