Today I have a review of Swimming for Sunlight by Allie Larkin. This precious book will be available from Atria Books on Tuesday, April 23, 2019!
My Thoughts:
Ahh, Swimming for Sunlight is so sweet and refreshing! Just what I needed!
Katie is an aspiring costume designer, and I knew she was my kind of gal when I read she gave up everything in her divorce settlement- everything- in order to keep her rescue dog. At a loss on what her next steps should be, Katie moves home to Florida to live with her grandmother. Her former underwater performer grandmother.
Nan was a mermaid performer in a roadside show, and she had a group of close friends who performed with her. Unfortunately, the women lost touch over the years, but Katie helps Nan find her friends via social media in hopes of reuniting them for one more show. Of course, if this happens, Katie will make the costumes!
Katie’s college boyfriend, Luca, re-enters the scene. Now a documentary filmmaker, Katie is feeling sparks between them. Katie has a real battle between all of her dreams and her anxiety holding her back from obtaining them. She makes a connection between her own fear and the anxiety her dog experiences. This aspect was SO sensitive and well-done, it melts my heart just thinking about it again.
Swimming for Sunlight is a charming and moving story. If you are a lover of dogs or any animal, you can’t miss it, and even if you aren’t, this is a beautiful story that is sure to capture your heart like it did mine. Will Katie and Bark find their happily ever after?
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
When recently divorced Katie Ellis and her rescue dog Bark move back in with Katie’s grandmother in Florida, she becomes swept up in a reunion of her grandmother’s troupe of underwater performers—finding hope and renewal in unexpected places, in this sweet novel perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Claire Cook.
Aspiring costume designer Katie gave up everything in her divorce to gain custody of her fearful, faithful rescue dog, Barkimedes. While she figures out what to do next, she heads back to Florida to live with her grandmother, Nan.
But Katie quickly learns there’s a lot she doesn’t know about Nan—like the fact that in her youth Nan was a mermaid performer in a roadside attraction show, swimming and dancing underwater with a close-knit cast of talented women. Although most of the mermaids have since lost touch, Katie helps Nan search for her old friends on Facebook, sparking hopes for a reunion show. Katie is up for making some fabulous costumes, but first, she has to contend with her crippling fear of water.
As Katie’s college love Luca, a documentary filmmaker, enters the fray, Katie struggles to balance her hopes with her anxiety, and begins to realize just how much Bark’s fears are connected to her own, in this thoughtful, charming novel about hope after loss and friendships that span generations.
Have you read Swimming for Sunlight, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
That’s awesome! I’m would give everything up for my kids and cats.
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Me, too, Jen! I loved this endearing story!
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Lovely review Jen! I’m reading this one now and loving it! Nan is hysterical!! My review will go up On 4/23……Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine while we have it!🌻🌷😊💜
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Thanks, Sus! YAY! I’m so happy you are reading and loving this, too! Nan was the best! I’ll be watching for your thoughts! It was a beautiful day today! ♥️
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Katie sounds like a wonderful character, Jen! I love the way this one sounds and I’m adding it. Lovely review. ❤
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I think you’ll love this, M! It’s so refreshing and warmhearted! ♥️
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Sounds super and I love the cover and the title.
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Thanks, Marialyce! I really loved this one!
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I’m loving that title- evocative of summer romance 🙂
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So true, Jacquie! It’s a special book!
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Adding this to my TBR mountain!
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Such a good one to add, Carol!
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Wonderful review and picture, Jennifer! I added this women’s fiction to my tbr list. Happy Reading!
🌹🌹💕📚🌺😘
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Thanks, Virginia. I know you will LOVE this precious book! I can’t wait for you to read it! ♥️
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This sounds like such a lovely book, I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. Great review 🙂
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Thanks, Hayley! It was such a sweet read with so much warmth! And a doggie! ♥️
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Very nice!! Terrific review!
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Thanks, Dee! It was such a terrific read!
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I’m definitely an animal lover, so this sounds like an intriguing one for me! Great review.
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Thanks, Chrissi! I loved this warmhearted book SO much!
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This sounds like a wonderful and heartwarming story! Fab review.
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Thanks, Yvo! It was so heartwarming and endearing and just everything good!
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Lovely review, Jennifer. I love the premise to this one:). And that fern is sooo cute:)
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Thanks, Sarah! It’s a wonderful premise- so important too. I love that little baby fern also!
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Fernlet? Fernling? Mini-fern?
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Oh, I like the sound of this one💜 Wonderful and lovely review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Jonetta! It was such a special read and I want it to get some love! ♥️
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Any book that includes a dog in the story line gains a big green tick from me! This sounds like such a lovely story!
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This is such a sweet book, Darina! I hope you get a chance to read it! ♥️
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Excellent review! I’m sure I’d enjoy it.
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Thanks, Anne! It was so fantastic!
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Love your review Jennifer. I finished this over the weekend and simply adored it!
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Thanks, Mackey! Yay, I’m so happy you loved it, too! It’s such a special book!
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After reading Mackey’s review I added this one to my TBR and your review has sealed the deal. Wonderful to read your thoughts on this one.
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Thanks, Carla! I imagine you loving this one because I know your love for dogs. It’s such an endearing read, and I loved the characters. They stay with you! ♥️
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You are right, I love stories with dogs. I am sure I will love it.
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I’m always such a sucker for a story with a dog in it… and this one sounds rather unique. I can honestly say that I’ve never read a story with former mermaid performers! Need to check this one out.
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