From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

River Wild

Samantha Towle

Start date: January 14, 2019

Finish date: January 20, 2019

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Feb 27, 2019 ~Kristin~ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: angst, a-kindle-unlimited, all-kinds-of-fucked-up, broken-healing, awesome-banter

4 Stars
Yikes, so...this was not the easiest of reads. It deals with abuses of all varieties, but the most difficult are right at the start beginning with some very difficult scenes of child abuse followed by some awful spousal abuse. I’m the one of those tender hearted and squishy soft people that really don’t like to read about trauma like this and I made it, so I think most will be able to power through as well.
River and Annie/Carrie made for a great story, one about the resilience and grit w ...more

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Jan 17, 2019 Stephanie rated it really liked it

3.5 Stars. BR with my TPAM ladies.

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Feb 16, 2019 Julie rated it liked it

Escaping the past can lead to a life of excitement and uncertainty. For Carrie Ford – the past wasn’t exactly a memory that she would soon forget. With a life that would be devastating for her unborn child, Carrie headed to a place where she was sure no one would ever be able to find her. Now that Carrie has found a place to live and a stable job, the thoughts of putting down roots in this town seem more appealing than ever.

There is one person in town who clearly isn’t happy that Carrie has bec Escaping the past can lead to a life of excitement and uncertainty. For Carrie Ford – the past wasn’t exactly a memory that she would soon forget. With a life that would be devastating for her unborn child, Carrie headed to a place where she was sure no one would ever be able to find her. Now that Carrie has found a place to live and a stable job, the thoughts of putting down roots in this town seem more appealing than ever.

There is one person in town who clearly isn’t happy that Carrie has become a neighbor. River Wild lives right next door to Carrie, and he isn’t very happy about it. In spite of her attempts to be neighborly, Carrie just can’t seem to break through River’s hardened exterior. Bit by bit, Carrie tries to chip away at the façade that River had clearly used as a means to keep others away.

As Carrie’s due date quickly approaches, River seems to soften a bit around the edges. The two definitely recognize the torture the other has had to endure. With a little bit of time, both begin to let down their guard. What neither could have predicted was the way their pasts will come crashing into the present. A stark reality to the trouble that is lurking around the corner.

River Wild is one of those books that will really push boundaries with readers. It does deal with some sensitive topics, but it is written in a way where you are more of an ‘outsider’ looking within a bubble of the past. While I read this novel on release day, I have been hesitant to put my thoughts into a review. Why – you may ask? Well…..my feelings for this book were literally all over the place.

As a longtime reader of Samantha Towle – I have come to enjoy the ability of the author to tackle the unexpected. Towle loves to write about topics that seem to pull me into the realm of an individual who isn’t always ‘perfect’, which is very appealing. When I read the blurb for River Wild, I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold between the covers of the latest novel by the author. What I experienced what a bit more of a disappointment that I ever could have imagined.

Let me explain…..so River and Carrie both come from past lives that were full of torment, tragedy and pain. Then we dive into a reality that left me feeling disconnected to both characters. Their tales full of convenient drama that didn’t really feel complete. Their friendship was a so quick it felt like the wind just blew into the picture, and their romance was as fast as the blinking of an eye. From beginning to end – the entire story was just a rush to a climax that kind of fell flat for me. A HUGE buildup that just fizzled there at the end. The story just left me feeling like there was so much MORE that was left out and needed to be said to complete characters with a past as imperfect as Carrie and River.

The book never hit a ‘HIGH’ for me, and I found that ‘meh’ feeling when reading the story. The concept of the story was great, but he execution just wasn’t up to the standard that I like to read from this particular author. Overall – there was such predictability to Carrie and River’s journey that didn’t quite explore all the depth that this tarnished tale could have posed for readers.
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Jan 22, 2019 Bev Baglione rated it it was amazing

I am at a lost for word as to how good this book is. I found it emotional but very good. I would recommend this book. It does touch on sensitive matters but worth reading

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