Name: Burying Water
ISBN: 9781476774183

K.A. Tucker

After waking up in Oregon with no memory, a young woman begins to build a new life with a crochety old woman on her horse farm, all the while watched by her next door neighbor who knows the truth about her past.

A Novel

Burying Water

Anna Ureta

I blame the lack of emotions I feel recently on medication (yes, I’m blaming them).
 I feel like my ability to feel things just…isn’t the same – either that or I’ve just read too many books that it’s gotten harder and harder to be emotionally impressed.
 One thing I admire about Burying Water is the main character’s strength and determination to survive and most past what has happened to her. You really can’t know how you’ll act or feel in her position, but Water Fitzgerald moves on, and when she does, it’s only then that she figures out who she was.

This isn’t a typical love story. It’s more about pain, loss, and the determination to survive.

After waking up in a hospital and being labelled as a Jane Doe, Jane remembers absolutely nothing about her past or who she is, not even her real name. After recovering from the terrible trauma she faced mentally and physically, she finds a home with her estranged hospital neighbour and is forced to start over. Jane becomes close with the family of the Doctor that operated on her and spends time with them almost like family while fighting the urge to get close to their son, Jesse who is apparently a bad seed.
 Before she was Jane, and then became Water Fitzgerald, Jesse knew her as Alex.
 She was trapped in a life she had no business being in and he’d fallen in love with her knowing full well how dangerous it was. No matter what happens, he’s determined to save her, even if it means putting his life at risk.
 Love will Endure, at least that’s what he hopes.

I really wish I could feel more for this book than I do now, but it just feels really hard to put thoughts into words. I really feel like I should feel more for a story like this – how touching and also how powerful it is.

The Romance isn’t what attracts the reader, but the story of Water’s survival and her will to continue on living. What also got me was the mystery behind her character – obviously as the reader we know who Water is but waiting for the character and the two stories to come together is part of the suspense.

Burying Water is told in past and present style of writing, alternating voices between Jesse in the Past and Water in the Present. The most enjoyable part for me was seeing how the past bleeds into the future and how very small things can trigger your memory at a subconscious level.

The first of the Burying Water series, I thought was exceptionally well-written and a credit to author K. A. Tucker’s talent. It is very deep and full of a woman’s strength and courage. Of course having someone like Jesse helped too, but he let her figure it out on her own and gave her a chance to become her own person.

3.5/5 Hearts of Love

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
.

Ok, so bear with me here. I've actually read Burying Water twice, but this is my first time reviewing it. Prior to its release, I read an eBook version but life got in the way and I didn't have a chance to write my review. Shortly after that, I received an audiobook version for review, so I decided to hold off on the eBook review and just write one after finishing the audiobook. Yes, this book was so good that I insisted on reading it twice in a little less than two months. 

I'm a big fan of K.A. Tucker's new adult contemporaries. I loved every single book in the Ten Tiny Breaths series and, as sad as I was to see it end, I couldn't wait to see what she would give us next. I love her writing style and her characters and admire the fact that she's willing to "go there" with tough subjects. Burying Water sounded incredible, so I was beyond excited to read it. (Um, both times.) While this book had a decidedly different feel than any of her books I've read in the past, she still retained her voice. The characters were every bit as relatable and easy-to-love (or hate) as those in her other series. 

I actually love the way this story was told. I thought it unique to have Jesse's POV in the past and Water's in the present. Through Jesse's eyes, we learn what he knew of Water's past and their relationship with each other. Through Water's eyes, we watch as she tries to reconcile what happened to her and learn who she is or was and the struggle she has with whether or not she wants to know everything that happened before. It was an interesting balance and a great way to learn the important parts of the past, while keeping an eye on the future because that's what was most important. My heart broke for Water and all that she dealt with and all that she lost. 

I loved Jesse's character, too. He wasn't perfect and he made mistakes. But he always put Water first, even over his own needs. One of the things I loved most about this book was their journey back to each other. There were so many little moments that I didn't grasp the gravity of until something was revealed in a flashback later. Those are the moments that made this book special to me. Her life with Jesse was lurking just under the surface and there's no denying they were meant to be together. Not when HE (and the times associated with him) are what she was drawn to after. 

The secondary characters in this book were so important to the story. The Welles family was integral to the story and I came to love them nearly as much as I did Water and Jesse. They were there for her in so many ways and it's safe to say that without them, she wouldn't have made it. Ginny is the other bright light in this book. I wasn't sure of her character at first, but she wound up being an incredible source of love and support for Water. And, also, Water for her. 

The audiobook version of this book was fantastic. I thought maybe this would be the type of book I couldn't or wouldn't enjoy a second time around just because it dealt with a lot of tough issues and a mystery that had already been solved. I was wrong. Instead of finding myself zoning out because I knew what would happen next, I actually found myself listening more closely because of the emotion the narration brought to the story. The narrators were both excellent. They did a great job of pulling even more emotions out of me the second time around. Their pacing was perfect and it was easy to imagine them as Water and Jesse. 

The bottom line is, no matter what format you choose to read this in, you're in for one hell of a ride. It's emotional and sexy and full of suspense. It's actually pretty easy to figure out who attacked her, but that's not what makes the story amazing. It's her journey back that makes this book special. 

I received two copies of this book from the publisher – one via NetGalley and one audiobook version – in exchange for an honest review.

Ariella

¡Sí! Libros con temática de Amnesia, ME ENCANTAN.
¿Este libro? Lo He Amado.
¿Los Personajes? Me Fascinaron.
K.A. Tucker, nueva escritora favorita en mi lista.
Esta es la primera novela que leo de la autora, así que en verdad no sabía en donde me estaba metiendo, y fue la mejor decisión empezar con Burying Water.
La Historia está narrada desde dos perspectivas, la de Jesse y la de Water. Debo acotar que eso ha hecho más fascinante a la lectura, saber lo que está sucediendo desde dos mentes diferentes.

La historia empieza cuando Jesse encuentra el cuerpo de Water en el aparcamiento de un edificio abandonado. Sus heridas son tan grave que le toma unos meses recuperarse (ahí es donde la Amnesia entra a jugar). A pesar de todo, Water consigue salir adelante y por cosas del "destino" se encuentra comenzando a vivir nueva vida en la pequeña localidad de Sisters, donde todo el mundo conoce a todo el mundo y los rumores se extienden como la pólvora. Water vive ahora en casa de Ginny, una anciana excéntrica y ermitaña con un pasado todavía más negro que el suyo. 

Lo que más me ha encantado de esta historia es la forma en como la autora narra los hechos, porque normalmente, cuando la amnesia es una variable, el núcleo de la historia se descubre en los últimos capítulos, no es hasta casi final que se conoce todo lo que pasó y como pasó, ESTO NO ES ASÍ EN BURYING WATER, es de ahí la importancia de ser narrado por dos perspectivas, el pasado y el presente.

Me agradó bastante el desarrollo de los Personajes, como cada uno tiene algo que perder, algo que ocultar y algo que ganar. Las malas decisiones fueron parte de la vida de los personajes, pero también la determinación de ser mejor y querer lo mejor.

Esta lectura me ha llegado bastante, casi hubo lágrimas (casi), pero hay personajes que merecen dichas lágrimas.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

This book was jointly reviewed by myself and my co-blogger, Becca!

THE STORY:

Becca: KA Tucker has amazed me again! This book was so so so so good! It was very different from the TTB series, but in such a good way. This book had it all romance, action, suspense and mystery. It is told in a dual POV. We flash back to the past with Jesse and then to the present with Water. Tucker seamlessly makes this transition and the book is amazing from start to finish. I loved the different road that Tucker took with this one, I was literally cringing and gripping my kindle in some parts! Others I was eaten up be the chemistry and electric romance! KA Tucker uses her trademark brilliance to blend romance, suspense and pain all into one amazing heart stopping story!

Lisa: We are definitely HUGE K.A. Tucker fans over here. In my eyes, she can do no wrong. I was so excited to try Burying Water after loving the Ten Tiny Breaths series so much. She definitely took a completely different angle with this series though. It’s more NA/adult romantic suspense, which I really enjoy as well! I was so happy to see that she could do romantic suspense just as flawlessly as she wrote her other NA series.

“He said the truth is like that water: it doesn’t matter how hard you try to bury it; it’ll always find some way back to the surface. It’s resilient.”

THE CHARACTERS:

Lisa: Man, I loved these characters. Water was the type of character I love the most. Her strength, resilience, and willingness to fight for her life had me routing for her from page one. Jesse and his rough and tough exterior hiding the emotional mess that he was on the inside is the type of guy I always fall for. He was definitely hiding quite a bit, but as the story progressed we were able to see more and more into the life of Jesse and why he was acting the way he was. Water was much more of a mystery as she didn’t have a single recollection of her life for most of the story. I can’t imagine waking up with no memory whatsoever, knowing that my mind was keeping the details from me to protect myself. Purely psychological. This story really messed with my mind!

The secondary characters were easily as important to this story as Water and Jesse. Though some of these characters I wanted to strangle or kick in the crotch (I won’t go into details… we don’t want any spoilers up in here!) they all played an important role in this strong and intense story. There was a strong family bond aspect, which always seems to give me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I find that in books. I love a good family or group of friends sticking together when times get tough, and this was definitely that type of family. Add in a little drama from the rickety old neighbor next door and you’ve got yourself a fabulous cast!

Becca: I could not agree with Lisa more (even about the ones that I wanted to knee below the belt as well). I loved each of these characters, from the MC’s Jesse and Water and then to the secondary characters. Tucker has a talent for making each of her characters valid and essential to her story.

Lisa and I have a love for flawed characters and this book definitely had that. Jesse was so closed off and even a little dark. Water was so helpless and lost, but strong at the same time. I loved how the story progressed in a way that we learned so much about them and grew to love them more and more by the end. Lisa is also spot on about the family aspect of this book, the farm was such a warm and cozy place and I loved Jesse’s family and Ginny too of course!

OVERALL:

Becca: KA Tucker is so talented and brilliant! She can do absolutely no wrong in my eyes! Even with her leap into this world of romantic suspense, she still pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go! There are so many things I loved about this novel, the writing, the characters, the strength of the female lead, the bond of family, the mystery and even a good dose of Karma it was just perfect for me. As if Tucker hadn’t already… she has solidified her spot on my roster of MUST READ authors!

Lisa: I couldn’t be happier with K.A. Tucker’s new work. Like Becca, I’m a total KAT fan girl. I was so excited when I saw this was actually the first book in a series. I was under the impression this was a standalone, and honestly, the way it ended left me completely satisfied. But some things, I have a feeling, may come back in the second book. I’m so curious to see if it’s going to be a continuation of these characters, or more of a companion novel like her other series.

If you’re not a huge fan of NA because you often see the same type of stories over and over again, I totally know where you’re coming from, and I’m so excited to tell you this one is very different. Much more of a romantic suspense. Yes, we still get a dose of our NA drama and tortured characters that we all love so much, but we also get many other suspenseful and intense scenes that made this story a real home run. I would most definitely recommend this book to… well, anyone that will listen to me. ;)

(Thanks to Atria Books for the review copy!)


  Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

The mind, it can be a deceitful thing.
But it is no match for the heart.

WOW!! I am so impressed with Burying Water! K.A. Tucker’s masterful storytelling in this book is filled with suspense and intrigue. Burying Water had me hooked onto every page – it was unputdownable! I was first intrigued by the genre. It’s not often I read new adult romantic suspense, so of course I had to give Burying Water a try, especially since I really liked K.A. Tucker’s Ten Tiny Breaths. I’m so glad I read this – it’s a must read for fans of romance and suspense.

I am lost and yet somehow found.
I am afraid and yet somehow comforted.
I am drifting and yet somehow . . . home.

The heroine wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of who she is or how she got admitted to the hospital. She renames herself ‘Water’ and tries to piece back the memories of her past life while trying to move on with her new one. Her next-door neighbor, Jesse Welles, is dark, sexy, and intriguing – but she feels like she knows him. Did she know him in her past life?

What I loved most about Burying Water was the fantastic storytelling. The plot is a mystery that slowly unravels in such a unique way. We have alternating chapters between Water and Jesse’s POVs, except Water’s POV is set in the present while Jesse’s is set in the past. We have two interconnecting storylines, and I loved being able to see how they would come together. K.A. Tucker does a wonderful job of seamlessly alternating both POVs and balancing the past and present. As the reader, we get to see Jesse and Water fall in love twice, all the while piecing together the hows and whys of Water’s amnesia. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away. The joy in reading Burying Water is reading and unfolding everything for yourself.

I really admired Water’s character. She’s been through so much, but she’s a survivor. I loved how she was able to make a new life for herself despite her amnesia. Jesse was a wonderful hero as well. He’s a bit of the dark and brooding type of hero, but I love those kinds so I was definitely a fan of Jesse’s. I loved the way he cared for Water and how tender he is with her when he’s usually closed off with others.

“He said the truth is like that water: it doesn’t matter how hard you try to bury it; it’ll always find some way back to the surface. It’s resilient.”
I feel her body relax into my chest. “I really like that story. I want to be like water, too. I want to be resilient, to go where I’m meant to go.”

Captivating and deeply romantic, Burying Water is a fantastic first book in a new suspense series. I highly enjoyed this one, and definitely recommend it. I can’t wait for more from this series!

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1LPmNXU
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1LPmRXr

Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!

Gretchen Gomez

THIS BOOK HAS GIVEN ME ALLLLLL THE FREAKING FEELS!!!!

I feel like I haven't read a heart throbbing New Adult in so long! This book just completely sucked me in. Everything was beautiful.

I loved the characters, the different point of views, the past and present, the plot, the MESSAGE that K.A. Tucker was conveying.

It was just perfect. Spot on. One of my favorites of 2016. I really have no complaints whatsoever about this book.

Burying Water A Novel