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

Forced into counseling and ordered to keep a journal, Nick has to confront the truth. But is he his father’s son, or can he break the cycle for good?

• From the Abuser’s Perspective: An unflinching look at a troubled relationship told entirely through the eyes of Nick, a popular, wealthy teenager who abuses his girlfriend.
• Family Violence: Nick is perfect on the outside, but at home he lives in constant fear of his father’s rage—a secret he’s never shared with anyone but Caitlin.
• Teen Anger and Jealousy: When Nick’s love for Caitlin turns into possessiveness and rage, he must confront the demons he inherited from his father.
• A Thought-Provoking Social Issues Novel: A powerful and necessary read for teens, parents, and educators that tackles the difficult subject of dating abuse with raw honesty.