Breathing Underwater

Don’t miss this timely contemporary young adult novel from Alex Flinn, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beastly, about a teenage boy’s struggle to break free from the cycle of abuse.

“Gripping.” —Publishers Weekly

Intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteen-year-old Nick Andreas is pretty much perfect—on the outside, at least. What no one knows—not even his best friend—is the terror and anger that Nick faces every time he is alone with his father.

Then he and Caitlin fall in love, and Nick thinks his problems are over. Caitlin is the one person he can confide in, the only person who understands him. But when Nick’s anger and jealousy overtake him, things begin to spiral out of control and Nick realizes that he’s more his father’s son than he wants to be.

Now Nick must confront his inner demons to stop the history of violence from repeating itself.

Winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Award

An ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults

An International Reading Association Young Adult Choices List Pick

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age Pick

“A quick and absorbing read. The situations and dialogue ring frighteningly true.” - ALA Booklist

“An outstanding first novel. An important book.” - KLIATT

“The messages of teenage love turned dangerous are powerful, and this highly recommended book should be required reading for all teenagers.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Gripping.” - Publishers Weekly

“Flinn’s use of Nick as narrator is unusual and provocative, and there’s impact as well as insight in his long refusal to acknowledge his own culpability.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“An open and honest portrayal of an all-too-common problem.” - School Library Journal