Girl out of Water by Laura Silverman

Girl out of Water

by Laura Silverman

Fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han will feel right at home in this heartfelt coming-of-age story about a homesick girl who gives up her summer plans to help her distant family—only to find everything she was looking for, including love.
Ocean breeze in her hair and sand between her toes, Anise can't wait to spend the summer before her senior year surfing and hanging out on the beach with friends. Santa Cruz is more than her home—it's her heart. But when her aunt, a single mother, is in a serious car accident, Anise must say goodbye to California to help care for her three young cousins.
Landlocked Nebraska is the last place Anise wants to be. Sure, she loves her family, but living in her mother's childhood home—the same mother who disappeared out of her life when she was born—brings up memories and feelings she would rather forget. And with every photo and text, her friends back home feel further away.
Then she meets Lincoln, a charismatic, one-armed skater who dares her to swap her surfboard for a skateboard. Anise isn't one to shy away from a challenge. Her days with Lincoln are the most fun she's had all summer and skating together makes her feel more alive and free than she ever has.
Because sometimes the only way to find your footing is to let go.
Perfect for readers who like:Teen romance booksTeen realistic fiction booksHeartfelt summer readsTell Me Three Things and Five Feet ApartPraise for Girl out of Water:
A Junior Library Guild Selection!
"Hand to fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han."—Booklist
"A novel that reads like a warm summer afternoon."—Paste Magazine
"[A]n entertaining and well-done coming-of-age story."—RT Book Reviews
"[W]orthy of a spot in any teen's beach bag."—School Library Journal
Also by Laura Silverman:
You Asked for Perfect

Reviewed by Chelsea on

4 of 5 stars

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** I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **

Those that know me know that I'm not usually a contemporary person. I'll read them but I'll get bored and give them low ratings. Not the case with Girl Out of Water! There were enough events happening throughout the story to really keep my attention which helped me to keep reading. I actually had a hard time putting it down, mostly because it was just a happy book full of adorable things. Sure there was some not so happy events but the whole book had a 'feel good' kind of feeling and that's what made it so addicting.

One thing I have to point out is the diversity. Girl Out of Water hit quite a few of those points but it was all so casual which was amazing! A lot of the time book will throw diversity in your face but in Girl Out of Water it was just another addition to the story that made it a fantastic read.

I also really loved the sports vibe in this book. Surfing and skateboarding which isn't something I thought would go together but in this story it worked perfectly together.

This was generally just a happy book. It made me feel good while reading it and I felt great after finishing. The main character Anise felt her age but she had to mature a little quickly at some parts and she wasn't always graceful about it which made her feel more realistic to me. She was surrounded by her family for most of the book but her friends were around too and they were all these really interesting characters. Definitely a book I'd recommend.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 May, 2017: Finished reading
  • 6 May, 2017: Reviewed