I’ll admit it – I’m a reality show junkie. I love them! Initially that is what drew me to Stacy Juba’s novel, Sink or Swim. It’s an inside look at a contestant’s life after they’ve come off the show. However, this novel really surprised me and had me flipping pages faster than ever to find out what was going to happen. It’s a thriller, mystery and just a plain good read all rolled into one that kept me guessing throughout. Oh and the little smattering of romance was a nice touch too!
Cassidy, a fitness trainer, goes on the reality show Sink or Swim in the hopes of winning the money so she can open up the fitness clubs she’s had her heart set on forever. Unfortunately for Cassidy she comes in second and has to walk the plank instead. What the show does do for her though is launch her into being somewhat of a celebrity.
Cassidy returns home to find out she was everyone’s favorite contestant. People want to meet her, join the gym where she works and book her for appearances. At first Cassidy thinks this is great way to get herself recognized and hopefully get a stint doing something for sports oriented products – anything to be able to launch her own fitness centers. Even the local tv station has asked to follow her around and do a piece on her. Nothing wrong with that considering how cute the photographer Zach is.
What she didn’t bank on is a more than a few crazy people who are interested in her too. First there is the obsessed lady at the gym, one of the former contestants from the show who creeps her out and then there is her stalker. Or is one of these people her stalker? Cassidy doesn’t know but her stalker who calls himself Miles is becoming increasingly more obsessed and she’s starting to get really scared for herself and her family especially after some former contestants start to meet some trouble themselves. Will Cassidy find out who her stalker is before it’s too late?
Cassidy is a great character and I really liked her. She’s not one of those females who runs screaming when confronted with something; she wants to find out who is doing this to her. Who is daring to invade her life like this and that of her family? The other characters in Sink or Swim are very well portrayed as well. You may not hear a lot about them and yet they seem so real to you.
The whole story line felt very real from things the stalker did to Cassidy’s feelings regarding the situation. It is the mark of a good author when you find yourself seeing and feeling what is occurring in the story or when you feel invested in the character’s lives. This is how Stacy Juba made me feeling reading her book. I cared about Cassidy and what was going to happen to her. I cared about her family and future and along the way I got to read a fantastic mystery novel.
I don’t read a lot of mysteries although I do enjoy them but I’m sure glad I agreed to read Stacy’s novel Sink or Swim. It’s a great mystery that had me guessing throughout. Usually I can pick out who the culprit is and I did have some inkling about who it was in this novel but not enough to be positive. There were just too many other possibilities that made sense. If you like a good mystery and you’re looking for a way to spend a few pleasant hours then I would wholeheartedly recommend Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba. I really enjoyed it!
You can buy your own copy of Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba here in the US and here in Canada. The Kindle edition is at a fantastic price as well. Be sure to check out Stacy Juba’s website and the contest she has running until March 19 here. Stacy has another novel called Twenty-Five Years Ago Today that I’m itching to read along with a YA novel coming in 2012 called Dark Before Dawn which I’ll be waiting for.
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
My copy of Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba was received for review from the author.
I like the fact that this book is just so current. I imagine that the contestants of these shows are not really prepared for the type of people who begin to follow them.
This sounds like such an interesting book, and I have often wondered how reality show contestants fare after their time on the show is over. This sounds like it would answer a lot of my questions! Thanks for the great review, Dar! I will be looking for this one!
Ditto to what the others have said. I can't imagine the attention they get once they go home.
Would you want to be on a reality show Dar? I don't think I would.
Great review 🙂 Another one to tell my friend about, but I really should dip my toe in mystery water one day
I have to admit that I love reality shows too. This sounds right up my alley.
This sounds really good. I'll have to see if they have this for the Nook.
I so am addicted to Reality shows too!!! This one sounds great!!!
This sounds interesting and Cassidy sounds like a good character.
I'm a reality show junkie too 🙂
Looks like an interesting book, even though I am not a fan of reality shows. Good job on the review, Darlene.