From New York Times bestselling author Samantha Towle comes an unexpected love story between two unlikeliest of people…A new town. A new identity. Pregnant and alone. And far away from a past that can never find me. River Wild.Moody. Sullen. Asshole.And my new neighbor.I have no interest in befriending River. And he definitely doesn’t want to be befriended by me.Then, he helps me rescue an … befriended by me.
Then, he helps me rescue an abandoned dog. And, that day, I see something in his eyes that reflects back in my own. Sadness. Pain. Loneliness.
I know all of those things well.
An unwanted and unexpected friendship that somehow works. Then, without warning, it turns into something more.
River and I both have our secrets, and that’s okay. Because I understand him. And he understands me.
For the first time in my life, I have something I never thought I would have—happiness.
But happiness isn’t forever. Not for people like me.
Especially not when my past is waiting just around the corner, ready to come and take it all away.
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From the start this book captivated me. Heartbreaking and yet hopeful. What a tragic and heart lifting story! Read It!
This is a hard review to write. I really wanted to love this book, the synopsis drew me in and seemed to tick all the boxes. However, for me personally the story fell flat and left me rather unsatisfied. I felt a huge disconnect with the characters and although they’d each been through some horrific events in their lives, I’m afraid I wasn’t really moved by their plight in the way I wanted to be, the way I should have been.
There were parts of the story I did really enjoy, the interaction between Carrie and River was sweet and fun but even their growing friendship was inconsistent and I felt it difficult to become invested in their relationship. I liked Carrie as a character, a brave woman, she grew stronger and more resilient as the story progressed and I enjoyed her journey, although I would’ve been happier without her silly use of alternative words instead of actually swearing. River, however, was a bit of an enigma. We were told about his past but I needed him to be more fleshed out. I didn’t feel I knew him as much as I would have liked, possibly because the author wanted him to be a more mysterious character, or because the majority of the story is told from Carrie’s point of view. Overall, I just needed more. I needed to feel pulled into the story, rather than being an observer. I needed their relationship to be more than a friendship sooner, for there to be more of an emotional love connection between them and I needed more romance.
Sadly, this book was not for me. Ms. Towle is certainly a talented author and I do, however, look forward to reading more from her in the future.
This story broke my heart. There`s a topic people usually don`t talk a lot about, but the story is so beuatiful and heartbreaking, a definite must read. This is story about healing, learning how to love again and trust.
River was grumpy all the time, didn`t want to let anyone in, a loner. But he felt something with Carrie. He knew there was more than she was letting him see.
When they both opened their hearts to each other, they started to heal emotionally, building a future together <3
Yes, this books starts with a warning about triggers that are contained in the book, but these triggers are so sensitively and carefully handled, that as a reader it really enhances your reading experience.
Both River and Carrie are broken but events in their lives, but with the moment when Carrie sees the same pained depth in Rivers eyes , that she knows so well herself, you know that there is hope for them both.
A beautiful tender, tragic story that is filled with hope. Perfect!
I’ve just read River in one sitting, this book deals with some really sensitive issues and what I took from this is how 2 characters who’ve been beaten down in life over time have found the strength and love to grow from tragic situations to being strong ass people, but of course the world always likes to throw in some curve balls
There will always be struggles along the way in life but when you have that 1 person who believes in you, trusts you & gives you the nudge to go forward, anything is possible, you just have to believe!
3.5/4
River Wild captured my heart and soul in the prologue and held onto them throughout the entire book. This book is amazing, very emotional and so damn heartbreaking at times. River and Carrie are the most incredible and brave characters I’ve ever read. Both are survivors of physical and sexual abuse who suffered horrors that no one should ever have to endure.
After Carrie discovers that she is pregnant from her monster of a husband, she escapes him and begins a new life in Texas. Her neighbor happens to be the moody, brooding and grumpy River. River lives in solitude due to his past and the way the town has treated him. Of course they banter with each other and it’s quite hilarious at times. Eventually these two tortured souls build a strong connection, their friendship developed wonderfully which lead to a beautiful and touching romance. River Wild is a slow burn romance and I’m glad Ms. Towle gave them the time they needed to open their hearts, minds and souls to love.
River Wild is everything and so much more. River and Carrie will linger with me for a long time. If I could rate it more than five stars I definitely would. It’s beautifully written with tact, finesse and I encourage everyone to read it. You will not be disappointed.
A must read 5 stars
River Wild is a troubled young man but when you learn of all the things he’s been through in his life you truly understand why, its tragic emotional and some parts will break your heart, meet Carrie aka Annie she is running from an abusive husband she wants to start a new life, two tragic souls stubble upon each other the banter between them is funny and heartwarming, they both know they have a hidden past one thats dark and neither of them is willing to talk about but they have a bond that allows them to just be who they really want to be free, from the first page to the last I was on the edge of my seat, Samantha has just proved to me that no matter what genre it is she is damn good at it, a book I recommend you read don’t read the blurb read the book.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish this story, the beginning was very hard to grasp. If you have triggers read at your own risk. I must say Carrie makes up for all the terrible, awful things that happens. She’s a breathe of fresh air. I loved Carrie and River together. I think River said it best ‘we go together perfectly’. I hate small town minds deeming him a weirdo but Carrie didn’t see him that way. I cried and they were worth it and i laughed my ass off. I’m sure River didn’t quite know what to think about Carrie, the girl is hilarious. Be prepare to take the good with the bad.
4.5 Stars!
Carrie Ford is a 25 yr. old woman who grew up in foster care, and has spent the last seven years living in what felt like a nightmare. Pregnant and alone she’s running to freedom and from a past she hopes never finds her. She hops on a bus and walks away leaving her old self behind for a fresh start. She changes her name and disappears. She now has a new identity, and lives in a new town, in a new home. This includes a rude, grumpy new neighbor named River Wild. He’s absolutely beautiful, but she has zero interest in men. Her focus needs to be on her baby, and building them a great life. She plans to stay as far away from River as possible, but then he helps her rescue an abandoned dog and they begin an unexpected friendship.
River & Carrie both have secrets they hold close. She recognizes the look in his eyes. It’s the same one she used to see in her own every time she looked in the mirror. She realizes he has his own pain and demons. Even though he continually tries to push her away, a strong connection forms between them. In a short amount of time he’s become incredibly important to her. He’s her closest friend, but things are shifting between them as their attraction becomes undeniable. Neither wants to risk their friendship, but it’s getting harder to deny what their feeling. Carrie has finally found happiness, but will her past catch up with her and take it all away?
I really enjoyed River Wild. It’s something new and different from Samantha Towle. It’s a little darker, and has some serious subject matter, but it’s full of emotion and love. It’s a fabulous story about survival, redemption, healing, inner strength, and second chances. I really loved it!
“I don’t do friends, Carrie.”
“But, if I did, then you’d be the closest thing I have to one.”
*swoons*
This book…. I dont have any words.
It’s no suprise I loved this book. Because whenever Sam releases a book I love it instantly.
Whilst reading the first few chapters it kind of reminded me a little of the movie Safe Haven.
At the beginning of the book she put a warning in because of certain things that could be triggers for someone. But the way she handled it was amazing. Things like this do happen out in the big bad world.
River Him as a little boy my poor heart couldnt take it. I just wanted to give him a big hug. As a grown up he was such a moody asshole but because of his past I could understand why he was like that. As I read more and more he started to make me swoon with some of the thing he said and his actions.
River is now my #1 book boyfriend out of all of Sam’s alpha book males lol.
Cassie That poor poor girl. Nobody deserves to go through what she had to. I felt so freaking sorry for her. She eventually becomes strong enough to do something about it after finding out some amazing news. She becomes such a strong character and I just loved her alot.
Cassie made me laugh with her not swearing lol. But when she does swear I seriously laughed so much.
Buddy haha River never saying his name and Cassie saying ‘His name is Buddy not Mutt’ haha. That made me chuckle.
It’s been a while since I started a book and instantly didnt want to put it down(but had to because of needing sleep) and couldnt wait to see what happens next. Then getting all antsy at work because I just wanted to get home to pick it back up again. Because thats what this book did. It sucked me in from the very first page.
I cried, laughed, swooned, got stabby, giggled and had all the damn feels & butterflies whilst reading this.
This is now my favourite book so far in 2019.
Well done Sam. This book was seriously amazing xx
Wow! What a read. This is one of those books that’s a rare combination of fast paced (meaning I couldn’t read quickly enough) and also a delicious slow burn. It covers some brutal subjects and it does it in a really honest and respectful way. I bawled my eyes out in this one. Full blown ugly cried and I loved it. Sometimes you need a book that gives you a great cry. This is it.
River and Carrie are two of the strongest characters I think Samantha has written. I adored them. So believable. so damaged and so deserving of happiness. My 4am bedtime was totally worth it with this one. Absolutely recommend if you’re looking for a genuine, emotional story.