"This suspenseful story unfolds seamlessly in a variety of poetic forms and is laced with foreboding and heart…The cinematic, poetic writing features scenes of heartbreak, horror, and devotion, culminating in a gorgeous Technicolor finale. Come for the romance; stay for the artistry. " — Kirkus, starred review
“In The Pools, E. Lockhart writes with a courage that intimidates and inspires me. She’s done it again!”
—Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down
"A wild and poignant novel in verse about wounded people and the secrets they bury for self-preservation. Lexie and Chester's love story is unlike any you've ever read: a contemporary fairy tale of depression, anxiety, loss, and the first love that consumes you. A stunning poetic achievement that packs a hell of a punch."
— Kathleen Glasgow, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and The Glass Girl
A shocking transformation. A love that will change them irrevocably.
Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed.
But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.
When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is instant. She’s running from a glittering life she won’t speak about. He’s hiding secrets of his own.
Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.
One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shockwaves through the town, changing life as Lexie knows it forever.
Breathless as it hurtles towards its startling conclusion, The Pools is a modern tour de force—and E. Lockhart’s most transformative love story yet.
