Deep Down by Imogen West-Knights is about a sibling relationship and the confusing feelings they have to process that are brought up when their violent father dies. The sections where they are adults worked better than the flashbacks to childhood.

In Deep Down, Billie and Tom are grieving the death of their father when they are reunited in Paris where Tom is now living.
It's a moving and insightful read about grief, family relationships and abuse. It's a very understated novel and the issues are explored with empathy and sensitivity. I didn't particularly like any of the characters but felt that this was a strength- it shows how our history impacts us, and I was still able to feel empathy for them. However, this also prevented me engaging wholly with the novel and the characters and for me there was something missing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red 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 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 very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I have to admit that I've found the description of this book as 'heart warming' and 'hilarious' to be a misnomer, because I can't remember the last time I read something so devastating. 'Deep Down' is a beautifully examined story about familial abuse, the ripple effect it can cause on families and how people can pass it down from person to person. I follow Imogen on Twitter, and always thought she was an excellent writer, but one of the things I liked best about 'Deep Down,' was that it was very 'show, don't tell.' We don't need to know exactly how awful the sibling's father was here because they show it to us through their memories and their actions. The effect their father had on them is like a drop of ink being placed in a glass of water - it swirls and eddies until finally it colours everything it touches.

This book will not be for everyone. At the end, nothing is really resolved, there is no hugging and learning. No one is 100% villain, or 100% hero. You will be frustrated by many of the choices the two protagonists make and how they talk and act to the people around them, especially the people they claim to love. And yet, if you're anything like me, you won't be able to stop reading. I devoured this book in one sitting and then cried afterwards.

I always think that the books which have the greatest effects on us are the ones we can't stop thinking about - both for good and bad reasons. I will be thinking about 'Deep Down' for a very long time. And in this case, that's a good thing.