This has good character growth as both Carrie and River find the courage to slowly transform, forgive themselves and heal each other from the dark days of their pasts. and it won’t be my last either - because over and over again her characters, her plots and her stories have ensnared, entwined and entertained me. It’s not my first romance rodeo with Samantha Towle. and their rocky road to happiness will have cracks, bumps, dead ends and some uncharted terrain to overcome if they want to see the bright lights of a HEA. Although the chemistry is there between them, initially it’s intense verbal volleyball for a while. however, loner River is rude, swears, doesn’t speak much and doesn’t like anybody. Carrie doesn’t swear, she’s happy, friendly and tries to make the best of her situation. Carrie and River are opposites in every way. which is where she first meets her droolworthy but annoying neighbor River.

Destiny takes Annie (.now a redheaded Carrie) to Canyon Lake Texas. When Annie finds out that she’s pregnant, she needs to run, to escape her abusive violent cop husband because she is fearful of what he might do to punish her or the baby. Your heart also breaks for Annie and what she was forced to endure throughout her 7 year abusive marriage to Neil. and for what tragedy follows in his life. This book really does have so many feels and, right from the start in the Prologue, your heart breaks for eight year old River. I listened to this in audio which was brilliantly narrated and really brought the characters to life. Told in first person dual pov and leads to a hea. Another brilliant read by Samantha Towle who has become my go to author when I want a good read. I laughed, shed a tear and was deeply moved by some scenes. A friendship develops between Carrie and River after a rocky start and River becomes a huge support for Carrie who is pregnant. My heart hurt for River, for his past, for his present.

Fist impressions of River are he is moody, a bit of a grouch and doesn't like people, this is Rivers defence mechanism, following the death of his step-father the family was shunned, rejected by town people. Carrie is fleeing an abusive relationship, moves away, changes her name and finally feels free in the little town in Texas. The story goes from past to present at first from Carrie's present and Rivers past. Rivers mother riddled with guilt at what her son had been going through without her knowledge took the blame and went to prison. The book begins with River is a young abused child by his police officer, his step father who took a last stand and used his stepfathers gun and shot his abuser. From the very beginning of this book I was hooked and River had my heart. A bitter-sweet, heartwarming, slow burn romance.

River samantha towle