Just like the lake's water....this book is never sweet! Harrowing, raw and upsetting Gaia's story is an honest, devastating look at a girl living in poverty in Rome and all that that entails for her family, her education and her life prospects. Its not all bleak, there are moments of joy and true friendship but this is not a book to read if you want an uplifting fairy tale account of life.

Giulia Camanito's 'The Lake's Water is Never Sweet' follows the story of teenager Gaia as she and her family move from the outskirts of Rome to a sleepy lakeside town. Her upbringing is difficult and partly defines her teenage journey and angst - she feels like an outsider, perhaps doomed to failure and yet determined to succeed. As she pursues her version of success, she becomes more insular and apparently hard-hearted, repelling bullies, heartless teenage boys and her striving, perhaps over-ambitious mother.

The novel is as deep and dark as the lake of the title. It's a psychological, twisting tale and whilst we might not like the protagonist or her actions, Caminito allows us to delve deep into Gaia's psyche, the better to understand her reaction to a changing world that doesn't live up to the expectations proposed by an older generation. The superficiality of her more affluent and image-conscious school-mates contrasts with Gaia's determination and lack of frivolity. Even her sexual encounters seem devoid of emotion and are merely 'useful' as she progresses in life. She learns hard lessons along the way and it's difficult not to want to give her a metaphorical hug and help her to see a different way. But what's to say that her way is any worse than that purported by her parents or school friends?

This is a fascinating, insightful book, often bleak but totally relatable. As Caminito's first novel to be translated into English, it is even more of a triumph. I didn't want to put it down and was drawn to the characters, flaws and all.

I liked, but didn't love, this story. I will say though, Gaia's voice is written so well, and the narrator of the audiobook did a superb job with the whole book. Coming of age stories sometimes blend together for me, but I think this one will stick out in my memory. The tragic friendship vibes were pretty intense and memorable! I would have liked a little more Italian character in the story, but that's a personal gripe, I think.

First of all what an excellent narration she captured the voice of youth so well.

Secondly, this book wasn’t particularly fresh but the writing was so tight and vivid that it was impossible not to be captured by the story.

I loved how drawn the characters were particularly the mother I felt very involved in the family by the end.

A dark, raw coming of age story set in Italy in the 1990s, The Lake's Water is Never Sweet is the story of Gaia, an isolated teen who is dealing with complicated family legacy and poverty.

Guilia Caminito evokes such a strong sense of place in this novel that I felt a bit voyeuristic, looking in on Gaia's most intimate thoughts and feelings. Navigating her family's move from Rome to a lakeside village, Gaia must contend with coming into who she is and deciding which obligations she can hold up. Sad but beautifully written, this is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

I was fortunate enough to get the chance to tandem read the print version with the audio version and loved the audio production. For coming of age stories, I believe that the audio version really puts you in the mindset of the MC. I really enjoyed this version and would highly recommend it.

This is a beautiful coming of age story of a young girl as her family moves from Rome to an upper class lakeside town.
Gaia is volatile, and her teenage angst is on full display through this story. She is such a vulnerable character, and her friend dynamic is easy to relate to.
I love that this is Caminito’s first book to be released in English as well as Italian. She is a beautiful writer, and I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you netgalley for the arc!

The Lake’s Water Is Never Sweet offers an unflinching look at class, adolescence, and the quiet violence of unmet expectations. This story follows Gaia, a sharp, angry teenager navigating poverty, displacement, and the claustrophobic weight of family obligation. Told in first person, Gaia’s voice is bracingly honest yet often abrasive.

On the surface is the fraught relationship between Gaia and her mother Antonia, a woman marked by resilience and quiet control. Their dynamic is tense, antagonistic, and painfully believable. Friendships, too, are shaped as much by insecurity and rivalry as by affection; an emotional complex that is specific to teenage uncertainty.

The prose is incisive, clear-eyed in its portrayal of social and personal stagnation. While the narrative dips in momentum mid-way, it opens and closes definitively. This is not a redemptive coming-of-age story, but rather a bleak, emotionally honest reflection of adolescence shaped by constraint, rage, and unspoken grief.

The audiobook features an engaging and consistent narrator whose neutral delivery complements the story without overshadowing it. Accurate Italian pronunciation of names added clarity, especially when reading alongside the print edition, and the production quality was crisp and well edited throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley, Spotify Audio, and Spiegel & Grau for providing me a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I picked up, The Lake's Water is Never Sweet by Guilia Caminito, because I love to read books set in Italy. Combine that setting with a friendship story and I am usually sold. Unfortunately, for me, this one was a bit of a disappointment.

The Italian setting was not as much of a character as I would have liked. I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator did do a good job bringing the culture to life with her authentic pronunciation, but overall, I struggled to gain a complete image of the setting, especially once Gaia’s family had moved from Rome to the new town.

I tried to empathize with our main character, Gaia, but her anger and bitterness overwhelmed the story. I found myself dreading re-entering her world each time I turned my audiobook back on.

Additionally, the friendship plot was not as strongly developed as the publisher’s synopsis would imply. The author seemed to lean more heavily into the exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, and Gaia’s mother’s heavy influence over her family, for better or for worse. Gaia’s mom has to overcome a multitude of obstacles in order to support her family, yet, the reader is not given a sympathetic view of her striving. Overall, Gaia’s relationships throughout this book were weakly drawn and did not imbue any sense of empathy for this reader.

I often enjoy a dark, bleak and gritty story, but there needs to be something that continues to pull me back in such as, a propulsive plot, likeable side characters, or even a whisper of hope. This slow-burn story was heavily character driven, there were few if any likeable or quirky side characters, and no hope to be found anywhere. By the end of the book, I felt like I was getting hit over the head by a sledge hammer again and again.

Whereas, The Lake's Water is Never Sweet, was not the book for me, I do feel it will appeal to certain readers. If you like heavily character-driven stories, themes involving conflict of social classes, stories of adolescent girls and their coming-of-age, and you are ok with a full cast of unlikeable characters, The Lake Water is Never Sweet might be worth a read.

2 Stars - story.
4 Stars - audio narration.
3 Stars - overall.

Thank you NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks for an ALC of The Lake’s Water is Never Sweet by Guilia Caminito in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the audiobook ARC




This is a story that follows a teenager through her adolescence as she’s navigating different changes in her life.
It dives into her life at home especially with her complicated relationship with her mother, dealing with poverty, and moving to a new town.
while at school it dives into new friendships, relationships, and the mess that comes with trying to find yourself in a place where you don’t feel like you truly belong.

I loved the writing, the author well interpreted the characters.
The storyline was also well executed and I love the structure of the story.
I’d say the narration was a 3.5/5 it wasn’t my favourite, but regardless I still enjoyed listening to the book.

I recently listened to an audiobook and was impressed by the excellent narration. The narrator's clear delivery and well-balanced pace made for a enjoyable listening experience. As for the book itself, I found the story to be thoroughly engaging, with a complex exploration of family dynamics, drama, and trauma.

Unfortunately, this book was a bit of a letdown. I just couldn’t connect with the main character. Though the voice actress was nice, the writing style didn’t grab me. It’s very simplistic on a line level, which should have made it easy to follow, but paired with more narrative summary than actually plot, there was little to hold my attention. I don’t mind character-driven stories, not at all, but again, I felt like we hovered over her life rather than be immersed in it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Did I enjoy this book? No. But did it come across exactly as the author intended? Absolutely.

The characters—especially the mother—are written to provoke strong emotions, and most of them aren’t pleasant. But that’s the point. This isn’t your typical coming-of-age story. It’s raw, gritty, and often uncomfortable to read. And yet, despite not enjoying the experience in the traditional sense, I found myself deeply affected by it.

It forced me to reflect on my own childhood, particularly the complicated and strained relationship I’ve had with my mother—something that still lingers today. The portrayal of generational tension, emotional distance, and unspoken resentment felt painfully real.

This book isn’t meant to be comforting. It’s meant to hit a nerve. And while I may not revisit it, I know it’s going to stay with me for a long time—and I think that’s a testament to the power of storytelling that dares to be uncomfortable.

(only giving a star rating bc I have no other choice on NG)
I really wanted to love this, but it just wasn't for me. I truly believe it was a "me thing". This has the makings of a book I'd love, and that's not a backhanded compliment. It literally HAS all of the things, so the only variable left is—me.

My best guess is that the prose is waay to lyrical for me. I'm certain I've read more lyrical writing than this though and come away pleased.
The pub was kind enough to provide me w the ALC as well. As someone who has loved a book on audio that in print didn't seem to be for me, I went in as openminded as possible... This just doesn't seem to be for me. Though I've gotta say Carlotta Brentan did a fantastic job with her narration. I love when I listen to an audiobook after having read the print myself, so I'm able to compare my internal narration as I read to the IRL narration by a paid narrator lol.

I'm willing to give Caminito's work another chance though. In fact I look forward to doing so!

Thank you bunches to Giulia Caminito, Carlotta Brentan, Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks, Spiegel & Grau, Schuler Books Okemos & NetGalley for the ALC, DRC & physical ARC #gifted as a #SchulerBooksAmbassador perk!

The narrator did a magnificent job of bringing the emotion to the production while remaining palatable. There is always an underlying aoura of uncertainty and discomfort within coming of age stories that is beautifully captured here. The story is sad. The authors note only made it MORE sad. However, I think a wide variety of readers will see their younger selves reflected here in some fashion. That universal feeling, no matter the culture, economic status, etc that all women have during their teens is magical when it can be accurately portrayed in media as is done here. I don’t think a single aspect got lost in translation. Gaia may not be a picture perfect main character, but you have no choice but to empathize with her throughout her journey. The lake altercation felt somewhat out of left field to me but it represented a pivotal point for our FMC.