This was a 3.5 star read for me. I really enjoyed the concept of this story, and following the bullies as they go through a reeducation program on a cruise ship. It was a fast-paced read and kept me intrigued until the very end.

Now I will say I would have like to learn more about our extra characters and what made them become bullies, and also have some more of the process. I would have loved to learn what our main character had done as well to get herself enrolled into the No Exit program. But I think for the intended audience, it's probably just the right amount!

I have been so interested in this authors books. So, I am glad to have had the opportunity to read this one. I think these are the types of books I would have loved to read when I was younger!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's for my advanced reader copy.

When I requested this book I mostly asked to read it because of the author. But once I started reading, I got pulled into the story. Such an interesting take on rehabilitation for troubled youth. The story obviously took the concept to a whole other level but I found it captivating. It brought to mind the show Squid Games with its severity. I felt that the characters were developed well and found myself rooting for the core group. The ending broke my heart but I saw it coming and definitely appreciated it. What a brave final act of friendship Gwen displayed. Not only did she avenge her friend and also potentially saved other kids from the same fate. Truly a perfect "good guy" character for this book. I felt the book was well written, entertaining and original. I would recommend it to my friends. Thank you for allowing me to read it!

Vesper thought she was going on a 10 day cruise to get away after her mom’s passing, however it turns out to be a reeducation cruise for bullies. The cruise is a prison and there’s no way off. Each teen is now reduced to a number and is made to face what they’ve done to get there. When it turns deadly, they must do what they have to to survive. Who can Vesper trust?

This was fast paced and the idea was incredibly intriguing! I loved the characters-Gwen was my favorite! I really enjoyed how it all came together in the end. I did feel like it went too quick though and left some unanswered questions.

Overall, this was a super fun read!

I love to cruise! I also would not want to be on this particular boat. With that said there is no punishment undeserving of a bully. Only if this was a real thing sans death.

This was a quick fast pace read. I really liked the idea of the book, but felt it was a little too quick and left me with a few unanswered questions. It does work really well as a book to get you out of a slump, as I was really intrigued to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I did enjoy the twist and did not see it coming at all. Unfortunately, as soon as the twist was revealed, there was a lot of repetitive re-telling of previous chapters with not a lot of new information added. Because of that, the ending felt a bit rushed and it just left me wanting a little more. Overall I would recommend this book, and am very appreciative of Net Galley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book presents an interesting concept. There are surprises and mystery and events to keep the reader hooked throughout the book. The Author's Note at the end is helpful and adds a nice touch to the story. The book opens the door to dialogue about tough issues young people face today.

Absolutely love Maren Stoffels!! This book did not disappoint!!! I love how quick of a read it is and that she is able to keep you hooked the whole time. Definitely a must read!!!!

Excellent read! A real twist on a hot topic right now. I didn’t see Gwen’s side until it was too late, and I’m left wondering why. Does the program work? Should it continue?

I loved this YA thriller! It will hit you in the feels as you watch the characters grow as they navigate their pasts, and fight thru their fears and regrets. 4 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. I loved it, it was super suspenseful, thrilling and I was at the edge of my seat obsessed with what was going to happen next.

Deep Water is a gripping survival thriller about resilience, isolation, and the power of friendship, following teens who must fight against both their captors and their own past to stay alive. This book had everything I love—LGBTQ+ representation, an interesting twist, and a strong theme of friendship that kept me invested from start to finish.

It was fast-paced with moments of genuine horror, making it impossible to put down. I also loved the moral dilemma at the heart of the story: Is revenge ever truly justice? The book doesn't offer easy answers, which made it all the more compelling. I couldn’t help but indulge in the gluttonous feeling of imagining a world where bullies get an eye for an eye—and then questioning whether I’d actually support that if it were legally possible. That inner conflict made the book even more gripping. And while the ending was undeniably sad, I appreciated its message that sometimes, the best we can do is cry it out.

On top of all that, it was short and easy to read—perfect for when you're looking for a good read that doesn’t feel overwhelming. I also loved how the book explored justice for not just victims of bullying but also LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized people, adding even more depth to the story. The isolated ocean setting added to the tension, making survival feel even more desperate.

That said, it was tough to suspend disbelief at times since the story is written like realistic fiction, and some of the events felt a little far-fetched. Still, if you’re willing to roll with it, Deep Water is a tense, emotional, and thought-provoking read—I recommend it.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

No Exit is a 10 day cruise for bullies meant to re-educate them. Make them face what they’ve done, make them face the people they’ve hurt.
No Exit consists of two phases: Karma and Confrontation.

The concept of this book is pretty interesting, like nothing I’ve read before. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Vesper. Recently losing her mother to cancer causes her to start lashing out. Feeling that his daughter is out of hand and needs help Vesper’s father signs her up for the program.

The process they use to achieve their goal of re-educating these bullies is what makes Deep Water a crazy read.
Will the process work on Vesper? Will she survive the 10 days when kids start dying?

This review is based on an ARC.

I was hooked from the start and could not put it down. The end felt rushed and anti-climatic. I think the premise is unique and has an interesting twist on modern issues. I think it is worth the read.

Deep water is an intense story of bullying and the consequences that come from it. There are re-education programs out there and it's scary to think that some of these situations may actually happen. The story kept me reading and wanting to know what would happen next. I did read this all in one day! I am definitely going to look for her other books that she has written.

This book had me hooked within just a few pages. It was fast paced, but not to the point that I could figure out what was going on off the bat. The premise of bullies being put in a program is so interesting to me, and to see the consequences of their actions. I did find Vesper to not fully be fleshed out, as we get bits and pieces of her backstory but not a full story which I was a little irked by, but other than that, I found the book to be engaging and worth the read.

While the premise of this book is interesting, teenagers trapped in a cruise ship and forced to confront their bullying, the execution is weak. For most YA thrillers, I anticipate some info dumping and unbelievable plot points, but this was just too much. The prose felt very forced and the adults didn’t speak naturally.

Because of the language and more intense content, I wouldn’t recommend this for younger teens (11-15). I would be wary about recommending it for older kids too.

Vesper thinks she’s on a fun cruise, but it’s really a harsh program for bullies. She faces tough challenges that make her confront her past. Fast-paced, intense, and a little shocking.

Deep Water by Maren Stoffels
4⭐
Deep Water was page-turner that got me on the edge of my seat thru the entire book.
The story begins with Vesper, who's having a hard time with the lost of her mother. She's getting in this huge ship to have a getaway vacation. Little does she know, the ship is a rehabilitation program for bullies, call No Exit. Ta ta taaaaaaa.
The way that the reeducation program implemented the karma fase was CRAZY!!!
I loved how the author connected the lives of the characters little by little with the plot at the end.
I think that "No Exit" could've been a great title👀. Just saying.
Thnks for letting me read this book, this was a good read.

Deep Water has a chilling premise—bullies sent to a brutal reeducation program called No Exit, where they’re forced to experience the same cruelty they inflicted on others. Set on a cruise ship, the stakes are high, and survival isn’t guaranteed.

Vesper, still grieving her mother, lashes out at others and ends up enrolled in the program. What she thought would be a getaway quickly turns into a fight for her life.

While the concept is intriguing, the execution left something to be desired. There were plot holes and unanswered questions, and after reading The Kill Factor by Ben Oliver, which explores a similar theme, Deep Water just didn’t hit as hard for me. It was an okay read, but not a standout.

Definitely a short, fast-paced read!

I was hooked from the start of this and read it in a single day. The premise is fantastic, and I was dying to know how it turned out, but I’m only rating it 3 stars because in the end something about it falls flat. I found it hard to believe these guards would not only assault the kids but also basically give nonefux if any of them died. I liked the twist, though, and I’m intrigued enough to check out other books by this author.

Thanks NetGalley and RHC/Delacorte for the ARC