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The Deep End
It was a new level of loserdom, even for me
When Rosie humiliates herself in front of the whole school at the swimming carnival, she vows she'll never step foot in the water again.
Well, until Jake Tran, the best swimmer (and hottest boy) in her year says he will give her swimming lessons.
Against all the voices in her head screaming that it's a bad idea, she takes him up on his offer.
As the pair bond over failed freestyles and parental pressures, they learn more from each other than they ever could have anticipated.
When Rosie humiliates herself in front of the whole school at the swimming carnival, she vows she'll never step foot in the water again.
Well, until Jake Tran, the best swimmer (and hottest boy) in her year says he will give her swimming lessons.
Against all the voices in her head screaming that it's a bad idea, she takes him up on his offer.
As the pair bond over failed freestyles and parental pressures, they learn more from each other than they ever could have anticipated.
96 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2021
4 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Guillaume
5 books775 followersJenna Guillaume is a journalist and the author of young adult rom-coms What I Like About Me and You Were Made for Me, as well as the novella The Deep End.
Formerly features editor of Girlfriend magazine and editor-at-large for BuzzFeed Australia, Jenna now writes for publications such as BuzzFeed, Junkee, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and MTV News about very important things like pop culture, identity, feminism, social media and her fave OTPs.
Jenna appears regularly as a moderator and panellist at festivals, and also works as a social media consultant with brands such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In her downtime, Jenna can be found cuddling her dogs, reading fanfic, and spending way too much time on Twitter.
Formerly features editor of Girlfriend magazine and editor-at-large for BuzzFeed Australia, Jenna now writes for publications such as BuzzFeed, Junkee, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and MTV News about very important things like pop culture, identity, feminism, social media and her fave OTPs.
Jenna appears regularly as a moderator and panellist at festivals, and also works as a social media consultant with brands such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In her downtime, Jenna can be found cuddling her dogs, reading fanfic, and spending way too much time on Twitter.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 10, 2022
Man, I felt the humiliation of this one alongside Rosie.
Her school makes entering a race at swimming carnival compulsory, and she has to stop for a break. Only then she sees that everybody else has finished. And she's in the non-competitors event.
You can just feel a little bit of your soul shrivelling alongside Rosie's. (It might just be me, but swimming carnival mishaps always hit home).
Beyond that, it was a sweet read about friendship and overcoming adversities. It is only really short, so some of the more difficult issues it attempts to tackle only get glanced as, but for what it was it was an amazing read. I'd love a full-length novel of this one.
Her school makes entering a race at swimming carnival compulsory, and she has to stop for a break. Only then she sees that everybody else has finished. And she's in the non-competitors event.
You can just feel a little bit of your soul shrivelling alongside Rosie's. (It might just be me, but swimming carnival mishaps always hit home).
Beyond that, it was a sweet read about friendship and overcoming adversities. It is only really short, so some of the more difficult issues it attempts to tackle only get glanced as, but for what it was it was an amazing read. I'd love a full-length novel of this one.
September 2, 2021
Trigger warnings: mental health
This was really stinking cute and very, VERY relatable. The horrors of being a fat girl forced to participate in house swimming definitely hit closer to home than I anticipated. I definitely didn't expect the mental health elements of the storyline and I feel like they were well handled. The characters were lovely and there was plenty of diversity in the story. There's also plenty of humour, which is expected with Guillaume's work. All in all, this was a lovely way to end my reading month.
This was really stinking cute and very, VERY relatable. The horrors of being a fat girl forced to participate in house swimming definitely hit closer to home than I anticipated. I definitely didn't expect the mental health elements of the storyline and I feel like they were well handled. The characters were lovely and there was plenty of diversity in the story. There's also plenty of humour, which is expected with Guillaume's work. All in all, this was a lovely way to end my reading month.
October 16, 2021
Adorable characters, fabulously sweet story, and a gripping page-turner. This 86-page novella has great voice. The main protagonist, while self-effacing, delivers her point of view in a delightful and heartfelt way taking us on a journey that is engaging and highly relateable.
June 8, 2022
It was rlly short, but VERY good! I do wish it was longer though.
December 31, 2024
I do like this story. It's short and sweet.
BUT
My problem is that the male romantic interest is Asian and good at swimming and the whole setting is basically swimming carnival & the pool etc. Which reminds me too too much of my own kid (he is 15yo) and just gave the whole book a "wrong" vibe to me 😆😅 I can't help it! 😮💨
BUT
My problem is that the male romantic interest is Asian and good at swimming and the whole setting is basically swimming carnival & the pool etc. Which reminds me too too much of my own kid (he is 15yo) and just gave the whole book a "wrong" vibe to me 😆😅 I can't help it! 😮💨
September 5, 2021
Another beautiful book from Jenna Guillaume!
I absolutely loved this short story/novella. Jenna writes dialogue so well, the characters are gorgeous and realistic, I was having flashbacks of myself being stuck at school swimming carnivals, hating life and being awkward.
Absolutely recommend!
I absolutely loved this short story/novella. Jenna writes dialogue so well, the characters are gorgeous and realistic, I was having flashbacks of myself being stuck at school swimming carnivals, hating life and being awkward.
Absolutely recommend!
January 2, 2022
Perfect way to end the year, grinning like a fool at the sweetest of YA novellas.
I remember the anxiety and personal horrors of Swim Carnivals, and I was actually somewhat alright at swimming if not the worst! That this story didn’t devolve into secondhand embarrassment is a feat.
“After a moment, I catch my breath, and then I swim again.
I swim away my frustration, and my hurt, and my yearning. I swim until my head is empty and my heart is full. I know all those emotions will be back later, but just for this moment, I'm here, in my body, feeling it as it propels me through the water. Feeling its power. My power.”
― p. 71
We all deserve a Jake Tran to teach us how to swim. Soft, considerate, gentle and funny: what a delight to read a teenage boy who’s as wholesome and silly as they can be. Rosie and his shared discussions - particularly about bodies and anxieties - left me feeling warm. I even laughed out loud when Rosie expressed her shame at stretch marks and in typical boyish fashion, his reaction is to be a little ridiculous. A reaction that’s and more or less: You Think You Have Stretch Marks? Look! At! These! *flaunts his own stretch marks* (I should point out he’s not dismissive or unkind, just playful. It makes the interaction healing)
He pats the concrete again. 'Come on. Legs in the water. We're starting with kicks.’
'Can't we do that in the water?' My voice is tight.
Jake pauses, considering my question, before nodding and hopping into the pool. 'Alright. In you get.’ His voice is softer than it was before. He looks the other way without me having to ask.
― p. 34
I think the power of this story is in those quiet, considerate moments. The story’s less then 100 pages but in that time Guillaume has managed to bring her cast to life as whole human beings. Their totality makes them feel like friends, from Rosie’s efforts, Jake’s care, Preeti’s steadfastness and Lizard’s sheer silliness.
“Now, every time Jake so much as glances in my general direction in Food Tech, she sends me a look with a distinct glint in her eye. I love her to Pluto and back, but god, she has no chill.”
― p. 32
A true delight and the best way to end 2021 was this short story. I look forward to see future titles Australia Reads releases.
I remember the anxiety and personal horrors of Swim Carnivals, and I was actually somewhat alright at swimming if not the worst! That this story didn’t devolve into secondhand embarrassment is a feat.
“After a moment, I catch my breath, and then I swim again.
I swim away my frustration, and my hurt, and my yearning. I swim until my head is empty and my heart is full. I know all those emotions will be back later, but just for this moment, I'm here, in my body, feeling it as it propels me through the water. Feeling its power. My power.”
― p. 71
We all deserve a Jake Tran to teach us how to swim. Soft, considerate, gentle and funny: what a delight to read a teenage boy who’s as wholesome and silly as they can be. Rosie and his shared discussions - particularly about bodies and anxieties - left me feeling warm. I even laughed out loud when Rosie expressed her shame at stretch marks and in typical boyish fashion, his reaction is to be a little ridiculous. A reaction that’s and more or less: You Think You Have Stretch Marks? Look! At! These! *flaunts his own stretch marks* (I should point out he’s not dismissive or unkind, just playful. It makes the interaction healing)
He pats the concrete again. 'Come on. Legs in the water. We're starting with kicks.’
'Can't we do that in the water?' My voice is tight.
Jake pauses, considering my question, before nodding and hopping into the pool. 'Alright. In you get.’ His voice is softer than it was before. He looks the other way without me having to ask.
― p. 34
I think the power of this story is in those quiet, considerate moments. The story’s less then 100 pages but in that time Guillaume has managed to bring her cast to life as whole human beings. Their totality makes them feel like friends, from Rosie’s efforts, Jake’s care, Preeti’s steadfastness and Lizard’s sheer silliness.
“Now, every time Jake so much as glances in my general direction in Food Tech, she sends me a look with a distinct glint in her eye. I love her to Pluto and back, but god, she has no chill.”
― p. 32
A true delight and the best way to end 2021 was this short story. I look forward to see future titles Australia Reads releases.
June 9, 2022
Awwww this was so damn sweet! I adored 'What I Like About Me', so this was clearly in my wheelhouse.
I loved that this was a quick story to read, and of course while I would love more wherever Jenna Guillaume is concerned because her writing is amazing, I reckon this would be the perfect thing for the Australia Reads project. It very much read like a one-shot manga which I love, love, loveeeee, and have been devouring recently, so honestly if these shorter stories released like this were to become a thing (not in a short-story collection) I would be all for it!
Honestly this book made me want to jump straight back into the pool - it's been way too long!
I loved that this was a quick story to read, and of course while I would love more wherever Jenna Guillaume is concerned because her writing is amazing, I reckon this would be the perfect thing for the Australia Reads project. It very much read like a one-shot manga which I love, love, loveeeee, and have been devouring recently, so honestly if these shorter stories released like this were to become a thing (not in a short-story collection) I would be all for it!
Honestly this book made me want to jump straight back into the pool - it's been way too long!
November 14, 2021
Imagine the worst swimming carnival in the world! The one where you have to swim and you can't finish a lap. And you have to bail out of the pool in front of the whole school. And every single person is watching you and you just want to die!
I loved this book. A sweet escape where the girl who can't swim, meets a boy, and learns to swim.
Highly recommended.
I loved this book. A sweet escape where the girl who can't swim, meets a boy, and learns to swim.
Highly recommended.
September 20, 2021
A crisp read. About parents and children. About things said and unsaid. How the intentions and outcomes conflict. About learning to trust each other. About shedding inhibitions. A whole lot of emotions covered in this captivating and heartwarming story.
September 29, 2021
Absolutely loved this- in lockdown I lose the ability to read anything beyond the news & this was so great. Loved the story and wish someone would snap up the film rights as would love watch this play out on screen. 4 stars.
October 23, 2021
The Deep End is a novella by Jenna Guillaume, the 2021 Australia Reads ambassador. I really enjoyed this sweet YA story about Rosie and Jake. The first chapter described my swimming style perfectly and had me laughing as well as cringing!
September 24, 2021
This was an easy reading love story, centred around learning to swim. It was quick and well-paced. The characters are believable.
September 25, 2021
Rosie hits a new level of low when she humiliates herself at the school swimming Carnival. She swears there and then she’ll never set foot in a pool again.
Jake is the best swimmer and possibly the hottest guy in school. He offers to give Rosie some swimming lessons. What more does she have to loose?
Against all the odds she takes Jake up on his offer and the pair bond over freestyle and teenage pressure!
I love @jennaguillaume writing and loved this short story. It awkward and it was a super cute #loveOzya story about learning to overcome your fears and touches on mental health in a delicate way.
Jake is the best swimmer and possibly the hottest guy in school. He offers to give Rosie some swimming lessons. What more does she have to loose?
Against all the odds she takes Jake up on his offer and the pair bond over freestyle and teenage pressure!
I love @jennaguillaume writing and loved this short story. It awkward and it was a super cute #loveOzya story about learning to overcome your fears and touches on mental health in a delicate way.
September 18, 2021
A short but sweet read. I’ve followed the author on Twitter for a little while now as we seem to share similar pop culture interests. This was my first foray into her published writing and I really enjoyed it. It definitely brings back memories of my own school days and similar experiences with school swimming carnivals.
September 9, 2021
Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect book to read on the beach on the first warm day after winter
September 19, 2021
Such an adorable, sweet, heartfelt quick read.
July 25, 2024
it was fun
August 25, 2024
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
I honestly love everything Jenna Guillaume has written! I adore her characters, there is something so charming about them. The Deep End is a short novella about Rosie and Jake. Rosie is forced to enter the swimming carnival even though she is woeful swimmer.
Safe to say it doesn't end well and she is left embarrassed as she exits the water.
Insert Jake Tran, school swimming athlete.
He sees her bungle and takes it upon himself to help her learn to swim.
So, a friendship blossoms between the two and evolves into a romance which was just so sweet and innocent to read. Rosie's bestfriend Preeti reminds me of so many of my friends! and Lizard, Jakes' friend, reminds me of so many of the guys I went to school with.
This book is less than 100 pages and I giggled and fangirled so many times because it was just so stinking cute!
I found this book so relatable! It just took me back to high school and to the days I used to spend swimming in a team and floating in my family pool.
I honestly need more work from this wonderful author! I adore everything she writes!
I honestly love everything Jenna Guillaume has written! I adore her characters, there is something so charming about them. The Deep End is a short novella about Rosie and Jake. Rosie is forced to enter the swimming carnival even though she is woeful swimmer.
Safe to say it doesn't end well and she is left embarrassed as she exits the water.
Insert Jake Tran, school swimming athlete.
He sees her bungle and takes it upon himself to help her learn to swim.
So, a friendship blossoms between the two and evolves into a romance which was just so sweet and innocent to read. Rosie's bestfriend Preeti reminds me of so many of my friends! and Lizard, Jakes' friend, reminds me of so many of the guys I went to school with.
This book is less than 100 pages and I giggled and fangirled so many times because it was just so stinking cute!
I found this book so relatable! It just took me back to high school and to the days I used to spend swimming in a team and floating in my family pool.
I honestly need more work from this wonderful author! I adore everything she writes!
September 14, 2021
Very cute YA novelette. I could definitely relate, having been pulled out of the pool at two separate swimming carnivals!
January 13, 2023
Rosie can’t swim, but somehow, her mother thinks that trying hard and grim determination are enough. No, that’s not the case. Humiliation at the school swimming carnival is the only outcome when Rosie enters the compulsory novelty race.
Jake Tran is a champion swimmer and insists that he teach Rosie how to swim to avoid the guilt of reading sometime in the future when she has drowned, and he could have done something about it. Rosie slowly gets the idea of swimming, but Jake tells her that it is not all about her. What does Jake have to deal with?
I enjoyed the pace and characters in this short story.
Recommended for readers 10-14 years
Jake Tran is a champion swimmer and insists that he teach Rosie how to swim to avoid the guilt of reading sometime in the future when she has drowned, and he could have done something about it. Rosie slowly gets the idea of swimming, but Jake tells her that it is not all about her. What does Jake have to deal with?
I enjoyed the pace and characters in this short story.
Recommended for readers 10-14 years
February 11, 2022
when i saw that this was an australian author and that she had written about the swimming carnival i just had to pick it up straight away. this book was a quick read. the author was absolutely right when she mentioned that this book will offer you a brief and sweet escape. it took me back to my high school days which i miss.
November 9, 2022
Very cute little read about the horrors of the school swimming carnival (can relate omg). I liked the friendships that were forged in the short but sweet plot, and even the relationships felt real. Of course things could have been more developed but it didn’t affect my enjoyment.
November 10, 2022
Really great quick read, parts I didn’t like but overall a pretty good book. Preeti is my fav character in the book she probs like the only one I actually like, Rosie is ok but preeti is better hahah. Def recommend for a quick read that won’t be shit
November 16, 2021
A quick read romance for teenagers.
May 13, 2022
Predictable, but cute and an easy read.
July 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! Tbh I got it at Kmart for 10c and I really thought that it would be no good. But it was a cute romance and I found some of it highly relatable!!
December 30, 2022
Such a cute little story, made me smile so much. Jake and Rosie are so cute 🤍 It was really good to read a story set in Australia this time rather than them almost always being in America
January 10, 2023
Such an adorable book. Was waiting to read it for the longest time but it was so worth it. Wish it was longer
March 6, 2023
Took me an hour to read, I absolutely loved it. Such a well written book with great messages in it :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews