Breathing Under Water, Jacqueline Friedland (Review by Lara Ferguson)
Rating; 4.0/5 Stars
What happens when the people who seem strongest are barely keeping their heads above water? Jacqueline Friedland’s Breathing Under Water explores the invisible burdens people carry—and how easily a polished exterior can hide a life in turmoil and how quickly it can all fall apart.
McKenna is a smart, driven college student and talented athlete who seems to know exactly where she is going. Underneath, though, she is hanging by a thread, and one setback can send everything spinning off course.
Berry is in a different stage of life but under the same kind of strain. A mom, wife, and professional, she balances a demanding job, a strong marriage, and raising an autistic son. She looks capable and composed, yet she, too, is trying to hold together more than anyone realizes.
The way their lives become entangled is unexpected but genuine. When McKenna and Berry’s son become friends as they teach a summer camp together, crises involving money, family, accusations of vandalism, and long-hidden truths push both women to the point where pretending to be fine is no longer possible. Friedland balances tension with revelation and real growth, keeping the reader invested not only in what might happen, but also in who these women would become.
Another surprise in this story is the depth Friedland gives the secondary characters. They have their own needs, flaws, and surprises, adding emotional weight to the central relationships. Even their frustrating choices make sense once we understand the fear, love, or desperation behind them.
The ending absolutely got me—I cried—and the emotion felt earned. The novel has plenty to say about trust, honesty, self-knowledge, and how differently two people can experience the same situation. Most of all, it reminds us that everyone is carrying something we may not see.
I definitely recommend Breathing Under Water. It is thoughtful without being heavy-handed, emotional without losing momentum, and filled with genuinely human characters. Its lasting message is simple but important: look more closely, listen more carefully, and ask for help before you go under.