This book made me long for the days at my grandparents’ cabin on Fox Lake. The author painted a place I could see, hear, smell and feel. Although much of the research and technical terms were beyond me, they were still general enough that I could follow the storyline without getting hung up.

Some of the characters were a bit too typical—the overbearing sisters, the good-time, distraction guy, the hero with a heartbreaking backstory, the wise father-figure—but the depth and struggles of Hildy’s story were enough to carry the book and keep me engaged. I saw my own struggles in her self-doubt. I cheered for her when she stepped outside of her comfort zone. I related to her bond with Butterness. My heart broke with hers when she was finally strong enough to take off her protective blinders and see truth.

There were some storylines dropped or grazed over that I wish had been pursued or resolved more fully. One being Hildy seeing shadows. What were they? Did they stop at some point? Was it a gift or burden? The book dipped its toes oh so gently into the realm of spiritual warfare, mainly around the lies we believe, but then seemed to back away and tie it up with a neat bow. I wanted more.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

After a troubled childhood where she is constantly losing things--toys, a favorite dog, and finally her father, a biologist returns to her home in the Pacific Northwest for both personal and professional reasons. There, she meets a man with a trouble history of his own, who may be able to help her face her past, if she can let him. Unusual but satisfying story about faith and love.

I enjoyed WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS, especially the personal journey of Hildy as she gets to know Luke better and confronts troubling memories and incidents from her past.

I don't know if this was a formatting error, but I grew tired of the following convention on a line level. The author will say something like, "She leaned elbows on the bridge" or "He twisted hands as he looked away." Why not say "her elbows" or "his hands"? Honestly, it started to really distract me.

The pacing is also very slow. I don't need an action thriller, and I'm quite accustomed to slower paced literary stories, but this one really took its time.

However, despite these issues, this is a lovely story with a meaningful message. I recommend it for fans of contemplative literary fiction.