Absorbed by Jaime Townzen is a nostalgic and heartfelt coming-of-age story set in 1990s California. The novel follows a teenage girl spending her summer lifeguarding at a run-down community pool, where she navigates the complexities of adolescence, friendships, and personal growth. Townzen's vivid portrayal of the era, many music, fashion, and food references; combined with her nuanced exploration of the protagonist's evolving sense of self, creates an endearing and heartfelt narrative that I got lost in. The characters are relatable and realistically teenage, and the setting — a dilapidated pool — becomes a metaphor for the protagonist's own transformation as she faces the challenges of growing up. With its blend of humor, poignancy, and coming-of-age themes, Absorbed is a refreshing and thoughtful reflection on the messiness of youth and the bittersweet passage of time. I'm sure I'm not alone in pining for the 90s!

"Absorded" is a fantastic debut novel by author Jaime Townzen. Published in January, 2025, this young adult novel tells the story of a 1990s summer in teenager Stacey's life. I was captivated by Stacey's adventures, and especially by the realistic and thoughtful depiction of her relationships and emotions. Staceey traverses a teenage path that will resonate with many readers. This coming-of-age story is beautifully depicted by Townzen, and has much that will delight as well as concern the reader. The character of Stacey is well-developed, and her family and friends are realistic and believable. "Absorded" is a definite page-turner for sure! Townzen's expert writing will appeal not only to the young adult age group, but to any adult who has ever been a teenager!

This was a quick, fun read (that really piqued my attention, since I was a 90’s kid).

The thing I like most about a coming of age story really is the character growth and I was not disappointed in this book. I will admit, the main character Stacey was a little unlikable at first but she really redeemed herself. I also loved all of the 90’s references, which made this read even more nostalgic.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the ending. I would definitely read this author’s work again.

Stacey Chapman has scored a job as a lifeguard at the community pool the summer before her senior year. Also on the team is Jessie, one of the boys she's had a crush on. Stacey feels like all of the other lifeguards are much cooler than her and is really excited when she and Jessie start to hit it off. When they go on a date, they end up having sex which Stacey was not ready for but she was too afraid to say no. She pulls away from her best friend Gabe, who she also had a crush on, to spend time with the other lifeguards. Stacey is able to find a confidant and outlet for her feelings by participating in her art teacher's program. Near the end of the summer, the pool experiences two major incidents and everyone involved has to participate in an investigation.

This book started off pretty slow and I can't say that I particularly liked Stacey. She lacked self-esteem and was pretty bratty. As the story began to pick up, I started feeling more empathy for her - I was lucky enough to have a different teenage experience, but when I put myself in her shoes, I could better understand her perspective. I was happy when she was able to learn who she is and go into her senior year more confident.

[English/Español]

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the arc!

DNF at 25%. Saddly i could not connect with the characters or the plot in this book, i feel like is perfect for younger people that are looking for something that they can related. The little that i read seem interesting but i just could not pick up the book to keep reading it.

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Gracias autor y Netgalley por la copia avanzada de este libro.

Lectura sin terminar en 25%. Lamentablemente no pude conectar con los personasjes ni la trama del libro, siento que es perfecto para una audiencia joven que busca conectar con este tipo de historias. Lo poco que leí fue interesante pero no lo suficiente para hacerme tomar el libro y seguir leyendo.

This is my first read from Jaime Townzen, and I thought the narration was great but the story did feel like it lagged in a few places, and the real plot of the book was slow to start. The story takes place in the 90's and has plenty of nostalgic references to set the vibe.

We follow Stacey, a highschool girl living with her mother, as she goes through her coming-of-age journey.
Stacey goes through some universally experienced issues for young girls, such as perceptions of body image, feelings of self-worth and confidence, making impulsive decisions, and navigating friendships and crushes. Although I never drank in high school I know that many high schoolers did and used alcohol to numb emotions that were hard to understand at such a young age. Some heavy situations are discussed in this book so if you are sensitive to that those types of topics (abuse, death, sexual pressures, underage drinking).

Many young girls can relate to Stacey, and there are plenty of awkward moments that are commonplace in a high school student's life. I would say that once Stacey finds the people around her that help her grow she slowly deals with her insecurities. She is able to make and get past her mistakes.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a coming of age story with lip smackers, CD players, and 90's bands.

While not necessarily my cup of tea, this book was well-written and has the potential to be someone else’s favorite book. I may not reread it ever, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to someone else who enjoys books like this one in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Author Jaime Townzen for giving me an e-copy of this book for a honest review.

In 1996, Stacey gets a job as a lifeguard at the local community pool. During the summer, she experiences multiple events which changes her course of life. Being too ashamed to admit what has happened, she spirals into a negative cycle. Before summer is over, a botched pool rescue snaps another lifeguard's spinal cord, and Stacey has to answer for her part in the tragedy.

From the beginning, I knew this would be a good experience. Stacey's character is very well written and I felt like I understood her thoughts and actions. Murphy is also pretty cute.. The representation of different mental health issues and insecurities made the story more believable and enjoyable.

All in all, I quite enjoyed this experience and thank you again for providing me with a copy!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Having read the synopsis, I went into this expecting there to be a mixture of teenage angst, heartbreak, love and devastation. Whilst there were all those things, it also gave so much more. Conversations around teenage sexual relationships, discovering yourself in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving. The jump between childhood innocence and adulthood smashing into one. This provided all the coming of age feels and follows the journey of a teenage girl who is attempting to discover herself among a group of people she believes already have.


Key thoughts:

• I enjoyed Stacey as a character. She was relatable, angsty, funny, a drama queen but also vulnerable and sad. Following her journey as she navigates the ups and downs of teenage life/ crossing over into adult territory had me sympathising with her whilst simultaneously yelling at her to be careful and to not be so naive,
• I loved the authors juxtapositions between them acting and being like teenagers one moment then in the next scene having them face serious and sometimes what would be considered “Adult” problems.
• The 90s nostalgia setting was cosy and warm. I loved the author describing the scene overall but also the little details such as carrying round a CD case and the reliance on phoning your friend’s house and hoping their home and ordering from a catalogue instead of just going online - all things that seem so unimaginable in today’s world.
• I loved how the author handled quite a serious topic in the middle of this book. That turned from just being teenagers to young adults facing serious consequences. It felt like the topic was explored sensitively but realistically. Similarly, when discussing mark’s problems as well.
• I loved the moments with the art teacher. It felt realistic that Stacey found solace but also discomfort in something that she didn’t understand such as the art she was creating. The bigger conversation being around her discovering herself, confronting her fears, learning from her mistakes but accepting its okay to sometimes be messy.
• I loved that each character had their own part to play in the story. That each grew and developed over the summer period alongside Stacey.
• I loved that the setting for this was about lifeguarding. It wasn’t something I’d read before but totally suited the YA vibes and helped to capture the summer feeling.

Back to the 90's?! Absolutely.

What a trip back to being a teenager growing up in the 90's. I loved every minute. It's not all good times though. Stacy goes through battles of insecurity and fear of failure that so many teen girls face. It's messy. It's real. It's her finding her way even after she made not so good choices. and in the end she FINDS HER VOICE. and you get to go along for the ride.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

DNF. I couldn't get past the first chapter due to the dialogue and narration style. I thought this was more new adult-aged aged and it read as very young YA.

3.5 stars rounded up.

In the summer of 1996, lifeguard Stacey Chapman is chasing love and drowning in regret after a reckless decision with a charming skateboarder spirals out of control. As shame and secrecy lead her down a destructive path, a tragic accident forces her to confront the truth—and herself—before summer’s end.

I was instantly drawn to this book by its stunning cover, which perfectly captures the carefree, sun-soaked essence of summer. That same nostalgic vibe flows through the story as we follow Stacey, a high school lifeguard spending the summer before her senior year at the local pool. It immediately took me back to my own teenage summers, especially with the book’s immersive 1990s setting. The pop culture references, particularly the music woven throughout the story, made the era come alive in such a fun and authentic way.

But this isn’t just a breezy summer read—it delves into heavier themes that add unexpected depth. Townzen does a fantastic job developing the characters, especially Stacey, who feels both realistic and relatable in her struggles. The teenage angst is present but never overdone, making the emotional moments feel genuine. It’s a quick, engaging read that beautifully blends nostalgia with coming-of-age complexities, and it left me reminiscing about my own high school summers.

Thank you to Palm Tree Press and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars overall

If 90's music is still your go to and you were obsessed with MTV back in the day then this one is for you! Plus if you're currently in the coldest season of the year it's a nice escape to read a story set in sunny California. This was a good coming of age story. I felt the FMC became comfortable in her own skin and the path she was taking in life, even though you never really have life figured out no matter what your age is. I wish there was slightly more depth to the story overall but it was still very enjoyable and I would read more by the author.

I enjoyed the throwback to the 90s with the story. At first I thought this would be something high schoolers/ teens could read, but it definitely becomes more adult (not in a bad way!) as the story progresses. It definitely takes you back to the growing pains of high school and finding yourself.

The blurb sounded a bit interested.

This whole book reads like a YA novel thru and thru. The main character, Stacey, is only 17 and she acts just like a teenager. There were times that I wanted to yell at her, other times hold her & other times I disliked her as a character (until I remember she was only in high school).

If you are a die hard YA fan, then you will enjoy this. It feels like something I would read in 8th grade, not at my big age. I found myself almost DNFing this book way too many times to really continue on. but I wanted to see what happened that was so tragic.

Overall, I did not enjoy this book and life is too short to read boring books.

This book was all about making mistakes, and finding the courage to own up to them. As a woman, I remember what it felt like to be in Stacey’s shoes. This book was a reminder of two things for me:
1. You always have a choice.
2. You don’t have to change for anybody, who you are IS enough.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book, I truly enjoyed it!

It’s the summer before her senior year and Stacey Chapman is ready to be someone else. She’s extremely smart, responsible and artistically talented - but where’s it getting her? Certainly not on any dates. She scores a job life guarding at the community pool with her crush Jessie Thomas - but will he even notice her? Will any of the uber cool guards? And what if what she thinks she wants isn’t so great after all?

This took place in 1996 and the 90’s vibes are *immaculate*. I loved all the music, fashion and general pop culture references (who else remembers when there was a huge movie premiere every summer?!). So much nostalgia! I started high school in 1999 so a lot of this was super relatable to me. And the author just did a great job of describing the high school experience in general - it really took me back! I remember all the insecurities that Stacey felt and all the kinda dumb stuff I did to try to counteract it! I really connected to her character and loved reading about her transformative summer! The character growth was just the right amount to be relatable and believable. Definitely add this one to your TBR if you’re looking for coming-of-age and all the high school nostalgia!

I love this book! It was fun and had such a good pace. It took place in the 90's which I also loved! Thanks for the ARC.

To say I loved this novel, is an understatement. It first got me because it takes place in the 1990s. My 90s teen era. It was a really great decade. Stacey is about the same age I was during the time this book is set. It brought back memories & emotions of my teen years & the fads back then. To top that off, Stacey’s story is real; it’s raw; it’s authentic, relatable. She goes through so many things that are common during the difficult teen years. I highly recommend this exceptional book by Jaime Townzen, a new author to me. I’d love to read another book she writes in this same era!

Thank you, Jaime Townzen, Palm Tree Press, Netgalley, & Kate Rock, for my gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I feel like everyone can resonate with Stacey’s struggles and insecurities. They are part of growing up, and seeing her overcome them and become so comfortable around these group of people was so nice to see.

The vibes were also really cool, it took me back to the 90’s.

Thanks for the ARC! 🫶🏻