What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!

OMG! This is one of those profoundly haunting books with a devastatingly powerful narrative that lingers long after you turn the final page. It’s not just a hard read—it’s an emotionally gut-wrenching experience that forces you to confront humanity’s darkest corners. The raw portrayal of crime, the flaws of the justice system, the brutality of prison life, and the complexity of redemption make this book an unforgettable journey. But at its heart, this is a story about empathy—about facing your own demons, atoning for your past, and discovering whether true change is possible. Keep tissues close because this book will shatter you. Wally Lamb once again delivers a masterful, deeply moving story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally explosive. But be warned—some chapters are so intense they might leave you breathless.

In The River is Waiting, Lamb introduces us to Corby Ledbetter, a man whose life spirals out of control after a single catastrophic mistake. Once a devoted husband and father, he finds himself behind bars, grappling with the crushing weight of guilt and the unforgiving nature of the prison system. Inside, he encounters both unimaginable cruelty and surprising moments of kindness, from a compassionate librarian to an unlikely friendship with a fellow inmate. As Corby navigates the brutal realities of incarceration, the novel asks: Can someone truly atone for the unforgivable? And is forgiveness ever within reach?

This book doesn’t offer easy answers. It doesn’t sugarcoat the darkness. Instead, it immerses you in Corby’s journey—his anguish, his regrets, his desperate hope for redemption. The writing is immersive, pulling you into the suffocating walls of the prison, the relentless torment of grief, and the fragile thread of human connection that keeps Corby from losing himself completely. Lamb excels at creating deeply flawed, painfully real characters who force readers to reflect on morality, justice, and the possibility of second chances.

The ending left me emotionally drained in the best way possible. It’s not a neatly tied-up resolution, but rather a reflection of life’s unpredictability—raw, messy, and deeply moving.

This is not an easy read, nor should it be. It’s a book that demands your attention, your empathy, and your reflection. The characters’ struggles will stay with you, their choices will haunt you, and their journeys will challenge your understanding of forgiveness and redemption. "The River is Waiting" is a testament to Lamb’s ability to tackle complex, often painful subjects with grace and compassion. Highly recommended for those prepared for an emotionally intense read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element | S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Heartbreakingly raw and honest novel that is one of the best I’ve read in ages. Corby is a young father of twins who is dealing with the repercussions of the biggest mistake of his life. In the aftermath of the tragedy that has destroyed his family, Corby finally deals with his addictions and depression while incarcerated. Beautifully written, like all Wally Lamb books, just keep tissues close. Definitely Lambs best work yet, not to be missed.

For many of us elder millennials, Wally Lamb is an author who shaped our young adulthood. She's Come Undone and I Know This Much is True are books that I think about often, decades after having read them.

His new novel, The River is Waiting, is classic Wally Lamb. He writes about the hard stuff that shatters your heart. He shines a light on social injustice, addiction, and the flaws of the criminal justice system.

This is a story about a loving father and husband, who is flawed like any of us, and his personal battle with redemption for the unthinkable.

This is a heart breaking book that I would have to put down at times. From the very first chapter, the emotional gutting began.

This is more then just one action. This is a story of personal guilt, of trying to redeem yourself, of just trying to be better when all of the odds are stacked against you.

The author does a wonderful job of emotional and thoughtful exchanges.
It talks about the totality of the prison system and how one single act can land a person in a confined space.

Yet it also talks about hope. Hope to do better, be better, and to strive for better.

This novel is for anyone who wants to read what an inmates life is like after making a mistake and trying to do better.

‘Corby Ledbetter is struggling. New fatherhood, the loss of his job, and a growing secret addiction have thrown his marriage to his beloved Emily into a tailspin. And that’s before he causes the tragedy that tears the family apart.’

I have very few words at the moment. I will have to come back to edit.

What I can say is that The River is Waiting was poignant and beautifully written. So plausible, it was filmic. But it was not easy. Quite the opposite.

It was excruciating, tragic and unapologetically devastating. This one hurt. So very much.

I am gutted.

I need more time.
 
Thanks to Simon Element | S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books & NetGalley for this arc in exchange for review.

Pub date: 5.6.2025.

(Random SN: The nod to DBT and Jason Isbell was such a gratifying, smile-inducing little nugget!)

Have you ever read a Wally Lamb book that was not amazing? Me either! His latest, The River is Waiting is going to be a hit!

Thank you, #Partner @marysueruccibooks, @simonandschuster, and @netgalley for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 5/6/25.

Okay, this book at times was so hard to put down, but also so hard to pick up. This was probably the most depressing book that I have ever read, but it was also incredible. This is my first #wallylamb novel, and I immediately just purchased all his books after reading this one. His writing is so raw, and he definitely knows how to tell a story. This book deals with some heave topics: loss of a child, grief, forgiveness, alcohol and drug abuse, marriage, and so much more. I definitely recommend this book, but make sure you have the tissues ready and a light-hearted book to read next!

Corby is having a hard time since recently losing his job. He is now a stay at home dad for his two twins as he searches for new employment, but he is turning to hard alcohol and abusing his prescription. When an unspeakable tragedy happens, Corby is sentenced to three years in prison. Life on the inside is not easy for him, and he has to worry about the people he loves forgiveness. The ending was phenomenal, and it totally wrecked me.

Wally Lamb - a voice from the past. I would venture to say that if you read one of his novels. you read them all. They were/are that good. Starting in 1992 with She's Come Undone, and most recently (2016) I'll Take You There, Lamb delivered books you could disappear into. The River is Waiting is a great gift with the kind of character building and plot development we recognize. Very highly recommended.

This book emotionally wrecked me. I admit to being a fan of Wally Lamb's books and this one did not disappoint. Not an easy ready. The beginning of the book focuses on the accident that sends Corby Ledbetter to prison. The remainder of the book deals with Corey's time in prison. Anytime a book makes me cry, I know have become deeply invested in it.

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb
Publishing date - 05/06/25
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book! A River Is Waiting is about a young father’s horrible mistakes and its consequences. This may be my favorite book that he has written. It was a hard story to read at times and many tears 😭 in between pages but so worth it. I absolutely love Wally Lamb and this novel did not disappoint.

Highly recommend this one when it releases on May 6th!

Wally Lamb is baccccckkkkkkk and the wait was worth it! This is going to be on the best list of 2025 for many of us! Tender and hits all the notes. Your heart will sing as you read each beautiful word. Take your time with this one and let each page speak to you. Absolutely gorgeous.

✨ This book absolutely wrecked me in every way, and I will never forget the depth of emotion in every page of this story. With themes of grief, redemption, mercy, resilience and a scathing commentary on our prison system, this is a novel of extreme tragedy and extreme hope.

✨I am writing this review a full week after finishing the book, and I still think about the main character every single day. He is written with such complexity and compassion, and I truly think he will be one of those characters that never leaves me. Corby is a flawed character whose choices cause an unthinkable tragedy, and his story gives readers so much to contemplate including surviving tragedy, guilt, redemption and forgiveness.

✨There are no simple resolutions in this story. There are no winners in these pages. But the story is told with such gravity and empathy that I was left pondering the themes in this book for days on end.

✨I will say that this not an easy read, and I advise checking content warnings before reading.

✨On a personal note, I first read Wally Lamb way back in 1996 when Oprah selected SHE’S COME UNDONE for her book club. A few years later, I read WISHIN’ AND HOPIN’ which was such a departure from his other books. It was holiday humor at its best, and I was sold on the range of this author. (Side note: the movie version of Wishin’ and Hopin’ is absolutely must watch holiday viewing. Make a note!)

Loved it!! I started reading this not knowing anything about the story. I loved all of Wally Lamb's previous books, so I was excited to read this. The accident was horrible. I knew exactly what was going to happen as soon as Corby buckled Maisie in first. It's a parent's worst nightmare, especially since Corby caused it. Was it the drugs and alcohol or because he didn't follow his routine? Did talking to the neighbors make him forget what he was doing? I'm sure it was a bit of everything. BUT would this have happened if Corby was preoccupied about getting to the liquor store, so he could come home and get hammered? Corby definitely had a problem. He waited until Emily left for work to put his MANY empty bottles in the recycle bin. He hides the 100 proof Captain Morgan in the lobster pot in the cabinet above the fridge. That's the cabinet no one ever uses. Corby Definitely had a problem. I do believe Emily was aware of the alcohol and Ativan abuse. The jail sentence was nothing compared to what happened. Prison sentences end, but you will never get the memory of what happened out of your mind and you will always feel the loss. As prisons go, Corby's time there wasn't horrible at first. His first cellmate was awful. Once he finally made "friends" it started getting better. Mrs. M was a breath of fresh air. The arrival of Solomon was just the start of Corby's problems. Piccardy and Anselmo were awful humans. They had no redeeming qualities and got off hurting people and animals. The COs terrorized the inmates for fun. The turkey incident was cruel but didn't compare to what happened in the storage room. What was wrong with them? Everything!!! Manny and Corby had a real friendship. Even though it came out of necessity in prison. Manny truly cared for him. I loved how he reached out to Emily.

Throughout Corby's prison term he's determined that he will stay married to Emily and things can go back to the way they were. This would never happen. I never believed Corby and Emily would stay married after his prison term. Emily has never forgave him for what happened and always throws it in his face when they argue. Do I blame her for feeling that way? No. She still loves Corby but he took away someone she loved. I wished she would have allowed Maisie to visit with her dad more. The ending was not what I expected. I didn't think Corby's story would end that way. I was definitely shocked. The story jumped from 2020 to 2023. In that three years so much happened.

Definitely recommend the book. It was extremely emotional. One decision changed Corby's life forever. Loved the characters, story and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon Element through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s been ten years since Wally Lamb last released a book and this return is a true tour de force. The book opens with heartache and doesn’t let up. Our main character, Corby, permanently changes the path of his life when he begins day-drinking and self-medicating. He’s sentenced to prison after causing a devastating accident, where he slowly begins his redemption arc. Set mostly on the “inside,” the book is disturbing in its portrayal of the United States penal system, addiction, and enduring love. Five stars.

Told in the first person, The River is Waiting follows the aftermath of a tragic accident in the Wells family, which leads to Corby, a husband and father, serving a three-year prison sentence. The sometimes violent realities and cruelness of prison life can be difficult to witness, but there are also touching moments of kindness. Since the story is told from Corby’s perspective, the reader is fully immersed in his thoughts, and at times, the narration feels cluttered with unnecessary, meandering details. While I understand the authors point in wanting us to live in Corby‘s head, I can’t help but wonder how the book might have felt if written in the third person with tighter editing. Due to the degree of both physical and emotional abuse, this is not a book I would adopt or suggest to teenagers.

It has been several years since my book club read and had a lively discussion about two of [author: Wally Lamb]’s stories [book: She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True]. When I heard he has out a new novel, I immediately contacted members of my “Reading Between the Wines’- Book Club’, to let them know.
I also read [book: We are Water] which was also great.

I went into this story not knowing anything about the story but I knew I wanted to read a Wally Lamb story.
Story starts with Corey Ledbetter who is an artist but recently lost his job from the two-person art department at an advertising firm and is now a full time dad to his two year old twins. Unfortunately he also has turned to alcohol and pills in his depression.

Corey ells his wife Emily that he has an interview that looks like it will take most of the day. The twins will be fine at Grammy’s. Emily is excited and supportive.
As Corey s packing the kids in the car, he sees his neighbors and starting talking to them as he backs out. The neighbor starts screaming and at first I didn’t know why and then I too wanted to scream as I knew what was happening. .

Yes an unbearable tragedy happened and Corey found guilty and must serve a sentence as well attend a 12-Step Program.

Story follows Corey's horrible stay in prison starting with Day of 1,095. It continues for nearly three years. Including when he is about to be released. Although things were terrible in prison, Corey’s cellmate turns out to be a great support and someone who wins our hearts.
Story is sad as well as a very emotional read. It does end with readers understanding the meaning of the title.

I want to Thank NetGalley and Publisher Simon Element | S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books for this emotional as well as thoughtful early E-galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 6, 2025.

This book is sad in many ways but it is also very good. The book details extreme grief and addiction and is heartbreaking to read. It’s a book full of memorable characters, a compelling storyline and an emotional ending. Overall I felt it portrayed prison well and made me really think about inmates and how to best help those incarcerated. That ending was brutal though!

Wally Lamb waited almost a decade to write The River is Waiting. The book that emerged after that long wait is powerful and was certainly worth the wait. Wally Lamb is a well known author and this book about a young father’s horrible mistakes and its consequences is gut wrenching.
Corby Ledbetter is the father of two year old twins Maisie and Niko. He is suffering depression after the loss of his job. His wife Emily has become the main provider for the family while he has taken on the role of raising the children. He is depressed and has begun using Ativan and alcohol to get through the day. It only takes a second of inattention for tragedy to strike, and Niko dies as a result of Corby’s carelessness and alcoholism.
This haunting book focuses on his guilt and unbearable need for contrition. He can barely live with himself and wonders if his wife will ever forgive him. Corby chooses to plead guilty and take responsibility for his actions.
Lamb shows us life from a different perspective now. We now see Ledbetter navigating Yates Correctional Prison doing hard time. He is among fellow inmates, hardened skinheads, twisted prison guards and a few kind souls sprinkled among them.
Can mercy and self forgiveness be found inside the thick walls of such a place? Lamb introduces us to a whole new storyline once we enter those prison doors. I truly loved this book. It was complex and gave us many rich characters to examine and enjoy.
I would like to thank Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this excellent book. These opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. WALLY LAMB IS BACK! I could not contain my excitement when I saw Wally Lamb was publishing a book this year! It was just as emotional as his past books and of course contained many powerful lessons. Readers will eat this up like I did. Get the tissues out!