Member Reviews

Was I an idiot for reading this book while I was sitting on a plane flying through the air? Yes. Was I thrilled, entertained, and captivated? Also yes. TJ Newman does flight thrillers like no one else, and this one is fantastic. I'd love to listen to an audiobook of Newman's work someday and hope those will be available here soon. The fast pace and continuous thrills made this one almost literally unputdownable. This book would also make a great movie. Hollywood, get on it! Highest recommendation.

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The fact that a flight attendant wrote the first book in this series while being up in the air is amazing to me! Newman’s airline experience really helps her bring those stories to life! The fact that two have been optioned for the big screen is no surprise- they could definitely be blockbusters!

✈️Falling - When confronted with terrorism, a pilot must make difficult choices to try to keep everyone (onboard and on land) safe.

✈️Drowning - Six minutes into the flight a plane crashes into the water. After an attempted evacuation, twelve passengers and crew are trapped inside a sinking plane!

✈️ Worst Case Scenario - Following a medical emergency, a plane crashes into a nuclear power plant. The workers on the ground need to figure out how to contain the radiation!

All three of these books will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Such a thrill ride

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Another faced paced adventure that keeps you at the edge of your seat. I finished this one in one sitting . I have to say I really enjoy listening to Steven Weber and I’m a little disappointed he’s not narrating this author’s latest novel !

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

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This was such a unique story and I was gripped pretty instantly. It did get a little too technical for me at times but I really liked it and needs to be made into a movie ASAP. This would also be a great choice for any men in your life! Thank you to Avid Reader Press and Netgalley for my copy!

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Wow! I heard a lot of great things about T.J. Newman’s writing so I decided I would read one of her books. And all I can say is anxiety!! But I don’t mean this as a bad thing.

I knew after reading the summary, this book was about a plane crashing into the ocean. But what was inside was a bit more thrilling than the caption! I was on the edge of my seat through this entire book. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down and not know how it ended. I found myself reading faster as things were progressing with the book as well.

Overall I thought this was a great read and I can’t wait to pick up another book by this author!

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I read Falling a few years ago and loved it so much. I was dubious that Drowning would live up to the expectations but I needn’t have worried. It was incredible! I even preferred it to Falling! If you love a disaster movie style thriller, you’ll love this!

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I recently finished my second T.J.Newman book and I throughly enjoyed it more then their debut! So much action was packed into this 300 page book that I was able to fly through it (pun intended) in less than a couple of days. While some of the events did seem a little farfetched it still meant for an on the edge of your seat ride where I was dying to know the end.

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I really enjoyed Falling and I read this one even faster. It had me on the edge of my sit not knowing how it was going to turn out for each passenger. Can’t wait for her next book!

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“Drowning” is about an airplane that falls into the sea thus the title. I loved this book especially towards the end. There were a lot of technical talk that was a bit hard to understand. I would love to see this in the big screen. I love how straightforward and fast paced this is. Minus one star for being cliché and predictable.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the early copy.

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The idea of this book is so fresh and new. It starts off with a bang. The opening scenes are exciting and tense. I couldn't wait to continue reading.

You can tell the author has knowledge of flight procedures which adds to the experience.

It is also obvious as the events continue that the author has done their best to understand diving. There are a few layman misconceptions that are addressed by the characters during the story, which I took note of and appreciated.

I loved everything about the plot. The story is well thought out and developed.

I can say that my engagement steadily declined along with the pacing and the introduction of Chris.

We have yet another strong female lead who can do.. anything.. just because.

The flashback made the pacing go from 10 to 1, and for some reason, I just never recovered.

Unfortunately, I didn't care for or bond with any of the characters. This really hindered my enjoyment. I didn't really mind if they lived or died, so I was left with no suspense.

I needed someone to care about.

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T.J. Newman’s Drowning is a gripping and intense thriller that showcases the author’s knack for crafting high-stakes narratives with deeply human elements. Having thoroughly enjoyed Newman’s previous work, I was eager to dive into this novel, and it did not disappoint. Drowning offers a compelling mix of psychological tension and emotional depth, making it a standout read.

At its core, Drowning presents a harrowing scenario: passengers trapped on a sinking plane, struggling to survive against insurmountable odds. Newman excels in creating a palpable sense of fear and urgency, immersing readers in the dire situation with vivid and heart-pounding scenes. The claustrophobic environment of the plane, combined with the ticking clock of their impending doom, builds tension that keeps readers on edge.

The passengers, each with their own backgrounds and personal stakes, are rendered with remarkable realism. Their fears, hopes, and vulnerabilities are portrayed with such authenticity that readers become deeply invested in their fates. The author’s ability to humanize these characters amid the chaos adds a layer of emotional weight to the story, making their struggles feel both urgent and poignant.

Equally compelling are the rescue teams working tirelessly to save the stranded passengers. Newman balances the narrative between the terror faced by those trapped on the plane and the desperation of those trying to reach them. This dual perspective enriches the story, highlighting the heroism and perseverance of the rescuers while also delving into their own personal challenges and conflicts. The interplay between these two groups adds depth to the novel, showcasing the broader impact of the crisis beyond the immediate danger.

One of the most refreshing aspects of Drowning is its approach to resolution. While the novel does tie up all the individual storylines, it doesn’t shy away from presenting outcomes that are not necessarily happy or ideal. This realistic portrayal of consequences adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, reflecting the complexities of real-life situations where not everyone’s story ends on a positive note. This nuanced approach to storytelling enhances the impact of the novel, leaving readers with a more profound and thought-provoking experience.

Having read and enjoyed Newman’s previous book, Falling, I was curious to see how her writing would evolve in Drowning. I’m pleased to report that she continues to demonstrate a keen ability to craft suspenseful and emotionally resonant stories. Her skillful blending of intense action with character-driven drama ensures that Drowning is a gripping read from start to finish.

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Holy moly! This book grabbed me by the throat, took me on a 110 mph thrill ride and refused to let go! FANTASTIC! I loved it! Ea h book gets better and more thrilling! Thank you!

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Yet again another book I couldn’t put down by TJ Newman! Grabbed you right from the beginning and kept you through til the end. Non stop drama and action and you won’t regret reading it.

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After 6 minutes Flight 1421 leaves Honolulu, the plane loses power and with too much distance to the next safest landing the only thing to do is land the plane in the water. Only that’s when things get worse for the passengers on the plane.

Much like TJ Newman debut Falling,Drowning is one cracker of an action packed book.

I did have some minor problems with this book:

~ Understanding technical terms with things about planes or locations within the plane.

~ A character’s action - which to me really didn’t make any sense as to why they did it.

Other than these things I really enjoy this book, I loved how fast paced it was and how TJ writes her novels.

While I didn’t connect with the characters, they were still likeable and I felt sympathetic towards them.

I can’t wait to see what TJ Newman writes next.

Thank you netgalley and Simon and Schulsyer for the digital copy of Drowning for reviewing purposes.

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Sometimes you just read the right book at the right time. This was THE right time for me to read Drowning. I cried throughout the book and BAWLED, had to stop to blow my nose bawled, through the end of the book. This book was incredible. Wow. No words really. I don’t write reviews anymore but just had to say something on this book. Read it. If you’re a parent, read it. If you’re in love, read it. If you’re a human with emotions, read it.

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Are you afraid of flying or a bit claustrophobic, like I am, this book will make an impression. It's fast and it's very suspenseful. I did enjoy it but sometimes I caught myself skimming through the rescue planning. There was also too many side characters to make it the perfect read.

Thank you Netgalley and Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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The tension was palpable in this book! I’m not sure I’ll ever fly again. It was a nonstop heart pounding adventure!

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After reading Falling I was excited to start Drowning.

This book did not disappoint at all and had the same level of intensity as Falling did. This book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat throughout.

The characters were so fleshed out and you could really empathise with them, to the point, where I really felt like I was there with them.

This book would make a fantastic film adaptation!

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After reading the smashing hit Falling, I couldn’t wait to delve into Newman’s new work.

While the second book may not be as heart-racing as the first, it still packs an emotional punch. In fact from the very beginning it plunges readers into a high-stakes, adrenaline-fuelled tale of tragedy and resilience as Flight 1421 meets a harrowing fate, hurtling into the Pacific Ocean mere minutes after takeoff. As chaos and terror grip the passengers, the narrative intensifies when the plane sinks, leaving a small group struggling for survival amid the unforgiving depths of the ocean.

Central to the gripping storyline are engineer Will Kent and his daughter Shannon, who find themselves in a desperate race against time as they contend with looming darkness and imminent danger while trapped within the submerged aircraft. With the odds stacked against them, their fight for survival becomes a heart-wrenching journey that tests their courage, resourcefulness, and familial bonds.

The tension in the narrative mounts as an elite rescue team, headed by Chris Kent, a seasoned diver and Shannon's mother, is introduced. This brings a deeper emotional complexity and interconnectedness to the already delicate situation..

As the clock ticks relentlessly, the trio must navigate treacherous waters, confront their shared past, and muster every ounce of strength and determination to orchestrate a daring rescue mission unlike any other.

During our buddy read with my bestie, we brainstormed numerous strategies for how the rescue team could have tackled the issue, finding ourselves far more frustrated than the trapped passengers appeared to be. 🤣🤣

While I wouldn’t consider this a thriller (but thrilling) it was still a gripping tale with a few compelling characters.
If you love blockbuster movies this is for you!

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This book, much like the previous book “Falling” had me on the EDGE of my seat! I love that I can feel like I’m truly in the book with the characters, but not in such a way that a scaredy-pants like myself would be too scared to continue reading,

I could read books like this forever! Perfectly executed.

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