24 years after Carol fled her alcoholic husband , he shows up at her office wanting to make peace with her and their daughter.
Carol has so much resentment , anger, dislike towards John and wants him gone ... the twist is John is dying and he wants to make peace with Carol and Carol , even though she doesn’t realize it at first , needs this .

A raw emotional story with characters that are relatable , I don’t know what I would do if I was put into Carols position , what would you do ?

I often wish that the book came with a trigger alert warning. This book needed one. Maybe just a five tissue rating on the cover. Be prepared. If you start this book: 1. You won't be able to put it down until you finish. 2. It will break your heart. 3, It will put your heart back together again, but you will never be the same.

I loved this book. The characters were so well-developed that I got frustrated at how they behaved. I disagreed at their choices, and I wanted to shake them. I wanted them to make different choices. The more I read, the more I understood the decisions made.

I don't want to be a spoiler, but I will remind you of my warnings. It's a great book that I enjoyed. I hope you will too.

This is such an emotional story, I had to stop and read something else because it was just so raw. Well done on the writing.

A Life Without Water is SO GOOD but so very emotional!

24 years after their divorce, the ex-husband shows up at his former wife's work to ask a favor because he is dying. She VERY reluctantly agrees to do what he asks but in the midst of a somewhat forced road trip, they end up dissecting everything that went wrong between them including the tragedies they never fully faced. As the reader, the years of bitterness and regret this couple carry is palpable and comes right off the pages making you FEEL everything they feel and boy, is it HEAVY!

This book is so raw and heartbreaking! Maybe because the woman in the story is the same age as I am, I don't know, but DAMN, examining all the broken parts in a marriage pushed all my emotional buttons and about killed me! Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby-wait, no, make that two boxes of freaking tissues because you will be emotionally gutted!

This book was so beautifully written by Marci Bolden and packs a massive punch right to the heart. This book gets all the stars! Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this novel. It was unforgettable.

Wow.!! This has to be the most touching and sad story that I have ever read. I am speechless and I had to take a day to process my emotions after reading this great story. Let's go ahead and get the rating out of the way and say that this is a 5 star read.! I mean, just wow. This story of grief and forgiving yourself and others made me shed a tear because I felt the emotions that the author wrote on these pages. I guess I should tell you all about this heart touching story to begin this review.

This story revolves around Caroline and over twenty years ago her daughter, Katie, died and she blames her ex-husband, John. John has finally found Caroline and he has come on a mission to right his wrongs before his terminal illness takes him out. Throughout this story you get flashbacks into the past and it leaves you wondering what happened on that horrible day to Katie and why is John to blame. Caroline is such a strong character because she has lost so much and she has yet to mourn her daughter after 20 years. One of the things that John and Caroline wanted to do was take Katie to amazing places, so John and Caroline takes her urn on a road trip to visit these places that Katie had on her list.

For me this road trip represents letting go of the past and setting Katie free. This story is confined to the RV and the mending of John and Caroline's relationship was exceptional. The writing was spectacular, the pacing was steady and the dialogue was realistic. This is a great example of how monologue can contribute to the story and keep it moving. Caroline had great monologue and though it went on for a couple of pages, it contributed to the story and every word meant something. I was actually expecting a whirlwind romance, but it didn't happen and I have no issues with that.

I absolutely loved this story and if I could give this story 10 stars, I would. This book is for everyone because everyone, at some point in their lives, have lost a loved one and this book shows grief at its core. Go pick this book up and discuss it with your family and friends. It's that good. !!

Wow! That is all I can say about this brilliant book. It stayed with me for a long time after I read the last page. The author took her reader on an emotional journey and the characters were well developed. Highly recommend!

This story will take hold of your heart and shred it!
It is a journey of two people whose only child has died. It is also a little girl's voyage to help her parents find closure.
It is a tale of survival, heartache, heartbreak, love, anger, and then acceptance to let go and forgive one another.
It is well written, and at times difficult to read.
Yet, I did not stop until I was finished. Why? Because we all know a Carol and John. We all wish we could change decisions made.
"If you want to fix what you think is broken, the first thing you have to do is acknowledge what broke you in the first place."
Well done!

This book will stay with you long after you finish reading it. You'll need Kleenex handy because it is a roller coaster ride of emotions!

Carol Denman's past has just walked into her office, a man, she thought she left behind over twenty years ago, John Bowman, her ex-husband. Carol has rebuilt her life, and had married again, John's appearance is about to turn Carol's life upside down.

John Bowman, is a Detective from Dayton, Ohio. The day Carol left, John was stuck in the past, still tied to their life together. He overcame difficulties and knows he was not the best husband or father. He searched to locate Carol, because he wants to find peace for himself and that includes making things right with Carol.

Although, Carol thinks she's seen the last of John when he leaves her home; Carol gets a call from the hospital, where John had given them her name as a contact. It is here, that Carol learns just how ill John is, and explains why he showed up in the manner in which he did. John brings up a promise he made, and is determined to see it though. Carol realizes how foolhardy John is to attempt his plan and the doctor desperately tries to talk both of them out of it. Against doctor's orders, Carol surrenders and agrees to go along.

A trip that will take two weeks of traveling and end with Carol dropping John back at home in Dayton. Carol is filled with resentment and anger towards John and blames him for a lot of things. John, also blames Carol for when they divorced. This trip is something that they both needed to let go, come to terms with themselves and each other.

A truly beautiful, gripping story of forgiveness of others and oneself after experiencing a horrific tragedy! If you enjoy books by Diane Chamberlain, or Nicholas Sparks, then you will love this!

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Pink Sand Press and voluntarily review this book.

I know I am in the minority amongst reviewers of this book but I did not enjoy it.
The writing style is good but the death of the child was sad enough without then adding the terminal illness of the father.

A Life Without Water was an emotionally charged read that I could not put down. I cried...a lot. I could not imagine the grief and devastation Caroline must have felt throughout the journey of her life. I was drawn to the strength of her character and to the lengths John went to for closure and to make amends with his past.

Carol Denman is existing, just. It is her daughter's birthday 30th birthday tomorrow and she wonders what life her would have been if she was still alive. Unfortunately she tragically died on her husband's watch. Her drunken husband. Something Carol will never forgive herself or her husband for.

24 years later and Carol is a widow, having lost her second husband to another tragic accident. But life is about to deliver Carol more than she ever thought she could handle. Her ex-husband John is at her place of employment, wanting to see her. Carol is in two minds whether to just fob him off or relent and see what he wants after 24 years when she walked out of their marriage with few possessions and her daughter's remains.

John Bowman has never forgiven himself for the death of his daughter. He had everything, but his drinking didn't let him appreciate his beautiful wife and daughter. John is terminally ill and he wants to make amends for all his wrong doings before he dies. He wants to take a road trip to all the places Katie wanted to go to and he doesn't just want Carol to go with him, he desperately needs her to. He is hoping for redemption for all that he has done and believes this trip will hopefully bring both Carol and himself some peace and maybe forgiveness too.

This was a heartbreaking story. Do not expect happy ever afters as this is definitely not that type of book. This is a book that will stay in your memory long after you have finished it. Emotions will be tested, tissues will probably be needed and you will find it hard to put the book aside until you have read the last page.

Thanks to NetGalley, Pink Sand Press and Marci Bolden for a very thought provoking and haunting for me read.

A Life Without Water by Marci bolden was unexpected read. I had no idea what I was getting into. The story was emotional, touching and heartbreaking. Carol and John have been divorced for over twenty years without any contact. Suddenly he is back and what follows is a very moving story with so many feels. This books covers loss, grief, and forgiveness and was so raw and powerful read.

Happy reading!

A Life WIthout Water by Marci Bolden does not gently lure you into the story but drags you kicking and screaming much as is done to Carol, no make that Car-o-line. At least it did for me. I couldn’t have put this book down if I had tried. Of course, I was too caught up to even try. Luckily I was on a road trip with someone else driving so I was free to read. It seemed fitting since Carol also goes traveling but not as easy a time as mine. As soon as we were home, unpacked, I was back to reading, it is just that compelling of a story. Even though I knew that there would be no this-was-only-a-nightmare or sudden time traveling to change the past, I kept reading and hoping.

Hardly happy but one that will speak to your heart and soul. All the characters come to life, Katie especially but also Tobias too. Heart breaking but also inspiring in such a sad way. Live every day, really live! Thank you for that reminder in this amazing poignant story.

Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, Julianne MacLean’s A Curve in the Road or Lori Handeland’s Just Once will find A Life WIthout Water to be their next great read. Best heart breaking book I have read this year by a master storyteller. Tissues required.

Carol/Caroline fled in the middle of the night from her husband John after the death of their daughter Katie. She divorced him and married Tobias who encouraged her to earn her Doctors Degree and tp do things that challenged her. Twenty Four years later her ex John arrives at her office with a request. We learn that 8 months before Tobias died and John has an inoperable brain tumor with little time to live. His request is for Carol/Caroline to help him spread Katie's ashes at all the places he promised her they would visit.

The story is told in past and present time lines. At times the story is heartbreaking. Make sure you have tissues at hand as I found myself sobbing. A story of love, marriage, family, forgiveness, and moving ahead. Thank you to Netgalley, Pink Sand Press, and Marci Bolden for an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

I shed so many tears reading this book.
This book was heartbreaking and tears would pour from my eyes.
This book is one that you must read
This author has an amazing talent that you will adore.
Great novel

Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster of a book!
Carol has been divorced from her husband John for many years when he unexpectedly turns up on her dead daughters anniversary. What follows is an intense journey both emotionally and physically as they come together to finally say a very overdue goodbye to their daughter Katie! This journey is compounded by the fact that John has an inoperable brain tumour and is nearing end of life, this book intimately explores the relationships we have in life and how these experiences affect/shape us for the rest of our lives,it’s all about forgiveness, letting go and ultimately finding peace by taking yourself out of your comfort zones in order to achieve this.
A sobering thought provoking heartfelt read delivered in a sensitive and tender manner.
Thank you net galley for this early read

Beautiful beautiful book. So well written. Given the content of the book it could have been depressing and hard to read but it was anything but.

I loved the characters in this book and could identify with so many of them. I wanted to hate John for how he was but the writer really thought about human relationships and how different people react to situations

It was clear wjat had happened t’ Katie from the start of the book so it wasn’t a shock ending. I likedcthatcthe focus was on people and their interpersonal relationships. carol’s wonderful second in laws made me want to go and eat ribs and hang out with them. You felt you could really fit right into the story in so many ways - I am so glad I read it, even though I on’y Chose the book from the wellies on the cover because I used to wear wellies with everything!

Great book that kept me gripped till the end!
Will be going and buying a physical copy for my shelf.

Thank you for letting me read a preview copy

Phew this was a tough one because of the amount of feels it gives you... I loved it. I loved the characters, and I loved the message and the power of love. It’s one of those books that you will remember because of the thoughts and emotions that it evokes in you. It’s so worth curling up and reading this book.

A story about Carol or Caroline as her ex-husband, John calls her and who suddenly turns up in her life after 20 years. And with John's arrival, stirs up bad memories of the loss of their daughter, Katie, and some bad news. John is dying.

This is the last thing Carol needs right now as she is still grieving over her husband' Tobias' death just eight months prior. She is focused on her work that helps distract her from the overwhelming sorrow and she really feels she can't deal with John's trip down memory lane. But when John tries to take their daughter's ashes from Carol's home, she is faced with the realization that John isn't going anywhere out of her life any time soon. She reluctantly agrees to go with John on a road trip to scatter Katie's ashes the way they had originally planned before she walked out on John and his alcoholic lifestyle that caused Katie's death. On top of that, she also has to take care of John as his health rapidly deteriorates.

At the heart of A Life Without Water is a story about forgiveness. Not just about Carol forgiving John and the amount of suffering he put her through when they were married and for Katie's death, but also to forgive herself for excuses for John that enable his lifestyle. This story made me choke up when Carol recalls when she discovered her daughter in the pool and the overwhelming grief that came with it. This book forces your emotions on a ride like the waves of an ocean and takes in introspective approach at realizing that one should not forget to forgive themselves.