It’s hard for so many books in this genre to hold the creepy or mysterious vibe for a good portion of the book. Pleased with this one. I was anxious to see around each corner. The homeless start to the book drew me in quickly. A nice steady build. ( )

Such a breathless page-turner! This book kept me guessing to the very last page. The ending was very satisfying. Taut writing and unpredictable story. Will read more by Robyn Harding! ( )

Lee, a victim of the pandemic, lost her restaurant and living out of her car. She meets Hazel, a wealthy woman trying to end it all to escape an abusive marriage. The two become fast friends and soon find out they have a lot in common…more than they bargained for.

Lee and Hazel tell their individual stories, both are sad, realistic and relatable. The first part definitely hooked me, not sure how it would all come together. It lolled me into a false sense of security, and then took me thru many different emotions. Moving on to the second part is where Harding lost me. We see the same scenarios but thru each women’s point of view. I found the back and forth a little redundant and a few of the storylines far fetched and a few unnecessary. I found the ending somewhat of a letdown. The female characters came off as naive and gullible. The male character were egocentric, condescending and abusive.

Even though this wasn’t the 5 Star read I had hoped for, Harding’s writing is top notch and will keep you entertained to the ending. Take this book if your going on a late summer vacation. I look forward to Ms. Harding’s next book. ( )

Loved it. This book grabbed me from the beginning and never let go.

Lee is homeless when she saves a drowning woman, Hazel. The two women become friends, although there are plenty of twists that point to something else really going on.

Unlike some books of this genre, this one didn't stretch the bounds of credibility too far. Exciting, and never completely implausible. ( )

The Short of It:

Harding does it again.

The Rest of It:

"Lee Gulliver never thought she’d find herself living on the streets–no one ever does–but when her restaurant fails, and she falls deeper into debt, she leaves her old life behind with nothing but her clothes and her Toyota Corolla. In Seattle, she parks in a secluded spot by the beach to lay low and plan her next move–until early one morning, she sees a sobbing woman throw herself into the ocean. Lee hauls the woman back to the surface, but instead of appreciation, she is met with fury." ~ Indiebound

I’ve read a few Harding books and they never fail to pull me right in. I mean, to the point where everything is pushed aside so I can be left to read. The Drowning Woman was no exception.

Lee, forced to live in her car and desperate for human interaction can’t help but fall under Hazel’s spell. What is this woman’s story? Why is she trying to kill herself? Outward appearances will tell you that Hazel has everything. A gorgeous beach house, money at her disposal and a handsome husband. But Hazel’s life is a mess and she wants out. Is Lee desperate enough to get tangled up in this web of lies if it means a chance to improve her life?

There are plenty of plot twists to keep the story moving. I eagerly picked the book up in-between work assignments, chores, and the like. I enjoyed it!! Recommend.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. ( )