Drowing Instinct by Ilsa Bick

by:  Ilsa Bick

published by:  Lerner Publishing Group

publish date:  January 28, 2012

There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)

Jenna Lord's first sixteen years were not exactly a fairytale. Her father is a controlling psycho and her mother is a drunk. She used to count on her older brother—until he shipped off to Afghanistan. And then, of course, there was the time she almost died in a fire.

There are stories where the monster gets the girl, and we all shed tears for his innocent victim. (This is not one of those stories either.)

Mitch Anderson is many things: A dedicated teacher and coach. A caring husband. A man with a certain...magnetism.

And there are stories where it's hard to be sure who's a prince and who's a monster, who is a victim and who should live happily ever after. (These are the most interesting stories of all.)

Drowning Instinct is a novel of pain, deception, desperation, and love against the odds—and the rules.

Drowning Instinct is a very provocative story.  I can see that it might be a controversial book in some places.  Ultimately it is a cautionary tale about why young girls shouldn't have affairs with their married teachers.  In that regard, I would say it should be read, however it deals with a lot of grown up subject matter so I think it needs to be limited to the older YA group. 

I was surprised by this book because it seemed to be such a departure for Ilsa Bick.  It was YA, but it wasn't like her science fiction type writing.  She did a good job.  It was a believable story.

Jenna's story was sad and heartbreaking.  It's one you won't soon forget.  For sure this will be one of the more unique YA reads of the year.