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Floating
Fear wasn’t a fleeting emotion for Lucy Abrams. It was something she felt every day of her life. The night she almost drowned was seared into her memory, marking the beginning of her problem with anxiety. Her oceanfront home and the crashing of waves against the shoreline served as an ever-present reminder of her past. Until the day she saw someone on the beach whose very presence calmed her.
Ellis Sullivan was a recent law school graduate, spending the summer with his best friends at his family’s beach house in Ray Point. It was their last chance to have fun together before they entered the workforce. Summer was supposed to be full of days on the sand and parties at night, but that changed the day he first saw Lucy. She walked into his life and rendered him speechless. He knew he’d never be the same.
A relationship between the two was unexpected, but their connection was strong. Not everyone thought they should be together, though. Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, Gabe, wasn’t ready to give up on a future with her. After all, he was the one who saved her life.
Love and trust came together to help Lucy find the peace within that she had searched for since that terrible night. Only with the right person by her side was she able to move on, beyond the fear that had ruled her life for far too long. The person who made her feel like she was floating.
*This book contains explicit language and sexual content. It is meant for readers 18 and over.
Ellis Sullivan was a recent law school graduate, spending the summer with his best friends at his family’s beach house in Ray Point. It was their last chance to have fun together before they entered the workforce. Summer was supposed to be full of days on the sand and parties at night, but that changed the day he first saw Lucy. She walked into his life and rendered him speechless. He knew he’d never be the same.
A relationship between the two was unexpected, but their connection was strong. Not everyone thought they should be together, though. Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, Gabe, wasn’t ready to give up on a future with her. After all, he was the one who saved her life.
Love and trust came together to help Lucy find the peace within that she had searched for since that terrible night. Only with the right person by her side was she able to move on, beyond the fear that had ruled her life for far too long. The person who made her feel like she was floating.
*This book contains explicit language and sexual content. It is meant for readers 18 and over.
294 pages, ebook
First published October 9, 2015
29 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Dare
81 books1,500 followersMichelle Dare is a USA Today Bestselling Author. Her stories range from sweet to sinful and from paranormal to contemporary. There aren’t enough hours in the day for her to write all the story ideas in her head. When not writing or reading, she’s a wife and mom living in eastern Pennsylvania. One day she hopes to be writing from a beach where she will never have to see snow or be cold again.
https://www.michelledare.com/links
https://www.michelledare.com/links
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 3, 2016
This book tore my heart to piece and put it back together...well.. sorta lol
I loved this book a story of a girl who wants to become a teacher and meet a guy who wants to be a lawyer.
Ellis fell for this women.. He wasn't so sure what to call it but it felt like Love at first sight.
After he laid eyes and this beautiful women he HAD to know her, Name, where she lived, everything! And his first mission was to find her.
Lucy is drowning everyday by a past that can't seem to stop following her and it definitely doesn't help that she lives by the very root of her growing anxiety. The Ocean. She lives in fear everyday by the water she can't look or hear the water or else she clams up and can't seem to relax. Until one day she meet a guy who seems to help her relax and forget her fears.
I loved their growing relationship I loved the fact that Ellis was determined to be her Rock and the one she comes to help get over her fears. I loved how he didn't push her to be better and worried every time she pushed herself because the one thing he didn't want to happen was to put her back to beginning when they were making progress.
This was a cute story with a million heartbreaks and intense feelings. I felt all over the place but the one thing I loved most about this story was Gabe. I love GABE I hope to hear more about him in this series. He is definitely my favorite and cant wait to read more on this series and hope hear more about Lucy and Ellis in the future.
Thank you Michelle for giving me the opportunity to read such an amazing story!! I cried and laughed and had moments of biting my nails In anxiety.
I loved this book a story of a girl who wants to become a teacher and meet a guy who wants to be a lawyer.
Ellis fell for this women.. He wasn't so sure what to call it but it felt like Love at first sight.
After he laid eyes and this beautiful women he HAD to know her, Name, where she lived, everything! And his first mission was to find her.
Lucy is drowning everyday by a past that can't seem to stop following her and it definitely doesn't help that she lives by the very root of her growing anxiety. The Ocean. She lives in fear everyday by the water she can't look or hear the water or else she clams up and can't seem to relax. Until one day she meet a guy who seems to help her relax and forget her fears.
I loved their growing relationship I loved the fact that Ellis was determined to be her Rock and the one she comes to help get over her fears. I loved how he didn't push her to be better and worried every time she pushed herself because the one thing he didn't want to happen was to put her back to beginning when they were making progress.
This was a cute story with a million heartbreaks and intense feelings. I felt all over the place but the one thing I loved most about this story was Gabe. I love GABE I hope to hear more about him in this series. He is definitely my favorite and cant wait to read more on this series and hope hear more about Lucy and Ellis in the future.
Thank you Michelle for giving me the opportunity to read such an amazing story!! I cried and laughed and had moments of biting my nails In anxiety.
October 7, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
We all have a fear of something in our lives. For Lucy, her fear ruled her life. It made living almost impossible. Anxiety attacks were a daily thing for Lucy. Ellis just graduated and is spending the summer at his parents beach house. He sees Lucy and is instantly smitten. The two start getting to know each other but Lucy still struggles with her issues. Will it be over before they even have a chance?
This story was beautiful. Very well written. The author wrote some really great characters and I couldn’t help getting attached to them. The author writes about an issue that’s very personal to her and you can feel all the emotion she poured into the story. This story touched my heart and I can’t find the words to properly express how I feel. If you’re looking for a story that’s different than what’s out there, this book is for you. I give this 5 stars
We all have a fear of something in our lives. For Lucy, her fear ruled her life. It made living almost impossible. Anxiety attacks were a daily thing for Lucy. Ellis just graduated and is spending the summer at his parents beach house. He sees Lucy and is instantly smitten. The two start getting to know each other but Lucy still struggles with her issues. Will it be over before they even have a chance?
This story was beautiful. Very well written. The author wrote some really great characters and I couldn’t help getting attached to them. The author writes about an issue that’s very personal to her and you can feel all the emotion she poured into the story. This story touched my heart and I can’t find the words to properly express how I feel. If you’re looking for a story that’s different than what’s out there, this book is for you. I give this 5 stars
December 21, 2015
5 floating stars for this amazing story.
"I walked away from him tonight for you.
What the book is about
Lucy almost drowned while swimming in the ocean when she was 18, but was luckily saved by Gabe, her boyfriend then and ex-boyfriend now. It was a close call and now four years later Lucy still deals with excessive fear for the beach, the ocean and water. She can’t even look at or listen to it, but that is quite difficult when you live in house facing the beach. Besides dealing with fear, she is also very insecure about herself and she tends to criticize herself a lot. Every day, she tries to confront her anxiety by sitting on their porch situated facing the beach and focus on families there. One of the moments sitting on the porch, she sees Ellis with his friends playing Frisbee on the beach and she feels a particular kind of peace. The calmness causes a reduction of her fear. Ellis has a miserable relationship with his family, but he does have two best friends. Ellis and Lucy have both just graduated and will both search for jobs when summer is done. In the meantime a relationship blossoms between the two because of their strong connection. But not everybody is okay with this; Gabe can’t let go of Lucy. After all, he is the person who saved her life.
"'I'm yours, Lucy'. Heart, mind, body, and soul; I've never fallen so fast."
My expectations
Floating has a beautiful cover, totally different from other New Adult-books. If I didn’t receive this book in return for an honest review, the cover and blurb would attract me to purchase the book myself. Before reading this book I wasn’t familiar with the writer, so I didn’t know what to expect in terms of writing style. Nice detail that the Writer and I are namesakes.
What I like about the book
The book starts strong with the first passage about fear and anxiety. I read Floating as an e-book and I highlighted this piece of text.
“Fear. It’s something that can hold us back and isolate us. Something that can make our knees buckle and our bodies shake. Fear, which manifests into anxiety. Anxiety that gets worse and worse and leaves you having panic attacks daily. Those daily attacks are part of my life.”
The book describes a heroine and I love me some heroines. I often read books about heroines dealing with fear, but the cause in this story is original for me and it intrigues me. In most of the books it’s about social anxiety, shyness for example, or fear for sexual interaction with men, because they have been victim of a sexual abuse, but in Floating it’s about fear for the ocean and water. Michelle’s writing style is pleasant: it’s not difficult, but not easy either. I don’t only think her style pleasant, but it’s also very beautiful. It’s visual and descriptive, and the sentences are constructed in a very beautiful and comfortable manner. The author also knows how to describe beautifully and aptly how people deal with the concept ‘mental illness’.
“There is still a stigma surrounding [mental illness], and people think you have something wrong with you when you speak of it.”
It’s exactly how she described it. And this type of sentences makes the book realistic and recognizable. Michelle knows how to describe Lucy’s fear perfectly. I recognize her thoughts and behaviour and for this reason I can understand Lucy’s character. I also like how compassionate Ellis is and how he wants to do everything so he can help Lucy. What a relief to see the obstacles in Ellis and Lucy’s relationship. Gabe is a disturbing factor, but Lucy herself is also well in sabotaging their relationship, because she keeps doubting. She is afraid she’s not good enough for Ellis and that she makes him unhappy. I also love how honest Lucy is to Ellis. She even shares her doubts with him. In the beginning Ellis is closed of, but later on he opens up and shares his thoughts with Lucy. They become perfectly attuned to each other.
What I don’t like about the book
Floating contains a couple cliché-sentences, like:
“His hair has a wave to it that makes me want to run my fingers through it, just to see if it’s as soft as I imagine it to be.”
The girls in New Adult-books always want to glide their fingers through the hair of the boys to find out if it’s really that soft. I did fount one inconsistency in the book. In the first chapter, Lucy’s chapter, she looks at herself in the mirror and describes the way she looks. She talks about hazelnut-coloured eyes. But in the rest of the book, Ellis is talking about Lucy’s blue eyes. It seems difficult for a writer to find a balance between detailing and staying superficial. Many books lack details, but some passages in Floating have a little bit too much details. That slows the story now and again and it causes me to lose my focus in that parts. Those moments don’t have added value and could be left out.
So…
This is a great book with depth and realistic themes: fear, how to handle it and the healing power of love. The development of the relationship between Ellis and Lucy and the growth of both characters is incredible. With pain in my heart I read the last page of this book. This had nothing to do with what happens in that last page, but everything with me not being ready to say goodbye to Ellis and Lucy. They are definitely one of my favourite book-couples. Floating is the first book in a series, so there are likely going to be more books. Probably about other characters in the book and I’m hoping one of them will be about Gabe’s story. Floating is an absolute must if you’re a fan of New Adult-books and you’re looking for some more depth than ‘boy and girl love each other’.
"I let myself go -let myself drift. I'm floating. I'm on a cloud high above anything that can harm me. It's only Ellis and me. No anxiety, no fear, nothing. I want to live on this cloud forever."
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. More reviews (in Dutch)? Take a look at http://chelles-blog.nl!
"I walked away from him tonight for you.
What the book is about
Lucy almost drowned while swimming in the ocean when she was 18, but was luckily saved by Gabe, her boyfriend then and ex-boyfriend now. It was a close call and now four years later Lucy still deals with excessive fear for the beach, the ocean and water. She can’t even look at or listen to it, but that is quite difficult when you live in house facing the beach. Besides dealing with fear, she is also very insecure about herself and she tends to criticize herself a lot. Every day, she tries to confront her anxiety by sitting on their porch situated facing the beach and focus on families there. One of the moments sitting on the porch, she sees Ellis with his friends playing Frisbee on the beach and she feels a particular kind of peace. The calmness causes a reduction of her fear. Ellis has a miserable relationship with his family, but he does have two best friends. Ellis and Lucy have both just graduated and will both search for jobs when summer is done. In the meantime a relationship blossoms between the two because of their strong connection. But not everybody is okay with this; Gabe can’t let go of Lucy. After all, he is the person who saved her life.
"'I'm yours, Lucy'. Heart, mind, body, and soul; I've never fallen so fast."
My expectations
Floating has a beautiful cover, totally different from other New Adult-books. If I didn’t receive this book in return for an honest review, the cover and blurb would attract me to purchase the book myself. Before reading this book I wasn’t familiar with the writer, so I didn’t know what to expect in terms of writing style. Nice detail that the Writer and I are namesakes.
What I like about the book
The book starts strong with the first passage about fear and anxiety. I read Floating as an e-book and I highlighted this piece of text.
“Fear. It’s something that can hold us back and isolate us. Something that can make our knees buckle and our bodies shake. Fear, which manifests into anxiety. Anxiety that gets worse and worse and leaves you having panic attacks daily. Those daily attacks are part of my life.”
The book describes a heroine and I love me some heroines. I often read books about heroines dealing with fear, but the cause in this story is original for me and it intrigues me. In most of the books it’s about social anxiety, shyness for example, or fear for sexual interaction with men, because they have been victim of a sexual abuse, but in Floating it’s about fear for the ocean and water. Michelle’s writing style is pleasant: it’s not difficult, but not easy either. I don’t only think her style pleasant, but it’s also very beautiful. It’s visual and descriptive, and the sentences are constructed in a very beautiful and comfortable manner. The author also knows how to describe beautifully and aptly how people deal with the concept ‘mental illness’.
“There is still a stigma surrounding [mental illness], and people think you have something wrong with you when you speak of it.”
It’s exactly how she described it. And this type of sentences makes the book realistic and recognizable. Michelle knows how to describe Lucy’s fear perfectly. I recognize her thoughts and behaviour and for this reason I can understand Lucy’s character. I also like how compassionate Ellis is and how he wants to do everything so he can help Lucy. What a relief to see the obstacles in Ellis and Lucy’s relationship. Gabe is a disturbing factor, but Lucy herself is also well in sabotaging their relationship, because she keeps doubting. She is afraid she’s not good enough for Ellis and that she makes him unhappy. I also love how honest Lucy is to Ellis. She even shares her doubts with him. In the beginning Ellis is closed of, but later on he opens up and shares his thoughts with Lucy. They become perfectly attuned to each other.
What I don’t like about the book
Floating contains a couple cliché-sentences, like:
“His hair has a wave to it that makes me want to run my fingers through it, just to see if it’s as soft as I imagine it to be.”
The girls in New Adult-books always want to glide their fingers through the hair of the boys to find out if it’s really that soft. I did fount one inconsistency in the book. In the first chapter, Lucy’s chapter, she looks at herself in the mirror and describes the way she looks. She talks about hazelnut-coloured eyes. But in the rest of the book, Ellis is talking about Lucy’s blue eyes. It seems difficult for a writer to find a balance between detailing and staying superficial. Many books lack details, but some passages in Floating have a little bit too much details. That slows the story now and again and it causes me to lose my focus in that parts. Those moments don’t have added value and could be left out.
So…
This is a great book with depth and realistic themes: fear, how to handle it and the healing power of love. The development of the relationship between Ellis and Lucy and the growth of both characters is incredible. With pain in my heart I read the last page of this book. This had nothing to do with what happens in that last page, but everything with me not being ready to say goodbye to Ellis and Lucy. They are definitely one of my favourite book-couples. Floating is the first book in a series, so there are likely going to be more books. Probably about other characters in the book and I’m hoping one of them will be about Gabe’s story. Floating is an absolute must if you’re a fan of New Adult-books and you’re looking for some more depth than ‘boy and girl love each other’.
"I let myself go -let myself drift. I'm floating. I'm on a cloud high above anything that can harm me. It's only Ellis and me. No anxiety, no fear, nothing. I want to live on this cloud forever."
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. More reviews (in Dutch)? Take a look at http://chelles-blog.nl!
October 10, 2015
ARC given in exchange for an honest review
I FLOVED THIS BOOK!! Michelle has a way with her writing that just keeps you drawn into the book and not want to stop reading. I'm so happy that she wrote this story. It's one of my faves for this year. So many emotions go through this book and you will need tissues, you'll feel every emotion & it will feel real. This story touched a place in my heart.
Lucy is not your normal girl, she had a tragic experience when she was younger and she fights daily with her anxiety. She wishes that she could be like others and not let her anxiety get to her. She tries to overcome this battle but so far it's not working until Ellis comes along. Lucy can't explain why Ellis is able to help her but she doesn't want it to end.
Ellis is visiting his beach home for the break with his buddies from college. He is trying to figure out what he will do with his life. When Ellis meets Lucy that is when he knows that he will need to be with her. Ellis does what he can to find Lucy and once he does he can't stay away from her. Ellis does his best to help Lucy with her anxiety and overcome her fear. He won't give up on Lucy.
Overall this book is amazing. The battles and struggles in this book are so real and you can't help but want to help Lucy. You feel as you are in this book and wanting to help overcome the battles & struggles. A book that will touch your heart and stay with you.
Great job to the author on another amazing story. I highly recommend.
I FLOVED THIS BOOK!! Michelle has a way with her writing that just keeps you drawn into the book and not want to stop reading. I'm so happy that she wrote this story. It's one of my faves for this year. So many emotions go through this book and you will need tissues, you'll feel every emotion & it will feel real. This story touched a place in my heart.
Lucy is not your normal girl, she had a tragic experience when she was younger and she fights daily with her anxiety. She wishes that she could be like others and not let her anxiety get to her. She tries to overcome this battle but so far it's not working until Ellis comes along. Lucy can't explain why Ellis is able to help her but she doesn't want it to end.
Ellis is visiting his beach home for the break with his buddies from college. He is trying to figure out what he will do with his life. When Ellis meets Lucy that is when he knows that he will need to be with her. Ellis does what he can to find Lucy and once he does he can't stay away from her. Ellis does his best to help Lucy with her anxiety and overcome her fear. He won't give up on Lucy.
Overall this book is amazing. The battles and struggles in this book are so real and you can't help but want to help Lucy. You feel as you are in this book and wanting to help overcome the battles & struggles. A book that will touch your heart and stay with you.
Great job to the author on another amazing story. I highly recommend.
October 6, 2015
This book has left me speechless, there are no words to describe the feelings that I had when I finished this book. I will give you fair warning that this book will make you laugh, have goose bumps and shed many, many (whole box of Kleenex) tears. I have not been so moved by a book like this in a very long time, this is one of those books that will be worth a reread.
This book is about a girl named Lucy, Lucy suffers every day with anxiety, this fear makes her every day living difficult. She has lived with this every day since the night of her high school graduation ended with an innocent late night dip in the ocean that went horribly wrong when she drowned and almost died. Finishing college and Lucy decides that what she needs is to take the summer to look for a job, and in walks Ellis who is taken with Lucy the minute he sees her. Slowly but surely Ellis helps Lucy overcome her fears and slowly but surely Lucy and Ellis fall in love, but not without Lucy ex boyfriend Gabe getting in the way a few times. Take a journey with Lucy and Ellis and see a girl open her heart and overcome many obstacles.
This story will touch every inch of your heart right down to the bottom of your toes, be sure to read the authors note at the end of the book, as this book goes way beyond the average writing of a book, Michelle Dare, if there were more than five stars to give I would as this book is deserving of more.
This book is about a girl named Lucy, Lucy suffers every day with anxiety, this fear makes her every day living difficult. She has lived with this every day since the night of her high school graduation ended with an innocent late night dip in the ocean that went horribly wrong when she drowned and almost died. Finishing college and Lucy decides that what she needs is to take the summer to look for a job, and in walks Ellis who is taken with Lucy the minute he sees her. Slowly but surely Ellis helps Lucy overcome her fears and slowly but surely Lucy and Ellis fall in love, but not without Lucy ex boyfriend Gabe getting in the way a few times. Take a journey with Lucy and Ellis and see a girl open her heart and overcome many obstacles.
This story will touch every inch of your heart right down to the bottom of your toes, be sure to read the authors note at the end of the book, as this book goes way beyond the average writing of a book, Michelle Dare, if there were more than five stars to give I would as this book is deserving of more.
October 9, 2015
Let me start by saying that this is the MOST BEAUTIFUL story that Michelle Dare has ever written. This book isn't your typical romance. It touches on a subject that you don't often see in this type of novel, and it was done superbly. My heart broke for Lucy and all she faced - and to see her conquer her fears the way she did moved me to tears. And Ellis... wow... what a great guy. I wish we could all find a guy like him in our lives. He was sweet, supportive, and the perfect boyfriend. I wish I could write a review that does this book justice, but words can't describe how amazing this story was.
I'm already looking forward to the next book, whoever it may be about (I hope it's Gabe!)
I'm already looking forward to the next book, whoever it may be about (I hope it's Gabe!)
October 12, 2015
I am not sure where to begin but here it goes!
This is a beautiful, gripping, healing story about a lovely damaged girl named Lucy Abrams. Lucy has been through a traumatic life event that has left her emotionally crippled and living in fear of anything that has to do with the water. She lives engrossed in fear and full of anxiety on a daily basis. She has adapted her world to accommodate her fear. She certainly cannot control everything in her environment. She has taken upon herself to gradually expose herself in small doses to what she fears the most.....the water. She has secluded herself from family and friends over the years. She doesn't want to be a burden or feel like she is a on display due to her disability. She has finally finished college and is relaxing for the summer back at home with her mother. Her mother is one of the people that knows the real anxiety ridden Lucy. Coming home has taken courage for Lucy as her mother lives on the beach near the water...Lucy's biggest fear. She knows that most people find comfort and relaxation in the water but she is not most people. Taking baby steps to conquer her fear may be her only savoir. She forces herself to daily sit on the deck and look at the water. That is when she sees him. The minute she lays her eyes on him she feels an overwhelming feeling of warmth, comfort and peace. How could this be she doesn't even know him.
Ellis Sullivan is not looking for love. He has just finished law school and is staying at his parents beach house for the summer with some friends. He would love to spend quality time with his family but that has never been in the cards for him. You know what they say you can pick your friends but not your family. His mom and dad have always given him the finer things in life but sometimes it's the little things that mean more. The moment he lays eyes on Lucy he can't remember ever feeling this way. He feels an undeniable attraction and connection and he doesn't even know her. He looses sight before finding out who she is.
When Lucy and Ellis finally meet he immediately realizes that she is hiding something and wants to do anything to help her.
These characters are beautifully flawed. The author has done an amazing job of developing them and making you fall in love with them. I enjoyed every part of this beautifully broken journey that I was taken on by these characters. TO watch Ellis grow emotionally and physically with his love to help Lucy with her fears was overwhelming. Was it an easy journey for Lucy and Ellis ...No but anything that comes easy isn't worth the fight!!!!
Thank you for writing their story and taking me the reader along for the amazing ride!
I was gifted this book for an honest review.
~~Michele McMullen~~
This is a beautiful, gripping, healing story about a lovely damaged girl named Lucy Abrams. Lucy has been through a traumatic life event that has left her emotionally crippled and living in fear of anything that has to do with the water. She lives engrossed in fear and full of anxiety on a daily basis. She has adapted her world to accommodate her fear. She certainly cannot control everything in her environment. She has taken upon herself to gradually expose herself in small doses to what she fears the most.....the water. She has secluded herself from family and friends over the years. She doesn't want to be a burden or feel like she is a on display due to her disability. She has finally finished college and is relaxing for the summer back at home with her mother. Her mother is one of the people that knows the real anxiety ridden Lucy. Coming home has taken courage for Lucy as her mother lives on the beach near the water...Lucy's biggest fear. She knows that most people find comfort and relaxation in the water but she is not most people. Taking baby steps to conquer her fear may be her only savoir. She forces herself to daily sit on the deck and look at the water. That is when she sees him. The minute she lays her eyes on him she feels an overwhelming feeling of warmth, comfort and peace. How could this be she doesn't even know him.
Ellis Sullivan is not looking for love. He has just finished law school and is staying at his parents beach house for the summer with some friends. He would love to spend quality time with his family but that has never been in the cards for him. You know what they say you can pick your friends but not your family. His mom and dad have always given him the finer things in life but sometimes it's the little things that mean more. The moment he lays eyes on Lucy he can't remember ever feeling this way. He feels an undeniable attraction and connection and he doesn't even know her. He looses sight before finding out who she is.
When Lucy and Ellis finally meet he immediately realizes that she is hiding something and wants to do anything to help her.
These characters are beautifully flawed. The author has done an amazing job of developing them and making you fall in love with them. I enjoyed every part of this beautifully broken journey that I was taken on by these characters. TO watch Ellis grow emotionally and physically with his love to help Lucy with her fears was overwhelming. Was it an easy journey for Lucy and Ellis ...No but anything that comes easy isn't worth the fight!!!!
Thank you for writing their story and taking me the reader along for the amazing ride!
I was gifted this book for an honest review.
~~Michele McMullen~~
December 19, 2015
Floating, was not what I’d been expecting. While yes there is sexual content the book isn’t all about sex. In fact the story is really about Lucy and her struggle with anxiety and fear. Her fear and anxiety stem from her near drowning, years before.
As Lucy takes baby steps to regain the life she used to have before the fear and anxiety took hold, she makes a connection with Ellis without knowing anything about him. Or even his name.
Not only does Lucy have to work through her fear and anxiety of the ocean she also has to sort out her feeling for the two men in her life. With one man, Gabe, wanting the return of the relationship they had until the near drowning. And who doesn’t understand that whenever Lucy sees him all she can think about is the night she almost drown even though he was her savor.
On the other hand, she has this butting relationship with Ellis who can help her fight and overcome her fear and anxiety. And little by little with Ellis’s help and understanding Lucy does conquer her fear and anxiety.
She proves how strong a woman she is and that with the love and support of friends and family you can do anything you set your mind to do. It’s truly an inspiring read.
So overall I really enjoyed Floating the only issue I had was that for me it was a bit slow moving. I’ve had this issue before with a few authors I really enjoy. Take Jim Butcher for instance, I love his Dresden series but I couldn’t get into book 1 because it was slow. However, listening to the book is awesome. So for me I think Floating would be the same. I think if I could’ve listened to the book I wouldn’t be telling you it was slow.
That being said its a story I think everyone should take a look at. Michelle, writes a very compelling character with issues that many people face and she makes the reader feel every bit of the fear and anxiety Lucy has.
As Lucy takes baby steps to regain the life she used to have before the fear and anxiety took hold, she makes a connection with Ellis without knowing anything about him. Or even his name.
Not only does Lucy have to work through her fear and anxiety of the ocean she also has to sort out her feeling for the two men in her life. With one man, Gabe, wanting the return of the relationship they had until the near drowning. And who doesn’t understand that whenever Lucy sees him all she can think about is the night she almost drown even though he was her savor.
On the other hand, she has this butting relationship with Ellis who can help her fight and overcome her fear and anxiety. And little by little with Ellis’s help and understanding Lucy does conquer her fear and anxiety.
She proves how strong a woman she is and that with the love and support of friends and family you can do anything you set your mind to do. It’s truly an inspiring read.
So overall I really enjoyed Floating the only issue I had was that for me it was a bit slow moving. I’ve had this issue before with a few authors I really enjoy. Take Jim Butcher for instance, I love his Dresden series but I couldn’t get into book 1 because it was slow. However, listening to the book is awesome. So for me I think Floating would be the same. I think if I could’ve listened to the book I wouldn’t be telling you it was slow.
That being said its a story I think everyone should take a look at. Michelle, writes a very compelling character with issues that many people face and she makes the reader feel every bit of the fear and anxiety Lucy has.
October 17, 2015
Ok wow!! let me take a moment to wrap my head around how I am possibly going to give this book a proper review. When certain books just hit you right in the heart,because the contents have hit home or really close to home and the writer nailed it. It means that my review will not do it justice, but I'm going to try. First off I couldn't put it down at all read it in one sitting. And it left my so speechless and proud that I had to take a bit to even try to wrap my head around the amazing book I had just had the privilege of reading. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will worry about what is to come and then if you are like me you will be praying for them. In floating,Michelle Dare,takes you into the minds and hearts of not only someone who suffers from anxiety but into the people around them that suffer along with them. Some still doesn't see how anxiety can cause so many issues but if people would just learn to learn and not be so judgemental they would understand and if they read this book they would get a chance to start understanding. This was my favorite book by Michelle Dare so far and I know she has a long career ahead of her especially if she keeps writing like she did in Floating, I was so engrossed in every word and really can't wait for the next book to come out. I would definitely recommend this book asap. One of the most beautiful stories I've had the pleasure of reading.
November 1, 2015
*I received a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
In Floating we follow Ellis and Lucy. Two young adults both at a turning point in their life's. Lucy is waiting out the summer with her mom and their beachcomber while Ellis is having a last summer with his buddies before going into the real world after college. They are both going to enjoy their last free summer before moving into the real world of how life is after college.
Lucy has severe anxiety and is terrified of the beach and water after nearly drowning 4 years ago. Her then boyfriend Gabe and rescuer is still interested in her, but she doesn't feel the same anymore. Once she has her eyes on Ellis she is pulled into a calming she hasn't known since there near death experience. Just his touch can calm her nerves. With his help can she work through her fears and find not only peace with herself but fall in love again?
This was such a great heart striping pulling story! I always live Michelle Dare and this is a prime example why. The story is heartfelt and romantic but not over the top with it all. It has life in and the characters and their flaws are spot on!
In Floating we follow Ellis and Lucy. Two young adults both at a turning point in their life's. Lucy is waiting out the summer with her mom and their beachcomber while Ellis is having a last summer with his buddies before going into the real world after college. They are both going to enjoy their last free summer before moving into the real world of how life is after college.
Lucy has severe anxiety and is terrified of the beach and water after nearly drowning 4 years ago. Her then boyfriend Gabe and rescuer is still interested in her, but she doesn't feel the same anymore. Once she has her eyes on Ellis she is pulled into a calming she hasn't known since there near death experience. Just his touch can calm her nerves. With his help can she work through her fears and find not only peace with herself but fall in love again?
This was such a great heart striping pulling story! I always live Michelle Dare and this is a prime example why. The story is heartfelt and romantic but not over the top with it all. It has life in and the characters and their flaws are spot on!
May 2, 2016
4.5 star review of Floating (Ray Point, #1) by Michelle Dare
I have read several books by Michelle Dare and as with her previous books I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also unlike any I have read this year.
Almost destroyed after surviving an accident, Lucy Abrams lives a life filled with acute anxiety. Lucy lives in constant fear, until Ellis Sullivan enters her life and with his arrival, slowly but surely gives her the opportunity to take back her life.
Their relationship was unexpected; however it is often the unexpected that leads to new beginnings. Ellis gives Lucy the security and courage to move on in her life. This was an emotional read, the story well written and the characters were brought to life in a way that made it easy to relate to them.
This is a book that will stay with you, long after you have finished it. It is by no means your “normal” romance read and that in itself is a credit to Ms. Dare.
I look forward to the next book in the series. Well done Michelle Dare.
I have read several books by Michelle Dare and as with her previous books I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also unlike any I have read this year.
Almost destroyed after surviving an accident, Lucy Abrams lives a life filled with acute anxiety. Lucy lives in constant fear, until Ellis Sullivan enters her life and with his arrival, slowly but surely gives her the opportunity to take back her life.
Their relationship was unexpected; however it is often the unexpected that leads to new beginnings. Ellis gives Lucy the security and courage to move on in her life. This was an emotional read, the story well written and the characters were brought to life in a way that made it easy to relate to them.
This is a book that will stay with you, long after you have finished it. It is by no means your “normal” romance read and that in itself is a credit to Ms. Dare.
I look forward to the next book in the series. Well done Michelle Dare.
November 6, 2015
Loved this!!!
This book was so good.....I've read a lot from New authors recently or new authors to me and Michelle Dare is one of them. Just like stress and depression, anxiety is a silent killer if you don't get help, so anyone suffering with any of these.....please seek help!!!
I loved Lucy and Ellis she was so strong even when she thought she was being weak. I loved Ellis he was sweet and just so good for her and in him she found her strength and let's face it, everyone needs someone like that who they can lean on!!! I do think Gabe was the one who was causing her anxiety to peak even though he didn't mean to and there are people in everyone's life who do that and not realise it.....
I liked the surrounding characters in this too I wondering if maybe tag and Chelsea are next????? Fingers crossed....
This has five stars from me and more if I could, I think it will open more people's eyes to the limits that anxiety can push the sufferers to.
Michelle Dare what a superb job you did...I've already gone to find more of your books!!
A must read...Amazing!!!! <3
This book was so good.....I've read a lot from New authors recently or new authors to me and Michelle Dare is one of them. Just like stress and depression, anxiety is a silent killer if you don't get help, so anyone suffering with any of these.....please seek help!!!
I loved Lucy and Ellis she was so strong even when she thought she was being weak. I loved Ellis he was sweet and just so good for her and in him she found her strength and let's face it, everyone needs someone like that who they can lean on!!! I do think Gabe was the one who was causing her anxiety to peak even though he didn't mean to and there are people in everyone's life who do that and not realise it.....
I liked the surrounding characters in this too I wondering if maybe tag and Chelsea are next????? Fingers crossed....
This has five stars from me and more if I could, I think it will open more people's eyes to the limits that anxiety can push the sufferers to.
Michelle Dare what a superb job you did...I've already gone to find more of your books!!
A must read...Amazing!!!! <3
October 24, 2015
What an emotional coming of age story , I have read other books by Michelle Dare and can say this one is completely different than any thing I have read. This story was so much tamer than what I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. Lucy is a young women who experienced an almost fatal drowning and has yet to recover from all the anxiety and emotions because of it.Enter Ellis and his friends,a college graduate spending the summer at his parents beach house. I love how this story is almost an insta love and how Ellis calms Lucy with just his touch . Their Love story is so sweet . I think what I enjoyed more than their love story was just completely identifying with Lucy and how her anxiety is such a big part of her life. I too suffering from anxiety and depression and sometime it consumes me and my entire today.So Bravo for Michelle Dare for writing about such a difficult topic it was so spot on.
November 2, 2015
Ellis and Lucy's story was absolutely beautiful!!! Lucy a recent college graduate suffers from anxiety. The night she almost drowned changed her life. The fear she lives with every day is sometimes unmanageable. Ellis who is staying at his parents beach house is looking to enjoy his last summer before searching for a job. One chance meeting changes both of their lives.
I loved everything single thing about this book. Michelle Dare writes about a subject that most people are afraid to talk about. And she does it so amazingly well. From the first page it draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Their story is so much more then a romance novel. It teaches you about how one person can change your life so drastically that you finally start living. This is her best work to date. You need to read this book. I cannot wait to see where she takes these characters.
I loved everything single thing about this book. Michelle Dare writes about a subject that most people are afraid to talk about. And she does it so amazingly well. From the first page it draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Their story is so much more then a romance novel. It teaches you about how one person can change your life so drastically that you finally start living. This is her best work to date. You need to read this book. I cannot wait to see where she takes these characters.
October 12, 2015
This book was an amazing read, I genuinely loved it. This book not only had a love story that sucks you in, but gives you insight on what someone with anxiety and a traumatic experience may go though on a day to day bases. This book definitely opened my eyes on those issues, I've never knew it could be that way. But back to Lucy & Ellis, I absolutely love them. It's like the little girl from the despicable me and the fluffy unicorn, you just can't take the cuteness. I was hooked within 4 minutes (if that). But honestly this book is so good and you will not be disappointed. I would love for another book to be written because that's how hooked I am, also if we got to see Tag or Marks story that would be awesome too!
October 15, 2015
This story was a change of pace from what I normally read. Lucy is struggling with anxiety and panic attacks due to the drowning accident that could have claimed her life. Ellis is her knight in shinning armor who wants nothing more than to be her rock and help her overcome her fear. This was a sweet romance that focused more on Lucy facing her anxiety and learning to enjoy her life again while falling in love. I have a sweet spot for Gabe that motorcycle riding broken hearted bad boy. I have to say although Ellis is awesome I was rooting for Gabe secretly. I can't help it I have a thing for biker guys. The author truly did a fantastic job showing how living with anxiety can take over your life and control you. I was fully satisfied with the outcome and feel all squishy about it.
September 29, 2015
Emotions, chills, this story has it all. This was such a powerful and moving read for me. I literally had chills at times, laughed, there were moments I was holding my breath, and there were moments I was so filled with pride. These characters are so strong in the sense that you become apart of their world, but also in what they accomplish. I had the biggest smile on my face when I finished and just felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Lucy and Ellis are a couple that you just can't help but to let into your heart.
I received this copy from the author for an honest review.
I received this copy from the author for an honest review.
December 18, 2015
Following an accident in high school, Lucy is plagued with pretty severe anxiety. Despite the struggles it comes with, she returns to her mom's house on the beach after college. She's strong and determined to work through her fears, but it all seems too overwhelming.
Ellis is staying at his parents' beach house for the summer before beginning his legal career.
When they meet, both of their lives shift.
This is a really sweet love story about real struggles and honest relationships, and it's packed with enough emotion to really give you all the feels.
Ellis is staying at his parents' beach house for the summer before beginning his legal career.
When they meet, both of their lives shift.
This is a really sweet love story about real struggles and honest relationships, and it's packed with enough emotion to really give you all the feels.
October 11, 2015
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Floating is a book that I will forever keep close to my heart, this is among my must reads of 2015 and I know it is a book that I will return for re-reads ( I have already read 3 times before release)
This is Michelle's first book in the new adult Genre and it is an absolute hit in my opinion, this book covers everything, it is a real true love story but it goes much much deeper than that, it faces fears, letting people in so they can care, finding places in your heart for people from your past, and new friendships and learning how to live again.
The book also deals with severe anxiety and how mental health can be taboo and make you feel like an outsider. Michelle wrote about this tricky subject in a flawless way and really made you feel the emotions in the book, that is hard to do but wow did she ever do a good job- be sure to read the authors note as Michelle really bares her soul and shows us why she broached this subject and why it's close to her heart- this alone touched me and brought me to tears.
Floating is about Lucy Abrams a girl returning home from college for the summer before finding her dream job as a teacher. Lucy is beautiful and intelligent and has her whole life ahead of her, but after a tragic late night adventure with her high school sweetheart Gabe, Lucy is left with severe anxiety that she battles on a daily basis.
Lucy was young and Care free the night she and Gabe went skinny dipping, she was a strong swimmer but the current was just too strong and without Gabe saving her life she would have drowned.
Lucy and Gabe drift apart after the incident but Gabe's feelings for Lucy remain and he is confident with time she will realize they are meant to be.
When Lucy returns home she has to face the demons of her near drowning as the house she shares with her mom is right on the beach, Lucy suffers daily with debilitating panic attacks triggered by the ocean. Lucy has not even stepped onto the beach since the incident. Lucy's anxiety is causing her to miss out on so much as she keeps herself closed off and is really only living a half life.
Ellis Sullivan returns from school to to his parents beach house for a summer of fun with his friends Mark and Tag. As all 3 are recently graduated law students they have vowed to have a summer of partying before taking the Bar exam and life getting serious as they become lawyers.
What Ellis was not expecting was the connection he feels to a beautiful blonde he's sees on a deck at a neighbouring beach house (Lucy) he quickly realizes he has to know more about her and so he, Mark and Tag make it their mission to find her.
When Ellis and Lucy meet there are instant sparks and both decide to pursue the attraction.
What follows is a beautiful love story, as Ellis learns about Lucy's anxiety he fights for her, he helps her face her fears and supports her and really opens her eyes to a life that she can live to its full potential.
Ellis and Lucy have a promising future ahead of them but then there is Gabe who feels that he is the one for Lucy after all he did save her life and is not going to give her up without a fight.
Ellis quickly became my new book boyfriend as he really supports Lucy and amazes her with what she can accomplish if she believes in her self. Ellis has a real calming effect on Lucy and as they grow together she learns how to cope with her anxiety.
I absolutely love this story and how it makes you feel inside, this book made me laugh, had me reaching for the Kleenex, but also left me with a warm feeling as the way Michelle wrote this story is so heartfelt and her writing really draws you in and makes her FEEL the characters, I am very happy that this book is a series as I also fell for the supporting characters and can't wait to hear more from them!
This is a must read and its so hard to do floating justice in a review because my words are not enough. I rave about this book and even though I received an ARC will still be purchasing a copy.
Great Job Michelle!!! Don't ever stop writing!!!!
Floating is a book that I will forever keep close to my heart, this is among my must reads of 2015 and I know it is a book that I will return for re-reads ( I have already read 3 times before release)
This is Michelle's first book in the new adult Genre and it is an absolute hit in my opinion, this book covers everything, it is a real true love story but it goes much much deeper than that, it faces fears, letting people in so they can care, finding places in your heart for people from your past, and new friendships and learning how to live again.
The book also deals with severe anxiety and how mental health can be taboo and make you feel like an outsider. Michelle wrote about this tricky subject in a flawless way and really made you feel the emotions in the book, that is hard to do but wow did she ever do a good job- be sure to read the authors note as Michelle really bares her soul and shows us why she broached this subject and why it's close to her heart- this alone touched me and brought me to tears.
Floating is about Lucy Abrams a girl returning home from college for the summer before finding her dream job as a teacher. Lucy is beautiful and intelligent and has her whole life ahead of her, but after a tragic late night adventure with her high school sweetheart Gabe, Lucy is left with severe anxiety that she battles on a daily basis.
Lucy was young and Care free the night she and Gabe went skinny dipping, she was a strong swimmer but the current was just too strong and without Gabe saving her life she would have drowned.
Lucy and Gabe drift apart after the incident but Gabe's feelings for Lucy remain and he is confident with time she will realize they are meant to be.
When Lucy returns home she has to face the demons of her near drowning as the house she shares with her mom is right on the beach, Lucy suffers daily with debilitating panic attacks triggered by the ocean. Lucy has not even stepped onto the beach since the incident. Lucy's anxiety is causing her to miss out on so much as she keeps herself closed off and is really only living a half life.
Ellis Sullivan returns from school to to his parents beach house for a summer of fun with his friends Mark and Tag. As all 3 are recently graduated law students they have vowed to have a summer of partying before taking the Bar exam and life getting serious as they become lawyers.
What Ellis was not expecting was the connection he feels to a beautiful blonde he's sees on a deck at a neighbouring beach house (Lucy) he quickly realizes he has to know more about her and so he, Mark and Tag make it their mission to find her.
When Ellis and Lucy meet there are instant sparks and both decide to pursue the attraction.
What follows is a beautiful love story, as Ellis learns about Lucy's anxiety he fights for her, he helps her face her fears and supports her and really opens her eyes to a life that she can live to its full potential.
Ellis and Lucy have a promising future ahead of them but then there is Gabe who feels that he is the one for Lucy after all he did save her life and is not going to give her up without a fight.
Ellis quickly became my new book boyfriend as he really supports Lucy and amazes her with what she can accomplish if she believes in her self. Ellis has a real calming effect on Lucy and as they grow together she learns how to cope with her anxiety.
I absolutely love this story and how it makes you feel inside, this book made me laugh, had me reaching for the Kleenex, but also left me with a warm feeling as the way Michelle wrote this story is so heartfelt and her writing really draws you in and makes her FEEL the characters, I am very happy that this book is a series as I also fell for the supporting characters and can't wait to hear more from them!
This is a must read and its so hard to do floating justice in a review because my words are not enough. I rave about this book and even though I received an ARC will still be purchasing a copy.
Great Job Michelle!!! Don't ever stop writing!!!!
October 25, 2015
Floating is an absolutely stunning, beautiful story. It’s a romance, but that is only a fraction of the story of this book. It’s about paralyzing fear, and the sheer strength it takes to overcome it. Lucy has returned home after graduating college to a beautiful home on the beach that would be most people’s idea of paradise, but not hers. Just the sight and sound of the waves crashing bring absolute terror into her heart and mind. On the other hand, Ellis has just graduated from law school and along with his friends, they plan to have a care free summer filled with parties and girls. Well, that comes to a screeching halt for Ellis when he sees Lucy at the small grocery store. He can’t get the beautiful blonde out of his mind. And, Lucy has noticed Ellis and friends on the beach while sitting on her deck. Just watching him from afar calms her anxious spirit. The two begin to date, but will Lucy be able to keep her anxiety a secret, and what will Ellis think when he knows the truth about her sometimes debilitating condition?
I loved the romance between the Lucy and Ellis, but at first, I thought it might be a little too fast paced, but it wasn’t. It’s one of those special relationships that you know is going to be “magical” from the very beginning. There were some steamy scenes in the book, but mostly it was the development of the love story between the two. I found this quite refreshing, and I loved that there was very little angst between them. It is a romance, but there is so much more going on the book than just a love story. It’s about dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event and how it changes a person. They know they will never be the same, but how do they become the person they were meant to be and not let fear completely have control? Michelle Dare did a phenomenal job of illustrating the strength and the true grit that it takes to not only survive but to be a fighter. Lucy survived an event that made her stronger, but she didn’t see it that way. Instead of living life to the fullest, she lived in fear. Ellis was such a support for her…he showed patience and unconditional love to help her take her first steps to living life again. They really were the perfect couple! I am really happy that this is going to be a series. There are so many characters that I would like to see get their own stories.
I have never really added anything personal to a review, but I felt like I had to with this book. Michelle Dare did a wonderful job of showing just how devastating and isolating anxiety/panic attacks can be. It can creep up on you when you least expect it. I, myself, have dealt with a full blown panic attack that I never saw coming, and when I am around that particular trigger, it can bring one on without warning. It so very important to have someone in your life like Ellis and Lucy’s mother to help you through it. Thank you, Michelle Dare, for showing people that anxiety/panic attacks are real, but there is hope to overcome them and live a fulfilling and very happy life! I will be anxiously awaiting to return to Ray Point!
***Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
I loved the romance between the Lucy and Ellis, but at first, I thought it might be a little too fast paced, but it wasn’t. It’s one of those special relationships that you know is going to be “magical” from the very beginning. There were some steamy scenes in the book, but mostly it was the development of the love story between the two. I found this quite refreshing, and I loved that there was very little angst between them. It is a romance, but there is so much more going on the book than just a love story. It’s about dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event and how it changes a person. They know they will never be the same, but how do they become the person they were meant to be and not let fear completely have control? Michelle Dare did a phenomenal job of illustrating the strength and the true grit that it takes to not only survive but to be a fighter. Lucy survived an event that made her stronger, but she didn’t see it that way. Instead of living life to the fullest, she lived in fear. Ellis was such a support for her…he showed patience and unconditional love to help her take her first steps to living life again. They really were the perfect couple! I am really happy that this is going to be a series. There are so many characters that I would like to see get their own stories.
I have never really added anything personal to a review, but I felt like I had to with this book. Michelle Dare did a wonderful job of showing just how devastating and isolating anxiety/panic attacks can be. It can creep up on you when you least expect it. I, myself, have dealt with a full blown panic attack that I never saw coming, and when I am around that particular trigger, it can bring one on without warning. It so very important to have someone in your life like Ellis and Lucy’s mother to help you through it. Thank you, Michelle Dare, for showing people that anxiety/panic attacks are real, but there is hope to overcome them and live a fulfilling and very happy life! I will be anxiously awaiting to return to Ray Point!
***Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
October 28, 2015
***I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review***
Floating tells the story of Lucy Abrams. A young woman who one fateful night during high school almost drowns in the ocean. The main reason that Lucy is still alive is that her then boyfriend, Gabe was there to save her. This event has left Lucy with debilitating anxiety when it comes to being near the ocean. There are only a handful of people that she feels safe or comfortable with, that is until she meets Ellis Sullivan.
Ellis is vacationing on Ray Point, when one day while in town he see's Lucy and is instantly smitten. So smitten in fact that he cannot get her out of his mind and is determined to find the beautiful blonde that consumes his every thought. Naturally Ellis finds his mystery beauty and a relationship between him and Lucy ensues.
I waffled back and forth between 2 and 3 stars the entire time I was reading it which is why I decided to go with a 2.5. This book at times was a struggle for me for several reasons. The first was that Ellis came off as incredibly effeminate to me in the beginning of the book. Now while I don't need my main male characters to be hulking alpha males, I do like them to have a slight whiff of masculinity to them. There was a scene early in the book where Ellis and his friends were driving around Ray Point looking for Lucy. This scene really didn't strike me as something a bunch of grown men would drive around doing. As the story went on, his character lost this characteristic but in the beginning it felt like a woman writing what she thought a man would do.
Another thing that irked me was the speed love. As a reader, love at first sight is one of my greatest pet peeves. I will say, that Dare was able to turn me around on this point because she crafted a beautiful relationship between the two as the book progressed that made me the reader believe in this relationship and that it could be lasting.
Finally, Lucy's relationship with Gabe (who is a very real presence throughout the book) angered me at times. As the synopsis of the book states, Gabe never let go of the idea that Lucy and he would end up together. To me it felt like this plot point was used as a means to create tension, but in my opinion it wasn't that effective. I frequently felt bad for Gabe and it made me at times dislike both Lucy and Ellis for it.
The book alternates each chapter between Lucy and Ellis' first person POV. It was nice to see both perspectives while reading and definitely helped me the reader buy the relationship between them. The description on Goodreads states that this is book one of the series, but I felt that Floating ended in a way that felt both final and satisfying. I have a feeling that if the series does continue it will be about secondary characters we met in Floating.
All-in-all this wasn't the worst book that I've ever read but in the end fell a little flat for me.
October 18, 2015
✫•°*°•✫FIVE STAR FABULOUS✫•°*°•✫
★★★★★
First and foremost, this is the most beautiful book I've read this year. Without a doubt. Michelle Dare did such an amazing job on this book. It was breathtaking, emotional, personal, fabulous and so very much more. For someone who always has something to say about everything, I struggle to find words accurate enough to express how this story affected me.
Lucy and Ellis are absolutely perfect together. Lucy struggles with anxiety and fear after nearly drowning just after graduating high school. Four years later she's still stuck inside the fear. No matter what she's tried she can't overcome it. Even her anxiety attacks are hard to control at times. That is until she meets Ellis. Something about him calms her. Their connection is not only immediate it's intense too. Does love at first sight really exist?
I love Lucy's strength and courage. She comes so far from the beginning of the book to the end. Seeing her grow and take hold of her struggles with Ellis by her side is awesome. She's fabs, he's fabs, the entire story is fabs.
Floating also has some awesome secondary characters as well. Ellis' best friends Tag and Mark are great. There's also Lucy's ex-boyfriend and the person who saved her life, Gabe. She still loves him but not in an intimate way anymore. However Gabe doesn't feel the same way. He still loves her, insists she's his person and tries a few times to get her back. I like Gabe and I really hope there's a HEA for him in the future. Chelsea is Gabe's sister and another great back-up person. This book is full of great people. Lead by an amazing Lucy and Ellis.
Floating is definitely on the Best Books of 2015 list. In fact, it's by far the best yet this year. If you haven't read Floating yet, you're missing out on a BEAUTIFUL story. Michelle Dare is a fabulous author and I can't wait to see what she has in store for the Ray Point series. Judging from book 1 it's going to be nothing less than fabulous.
✷REVIEW STARS✷
Hero Stars: 5
Heroine Stars: 5
Interaction Stars: 5
Sexiness Stars: 5
Storyline Stars: 5
The End Stars: 5
Overall Stars: 5
Is this book a keeper? Absolutely!!
Would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely!!
Would I read more books from this author? Absolutely!!
Would I recommend this author to others? Absolutely!!
Floating is book #1 in the Ray Point series.
#FiveStarFabulous
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October 17, 2015
After reading all of Michelle Dare’s books, I can honestly say this is her best work yet.
This beautiful story will grip you and take you on a journey of fear and healing. Lucy Adams carries a burden that doesn’t allow her to feel free. Trapped in her head and fearing the anxiety attacks that knock her down, she has been forced to stay away from the water since a tragic event that happened years ago.
Lucy is having such a hard time overcoming that fear of the water, even though she lives on the beach, not even being able to walk on the sand. Her mother and ex-boyfriend, Gabe, are the only ones who know exactly what’s going on and she has been so afraid to let anyone else in. I did have a soft spot for Gabe because it is obvious how much he loves her. The love her mother has for her is so unconditional and their relationship so open, it shows how much having that support system around you is vital to getting through life.
When she meets Ellis Sullivan one summer at the beach, she immediately feels calmness surround her when he’s near. This begins her process of healing and learning to overcome those barriers that have kept her from enjoying life to the fullest.
Neither is looking for love, as they both have their lives mapped out, yet the attraction and connection they feel is great.
Michelle did an amazing job in taking us into Lucy’s mind and allowing us to see how devastating fear can be. We see how even when we try, if we are not helped, and even if we are, many times nothing can make us tear those walls down and we feel like we’re going to die from those fears.
The relationship that she has with Ellis is very important to her and she realizes that opening up might not be such a bad idea. I loved seeing them together. The way he just wanted nothing more than be next to her and help her. The things he did to make her face her fears, little by little, it just showed how invested he was in making it work between them.
This story touched a chord because I’ve suffered from anxiety and know others who have as well. I know how debilitating the fears can be.
The characters are beautiful; the way they grow emotionally was amazing to see and you can’t help but fall in love with them.
This beautiful story will grip you and take you on a journey of fear and healing. Lucy Adams carries a burden that doesn’t allow her to feel free. Trapped in her head and fearing the anxiety attacks that knock her down, she has been forced to stay away from the water since a tragic event that happened years ago.
Lucy is having such a hard time overcoming that fear of the water, even though she lives on the beach, not even being able to walk on the sand. Her mother and ex-boyfriend, Gabe, are the only ones who know exactly what’s going on and she has been so afraid to let anyone else in. I did have a soft spot for Gabe because it is obvious how much he loves her. The love her mother has for her is so unconditional and their relationship so open, it shows how much having that support system around you is vital to getting through life.
When she meets Ellis Sullivan one summer at the beach, she immediately feels calmness surround her when he’s near. This begins her process of healing and learning to overcome those barriers that have kept her from enjoying life to the fullest.
Neither is looking for love, as they both have their lives mapped out, yet the attraction and connection they feel is great.
Michelle did an amazing job in taking us into Lucy’s mind and allowing us to see how devastating fear can be. We see how even when we try, if we are not helped, and even if we are, many times nothing can make us tear those walls down and we feel like we’re going to die from those fears.
The relationship that she has with Ellis is very important to her and she realizes that opening up might not be such a bad idea. I loved seeing them together. The way he just wanted nothing more than be next to her and help her. The things he did to make her face her fears, little by little, it just showed how invested he was in making it work between them.
This story touched a chord because I’ve suffered from anxiety and know others who have as well. I know how debilitating the fears can be.
The characters are beautiful; the way they grow emotionally was amazing to see and you can’t help but fall in love with them.
October 18, 2015
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I adored the subject of this book, as it's a topic many people overlook or don't see as a real health problem. But anxiety really is, and the way Michelle has written a story revolving around it is stunning and heartbreaking. This book has some beautifully written scenes that depict what an anxiety suffer goes through during an attack or 'episode'. This alone is why the book is a 5* read to me.
Lucy is the person who is suffering with the anxiety, and yet she is still a strong, independent and beautiful young lady who just needs a little extra help some days. Lucy suffered a horrendous accident that has mentally scarred her for life... Or so she thought. Her mom is amazing and is the sort of parent you'd want to help you out and be your best friend. You learn about Gabe (who I think is a sweetheart) and you learn about her daily struggles.
Then you meet Ellis. They meet through sheer luck, but sometimes fate and life intervene to put you in the path of the one person who you know will make a change. Ellis isn't like a lot of the male characters people read about nowadays, and I found that even more refreshing. He is a young man who has studied hard to get where he has, and is taking a break after 7 long years of college. He has two wonderful best friends and a family that are, for a better term, distant. My heart ached for the lack of family around him, but his friends make up for that in spades. He is a sweet, dedicated and honest man who stands up for what he believes in and loves fiercely and wholeheartedly. Oh, and his best friends seem hot! I can't wait to read more about Tag and Mark.
The story is just about the perfect length, even with little bits seeming to happen to fast, but this just made the novel seem lifelike to me. I liked that nothing was set in stone and that things popped up to interrupt the flow of Lucy and Ellis' relationship, but I felt that it just helped them develop even more.
I cannot wait to read more from this story, as it was a lovely story that dealt with real life issues and wasn't too focussed on the characters sex lives. A book I will be recommending to anyone I can.
First of all, I adored the subject of this book, as it's a topic many people overlook or don't see as a real health problem. But anxiety really is, and the way Michelle has written a story revolving around it is stunning and heartbreaking. This book has some beautifully written scenes that depict what an anxiety suffer goes through during an attack or 'episode'. This alone is why the book is a 5* read to me.
Lucy is the person who is suffering with the anxiety, and yet she is still a strong, independent and beautiful young lady who just needs a little extra help some days. Lucy suffered a horrendous accident that has mentally scarred her for life... Or so she thought. Her mom is amazing and is the sort of parent you'd want to help you out and be your best friend. You learn about Gabe (who I think is a sweetheart) and you learn about her daily struggles.
Then you meet Ellis. They meet through sheer luck, but sometimes fate and life intervene to put you in the path of the one person who you know will make a change. Ellis isn't like a lot of the male characters people read about nowadays, and I found that even more refreshing. He is a young man who has studied hard to get where he has, and is taking a break after 7 long years of college. He has two wonderful best friends and a family that are, for a better term, distant. My heart ached for the lack of family around him, but his friends make up for that in spades. He is a sweet, dedicated and honest man who stands up for what he believes in and loves fiercely and wholeheartedly. Oh, and his best friends seem hot! I can't wait to read more about Tag and Mark.
The story is just about the perfect length, even with little bits seeming to happen to fast, but this just made the novel seem lifelike to me. I liked that nothing was set in stone and that things popped up to interrupt the flow of Lucy and Ellis' relationship, but I felt that it just helped them develop even more.
I cannot wait to read more from this story, as it was a lovely story that dealt with real life issues and wasn't too focussed on the characters sex lives. A book I will be recommending to anyone I can.
October 21, 2015
In this book, Michelle Dare puts a face with a disorder/mental disorder/behavioral health condition: Anxiety/Panic Attacks. The main character suffers daily from attacks brought on by fear. In high school, she almost drowned. Her boyfriend at the time, Gabe, saved her. Every since that day, her world has changed. Water is her fear, even the sound of it and Gabe, he is a reminder of that day.
In the story you experience Lucy's life. A once outgoing person now, a hermit. As you go through life with her, you realize how drastic and even deadly the attacks can be. You make her same wish, to be normal again. One day, fate intervened and she laid eyes on Ellis. For the first time, she finds a calm.
The story then unfolds all these lives over Summer Break. Everyone, plays an integral part. You meet: Ellis' best two friends, Tag and Mark. Typical college grads with their own problems. Gabe loves Lucy even though they broke up 4 years ago and he has problems with just being friends. Lucy's warm Mom Abrams, in real estate and Dad, an attorney-their divorced but...... Gabe's sister, Chelsea and her friend, Ryleigh. In college but on break and hanging with Tag and Mark. Mom and Dad Sullivan, interior designer and attorney, work over parenting leaves everyone cold. By the end of Summer, no ones the same.
Floating is a great read. For those of us that have panic attacks, this should be the book we hand to everyone we meet. It is more common than you think and it can be well disguised. One of the things the book also deals with is snap judgments and labeling. You will see how this affects not just the person but everyone around them. And how, oh just get over it, is not only rude but very painful. No one asks for this but many get it due to certain situations they are put in. Me? Mine came with my heart problem. Again, it's from a fear of not being able to breath and boom, I pass out.
There are some very special moments along with heartbreaking ones. There are some wins and some losses. Can a person be normal having these attacks? Can they love? Can it go away? This is a home run in all areas. Michelle, thank you for giving the readers a chance to float. Yeah, you find out what that means in the book. Enjoy! There is a surprise at the end...a few...
In the story you experience Lucy's life. A once outgoing person now, a hermit. As you go through life with her, you realize how drastic and even deadly the attacks can be. You make her same wish, to be normal again. One day, fate intervened and she laid eyes on Ellis. For the first time, she finds a calm.
The story then unfolds all these lives over Summer Break. Everyone, plays an integral part. You meet: Ellis' best two friends, Tag and Mark. Typical college grads with their own problems. Gabe loves Lucy even though they broke up 4 years ago and he has problems with just being friends. Lucy's warm Mom Abrams, in real estate and Dad, an attorney-their divorced but...... Gabe's sister, Chelsea and her friend, Ryleigh. In college but on break and hanging with Tag and Mark. Mom and Dad Sullivan, interior designer and attorney, work over parenting leaves everyone cold. By the end of Summer, no ones the same.
Floating is a great read. For those of us that have panic attacks, this should be the book we hand to everyone we meet. It is more common than you think and it can be well disguised. One of the things the book also deals with is snap judgments and labeling. You will see how this affects not just the person but everyone around them. And how, oh just get over it, is not only rude but very painful. No one asks for this but many get it due to certain situations they are put in. Me? Mine came with my heart problem. Again, it's from a fear of not being able to breath and boom, I pass out.
There are some very special moments along with heartbreaking ones. There are some wins and some losses. Can a person be normal having these attacks? Can they love? Can it go away? This is a home run in all areas. Michelle, thank you for giving the readers a chance to float. Yeah, you find out what that means in the book. Enjoy! There is a surprise at the end...a few...
November 12, 2015
This book was a great read. Lucy Abrams has an anxiety problem and she is trying to get over it. She almost drowned at the end of her senior year of high school. Her then boyfriend Gabe saved her but she can't help but relieve it every time she sees him. So she broke it off. Now she is back from college and taking the summer off before looking for teaching jobs. Ellis is staying at his parents beach house with his two friends this summer before they take the bar and then if they pass look for jobs as lawyers. This summer was supposed to be fun that is until he sees Lucy one day. All it takes is one look and he is a goner. Lucy had seen Ellis on the beach and this calm washed over her. Ellis is determined to figure out who this beautiful girl is and meet her. Lucy's ex Gabe still wants to be with her and comes around often. Ellis runs into Lucy in town and gets her to agree to go on a date. Ellis and Lucy are drawn to each other. They have this gravitational pull towards each other. Lucy is afraid of what he will think of her once he knows her full story and her issues. Ellis knows with that first look that Lucy is the one for him. Will Lucy be able to give her and Ellis a chance at something? How will Gabe handle Lucy dating someone else? Will Ellis be the one to help Lucy overcome her fears and move forward with her life? I truly loved reading this book. Lucy had a terrible experience and it changed the rest of her life. She lives in fear every day. She is worried that people will judge her because of it. Ellis is amazing. There is nothing he wants more than for Lucy to be happy. He does everything he can to help her and he loves her right away. Gabe still loves Lucy and is having a horrible time with her dating someone new. At times he doesn't even realize that he is hurting her by continuing to pursue her. I was so proud for Lucy every time she took the next step to overcoming her fears. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I would love to read more about Ellis and Lucy. Another great job Michelle Dare.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
November 13, 2015
Floating is an interesting book that captivated my attention after a few chapters. A young woman name Lucy had her world change after one fateful night that brought her into the world of anxiety. She’s fighting to overcome her fear of what could have happened by slowly accepting the ocean like she used to, but the only person that tends to calm her panic attacks is the man she saw on the beach throwing the Frisbee and then again in front of her mother’s retail office. Lucy didn’t know it just yet, but once again her life was gonna change…this time for the better.
Ellis was ready to take a break this summer and just be free. Free to do whatever and whoever he wanted to do with his two best friends, but what he didn’t count for was the shy, lovely blonde lady that had caught his attention when he was walking back to his car with groceries. Nothing else was on his mind except the blonde young woman he saw. He was starstruck and wanted to find out who she was. When they bump into each other once again he took a leap and asked her out and from there the tide brought them together.
Floating was a breathtaking, emotional and personal story that really touched on what anxiety is. I’m not sure how else to express my feeling toward this book other than to say that you need to get it. Like now.
What I mostly loved about Lucy was that even though she struggled with anxiety she doesn’t let it take over. I know that it seems like she does in the beginning, but slowly she gets a grip on it. It’s still there, but the presence isn’t as strong as it once was. It was nice to see that Ellis was there for her and never pushed her, but was there for her when she needed him.
The secondary characters Tag, Mark, Gabe and Chelsea were a great touch and support system and very well presented in the story. I look forward to reading more and hope to see all of them have a story of their own to follow.
~Tempting Sexy Thoughts
Ellis was ready to take a break this summer and just be free. Free to do whatever and whoever he wanted to do with his two best friends, but what he didn’t count for was the shy, lovely blonde lady that had caught his attention when he was walking back to his car with groceries. Nothing else was on his mind except the blonde young woman he saw. He was starstruck and wanted to find out who she was. When they bump into each other once again he took a leap and asked her out and from there the tide brought them together.
Floating was a breathtaking, emotional and personal story that really touched on what anxiety is. I’m not sure how else to express my feeling toward this book other than to say that you need to get it. Like now.
What I mostly loved about Lucy was that even though she struggled with anxiety she doesn’t let it take over. I know that it seems like she does in the beginning, but slowly she gets a grip on it. It’s still there, but the presence isn’t as strong as it once was. It was nice to see that Ellis was there for her and never pushed her, but was there for her when she needed him.
The secondary characters Tag, Mark, Gabe and Chelsea were a great touch and support system and very well presented in the story. I look forward to reading more and hope to see all of them have a story of their own to follow.
~Tempting Sexy Thoughts
October 24, 2015
I love reading books that have a personal meaning and am honored when a author shares and gives a piece of themselves that is so personal. This one also I can relate to because my daughter too suffers (less now) and a few others close to me with this. With that being said when I finished I felt like I knew these characters so well. Lucy has just finished school but has the summer to see where to next. Living with her mom who lets her go her own way but is one of her support beams. Her friend Gabe is also one but he would like nothing better than to be more than friends. My heart will go out to him many times through this novel especially because of the depth that is conveyed of his feelings. This summer though there are three guys who are also around until they pick their path. One in particular is Ellis and once he sees Lucy he is a goner. The thing with Lucy though is she battles every day,hour and minute with anxiety that came about by a near death experience that she is determined to be the victor in. This is their story or more so hers on with the strength of love that is fueled with compassion there is that someone that can be the rock and air to enable to be that victor. The triumphs of hers are so clear you feel giddy when she makes that little or giant step. You root her on to take that chance with Ellis and bask in her happiness when it starts to grow and flourish. He is like that missing piece that was needed to start the healing process that only love can provide. There will come a time she will have to face the giant and slay it even in terror. This is one novel I was so glad to have read and actually felt as if I experienced it thanks to the characters through the eyes of this author.
October 31, 2015
Terrified is a good word to explain how Lucy feels about water. After drowning, it seems like a rational fear. However, Lucy's anxiety from her fear keeps her from living a "normal" life. She's tired of being afraid. Her fear is debilitating and causes her panic. Four years after her incident and she still can't hear or see the ocean without panicking, no problem right...wrong. Lucy has returned home from college to live with her mom in their ocean side home. Her anxiety is not just about water, but about her fear. Lucy is so afraid of being judged she has distanced herself from virtually everyone.
Until him...
Ellis is taking the summer off to enjoy himself before life and responsibilities take over. He's looking for the ultimate summer with his 2 best friends before they have to take the bar and find jobs. A summer of fun takes a different turn when Ellis sees Lucy for the first time. Tongue tied, mouth open looking like a fool, Ellis is lost. She is the most stunning and beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Almost like he's floating on a cloud...
Floating is a wonderful story about overcoming fears. It is a sweet love story, but i really appreciate the author's honesty. Lucy's anxiety isn't brushed off and miraculously cured. it is a tangible thing that is not taken away just because she finds a dreamy guy. Even with everything she's done, she has set backs. I feel like that part of the story is far more significant than my need for an HEA. Don't get me wrong there is an HEA, for most. I have a feeling others will be addressed in future books. I for one ,can't wait to read them.
Until him...
Ellis is taking the summer off to enjoy himself before life and responsibilities take over. He's looking for the ultimate summer with his 2 best friends before they have to take the bar and find jobs. A summer of fun takes a different turn when Ellis sees Lucy for the first time. Tongue tied, mouth open looking like a fool, Ellis is lost. She is the most stunning and beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Almost like he's floating on a cloud...
Floating is a wonderful story about overcoming fears. It is a sweet love story, but i really appreciate the author's honesty. Lucy's anxiety isn't brushed off and miraculously cured. it is a tangible thing that is not taken away just because she finds a dreamy guy. Even with everything she's done, she has set backs. I feel like that part of the story is far more significant than my need for an HEA. Don't get me wrong there is an HEA, for most. I have a feeling others will be addressed in future books. I for one ,can't wait to read them.
October 2, 2015
4.25 Stars!!
I love books that deal with anything out of the box and this book didn't disappoint!!
Lucy has a wonderful life up until she almost died 4 years ago. Now she lives in the shadows and barely exists. But she likes it that way, it's safe, comfortable, and she doesn't have to worry about having "episodes" and freaking people out. But when she Ellis out on the beach that she will never step foot on again, her heart starts beating a little harder and it isn't from anxiety. Can he be the one to pull her from her darkness and bring her floating to the top?
Ellis is enjoying his last summer before he has to get a "real" job after college. He decides to stay at his parent's place on the beach with his two friends and party the summer away before obligations start and he as to be an adult. The moment he saw Lucy on her deck, he knew it was over for him. He had met the one. Now if he could just get her name..after some searching(slight stalking) he finally meets her and is even more blown away by her. He knows that she fights an inner demon but wants to be her knight in shining armor to slay the dragon for her. One problem, her ex...why can't that guy just give it up already?!
This was a great heartwarming story. Ellis really was the man that could take all of Lucy's insecurities away and help her becoming stronger in herself. He didn't want her to become needy of him, he wanted her to overcome her demon's with his help and come out the strong, independent woman she once was. Great story and one I couldn't put down. Can't wait to see what happens next in this series!!
I love books that deal with anything out of the box and this book didn't disappoint!!
Lucy has a wonderful life up until she almost died 4 years ago. Now she lives in the shadows and barely exists. But she likes it that way, it's safe, comfortable, and she doesn't have to worry about having "episodes" and freaking people out. But when she Ellis out on the beach that she will never step foot on again, her heart starts beating a little harder and it isn't from anxiety. Can he be the one to pull her from her darkness and bring her floating to the top?
Ellis is enjoying his last summer before he has to get a "real" job after college. He decides to stay at his parent's place on the beach with his two friends and party the summer away before obligations start and he as to be an adult. The moment he saw Lucy on her deck, he knew it was over for him. He had met the one. Now if he could just get her name..after some searching(slight stalking) he finally meets her and is even more blown away by her. He knows that she fights an inner demon but wants to be her knight in shining armor to slay the dragon for her. One problem, her ex...why can't that guy just give it up already?!
This was a great heartwarming story. Ellis really was the man that could take all of Lucy's insecurities away and help her becoming stronger in herself. He didn't want her to become needy of him, he wanted her to overcome her demon's with his help and come out the strong, independent woman she once was. Great story and one I couldn't put down. Can't wait to see what happens next in this series!!
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