Burying Water by K.A. Tucker Series: Burying Water #1
Publisher: Simon and Schuster on October 7, 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
The top-selling, beloved indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths returns with a new romance about a young woman who loses her memory—and the man who knows that the only way to protect her is to stay away.
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.
At A Glance
Good overall but I expected more from Tucker.
The Good
To me, Tucker is one of the best writers out there. She creates magic with her words and imagery. The stories she tells are so heartfelt and emotional it’s hard not to get a little teary eyed. Burying Water was no different. All those feels about killed me.
Water was an amazing character. To not know who you are, what kind of life you had, and how you ended up laying in the forest, half-dead and sexually assaulted would literally make me go insane. But Water is one resilient chick. She takes a second to grieve, then gets on with making a new life. Though we knew the answers to most of the mystery from the get-go, it was still fun seeing the sequence of events that lead to her assault. But I mostly loved seeing her thrive in her new life on a ranch, with a cranky old woman, and numerous animals all named Felix. It was a simple life, and it worked for Water.
I felt like the side characters really helped Water grow and make peace with her past and present. The plot was interesting and the depth of emotion Tucker brought out of me through this story really made it worth the read.
The Bad
I was just plain bored. I often skimmed over Jesse’s parts in the beginning, then his POV got better over half way through. Then I started getting bored of Water’s POV for the second half. I skimmed about 20% of this book. It just wasn’t engaging enough.
The “big mystery” was revealed by the first chapter, so that took a lot of wind out of this book’s sails. And I think Jesse didn’t add much to the book either. He was just so average and boring.
The Snuggly
Because Jesse was blah for me, the romance was just okay. I liked seeing Water moving on and enjoying a new, healthy relationship, but I didn’t think Jesse was good enough for her.
There are a couple sex scenes but they are not super detailed.
Final Thoughts
Even though it’s impossible not to love Tucker’s writing, I think this story fell a little flat in the excitement department. I hate myself for saying it, but, hey, they can’t all be winners (Though I really wish they were). Recommended.
Quotes
“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.”
“Now I don’t believe in fairy tales. Or at least, not in the happily-ever-afters that Disney brainwashed us all with.”
“What do you want? Right now, from me,” he whispers against my mouth.
I swallow against my ball of nerves. “I don’t want to be afraid.”
The mind, it can be a deceitful thing. But it is no match for the heart.
Melliane
Ah yes you skimed a big part of it… It’s too bad but in a whole it sounds interesting. I saw this one a lot around these days.
Jennifer Bielman
I think it’s a time thing when it comes to my skipped parts. I don’t have as much time to read anymore, so if I am reading something boring, I will skim. I use to never do that.
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
Any story that fails to hold a reader’s attention the whole way though leaves me feeling iffy, especially when skimming ensues. I haven’t given Tucker’s writing a go yet, so I don’t think I’ll be starting with this book given that you’ve loved some of her other titles way more.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, DON’T start with this book. Any book of hers besides this one is amazing!
Ashley
Aw it really sucks that you were bored. 🙁 I hate that! The book sounds really interesting though… but I’m tempted to skip it just because of that boredom factor X_X
Jennifer Bielman
I honestly don’t know if it was just me. Maybe I wasn’t ready for it.
Anna Simpson
Thanks, Jennifer. But I think I use my reading time on one of Tuckers “nailed-it” stories instead. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, I think that’s a good choice 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
And here I was about to say I’, interested in this too because lots of people loved this. But you got bored, hmm… something to think about.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, maybe it was just me. I’m not sure. Because you are right, people are loving this one.
Jaclyn Canada
It’s true though. Even with authors you love, there is definitely bound to be one of their books that just doesn’t hit the spot. I’m glad it was good for the most part though. I like the name Water for a character.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, true. I did like the story, I just think it could have been presented better, you know?
Christy
I didn’t think it was boring, but it definitely had a … hmmm … quietness to it. It was just one of those books I felt at ease reading. That sounds weird – haha.
Jennifer Bielman
LOL, I get it. I guess that should have been my reaction. I don’t know what happened.
kimbacaffeinate
Now see I thought this was a strongest book to date. I am sorry you were bored, but so glad you love Tucker 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
That’s so funny. I like how different each of us can feel about the same book.
Lily
*sigh* I have a copy of this one coming in the mail for me but now i’m nervous! I love K.A Tucker and all her work but your thoughts have me a bit scared! Hopefully I will enjoy this one a bit more than you and won’t be bored. I know this is deifntely one of her more mature books and is pretty dark but i’m still hoping it’s a winner for me.!
Jennifer Bielman
I didn’t really see it as more mature, but it was darker, that’s for sure. But I think most Tucker fans will love this one. It just hit me wrong.
Olivia
This sounds like a good, promising book that will really take you on an emotional rollercoaster. I like the sound of that. And the main character sounds like a very strong character I will like. It’s a shame it gets boring sometimes.
http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/10/burning-bright-by-sophie-mckenzie.html