The Easy Part of Impossible

by Sarah Tomp

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Ria had dedicated years and countless hours in her quest to be the best diver. After abruptly quitting the sport, she was lost. Renewing her friendship with cartographer pal, Cotton, helped her map her way back to herself and her passion.

I cannot hold it in any longer! I absolutely fell in love with this book, and I sort of don't even know where to start explaining why I loved it. So, let's start with Ria. Ria had been through so much, and it pained me to hear about all the things that had happened to her.

Here was this girl, with ADHD, who had struggled in school, but had finally found an outlet and a place where she could succeed. At the pool, Ria was a star, but it came at a cost. Her coach was possessive and controlling, and ultimately, physically and emotionally abusive. His behaviors were revealed over the course of the book, and with each flashback and revelation, Ria tried to justify or explain it away. She practically had battered woman syndrome or Stockholm syndrome, and it was heartbreaking. He stole something she loved from her. He took her trust and her passion, and while he was at it, he took her self esteem. Ria was convinced that the only was to escape Benny was to give up diving, which was her oxygen, her lifeblood, but thank goodness Cotton re-entered her life, and helped her see things through a different lens.

Dear, sweet Cotton. Just thinking about him brings a smile to my face. His passion for map making and spelunking was contagious, and it was such an interesting part of this story. However, even without those things, he was a wonderful character. He was gentle and kind, and he was able to see the truth in a situation. He also loved fiercely, and was protective of those he cared for. I was so happy Ria had him in her corner, because she really needed someone, who could truly see her, and be there, as she tried to overcome the scars of her past.

And did I mention what an adorable little romance Tomp gave us? I was shipping Ria and Cotton from the get, and it was beautiful watching their relationship take shape and grow. These two went back a long way, to the resource room in grade school. Both Ria and Cotton were neurodiverse (ADHD, ASD), and their past was something that bound them together. Their interactions were sweet, awkward, and honest, and they never failed to make me smile.

I must confess, there was a small thing that bothered me. I felt like Tomp planted some seeds relating to a subplot, and then just abandoned them. I think I may have been really disappointed, because I wanted them to lead to something. But, alas, they did not.

Still, this was wonderful story of a young women finding the strength to confront her abuser, and reclaim what was rightfully her's. Tomp handled the heavier topics with care, and did a phenomenal job balancing out the sad and weightier parts with some really sweet and joyful parts.

It wasn't always easy, but in the end, Ria's journey came to a satisfying new beginning.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS