Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange of my honest opinion. The book is good. I read it in one sitting. It is a very realistic tale of how, when we are young, most of the things we think we want, are not what they seem to be. This book navigates the life of Stacey, a teenager in the path of self discovery, finding her voice and cultivating her self love. It shows how some experiences can help you identify the true meaning of the relationships in your life and how they shape the person you’ll become. It was a very enjoyable read and I believe it has all the qualities of a great coming-of-age story

Reading this book brought back the nostalgia. What with names like Lands End, Baskin Robbins, and Mervyn's to name a few. One of my jobs when I was in college was working at Mervyn's. So, I really enjoyed the flash back to this time period.

Stacey finding herself in the situation that she did with Jessie was overwhelming. Jessie should have listened to Stacey. Yet, Stacey feeling the pressure to fit in, found herself giving into the peer pressure and bad-mouthed Jessie.

This is a character driven story. I felt for both Stacey and Jessie. What they both did was not right. As the saying goes..."Two wrongs don't make a right."

The perfect Millenial Romance story for everyone who liked to be in the 90s

The plot, the caracters was perfect.

I adored the story from the start.

This was an easy read for me (and a perfect winter time beach read.) I was immediately taken bake to the 90’s - the author did a great job describing the time and the setting. I was a life guard in high school and I definitely connected with Stacey.

As a proud elder millennial I LOVED the 90’s references, especially the music ones (if you go to the author’s page, there is a link to a Spotify playlist that I highly recommend!!)

This story takes us back to high school and we revisit so many of the social pressures of being a teenager (who do you want to be vs trying to fit in vs peer pressure) along with sometimes not making the best decisions - to me, that made the story and the characters relatable.

There are some tough topics and tragedy and I thought they were handled well and in a very realistic way. We see friendships have ups and downs and there is one particular scene towards the end that was so honest and really touched my heart regarding high school relationships.

We get to see Stacey have some good character growth as she tries to navigate her life. She really connects to art and music and I loved that she really discovered her passion for it.

✨What to Expect:
☀️YA/New Adult Fiction
💿90’s Nostalgia
❤️Coming of Age
🎨High School Angst & Discovery
🛟Lifeguard FMC
🎸 90’s Music References

A book to read and share that reminds you how specific a time era can be to your growing up, but how truly universal growing up is.

This book was a real surprise for me. I thought it was going to b a cutesy rom.com I realizing the 90s in a movie montage mashup of now classic summer movies my own youth, granted I was a little older than Stacey and her friends, but this book was so much more than I thought. This was high school as I remember it, the world of simmering passions, high feelings, confusion, uncertainty, and all the insecurities and fears that a person can conceive. I saw a lot of myself in Stacey and her friends and also in their classmates and rivals. Literally this book will transport back and leave you reflecting on what you survived. Luckily for most of us, these sad and tragic events the Stacey must experience are ones that will only play out in fiction, however the power and nuance of Jaime Townzen's writing comes from.bringing us along for every feeling, thought, and conversation that just captivated me. This was a true bildungsroman that covered so much more than just growing up, but showcased how Stacey fights to become the woman she is in the process of becoming during this one summer in 1996.

This is a powerful female coming of age story that will make you nostalgic for the 90's and make you think how much of looking back at that era is so powerful because the distance and pop culture.

Thank you Jaime Townzen, Palm Tree Press, & netgalley for the ecopy of this book that I read

Stacey Chapman: relatable, infuriating, and the embodiment of every time I thought I could handle life solo at 17 (spoiler: I could not). She’s got big dreams, even bigger blind spots, and the kind of self-sabotage skills that make you want to reach through the pages and shake her by the shoulders.

Reading Absorbed felt like watching teenage me make every frustrating mistake possible while refusing to ask for help because OBVIOUSLY, the world was out to get me (Stacey gets it). Stacey’s spiral is equal parts cringe-worthy and heartbreaking, but that’s what makes her feel so real. Who hasn’t been the captain of their own disaster parade at some point?

At first, I thought I was in for a lighthearted ‘90s nostalgia romp with skateboards, lifeguard shenanigans, and dreamy summer crushes. But nope, this book had other plans—plans that involved a gut-punch halfway through, leaving me muttering “Oh no, Stacey. Oh no.” The stakes skyrocketed, and suddenly, I wasn’t just reading a lighthearted YA novel anymore.

It’s not just a book about mistakes, though—it’s about the messy process of figuring yourself out. Watching Stacey untangle her bad decisions and start to see her worth beyond her mistakes was the kind of catharsis I didn’t know I needed.

Bottom line: Stacey’s journey is a rollercoaster of relatable teen angst and maddening decisions, but it’s also a raw, unflinching look at growing up and finding your voice.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This was such a quick and easy read. Once I started, I did not want this book to end. Growing up in the 90s, this book took me right back to some of the best times in my life. With the band references, I was able to play a soundtrack of this book in my head while reading. This is a coming-of-age story about self-discovery with a character who I completely related with making this story so much more real. Highly recommend this one to all readers!

I thought that this was such a well done coming of age story. I really enjoyed it a lot.

It's 1996, Stacey is a teenager struggling to fit in when she lands her dream summer job as a lifeguard at the community pool. Her life spirals out of control when she takes things too far, trying to fit in.

In my opinion, the blurb at the beginning of the book gives way too much away. it references an accident at the pool where one of the characters suffers a spinal cord injury. To me, this was a huge part of the book and would have been better left as a surprise, but since it is there, I am openly talking about it.

The book isn't all fun in the sun. Stacey faces some very real and very adult situations that she needs to figure out how to cope with.

I loved all of the 90's throwback references with TV and music, and everything else. The one thing that upset me greatly was a scene towards the end where Stacey and her best friend were driving to the beach and blaring Oceans Avenue by Yellowcard and singing at the top of their lungs. The book was set in 1996. Stacey was between her Junior and Senior year of high school. I was perturbed because that was a scene from MY life from between MY Junior and Senior year of high school. That song came out in 2004. It bothered me because it was such a defining time in my life, but other than that, I think the rest of the throwbacks were accurate.

Overall, I read the book in one evening. It was a great read if you are looking for what feels like contemporary fiction with a little bit of a throwback. Depending on your age, you will probably remember how cool it was to be a lifeguard at a pool or the beach in the 90's, and how desperately you wanted to fit it.

It all started when Stacey daydreams of having the best life with a new boyfriend and lifeguard job during summer. In this coming of age novel, Stacey embodies many teens with her insecurities. I felt like the author did a really good job creating a well rounded character. As any teenager, mistakes are made, and it all matters how we handle them. I loved seeing how Stacey’s character grew as the story progressed and the time she spent with her art teacher. Just comes to show you how sometimes, a teacher’s job can be life changing for some. This book does have a tragedy and it was sad but I loved how all of the characters came together for one another. Perfect for lovers of the 1990's, coming of age, and self discovery. A beautiful reminder to be your true self.

This was a fun and cozy read perfect to read during the Holiday break. Feel good and full of humour.

Stacey struggles with identity, peer pressure, and the consequences of her choices during the summer before senior year. The story tells of Stacey’s misguided attempts to find love and confidence while grappling with the fallout of a coercive relationship . A tragic pool accident leaves her ex lover paralyzed and Stacey is forced to confront her role in the events leading up to the catastrophe.

While the book attempts to tackle heavy topics like consent, peer pressure, and self-discovery, the execution falls flat. Stacey’s character lacks depth, making it hard to empathize with her poor decisions or root for her growth. The plot feels underdeveloped, especially with Stacey and Jessie's missing chemistry, and her love for art. The author also could not seem to balance serious themes with the melodrama of teenage life, making it hard for me to keep up till the end

This book was unexpectedly great. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I read the description of a summer in the 90’s, but I assumed it’d be a nice light read…
This is geared more towards New Adults, as it deals with some heavier topics and language. But I think the author did an amazing job at keeping the narrative fresh and entertaining. Even the concept of coming-of-age felt refreshing in this book. I liked how Stacey grew within the story and understood herself and the people around her better. It felt real. The 90’s vibes and various music references made for a unique and exciting setting that made the whole story feel relatable too. The author really captured that pocket feeling of summer when you spend your days with the same people in the same place. I found the characters all engaging and dynamic. And I liked that the lifeguards formed a tight-knit family while working at the pool.
Although Stacey was working with her crush, I wouldn’t really classify this book as a romance. This book focuses more on Stacey; the pressures and expectations of post-high school colliding with social strifes as a teen. Though I will say, near the end of the book there is such a tender moment with her best friend Gabe that really threw me off guard. His explanation of young relationships was an interesting take to see in a teen romance (even though it wasn’t really a teen romance.) But in tone with the rest of the book, it was a captivating.

Favourite Quote:
“If there was a bush of perfect roses, or a wall covered in paintings of perfect roses, they all would become really boring. A real rose bush is beautiful because of all the stages of blossoming. The ones that stand out are uniquely imperfect. That is the feeling I wanted to capture."

In the summer of 1996, lifeguard Stacey Chapman navigates love, regret, and consequences after an encounter with skateboarder Jessie. Ashamed and desperate, she plots revenge, damaging her reputation and setting off a chain of events that ends in tragedy. Through art and self-reflection, Stacey seeks redemption.

Pub Date: January 1, 2025

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

What a pleasant surprise! Absorbed held my attention from start to finish as it explores the coming-of-age story of Stacey Chapman, a straight A student and summer lifeguard for the local pool. Nostalgia reigns supreme in this story, so all the fellow 80s babies take note - you'll be both horrified and overjoyed by the references. Was Tragic Kingdom your first album? Did you have every copy of Teen Beat? Can you still smell the Smackers? Even if you didn't live a 90s childhood, if you were ever once a middle or high schooler, you will relate.

Stacey has issues with self confidence, but she learns that her peers all have their own insecurities and fears and problems to deal with. No one is perfect, and decisions have consequences; but you may find silver linings you didn't expect. There are some rough points in Stacey's story that caused moments of second hand embarrassment, total discomfort and worry for her well being as a reader. Having lived through those years and now raising kids of my own, it was distressing to live life through Stacey's eyes; however, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Jaime Townzen.

This book also needs its own Spotify playlist - just putting that out there!

Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours, NetGalley and Palm Tree Press Books for access to an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Nostalgic book set in the 90s. It is the summer before Stacey's senior year. Stacey lands a job as a lifeguard. Stacey has problems with self-confidence, and she believes that all of the other girls that work and swim there are perfect. She will be working with her crush, Jamie, as well.. She sets off on a plan to gain his attention. This is a humorous, coming of age story that starts off slow, but quickly picks up.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, to NetGalley and the publisher, Palm Tree Press Books for the opportunity to read this book.

I went into this book completely blind and whoa, was this a wild ride. There is so much happening in this book; our main character, Stacey, is such a toxic individual. I had a really hard time finding her likable because all she cared about was herself. It never really felt like she cared about her friends or family.

The nostalgia factor of this book is what kept me interested in the book. Being set in 1996, it brought back so many memories of growing up in that timeframe and it was fun to read all of the pop culture references from that era.

This is a coming-of-age story and is set during a summer when Stacey seems to learn all of the life lessons all in one go. She certainly learns these lessons in the hardest ways possible.The book feels very abruptly ended and I would have liked to see more “meat” in the plot as it ended.

Lifeguard Stacey Chapman is dreaming of love and drowning in bad decisions" perfectly sums up this book: a summer full of confusion, bad choices, and the weight of invisible struggles.

This story hit me in ways I wasn’t prepared for. Like Stacey, I’ve battled body image issues and once experienced something deeply traumatic—a situation where someone I liked tried to take advantage of me while I was sleeping. It didn’t escalate to the worst, but it left its scars. Reading Absorbed was like seeing my life on the page: the impulsive haircut, dangerous choices, and alcohol, all in a desperate attempt to forget. At times, it felt too real, and I genuinely considered not finishing it.

That said, I struggled with the pacing. The central plot didn’t unfold until halfway through, and the ending subplot threw me completely off guard—like, what was even happening there? Honestly, I couldn’t make peace with Jessie. In real life, I still haven’t forgiven the person who hurt me, so why would I forgive a fictional character? What happened to him was tragic, but Stacey didn’t owe him friendship.

This book stirred up emotions I didn’t expect to revisit. It’s raw, difficult, and honest, and I think it will strike a chord with many readers. It’s important to mention that this book deals with heavy topics like abuse, trauma, and emotional violence. I wouldn’t recommend it to readers who are still working through their healing journey, as it can bring up a lot of tension and difficult emotions. Be gentle with yourself if you choose to pick this up.

My ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. It is definitely a relatable read for any age, but I took a star bc I don’t comprehend how Stacy can still be friends with Jessie and want to literally visit him in the hospital etc when he basically 🍇 her???? Like what??? But overall 4/5 stars.

This review is my own.

Loved all of the old school pip culture references throughout this book, and really enjoyed the crazy energy given off by the main characters.

This story felt incredibly real, transporting me back to 1996. The references to grunge bands, familiar stores, and clothing styles definitely stirred up nostalgia, reminding me of my high school days. The depiction of teenage drama and struggles was endearing and relatable. Stacey's growth and confidence through her passion for art kept me totally invested. Watching the group of coworkers become close friends and form meaningful connections, even in the midst of a tragedy by the end, was truly heartwarming.