Ms. Gail Pallotta is one of my favorite authors. I've read several of her books and they all receive 5 stars from me. So happy to see the same here. :)

Some books stay on my mind, even after I've finished reading them. This is one of those books. After i read some about the author's experiences, I realized why the intense descriptions of chronic lyme disease seemed to real--they are! There's a wealth of all-but-first-hand information about one woman's battle to overcome an unidentified malady. Very interesting, not your typical, predictable romance. Definitely worth reading.

I really enjoyed this story. I cheered for the main character as she struggled to regain her health. I also cheered for the ragtag swimming team that she was coaching. This book kept me enthralled, and I found myself wishing that it wouldn’t come to an end. Chronic illness can be very difficult for people to understand, and the author did an excellent job of describing the toll that it takes on its victims and on their loved ones. Chronic illness not only hurts people physically but also mentally and emotionally. I thought this was a truly excellent book. It is a story that I would recommend.

Ms. Pallotta writes an endearing story of hope, love, and healing coming out of despair. I especially enjoyed the way she educated us, without realizing we were learning, about Lyme Disease. A story that made me want to cheer. Great read!

This book is exceptionally well written. It takes the reader into the life of Suzie who battles an unknown illness, and the rollercoaster havoc to he body and life it causes. Yet instead of feeling pity, I couldn't help but root her own. Her tenacity to keep her head above water is mirrored in her attempts to teach less privileged kids not only to swim but compete. As they improve, so does she...and then there is Matt. Light...letting In God's healing touch... affects him as well. I'm glad I purchased and read this one. You will be as well.

This well-crafted novel is layered with several interesting facets. The story of the local swim team, Susie and Matt’s evolving love story, and the deviation of Lyme disease.

Not only is it an interesting concept, there is a great deal of information in this novel of which the general audience is not aware. Susie’s health issues have taken over every aspect of her life, and she’s willing to give up a lucrative career to find a cure.

The alternative route she takes requires faith, enduring emotional pain, and seemingly giving up on everything to find an answer. Well done.

I learned so much as I read this book. Suzie's relationship with Matt is adorable. Not only did I enjoy a sweet love story, but I learned about a mysterious illness that I had never heard of before. All the symptoms of the young woman made me want to read on to find out what she had. What could this illness be? Another tidbit about this story is that the author knows firsthand about this illness so she was able to describe it perfectly. That was not all that I learned. I found out how hard young children have to work to be in a swim meet. The children are adorable as they interact with both Suzie and Matt. Loved the story and very well written!

Ms. Pallotta is a fine author and this story bares it out. The imagery is fantastic, putting you right into the setting: sea shore, swimming pool, swimming competition, inner feelings of Susie and Matt, sunsets, the way people talk, the pain Susie suffers from her illness and strained relationships. The list goes on. Susie has been hurt in the past and tries to get over it. What will happen when Matt learns of her illness. Will he hurt her just as did Carson, her former boyfriend? This is a wonderful story of faith and learning how to cope with the curves life throws us. The description of Susie's sickness and what she suffers is chilling. We, as the reader, will desire for her to get well and for everything to turn out okay. The tension is vivid as Susie must decide when to tell Matt of her illness. I particularly enjoyed the swimming competition which was exciting. The author is well versed in swimming and did an extensive research of the disease afflicting Susie. At the end of the novel are insights into the disease and prominent doctors who have dealt with it. I've had two swimming courses and still am not sure if I could save myself if I fell off the side of the pool. I wish I was close enough for Ms. Pallotta to give me lessons for surely I could get over my fear of water.

Hope is a definite theme in this story. But more than just a cross-your-fingers type of hope but a "you can rely on God" kind of hope. Illness can cloud the hope from our lives as we suffer through. This is what the main character from Barely Above Water experiences.
Pallotta's characters come to life through their distinctive development. The author weaves together a fight to maintain hope during a strange illness with a second chance at finding love and care.
Don't miss this well-crafted and unique story.