River Wild

Product Information

I know that look. I used to see it in my own eyes every time I could bear to look in the mirror. I still see it now. He sighs again. “I don’t do friends, Carrie.” His voice is lower now. “But if I did, then you’d be the closest thing I have to one.” I don't generally select titles with this level of pain, darkness, intensity and much dispair. I need a happy, peppy, lovey, (sometimes kinda filthy) storyline. So, if you have those similar tastes...you MIGHT be taking a gamble with this title. that said, i wrote ReviewToCome, and gosh darn it, a review shall appear. so, please bare with me if my review of River Wild is a bit meandering // vague. River Wild was my fourth Samantha Towle book and I’m happy to say that I've enjoyed most of her books so far. For some reason, I'm always drawn to books about women being on the run from an abusive ex, so I knew I had to read this one! And I’m so glad I did because this was everything I was in the mood for! It had many of my favorite tropes in it: slow burn, friends to lovers and small-town romance with a grumpy hero!

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 listened to this in audio which was brilliantly narrated and really brought the characters to life. Obviously everything, lol. It's been a while since I've read a book this fast. I just couldn't put it down. This was the first time I read a book by this author and it won't be the last. The writing style was great for me and the fact that the chapters were short really helped me get more involved in the story. Overall, River Wild was a great second chance in life romance! It’s definitely not as angsty as the cover would lead you to believe, but there were some very intense moments. The author does have trigger warnings in the beginning of the book but here they are, if you need them: domestic abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, bullying. Yep, it was breaking my heart over and over again, but at the same time, Mrs. Towle was giving me hope to love, to humanity!!!!

Carrie was an amazing character😍 full of love to give. This woman was sooo strong, determined and brave. An unwanted and unexpected friendship that somehow works. Then, without warning, it turns into something more. the past trauma of both characters. both River and Carrie went through some heavy shit. yet, despite those heavy themes, this book was very light. and look, do i want a doom and gloom story straight through? no, of course not. but again, lets allow said heavy topics to breathe a bit. i want to see Carrie dealing with her ex, and the psychological damage that does to a person. i want to witness River actually going to therapy and dealing with the abuse he suffered. idk, i wanted something more.

Separation: No, I didn't consider them "together" at the times apart to be considered a "separation". BUT THEN, the 𝓭𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓪 𝓵𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓪 enters the chat, and i just - *sigh* i don't know. like, i get why he defriended her, but i also don't. and then when they do start being 'friends' again things progressed wayyyy too fast, in my opinion. the tonal shift was a bit jarring, and i think my brain was having trouble catching up. moreover, i just wanted more from the romance. idk, again, we're working with limited memory here, but i do remember being dissatisfied with the romance. i think the romance needed a bit more time to breathe, especially with the multitude of serious issues both MCs were dealing with. After years of suffering abuse at the hands of her husband, Carrie has escaped to a small town in Texas to start a new life. Pregnant and alone, she is beaten down but brave, and is enthusiastically eager to begin again, and create a safe haven for herself and her baby. But her happy new world comes with a dark and broody neighbour. River Wild is gorgeous, but he is moody and an asshole who clearly wants nothing to do with her, which is fine, because she also wants nothing to do with him, until they are brought together unexpectedly, and she recognises his damaged soul. Sometimes, I feel like he's the other half of my soul. The part I was missing but I didn't realize until that day when I looked into this eyes and saw him. The real him. I have to admit that during most of the book, i was feeling unsettled because i was afraid what will happen when the past will catch up with the future and yes, near to the end, i lost my shit with the development of the story, but i didn't expecting how the things would turn out and i loved the solution that Samantha gave us!!!! it gave me relief!!!

Budeme vám posílat jen samé dobré zprávy!

And then this sexy girl moves in next door and changes everything with her smiles and her dog and her questions ....