Rating: 
Summary: I have lost sleep because I could not put it down at night
Review: Breathing underwater was an extraordinary book. As in the title of my review it was so excellent I could not put it down at night. I thought that it was very interesting to read, knowing that the problems Nick faces with Caitlin are caused from different things he faces in life. The novel also shows that someone can look perfectly happy on the outside, but be striving for help with problems inside. It was a very touching novel and definately kept my attention. I reccomend it to anyone who enjoys a novel that grabs your heart and draws you in.
Rating: 
Summary: A Story of an Abusive Teenager...
Review: "Breathing Underwater" is a book about a teenage boy named Nick Andreas. Nick has a pefectionist father who likes things his way or he gets abusive. Nick abused his girfriend, Caitlin, and now has a restraining order on him. Nick has to keep a journal. In the journal Nick tells the story of how he and Caitlin met, how things changed, how he got angry when she disobeyed him, and how what he thought to be the perfect relationship suddenly ended with him not understanding why. Nick's friends notice he is a little to controling and Tom says something about it to him. When Tom talks to Nick, Nick gets mad telling Tom eveything's fine. But is everything fine? I thought "Breathing Underwater" was a good book. We read it during English class and I never wanted to stop reading the book to do other class work. I like how Alex Flinn put in the past by having Nick keep a journal while still telling about the present. I also like how she told the story as if it were true. What I don't really like is how Tom went back to Nick the next school year wanting to be best friends again. It makes it sound like Tom wasn't friends with Nick, only because he wanted to get Caitlin for himself.
Rating:
Summary: Breathing Underwater
Review: At the beginning of the book we meet the main character, Nick Andres. He's sitting in a courtroom and wondering why he is here. To everyone Nick has the perfect life .He's rich, good looking and has his first real girlfriend. The trouble starts when Nick starts going out with Caitlin. He experiences jealously and starts to develop an abusive mind. He hits her and has to attend anger management class.
The way the author tells the story is pretty cool. We read what Nick has to go through after he hit his girlfriend and we get to read his journal that tells what happened before he slapped her. All in all this was a good read.I recommend this to anyone who likes a lot of drama. This book will keep your attention until the very last page.
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Summary: Shannon H, Miller Place, NY
Review: Few mediums have done as much as YA literature to smack the happily ignorant masses upside their thick heads with the message that teen love isn't always sweet and poetic. True, Eminen "really" goes out of his way to educate society about violence against women by beating and killing his wife in his songs. And if there is ever a lull in the love triangle saga on "Dawson's Creek," the gang might tear themselves away from their own ridiculous romances to shake their heads in sympathy at some poor girl in school who is being abused by her boyfriend --- in fact, Joey might paint a mural about it while Dawson makes some really edgy documentary. But with books like Sarah Dessen's DREAMLAND, Louisa Luna's BRAVE NEW GIRL and first time novelist Alex Flinn's BREATHING UNDERWATER, YA authors and publishers clearly deserve most of the credit for striking a blow against the don't-ask-don't-tell status quo and giving this overlooked epidemic some much needed attention.
Of course, the problem for teen authors has now become: Amid the flurry of second-rate trauma/drama stories that have descended on teen audiences like a flock of Oprahs (the aforementioned BNG and DRMLND notwithstanding), how do I write a book about an abusive teen relationship and still maintain a fresh perspective? Flinn's approach is both a unique and effective one --- BREATHING UNDERWATER explores the abusive relationship between two highschoolers from the abuser's perspective.
Nick is a smart, rich, popular, good-looking 16-year-old guy. From his backstory --- his father is both physically and mentally abusive --- Psych 101 tells us that he, too, will be an abuser. And, in fact, he is. When we first meet Nick, the consequences of his furious blows against his girlfriend have left him slapped with a restraining order, ostracized by his peers and forced to undergo rehabilitation in the form group therapy sessions with other abusers (though Nick seems them as a bunch of psychos). He is also instructed to keep a journal chronicling his relationship with his girlfriend from the first moment they met. It is through this stylistic device --- interweaving the retrospective journal entries throughout the present day action of the story --- that the reader best witnesses Nick's decent from an all American boy with a dark and troubled past to a convicted felon estranged from the woman he loves.
The victim of Nick's fists of fury is Caitlin. Once fat, now beautiful, Caitlin has the sort of "issues" that make her a prime target for abuse. We are left to suppose that her fatness was either the cause or a consequence of her low self-esteem. In either case, her current view of herself is considerably less positive than the way others see her. To the outside world she could have any boy she chooses, but in her own mind, she's lucky to have a cad like Nick. This core belief binds her to Nick even as he calls her fat and stupid and, eventually, beats her to a pulp. Is Caitlin simply too terrified to talk about the abuse? Or, on some level, does she feel she deserves it? Most likely, it is a combination of the two. But either way, Nick and Caitlin's sick theater of pain and degradation continues unchecked until the authorities finally step in.
BREATHING UNDERWATER walks a thin line between letting us understand Nick and excusing his actions. For the most part, the author chooses to ignore that line. Her solution is to report the truth of the world as she sees it and let the reader assign blame. But if shame is the product of being wrong, then Nick was wrong indeed. His shame and the depth of his sorriness are spelled out in heart stroking details. By the end of the story his rehabilitation is complete: Nick finally realizes that what he did to Caitlin was inhumane and cruel and starts to make strides towards "unteaching" himself all that he's learned from his father's example. Readers may question the veracity of this quick change, but Flinn's prose is generally deft enough to support it. A happy ending for Caitlin is less clear. Has she acquired the tools to avoid being a victim again or will she fall prey to the next unreconstructed Nick clone that rolls across her path? BREATHING UNDERWATER seems hopeful, but as real life has proven, we can't be absolutely sure.
--- Reviewed by Jamal Matthews
Rating:
Summary: I really liked the book
Review: I give Breathing Underwater a 4 star because this was a really good book. When I first started reading this book, like the first couple of pages of it, I thought it would be stupid, but after reading the first chapter of it, it started to get good.
The book is about this boy named Nick and he has a girlfriend Cat, she is the love of his life. Nick has to go to counseling because he hit on his girlfriend so many times. So he has to go to counseling plus he has to keep a journal and write 500 words per week.
The people that I think that should read this book is teenage girls because girls have to watch there boyfriends cause you never know they might beat up on you. Plus I wouldn't want a boy beating up on me.
Rating:
Summary: Breathing underwater
Review: I give the book breathing under water four stars because soon as I started reading it I could not put the book down.
When I read this book, I felt so bad for Caitlin because her boyfriend nick hit her. The best part in the book would have to be Nike journal enters. The only bad part about the book would have to be the end of the book. I think it could have been better but other then that I love the book I think all teenage girls should have read the book because it is very good. I think it well teach them something in relationships with guys.
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Summary: An Unbelievably Compelling Read...
Review: i read this book for the newly formed Book Club at my school...i knew nothing about the book, and joined because a)i have a dearth of books ive been interested in reading b)free pizza anyways, this book was more than a pleasant surprise...Alex Flinn's characters are believable, and i can find friends in my life for each character in the book...Nick is a character thats been done before in other novels, the guy w/the perfect life:good looks, brains, popularity etc...but hes the one that really has it the worst...hiding behind his facade, he lives a life of lies and nobody knows the hell of his life at home w/his father, and he mirrors his life through his treatment of his girlfriend, Caitlin...BREATHING UNDERWATER tells the tale of Nick's path to discovery/admission of his problems, and how he comes to solve them and become a man the novel is brought to us mostly as read from Nick's journal he must write by court order...at first sarcastic in his entries, Nick soon finds solace in its pages, and pours his soul into his writing, letting us see the contradiction of his actions and thoughts...we come to know he is a well-meaning young man who doesnt know any better than how he acts, and who has serious self-confidence issues, and suffers from intense paranoia and a desire to be accepted...the novel gives us brief glimpses of his life at the present, after the whole incident w/his girlfriend, who filed a restraining order, and we see what he has to endure, and, knowing him through his novel, understand this can only make things worse...you feel his frustration throughout the novel, as he truly loves Caitlin, but shows it in the poorest of ways BREATHING UNDERWATER is a novel which touches on domestic violence, but makes it accessible to all readers, especially teenagers, who may not understand exactly what an abusive relationship is...it makes an interesting story w/obvious real life themes, real life emotions, and semi-real life results...read this book, it is one that will make you wonder, make you think, and make you more aware of your actions towards others...great novel
Rating: 
Summary: When he finally came out of the closet
Review: I think Breathing Underwater is a great book for mature readers. It starts when Nick Andreas is on trial for abusing his ex-girlfriend. The book quickly takes off when Nick has to write a journal that includes all about his and Cat's relationship; Nick also had to go to anger management classes. Nick loses his friends, his first true love, and everything that his money couldn't buy. His father says that he was a mistake and always degrades Nick and hits him almost daily. Nick is a football player, a hero and a friend, but when the world finds out about his abusive relationship he becomes a nobody and no one cares who he was and they see his real side. I think this book should be read in every tenth grade English class. The book shows what could happen in teenage relationships. The book also shows the signs of abuse and what you shouldn't do while in a abusive relationship. I also think the suspense between journal entries was the best I have seen.
Rating:
Summary: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Review: Nick Andreas is one of the few blessed members of his high school elite on Key Biscayne. He is smart, rich, good-looking, and insanely popular. Come the first day of sophomore year, he arrives in style, driving the brand new car he just received for his 16th birthday. Almost immediately, he notices her, a beautiful blonde. Caitlin Alyssa McCourt. She's ethereal, almost delicate looking. Her airy appearance separates her from the rest of the pretty girls. She wears a slipdress and pearl earrings while the rest of them wear diamond studs and jeans. Immediately, Nick wants her. "That's Caitlin McCourt. She went to fat camp over the summer," Nick's best friend since kindergarten, Tom, says. Now, 35 pounds lighter, she's transformed into a different person. At first shy and fearing rejection, Nick musters up his courage and asks her if she wants a ride home after school. She accepts his invitation. Their relationship blossoms in a matter of two months. Nick loves Caitlin - or so he believes. And Caitlin loves Nick. Being a former fat girl, many insecurities still seem to be present in her - she fears Nick will leave her and doesn't believe she can find better. Nick starts out loving, gentle, and protecting. Then he turns angry, frustrated, and doubly insecure, as well as immensely overbearing and cruel. The first time he slaps her, he woos her back with a gift and apologizes profusely. All is forgiven. It isn't that way the second time. The second time, Nick goes too far. He believes he is the only one who deserves power over Caitlin and when she defies him by singing in the school's talent show, things turn hideous, but perhaps even more so on Nick's part. We watch as he loses every single high school friend he has. We watch as anger management sessions open his eyes. We watch as a wiser Caitlin McCourt is finally able to reject her first and former boyfriend. Nick's crew, as well as the entire school, knows of Nick's ways, which is why they can barely stand to look at him. Everyone sides with Caitlin. But Nick has kept a dark secret from everyone EXCEPT Caitlin, including Tom, who, prior to Nick's incident involving Caitlin, thought he knew his best buddy inside and out. Nick's father is just like him: good looks, brains, charm. And an ugly, ugly temper that often turns violent. Will Tom find out that while Caitlin was hurting, so was his so-called best friend? Or will Nick be too embarrased to open his mouth? Read and see. Alex Flinn's first novel fits a cliche, yet strays from their use, thankfully. She's written a story that is realistic and artfully depicts and pieces together the mind of an abuser. At times, I found myself hating Nick Andreas with a passion. Other times, I felt sorry for him. Either way, the novel ends on a note neither completely happy nor a downer, and it manages to stay away from being overly sappy and sentimental throughout. It flows nicely and, for a first effort, is quite well done.
Rating:
Summary: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Review: Nick Andreas is one of the few blessed members of his high school elite on Key Biscayne. He is smart, rich, good-looking, and insanely popular. Come the first day of sophomore year, he arrives in style, driving the brand new car he just received for his 16th birthday. Almost immediately, he notices her, a beautiful blonde. Caitlin Alyssa McCourt. She's ethereal, almost delicate looking. Her airy appearance separates her from the rest of the pretty girls. She wears a slipdress and pearl earrings while the rest of them wear diamond studs and jeans. Immediately, Nick wants her. "That's Caitlin McCourt. She went to fat camp over the summer," Nick's best friend since kindergarten, Tom, says. Now, 35 pounds lighter, she's transformed into a different person. At first shy and fearing rejection, Nick musters up his courage and asks her if she wants a ride home after school. She accepts his invitation. Their relationship blossoms in a matter of two months. Nick loves Caitlin - or so he believes. And Caitlin loves Nick. Being a former fat girl, many insecurities still seem to be present in her - she fears Nick will leave her and doesn't believe she can find better. Nick starts out loving, gentle, and protecting. Then he turns angry, frustrated, and doubly insecure, as well as immensely overbearing and cruel. The first time he slaps her, he woos her back with a gift and apologizes profusely. All is forgiven. It isn't that way the second time. The second time, Nick goes too far. He believes he is the only one who deserves power over Caitlin and when she defies him by singing in the school's talent show, things turn hideous, but perhaps even more so on Nick's part. We watch as he loses every single high school friend he has. We watch as anger management sessions open his eyes. We watch as a wiser Caitlin McCourt is finally able to reject her first and former boyfriend. Nick's crew, as well as the entire school, knows of Nick's ways, which is why they can barely stand to look at him. Everyone sides with Caitlin. But Nick has kept a dark secret from everyone EXCEPT Caitlin, including Tom, who, prior to Nick's incident involving Caitlin, thought he knew his best buddy inside and out. Nick's father is just like him: good looks, brains, charm. And an ugly, ugly temper that often turns violent. Will Tom find out that while Caitlin was hurting, so was his so-called best friend? Or will Nick be too embarrased to open his mouth? Read and see. Alex Flinn's first novel fits a cliche, yet strays from their use, thankfully. She's written a story that is realistic and artfully depicts and pieces together the mind of an abuser. At times, I found myself hating Nick Andreas with a passion. Other times, I felt sorry for him. Either way, the novel ends on a note neither completely happy nor a downer, and it manages to stay away from being overly sappy and sentimental throughout. It flows nicely and, for a first effort, is quite well done.
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