This was a funny and brilliantly observed book. I felt I knew the characters extremely well and although the pacing was sometimes a little slow, this kept me gripped to the very end.

I really loved this – read it slowly and I'm glad I did, as it's the kind of book you like to wash over you.

In an ideal world, parents don't die. But, if they do (and they will), the next ideal scenario is that siblings come together and support each other; perhaps exchange some heartwarming stories from their childhood. If family life wasn't so happy, they still prop each other up - and then they open up. But this is not so simple for Billie and her brother Tom.
Living respectively in London and Paris, they receive news of their father's unexpected death, in America, where he has moved with his second wife. Drifting twentysomething work experience drone Billie does the right thing – she rushes to Paris where Tom is working in a pub (but emphatically not working as an actor, which had been his ambition). But there is no grand, emotional reunion. Instead, Billie and Tom circle around each other, unsure as strangers, perpetually hoping for the closeness they both crave, but unable to offer it - or accept it.
Both of them have notched up relationship failures. And as we delve into their pasts via flashbacks, we begin to understand why - and why grieving their father is not so simple. Imogen West-Knights perfectly captures the uneasiness between the siblings, their drifting lives and their stumbling efforts at reconnecting and understanding how the damage wrought by domestic abuse in their childhoods has bled into their adult lives.
Along with the heartbreaking failure to connect, there's also a good measure of wit, acute observations about Parisian life - and the small humiliations of childhood that can stay with us. I loved how the domestic abuse is partially revealed and our imagination does the rest. As in life, it's the gaps between sentences and gestures that speak volumes.

#NetGalley review of "Deep Down" by Imogen West Knight is a debut novel that shows promise but ultimately falls short of expectations. The story follows a compelling premise but struggles to truly take off, leaving readers wanting more.

The author's writing style is engaging and descriptive, creating a vivid world for the reader to immerse themselves in. However, the pacing of the narrative is slow, and the plot never seems to fully develop, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied.

While the characters are well-crafted and complex, their development feels stagnant throughout the story. It's disappointing to see such potential in the characters go unrealized due to the lack of significant growth or evolution.

Overall, "Deep Down" is a decent debut with a lot of potential, but it fails to deliver on the promise of its premise. Readers looking for a fast-paced and engaging story may find themselves frustrated by the sluggish progression of this novel.

Little empathy to be found with the characters at first but this all changes as their shared childhood past and current adult anxieties are revealed and explained. A sad exploration of the damage that family disharmony can cause and how siblings try to turn to each other to make some sense of it.

i was deeply upset by the conflicted in this book. there was no thrill i am literally so upset by the fact that i just got out of a reading slump and this put me back to it v happy about it. :/

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

This compelling narrative explores the journey of a brother and sister as they grapple with the aftermath of their abusive father's death. Through their experiences, readers witness the complex emotions and challenges they face as they come to terms with their past and navigate their way forward. The story offers a poignant exploration of healing, forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of trauma.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I know this bothers some people but the timeline in this story jumps all over the place. Lots of flashbacks till it got to main story which is basically the ending. Not the cheeriest book, a brother and sister and their childhood and basically how it affects them as adults and losing a parent. Really enjoyed the Paris parts especially the tunnels. Straight onto Google afterwards. Overall it was a very readable book which I enjoyed.

I’ve made it sixty percent into this book, but just cannot keep going. I don’t care about any of the characters, and it proved impossible to keep track of all the timelines.

I have mixed feelings about this book... I was intrigued by the synopsis, but it didn't 100% live up to it for me. Both characters are difficult to sympathise with, yet I did find them and their thoughts on their father interesting enough. I also really struggled with the over-descriptive travelling, I think the story would have benefitted from a closer look at the characters during this time to help the connection.