Mudflowers follows Sophie, Maggie and Alex and their tumultuous relationships with eachother.

Set in Toronto we follow Sophie's perspective as she grieves her mother's death and sometimes slips into a not quite relationship with Alex. She meets Maggie at a downtown queer bar and this begins our triangle as the three mix together at parties and homes.

I really loved the relaxed pace of this book and how it really set the scene with the characters. The inner thoughts of Sophie and her opinions are shared with us which makes us feel involved with her decisions and the way that she describes her feelings is endearingly fluffy- sometimes overly romantic and a bit confusing. I liked this because it's easy to get stuck in infatuation and be all rosy and also describe things clumsily when you don't understand what it is you are feeling.

When the drama unfolds I was captivated and felt addicted to finding out what happens next and I loved the ending !

This one wasn't particularly for me. The slice of life feeling makes a story arc feel incomplete and a little frustrating, and the timeline felt a little rushed at some points.

I was initially drawn to this book by it's blurb describing a love triangle and recent grief. The book at times felt like being wrapped in a cosy blanket and I wanted to stay in this warm, descriptive space. However, there was a barrier to being kept here and sometimes the blanket was abruptly taken away. The writing seemed to have taken influence from Sally Rooney, some people love this style of writing (myself included) and some do not. For me there was something about the inconsistency of the style which took me in and out of the story and prevented me from being fully immersed. That said, I did enjoy the content of the book and I feel that it's writing style was perhaps just not for me, but could be for others.

This book felt like sitting in a cozy cafe, sipping coffee, and immersing myself in its pages while "To Build A Home" by The Cinematic Orchestra and Patrick Watson played in the background. I could almost smell the rain attempting to shower the place. The protagonist, Sophie, felt like a close friend, confiding in me with her life and her deepest thoughts. Although the book can be categorized as Slice of Life, it resonated more as a Coming of Age story, as Sophie navigated her young adulthood, seeking self-understanding and questioning her motivations. She was truly growing and coming of age.

I particularly adored Sophie's connection with Alex, but I must admit I felt a hint of resentment towards her from the start. I disliked how she sometimes took him for granted, even though she held him in a special place in her heart. She had moments of overlooking his significance.

On the other hand, Maggie was a precious character, embodying the "go with the flow" attitude. She embraced life's challenges and complexities with grace. I don't have enough words to express the beauty of her character.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll keep it vague, but I really need an Alex protection squad right now.

Overall, it was a good read. It took me a while to get through it, for some reason, but it was still enjoyable. The book evoked strong reactions from me, as my roommate can attest to the sudden outbursts of "WHAT?!" and "BITCH YOU BETTER BE JOKING" that interrupted the silence during my late-night reading sessions.Make of that what you will.

Thank you NetGalley for the ACSM copy. <3

I was drawn to this book because it centres an atypical relationship, and is set in Toronto.

However, it took me forever to get through and if it wasn't an ARC it would have been a DNF. Some litfic can pull off the stream of consciousness, no quotations kind of writing, but this was not one of them. The characters lacked the distinct voice needed to make that work. I did not feel connected to any of them. I keep seeing it compared to Sally Rooney, but I would not make that comparison myself.

If you enjoy tortured artist, immature messiness then you might enjoy this one!

Thank you to Dundum Press, NetGalley, and Aley Waterman for an ARC in exchange for my honest review,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am thrilled to receive a copy to review.

The book cultivates a beautiful stream of consciousness that I enjoyed more than its contemporary comparison. I found the characters easy to care for, particularly Sophie (our protagonist, who is moving through life in an almost-not-quite relationship with Alex), who later falls for Maggie - all whilst trying to circumnavigate adult responsibilities and personal growth.

Though I can understand the likening to Sally Rooney, I enjoyed this book more than those I couldn't quite relate to. Waterman's writing is gifted with in-depth descriptions of character flaws, grief and overwhelming anxiety, which I found particularly insightful. I would highly recommend it.

I am convinced Aley Waterman wrote this book specifically for me, the connection I felt to this book and the way it was written was other-wordly. Following a woman named Sophie as she navigates her relationships, friendships and her own self acceptance.

When I was only about 10 pages into this book I yearned for a physical copy so I can scribble all my thoughts into the margins, the prose was written brilliantly, very reminiscent of Sally Rooney. This book is entirely character focused rather than relying on a major plot and honestly I loved that.

The moment this book is published I will be running out and purchasing a physical copy.

There is a place for stream of consciousness writing that really works, especially with trauma, messy lives, etc. but this one just missed the mark. The stream of consciousness felt lengthy and laborious yet seemed to also lack some depth.
I didn’t mind the messy unlikable characters but also didn’t feel connected to them or like I wanted to root for them.
This is the second book recently where I left feeling like, wow I really don’t like or appreciate the young adult art scene… so maybe it’s me. I’m the wrong audience for this book?

*I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

I loved this book!

Mudflowers is a character-driven novel which delves into the messiness of dating, following Sophie who’s been in an on-off almost relationship with her friend Alex. They’re not in a relationship but do pretty much everything a couple would do, and have years of history. When Maggie comes along, Sophie finds herself falling for her, and things get more and more complicated from there.

It’s an engaging read which really draws you into the tangled lives of the three main characters, each of them compelling in their own way. It was a bit of a slow-starter for me but, as soon as the plot unfolded and the three became more and more intertwined, I was hooked. It’s a novel primarily about relationships and where the lines between friendships and romantic relationships blur, but it’s also a novel about grief and the affect this can have.

An intriguing, addictive and emotional read, which is both beautiful and unique in style - perfect for lovers of introspective character studies and realistically flawed protagonists. Thank you so much to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for this review copy!

If you like Sally Rooney you will probably enjoy this one, is the more frequent comment for this one.
It was too slow paced for me to love it and I didn't connect as much with the main characters.
Still enjoyable read and I think a lot will love it, just too slow for me.

Aley Waterman's debut novel Mudflowers is a poignant exploration of family and the unconventional relationships we choose to forge. Set against the backdrop of Toronto, this is a tale of self-discovery, growth, and coming-of-age.

Sophie, our protagonist, is no ordinary woman. She's an artist, a reader of writers like Jia Tolentino, Ann Carson, and Knausgaard, and she's grappling with navigating the complexities of life in her late twenties. Sophie is a complicated person, but that's what makes her story so compelling.

Waterman has expertly crafted a narrative that is driven by Sophie's questioning of the world around her and her relationships. From small-town Newfoundland to the big city of Toronto, Sophie is learning to navigate her adult responsibilities, making new friends, and falling in love in the most unexpected of ways.

I enjoyed reading Mudflowers, I delighted into discovering Waterman’s gentle, slow pace and her exploration of ideas and themes that aren’t often written about. I guess I appreciated it, like drinking a good wine. Although this could easily be a quick read, I took time to digest the writer’s sentiments and observations, doing that allowed me to enjoy it more. Having said that, I felt it was all too neatly wrapped up into a final thruple that didn’t quite earn its ending, it felt a a bit too convenient. For this reason, it is getting a 3.5 from me.

Overall, Mudflowers is a thoughtful and evocative literary work that is definitely worth checking out. Congratulations to Aley Waterman on her debut novel!

Thanks Netgalley and Dundurn Press/Rare Machines for the e-ARC.

#pudseyrecommends

Sadly did not enjoy this much. What could've been a very pognient story of grief was undercut by how simplistic I felt the characterisations and writing were. Sophie's narrative voice felt like a child's, both in her actions and thoughts and just completely ruined it for me.

I’ve seen other reviews comparing this book to a Sally Rooney book, which makes sense both in its style and the fact that I also did not enjoy the one Rooney title I read. Therefore, I think if you ARE a fan of Rooney, you’d like this one as well. It was just too slow for me, and I personally struggle with books that don’t use quotation marks for dialogue. I feel like this is definitely an “it’s not you, it’s me” situation with my enjoyment of this book.

I initially had really high hopes for this book. I was very intrigued by the plot, but ended up having a bit of a tough time getting through this one. Like other reviewers, this story gave me slight Sally Rooney vibes, but ultimately didn't sit with me or grab my attention the way I hoped it would.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a bit of a pretentious book that I struggled to keep up with. The lives of the bohemian artists... a strange love triangle and inserting a baby into the middle? The characters were all messy and I didn't root for any of them.

Very cute cover and story line. I very much enjoyed this storyline. Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read it.

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Dundurn Press/Rare Machines for the e-ARC!
Being entirely honest, I almost DNF’d this one at around the 30% mark because nothing was really holding me too strongly to the characters. However, I am so glad I finished it anyways because the last half made up for the slow start. Really loved the reflective aspect of Sophie’s inner monologue throughout the story especially towards the end. Highly recommended for fans of Sally Rooney (especially Conversations With Friends) and Ghosts by Dolly Alderton!

You know when you read a book, you enjoy it, but you also are pretty sure you’re not going to remember it? That’s how I feel about Mudflowers. It was nice! A little overwritten, but generally enjoyable if you’re into the late twenties angst of the modern era. But am I going to remember it? Probably not.

Sophie and Alex are best friends, sometimes lovers, Newfoundlanders in Toronto. Alex is a dabbler, Sophie is a glass artist, working on mosaic commissions for the very rich. And she meets Maggie, who she instantly has a crush on. But soon, the story becomes twisty: Alex and Maggie hook up, leaving Sophie as a third wheel. This is about relationships, chosen family, and the way we can hurt one another. It’s very much young artists and hipsters in the city, and it was a strange, fun, reflective read.

I've read some reviews of this book that frankly puzzled me--sure, the story doesn't have a traditional beginning, middle, and ending, but it's not necessary. This is a story about people--deeply complex, flawed, introspective people. The summary of the book mentions a secret being uncovered which makes the plot sound like it has more intrigue than it does. If you're the kind of reader who needs a mystery to propel the story forward, then perhaps this isn't the book for you.

The relationship between Sophie and Alex, which vacillates between a deep best friendship into something more romantic, is really compelling and fleshed out. They both have absent mothers (Alex's by choice, while Sophie's has recently passed after a short illness) and have become their own family. While they're in their late twenties, they're still bumbling along in their post-collegiate life. They're not quite adults with adult responsibilities yet. The triumvirate they form with Maggie might not have been possible at a different time in their lives, but they've formed a deep bond based on three people seeing and accepting each other as they are. I was frequently moved by Waterman's descriptions of their flaws, eccentricities, and attempts to understand one another.

SPOILERS AHEAD

My only slight issue is that the plot was wrapped up a little too neatly. For a story without a traditional conflict, I can understand how it might be hard to determine how to end the story, but it was not believable to me that Alex, who spent his whole life searching for his mom, was able to track her down when he needed money for his pending fatherhood. And she happened to have a spare $30K lying around. Yes, she was seen around town and it's possible someone alerted Alex, but it was too tidy for me.

This didn't affect my feelings about the book too much--the fact that Sophie was able to find Alex just drove home how deep their bonds were, and that was what I took away from the conclusion of the story.

Sophie is not quite at sea in Toronto, making mosaics to pay the rent and falling in and out of bed with her childhood best friend. When Maggie enters the picture, the landscape changes—Maggie is the flame to Sophie's moth. But they're all in their twenties, and stability is a fleeting thing.

"Mudflowers" follows Sophie through this year or so of attempted growth and change—she's grieving the loss of her mother, figuring out what she wants and doesn't want in a relationship, thinks (this is going to sound like criticism but she's in her twenties, it's just statement of fact) that she's terribly self-aware but is...sometimes self-aware.

I've been reading more lit fic this year, and this falls squarely in that category—a story narrowed in on a relatively ordinary life rather than big events; narration without a lot of drama even as things don't go quite to plan; more thought than action. Sophie would benefit from broadening her social circle, maybe making some more decisions (and mistakes) without considering the opinions of the people she's so deeply entangled with, and maybe examining her own life a little bit less and the world around her a little bit more. Not to be too broad about it, but there are heavy themes of love, loss, and mothers woven throughout the book, all of them with somewhat messy connections and endings (again: not criticism; this time it's not because Sophie's in her twenties but because it's lit fic). This is probably best read relatively slowly rather than all in one go, but even taking my time I lost some steam near the end.

An aside: Sophie's commentary about losing a parent at the beginning of the book is sufficiently on-point that I thought I might have trouble finishing the book, but she ends up focusing more on romantic drama. "Love triangle" is probably too tidy a term for what goes down throughout the book—and for what's to come after the book is over—but much of it will be relatable to those who have had entanglements made up of blurred line after blurred line.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.