INTO THE DEEP BLUE, by Jennifer E. Archer, Marble Press, Sept. 30, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)
Best friends Nick and Fiona help each other work through grief while fighting their growing attraction to each other in Into the Deep Blue, by Jennifer E. Archer.
Nick and Fiona were meant to be friends―best friends―and they wouldn’t change that for the world. At least, that’s what they tell themselves.
Because they can’t be an us.
Nick doesn’t believe in happy endings ever since they both lost their moms unexpectedly senior year. And Fiona often wonders if all they have in common is their numb hearts.
Still, they’re content to share everything else with each other. Honestly. Everything but sparks.
But when Fiona accidentally lets her guard down more than she intended to with Nick, it threatens to ruin their fragile balancing act. Luckily, Nick isn’t about to let a little misunderstanding get in the way of the weekend trip they’ve been planning for months. Fiona is just hoping for some closure on the first anniversary of her mom’s death―except grief isn’t that simple, and choosing to love again isn’t, either.
Now the only thing standing between Fiona and Nick is the truth. They just need the courage to reach for it. —Synopsis provided by Marble Press
Into the Deep Blue is a book that feels rooted in real life. It speaks to the truth behind grief. It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. It’s nonlinear. And each experience is unique.
The story unfolds from the alternating viewpoints of Nick and Fiona.
Nick’s life feels messier. His backstory is complex and avoidance seems to be the best answer to everything. It’s only with Fiona that he can be real, but even that becomes hard as his feelings for her evolve.
Fiona’s the one who has everything together — at least that’s what it looks like from the outside. The truth is, she’s never felt more alone, except when she’s with Nick.
Nick and Fiona are well developed and rooted. It’s not hard to cheer them on.
Into the Deep Blue is a character-driven contemporary novel/romance that moves quickly. Author Jennifer E. Archer gets straight to the heart of things and holds you through the end.
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