I don’t typically type reviews but this book deserves it! It is the first book that I have “binge” listened to in quite a while. The story is well-written and kept me interested throughout. The narration is great as well and I love Jeremy Sisto’s voice. I definitely recommend but be prepared to shed a few tears or even ugly cry.

As a recovering addict and a mom of twins, this book had me in all my feelings.

Great book, touches the soul.

Very emotional and a lot of hard topics. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in the story. It was a great read!

Narrator was perfect for this book.

This story was heartbreaking and difficult at times, but I was really engrossed from the beginning. I can’t stop thinking about it since it finished…it’s such a reminder of how things can change in an instant and that for all of us, there are forks in the road that determine so many of our future paths. Well written and a great narrator.

What a beautiful and heartbreaking story. So well written.

Wow! Simply wow. Hard to read but totally worth pushing through to the end. Wow!

Depressing story with out any redemption makes orange is the new black seem uplifting

This book is misleading. It’s a story of a man doing prison time and a narrator that tries to use accents that I find offensive. I used to be a Wally Lamb fan so I was really excited for this. I’m 5 hours in and don’t want to continue.

So sad!! I actualy couldnt take it anymore and googled the ending and I am SO glad I did because I would have been devastated if I had listened to it! Not for thr faint of heart!!

Nnnnnnn

So sad

One of the best books I have ever read! Heart breaking end!

This book is so beautifully written and narrated! I already was a huge fan of Jeremy Sisto so it was all around fantastic. He has a voice that has you clinging onto every single word. I wasn’t planning on crying this morning but here I am….. Major kudos to both the writer and Jeremy for a incredible delivery

The narrator is so bland and boring

depressing amd improbable emding

Great Book Club read for a lively discussion.

Wow just phenomenal!

Disappointing. With all the hype of this author, The River is Waiting was a thumbs down. The only reason I am giving one star is the writing is good but the storyline was dreadful. The ending was like the author had to finish up the story quickly, and made it the quickest way out. I would not suggest this book, Lamb’s footprint in the literary realm with this book is not a good one.

Didn’t want it to end

Too grim for me. Between the horrific accident, the unspeakable treatment in prison, and the fact that I really couldn’t stand the main character made this difficult to finish.

Heartbreaking and engaging!

I had to grab the tissue quite a few times. My love-hate feelings for the main character had me on an emotional roller coaster the entire book. Well written and the narrator was believable.

A heartbreaking story of relationships.

Jeremy Sisto outdid himself as the narrator. I love Wally Lamb and this book may be his best.

Loved it. Highly recommend it. Shawshank vibes. Tragic but also relatable and real.

loved it, and the narrator.

Very emotional. Loved it!

A devastatingly sad story.

Wow!!! Amazing book, great narrative

I’m sure this was an excellent book - I just couldn’t get past the tragedy that happened very early - you may want to check this out before deciding to read it - if I had known I wouldn’t have chosen the book and definitely couldn’t continue reading

Great story! It was well written, moving, and I enjoyed the narrator. My only complaint was the annoying jabs at Trump and his political digs in general. I won’t pick up another book of his because of this.

The writing and narration were superb. The narrator was so well -matched and I couldn't write enough about how I enjoyed his performance. This book was so tough. I read it while commuting and literally had to pull over to cry a few times. Yes, it was tough, but I am so glad to have read it.

Enjoyed this book enough to take it from beginning to end in a single day.

Heart wrenching story.

Big disappointment. Love Wally Lamb books but this was a struggle to get through. Felt like it could’ve been cut in half.

This one was a difficult read for me. The subject was pretty depressing and I think this could easily be triggering for those having served prison time or whom have lost a child. I kept waiting for that “yes I get it” moment and it just seemed to miss. This is a one time read for me.

This is such a depressing book. Wally Lambs storytelling is great, but it was very hard to get through for me

This book was soooo good. Heartbreaking tear jerker for sure but the characters really came to life and the narrator was great. I enjoyed every page.

This was an incredibly sad book. I could not read Wally Lambs last book. I think it is good to think about what incarcerated people go through and how people's lives are so unpredictable. How an event can lead to such an unhappy life for so many people. Thanks Wally, not that you will ever read this, for giving us insight into the prison system. I just wanted to be done with this book.

Well written, but tough to listen to and often so sad. I had to remind myself several times that it was only fiction so that I could continue. Of course they were periods of hope and humor as well. Lamb is a good writer and this did not disappoint. It’s one that will stay with you.

One of the best books I have ever read.

Started out strong. Slow, repetitive, unrealistic dialogue. Political when unnecessary.

This book definitely held my attention but at some point it was just a bit too much 'negative'.Loved the narrator though.

At parts I lost interest, but overall this book was really good. Wally Lamb is my favorite author and doesn't disappoint.

Well written book but I would advise anyone to avoid it if prone to depression. It is a very tragic and realistic story. Great narration.

I expected more from Wally Lamb... but still a good read!

Outstanding. Wally Lamb has given integrity to his characters. They are totally believable. A sad, eye opening story but totally gripping. I shed a few tears with this one. Excellent all round! Highly recommend. I love his writing and have read most of his books over the years. They make me examine my own life somehow and help me get over things.

THEE best book. It had met from the very beginning and I woke up every day, wondering what was going on in the book. The narrator was perfect. I started another book after this ended and I couldn’t even listen to it because this book was so fantastic. I don’t think anything is going to match it. READ IT!!

I found this book to be incredibly captivating to the very end. At times I had to put it down so I could relax a little bit but anxious to start back over into the chapters. Wow what a read.

Totally raw … from death of a child, to time spent in prison life, and a bittersweet end. Captured my attention all the way through… never a dull moment. Shed tears at the end

Such a good story. Painful to listen to at times given the subject matter but also filled with hope.

A difficult story with characters I grew to care about very much (binged listening as a result). Themes of grief, despair, cruelty, brokenness with love as the deepest theme throughout. I’m very glad I have read this book.

A great listen. Captivating and cruel.

Excellent book, although tough content.

While the narrative of this book is so painful that at times I didn’t think I could keep reading, especially having two-year-old twins in our family—Lamb’s storytelling and writing craft kept me going. It’s a book I want to discuss with other readers but I will have to offer a trigger warning to some.

A fantastic read! Gripping, a little disturbing and yet heartwarming. Could not put it down.

Emotional book! The author did a good job capturing the worst nightmare of a parent

Very well written, pulls you in and captures you. I intentionally read this one slower and found myself almost daily wondering what our main character was going to be up to when I listened later. Truly enjoyed the poignant situation, the rawness and realness of his self created situation. So deeply flawed, and yet so very relatable. So many choices made that I would cringe and ask why, why would you be so stupid, and yet could easily imagine myself making such decisions. I love the art and literature references and that they tell so much of the story, deeper and more connected. It has left me pondering a lot. And I really can’t wait to read it again.

Very tragic story but well developed characters and excellent narration.

Captivating, effusive, impassioned, empathetic. This novel is fraught with raw emotion, and a must read . Get ready to feel everything. This book pulls no punches.

Sad tragic tale. Well written.

solid story