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Unabridged Digital Audiobook
Runtime: 12 hours, 41 minutes
Read by Laura Bell Bundy
Our first love can be exciting and invigorating—but it can also be absolutely devastating when it comes to an end. And in the audio edition of The Trouble with Drowning by author Heather Hach, a difficult breakup causes a young woman to spiral into mental illness.
The story begins as aspiring writer Kat Lamb meets her new roommate’s handsome brother, Jacob. The two have an instant connection—and Jacob finds himself smitten with this beautiful and unpredictable young woman. Jacob is Kat’s first love—the first person she’s truly trusted after growing up in the foster system—and their relationship inspires her to finish her memoir. As Kat’s behavior becomes more and more erratic, Jacob realizes that it’s more than he can handle. But Kat refuses to accept the end of their relationship—and she becomes determined to win him back, no matter what it takes.
Heartbroken over their painful breakup, Kat is no longer just eccentric and unpredictable; she comes unhinged, losing the ability to manage her emotions and her actions. Admittedly, the earlier parts of the story are already difficult enough to read—because Kat’s behavior is often cringe-worthy. She obsesses about Jacob and his family, desperate to get them to like her—and every unfortunate move just makes everything so much worse.
As the story continues, it gives readers a little bit of hope for Kat’s story—that she’ll get the help she needs and she’ll be able to move on to a successful life as an author. But her obsessions only grow, building her story into a kind of terrible train wreck. Readers will read on—sometimes almost reluctantly—knowing that it just can’t end well.
Though Kat’s obsessions and schemes make for a tense and suspenseful read, it can also be painful to follow her story. At times, it can feel too drawn-out, as the author takes her time in developing characters and their relationships—some of which simply seem to fade away. It’s definitely an uneasy experience—an agonizing tale of heartbreak and mental illness that isn’t for the faint of heart.
The Trouble with Drowning tackles some difficult topics that may be triggering for some and just plain uncomfortable for others—so readers will want to proceed with caution. It’s a long and rather disheartening read—far from the light, uplifting story that will help you relax after a stressful day.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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