Into the Deep End by Leesa Freeman is a novel of overcoming the impossible and striving to new challenges. Luke Stevenson knew he wanted to swim in the Olympics, but a horrible car accident shattered those dreams. Not only did he lose his twin, Bethany, but also his best friend, Rob, in one tragic moment. Left paralyzed from the waist down, Luke withdraws, not wanting to face the world. When Adriana, Rob’s girlfriend and the fourth passenger in the car that night, urges him to come with her to a camp for children with spina bifida, Luke meets two charismatic counselors, Will and Gina. As the three weeks of camp progress, Luke begins to realize all his hopes and dreams are still possible. Deciding to leave home, he embarks on new discoveries and opportunities. Can he move forward past the haunting events of that fateful night?

Miss Freeman has done an exceptional job evoking emotion in her novel. She wrote Luke’s transition well, clearly illustrating how he grew from the day of the accident into a stronger person. I liked that she took the extra initiative to really research spinal cord injuries. This made the novel all the more realistic. I found the novel heartwarming and inspiring. There is simply no way to express how I enjoyed this book except that I rarely cry at the end of novels. Into the Deep End is sure to touch the lives of anyone who reads it and the author should be proud of her efforts.

Into The Deep End by Leesa Freeman portrays life after disaster strikes! Luke Stevenson gazes into his future, while trying to leave behind the memory of his past. It is like staring into the pool, looking into the deep end, knowing you can never take the plunge again. Luke was a promising young collegiate swimmer, an Olympic contender, until a tragic accident leaves him a paraplegic. With his sister and best friend dead, Luke is bitter, hopeless and full of grief. The only other survivor is Adriana, Addy, but both of them are broken and tortured by memories. Luke reluctantly agrees to go with Adriana to Camp Caballero, a camp for children with Spina Bifida. Over the course of three weeks, Luke’s life turns around - nothing like a campfire, marshmallows and children to regain perspective. Recovering would be an uphill battle for both of them, but together they jump “Into The Deep End.” They will either sink or swim.

Leesa Freeman did her research; she vividly narrates the challenges of a recovering spinal injury victim. Penned with painful realism, Into the Deep End purges and caresses your soul. Freeman authentically illustrates grief; the evil traumatic twins - the guilt of being a survivor and the agony of being a victim. No one knows how they will react when catastrophe invades, destroying hopes and dreams. Or, how they will respond to life, living in the tragedy’s aftermath. Freeman takes these unknown issues and places them within her characters. She reveals the depth of resolve and the fortitude of spirit, to will yourself to get beyond tragedy and live again. “Live through it, that’s all we can do.” Written in first person, from Luke’s point of view, you feel his pain and celebrate his victories. The atmosphere of the setting was brilliantly played out, right down to the drawl and Dr Pepper Cake. (I am a native Texan, therefore I know.) The final words left me with goosebumps and a smile. Into The Deep End is an unforgettable story.