Dieses Buch war das erste Buch, das ich je gelesen habe, das die Story eines Protagonisten mit einer Behinderung erzählte. Die Protagonistin muss man einfach gern haben und man schöpft als Leser durch sie Kraft, da sie sich von nichts unterkriegen lässt.

Tolles Buch für den Sommer.

I really loved this one. Not only does it center on a fictional version of Weeki Watchee Springs State Park in the next county over from me, but the main character has hip dysplasia. May aunt, aged 79, was diagnosed with congenital dislocation of the hip in her early twenties, which is another name for hip dysplasia.

Veronica has been through several surgeries in an effort to correct her hip and the scars look like a road map. However, it becomes clear that her parents have been keeping her in the dark about just what those surgeries were for and her prognosis for the future. They are extremely protective of her due to the hip dysplasia, but to the point that Veronica feels oppressed by them as they won't let her make her own decisions about her body. She is also self conscious about her scars as they draw stares and questions, but later owns the scars when someone at Mermaid Cove photoshops them out of a picture showing her progression to accepting her disorder as a part of her.

Thankfully, my parents never kept me in the dark about my condition, nor did my doctors. But Veronica experiences what a lot of disabled and chronically ill kids and adults face, being ignored in appointments as the doctors talk to the care givers about pain levels etc. Veronica slowly takes charge at an appointment as she realizes the information the doctor is giving isn't new to her parents. Only then does the doctor also realize that her parents have been keeping her in the dark, begin to address her more, and let her know the decision to have surgery and when is hers, not theirs, as only she can tell when her body needs it. This is a great illustration of what many face and go through when dealing with their medical care.

Veronica's father is also very against her dreams of being a mermaid. He thinks it's all fantasy and she should focus on practical things for her future. He thinks the mermaids are inappropriate and will lead to "promiscuity". He also feels that one kiss with a boy will lead to sex and Veronica being pregnant, and oh boy does all this feel familiar. My dad may not have been an immigrant with high hopes to integrate his family, but as a working class man who never finished school, he placed a lot of the same pressures on me to achieve in school in order to go to college and get a career. While I know many children of immigrants will relate to this, I found it be relatable too as the first generation to attend college. Her father's attitude toward dating is also very familiar. My dad is in his 80s and old fashioned, a date automatically means marriage to him etc. I was told at twenty I couldn't date without permission. So when Veronica's dad flies off the handle at even the suggestion that she could be interested in a boy it was all super relatable.

A main theme in the book is Veronica standing up for herself and seizing what she wants in life as well as what she does with her body. Veronica takes an opportunity to be a mermaid even though she knows her parents won't approve because it will make her happy. She feels she has to hide it out of fear of their reaction. Veronica is also learning to stand up for control over her own body, not just in terms of sexual maturity, but her surgeries and when they happen. Both are great lessons to learn for teens and young adults, as well as parents.

I was reading this on they way to and from a trip to Iowa to explore a new job opportunity I was planning on taking. My dad is, of course, dead set against it. He thinks I should stay in Florida no matter what. But I knew this new job would make me happy. So reading about a teen girl about half my age seizing her job opportunity for happiness really helped me with what I was experiencing. Proving you don't have to be a teen to need YA fiction and relate to characters as an adult and not just your teen self relating.

Mermaid Cove may be fictional, but it's inspiration is not. Weeki Watchee Springs in Hernando County has been in operation since the '40s with daily mermaid shows. My parents took me around the same age that Veronica is when she first goes. I would have loved to be a mermaid too, but I would never be able to swim without googles that cover the nose and ear plugs, and I'd never be able to get the scuba certification mentioned in the author's note. When I first heard about this book I knew I had to read it no matter what. Weeki Watchee and a disabled MC? Yes, please!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars
Breathe and Count to Ten is a story about Verónica, a Peruvian American teen born with hip dysplasia. Having had many surgeries, swimming is the best way to rehabilitate. When Mermaid Cove, a underwater attraction near her home needs a new mermaid, she wants to audition.

I hadn’t heard of this book before I came across it some while ago on NetGalley, but the synopsis is what immediately grabbed my attention! Chronic illness or permanent injuries are not topics often seen in books and when they are, a good representation is a second point not often found. Especially in books for a younger audience such as children, teens and young adults it is important to have these types of books. They can read about these characters who might have the same condition and see that it is not something bad or something to have to hide.

I will never say I understand Verónica, as I am not in the same situation as her. Yes, I’ve had many injuries from pursuing karate at an international level, but the level Verónica’s hip dysplasia affects her in her everyday live is something unknown to me. The way this book was written though made it really clear the kind of affects it does have. Some of the passages in this book, such as the one below, really made me see what living with a born disability can be like

“To this day, I don’t know how I didn’t scream. Maybe I was just used to it by then, this idea that pain is meant to be endured quietly.”

You really notice from the way this story is written, that it comes from a place of understanding on the authors part, which makes it so much more impactful when reading about Verónica’s doubts about her own body. The stifling feeling I got whenever Verónica talked to her parents, who wanted what was best for her but couldn’t really let her go.

The mental journey these characters go on, from Verónica wanting and learning to love her body to Alex who struggled with depression, I love the discussions between them about mental health and some ones view of themselves. It was really powerful to read those discussions and conversations.

The plot in this story is actually very simple, but that just gives the important topics of the characters growth and their acceptation of themselves center stage in this book. The pacing is a bit fast sometimes, but it gives a sense of rush and it fits perfectly with the feeling Verónica has of time running out before a next surgery etc.
The romance in this book is a perfect YA example. It developed a bit to quickly for my liking, a bit to much insta-love, but all the same it felt like a very healthy relationship because the communication between the two.

The family dynamics though is a relationship where a lot of time is spent on in this book. The relationship Verónica has with her parents and her sister are really an important foundation for this book and without it, this book would’ve never reached as high as it did. The realness of all the relationships, the ups and the downs, made this book come alive. Also, the Spanish added to the story made it realty authentic reading about an immigrated family. You don’t expect them to only talk English when their first language is another and I love how the Spanish language was integrated into this story.

Overall, I loved the representation in this book. They are so damn strong, mostly because of this book being and OwnVoice of the author. Even if young adult isn’t really your cup of tea, this story will blow your mind with the dept and growth of these characters.

Seventeen-year-old Veronica has hip dysplasia, a condition that has led to scarring and multiple surgeries. When she's in the water, Veronica doesn't notice the limitations of her body. Although her overprotective parents want her to get a safe summer job, Veronica is entranced by the performers at Mermaid Cove. Veronica gets an audition to be a mermaid, and she must decide whether to follow her heart or the path laid out by her family.

I enjoyed reading this title. It is definitely for young adults/teens as it contains dating and Veronica's parents often label her as "promiscua" for kissing and dating boys. There is a romance in the book that is a bit underdeveloped. If it had been lifted from the narrative, I don't think I would have missed it.

BREATHE AND COUNT BACK TO TEN by Natalia Sylvester is an upcoming YA contemporary releasing May 10th about a Peruvian American teen with hip dysplasia who auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park, all while navigating first love and learning to feel safe in her own body.⁣⁣

I am OBSESSED with this book. Natalia Sylvester has crafted an absorbing story about disability, growing up, the immigrant experience, bodily autonomy, finding love, and finding yourself. She has captured something eternal and moving in this book. I can’t tell you how many times I felt seen as a fellow disabled woman. I highlighted so many passages of her beautiful writing and wanted to hug the book to my chest. ⁣⁣

Veronica’s journey is riveting, emotional, and feels completely real. I was so invested in her story and her conflicts with her family. The element of the mermaid theme park was also fun and immersive. I predict this book will be THE read of the summer. I highly recommend you preorder now for when you’re next longing to run off to the pool. You won’t regret it!⁣

Content warnings: sexism, ableism, sexual harassment, a fade to black sex scene.

If you’re looking for the perfect read to get you into the summertime feeling, this certainly is the one. In a sunshine setting, Sylvester discusses intergenerational trauma, mental and physical health while interweaving this with first loves, friendships and a true passion for mermaids. Need I say more?

Following the story of Verónica, a Peruvian‑American teen with hip dysplasia, we journey through a summer of self discovery and a determination that sees Verónica audition to become a mermaid at a Floridian theme park. A place of childhood magic and wonder as well as a pool, the only place her body feels like it’s her own again.

Only, it’s not as simple as that. Her parents continue to treat her as a child compared the the young adult she is due to her hip dysplasia and their anti-mermaid stance (far too much skin exposure for them!) forces Verónica into lie after lie for her to achieve her one and only dream. It also doesn’t help that Verónica was caught kissing a boy in a hot tub and now her father thinks she’s prepared to kiss every boy she comes across… Which she isn’t, until she meets new boy to the block, Alex. He’s something different and Verónica is determined to make it work, with a little help from her friends and sister. It’s sure to be a summer to remember.

Sylvester does so much within the novel to give recognition to living as a biracial individual with a disability, to talking about mental health in young men, and what it’s like to be made to feel second best and to give someone a voice. Delicately balanced, these heavier discussions aren’t shied away from but buffeted between moments of sheer joy in sunshine, friendship and a true love for swimming. If you’re a water baby too, you’ll revel in these descriptions and feel a real kinship with Verónica. But most importantly, this story did feel like reading about real teenagers, living out their summer vacation stuck in the almost adult stage and discovering what lies beyond that dividing line, making decisions for themselves and dealing with the consequences. It’s a real coming of age story and done with a voice often neglected in YA - one that actually sounds authentic.

This novel tells the story of Verónica, a Peruvian American teen who dreams of performing as a mermaid. She has hip dysplasia and the water has become a place of solace for her.

I liked seeing Vero become more comfortable with her body. With her scars, she tried to hide them in the past but she is learning to accept them as just another part of who she is, not something beautiful or ugly. Her connection with water was also nice to read about.

Verónica and her family are from Peru so there was also discussion of immigration, identity and heritage. Her parents are quite strict and traditional, leading to some conflict. I think this is the first book I’ve read with a Peruvian main character, and I liked learning more about the culture and stories.

The romance was cute - nothing really stood out to me there, but it was fun to read about her and Alex. I liked the other characters, her best friend especially, and learning about the mermaids in Mermaid Cove. I’ve never heard of performing mermaids before, so it was interesting to encounter for the first time.

Overall, I think it was a very important book many people should read. It's rare you get a disabled main character in a contemporary romance, and especially on the cover, so that's really amazing!

“Unable to see my legs, I feel a kinship to the mermaids. My cast covered my left leg in its entirety and my right down to my knees. It created a dividing line between the upper and the lower parts of my body that I could and couldn’t use. Like the mermaids, I too, was a hybrid creature with two halves that didn’t match. Until I first encountered them, I’d never considered this could be beautiful.”

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Considering the rarity of good representation of chronic illness in books in general, but especially the ones for children and teens, it’s a joy to find gems like this one! Breathe and Count Back From Ten is an unforgettable YA-contemporary about a Peruvian-American girl navigating her painful hip dysplasia, overprotective immigrant parents, and first love, all while chasing her dream of becoming a professional mermaid.
Verónica has always loved the water. Not only is gravity so much kinder, allowing her to move as freely and gracefully as she wants, it’s also the home of her favourite mythological creature: the mermaid. When an opportunity opens up for a performing mermaid in the elite under-water show of a local historical site/theme-park: Roni jumps at the opportunity. The life of a performing mermaid isn’t easy however, especially when your parents, as well as the rest of the world have different ideas about what’s safe and “appropriate” for your body to do.

Having been a disabled teen who loved the water herself, I related to Verónica in many ways. I adored the many important discussions that were had here. From Roni’s split between wanting to love her body, and feeling like the world wants to erase its flaws, to her relationship with her overprotective parents who want the best for their daughter, but end up holding her too tight… It all works in this story, and clearly comes from a place of understanding and experience from the author herself. Even the romance, despite being a little too insta-love-y for my taste, won me over eventually thanks to the wonderful discussions of mental health and bodily difference had between the two.

The parallel with the mermaid mythology is where the story truly shines, as speaks from the quote above. Roni’s feeling of displacement in a world that doesn’t cater to the needs of her body, and only seems to accept her when she “masks” her differences to create the illusion of perfection struck a deep cord with me. The same goes for the performance-aspect of this elite mermaid-troup. To use Roni’s own words:

“The way she said crutch makes me feel like needing one is a bad thing. Like maybe the “magic” isn’t just about believing in mermaids; it’s about believing people like me don’t exist. Like maybe admitting I’ve needed crutches dispels the myths we want to believe about people. That we’re not perfect. That our bodies have needs. That this doesn’t make us any less real. Any less human.”

Breathe and Count Back From Ten does disability representation justice. It’s not a “inspirational tale” written by able-bodied people, for able bodied people to pity. It’s a story without a tear-jerking, preachy agenda; a love letter to bodily differences, and a tale that invites readers to see themselves in.
I truly hope this book gets the recognition and support it deserves. Not just to help (young) disabled readers see themselves in a story, but to show publishers that this is the new era of disability-fiction we want!

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Breathe and Count Back From Ten will be out in stores in May 2022.

Brilliant and profound in so many ways, I’m awestruck. I’m having a hard time encapsulating how incredible this book was in a review, because none of the words I say will do it justice.

This is my first book by Natalia Sylvester and wow the writing is flawless. Eloquent, lyrical, powerful. The switch between Spanish and English, and internal musings of Verónica were so perfect. This book tackles many deep topics. Disability, being an immigrant in America, having strict, traditional parents, poverty, medical struggles and bodily autonomy. It tells the story of a 17 year old Peruvian-American girl with hip dysplasia who dreams of being a mermaid. Yes, literally a mermaid, at an attraction called Mermaid Cove in the town she grew up in in Florida.

Overall the story is a simple one, but the beauty comes from the deeper story about an immigrant family trying to stay afloat in this often unfair country, and a disabled girl learning to love herself and her body.

“Here, it seems everyone gets to be whole but me. They get to be seen for who they are, not for what they aren’t. They get to be defined by the things they do instead of the things they don’t. Meanwhile, I get split into all these little pieces: Peruvian. Disabled. Immigrant. Fragmented as if I couldn’t possibly be everything all at once, and more.”

This is an Own Voices novel, so the author herself is Peruvian-American and has hip dysplasia. There is something always so deeply captivating with Own Voices novels - you can feel how real it is. The way Verónica described her relationship with her body - and the ways illness and disability have changed her - were so meaningful and striking, I could feel it in my soul. As a disabled woman myself, this was undeniably relatable in a way books rarely are. Illness and disability are not often at the forefront of novels, especially YA novels, but here it’s done so delicately, yet truthfully and without shame, that I can’t help but be in awe.

A stunning novel all around. I think everyone can gain something from this book.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not disabled but I do have an autoimmune condition that results in chronic pain, so I was super interested to read about a Peruvian immigrant MC with hip dysplasia who wanted to be a mermaid. Sadly, the execution didn't live up to the strong premise for me.

My main issue is that, for what essentially amounts to a coming of age novel, the characters felt really two dimensional and I just didn't connect to them at all. This is a character driven story so not caring about the characters was just slightly problematic lol.

4.5⭐
G because this book should be read by all the young adults and not so young adults like

Natalia Sylvester delivers with her second YA novel and it is just such a special gem. Natalia crafts this beautiful nuanced book about being a Peruvian immigrant, living with a chronic disability (hip dysplasia) and trying to find independence as a teenager living with her family of 4 in a 2 bedroom apartment... Plus there's a cute boy who just moved in and knows how to talk about mental health? What a story!!

So to escape her challenges like gravity, Verònica takes to the water and wants to become a performing mermaid. Does it get more magical? Natalia's writing throughout this book is so rich and thought provoking as Verònica comes to terms with what mermaids and swimming represented to her when battling her disability as well as the challenges of being the daughter of first generation immigrants.

I loved how much Verònica grew throughout this book and started to come into her own adulthood. My only complaint is that pacing was a little off at times and there was a litttttle bit of instalove. This really was an outstanding book that will stay with me. Natalia truly gave this book a personal touch sharing some of her experience with hip dysplasia. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA books or seeing disability and/or immigrant representation in books.

This was a gorgeous story of acceptance, love and taking control of your own life. I really enjoyed the voice of the main character and was engaged throughout the entire book. I also loved the side characters and love interest of the book, although I did feel it was slightly instalovey because they seemed to go straight from meeting to dating with not a lot inbetween but it was still a sweet romance.
This book also did a really good job of raising awareness of disability and having to manage constant pain in day to day life and how that has an impact on her life.

Overall this books was really great, I 100% recommended!

What a beautiful gem of a book! I have been a huge fan of Natalia Sylvester since I read Running in 2020, and have been eagerly anticipating this book from her. It really delivered. She does a great job at crafting a story that I think can hold onto adult's attention spans in addition to the typical YA audience.

Vero is a protagonist you want to root for -- she wants control of her own life, and is discovering who she is, not only as a teen, but as a person with a disability (hip dysplasia). I think she goes on a great journey of self discovery over the course of the entire book. I wish I had books like this as a teen.

The relationships really take center stage, and while I wish some of them had been a bit more developed, I really can't complain, because every person felt real, and like they were their own person.

This book just really solidified that Natalia Sylvester is going to be an autobuy author for me moving forward.

Verónica has always been told what she can't do.

By her overbearingly protective parents, by society, even by her own body.

She spends her time strictly supervised, and spends too much time in hospitals recovering from surgeries to help her hip dysplasia.

But not this time - Verónica has decided enough is enough, and it's time for her to take a deep breath and try a leap of faith. She decides to go against her parents and audition to be a professional mermaid at Mermaid Cove, something she's dreamed about for years, and maybe even explore her newly blossoming relationship with the boy next door.

It's time for Verónica to find out who she is when nobody is telling her who to be, and she's willing to risk it all to get there.

"Maybe I was just used to it by then, this idea that pain is meant to be endured quietly."

Breathe and Count Back From Ten is a strikingly authentic story of acceptance, discovery and love for our ourselves. Verónica is a young girl who has been defined by labels - disabled, immigrant, daughter, teenager - and wants to find her own definition of self and this resonated with me in the most moving ways.

Verónica is a complicated narrator - her strength and insight is stunning, but she's also a young girl trying to figure out what to do with her life so she doesn't always make the best choices, she makes mistakes and complains and whines but that is part of what makes her so very human.

The entire story flowed perfectly together, with the characters written so vividly and personably that they came alive on the pages - each with their own complex, complicated relationships and hidden struggles somewhere under the waves. Verónica and her family are Peruvian, and there is a beauty and love invoked for the country and the culture that shines through Sylvesters words.

There was a lot of mixed language throughout, sentences where characters will use words from multiple languages and dialects which I know some readers can struggle with but it was written well and easy to understand.

I definitely can't wait to see what else Natalia Sylvester is writing, and I definitely want to visit a Mermaid Park and see them in action!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an EARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.

This was so good!!! I absolutely loved the different themes and seeing Verónica grow both with her relationships and freedom! The only complaint I have is not seeing more of Alex in the novel because he was such a great character and I wish there was more of a romance aspect to the story. The mermaid part was very well researched. I also found some of my favorite quotes in this book and will save them forever. A great book!

Ages 12&up

As a Florida girl, it was really nice seeing the Weeki Wachee Mermaids in this, even though the author took some creative liberties I really enjoyed seeing this part of Florida history in the book. I loved hearing the different characters talk about mermaids and their history. Geoff was my favorite side character, I really enjoyed every time he was there. The relationship between Veronica and Dani as well as Veronica and Leslie was touching. It struck me as being both heartfelt and realistic. I thought there was still a lot to unpack between Veronica and her parents, which made the ending feel incomplete. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the dictionary notations at the beginning of each chapter, I adored and related very strongly to Veronica's own definitions of words.

Verónica felt suffocated by her parents. She knew they meant well, but this summer, she was determined to live her life on her own terms.

Breathe and Count Back from Ten was a lovely coming of age tale where Verónica finally exercised her autonomy to become the author of her own story. Here are five reasons I enjoyed this book.

1. A fabulous main character – Verónica was someone I wanted to root for. I felt like she had some typical teen angst when it came to her parents, but she attempted to see things from their side and was grateful for all the sacrifices they made for her. She struggled a bit with trying to live up to the standards of two cultures while still being true to herself, but she never lost sight of what was important.

2. Raising disability awareness – Sylvester did an amazing job helping me understand the challenges Verónica faced due to her disability. Verónica had hip dysplasia which was painful. She had already undergone multiple surgeries, but there were more in her future. Aside from having to manage chronic pain, she had visible scars which people could not help but comment on. Her want and need to have more say when it came to her body and her disability was a big part of her story. As a parent, I understood the choices her parents made. At the same time, Verónica was an older teen who needed to have more say in her personal health matters. I thought the author did a great job with this part of the story, as well as helping me gain a better understanding about this particular disability.

3. Fins = Freedom – Due to her disability, Verónica faced physical limitations and pain on a daily basis. Knowing she had a place where she could get some relief and excel was a wonderful thing. As soon as she hit the water, I could feel Verónica’s happiness. She found so much comfort and peace in the water, and being able to take her shot at her mermaid dreams was icing on the cake for me.

4. Family – Verónica’s family wasn’t perfect, but there was a lot of love. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Verónica, her parents, and her sister evolve over the course of this story. There was even a bit of a focus thrown on the ways Verónica’s disability affected the sister in particular. There may have been some friction, but you could still see how strong those family bonds were.

5. A sweet romance – Though this was a bit more of a subplot, I really adored the romance, and I was team neighbor-boy from the very beginning. Alex didn’t always say all the right things, but when he did, they were really right. Verónica was still trying to heal from a romantic encounter which was bad for several reasons, and with Alex, she discovered how beautiful love and all the aspects of it can be when you find the right person.

This was quite a summer for Verónica. She found love, she chased her dreams, and she took control of her future. All the different aspects of this story added up to something fantastic for me, and I am happy I had the opportunity to spend this summer of empowerment with Verónica.

Going to start with this cover is perfect. I enjoyed this book, it’s a coming of age story with a lot of growth for the main character. The main character has hip dysplasia which I do not know much about and I definitely learned a few things. I felt like this book gives a good look into teenagers and their ever growing relationship with their parents involving trust and lying. Thank you NetGalley for this.

Verónica, a Peruvian‑American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body, in this gorgeously written and authentic novel.

Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body.

was drawn to 'Breathe and Count Back from Ten' because of its pretty cover and also the synopsis seemed different to a lot of the YA fics already out there. So I gave it a read.

I have to say, I was really impressed with this book. From the start, it was really easy to get into and it does not let up on the keeping the reader intrigued with what's going to happen next. I love the water so reading a book about mermaids and pools was right up my street. I thought the mermaid thing would be a bit childish to begin with but actually I was quite mesmerised by the technicalities of the mermaid shows. The disability representation was refreshing to see and I also loved how Sylvester dove deep (excuse the pun) into the realities of this without sugar coating it. As with the Latin American representation, I think it add to this book and I'm sure other cultures can relate to the uptight parent/child relationship too.

Overall, I think the depth of 'Breathe and Count Back from Ten' is what makes it really special. It explores its themes in a such a profound way that I was thoroughly impressed with it.