BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Burying Water (Burying Water #1)

As a huge fan of K.A. Tucker's Ten Tiny Breaths series, it was an easy decision to choose to be a part of this tour, organized by InkslingerPR.

Burying Water (Burying Water #1), by K.A. Tucker
Published October 7, 2014
Publisher: Atria
Format: ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: new adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 4 STARS

(From Goodreads) 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 neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does 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.

If you think you know what Burying Water is all about because you read Ten Tiny Breaths, let me assure you that this is something completely different. It's darker, if you can believe that. And, yet, it's more hopeful. It was that contrast that makes this such a great book. 

A girl wakes up in a hospital bed, having been nearly killed. She has no memory of who she is or what happened to her. But, she is so drawn to the boy she ends up living next door to. It's like he's a comfort in a storm of uncertainty. When she renames herself Water and starts to make a life, she realizes that it doesn't make much sense without Jesse in it. Why is that? Was he a part of her life before? Or does she just so desperately want him to be a part of her life now?

I have to admit. I had a bit of a hard time getting into Burying Water. In the beginning it was really confusing to me what was happening when. It opens with Jesse discovering Water. Then Water waking in the hospital. Then, it skips back to Jesse several months earlier. And from then on, the reader gets a chapter in the past in Jesse's POV followed by a chapter in the present from Water's POV. It's not until around 20% through the book that the pieces start falling into place, and the reader figures out roughly what happened. That's a long time to be confused. 

Once I figured out what was going on, though, it was like a light went on, and I couldn't put Burying Water down. I especially loved the chapters in the present. I think it's because I knew what was going to happen in the past, and it was just so horrible that I didn't want to relive it. I read on for that moment when I knew Water would remember who she is and who she loves. I knew it would be both sad and exciting. It was. 

Water was compelling. The Water of the present was scared and unsure, yet determined to make her way in a dark world in which she knew no one - not even herself. The Water of the past was brave in an impossible situation. 

Jesse was incredible. He took amazing risks to try and help the people he loves. And when faced with the choice of either having what he wants or denying himself, he chose to deny himself because he knew it was what was best for everyone. Can you imagine? The one person who makes you whole is in your sights all the time. You had her once and the knowledge that she loved you too. And, now you could tell her everything and possibly go back to how things were before, but you hold back to keep her safe. That is a real man. 

The underlying story - the real story of Water's life - is horrible and sad. The moments between Water and Jesse, both in the past and in the present, were sexy, sweet and poignant. The chemistry was there from the first moment. It was one of the best parts about the beginning of the book when I felt so lost. 

The side characters all lent a more interesting flair. Crotchety Ginny, Jesse's parents Meredith and Gabe, hippy Dakota - they were all colorful and necessary to the remaking of Water. 

When it was all said and done, Burying Water really was an amazing book. 

About the Author

Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. Tucker published her first book at the age of six  with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader, and currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls,  and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures. 

Learn more about K.A. --> Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads



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