Book Review - Surviving Ice (Burying Water #4) By: K.A. Tucker

Title: Surviving Ice (Burying Water #4)
Author: K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Atria Books, 352 Pages (October 27th, 2015)
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NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is finally looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have found it in San Francisco, but all that changes when she witnesses a terrible crime. She’s ready to pack up her things yet again, when a random encounter with a stranger keeps her in the city, giving her reason to stay after all.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter wasn’t random. Not at all…

Review: 4 Stars - Surviving Ice is author K.A. Tucker’s fourth title in her Burying Water series. It’s gripping, with characters that instantly draw readers in, creating a whirlwind of a plot. I for one couldn’t figure out what was going on from the start and as the story unfolded I was even further immersed in a wonderfully written book.

I’ve been reading K.A. Tucker for years. I’ve been a fan since her first series that she indie published. However the books in this series have kind of been buried on my “to-be-read” list. There was never a question if I’d love them, or even if I’d like them. She’s just one of those authors who know how to write a great story with memorable characters. This might have been the first book I’ve read in this series, but it won’t be the last. So if you ask me, this could be read as a standalone. I’m not sure if I’ve missed anything but it’s nothing that I could tell, so keep that in mind for new readers.

The story itself keeps you on the edge of your seat. You aren’t sure who’s exactly the bad guy, but you get somewhat of an idea not too far into reading. There’s an underlying plot that’s simmering just under the surface that plays a larger part to the story further on. There are shocking moments and steamy moments and lots of questions that you feel right along with the characters.

There’s character growth from beginning to end which was great to watch unfold. Speaking of characters, we have Ivy who’s a free spirited tattoo artist who has traveled, not ready to set down roots. It’s when she’s back home with her uncle that she feels she might have finally found the perfect place to stay. Just when things are going so well and she thinks she’s found her place, her world comes crashing down around her. That’s when Sebastian comes into her life.

He’s a former Navy SEAL. He’s quiet and secretive and is set out to solve an issue his current employer is having with someone in Ivy’s life. He’s there to retrieve something and deal with anyone and anything that might get in his way. He’s used to violence and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

The two are like magnets’. They aren’t as different as they both think and it’s when the two spend more time together that they open up to each other, and question more than just where they are in their lives.

I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to find anything I could connect with in Ivy yet there were many things. Both characters have issues in their lives they are dealing with that make them relatable. Not the darker side, but the side where they’re people who are just trying to figure out where they belong in the world and the choices they’ve made in what they’ve done in their pasts.

I ended up loving just about everything with this book. The only reason why I’m giving it a 4 star rating was there were a few lulls while reading that took me out of the story a bit. Had it only happened maybe once I wouldn’t have even mentioned it but it did happen a few times over so it was more than memorable.

Overall, it’s a great book, extremely entertaining with a lot to give readers from beginning to end. It’s well written, even in the lulls and the characters are more than memorable. I highly recommend this title and I can’t wait to go back to the beginning and find out how these characters are intertwined. Happy reading.