Narrated by Renee Chambliss
Out of the Shallows concludes Into the Deep by Samantha Young. Note: Do not read/listen if you have not yet read Into the Deep.
Brief recap of Into the Deep: Charley Redford is on a year-long study abroad in Edinburgh with her best friend Claudia. While at a college party, Charley is stunned to run into Jake Caplin, her first love at age 16, who is also on a study abroad with his sweet new girlfriend. Charley struggles to resolve her hurt and rekindled feelings for Jake. Jake at first just wants Charley’s forgiveness and for them to be friends again. However, Jake and Charley’s chemistry and intense connection is still there, and they reunite by the end of Into the Deep.
Out of the Shallows begins with Jake and Charley broken up for about 6 months. What?!? After all that angst? Yes, young love is never drama-free. And, finding each other versus staying together can be two different things. Like Into the Deep, Out of the Shallows is told from Charley’s perspective, going back and forth between present and past. Because of the shifting timeline, it isn’t until more than halfway that we learn why Charley and Jake are no longer together. A family tragedy forces Charley to make questionable choices. Back in the States at Purdue for her senior year, Charley struggles to find herself and reconcile to a life without Jake.
Meanwhile Jake, who is at Northwestern, refuses to give up—thereby redeeming himself as a hero. In Into the Deep, I couldn’t get behind Jake’s worthiness to Charley’s awesome Supergirl. Jake’s actions as a 17-year-old and later with his girlfriend Melissa made me question what Charley found attractive in him. Out of the Shallows makes me question who the real Charley is. I think she had an identity transplant between the two books.
Basically, Jake grew up. He’s a man who knows Charley is the one he loves and wants to be with. And, Charley is not Supergirl, just a confused and confusing girl who still has some growing up to do. What makes Out of the Shallows a romantic young adult novel is the story played out for Claudia and Beck. They are a beautiful couple whose characters really grew up together. Their story, Ms. Young’s uncannily honest writing of the surfeit of feelings of young adults, combined with Ms. Chambliss’ audio performance, make this a worthwhile listen.
As with her previous narration, Ms. Chambliss nails the young adult voice. Her performance is effortless and uncontrived; it’s fun or anxious where appropriate. She clearly distinguishes several male and female characters, and captures the various accents in the Edinburgh scenes. The gang of friends’ last night at the bar was so bittersweet and nostalgic. I could feel that promise, that sense of never wanting the happy times to end, in Ms. Chambliss’ pauses and pace. Her voice acting was totally spot on.
Overall, this is a solid narration of a not very satisfying New Adult book.
Megan
Narration: B+
Book Content: C
Steam Factor: For your burning ears only
Violence: Minimal
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult romance
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Out of the Shallows was provided to AudioGals for review by Tantor Audio.
