2026 Book Review #32:Where the Water Meets the Sky

 

This novel was on our town library's "new books" shelf and the author was unknown to me.  Since I loved the summary on the inside jacket and I adored the art work on the front, I decided to take it out. I'm so thankful I did!!  I'll be looking for her other novels sometime this winter. 

STORY SUMMARY

One winter night, in January 1986, on the Garden Penisula of Michigan, a farmhouse burns to the ground. A young child, aged 7,  makes it out of the house and runs into the woods holding a book of matches. 

Ten years later, in 1996, Abby, now 17 yrs old who loves all things in nature, comes back to the Garden Penisula to live and work with her Uncle Dennis for the summer. She loves the woods, lakes, fisheries and farms of her childhood. During the school year, she lives with her stepfather in a town on the mainland. 

Uncle Dennis is working on his dissertation which involves an environmental study on trees. He's hired Abby to help him. 

Her best friend...and cousin by marriage (not a blood relative) named Brew, also 17 yrs old, invites her to a beach party where she meets a troubled teen named Seda.   Seda is on the run from her abusive ex boyfriend.  Abby decides she's going to protect Seda so she introduces her to an abandoned cabin that becomes a type of sanctuary for both of them. 

When they spend time at the cabin, Abby begins to process her feelings for Brew. But she also is discovering the person she is becoming. She wants more for her life.  She has a spiritual and physical hunger.  Plus, she is looking to understand the trauma of her childhood  which took her mother from her. Her mother's body was never found in the aftermath of the fire. Her biological father had died at age 16 from a drowning accident shortly after her mother became pregnant with her. Abby has never known her biological dad but has a super close relationship with her stepfather. It's a very good relationship. She is also emotionally close to her Uncle Dennis (her mom's brother).  

Abby very much cares about the flora, fauna and people around her. She even identifies with the wounds of the environment. But she is also desperate to remember what happened on that winter night..the night of the fire....and as the summer of 1996 unfolds, she is going to have to reckon with the truth. 

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved everything about this beautiful story. I'm a nature lover and my spiritual temperament is Naturalist so this book really resonated with me. 

This is a well developed "coming of age" novel with richly developed characters. I really enjoyed getting to "know" Uncle Dennis, Nonna (Abby's grandmother), Brew, Seda, and Tanner. Even Piper is a well developed character although  plays a mainly minor role. Piper is Seda's ex boyfriend. 

The descriptions of the woods, lake, and town are beautifully interwoven with the plot.  Nothing felt bogged down or tiresome. It's a beautiful story in a beautiful setting. 

The main themes are the power of community, the wisdom of love, the vast landscapes all around us, and facing truth and loss. It also focuses on inner healing, memory, human connection with nature, love and friendship. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older. 

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10. 

I HIGHLY recommend this beautiful book.