Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Nature vs. nurture. How much of who we are comes from our parents and the environment we grew up in and how much are we responsible for? For example, if you grew up in a house where everyone communicates and loves one another, will you have positive relationships? What if you grew up in a house where violence and anger were king and beating someone up was the answer? Will you end up hitting your significant other and kids, thinking that it is acceptable behavior? Whose fault will it be when you hit that person: yours, theirs, or the generation before you?
These are the questions Nick must struggle with as he fights to take control over his life. Nick has been ordered by the court to attend anger management courses, keep a journal that explains his side of the story, and of course, there is the restraining order that says he must stay away from Caitlin, his ex-girlfriend. But he loves Caitlin and it was only a slap. He didn’t hit her, he didn’t do anything wrong. He loves Caitlin. And taking control of the anger, the emotions, is like Breathing Underwater.

*You can find Caitlin's story in the newly released Diva by Alex Flinn.