"The novel is by turns harrowing, comical, and heartwarming."- BlueInk Reviews (starred review)
"Kay and Douglas are compelling characters, but Shawna steals the show with her frank declarations and hard-bitten worldview. Engaging from the first chapter, the trio propels the reader through a meandering plot that neither shies away from timely issues nor drifts too far into despair. By the end of it, the reader is left with that wonderful sense of having truly been somewhere else for a little while. A moving, character-driven tale of the limits of bitterness and regret."- Kirkus Reviews
"Modern racial-tension tales are a popular read right now, and you can't go wrong with the complex issues and heartfelt emotions that author Jamie Zerndt brings to the table with this excellent novel."-Readers' Favorite Reviews
"Readers who enjoy novels of Native American issues and interactions will find Jerkwater a compelling exploration of the river of emotions and angst that simmers under the surface of a seemingly-placid community until events pressure it to explode. The writing is just like its events: seemingly placid and calm, but embedded with an urgency and insight that slowly percolates to the surface to create a story that is both satisfyingly unpredictable and astutely observational." -D.Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"A simply superb novel,not only in the way it is written but the way in which it transcends cliches and the manner through which the characters are revealed to us. Appealing to discerning readers and fans of literary fiction, Jerkwater is unreservedly recommended." -BookViral
“Reminiscent of Sherman Alexie’s more powerful stories…Jerkwater is blunt and evocative." -Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
"The lives of three fairly ordinary characters in rural Wisconsin- one Ojibwa and the other two white- intertwine in a story that cogently explores racism, the toll of poverty, and complicated love. Kay- a lonely, alcoholic woman with mid-stage Alzheimer's, is extremely poignant." -Publisher Weekly's BookLife Prize
"Compact and tightly plotted, this outstanding work is packed with emotion and restlessness." - Publisher's Weekly (starred review)
