Swimming Lessons

Before We Drowned #2

by Ashley Rae

After a chain of unthinkable events, Jordan likes to believe that she’s learned her lesson– that her youth isn’t invincibility disguised as an innate trait, and that giving in to her own rules never turns out in her favor. She has begun to navigate the world with new eyes, and a hole in her heart that no one else can quite fill.

But sometimes, when you reach rock bottom and it seems there’s nowhere to go but up, you still have more to uncover. When it seems your life is so tight-knit it can never rip, you find holes in the threads that get worn over time. And when you think you’ve suffered all that there is to endure, the rug can get pulled out beneath your feet.

Sometimes, when you reach rock bottom and it seems there’s nowhere to go but up, the water is much deeper than you think.

Genres: Romance, New Adult

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2022

About the author

Ashley Rae is a California native who loves to read all genres. When her nose isn't in a book, she's likely traveling, snowboarding, riding ATVs, or spending time with family.

Ashley writes books with flawed characters which shine a light on issues people like to keep in the dark. While her main genre is romance, she will always incorporate other aspects into her story.

Reviews

[Arianna Degel · Rating 2 out of 5]

im pissed why are we turning this into a cartel book the ending made me mad i’m done bye

Update : After the initial anger I lover the beginning of the book, i appreciate that he lived and the story didn’t die but this girl is obviously messed up and instead of expanding on the opportunity the book turned into a cartel series. Loved the first book but will not continue the series anymore.

[Hayley Somerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adrian getting sober and the two of them getting back together made me so happy.

This series is an emotional one, especially with the subject it’s about but they’re well written and this one was beautiful

[Emma Goebel · Rating 2 out of 5]

was this? mid instead of just plain bad? do I actually feel like they aren’t that toxic anymore? wild.

[Kate Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HUGE thank you to Ashely Rae for the ARC of Swimming Lessons in exchange for my honest review. Reading "Before We Drowned" it dawned on me how real and authentic Ashley's character's felt. I loved that they weren't perfect and suffered from real flaws. These characters deal with partying, drug use, cheating, and addiction- they feel real and they feel raw. Jordan- our main character honestly reminds me a lot of myself and growing up in similar friend groups I found myself relating to her story right away. Swimming Lessons was one of my most anticipated reads and when I got the email alerting me that my ARK had arrived I sat down that night and finished the whole story within 4 hours. I would say that this series is addictive just as it is emotional and it is so worth the read.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred book one; it just made me FEEL more. But this one Had me on the edge of my seat. Wish we could have experienced more of the positive side of Adrian and Jordan’s relationship, but i guess that’s why there is a third book! Hoping to see more of that in that one. And the ending threw me for a loop and i’m not sure how i feel about it yet. Seeing the evolution of both characters and their relationship- for the better- was heartwarming and so real. I loved it. I do wish there was more spicy scenes but considering the MCs weren’t back together until the last few chapters, it makes sense. I do hope there is more spice, and more of their relationship overall in the next book. A very realistic, yet so sweet series. Looking forward to book 3!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the beginning of this book - but I feel like it started getting messy. Kind of incomplete on a lot of ends.. like introducing Ryan’s point of view then stopping it out of nowhere? Why was Alec back ever? What’s the deal with Cam & Trevor? Her mom dying out of nowhere? Idk overall just messy. I like the realness of Jordan and Adrian’s relationship as far as this is exactly how toxic relationships go. But then the ending with his mom? I will most likely read book 3 but pretty disappointed overall in the turn book 2 took.

[Meagan Caruolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series seriously has made me laugh, cry and jaw drop with each book. Being someone who fell in love with an addict, and watched them recover this book hits really close to home. The second book hit the most as my father passed away and was an alcoholic for my whole life and it was right as my SO got clean. Things lined up so closely with my life although of course cartel stuff not so much. I’m excited to read the third book in the series to see how it ends up I pray for a happy ending and for this to maybe be the final chapter.

[Véronique Monet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending came out of nowhere, and the death of the FMC's mom was sooooo flawed with Jordan being back to normal a few weeks later like nothing happened - felt like this was added for a dramatic effect but the reactions of the MCs were not realistic.

Kind of bummed because I LOVED the first one and was really excited for this one.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book wraps up some of the issues from the first book. It’s awesome how the focus is about recovery and restoring love and forgiveness. As always, book 2 did not disappoint with a cliffhanger into book 3. The character development of Adrian has me SMITTEN for the man he has grown into through his struggles with addiction.

[Cece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again like the first book, this was a quick fast book to read. I felt like a lot of stuff happened but it wasn't detailed enough 🤷🏼‍♀️ like we have just bypassed Anthony twice with practically no insight to what's happening with him, which really annoyed me.
I mean I'm gonna finish the series because I find her writing really easy to follow and the short books are great for me!

[Jessica Hammitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

I love this book and to get others views. I love how it shows the relationship going from toxic to the best for both. I couldn't stop reading this book as well as the last. Can't wait to read the next one

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

InspirinG

Love these books so much. Really inspiring and helps you see people who struggle with stuff in a different way. I've learned a lot and I'm proud of Ashley for writing about struggles like these

[Autumn Shadowens · Rating 4 out of 5]

rollercoaster

Of course this book was just as amazing as the first, I loved it! Adrian’s and Jordan’s love story is a wild ride, and im nervous to see what’s going to happen to them in the third book. Fingers crossed Dre STAYS sober, i cant go through another heart break

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. I love this series. Jordan and Adrian are everything. Now I’ll be crying until the next book comes out but I know it’ll be work the wait.

[Alyssa Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

a work of art. i cannot wait for book three. didn’t think i could end up loving adrian more.

[Bri Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG… the abrupt endings are killing me 😭 patiently waiting for Treading Water!!!

[Ashley Raymer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly enjoyed this one way more than the first! I can’t believe i have to wait for a third!

[Christina Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSED AND CANT WAIT FOR BOOK 3😭😍😍😍

[Payton Abston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of this one isn’t as rough as the first but I know the third book is gonna be MESSYYYY

[Brittney Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ended on such a cliff hanger. ughhh

[Dalton Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Enjoyed this book would highly recommend can't wait until the third one comes out! Ashley Rae is an amazing author.

[Alaina Hartzheim · Rating 3 out of 5]

i only read this book because i was dying to find out what happened to adrian. guess now i’ll have to read the third when it comes out too

[Devin Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so obsessed with this series… I have never felt so passionately about book characters lol

I’m not into mafia books which is where it seems this one is headed but I’m going to give the next one a chance just because I’m invested…

[Carrie Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book couldn’t put it down can’t wait for the next part

[Addison Brobst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this shows how people struggle in real life. But it left off on a cliffhanger, so I guess I have to read the next one….:)

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book. Was expecting a lot more considering the cliff hanger that was left in book 1. I will probably read the 3rd but I feel like it was kinda dragging and there was no point to the story.

[Emily Sweeney · Rating 2 out of 5]

just not really my style. the language used is trivial and a bit cliche. it’s like full of gringy type sayings

[Jasmine Moreno-Mora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written a lot better than the last book and you can see the growth of each character individually.

[ni · Rating 2 out of 5]

bit boring but i loved ryan and the spanish is still shit, don’t wanna read #3 cause i already know it’s gonna be full of it (shit spanish)

[Kaitlyn Ingle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was such a disappointment after reading the first book. I’m not interested in the cartel storyline so I wont be reading the next one.