Weight of Water

by Jamie Seitz

The majority of Quinn Keaton’s life has been spent living in the shadow of her mother’s debilitating grief. After her brother Griffin's accidental drowning sixteen years ago, her mother retreated from the world with Quinn in tow. Water, strangers, heartache, and the unknown become possible threats to their small, safe life, so she created an insulated bubble where nothing could harm them. But now, Quinn isn't sure where her own insecurities and fears begin and where her mother's end.

When an opportunity arises for Quinn to spend her senior year abroad at an English boarding school, her mother demands she turn it down and threatens to disown her if she goes. Quinn's first act of rebellion opens the door to what her life could be if she is brave enough to live it.

As her world expands in England with new friends and a chance at love, Quinn wonders how she can ever go back to her previous life, even if it means letting her mother go.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

Jamie Seitz is a middle-grade and young adult fiction author. Her funny backyard garden adventures also become stories that pop up in the monthly humor column, In the Weeds, in Garden Gate Magazine. Besides writing, her talents include being an expert maker of guacamole and the perfect mixed CD for any road trip, knitting extremely long scarves, and having a knack for finding the funny in everyday life. She lives in Iowa with her husband, four kids, two dogs, three cats, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Reviews

[Becky Gloviak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spending senior year of high school at a prestigious school in England on an art scholarship…. What a dream!

Quinn lives in CA with her mom who desperately needs a therapist. She lives in fear of everything and has created a life for herself and her 17 year old daughter Quinn inside of a very tight protective bubble.

Her art teacher throws her a lifeline and Quinn takes it. She meets best friends a boyfriend, an enemy, family and freedom for the first time in her life.

The ending had my eyes watering more than once.
Fun quick read that makes you smile and remember what it was like to be young and wild and free.

Also- I went to school with the author so I’m super proud of this book! Good job Jamie! 🩷 📕

[Kristin Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I was sucked into the story from the very beginning and even related a little to Quinn as someone who had a brother die when he was very young and a mother who was so terrified of anything happening to her only child that she kept me at home as much as she could. I had sad and happy tears while reading this and didn’t want it to end.

[Kris Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! It sucked me in from the beginning and held me throughout! This may be the fastest I’ve ever read a book! I felt Quinn as a real person and someone I could relate to on a level. It has all the feels, sad tears and happy tears! I want a sequel!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulls you along, and you can't help rooting for Quinn as she navigates everything life is throwing at her.

[Renee Welk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know it’s for young adults, but I LOVED it at age 47! I didn’t want to put it down. Read it all in one sitting. I think every kid who doesn’t find their place in high school needs to read this book. And, it’s just a great little love story, too! And, there is no human who, at some point, hasn’t felt isolated, lonely or unwanted. More and more we isolate instead of living. I wish everyone going through that could also read this. She is so incredibly talented!

[Stephanie Caffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me staying up past my bedtime. All I wanted to do was read one more chapter last night and the next thing I knew it was nearly midnight. Quinn's story is a beautiful tale of resilience, found family and discovering who you really are. I was moved by so much of this story and I found myself crying in my office. Highly recommend this book.

[Monique Van Der Heijden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating YA story. Nice descriptions of the locations and well worked out characters.

[Barb Hildebrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this from start to finish. Beautifully written with characters almost anyone can relate to.

[Dirty D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't quite put my finger on why this book hooked me and drew me in like it did. Is it because Quinn and her mother don't get along? Is it because Quinn never quite felt like she fit in at her high school? Was it because Quinn felt sheltered and was never allowed to go anywhere growing up? All feelings that I could relate to while I was growing up.

However, I never was given the opportunity to "reinvent" myself by getting a scholarship and spending my last year of high school in England like Quinn did. After going against her mother's wishes Quinn spreads her wings and flourishes as she discovers who she is. She makes friends for the first time in her life, even a boyfriend!

This was such a great read that really made you feel for Quinn. There was loss, discovery, drama and just a little bit of everything. Good for readers of ages from middle school on up as the love scenes are closed door.

I'm looking forward to meeting the author at Booked Eau Claire in September.

[Sandy Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever picked up a book that pulls you in so effortlessly that you lose track of time, this is that kind of read. The Weight of Water is one of those rare books that grabs you from the start, keeps you hooked until the very end, and makes you wish you didn’t have to put it down—even though you know there’s life waiting for you outside the pages. Jaime has a brilliant way of weaving suspense and intrigue, keeping just enough information back to keep you eagerly turning pages, all while maintaining a smooth, continuous narrative that never feels forced. The characters are so well-developed that you can’t help but care about their fates from beginning to end. So set aside a day to really immerse yourself. Trust me, it’s worth it.

[Ana Hafke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book on a deep level. Quinn's story of internal bravery and finding the strength to follow her dreams. After navigating a trauma bound mother, Quinn finds her strength to do what is best for her and go study abroad. She learns that family isn't always blood and determining what family looks like and feels like to her. "But she was here. She was brave. She wasn't afraid."

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book, all the characters and their development. Couldn’t wait to get back to it anytime I put it down.

[Laura Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story of Quinn, her challenges, success, loss and love. Hard to put this book down; I loved it!

[Beth Neipert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical. I loved everything about this book. Chapter 19 was gut wrenching. Tears, both sad and happy were shed. Excellent read!!