Review: Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker

Release date: August 6th 2019
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway.

On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multi-billion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day.

Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group, and coincidentally the first love of her life.

The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counselors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name.

Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is still alive and strong, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.

I don't even know where to start this review. This is the seventh book I've read by K.A. Tucker, my first that is not romantic suspense, so I went in not knowing what to expect from her straight contemporary style. But from beginning to end, I was utterly enthralled. Say You Still Love Me is a fun and beautiful story filled with silly, youthful moments and emotions that will surely leave you wanting more.

At first, the business aspect was a bit hard for me to get into with how the story opened, but I understood the significance of seeing Piper in her element and how hard she worked at her father's company. She also wasn't doing any of it by force. She truly loved her job and everything it entailed. So that was interesting in itself, along with the fact that she matured into a strong woman who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to speak her mind.

Kyle was a fun and wild guy back at camp; full of mischief and enjoyed adventures. Understandably, he tamed those characteristics a tad to make something of himself as a man. With everything involving his family, he had a lot to prove, mainly to himself. And I got why he'd feel undeserving or out of place when it came to Piper's world and her status. But I liked how throughout the story, since meeting at camp, she focused on their moments together, instead of financial situation.

I think what I love the most about the story is the intensity between the two, and how life can send you on all these different paths only to eventually lead you back to someone you are meant to be with. I believe in second-chance love, especially if the timing wasn't right in the beginning, but you've reached a place where things are now not exactly perfect, but steady. And despite the horrible situation that happened back at camp, it actually caused both Piper and Kyle to grow from that and develop a better understanding of each other and the love they feel.

Again, a beautiful story that will make you swoon.

About the Author

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

She is the USA Today bestselling author of 17 books, including the Causal Enchantment, Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, and The Simple Wild. 

Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, First for Women, and Publisher's Weekly. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. Her novels have been translated into 16 languages.

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her family.

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Review: Keep Her Safe by K.A. Tucker

Release date: January 23rd 2018
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Noah Marshall has known a privileged and comfortable life thanks to his mother, the highly decorated chief of the Austin Police Department. But all that changes the night she reveals a skeleton that's been rattling in her closet for years, and succumbs to the guilt of destroying an innocent family's life. Reeling with grief, Noah is forced to carry the burden of this shocking secret.

Gracie Richards wasn't born in a trailer park, but after fourteen years of learning how to survive in The Hollow, it's all she knows anymore. At least here people don't care that her dad was a corrupt Austin cop, murdered in a drug deal gone wrong. Here, she and her mother are just another family struggling to survive...until a man who clearly doesn't belong shows up on her doorstep.

Despite their differences, Noah and Gracie are searching for answers to the same questions, and together, they set out to uncover the truth about the Austin Police Department's dark and messy past. But the scandal that emerges is bigger than they bargained for, and goes far higher up than they ever imagined.

Complex, gritty, sexy, and thrilling, Keep Her Safe solidifies K.A. Tucker's reputation as one of today's most talented new voices in romantic suspense.

*Received a physical copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

I'm a lover of suspense and Tucker is one of my favorites in that genre. Keep Her Safe is my kind of read, a slow build yet thrilling story bound to keep you hooked until the last page.

This novel intrigues you right away. I immediately attached myself to Noah and the whole situation with his mom. He seemed like such a goody-goody who always did the right thing so I wanted to know what was up with his mother and what part she played in a long cover-up that was obviously destroying her mental state. 

As for Gracie, her gritty character doesn't really come off likable but I understood why she was like that. She had to be tough and wary of everyone who came around her. After all, she and her mother went through a lot, and in comparison to Noah, they didn't have a great life full of opportunities, especially with the horrible picture their hometown and police painted of Gracie's father.

The interactions between the two characters were always interesting. I liked that there wasn't anything instant, though, and that it took a while for both to open up. My hope for growth between them kept me reading, but the mystery surrounding Gracie's father also had my interest. Honestly, I knew a certain someone was involved, with how evasive he seemed throughout, but I wanted to understand why and also get clarity on what went down all those years ago.

Again, this is a great story with Tucker at her best. I don't want to give too much away, the only thing left for me to say is to give it a read if you're looking for a suspense that's not too fast or overwhelming. It's just right.

About the Author

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. 

She is the USA Today bestselling author of 16 books, including Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water, and her upcoming Adult Suspense novel, Keep Her Safe. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, and Publisher's Weekly. 

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband and two beautiful girls.

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Review: He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker

Release date: February 2nd 2016
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what's left of her best friend's belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a bottle of Xanax and a handle of vodka, and never woke up. 

But when Maggie discovers secrets in the childhood lock box hidden in Celine's apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man who Celine herself claimed would be her ruin. 

On the hunt for answers that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine's private life--and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.

*Received a physical copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

He Will Be My Ruin is by far my favorite suspense novel by  K.A. Tucker. The story sucked me in from start with that chilling prologue, which had me wondering who the hell had Maggie captive and how did she end up in that predicament after her friend supposedly killed herself? 

I really thought I had it figured out when Maggie came in contact with one person in particular, and this guy seemed like the perfect fit because of the kind of access he had in Celine's life, but then another came into the picture and my mind started going back and forth between them. I would snap at Maggie when she couldn't see something that was so clear to me, but then I'd retract because once the story progressed and got deeper, I realized that it truly could be anyone close to Celine from the life she was secretly living. And if you're easily turned off by a certain lifestyle in books and the not so sweet or perfect acts carried out by characters, then you might be quick to judge Celine because of what she did to get by. I liked her, in spite of the decisions she made. Celine's the perfect representation of someone having financial difficulties who resort to unfavorable choices when desperate for a better life. Her mother was ill and she relied on her daughter's help. I mean, I got mad at Celine several times for not accepting help from Maggie, but I understood why and I got that she just didn't want her bestfriend's handouts. Perhaps Celine didn't want to seem like that needy person and wanted to earn her own, no matter the methods. Or you could say it was pride. Either way, she was a desperate young woman who fell into a life she shouldn't have and had some emotional issues no one should suffer through. 

As for Maggie, she was tough, and I loved that she was so determined to prove that her best friend didn't commit suicide and that someone else was at play. She started her own investigation and got the help of others that over time became just as determined as she was. I liked that Maggie got to see a different side to her friend by reading the diaries. She discovered how Celine really felt about her and the wealth that she came from. And sometimes when you and your friends come from two separate lifestyles, you never really know how one honestly thinks of the other in their hearts. So the diaries were a way for Maggie and the reader to understand Celine more. And even though it was a surprise and a tad too soon that Maggie had such an encounter with one guy, and then hours later she was having another "interesting" experience with another, I didn't let those acts sway me from the story and the mystery of what happened to Celine. And I should mention that it was a great thing that the author gave us some chapters with Celine's POV that coincided with a reveal from Maggie's chapters. It also made some things clearer to me. 

Another thing I enjoyed was the addition of art and Celine's love for art history. It was almost like a learning experience whenever something involving her collection came up and I'd feel so enamored and want to know if these pieces truly existed. I liked her friend, Hans, and how much he added to that aspect of the story. I could honestly feel his love for these artsy finds jump out of the pages. He was quite a likable character who added a bit of entertainment in his scenes when the story became too intense for me. Ruby was also a wonderful inclusion and it was nice to have another person on Maggie's team when no one else believed that her friend didn't kill herself.

Okay, I don't want to continue any further in fear of giving too much away, but I can conclude with how much I loved the story and the overall element of suspense. K.A. is a superb writer and as usual, her storytelling is on point. She had me seriously second-guessing myself with this one. When I was convinced I had solved the mystery of Celine, the author totally switched it up on me towards the end and I loved how it played out. Such a awesome story filled with intrigued and a lot of twists. I highly recommend. 

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 currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

www.katuckerbooks.com

facebook.com/K.A.Tucker.Author

twitter.com/kathleenatucker

instagram.com/katucker_

Review: Surviving Ice (Burying Water #4) by K.A. Tucker

Release date: October 27th 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Ivy Lee, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have finally found it working in her uncle’s tattoo shop in San Francisco. But all that changes when a robbery turns deadly, compelling her to pack up her things yet again.

When they need the best, they call him. That’s why Sebastian Riker is back in California, cleaning up the mess made after a tattoo shop owner with a penchant for blackmail got himself shot. But it’s impossible to get the answers he needs from a dead body, leaving him to look elsewhere. Namely, to the twenty-something-year-old niece who believes this was a random attack. Who needs to keep believing that until Sebastian finds what he’s searching for.

Ivy has one foot out of San Francisco when a chance encounter with a stranger stalls her departure. She’s always been drawn to intense men, so it’s no wonder that she now finds a reason to stay after all, quickly intoxicated by his dark smile, his intimidating strength, and his quiet control.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter was no accident—and that their attraction could be her undoing.

*Received a physical ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

LOVED it! Surviving Ice is raw, intense, twisted, dangerously sexy when it should be, and very intriguing. It's just overall the right kind of mix for a great suspense novel. 

Ivy is imperfectly perfect. She's a tough woman who doesn't take crap from anybody and I love how confident and strong she is, and at the same time there is a sense of vulnerability about her character. While we got a bit of that in the previous book, Surviving Ice depicts that softer side of Ivy a little more, but without making her too soft or seem like she's lost her edge. And I'm glad that Tucker held on to that throughout the story. 

So the book opens up with Ivy at her uncle's tattoo shop. All seems well and we get the feeling that she's found somewhat of a place to call home and maybe will stick around longer than she normally does. But then something very tragic happens and Ivy is caught up in the mix. I can't even begin to imagine witnessing something like that. The realness of the scene was quite intense. I could visualize everything taking place so vividly in my head. Ivy's uncle seemed to be as tough as she was but he understood her personality and saw the best in her. So the pain of losing him was quite real, and if it were me I'd be just as intent on finding the people responsible, no matter the dangers of my search.

In comes Sebastian, a former Navy SEAL working for a security company called Alliance, that turned out to be behind the horrific event that took place at Ned's shop. Ned knew something he shouldn't, which led to his demise, but he also left some evidence behind that Alliance would like to retrieve discreetly. In Sebastian's mind, what he and his friend--the owner of Alliance--does is justifiable because it's in the best interest of the country. Bullcrap. Their methods of shutting people up made me want to barf and it's terrifying to know that this happens for real. But sadly, Sebastian isn't aware of some of the disgusting acts Alliance allows to continue, so it was a good thing he was called in to retrieve the evidence hidden by Ned because he wouldn't have discovered the truth about the company he believed in so strongly.

From the beginning, the situation was intense. Sebastian, like Ivy, was used to not staying in one place or getting attached. In the past he had, but have since dedicated himself to working for Alliance and staying away from anything else that required commitment. Basically he'd been through a lot and carried guilt around. And no matter how hard he tried to keep his feelings out of the mix and do his job, with Ivy he started to shatter that cold front, and along the way, he managed to shatter hers as well. 

It was interesting to see these two flawed characters learn to open up and develop feelings for each other. And amid the dangers lurking around them, I'm happy that there were some flirty moments and that they found romance in their way. One may not consider these moments very romantic but like I said, it was done in their way--rugged and raw--and it worked for them.

The overall plot is great. The writing, as usual, is superb. K.A. is a wonderful story-teller who knows how to keep things interesting, whether with the suspense or unraveling characters so we can see what's beneath the surface. And what I love about Ivy and Sebastian is how real they are, and in a way, their flaws make them that much more beautiful. Such a great story and wonderful conclusion to an awesome series. Surviving Ice would have to be my favorite. There's something about Ivy that had my attention from the very moment I came across her character, and for some reason she has resonated more with me than the other women in the series. I'm sure when you've read this one you'll understand what I'm saying, and may discover that she is indeed hard to forget. I highly recommend.   

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 currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

www.katuckerbooks.com

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Review: Chasing River (Burying Water #3) by K.A. Tucker

Release date: July 7th 2015
Series: Burying Water #3
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Armed with two years' worth of savings and the need to experience life outside the bubble of her Oregon small town, twenty-five-year old Amber Welles is prepared for anything. Except dying in Dublin. Had it not been for the bravery of a stranger, she might have. But he takes off before she has the chance to offer her gratitude. 

Twenty-four-year-old River Delaney is rattled. No one was supposed to get hurt. But then that American tourist showed up. He couldn't let her die, but he also couldn't risk being identified at the scene—so, he ran. Back to his everyday life of running his family’s pub. Only, everyday life is getting more and more complicated, thanks to his brother, Aengus, and his criminal associations. When the American girl tracks River down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him. And how dangerous it is to have her around. Chasing her off would be the smart move. 

Maybe it's because he saved her life, or maybe it's because he's completely different from everything she's left behind, but Amber finds herself chasing after River Delaney. Amber isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone. 

And River isn't the kind of guy she'd want to catch.

*Approved by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Coming off the previous book in the series and enjoying it so much, I sort of had some high expectations for Chasing River, especially since the story takes place in Ireland. While I loved the change in scenery and am always excited to read a book set out of the states, Chasing River just didn't excite me the way Becoming Rain did. 

It's a good story, but I found myself drifting off at times, which was too bad because it had such an intense opening. I mean, it's not everyday someone would risk their life to save yours, and that had me liking River instantly. I became curious about his brother and what they were involved with. But the thing is, I just couldn't connect with Amber, and my issue with her started from the first book. She's too much of a goody-goody and I found her to be too judgmental of characters when she wasn't even true to herself. At least I could sense her growth a bit in this book, but it still wasn't enough for me to really like her. I just couldn't. 

A character I did like is Ivy. Even though she wasn't in this book a lot, the scenes where she was presence was great, and it was nice that she and Amber could sort out their issues with each other. I'm definitely looking forward to Ivy's story. 

Overall, as I've said before, the story wasn't too bad. Just could have used a bit more suspenseful situations or even more intensity. And I wasn't convinced of the romance, it was far too fast for me and seemed more like an overwhelming amount of gratitude towards a savior. The writing, as usual, was great. The thing is, there wasn't enough happening to keep my interest locked. But I did like the stories told about Irish history and it got me curious enough to do some research on my own, especially in regards to the group that River's brother was a part of. 

About the Author
Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen 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 the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.
www.katuckerbooks.com | facebook.com/K.A.Tucker.Author

Review: Becoming Rain (Burying Water #2) by K.A. Tucker

Release date: March 3rd 2015
Series: Burying Water #2
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Luke Boone doesn't know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he's finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set—one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it's not exactly legal, Luke's never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.

Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game—at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps.

As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to.

*Received a physical copy from the publisher in exchange of a review

A world of luxury and danger becomes intriguing in this thrilling follow-up to Burying Water. While the latter provided an intense and dramatic look at the consequences of crossing a crime boss, Becoming Rain takes us much deeper. Thankfully, Clara managed to evade that world without a scratch, but finds romance amidst it all. 

I actually enjoyed this book more than the previous. The story moved along smoothly and it didn't feel as drawn out as the first. And while I didn't like Luke's character as much before, I liked what he did for Water and I really warmed up to him in Becoming Rain. It was great to get inside his head and establish an understanding of his loyalty to his uncle and family. Before, I was upset with him for wanting to continue working with his uncle, but I kind of understood his reasons and why such a lifestyle would fascinate him. It was also nice to see him unravel and finally fall for just one girl. I didn't realize how sweet and considerate he was. He made me melt with his charm and the wonderful way he treated Rain.

Clara AKA Rain came into the situation as an agent who not only wanted to succeed and boost her career, but she also wanted to help put an end to what those men were doing. Luke was her target. She studied him, lured him in, basically did what she had to in order to gain his trust. But soon, things started to get complicated. Her feelings for Luke and her position as an agent became an internal struggle. I knew that was bound to happen since I started reading, so from beginning I kept saying to myself, "this is going to be disastrous", because how on earth was their relationship going to work? I mean, after her cover was revealed to him, Luke felt deeply betrayed. And I could understand why. She was the first woman he'd trusted, so his reaction was expected. 

These two intriguing characters and their sexy and dangerous relationship kept me interested, and that has a lot to do with the terrific writing of Miss Tucker. She sure has a way with words and knowing how to pull you into a story. K.A. definitely gave me a vivid picture of this frightening world of wealth and power. The criminals were either mysterious or scary when need be. And while I didn't approve of what Luke's uncle was doing, the author managed to get me to still sympathize for him and Luke. That's a good thing.

It was also nice to revisit the characters from the previous book. Glad to know they're doing well and staying out of trouble. 
Overall, I truly enjoyed Becoming Rain. The characters were just great and the plot reminded me of one of those crime dramas on TV. And even though it would have been more exciting if a certain person showed up in the end and there was some kind of stand off between Clara and his guys, I still liked how things played out for her and Luke. 

Spotlight & Giveaway: Chasing River by K.A. Tucker

Series: Burying Water #3
Release date: July 7th 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Armed with two years' worth of savings and the need to experience life outside the bubble of her Oregon small town, twenty-five-year old Amber Welles is prepared for anything. Except dying in Dublin. Had it not been for the bravery of a stranger, she might have. But he takes off before she has the chance to offer her gratitude. 

Twenty-four-year-old River Delaney is rattled. No one was supposed to get hurt. But then that American tourist showed up. He couldn't let her die, but he also couldn't risk being identified at the scene—so, he ran. Back to his everyday life of running his family’s pub. Only, everyday life is getting more and more complicated, thanks to his brother, Aengus, and his criminal associations. When the American girl tracks River down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him. And how dangerous it is to have her around. Chasing her off would be the smart move. 

Maybe it's because he saved her life, or maybe it's because he's completely different from everything she's left behind, but Amber finds herself chasing after River Delaney. Amber isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone. 

And River isn't the kind of guy she'd want to catch.

About the Author

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen 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 the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. 

Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

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Review: Burying Water by K.A. Tucker

Release date: October 7th 2014
Publisher: Atria
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via 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.

*Received physical ARC from the publisher in exchange of an honest review

Burying Water has an intriguing plot, great writing, and interesting characters (even the side ones offered something significant), but I feel like there was something missing for me. It didn't give me the fireworks. 

I liked the opening of the story and the concept of this girl waking up with no memory of being brutally attacked. I yearned to connect the dots and understand the connection between her and the guy who found her. It didn't take long to interpret their relationship, as some things were brought out pretty clearly. 

From the beginning, I got to see Jane Doe, who became Water, get a fresh start and learn to adjust to her situation. While readers are unraveling the kind of person she is, we're also learning about her in the past from Jesse, and at the same time developing an idea of the kind of guy he is and his feelings for Water. Their romance was wrong, but right. Water's situation before losing her memory was quite intense, and though I wasn't okay with how young she was when she found herself with such a man like her husband, I know it happens in real life, so I can understand her fear in wanting to leave. 

As I've mentioned, the side characters also contributed greatly to the story. Like Jesse's friend Boone, his family, and the old lady who loved to make quilts next door: Ginny. Her character impacted Water the strongest, in my opinion. They both connected with their own share of tragedy, and Ginny turned out not to be as bitter as some might have thought. She was a very insightful woman and I understand her reasons for wanting to stay away from the rest of the world. She was my favorite character, and I enjoyed her character throughout the story for how straightforward and honest she was.

To conclude, I'll say again how interesting the plot was, and how wonderfully written the story was, but after the opening chapter, it just felt a little stretched out to me and there were times I found myself zoning out in both POVs. It's a good story, but it's like something's missing. I'm not sure. But it does deliver in certain parts where emotions are concerned, and I liked how everything wrapped up in the end.