Book Review: Waiting Under Water by Riel Nason

By Carly Smith

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In Waiting Under Water, all Hope wants is enjoy summer vacation with the bittersweet feeling of returning to school in the fall. That’s not possible, though, since her folks told her they are moving to Toronto from St. David’s, a small town in New Brunswick. Even though she has most of the summer to enjoy St. David’s and its small village charm, she can’t help but think about moving provinces, changing schools, and leaving her best friend Willa behind. The big move and the adjustments that accompany it aren’t the only changes that Hope is presented with either when it’s announced that her hometown is in the running to be Canada’s top small community. What may mean more tourism and a stronger economy in the future also means more hustle and bustle as the town works hard to stay in the contest. Riel Nason makes it very easy to follow along with this heartwarming summer read and make space for Hope’s emotions as she navigates the final weeks of life in St. David’s.

Hope is a clever, fairly optimistic young woman. She is wise beyond her years or, as her father describes her, an “old soul.” Her outlook towards moving is one of uncertainty, naturally, but her insight offers a mature and logical perspective on such a significant change. Readers will see Hope grapple with difficult feelings as time moves closer to her departure date. What is more are her tics that appear when she is overwhelmed or nervous; Hope’s tics return in the form of a verbal sound. They are noticeable and an easy target for teasing. The more she thinks about them, the more present they make themselves. Helping her through this emotional time is Willa, another optimistic young woman whose maturity and community spirit add yet another element of comfort to the book. Willa and Hope’s friendship is unbreakable and together the girls are unstoppable. 

Nason writes from the perspective of Hope in the present tense. I typically find these reads very hard to finish, but Nason makes it effortless for the reader to turn the page. Her descriptive writing transports the reader to the east coast. Whether you’ve visited there or it’s on your must-travel list, Nason creates an unequivocal familiarity about this corner of Canada and nearly leaves readers with the taste of saltwater in their mouth. In addition to her detailed writing, Nason ensures a small element of suspense near the end of almost every chapter. An engaging, relatable, and delightful read, Waiting Under Water has me anxiously awaiting Nason’s next book.