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Ain't no wave pool
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 17, 2026
Ain't No Wave Pool is a touching and emotional story centring on the lives of Tyler, Carlene and Zara after they are brought together by circumstance.
Tyler is just drifting through life. He lives with his Nan, surfs the days away and sells pot at night. When his Nan kicks him out and old acquaintances put him in hospital, he knows he needs to sort himself out.
He falls in with two girls he met by chance a while earlier and sees a future and a life could be different if he kept on the straight and narrow. He falls for Carlene and is enjoying life with a job, a girlfriend and friends.
But when life has other plans can Tyler still see what his life could be?
I felt drawn to these characters and wanted the best for them. They weren't always in control of the situations or outcomes they faced, yet they found strength in each other.
I liked the honesty in these characters and in the story. It felt real. The ups and downs of life, the temptations of youth, the families that vary between being supportive or being distant and unreliable.
If you enjoy a story with angst and emotion, where life isn't all sunshine and roses, but where the human spirit strives to overcome then this debut will hit the spot.
Tyler is just drifting through life. He lives with his Nan, surfs the days away and sells pot at night. When his Nan kicks him out and old acquaintances put him in hospital, he knows he needs to sort himself out.
He falls in with two girls he met by chance a while earlier and sees a future and a life could be different if he kept on the straight and narrow. He falls for Carlene and is enjoying life with a job, a girlfriend and friends.
But when life has other plans can Tyler still see what his life could be?
I felt drawn to these characters and wanted the best for them. They weren't always in control of the situations or outcomes they faced, yet they found strength in each other.
I liked the honesty in these characters and in the story. It felt real. The ups and downs of life, the temptations of youth, the families that vary between being supportive or being distant and unreliable.
If you enjoy a story with angst and emotion, where life isn't all sunshine and roses, but where the human spirit strives to overcome then this debut will hit the spot.
June 19, 2026
It had me gripped from early on, layered with imagery, characters, humorous banter, emotion, and romance.
Starling's debut novel, 'Ain't No Wave Pool' is an awakening to stand by the people who stand by us. It's a beautifully heartfelt novel set in Auckland and its picturesque surrounding beaches where main character Tyler Davis likes to spend much of his time.
He and the novel's other characters hooked me quickly, as each had their own unique story that contributed to the overall vibe of the book. At first, Zara Gerboz appears to be a plain uni student trying to make ends meet. Before long, I found myself rooting for her along with Tyler and their shared friend Carly.
Things seem to be going so well between them and the flatmates which I also came to adore...until tragedy struck. Starling has an honest and unflinching take on grief, especially in the lives of young people. She writes pain and heartbreak in a way that's tender yet resonates with the reader. Old habits start to come back in the characters' lives as they try to cope.
Luckily, this stunner debut doesn't end on a heartbreak, but a heart jolt. It highlights the importance of being there for one another when the water isn't calm, because...as Tyler would tell you this life ain't no wave pool.
Something that stood out as both particularly authentic and thoughtful was the use of New Zealand surfer slang in the novel. It makes the setting and characters much more fleshed out and allowed me to have a stronger connection with them as a Kiwi bloke myself.
One thing that distracted me slightly was a few scene transitions where it a little longer to understand how the characters had progressed since the previous scenes in terms of growth, objective and relationship with other characters.
Overall, a blitzer of a novel. Great work, Starling
Starling's debut novel, 'Ain't No Wave Pool' is an awakening to stand by the people who stand by us. It's a beautifully heartfelt novel set in Auckland and its picturesque surrounding beaches where main character Tyler Davis likes to spend much of his time.
He and the novel's other characters hooked me quickly, as each had their own unique story that contributed to the overall vibe of the book. At first, Zara Gerboz appears to be a plain uni student trying to make ends meet. Before long, I found myself rooting for her along with Tyler and their shared friend Carly.
Things seem to be going so well between them and the flatmates which I also came to adore...until tragedy struck. Starling has an honest and unflinching take on grief, especially in the lives of young people. She writes pain and heartbreak in a way that's tender yet resonates with the reader. Old habits start to come back in the characters' lives as they try to cope.
Luckily, this stunner debut doesn't end on a heartbreak, but a heart jolt. It highlights the importance of being there for one another when the water isn't calm, because...as Tyler would tell you this life ain't no wave pool.
Something that stood out as both particularly authentic and thoughtful was the use of New Zealand surfer slang in the novel. It makes the setting and characters much more fleshed out and allowed me to have a stronger connection with them as a Kiwi bloke myself.
One thing that distracted me slightly was a few scene transitions where it a little longer to understand how the characters had progressed since the previous scenes in terms of growth, objective and relationship with other characters.
Overall, a blitzer of a novel. Great work, Starling
May 31, 2026
AIN’T NO WAVE POOL by JK Starling is a coming-of-age, dual POV story set in coastal New Zealand, following Tyler and Zara.
This one is very character-focused and leans into first love, friendship, and the messy parts of growing up while dealing with a lot from the past. Tyler and Zara are both figuring out who they are while working through grief, identity, and healing in a way that feels very real. You could tell from the beginning that they both had really good hearts.
There are some heavier topics included, like the death of a friend/loved one, a parent’s death (off page), and mentions of sexual abuse and drug use.
The setting really stood out to me — I’ve never been to Auckland, but I swear I could almost taste the salt in the air while reading it.
I do have to admit I struggled a bit with the dialogue at times. It was actually interesting seeing the difference in slang, but there were definitely a few words I had to stop and look up along the way.
I’d definitely recommend this as a new adult read, especially if you like stories that lean more emotional and character-driven.
A slower, more emotional read with a lot of focus on friendship, first love, and healing throughout.
Thank you so much to J.K. Starling for this gifted copy of her debut novel! This came to me all the way from New Zealand, which is seriously so cool. I really appreciate the gifted copy and being able to read and review this one.
This one is very character-focused and leans into first love, friendship, and the messy parts of growing up while dealing with a lot from the past. Tyler and Zara are both figuring out who they are while working through grief, identity, and healing in a way that feels very real. You could tell from the beginning that they both had really good hearts.
There are some heavier topics included, like the death of a friend/loved one, a parent’s death (off page), and mentions of sexual abuse and drug use.
The setting really stood out to me — I’ve never been to Auckland, but I swear I could almost taste the salt in the air while reading it.
I do have to admit I struggled a bit with the dialogue at times. It was actually interesting seeing the difference in slang, but there were definitely a few words I had to stop and look up along the way.
I’d definitely recommend this as a new adult read, especially if you like stories that lean more emotional and character-driven.
A slower, more emotional read with a lot of focus on friendship, first love, and healing throughout.
Thank you so much to J.K. Starling for this gifted copy of her debut novel! This came to me all the way from New Zealand, which is seriously so cool. I really appreciate the gifted copy and being able to read and review this one.
June 7, 2026
A heartfelt debut that will leave you with that “great book” feeling…..
This is a touching story told from dual points of view, delving into some tougher topics but balancing it out with some lighter moments and a bit of romance.
A shorter story sees the tale leap ahead a little at times, but as the reader you don’t feel like you have been left out of anything, and this allows you to see the major events that take place and shape the lives of our two main protagonists, Tyler and Zara.
Although I’m not from New Zealand, I still enjoyed the use of Kiwi and surfer slang throughout the story. It gave it a genuine authenticity that I don’t think it would have had otherwise. And while we are on the subject of New Zealand, the locations really were given a life of their own through the skilful descriptions of author.
This story has a grittiness to it, glimpsing into the world of those that don’t always have things go their way, whether it’s due to upbringing, tragedy, bad choices or just bad luck. Reminding us that a life can be turned upside down and thrown into chaos within a heartbeat, but with a little support and kindness, a world of opportunity can open up.
I really enjoyed Ain’t No Wave Pool, and even with its deeper emotional feel I found it to be an entertaining and easy reading, and well worth giving it a go. I look forward to seeing what comes next from JK Starling.
Thank you Juliana for my fabulous copy of Ain’t No Wave Pool in exchange for an honest review.
#aintnowavepool
#jkstarling
#secondchances
#saltwindhousepublishing
This is a touching story told from dual points of view, delving into some tougher topics but balancing it out with some lighter moments and a bit of romance.
A shorter story sees the tale leap ahead a little at times, but as the reader you don’t feel like you have been left out of anything, and this allows you to see the major events that take place and shape the lives of our two main protagonists, Tyler and Zara.
Although I’m not from New Zealand, I still enjoyed the use of Kiwi and surfer slang throughout the story. It gave it a genuine authenticity that I don’t think it would have had otherwise. And while we are on the subject of New Zealand, the locations really were given a life of their own through the skilful descriptions of author.
This story has a grittiness to it, glimpsing into the world of those that don’t always have things go their way, whether it’s due to upbringing, tragedy, bad choices or just bad luck. Reminding us that a life can be turned upside down and thrown into chaos within a heartbeat, but with a little support and kindness, a world of opportunity can open up.
I really enjoyed Ain’t No Wave Pool, and even with its deeper emotional feel I found it to be an entertaining and easy reading, and well worth giving it a go. I look forward to seeing what comes next from JK Starling.
Thank you Juliana for my fabulous copy of Ain’t No Wave Pool in exchange for an honest review.
#aintnowavepool
#jkstarling
#secondchances
#saltwindhousepublishing
June 10, 2026
This is a coming-of-age story that follows a group of young adults navigating friendship, family struggles, love, loss, and the challenges that come with growing up.
Being set in New Zealand made this one feel even more special. The Kiwi slang, the familiar places, and the way the characters spoke made it so easy to picture. There were so many little moments that felt recognisable, and I loved seeing a New Zealand setting brought to life on the page.
The story did cover some difficult topics, but it never felt overwhelmingly heavy. The way it was written allowed those themes to have impact without making the book feel emotionally exhausting to read.
I was hooked from the beginning and found myself wanting to turn the pages to see what happened next.
Because it’s a shorter novel, the story moves through some moments quite quickly. I would have loved a little more detail in some places, not because anything was missing, but because I was enjoying the story so much I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a book I’m glad I got the opportunity to discover. For a debut novel, J K Starling has done an incredible job, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
Being set in New Zealand made this one feel even more special. The Kiwi slang, the familiar places, and the way the characters spoke made it so easy to picture. There were so many little moments that felt recognisable, and I loved seeing a New Zealand setting brought to life on the page.
The story did cover some difficult topics, but it never felt overwhelmingly heavy. The way it was written allowed those themes to have impact without making the book feel emotionally exhausting to read.
I was hooked from the beginning and found myself wanting to turn the pages to see what happened next.
Because it’s a shorter novel, the story moves through some moments quite quickly. I would have loved a little more detail in some places, not because anything was missing, but because I was enjoying the story so much I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a book I’m glad I got the opportunity to discover. For a debut novel, J K Starling has done an incredible job, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
April 13, 2026
Tyler lives with his Nan and cruises through life, spending his days surfing and his nights dealing drugs. When he gets kicked out, everything changes.
Thrown into a flatting situation, he meets Carlene and Zara, two uni students who slowly start to shift his world.
A romance sparks between Carlene and Tyler, and things begin to look up until tragedy hits and everything takes a turn.
I loved that this was set in Auckland and the West Coast beaches of New Zealand; there’s something so comforting about reading a story in places you know well. It made the whole book feel even more real.
The surfer slang, the rawness, the flawed characters, it all pulled me right into Tyler’s world.
It’s one of those stories that feels fun, light, and romantic at times, but also quietly heavy with grief and real-life consequences.
This was such a great read, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s the kind of story that pulls you in, makes you feel everything, and stays with you long after you’ve finished.
Thrown into a flatting situation, he meets Carlene and Zara, two uni students who slowly start to shift his world.
A romance sparks between Carlene and Tyler, and things begin to look up until tragedy hits and everything takes a turn.
I loved that this was set in Auckland and the West Coast beaches of New Zealand; there’s something so comforting about reading a story in places you know well. It made the whole book feel even more real.
The surfer slang, the rawness, the flawed characters, it all pulled me right into Tyler’s world.
It’s one of those stories that feels fun, light, and romantic at times, but also quietly heavy with grief and real-life consequences.
This was such a great read, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s the kind of story that pulls you in, makes you feel everything, and stays with you long after you’ve finished.
June 6, 2026
Wow I finally finished this book, and honestly, not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I didn't want it to end.
First of all, a huge thank you to @starling_jk for sending me a copy. It was such a privilege to read your debut novel. 💙
Set against the beautiful backdrop of New Zealand's coastline, this story completely pulled me in. The characters felt so real that at times I forgot I was reading a book. I found myself invested in their lives, their struggles, their heartbreaks, and their triumphs. It genuinely felt like I knew them.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. There were moments that made me smile, moments that tugged at my heart, and plenty of moments that had me reflecting long after I'd put the book down.
This is one of those books that lingers in your mind after you've turned the final page, and I have a feeling I'll be thinking about these characters for quite some time.
If you enjoy character driven stories filled with heart, emotion, and hope, I'd definitely recommend giving Ain't No Wave Pool a read. 🌊📚💗
First of all, a huge thank you to @starling_jk for sending me a copy. It was such a privilege to read your debut novel. 💙
Set against the beautiful backdrop of New Zealand's coastline, this story completely pulled me in. The characters felt so real that at times I forgot I was reading a book. I found myself invested in their lives, their struggles, their heartbreaks, and their triumphs. It genuinely felt like I knew them.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. There were moments that made me smile, moments that tugged at my heart, and plenty of moments that had me reflecting long after I'd put the book down.
This is one of those books that lingers in your mind after you've turned the final page, and I have a feeling I'll be thinking about these characters for quite some time.
If you enjoy character driven stories filled with heart, emotion, and hope, I'd definitely recommend giving Ain't No Wave Pool a read. 🌊📚💗
April 6, 2026
wow such a great read
Wow, what a great read. It made me relive both my own youth, as well as my experiences of raising 3 of my own into young adulthood. Easy to read, with some real-life challenges (real life is certainly no wave pool), under pinned by great story telling making me want to keep going to see what would unfold next. Young adults should flock to this book and see the hope of life jumping out of it.
Wow, what a great read. It made me relive both my own youth, as well as my experiences of raising 3 of my own into young adulthood. Easy to read, with some real-life challenges (real life is certainly no wave pool), under pinned by great story telling making me want to keep going to see what would unfold next. Young adults should flock to this book and see the hope of life jumping out of it.
April 29, 2026
This book gives you a glimpse into the lives of a group of young friends living in Auckland. All characters are very different and influenced by different life experiences. It is easy to read and illustrates the many events that life throws at you and emphasizes how important the support of family and friends are to us all.
May 15, 2026
This is a debut novel by J K Starling and props to her for a good start!! I received an e-book copy from the author and enjoyed reading this story. There are lots of colourful characters; each with their own battles in life but the author does well to tie it all together. A decent story here and I would read another book by Starling.
June 14, 2026
Firstly, a huge thank you to J K Starling for reaching out and asking me to review her debut novel, Ain't No Wave Pool. I was genuinely honoured to be asked.
Set against the stunning backdrop of New Zealand's coastline, this story follows characters navigating heartbreak, loss, grief, and some incredibly heavy life challenges. Through it all, it highlights the importance of resilience, hope, and not giving up when life feels impossible.
One of my favourite things about this book was the authentic Kiwi language and slang. As a fellow New Zealander, it made the story feel so real and relatable. I also loved the way JK Starling described the ocean. I currently live far from the coast, and her writing had me missing the sea terribly. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was standing right there on the beach alongside the characters.
As this is a shorter novel, the story does move through different periods of time quite quickly. Personally, I would have loved a little more detail in some places and more time with the characters, simply because I was invested in their journey.
Overall, this was an emotional read that tackles difficult topics while still delivering a message of hope. For a debut novel, this is an impressive start, and I can see great things ahead for JK Starling. I'll definitely be interested to see what she writes next.
Set against the stunning backdrop of New Zealand's coastline, this story follows characters navigating heartbreak, loss, grief, and some incredibly heavy life challenges. Through it all, it highlights the importance of resilience, hope, and not giving up when life feels impossible.
One of my favourite things about this book was the authentic Kiwi language and slang. As a fellow New Zealander, it made the story feel so real and relatable. I also loved the way JK Starling described the ocean. I currently live far from the coast, and her writing had me missing the sea terribly. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was standing right there on the beach alongside the characters.
As this is a shorter novel, the story does move through different periods of time quite quickly. Personally, I would have loved a little more detail in some places and more time with the characters, simply because I was invested in their journey.
Overall, this was an emotional read that tackles difficult topics while still delivering a message of hope. For a debut novel, this is an impressive start, and I can see great things ahead for JK Starling. I'll definitely be interested to see what she writes next.
May 15, 2026
debut novel from JK Starling really enjoyed reading a book based in Auckland, great characters, gritty story
line. Young adults would also enjoy . Can't wait for the next book.
line. Young adults would also enjoy . Can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews