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Down by the Water
Lily can't escape the past.
Ten years after a tragedy tore her family apart, Lily is on her way to college for what she hopes will be a fresh start. Instead, she finds herself broken down in the place she swore she'd never return to, the place by the water that damaged her family beyond repair. When Ty Reilly offers her help, she reluctantly accepts, eager to get her car fixed and get the hell out of town.
But before that can happen, an eerily similar recurrence stops Lily cold. With her identity and ties to the old tragedy revealed, new suspicions cast a bright light on Lily. Everyone around her – the guy who offered her help, her own wayward sister, and the town sheriff who remembers her from a decade earlier – begins to wonder if her reappearance is merely a coincidence or if she's somehow involved.
As Lily begins to thread together strands from the past with the present, she realizes that there's no such thing as a coincidence down by the water.
And that you can't ever really leave the past behind.
Ten years after a tragedy tore her family apart, Lily is on her way to college for what she hopes will be a fresh start. Instead, she finds herself broken down in the place she swore she'd never return to, the place by the water that damaged her family beyond repair. When Ty Reilly offers her help, she reluctantly accepts, eager to get her car fixed and get the hell out of town.
But before that can happen, an eerily similar recurrence stops Lily cold. With her identity and ties to the old tragedy revealed, new suspicions cast a bright light on Lily. Everyone around her – the guy who offered her help, her own wayward sister, and the town sheriff who remembers her from a decade earlier – begins to wonder if her reappearance is merely a coincidence or if she's somehow involved.
As Lily begins to thread together strands from the past with the present, she realizes that there's no such thing as a coincidence down by the water.
And that you can't ever really leave the past behind.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Anna Cruise
29 books463 followersAnna Cruise has been writing and drooling over boys since middle school. Lots of years have passed but some things never change...
Her novels include IT WAS YOU, IT WAS ME, IF I FALL, SET IN STONE and MAVERICK. Additional titles releasing during 2013 include a stand-alone NA, DOWN BY THE WATER and two untitled novels.
Her novels include IT WAS YOU, IT WAS ME, IF I FALL, SET IN STONE and MAVERICK. Additional titles releasing during 2013 include a stand-alone NA, DOWN BY THE WATER and two untitled novels.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 2, 2013
4.5 ~ 5 Stars
Anna Cruise, here is your requested “goddamn review"
If you are looking for a boy meets girl story with a little something extra, you should give this book a shot. Put on your detective cap because everyone at some time or another was a suspect to me.
The pace of the story was intense, the romance and banter was very well done and the “who done it” was very well played. As for the ending… I had tears in my eyes.
While in route to her new college and apartment Lily’s car breaks down in Pelican Lake. This is a very bad thing for Lily since ten years prior, her family suffered tremendous loss while vacationing there.
When gorgeous Ty Reilly offers her assistance with her car and a place to stay, Lily finds herself back in the place that has held all of the pain of her past. While waiting for her car to be repaired, Lily stays at the same campground that has haunted her the past ten years. Love is in bloom and history attempts to repeat itself.
”Here’s what I’m having a problem with, Lily. You show up here out of the blue. And, despite it being the place your own sister died, you decide to stay. You don’t tell anyone about your history here. Then another girl – another girl who is almost the spitting image of your little sister – goes missing and you happen to be the one who finds her.”
Sheriff Jorgenson is once again gunning to pin some pretty serious crimes on Lily. Lily had only planned on getting her car fixed and getting herself back on the road. However,finding herself wrapped up in the arms of Ty Reilly is a little hard to resist.
”A tiny part of me was beginning to think that I’d gotten stuck in Minnesota for a reason. Maybe it wasn't just bad motor or a haunting reminder of the past I’d been trying to leave behind. Maybe there was something good to come from this unexpected layover in the town that had destroyed me ten years earlier. ”
This book was extremely well written and had my full attention the whole experience. I say experience because I really felt like I've been through the story right along Lily, our main character.
Overall, this was a suspenseful read which had me guessing to the very end!
”It’s never too soon to say it.”
Anna Cruise, here is your requested “goddamn review"
If you are looking for a boy meets girl story with a little something extra, you should give this book a shot. Put on your detective cap because everyone at some time or another was a suspect to me.
The pace of the story was intense, the romance and banter was very well done and the “who done it” was very well played. As for the ending… I had tears in my eyes.
While in route to her new college and apartment Lily’s car breaks down in Pelican Lake. This is a very bad thing for Lily since ten years prior, her family suffered tremendous loss while vacationing there.
When gorgeous Ty Reilly offers her assistance with her car and a place to stay, Lily finds herself back in the place that has held all of the pain of her past. While waiting for her car to be repaired, Lily stays at the same campground that has haunted her the past ten years. Love is in bloom and history attempts to repeat itself.
”Here’s what I’m having a problem with, Lily. You show up here out of the blue. And, despite it being the place your own sister died, you decide to stay. You don’t tell anyone about your history here. Then another girl – another girl who is almost the spitting image of your little sister – goes missing and you happen to be the one who finds her.”
Sheriff Jorgenson is once again gunning to pin some pretty serious crimes on Lily. Lily had only planned on getting her car fixed and getting herself back on the road. However,finding herself wrapped up in the arms of Ty Reilly is a little hard to resist.
”A tiny part of me was beginning to think that I’d gotten stuck in Minnesota for a reason. Maybe it wasn't just bad motor or a haunting reminder of the past I’d been trying to leave behind. Maybe there was something good to come from this unexpected layover in the town that had destroyed me ten years earlier. ”
This book was extremely well written and had my full attention the whole experience. I say experience because I really felt like I've been through the story right along Lily, our main character.
Overall, this was a suspenseful read which had me guessing to the very end!
”It’s never too soon to say it.”
Read
November 2, 2013"Hi. Did you buy your copy of this book?
Yeah? Awesome - thank you for supporting authors!
No? You didn't? You "borrowed" it or downloaded it from some free site? Hmm. Look, nothing I say is gonna keep people like you from downloading pirated copies. Do me a favor, though. If you're not going to pay the three bucks it costs to buy my 82k word book, at least take the time to write a goddamn review in return for your "free" read. Seriously. I won't hate you as much if you do that."
From the original review I saw of this: "So...I got this book for free. Legally. Off Netgalley. I was planning to read and review it. But this combative note to readers in the beginning of the book makes me really uncomfortable and leaves me with a lot of misgivings. I may still pick it up but this has completely put me off of it for now."
Not me! I have zero desire to be maligned if I dislike a book, and if that's the kind of welcome I get to see - especially if I paid for it, since most of mine are (Netgalley being where I don't) - I'm going to turn around and ask for an immediate refund. I won't turn past that page, and I won't support someone who speaks to me that way.
Yeah? Awesome - thank you for supporting authors!
No? You didn't? You "borrowed" it or downloaded it from some free site? Hmm. Look, nothing I say is gonna keep people like you from downloading pirated copies. Do me a favor, though. If you're not going to pay the three bucks it costs to buy my 82k word book, at least take the time to write a goddamn review in return for your "free" read. Seriously. I won't hate you as much if you do that."
From the original review I saw of this: "So...I got this book for free. Legally. Off Netgalley. I was planning to read and review it. But this combative note to readers in the beginning of the book makes me really uncomfortable and leaves me with a lot of misgivings. I may still pick it up but this has completely put me off of it for now."
Not me! I have zero desire to be maligned if I dislike a book, and if that's the kind of welcome I get to see - especially if I paid for it, since most of mine are (Netgalley being where I don't) - I'm going to turn around and ask for an immediate refund. I won't turn past that page, and I won't support someone who speaks to me that way.
September 16, 2013
Ty he's such a sweetheart, "whoa. I was just driving home. Saw your car on the side of the road and you passed out in the back. Just thought I'd stop and see if everything was okay." He's so delectable as well, "he bent over the engine. His biceps, slick with sweat, flexed as he braced himself on the front end of my car." And he's so considerate, "I'm more than happy to continue," he said. "But some place where we're not gonna be eaten alive by bugs. And after we get you cleaned up." He can be bossy at times, "shut up," he told me. "You have no shoes. Your feet are a effing wreck. I'm carrying you whether you want me to or not." And his body reacts correctly while doing a certain activity, "I want you," he said, his breath ragged. His hips pressed into mine and he was rock-hard." I didn't like Lily's sister at all she was to much of a bi***, but I loved this book Ty oh my God he made the book I'm telling you what.
October 7, 2013
This is my second book by Anna Cruise and I have to admit I love the men she puts in her books. They are not overly aggressive, but still strong, and well built characters and are well rounded. They seem to all have a little broken in them but they still come off as intelligent, strong, loyal, and above else free thinkers.
The same goes for Ty in the book "Down by the Water". Ty comes across Lily broke down on the side of the road and offers her a ride to his place until her vehicle can be sorted out. What he doesn't know is that Pelican Lake is the last place on Earth that Lily ever wants to go.
There is a deep pain and history at Pelican Lake for Lily and her family. Ty does everything he can to find out the truth and Lily does what she can to keep herself together. Her sister Jenna tries and come to the rescue also. While at Pelican Lake another horrific event takes place similar to the event that happened 10 years ago, but the outcome is different. Since the two events are so eerily similar all fingers are pointed at Lily. Is Lily really innocent and are these just sad accidents or is someone else to blame?
Anna Cruise keeps my interest throughout her books and keeps you guessing. I will admit though I had the mystery solved at 37% of the way, but that doesn't mean everyone else will and I still finished the book, because I wanted to make sure I had it right. Plus I would like to think it is from my awesome sleuthing skills and nothing to do with the author... :) The story is sad, heart breaking, and emotional. I also found myself wanting more, what happened after the fact, where are everyone at now? Hoping for a second book!
*This honest review was done in exchange for an ARC through Netgalley.*
The same goes for Ty in the book "Down by the Water". Ty comes across Lily broke down on the side of the road and offers her a ride to his place until her vehicle can be sorted out. What he doesn't know is that Pelican Lake is the last place on Earth that Lily ever wants to go.
There is a deep pain and history at Pelican Lake for Lily and her family. Ty does everything he can to find out the truth and Lily does what she can to keep herself together. Her sister Jenna tries and come to the rescue also. While at Pelican Lake another horrific event takes place similar to the event that happened 10 years ago, but the outcome is different. Since the two events are so eerily similar all fingers are pointed at Lily. Is Lily really innocent and are these just sad accidents or is someone else to blame?
Anna Cruise keeps my interest throughout her books and keeps you guessing. I will admit though I had the mystery solved at 37% of the way, but that doesn't mean everyone else will and I still finished the book, because I wanted to make sure I had it right. Plus I would like to think it is from my awesome sleuthing skills and nothing to do with the author... :) The story is sad, heart breaking, and emotional. I also found myself wanting more, what happened after the fact, where are everyone at now? Hoping for a second book!
*This honest review was done in exchange for an ARC through Netgalley.*
September 23, 2013
Down by the Water is a very different story from the other Anna Cruise novels I've read (and I've read them all). For starters, there is a mystery running through it which intrigued me no end. I thought I knew "who dunnit", but kept second guessing myself the whole way. Anna Cruise dealt with the mystery beautifully and I think it was the strength of the story.
The second strength of the story was Ty. He was such a great character. Nice guy personified. He had a great sense of humor, was easy to fall in love with and the perfect match for Lily. He was the unwavering strength she needed to survive what she was going through.
The third strength of the story was the family aspect. I loved how much the families were involved. So often they are just minor characters in the background, but Down by the Water includes sisters, fathers, mothers...everyone. It was great. I loved seeing the natural interactions between them all.
Once again, I read this book over two days (super fast for me). Anna Cruise's writing is compelling and easy to read. I love her work and if you've read any of her other stuff, you are bound to enjoy this book too. If you haven't had a chance yet, don't miss out on this awesome author. She's become one of my favourites :)
The second strength of the story was Ty. He was such a great character. Nice guy personified. He had a great sense of humor, was easy to fall in love with and the perfect match for Lily. He was the unwavering strength she needed to survive what she was going through.
The third strength of the story was the family aspect. I loved how much the families were involved. So often they are just minor characters in the background, but Down by the Water includes sisters, fathers, mothers...everyone. It was great. I loved seeing the natural interactions between them all.
Once again, I read this book over two days (super fast for me). Anna Cruise's writing is compelling and easy to read. I love her work and if you've read any of her other stuff, you are bound to enjoy this book too. If you haven't had a chance yet, don't miss out on this awesome author. She's become one of my favourites :)
September 30, 2013
**AMAZING! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! HAD ME GUESSING TIL THE END! Suspense at its finest! So well written,.she had me suspecting and "trusting no one!", along with Lily. Just when I thought I knew who it was,.the tides would turn and my mind locked in on someone else,.it could've been any of them! I could feel Lily's frustrations and doubts,.her fears and suspicions,.and her pain.
No cliffhanger, but def want more! Without spoiling the ending,..I have to say I'm just dying to know what happens next! Please, Anna,..PLEASE honor us with more of your amazingly talented writing skills,..and grace us with a follow up story!! And thank u for this amazing piece!
No cliffhanger, but def want more! Without spoiling the ending,..I have to say I'm just dying to know what happens next! Please, Anna,..PLEASE honor us with more of your amazingly talented writing skills,..and grace us with a follow up story!! And thank u for this amazing piece!
September 17, 2013
Stunning, suspenseful story that keeps you glued to the pages!
Absolutely amazing! This tale of mystery, suspense and love reeled me in and didn’t let go until I reached the last page. A twist on a whodunit plotline, this one is a definite must read! I won’t rehash the blurb, the main plot device for this story isn’t in the blurb so you just have to read it, it’s totally worth it!
It was awesome to follow the story from Lily’s point of view. She’s got a strong mind, a good heart and unrelenting determination, which she ends up really needing to survive the craziness around her. I felt so bad for her and the tragedy that plagued her for years, especially since her mother blamed her for all of it all this time.
She and Ty were hot and heavy, the amount of lusty tension between them could ignite a forest fire. They were well paired and I enjoyed seeing them search for answers together.
Lily’s sister Jenna was something else. How two people can be so different and be sisters is beyond me. She was the polar opposite of Lily, but added enough tension and chaos to the plot that I actually kind of liked her strange ways, even though the reasons for her showing up were a bit off.
I wanted to strangle the sheriff myself. He was the most irritating character and seemed to step over the line over and over, especially when it came to Lily. I kept hoping he’d mess up or leave her the hell alone.
The ending…wow! I really was kind of shocked and sad for what really happened, though I did suspect what really happened to Lily in the past was no accident, I found myself suspicious of everyone. Though some might see it coming, nonetheless, it was a tough end to swallow. Some games are never meant to have winners.
If you love suspense filled drama, this novel is an excellent choice. Will keep you reading long after you need to stop and take care of real life (Like that will ever happen).
I received a free ARC of this novel from the author for an honest review.
Absolutely amazing! This tale of mystery, suspense and love reeled me in and didn’t let go until I reached the last page. A twist on a whodunit plotline, this one is a definite must read! I won’t rehash the blurb, the main plot device for this story isn’t in the blurb so you just have to read it, it’s totally worth it!
It was awesome to follow the story from Lily’s point of view. She’s got a strong mind, a good heart and unrelenting determination, which she ends up really needing to survive the craziness around her. I felt so bad for her and the tragedy that plagued her for years, especially since her mother blamed her for all of it all this time.
She and Ty were hot and heavy, the amount of lusty tension between them could ignite a forest fire. They were well paired and I enjoyed seeing them search for answers together.
Lily’s sister Jenna was something else. How two people can be so different and be sisters is beyond me. She was the polar opposite of Lily, but added enough tension and chaos to the plot that I actually kind of liked her strange ways, even though the reasons for her showing up were a bit off.
I wanted to strangle the sheriff myself. He was the most irritating character and seemed to step over the line over and over, especially when it came to Lily. I kept hoping he’d mess up or leave her the hell alone.
The ending…wow! I really was kind of shocked and sad for what really happened, though I did suspect what really happened to Lily in the past was no accident, I found myself suspicious of everyone. Though some might see it coming, nonetheless, it was a tough end to swallow. Some games are never meant to have winners.
If you love suspense filled drama, this novel is an excellent choice. Will keep you reading long after you need to stop and take care of real life (Like that will ever happen).
I received a free ARC of this novel from the author for an honest review.
Read
October 18, 2013***copy provided by publisher through NetGalley***
Ten years ago, during a family vacation, Lily's sister drowned. And now, on her way to college, Lily's car breaks down on the outskirts of the town where tragedy had struck.
I really hate not finishing books. Hate it. But in a way I did finish it, I just skipped the middle. Actually I skipped most of it. I read the ending to see whether I'd be compelled to go back and read the book in its entirety.
It just didn't work for me. Mostly because it was written in first-person POV, which more and more appears to be my nemesis. It's just too limiting for my taste, granting the reader only a limited view of the story, a view through only one eyes. And that, with only one exception, really bugs me. And the fact the story was told from a twenty-year-old 'girl' didn't help matters.
But it wasn't just the first-person POV that bugged me with this story. The author's voice simply didn't appeal to me, making the narration and flow of the story stiff.
The mystery was also very disappointing to me. First of all, it took too much time to get to the point, to what the mystery actually was, and since I stopped reading at the end of chapter six, I also didn't get the entire picture. And I stopped at chapter seven because of the above-mentioned 'issues' and the fact I realized who the killer was.
Of course I didn't believe I was actually right, so I went and read the final few chapters. And lo and behold. I actually nailed the killer's identity.
And since I discovered the killer in chapter six (of 56!), that doesn't really seem a very good incentive to go back and continue reading from chapter seven.
I'm sorry to say this just wasn't the right book for me.
Ten years ago, during a family vacation, Lily's sister drowned. And now, on her way to college, Lily's car breaks down on the outskirts of the town where tragedy had struck.
I really hate not finishing books. Hate it. But in a way I did finish it, I just skipped the middle. Actually I skipped most of it. I read the ending to see whether I'd be compelled to go back and read the book in its entirety.
It just didn't work for me. Mostly because it was written in first-person POV, which more and more appears to be my nemesis. It's just too limiting for my taste, granting the reader only a limited view of the story, a view through only one eyes. And that, with only one exception, really bugs me. And the fact the story was told from a twenty-year-old 'girl' didn't help matters.
But it wasn't just the first-person POV that bugged me with this story. The author's voice simply didn't appeal to me, making the narration and flow of the story stiff.
The mystery was also very disappointing to me. First of all, it took too much time to get to the point, to what the mystery actually was, and since I stopped reading at the end of chapter six, I also didn't get the entire picture. And I stopped at chapter seven because of the above-mentioned 'issues' and the fact I realized who the killer was.
Of course I didn't believe I was actually right, so I went and read the final few chapters. And lo and behold. I actually nailed the killer's identity.
And since I discovered the killer in chapter six (of 56!), that doesn't really seem a very good incentive to go back and continue reading from chapter seven.
I'm sorry to say this just wasn't the right book for me.
May 23, 2014
Review included in my Week In Review at Lives and Breathes Book Blog.
I hope I never have a real life mystery to solve, because I suck. I never have it figured out before everyone else in the story, no matter how many clues are given. Granted, in Down by the Water, clues weren't abundant and everyone, at some point, was a suspect to me. Lily gets stranded in the worst place possible as she’s headed to college, in a town that has horrible memories for her. It’s been ten years since she’s been back there. And this time something eerily similar happens as it did in the past. Fingers are pointed at Lily. Trying to figure out who the real culprit was kept me intrigued throughout the story. I HAD to know who did it, or if it really was just a strange coincidence. And what’s a mystery without a little romance? Because you know I have to have a little romance! The budding relationship between Lily and her hero Ty is so sweet. Ty in general is one of the best heroes I’ve read in a while. This is my first Anna Cruise book but it definitely won’t be my last. She’s shown me her writing skills with this one and I can’t wait to see what else she can do! DBTW is a wonderfully done romantic suspense novel.
I hope I never have a real life mystery to solve, because I suck. I never have it figured out before everyone else in the story, no matter how many clues are given. Granted, in Down by the Water, clues weren't abundant and everyone, at some point, was a suspect to me. Lily gets stranded in the worst place possible as she’s headed to college, in a town that has horrible memories for her. It’s been ten years since she’s been back there. And this time something eerily similar happens as it did in the past. Fingers are pointed at Lily. Trying to figure out who the real culprit was kept me intrigued throughout the story. I HAD to know who did it, or if it really was just a strange coincidence. And what’s a mystery without a little romance? Because you know I have to have a little romance! The budding relationship between Lily and her hero Ty is so sweet. Ty in general is one of the best heroes I’ve read in a while. This is my first Anna Cruise book but it definitely won’t be my last. She’s shown me her writing skills with this one and I can’t wait to see what else she can do! DBTW is a wonderfully done romantic suspense novel.
September 19, 2013
To say this book blew me away is an understatement.
It was awesome! It will keep you attached to your e-reader until you are done.
This isn't like the other books that Mrs. Cruise has written, while there is a love story it is not the main focus. DBTW is a suspense, a who-dun-it type book that literally will have you guessing whether the incident was a actual accident or intentional. And when you find out the answer IT. WILL. BLOW YOUR. MIND.
This may be one of my most favorites of Anna Cruise's work because it was different than other books. DBTW places you in as the detective and, let me tell you, you will go through every single character as the suspect. But then when everything about that day comes to light, you'll be shocked.
The writing, story, characters, everything about this book will pull you in and won't let you go until you're finished.
It was awesome! It will keep you attached to your e-reader until you are done.
This isn't like the other books that Mrs. Cruise has written, while there is a love story it is not the main focus. DBTW is a suspense, a who-dun-it type book that literally will have you guessing whether the incident was a actual accident or intentional. And when you find out the answer IT. WILL. BLOW YOUR. MIND.
This may be one of my most favorites of Anna Cruise's work because it was different than other books. DBTW places you in as the detective and, let me tell you, you will go through every single character as the suspect. But then when everything about that day comes to light, you'll be shocked.
The writing, story, characters, everything about this book will pull you in and won't let you go until you're finished.
September 18, 2013
As with all of Anna Cruise's books, this was an incredible read. But that's where the similarities end. The romance is still there but the plot revolves around a 10 year old mystery that the main characters are determined to solve. It was even more emotionally intense than what I'm used to with her writing and I could not put it down. Down By The Water had me laughing, crying and wanting to throw my Kindle against the wall. It evoked in me all of the emotions a really good book will. I even found myself holding my breath on more than one occasion and my heart totally broke for what the characters had to endure. The romance was sexy, sweet and very real and the characters felt like people I've known all my life.
October 3, 2013
Conflicted about this one. First 80% or so was great. I liked the surprise at the end, But it just ended... What about her and Ty?
October 14, 2013
Making a Splash
Finally a New Adult novel with more to it than just angst, hormones and troubled pasts. Hoorah!
That's not to suggest Lily isn't full of angst, hormones and troubled past woes, of course. I mean, duh! Of course she is! But, for once, there's also a compelling murder mystery going on AS WELL, and this addition to the bog-standard, formulaic blah-fest that the NA genre is so quickly becoming, was very refreshing.
It's probably increasingly evident with every NA review I write that I'm getting burned out on this genre, and fast. Keep picking up the damn things, though, don't I? They always seem to promise so much and have the most alluring covers, but they're just all the same. There's one or two I've read that were so wonderful that a small seed of hope was planted that keeps tricking me into thinking I'm going to find another hidden gem any minute. *sigh* It's not happening. But...DOWN BY THE WATER, while not one those really great ones that had me sobbing all over my Kindle, was very good. Just in a different way.
We join Lily on the road to her new life, which involves driving right past the place where her old life fell apart. If there's a single stretch of road anywhere in the world that she would hate to break down on, it's the one that runs alongside Pelican Lake. I'm not going to spoil for you why that is since the author doesn't reveal it in the story right away, but it's a family tragedy that haunts her to this day.
But, as you probably guessed, she does break down, and has to be rescued by a Mr Ty Reilly who offers to give her a room for the night at his family's place - which then turns out to be the other last place on earth she ever wants to go! I mean, what are the chances? Oh, wait, this is fiction. Quite high, then.
Ty was delicious. He's a "good boy." A golden-haired hottie that doesn't have a bad bone in his delectable body. I prefer for a least one of the characters not to be messed up, usually. When they both are...well, sometimes that works if they help each other recover, but it means twice the angst, and there's only so much angst one can take. The balance here was good, though. Ty is a solid presence and a real rock for Lily as all her ghosts come back to haunt her.
As for Lily herself, she was smart, not too overly-dramatic, dry-humoured. I mean, she'd have to be with a sister like hers. Whew boy! Just wait until you meet her. You'd be pulling your hair out if you were her sibling. Yowzers.
The mystery was well put together and although I guessed the killer, I still enjoyed the reveal scene!
So all together a nice cast, a fairly sizzling romance, and a well-executed mystery. As another reviewer has pointed out, it doesn't end in the the most solid of conclusions; there could be more to come, or maybe you're supposed to just imagine a sweet future, but, yeah, it was a little ambiguous. Still enjoyed it, though!
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Finally a New Adult novel with more to it than just angst, hormones and troubled pasts. Hoorah!
That's not to suggest Lily isn't full of angst, hormones and troubled past woes, of course. I mean, duh! Of course she is! But, for once, there's also a compelling murder mystery going on AS WELL, and this addition to the bog-standard, formulaic blah-fest that the NA genre is so quickly becoming, was very refreshing.
It's probably increasingly evident with every NA review I write that I'm getting burned out on this genre, and fast. Keep picking up the damn things, though, don't I? They always seem to promise so much and have the most alluring covers, but they're just all the same. There's one or two I've read that were so wonderful that a small seed of hope was planted that keeps tricking me into thinking I'm going to find another hidden gem any minute. *sigh* It's not happening. But...DOWN BY THE WATER, while not one those really great ones that had me sobbing all over my Kindle, was very good. Just in a different way.
We join Lily on the road to her new life, which involves driving right past the place where her old life fell apart. If there's a single stretch of road anywhere in the world that she would hate to break down on, it's the one that runs alongside Pelican Lake. I'm not going to spoil for you why that is since the author doesn't reveal it in the story right away, but it's a family tragedy that haunts her to this day.
But, as you probably guessed, she does break down, and has to be rescued by a Mr Ty Reilly who offers to give her a room for the night at his family's place - which then turns out to be the other last place on earth she ever wants to go! I mean, what are the chances? Oh, wait, this is fiction. Quite high, then.
Ty was delicious. He's a "good boy." A golden-haired hottie that doesn't have a bad bone in his delectable body. I prefer for a least one of the characters not to be messed up, usually. When they both are...well, sometimes that works if they help each other recover, but it means twice the angst, and there's only so much angst one can take. The balance here was good, though. Ty is a solid presence and a real rock for Lily as all her ghosts come back to haunt her.
As for Lily herself, she was smart, not too overly-dramatic, dry-humoured. I mean, she'd have to be with a sister like hers. Whew boy! Just wait until you meet her. You'd be pulling your hair out if you were her sibling. Yowzers.
The mystery was well put together and although I guessed the killer, I still enjoyed the reveal scene!
So all together a nice cast, a fairly sizzling romance, and a well-executed mystery. As another reviewer has pointed out, it doesn't end in the the most solid of conclusions; there could be more to come, or maybe you're supposed to just imagine a sweet future, but, yeah, it was a little ambiguous. Still enjoyed it, though!
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2014
* I recieved a copy of this book via NetGalley for review *
Down By The Water was so completely enthralling. It totally captivated me from the very first page all the way to the very last.
This is normally the part of my review where I tell you what I liked and what I didn't like but honestly I loved everything about this book and there isn't a single part of it that I would have wanted done differently. The characters were amazing and the storyline was extremely well written with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep you page turning to the end. I also really like the way the relationships were developed in this book. The whole story spans a relatively short amount of time, about a week give or take a few days. In that week, the main characters form a pretty strong bond but thanks to the excellent writing, it didn't feel rushed at all. There was no sense of that annoying insta-love that everyone loves to hate. And the ending was fantastic. I loved the build up.
There are lots of really GOOD books out there but once in a while you chance upon a really GREAT book. One where everything is done just right and it all comes together perfectly. Down By The Water is one of those rare gems of a book where everything comes together perfectly.
Down By The Water was so completely enthralling. It totally captivated me from the very first page all the way to the very last.
This is normally the part of my review where I tell you what I liked and what I didn't like but honestly I loved everything about this book and there isn't a single part of it that I would have wanted done differently. The characters were amazing and the storyline was extremely well written with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep you page turning to the end. I also really like the way the relationships were developed in this book. The whole story spans a relatively short amount of time, about a week give or take a few days. In that week, the main characters form a pretty strong bond but thanks to the excellent writing, it didn't feel rushed at all. There was no sense of that annoying insta-love that everyone loves to hate. And the ending was fantastic. I loved the build up.
There are lots of really GOOD books out there but once in a while you chance upon a really GREAT book. One where everything is done just right and it all comes together perfectly. Down By The Water is one of those rare gems of a book where everything comes together perfectly.
August 6, 2014
I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars. Overall, I enjoyed the story line. The plot revolved around Lily and she is on her way to go to school; however, she breaks down, outside a town that tore her family apart. There are many, many twists and turns and jaw dropping moments that I wouldn’t have been able to predict. However, there was also parts where the book just went on and on in too many details and I found myself quickly skimming and not enjoying the details because there were simply too many. These type of pages bored me and I felt like they took away from what would otherwise have been an excellent story.
There is also a love story twist, and it is adorable and sweet. You watch Lily fall in love and it seems like love is what is helping her from losing it. When the final twist is revealed it is a head turner. You really, honestly can’t believe it! In conclusion, this was a nice, enjoyable standalone novel.
There is also a love story twist, and it is adorable and sweet. You watch Lily fall in love and it seems like love is what is helping her from losing it. When the final twist is revealed it is a head turner. You really, honestly can’t believe it! In conclusion, this was a nice, enjoyable standalone novel.
October 28, 2013
I have read all of Anna Cruise's books and I love all of them. It was really fun to read a mystery with the same romantic undercurrent that her other stories have. The best thing about Anna's books are her characters. They are totally relatable, and just real. They aren't perfect. They're messy, they have real issues. I didn't try too hard to figure out who did it, until closer to the end, because I just wanted to enjoy the ride. That said, I have to admit, I didn't see it coming! I was totally surprised by the ending. I also think Anna is one of those authors that hits the mark on details.. enough to totally visualize the story, but not so much that you learn how to fix an engine or something unnecessary.
I can't wait to see what other genres this author might tackle!!
I can't wait to see what other genres this author might tackle!!
May 20, 2014
I've requested this from Netgalley a while ago and some how it got lost in my tbr list. I'm not even sure why it took me a long time to get to this fantastic book. I loved everything about this book, the mystery and suspense of who did what I loved that this book kept me guessing. I loved that there was a bit of romance and a little steamy scenes, from what I've noticed is that a lot of New Adult books really center around it and the main story tends to get lost. But this this book the steamy sciences and romance didn't over power the book. I loved how nothing was predictable with this book. The book was well written and the characters were interesting. With how much I loved this book I would highly recommend you readers to check this book out, its definitely worth the 5 of 5 stars!
February 11, 2015
The three stars is because at the beginning of the book there is a note from the author asking how I [the reader] arrived by her book. Did I purchase it, did I download it, was it a piracy! or did I get it free from Net Galley.
I am so sorry but for an author to write that in the book was not [to my mind] good taste as it puts doubt in peoples minds if the reader is really deserving of this book.
Just not nice.
Apart from that, the suspense in this book was very well woven, it kept me on the turn of every page.
So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the content but not the authors lead up note.
December 18, 2015
I figured the mystery out from the first ten chapters. The middle child syndrome isn't a fluke, kids really get unstable being the child too old to be a baby and not old enough to be trusted or seen as an equal. Being compared to another sibling, all the expectations can be hard to cope. Jenna did it in her way, to limit the competition but it was horrific knowing after all those years how malicious she's always been. The romantic boy meets girl part of the story was cute, but I didn't feel the main characters had a spark. It felt like there relationship was meant only to solve the mystery. But it was a good story and being I have an autistic child Annie's character touched me dearly.
November 9, 2013
This had an intriguing plot and the sweetest love interest ever, but at times it just really lagged. I found myself bored with it alot of the time. When the story actually moved forward it was good, but alot was just repeating the same thing over and over. Also, I predicted what would happen from very early on.
July 15, 2014
****4 Down By The River Stars****
What's beautifully written story. This book was filled with twist and turns and had you questioning everything and everyone. This book was also filled with hope, pain, sorrow and love. Lily was a storing character and Ty was perfect for her. I would of like a little bit more closure on how they ended up. Great read.
What's beautifully written story. This book was filled with twist and turns and had you questioning everything and everyone. This book was also filled with hope, pain, sorrow and love. Lily was a storing character and Ty was perfect for her. I would of like a little bit more closure on how they ended up. Great read.
October 7, 2013
Great story! Sad back story but great twists ! Love the romance .must read!
March 20, 2014
DNF @ 28%
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