What do you think?
Rate this book
It Comes in Waves
During the first week of her freshman year at North Shore University, Kamryn Dean is subject to a traumatizing event that could have been fatal, if not for Zach Barrett. While the dreadful experience impacts Kamryn for years to come, it introduces her to Zach, who she quickly jumps into a relationship with as a coping mechanism. Zach is a fraternity loving party-goer with a soft side that has him falling for Kamryn quickly.
Beyond her sudden relationship, Kamryn navigates the highs and lows of the college experience through strong friendships with her roommate Maggie, and an unexpected closeness with Elijah Blake. A fraternity brother of Zach’s, Elijah seems to understand Kamryn on a level that not many others do. As their lives progress over the course of four years at NSU, they’ll experience the challenges of college and young adulthood. Kamryn tries to navigate a perhaps too-sudden romance with Zach and a best friendship with Elijah that sometimes feels like it could be more.
Beyond her sudden relationship, Kamryn navigates the highs and lows of the college experience through strong friendships with her roommate Maggie, and an unexpected closeness with Elijah Blake. A fraternity brother of Zach’s, Elijah seems to understand Kamryn on a level that not many others do. As their lives progress over the course of four years at NSU, they’ll experience the challenges of college and young adulthood. Kamryn tries to navigate a perhaps too-sudden romance with Zach and a best friendship with Elijah that sometimes feels like it could be more.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2024
4.75⭐️
ARC TIME🥳
I really enjoyed this book, i thought that it handled the sensitive topics well. If you are interested in reading this book please check the trigger warnings. With out spoiling the book to much I really like the the main characters who ended up together, it had a really nice progression over the whole book and I was rooting for them the whole time
ARC TIME🥳
I really enjoyed this book, i thought that it handled the sensitive topics well. If you are interested in reading this book please check the trigger warnings. With out spoiling the book to much I really like the the main characters who ended up together, it had a really nice progression over the whole book and I was rooting for them the whole time
October 1, 2024
It Comes In Waves is that one book that I believe everyone needs to read at least once in their lifetime. It has sadness, joy, anger, and that feeling in a book that completely pulls you in and drags you along for the ride. One thing I love and enjoy about Renee Riva’s writing is that her characters are so full of life that you feel like you are really there with them and like their your friend, sister, brother, mom, dad, etc. This book has so many lessons and teaching points that I can go on and on forever, but one lesson that I can share and believe is so so important is that troubles and hardships truly come in waves and it’s up to you and who you surround yourself with to get through them. Renee Riva did a beautiful job shining the light on mental health and how you truly never get past it but it comes in waves and can be controlled by yourself and who you surround yourself with. I’m so grateful to have been able to beta read and arc read this incredible book! Great job Renee Riva!
Tropes:
🎓 college romance
🔼 love triangle
❤️ friends to lovers
🧠 mental health representation
🌊 college beach town
🫂 found family
Favorite Quotes:
“She does that, says things in a way that makes you feel like you have no choice but to trust her.”
"We always go to the beach when something's
wrong."
“After all of the ups and downs. The good days and
the bad. Through all of the heartbreak, falling in love, bad roommates, hard assignments, best friends, late nights, early mornings, Wawa runs, and visits to the beach, it all comes to a close.”
“We used to go to the beach when something was wrong. But now and forever we'll always go to the beach. In the good, bad, and everything in between. It all comes in waves and sitting here as they crash, we'll be able to face it together.”
Tropes:
🎓 college romance
🔼 love triangle
❤️ friends to lovers
🧠 mental health representation
🌊 college beach town
🫂 found family
Favorite Quotes:
“She does that, says things in a way that makes you feel like you have no choice but to trust her.”
"We always go to the beach when something's
wrong."
“After all of the ups and downs. The good days and
the bad. Through all of the heartbreak, falling in love, bad roommates, hard assignments, best friends, late nights, early mornings, Wawa runs, and visits to the beach, it all comes to a close.”
“We used to go to the beach when something was wrong. But now and forever we'll always go to the beach. In the good, bad, and everything in between. It all comes in waves and sitting here as they crash, we'll be able to face it together.”
October 21, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book and I must say I am so grateful for the opportunity. The story follows three main characters, Kamryn Dean, Zachary Barrett, and Elijah Blake as they navigate their college years. A traumatic even kicks off the book and throughout you see how they are brought together and how it affects each of the characters. Bonds are formed, relationships initiated and true love eventually found.
Now for my review; I genuinely adored Kamryn. The way she navigates her trauma and eventually finds a real path to heal is inspiring. I would suggest any college student or young adult read this book. There’s so much complexity to the grief process, relearning to trust yourself and those around you, as well as realising mistakes made in a rush to heal and how to deal with them.
Elijah is such an amazing character, you can see the little things he does for Kamryn not because he wants to gain something from it but simply because he cares and wants to make her happy. He truly understands what she needs often before she realises it herself.
I understand why you could not like Barrett, he’s definitely your typical frat guy. But I think beyond Kathryn’s view of him he comes off as someone with no hidden agenda. He’s always been honest about who he is and where his priorities lie, I think because a lot of the further chapters are through Kamryns perspective there’s a lot of affection that hides the truth. When his true character is revealed you really aren’t surprised because he has always shown to be a party guy who’s just trying to have a good time. I don’t think that takes away from him actually being good beneath that.
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved the story and would highly recommend you give it a try!
Now for my review; I genuinely adored Kamryn. The way she navigates her trauma and eventually finds a real path to heal is inspiring. I would suggest any college student or young adult read this book. There’s so much complexity to the grief process, relearning to trust yourself and those around you, as well as realising mistakes made in a rush to heal and how to deal with them.
Elijah is such an amazing character, you can see the little things he does for Kamryn not because he wants to gain something from it but simply because he cares and wants to make her happy. He truly understands what she needs often before she realises it herself.
I understand why you could not like Barrett, he’s definitely your typical frat guy. But I think beyond Kathryn’s view of him he comes off as someone with no hidden agenda. He’s always been honest about who he is and where his priorities lie, I think because a lot of the further chapters are through Kamryns perspective there’s a lot of affection that hides the truth. When his true character is revealed you really aren’t surprised because he has always shown to be a party guy who’s just trying to have a good time. I don’t think that takes away from him actually being good beneath that.
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved the story and would highly recommend you give it a try!
October 14, 2024
I received this book as an arc
This is a good story, it was slow to start but it has picked up and I am enjoying it but
I didn’t like how parts of the relationship between Kamryn and Barrett seemed to have been skipped over. We were given new relationship awkwardness and 1 argument the rest of the time was her spending time with Eli (Barrett’s “younger brother”). In chapter 17, Kam noticed that Eli knows more about her than her boyfriend, but from the reader’s perspective (at least from mine) she doesn’t seem to tell Barret much about what is bothering her and her safe space (the beach). In no way is Barrett in the right either, he could have made time for her but I felt like all we as a reader were given was a negative view of Barrett. (This was written after reading chapter 17 I still have half the book to go).
Update: I am relieved that they broke up, I’m still upset that we never really got to know Barrett and their relationship was toxic but Eli and Kam’s friendship is cute, no doubt about it (I’m on chapter 28)
It's official they are so cute and communicate so well
I loved that in the acknowledgment you showed us where your inspiration for different aspects of the story came from
Although it took me a bit to read once I got into the story it was so good.
(p.s. I tried taking notes as I read the story so I could review it accurately so these are those notes😅)
This is a good story, it was slow to start but it has picked up and I am enjoying it but
I didn’t like how parts of the relationship between Kamryn and Barrett seemed to have been skipped over. We were given new relationship awkwardness and 1 argument the rest of the time was her spending time with Eli (Barrett’s “younger brother”). In chapter 17, Kam noticed that Eli knows more about her than her boyfriend, but from the reader’s perspective (at least from mine) she doesn’t seem to tell Barret much about what is bothering her and her safe space (the beach). In no way is Barrett in the right either, he could have made time for her but I felt like all we as a reader were given was a negative view of Barrett. (This was written after reading chapter 17 I still have half the book to go).
Update: I am relieved that they broke up, I’m still upset that we never really got to know Barrett and their relationship was toxic but Eli and Kam’s friendship is cute, no doubt about it (I’m on chapter 28)
It's official they are so cute and communicate so well
I loved that in the acknowledgment you showed us where your inspiration for different aspects of the story came from
Although it took me a bit to read once I got into the story it was so good.
(p.s. I tried taking notes as I read the story so I could review it accurately so these are those notes😅)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
4.5
ARC read!
This book made me sooo nostalgic for my college days. While it was definitely a romance, it also portrayed the reality of college life/friendship/etc.
Overall, this was a rollercoaster! In the beginning, I found myself really frustrated/confused by Kamryn jumping into a relationship with Barrett...but as the story went on I think that was kind of the point ??? She was clearly struggling to cope with everything that happened to her and leaned on him as a way to try and get past it. It felt like their relationship was rushed, but again I think that was the point. They didn't take the time to build on a friendship or really get to know each other and it just became more obvious that Eli was the guy for her because they had such a strong foundation of friendship before it turned into more.
I have mixed feelings about Barrett. I think he is a good guy at heart, but they just weren't right for each other and we see a lot of that effort on his side start to dwindle as time goes on.
I'm obsessed with Elijah Blake. 10/10. He was so patient and understanding with everything. I liked how even though this was kind of a love triangle, there wasn't really a ton of overlap. It felt like her relationship with Barrett ended, then she took time to get over that before things picked up with Eli.
ARC read!
This book made me sooo nostalgic for my college days. While it was definitely a romance, it also portrayed the reality of college life/friendship/etc.
Overall, this was a rollercoaster! In the beginning, I found myself really frustrated/confused by Kamryn jumping into a relationship with Barrett...but as the story went on I think that was kind of the point ??? She was clearly struggling to cope with everything that happened to her and leaned on him as a way to try and get past it. It felt like their relationship was rushed, but again I think that was the point. They didn't take the time to build on a friendship or really get to know each other and it just became more obvious that Eli was the guy for her because they had such a strong foundation of friendship before it turned into more.
I have mixed feelings about Barrett. I think he is a good guy at heart, but they just weren't right for each other and we see a lot of that effort on his side start to dwindle as time goes on.
I'm obsessed with Elijah Blake. 10/10. He was so patient and understanding with everything. I liked how even though this was kind of a love triangle, there wasn't really a ton of overlap. It felt like her relationship with Barrett ended, then she took time to get over that before things picked up with Eli.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2024
Thank you to the author for an ARC 🫶🏼
I saw a video on tik tok from this author about this book and immediately signed up for an ARC copy! This book is phenomenal and gives me all the feels for college years.
Firstly, Trigger warnings!!! Check the TW before reading but I will say so so much of this story hit (a little too) close to home and I related very heavily to so many of the experiences in this book and felt so seen and validated throughout the story.
This is a love triangle plain and simple. I don’t usually love a love triangle (except twilight HAH) but with how much went on in this story and the importance I see throughout it, I will let it slide.
“Of course it’s my fault, I’m the one with the trauma”
Yuhhhh how many times have I said that to myself??? Crazy. I felt so seen lol
“Because I pay attention to you, Kam.” Swoon. Eli was so in love with this girl and WAITED for her.
Barrett was okay but I fear they trauma bonded. I wanted them to work out so badly but I was rooting for Kam to be single than so alone and not even fully known in that relationship!!! Everyone deserves someone who sees them, good and bad and loves them for it!!
I don’t want to spoil anything but I think this book was lovely, it was written very well.
I saw a video on tik tok from this author about this book and immediately signed up for an ARC copy! This book is phenomenal and gives me all the feels for college years.
Firstly, Trigger warnings!!! Check the TW before reading but I will say so so much of this story hit (a little too) close to home and I related very heavily to so many of the experiences in this book and felt so seen and validated throughout the story.
This is a love triangle plain and simple. I don’t usually love a love triangle (except twilight HAH) but with how much went on in this story and the importance I see throughout it, I will let it slide.
“Of course it’s my fault, I’m the one with the trauma”
Yuhhhh how many times have I said that to myself??? Crazy. I felt so seen lol
“Because I pay attention to you, Kam.” Swoon. Eli was so in love with this girl and WAITED for her.
Barrett was okay but I fear they trauma bonded. I wanted them to work out so badly but I was rooting for Kam to be single than so alone and not even fully known in that relationship!!! Everyone deserves someone who sees them, good and bad and loves them for it!!
I don’t want to spoil anything but I think this book was lovely, it was written very well.
October 15, 2024
I can't even say enough about this book. From the very first chapter, I knew I would love it. Her writing style is beautiful, and this story is just so so amazing. It made me cry and laugh and feel so strongly throughout. I fell in love with the characters and just, ugh, everything about this book. I 100% will be reading every book she publishes from here on out!
October 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this cute college romance! Very impressed by this authors debut novel! To have the book start with a guys POV was so different! I feel like 90% of the books I read start with the females POV. The ending was top notch and it even made me tear up a little lol
December 2, 2024
I got this as an ARC, a bit late writing this and reading because.....went through a rough slump. So far it's great. Will update as I read more. But wanted to put something here.
Got the kindle unlimited edition so I can do highlights xD rereading back to my original point in the arc copy......don't judge me 🤣
~~~~~~~~~
this book follows a young woman named Kamryn Dean, through her life after a traumatic experience. with help from two men in her life (no this is not why choose, she only ends up with one guy) like with life outside of books, it shows the ups and downs of her college years. it's definitely emotional and I do suggest to check your triggers. it contains heavy topics.
Got the kindle unlimited edition so I can do highlights xD rereading back to my original point in the arc copy......don't judge me 🤣
~~~~~~~~~
this book follows a young woman named Kamryn Dean, through her life after a traumatic experience. with help from two men in her life (no this is not why choose, she only ends up with one guy) like with life outside of books, it shows the ups and downs of her college years. it's definitely emotional and I do suggest to check your triggers. it contains heavy topics.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews