This book was beautifully written, charming, and truly brings you into the world of the characters.


Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the chance to read this book!

Is this a well-written book? Yes. The voice of the main character, Kay, is distinct, and the sense of place is strong. The story is a very slow burn, the details of the families' secrets and the mystery of the disappearance are dropped sparingly throughout the novel, sometimes a bit too sparingly.

Did I enjoy the book? That's a little harder to answer. I can appreciate the writing, but the story itself is dark and depressing. The Whitaker family is very poor, very secretive, and very miserable. There is no joy to be found here. Kay, a twelve year-old, drops f bombs and other profanity liberally. There is child abuse and neglect. The story drips with cynicism and despair. Kay has a few funny moments, and as a tween, has some dreams. She is fiery in a very gray landscape.

Not family friendly due to adult themes and profanity.

This is one of the most intriguing novels I’ve read in a long time. Told in the first person, from 12 year old Kay’s point of view, it held my interest and fascinated me from the very first page. I loved the way the author painted such a vivid, clear picture of the family’s location and surroundings. I felt like I was THERE and found being in Kay’s head an interesting place to be. The mystery of Andy’s mother’s death and also Sarah Anne kept me reading as well.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of The Floating Girls from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Loved the cover of this and it kept me guessing and reading until late in the night. Read it. You won't be sorry!

The Floating Girls is a coming-of-age tale set in the wetlands of Georgia. The story is told by Kay, a twelve-year-old smart-mouthed rebel who is not afraid to say what's on her mind. Kay is not only dealing with dysfunctional family life but trying to solve the mystery of her missing sister and why her mother has been recently jailed for the murder of a woman that happened ten years ago. This book will keep you turning pages and among the secrets, lies, and sassy attitudes there are a few surprises to be found. Thanks to author Lo Patrick, publisher Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

This is was a sweet read. Growing up I was obsessed with To kill a mockingbird, and till this day it’s still one of my favorite reads. So when I heard this book was similar in vibe and characters I had to get my hands on it. I’m so glad I did it was a great cozy read …you followed the main characters little adventures as she navigates life. 8.5/10 definitely recommend. Great book to have on your shelf.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I didn't know what I was in for when I started this book. It's like a cross between "Where The Crawdads Sing" and a mystery. I LOVED it! I look forward to more work from this author and I hope she keeps writing about Georgia. I felt all the feelings in this one.

I loved this book! As someone who grew up in backwoods middle Georgia, I saw myself in the main character many times. Not only myself, but a lot of things that were normal for my family growing up! She made me laugh over and over, even though the subject matter isn't always funny. The way children look at things is so unique and the author has such a good grasp of that! The story kept me guessing and kept me reading. I love a story that I can't figure out. I love a good mystery and The Floating Girls did not disappoint. The writing is so good and so accurate. I identified with this family, with the main character. I rooted for them, I cried with them. I was happy, sad, overwhelmed, outraged. This book makes you feel it all. Read it. You won't be sorry!

Twelve-year-old Kay Whitaker lives with her family of five in the coastal Georgia marsh. Kay's home life is not ideal; her mother is wrestling with mental illness and her sister does not speak. Kay longs to find other kids in the marsh to play with, but her father forbids it and they often go to great extremes to stay hidden and isolated in the marsh.

The marsh is an atmospheric setting for the story. It represents the foggy, inaccessible view that Kay has of her life and the response she gets from everyone when she questions why things are like they are. The more evasive people are with Kay, the more Kay's frustration continues to grow. That frustration is the mounting tension of the story.

It was interesting to use Kay's age and innocence as a curtain that is slowly drawn back as the story unfolds. At times Kay is so innocent and naïve: she is newly fascinated with the expressive power of curse words, she aspires to 12 marriages, and she wonders if Andy will kiss her on the mouth before they elope in the sunset. But then she can be disproportionately wise: she spars with her father about normal families and how they are not even close to being one (I wondered how an isolated girl in the marsh would know how a normal family acted) and she clearly decides that getting her say in is worth the discomfort she will take for it. The way she refuses to be hushed in conversations with her older brothers and the neighbors is pretty admirable. But then, in contrast, her loyalty lies with strangers over her family several times in the book and I wondered how unmoored someone had to feel to bet on the randomness with a stranger to the disfunction of the familial at such a young age.

All in all, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author. I'm adding this book to my favorite southern lit; 5 stars.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advance copy of Floating Girls in exchange for a non-biased review.

The Floating Girls
A Novel
by Lo Patrick

Well, I LOVED this beautifully written book. Such a touching story. I would read it again . But, it will stay in your heart. I love coming-of-age stories and, you could feel the book, and see it as some real art.

Oh how beautifully mesmerizing this book was!
I loved the setting in Georgia. Lo did such a wonderful job with her writing and having a way of placing me inside this book with such vivid storytelling.
She painted an authentic picture that told a beautiful story.
A rich, well-written novel that completely held me captive throughout the entire read.
The mystery aspect of the story was very very intriguing and I needed to know more.
There are secrets that surround this family and when it comes to light the MC and her brothers world starts to unravel.
The voice of the coming of age Kay is truly amazing and I absolutely adored her part here.
I learned so much about the marsh in this novel I was amazed.
Overall, I loved everything about THE FLOATING GIRLS.
And this is her debut novel! She did amazing!
I couldn't put my Kindle away and was sad to see it end!

Sourcebooks Landmark,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

I enjoyed this southern drama. Writing was superb! Lots of creepy twists and turns. Awesome characters.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book