Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland (Review by Ali Cicerchi)

Rating: 4/5

The secrets we keep to protect our loved ones; the depths of sacrifice we will go to, to ensure someone else’s
good fortune. In Florence Adler Swims Forever, it’s 1934 and summer in Atlantic City. Author Rachel Beanland’s
debut novel paints a vivid picture of life on the shore. The Adler family have rented out their home and made their annual trek to the beach for the summer.

Esther and Joseph have raised two daughters – Fannie and Florence – who are at different points in their lives but both have their eyes fixed on the future, to their goals.

Fannie is on bed rest in the local hospital, pregnant with her third child, after tragedy struck her second. Her daughter Gussie, staying with her grandparents and aunt. Florence is preparing to swim the English Channel toward the end of summer. She is out training one morning when the unthinkable happens – Florence has drowned. Not a spoiler, I promise. One would find this out reading the book jacket.

As one of my favorite podcast’s says – this book was a breath of fresh! The family secrets were intoxicating yet still light enough to not feel burdened while reading. You want to find out how everyone is going to react. The characters are well-written, and I just flew through this book. The ending left a bit to be desired for me, but I like all my ends tied up in a bow. I don’t think I was quite ready to be done with the Adler family!