Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

By The River (Elementals)

by Katey Hawthorne (Goodreads Author)

3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 · rating details · 91 ratings · 30 reviews

After a bad breakup, Adam Kavanaugh returns to his sleepy old river town to find himself. His family hasn't changed, but he has some work to do readjusting to small town life, so much that he wonders if he's made a mistake by coming home.

But from the moment Leith Marshall pops out of the Ohio River and smiles at him, there's no turning back. Between Leith's swimmer body, s...more

ebook, 121 pages

Published July 31st 2012 by Loose ID

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best M/M Romance Published in 2012

281st out of 583 books — 1,179 voters

Gay Fiction by Goodreads Authors

129th out of 405 books — 162 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 292)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Sep 05, 2012 Mel Bradley rated it 2 of 5 stars

Word Count: 30,388 (72 pages epub)
Published: 2012

This was my first time reading Katey Hawthrone – and I’m glad I picked it up. The summary of the book was a bit mysterious – I couldn’t tell if I was going to get a shifter book or a love story from the description, so I did not have many expectations going in.

The story was about a hometown guy moving back home for no reason other than he was pulled back there. In fact, it seems like he’s lived his life and made decisions because they felt right –...more Word Count: 30,388 (72 pages epub)
Published: 2012

This was my first time reading Katey Hawthrone – and I’m glad I picked it up. The summary of the book was a bit mysterious – I couldn’t tell if I was going to get a shifter book or a love story from the description, so I did not have many expectations going in.

The story was about a hometown guy moving back home for no reason other than he was pulled back there. In fact, it seems like he’s lived his life and made decisions because they felt right – without ever looking into the reason behind them. On one of his runs he sees another man that he’s attracted to, and from then on, they are inseparable. Oh, and did I mention that the man lives on the river?

The read itself was intriguing, I kept wanting to see what was next and ended up reading it in one sitting (a very quick, short read). The attraction and pull between the main characters was very well-written. However… I am still unsure how/why/if there was a fantasy element in the book. It was never really explained and that was a bit… peculiar. In addition, this book practiced one of my biggest pet peeves – it ended in the MIDDLE of the story. I still have no idea why he was different, how it ends up, why the craziness is there, what happened to his mom, did they return, and so on. She cut the book way too short and kept me wondering (which is NOT a good thing once I get to the end).

The sex and heat, was good though – it was more about their connection than the actual act most of the time. In fact, I believe they only had “sex” once, but were active along the way. The characters seemed connected and very much into each other – and it was hard to look away!

Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥♥♥
Plot: ♥

This is a quick read and HOT – vanilla sex for sure, but if you like a strong connection with a little bit of mystery, than this is a great read for you. It combines heat and sometimes graphically describes the actions, and other times hints at what’s going on. If you are able to look over the plot holes (and incomplete story), than I would recommend this.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Diane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

My first Katey Hawthorne book and I loved it!
Adam has returned to his hometown of Ashton a little lost, he had big dreams that did not quite come to pass, with career as well as love, he came home as he did not know where else to go.
Leith has been in Ashton and a classmate of Adam`s younger brother TJ for years, he is also considered a bit of an odd person, his mother left when he was small and his Dad is assumed crazy by the rest of the town.
Adam is bisexual, but his brother cautions him on pur...more My first Katey Hawthorne book and I loved it!
Adam has returned to his hometown of Ashton a little lost, he had big dreams that did not quite come to pass, with career as well as love, he came home as he did not know where else to go.
Leith has been in Ashton and a classmate of Adam`s younger brother TJ for years, he is also considered a bit of an odd person, his mother left when he was small and his Dad is assumed crazy by the rest of the town.
Adam is bisexual, but his brother cautions him on pursuing the male half of that in the hometown, something Adam already knows, but part of him seems cut off from caring or feeling anything about relationships.

Adam first notices Leith at a swim meet of his brothers where Leith is on TJ`s team, but not really part of the team, he`s mostly there because he`s a great swimmer, which is also where Adam notices his differences. He does not seem to need goggles to see in the pool, when Adam goes running near Leith`s house, he sees him swimming in the river, where he does not seem to move despite the visible current. Leith sees Adam as well, and the two start a tentative friendship.

They are both attracted to one another, Adam convinces Leith to come to one of TJ`s outings, where TJ tells Adam to be careful, and Adam is not sure he`s being asked or told, but realizes it is about Leith, not about being discovered by other townies.

Adam meets Leith's father, who talks about his mother and how she disappeared, and when Leith hears the ocean call, he'll never return so you are left to wonder if Leith is a merman, part seelie or what type of supernatural, although all Adam seems to know is that he is falling for him and he feels again due to Leith, so if any of it is true, he is willing to take whatever time he can have with him rather than not have any at all.

They do eventually have the discussion about Leith's mother and his father's beliefs about it, and when he describes his 'relationship' with the river, it is quite poetic.

There is potential for other stories for these two as well as other characters that are key or background, but I loved this story - one of those drew me in, made me cry ones that I enjoy because it means I feel it too! (less)

like · see review

Aug 02, 2012 Don Bradshaw rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: artists, college-guys, coming-out, damaged-individuad, family-drama, gay-romance, paranormal

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

This was a beautiful love story built on trust, commitment and a little fear. The first in what appears to be a series, this story was a perfect start. Adam moved away from the tiny little town in West Virginia as soon as he could and never looked back. He went through lives and loves with disregard just making it as an artist in Washington D.C. Sometimes when you run so hard away from something though you wind up running smack dab in...more Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

This was a beautiful love story built on trust, commitment and a little fear. The first in what appears to be a series, this story was a perfect start. Adam moved away from the tiny little town in West Virginia as soon as he could and never looked back. He went through lives and loves with disregard just making it as an artist in Washington D.C. Sometimes when you run so hard away from something though you wind up running smack dab into it and Adam wound back in the tiny little river town he grew up in. Leith is a college senior on the swim team with Adam's younger brother TJ. Adam is attracted to Leith the first time he sees the unassuming young man at a swim meet. Leith is a loner with no real friends to speak of except for the Ohio river across the street from his and his father's run down house. Leith somehow has an affinity with water. His father believes that it came from Leith's mother but it sounds more like a fairy tale than any reality until Adam actually sees just how water and Leith embrace each other. Love blossoms between the two men much to the chagrin of TJ who seems to know Leith better than one would think and knows his brother only too well. Both Adam and Leith take chances on each other and grow through their trust and love. Ms Hawthorne did an excellent job of developing the characters of TJ, Leith and Adam fleshing them out slowly yet fully. The mysterious affinity that Leith has for water was woven through the story well and while it kept me guessing right until the end, it never overwhelmed the love story as sometimes happens with a paranormal book. I couldn't help but fall in love with the sweet, giving and somewhat innocent Leith. TJ was the voice of reason in the story and brought Adam to attention often. The story line flowed beautifully without a hiccup. There were a couple of plot twists but Ms Hawthorne delivered on a sweet HEA ending. I'm anxiously awaiting book two. I recommend this well written love story to anyone looking for a feel good book with plenty of great sex.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 04, 2012 Zoe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, gay-romance, ebook, paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy

This makes my fifth story from Katey Hawthorne's work in two genres, horror and erotica. Having already read several of her erotic stories, I knew what to expect going into By the River . Katey's got a talent for making up characters I can believe in, even if they just happen to have mystical powers of some kind. And those characters happen to like sex. A lot. I like that.

The character with powers in this story is Leith Marshal, whose mother was apparently a mermaid or a selkie. The story is tol...more

like · see review

Aug 16, 2012 Thomaidha Papa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I started reading this book having no idea what genre it was. I was a quarter in it when I realized this is not just a contemporary one and by the time I’d read half of it I was certain there was magic in the air. I was impressed by the way that magic flowed in the lines I was reading. So subtle, so soft, so real… Ms. Hawthorne has a unique way introducing you to the mysteries of magic and magical creatures. By the time I finished the book I was convinced that she sees magic in her real life too...more I started reading this book having no idea what genre it was. I was a quarter in it when I realized this is not just a contemporary one and by the time I’d read half of it I was certain there was magic in the air. I was impressed by the way that magic flowed in the lines I was reading. So subtle, so soft, so real… Ms. Hawthorne has a unique way introducing you to the mysteries of magic and magical creatures. By the time I finished the book I was convinced that she sees magic in her real life too. As is very well pointed in the story, all you need is an open mind to see past the weirdness at the beauty all around us. This story was excellent, Leith was a gorgeous creature, hungry for life and love and Adam, well, he was bound to fall for Leith once he truly saw him. A great romance wrapped in the agony and fear of loss for the most perfect thing in your life, for the one thing, one person that really matters to you more than yourself.
Through all his life Adam has been the one not to care about anything. He went through the motions mechanically, school, college, lovers, fiancé… Nothing and no one had a hold on him for long enough though. When his engagement fell apart he decided to go back to his home-town. Although he no longer felt like home anymore that was the first time he really knew what he wanted. He wanted to be home. While going through the settle around thing he “sees” Leith. He knew the boy but now he “saw” him. Something about the Leith, the way he never talked to anyone, the life he lived and mostly the way he was around water draw Adam like a magnet. Leith might be the weird kid for everyone in town but to Adam’s eyes he was the most perfect man he’d laid eyes upon. His heart swelled in pain and he made it his personal goal to free Leith from his fears and phobias, even if that ment that he’d eventually loose him. Because how could he, a mere mortal, keep a magical creature locked in their little town, on their river…
Such a beautiful story, such a great fairytale, it was constantly ruined for me by the flaws in writing. The absolute turn off when I encounter “and so’s” and “and then’s”. The narration was not good, it spoiled the feeling I was gradually building for the storyline, and the sex scenes. Ah, they had the best potential of being the best scenes, but the over-detailed narration drowned them. I could no longer feel them, instead I was simply told of every little detail and well that did it, huge turn off.
In the end of the book I was left with a bittersweet feeling. Again I loved the story but did not enjoy the reading as much as I could. Perhaps that’s just me, picking on details… If you don’t mind them so much and if you are a fan of romance, love and magic you should go ahead and read it. The story in itself is indeed worth it.
(less)

like · see review

Aug 05, 2012 Lara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, m-m-paranormal, i-m-a-cover-lover, kindle-lendable

Everyone pretended he was just some weirdo, denying his existence so they didn't have to hurt their tiny brains, trying to fit him into the world.

I am in love with this story and these characters. This is the first thing I have read by Katey Hawthorne, but I am head over heels for her writing style. I think the word beautiful has been so over used in all the reviews of this book, but it really just fits. The entire thing was mesmerizingly beautiful. It was a magical love story. No angst, no dra...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wonderful and magical story.

Review at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords....

Rating: 4.5 stars

Adam Kavanaugh has returned to his home town and family after having lived for several years in a series of other cities and towns after college. A broken relationship, a series of them really, meant he had to start up his life again and this time Ashton, WV called him back home. But fitting back into the sleepy pace of small town life is not going as smoothly as Adam thought it would. His young bro...more

like · see review

Aug 04, 2012 Sasha L. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-would-read-again

I really love Katey's writing style. She has a storyteller vibe going on; I always feel like I'm listening to someone telling the story, and not just reading the story (which is not to say I don't get sucked up in her world! She sets the scene awesomely, as well. ^__^)

The slow, steady progress of Leith and Adam's relationship was awesome. I especially like how casual, comfortable, familiar they get. I love how we get to see glimpses of their lives in their relationships with other people, their...more

like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

What to write about this book... I think I expected something way different from it. I think it could've been longer and the characters could've been a bit more developed. The only thing this story actually describes is how the two MCs met and how their relationship evolves. The elemental aspect of the story felt more like a background part. Yes, Leith is one, but that was all. There could've been some fighting involved, or some kidnapping, I don't know, but when dealing with mythical creatures...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 12, 2012 Gabrielle Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reading this book felt like magic, or like a dream. It flowed in such an easy, seamless way that you couldn't help being happily tugged along. I love the vibrant setting, and the subtlely woven magical elements that seem to be there only if the reader wants them to be. A gorgeous, wonderful story. I definitely look forward to more in this series!

like · see review

Aug 03, 2012 MandyM rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

The story is beautifully written. Maybe even more lush and descriptive than previous books I've read by this author. Once again KH writes about twenty-somethings who are a little different but find passion and a sense of belonging with each other. There's a restrained paranormal theme which reminded me of the haunting selkie romances of Virginia Kantra. But the slightly melancholy feel and the HFN/unfinished ending left me sad and worried. I keep thinking that Leith's father's prediction will co...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jun 27, 2012 K.V. Taylor added it

Shelves: lgbtq, written, romance

My next book--obvs, as Katey Hawthorne, the romance-centric me. West Virginia: it's totally hot. (That's gonna be the new state slogan. Screw this "wild and wonderful" thing...)

No, seriously, July 31. Something different. Gonna be fun, and maybe a little bit sweet.

http://www.kateyhawthorne.com/p/by-ri...

like · see review

Aug 30, 2012 Cayce rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

4 stars

Cute short story with an end more HFN than HEA.
Adam was great and Leith was exactly how I'd imagine a half-merman (if he were one..)
(view spoiler)

like · see review

Jan 11, 2013 Meggie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: magic, romance

At the end I had goosebumps all over my arms, expecting to find Leith gone. Exactly as his dad believed, he would. Wow what a scary rush of emotions. This story is special in every way. I'm glad Leith and Adam became a pair and found their HEA.

like · see review

Aug 01, 2012 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

This was so, so beautiful: a perfect little tale of a man who moves back to his hometown and falls head over heels in love with a bewitching swimmer. I loved how this seemingly simple story flirted with mythology and folklore. The writing is great, and one of my very favorite things about this author is the way she combines the ordinary with the magical. By the end, my eyes were prickling with tears, and I think I held my breath for the last few pages. Well worth a read!

7 likes · like · see review

Nov 22, 2012 Heather C rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Heather C by: Lauraadriana

Shelves: ebook, m-m, pdoc, read-2012, tattoos

I really enjoyed this. It was sweet. It was different. My only issue was that I found some of the wording odd to the point I didn't understand what the author meant.

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 06, 2012 Hearts On Fire Reviews added it

Reviewed by: Don
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Rated: 4 hearts

Check out the review at: Hearts On Fire Reviews

like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Bea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: male-male, paranormal, artist, goodreads-review, too-short

What a weird little story. But I mean that in the best possible way. I love the quirky tone and the unusual ending. Just wish it was longer.

like · see review

Aug 23, 2012 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance, mm-paranormal

3.5 stars - This was short and sweet. It was beautifully written, too. It's not my favourite by this author (I absolutely adore her Superpowered Love series) but it's still a nice read. Leith was such a sweetheart.

1 like · like · see review

Jun 29, 2012 Katey Hawthorne added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: lgbtq, written

Sleepy river town. Lost artist. Sweet swimmer. Tattoos and fairy tales. Coming late July 2012. Yay!

http://www.kateyhawthorne.com/p/by-ri...

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 07, 2012 Snowtulip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, m-m

I was completely enchanted by Leith. The connection that was developed between Leith and Adam felt so strong and real and just made me very pleased to be reading their story. Yes, I wanted more, but I also was quiet satisfied with how the book ended.

1 like · like · see review

Aug 04, 2012 Vio rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cute-mc-s, dreamy, interesing-ending, wanted-more, unusual-romance

3.5 stars
Lovely flowing story with intriguing elements and sweet guys, it was a very likable romance that has a dreamy feel to it. So this is where it gets tricky for me the ending, I wasn't feeling the warm and fuzzies in fact I was fearful that certain predictions would eventuate its all a bit mysterious and up in the air, not quite finished. It felt more like a HFN rather than a HEA. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens in the next book.

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 02, 2012 Sylvie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Will we see them again? And TJ ???

like · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Leaundra rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

like · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Bettina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Blah!

like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 Kazza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: challenge-book

No great dramas, no screaming shrews or homophobic parents. Nice story. Nice characters. A change from some of the other books out there in the genre. By The River is not too long, just right for the story itself. It certainly has some sexy moments. I also liked the interesting and strong look at people and how they vary. Full review at On Top Down Under Book Reviews -
http://bookreviewsandtherapy.blogspot...

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 26, 2012 Jordie.R rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I loved everything about this book. Everything:)!

1 like · like · see review

Aug 05, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: done, paranormal-romance, ebook, 2012, gay

3.5 stars. Good m/m paranormal romance about a guy in his mid-twenties who feels drawn to return to his home town, where he becomes enthralled by a mysterious and naive college swimmer. As MandyM noted, while this was beautifully written, the HFN ending felt very tenuous... as if the "for now" might only be a few minutes or days.

6 likes · like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Nightcolors rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, contemporary, ebook, glbt, music-art, paranormal, romance

Read for m/m team bingo challenge, round 6. My review is posted here, on the game thread.

like · see review

Aug 15, 2012 Lauraadriana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, loved-it

Really enjoyed this short read. Katey Hawthorne gets better for me with every read.

2 likes · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

Genres

Romance > M M Romance

22 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

15 users

Contemporary

6 users

Romance

6 users

Fantasy

3 users

Glbt

2 users

Fantasy > Fairy Tales

2 users

Romance > Paranormal Romance

2 users

M M Romance > M M Paranormal

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Katey Hawthorne

Hi! I'm Katey. I write superpowered and fantasy romance of an LGBTQ bent. I live at Superpowered Love -- kateyhawthorne.com.

I know, I know, it looks like I don't read anything here at GoodReads. But I do, I swear. My reviews and stuff are all over at my other GoodReads thingie, KV Taylor. Relevant shelves to Katey Hawthorne stuff:

Romance
LGBTQ
and
Comics, Graphic Novels, and Trade Paperbacks

More about Katey Hawthorne...

Books by Katey Hawthorne

The Dangers of Fairy Compacts (Love is Always Write)

Jealousy: A Love Story (Superpowered Love, #1.1)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About By The River

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: By The River
avg rating	preview: By The River Goodreads rating: 3.69 (91 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15725552-by-the-river?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340839264l/15725552.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15725552-by-the-river?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]By The River by Katey Hawthorne[/url]

By The River (Elementals)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Katey Hawthorne

Books by Katey Hawthorne

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About By The River

new topic
Discuss This Book