Kristen’s Take: In Deep Water by Michael J. Tougias

Note: Kristen read this via an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) gifted to her from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press. In Deep Water by Michael J. Tougias will be published on June 23, 2026 - keep an eye out!

This book takes us along the experience of three men who find themselves adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, using nothing but two coolers as a floatation device, after their boat sinks on a casual fishing day trip. For 28+ hours, these men find themselves faced with hunger, thirst, jellyfish stings, sharks, unfavorable wind conditions, unimaginable bad luck, and an almost endless need for mental fortitude.

While this is outside of the genre I typically read, I have to say I’m a complete sucker for survival stories. As an avid camper and backpacker, I love the outdoors, and am always amazed and humbled at what Mother Nature can dish out to unsuspecting adventurers. This story was fast-paced and addicting, I actually read it all in a single afternoon. The book was a healthy mix of the experience from these three men’s perspective, as well as that from the rescuer’s perspective. Some of the background stories around the rescue teams felt a little bit distracting, but ultimately it provided a well-rounded story that gave the reader some serious suspense and anxiety.

Despite the writing feeling a bit too formal at times, I dove head first into this story and was amazed at what the human body can endure when you have something to fight for. Understanding what drove each man to keep fighting was beautiful and inspirational, especially considering the series of bad luck that they continued to face. Highly recommend this book if you’re itching to get outdoors this summer (especially if, like me, you’re dealing with this endlessly cold and rainy spring). It serves as a good reminder to always be prepared for the worst, and goes to show how badass humans can really be!

Vibes: 4/5

Expected Publication: June 23, 2026