Burying Water by K.A. Tucker

Burying Water (The Burying Water, #1)

by K.A. Tucker

Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives-but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to "Jane Doe" for another day, the woman renames herself "Water" for the tiny, hidden marking on her body-the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbour, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won't Ginny let him step foot on her property? And whydoes Water feel she recognizes him?

Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn't know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she'll stay so much safer-and happier-that way. And that's why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried.

The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.

Reviewed by Leah on

5 of 5 stars

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For a while I've seen nothing but good things about K.A. Tucker's novels. She's highly recommended, very well regarded, and her books seem to sell like hot cakes. I haven't managed to read her Ten Tiny Breaths series, though I think I have Ten Tiny Breaths on my Kindle, just waiting for me to read it (which will be a lot sooner than I thought) so as soon as I spotted a new book from Kathleen on Netgalley, the first of her brand new series, I was intrigued and wanted to see if her books were my kinda read. Burying Water sounded absolutely amazing, but the blurb doesn't even do the book justice, because it is just SO MUCH MORE than I expected. It made me feel things I didn't expect, and the whole novel was just so ambitious, but it all worked PERFECTLY. This is probably one of the best novels I've read in a long while.

In her acknowledgements for Burying Water, K.A. Tucker writes, "Burying Water was an ambitious story. The shift between past and present, alternating POVs, and two people falling in love twice was a lot to take on." That quote right there from the acknowledgements sums up the book perfectly. There is so much going on in the novel, but it never feels like it's too much. It was absolutely ambitious for K.A. Tucker to tackle such a story as the one we read about Water and Jesse, but she manages it so effortlessly, that it left me quite amazed. Right from the beginning, you know you're starting a cracking novel. From the first Jesse point of view, where he's slipping and sliding along the roads, desperate to get to this mystery girl... to save her. Then it changes tack and we're with Jane Doe. Who doesn't know who she is, doesn't know why she's in hospital and can't remember anything about her life... The POVs then switch with each chapter, and we slowly build the story. We learn how Jane comes to be Water (a much better name for her, I confess), and we learn how Jessse is mixed up in it all, and it's quite action-packed.

I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading Burying Water. The two POVs were frustrating and awesome, because there were times when I just wanted to know what the eff was going on, I wanted to know what had happened, I was impatient, desperate for the truth to come out. But, on the other hand, it's so beautifully written, so beautifully unravelled that I didn't want to know what happened, because I finally got a clue and realised and I didn't want that knowledge to be told to Water. I was so conflicted! The new life Water carves for herself in Sisters is really, really great, considering all she's been through and her life with Ginny was so sweet, despite Ginny being a bit prickly. It was like two hurt souls had found each other, and helped each other to heal, from their own various issues. I loved that Water got flashes to her old life, that there were memories trying to bring their way to the forefront, and that Water felt so calm and collected with Jesse around, instinctively knowing he was a good guy.

And Jesse really is a good guy. He's amazing. His POV was probably my favourite, because that was where all the good stuff was coming from, where the reveals were happening, and where it was all leading up to Water in a field, left for dead. I loved both Jesse and Water. They were both super compelling characters, with such intricate and detailed back stories that are relayed to us slowly. Like you're being drip-fed, but you know the payoff will be worth it and the payoff was so worth it!!!!! I literally finished the book with the most amazed look on my face, I'm sure. It was the kinda book where you can't put it down, but you must put it down because it's THAT good a story you don't want it to end. It was so intricately woven, and the layers were delicious to unpeel, bit by bit. If Tucker's Ten Tiny Breaths series is just a little bit like Burying Water, I will be devouring it sharpish. There are not enough wonderful adjectives in the world for me to describe how much I loved Burying Water. In fact, I am so disappointed I've finished reading it, because I'm just not sure I was done with the characters yet. I miss them. This is an amazingly well written novel and I tip my hat to K.A. Tucker, she had me hooked from the word go!This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 9 September, 2014: Finished reading
  • 9 September, 2014: Reviewed