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Washed Up
Only time and the ocean stood between them
Rainey lives on an island isolated from time. When a modern man washes up on her shores sparks fly, but her mom’s scorn and a prophesied marriage to another stand between her and a heated romance.
When the Sirens demand the boy must be returned to his time, Rainey must choose between her home and her heart.
Rainey lives on an island isolated from time. When a modern man washes up on her shores sparks fly, but her mom’s scorn and a prophesied marriage to another stand between her and a heated romance.
When the Sirens demand the boy must be returned to his time, Rainey must choose between her home and her heart.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
22 people are currently reading
888 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 3, 2025
Gonna go with like 4.25 - 4.5 stars (& rounding up) because I really enjoyed this quick read! The plot caught my attention as something different & it was. Plot, pros, & cons 👇🏼
PLOT
Rainey lives on an island where time is lost to the outside world & where people wash up on shore once a month on a moonless night from different eras & lands. Jasper washed up. In a very uncharacteristic move of Rainey, she decides to harbor him for a brief time before he goes back, but not because she wants to. This book has:
- forced proximity
- sirens
- visions of the future & prophecies
- a mysterious island where time doesn’t apply the same way
- a sweeter romance
- familial & village drama making them wary of outsiders
- low spice (there is some but it’s mostly fade to black & if there is on-page it’s not very descriptive)
PROS
- this is different from so many books I’ve read & I REALLY enjoyed it for its unique premise
- Rainey & Jasper were extremely likeable as leads & you’re just rooting for them from the first introduction
- the island, its secrets, & the families & their expectations don’t act as villains, per se, but they do act as a huge challenge to overcome
- the visions of the future constantly had you guessing as “how… how is this going to be the case?
- the love story is so sweet & is a nice departure from a lot of the “stabby stubborn girl & broody man” characters we often get in romantasy
- you are constantly wondering how we are going to get what we want based on what we know & what is keeping our couple apart & that keeps your interest
- the twist got me, I didn’t expect this book to take the turn it did & I always like to get got
- super satisfying ending & epilogue
CONS
- a little miscommunication trope - which is my least favorite - but it was more understandable given the context but perhaps overextended a little bit for additional tension
PLOT
Rainey lives on an island where time is lost to the outside world & where people wash up on shore once a month on a moonless night from different eras & lands. Jasper washed up. In a very uncharacteristic move of Rainey, she decides to harbor him for a brief time before he goes back, but not because she wants to. This book has:
- forced proximity
- sirens
- visions of the future & prophecies
- a mysterious island where time doesn’t apply the same way
- a sweeter romance
- familial & village drama making them wary of outsiders
- low spice (there is some but it’s mostly fade to black & if there is on-page it’s not very descriptive)
PROS
- this is different from so many books I’ve read & I REALLY enjoyed it for its unique premise
- Rainey & Jasper were extremely likeable as leads & you’re just rooting for them from the first introduction
- the island, its secrets, & the families & their expectations don’t act as villains, per se, but they do act as a huge challenge to overcome
- the visions of the future constantly had you guessing as “how… how is this going to be the case?
- the love story is so sweet & is a nice departure from a lot of the “stabby stubborn girl & broody man” characters we often get in romantasy
- you are constantly wondering how we are going to get what we want based on what we know & what is keeping our couple apart & that keeps your interest
- the twist got me, I didn’t expect this book to take the turn it did & I always like to get got
- super satisfying ending & epilogue
CONS
- a little miscommunication trope - which is my least favorite - but it was more understandable given the context but perhaps overextended a little bit for additional tension
July 11, 2024
Sweet Island Fantasy
A sweet, romantic story of a castaway on a mysterious island. Sweet love story between likable characters in a fantastical setting.
A sweet, romantic story of a castaway on a mysterious island. Sweet love story between likable characters in a fantastical setting.
September 14, 2023
Washed Up follows Rainey, a resident of Siren Island. Siren Island lives out of time in what we’d call the Bermuda Triangle. People Wash Up from time to time, and from across many different times! She’s been trying to buy(trade enough for) a plot of land, and her last requirement is taking in a Washed Up for a full moon cycle. She’s always been averse to them as her mother is a Sea Widow, a woman left behind by a Washed Up. When the Sirens drop a Washed Up named Jasper in her lap, she takes him in. But she knows right away she’s at risk of becoming a Sea Widow herself, as she’s far too attracted to him. But she’s determined to keep her distance, knowing he’ll return home the next moonless night.
The worldbuilding for this story is so interesting! The Sirens are spoken of sort of nebulously for most of the book. The islanders are positive they are real. They act as gods, giving blessings and punishments to their children on the island. They are said to be the ancestors of all those who were born on the island. They also act as essentially gate keepers, drawing in any who try to leave. Unless one knows their hearts desire, of course. Those on the island only interact with them if they’re Ferriers, people whose job it is to ferry Washed Up out. The rest of the islanders pray and give thanks to them, going their whole lives without seeing them.
The island itself functions completely removed from time. People from 2000 and 1500 might both wash up on the same day, for example. They don’t have electricity and use whatever they scavenge that washed up, or have other jobs like bakers, rope makers, or farmers, who can trade with scavengers. It’s a small island with a couple villages across it and scattered other settlements and farms. Aside from the washed up and their timelines, there’s no real magic in the village. But time shenanigans are afoot!
Rainey is an independent character. She’s been offered her land if she partners with her childhood friend but refuses and spends years working on earning it herself. This last piece she needs, harboring a Washed Up, goes directly against what she wants and what anyone expects of her. But to have her land? To avoid partnering with a man she doesn’t want? She’ll do it. Unfortunately, she’s drawn to Jasper right away. As he is to her. He’s confused, as expected for someone washing up on a mystical siren island! But Rainey helps him and he returns the favor, helping her with the trades she needs.
The two grow closer but she tries to keep her heart at a distance, knowing he’ll be leaving. With her mom still messed up from her dad’s actions many years later, she refuses to follow in her footsteps. Molly, the neighbor whose plot of land she’s trying to trade for and whose son she’s trying to avoid partnering with, has visions. For years, she has seen that Rainey will be the mother of her grandchildren. Owen became obsessed with the vision, trying to get Rainey to agree to partner. With Jasper there and the two obviously interested, things get heated quickly between them. Yet Molly still insists her visions are accurate.
Jasper has decisions to make. Between staying or going. Returning to a life he knows and understands, or following his heart. But things aren’t quite that simple. In a land out of time, dominated by the magic of the mercurial Sirens, you don’t truly know what is gift and what is punishment. Not until after the fact. Rainey must go through and attempt to make peace with what is to come when things go timey-whimy upside down on us!
And okay, I admit, I was shocked! I saw part of the reveal coming but not the whole of it, and my jaw legit dropped. The resolution of this was crazy as well! The story up until then had been fairly straightforward as far as romances go. But the end had me gripping my seat as I sobbed and gasped in turn! I highly recommend it for the shocking twist alone! Though the rest of the book is wonderful, don’t get me wrong! I really enjoyed the entire thing and blew through it very quickly! The epilogue also promises things that make me so happy for the characters! I don’t know how any of it would work, not with certain people now out there. But I’d love to see it!
The worldbuilding for this story is so interesting! The Sirens are spoken of sort of nebulously for most of the book. The islanders are positive they are real. They act as gods, giving blessings and punishments to their children on the island. They are said to be the ancestors of all those who were born on the island. They also act as essentially gate keepers, drawing in any who try to leave. Unless one knows their hearts desire, of course. Those on the island only interact with them if they’re Ferriers, people whose job it is to ferry Washed Up out. The rest of the islanders pray and give thanks to them, going their whole lives without seeing them.
The island itself functions completely removed from time. People from 2000 and 1500 might both wash up on the same day, for example. They don’t have electricity and use whatever they scavenge that washed up, or have other jobs like bakers, rope makers, or farmers, who can trade with scavengers. It’s a small island with a couple villages across it and scattered other settlements and farms. Aside from the washed up and their timelines, there’s no real magic in the village. But time shenanigans are afoot!
Rainey is an independent character. She’s been offered her land if she partners with her childhood friend but refuses and spends years working on earning it herself. This last piece she needs, harboring a Washed Up, goes directly against what she wants and what anyone expects of her. But to have her land? To avoid partnering with a man she doesn’t want? She’ll do it. Unfortunately, she’s drawn to Jasper right away. As he is to her. He’s confused, as expected for someone washing up on a mystical siren island! But Rainey helps him and he returns the favor, helping her with the trades she needs.
The two grow closer but she tries to keep her heart at a distance, knowing he’ll be leaving. With her mom still messed up from her dad’s actions many years later, she refuses to follow in her footsteps. Molly, the neighbor whose plot of land she’s trying to trade for and whose son she’s trying to avoid partnering with, has visions. For years, she has seen that Rainey will be the mother of her grandchildren. Owen became obsessed with the vision, trying to get Rainey to agree to partner. With Jasper there and the two obviously interested, things get heated quickly between them. Yet Molly still insists her visions are accurate.
Jasper has decisions to make. Between staying or going. Returning to a life he knows and understands, or following his heart. But things aren’t quite that simple. In a land out of time, dominated by the magic of the mercurial Sirens, you don’t truly know what is gift and what is punishment. Not until after the fact. Rainey must go through and attempt to make peace with what is to come when things go timey-whimy upside down on us!
And okay, I admit, I was shocked! I saw part of the reveal coming but not the whole of it, and my jaw legit dropped. The resolution of this was crazy as well! The story up until then had been fairly straightforward as far as romances go. But the end had me gripping my seat as I sobbed and gasped in turn! I highly recommend it for the shocking twist alone! Though the rest of the book is wonderful, don’t get me wrong! I really enjoyed the entire thing and blew through it very quickly! The epilogue also promises things that make me so happy for the characters! I don’t know how any of it would work, not with certain people now out there. But I’d love to see it!
Read
January 20, 2024Sirens’ Island exists outside of linear time and once a month, on a moonless night, people can wash up on the shores. They and the other washed up items are seen as gifts from the Sirens, their versions of gods. First of all, the idea that this is what happens in the Bermuda Triangle was so cool! As someone who enjoys the mysteries of the universe, I thought that was brilliant. And I loved the time-traveling aspect as well!
Rainey was a very driven and independent character, and the banter in the story with Jasper (our MMC) was a nice touch. The island villagers really gave me those small town vibes since everyone knew every else’s business as one would expect. It was easy to feel as annoyed as Rainey in those moments, especially with her mother, who became a Siren’s Widow when Rainey’s Washed Up father left the island.
The only way for Jasper to get back is to trade and barter to get a ferrier to take him back to the portal-like entrance where all Washed Up come through. I also thought the bartering system was interesting!
There were a few things that didn't work for me. For example, I felt like not much happened for the majority of the book and then a lot of things happened in the last 10-15%, so the pacing was a little off for me. And some topics I felt were repeated a few times, or conversations were too similar to ones previously had earlier. I didn’t feel like there was enough build up/growth of Rainey and Jasper’s relationship from the time they met, to the time they decided they loved each other, but that could just be me.
I was, however, surprised by the end at all the twists and turns! There were a few I saw coming, but not all of them.
Thank you to BOMM and Amelia J. Rivers for this arc!
Rainey was a very driven and independent character, and the banter in the story with Jasper (our MMC) was a nice touch. The island villagers really gave me those small town vibes since everyone knew every else’s business as one would expect. It was easy to feel as annoyed as Rainey in those moments, especially with her mother, who became a Siren’s Widow when Rainey’s Washed Up father left the island.
The only way for Jasper to get back is to trade and barter to get a ferrier to take him back to the portal-like entrance where all Washed Up come through. I also thought the bartering system was interesting!
There were a few things that didn't work for me. For example, I felt like not much happened for the majority of the book and then a lot of things happened in the last 10-15%, so the pacing was a little off for me. And some topics I felt were repeated a few times, or conversations were too similar to ones previously had earlier. I didn’t feel like there was enough build up/growth of Rainey and Jasper’s relationship from the time they met, to the time they decided they loved each other, but that could just be me.
I was, however, surprised by the end at all the twists and turns! There were a few I saw coming, but not all of them.
Thank you to BOMM and Amelia J. Rivers for this arc!
October 4, 2023
🌊𝚆𝙰𝚂𝙷𝙴𝙳 𝚄𝙿 𝙱𝚈 𝙰𝙼𝙴𝙻𝙸𝙰 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂
🌊𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//𝟻
🌊𝙶𝙴𝙽𝚁𝙴: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
Thank you so so much to @ameliariverswrites and @bookofmatchesmedia for an eARC of this book! 💙🌊🐚
This was another really great read for me during the month of September! This book was a different read than what I’m used to but I really enjoyed it!
I thought the world building and island itself was written very well - the island is protected by Sirens and the islanders see these Sirens as Gods, praying to them but never actually seeing them or fully knowing if they are real and truly there. The island exists out of time, so anyone from anytime could wash up on its shores.
Rainey, our FMC, is so relatable and lovable. She is fiercely independent and doesn’t take the easy way out for anything and you can’t help but admire her for that. She is instantly attracted to our MMC, Jasper, when he washes up on the shores of the island and she agrees to help and house him. He is also attracted to her, but neither feel like they can act on their feelings due to life circumstances and Jasper’s time on the island being questionable. This created some good chemistry and tension between the two of them and also made their interactions with each other so cute and sweet!
I thought the characters were really well written and you can’t help but love Rainey and Jasper! This book has such an interesting concept for the plot, and it really did a good job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. The plot twist had my head spinning and I definitely didn’t see it coming! After the plot twist, I flew through reading this and couldn’t put it down. It was definitely a good page turner and a unique story that I easily fell in love with!
★☆★
🌊𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//𝟻
🌊𝙶𝙴𝙽𝚁𝙴: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
Thank you so so much to @ameliariverswrites and @bookofmatchesmedia for an eARC of this book! 💙🌊🐚
This was another really great read for me during the month of September! This book was a different read than what I’m used to but I really enjoyed it!
I thought the world building and island itself was written very well - the island is protected by Sirens and the islanders see these Sirens as Gods, praying to them but never actually seeing them or fully knowing if they are real and truly there. The island exists out of time, so anyone from anytime could wash up on its shores.
Rainey, our FMC, is so relatable and lovable. She is fiercely independent and doesn’t take the easy way out for anything and you can’t help but admire her for that. She is instantly attracted to our MMC, Jasper, when he washes up on the shores of the island and she agrees to help and house him. He is also attracted to her, but neither feel like they can act on their feelings due to life circumstances and Jasper’s time on the island being questionable. This created some good chemistry and tension between the two of them and also made their interactions with each other so cute and sweet!
I thought the characters were really well written and you can’t help but love Rainey and Jasper! This book has such an interesting concept for the plot, and it really did a good job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. The plot twist had my head spinning and I definitely didn’t see it coming! After the plot twist, I flew through reading this and couldn’t put it down. It was definitely a good page turner and a unique story that I easily fell in love with!
★☆★
September 27, 2023
A mysterious island protected by sirens out of our time in the Bermuda Triangle. I knew I couldn't miss the opportunity to read this!
The mystery around the island was exciting to read about. The people washing up to the shore, the items washing up to the shore, their barter system, their way of living were all intriguing. The addition of sirens to the equation was amazing!
Rainey was an intriguing character with her vision and goals she works towards. She stands steadfast on not becoming dependent on anyone. She refuses to take the easy way out-marry the guy to get the land she’s wanted. I loved that about her, and loved how independent she was. I felt sorry for her cuz she kept getting pressured by everyone-from her mother, the guy in question and more.
When Jasper washed up on the island, she took him in and housed him. She’s instantly attracted to him, and tries very hard not to act on it. This made their interactions hilarious and adorable. Jasper was an interesting character as well with the way he accepted the situation and tried to see the bright side of it all.
My one issue was the pace. It felt like not much happened for the first half of the story. We got a big secret reveal after about 50% of the book and then it suddenly picked up speed. The final few chapters felt rushed and repetitive. Sirens were expected to be similar to gods but ended up more like a villain almost, but got outsmarted easily. It was odd.
The relationship between Rainey and Jasper was beautiful. I loved the way it was written. It definitely added to the charm! Thank you to the author and BOMM for sending me an ARC to review!
The mystery around the island was exciting to read about. The people washing up to the shore, the items washing up to the shore, their barter system, their way of living were all intriguing. The addition of sirens to the equation was amazing!
Rainey was an intriguing character with her vision and goals she works towards. She stands steadfast on not becoming dependent on anyone. She refuses to take the easy way out-marry the guy to get the land she’s wanted. I loved that about her, and loved how independent she was. I felt sorry for her cuz she kept getting pressured by everyone-from her mother, the guy in question and more.
When Jasper washed up on the island, she took him in and housed him. She’s instantly attracted to him, and tries very hard not to act on it. This made their interactions hilarious and adorable. Jasper was an interesting character as well with the way he accepted the situation and tried to see the bright side of it all.
My one issue was the pace. It felt like not much happened for the first half of the story. We got a big secret reveal after about 50% of the book and then it suddenly picked up speed. The final few chapters felt rushed and repetitive. Sirens were expected to be similar to gods but ended up more like a villain almost, but got outsmarted easily. It was odd.
The relationship between Rainey and Jasper was beautiful. I loved the way it was written. It definitely added to the charm! Thank you to the author and BOMM for sending me an ARC to review!
December 30, 2025
I finished this because it was short and I wanted the answers. I skipped to the last page of the book to decide if it was worth it and that is the ONLY reason I finished it.
This reads like it was written by AI, there is so much weird prose that is completely unintelligible and some words are used in ways that make exactly zero sense. There are 50 references to his “dark hair” in the first couple chapters and the transition between one thought and the next is non existent. It was unbearably difficult to track what was happening in a scene and whoever wrote it doesn’t know how human bodies are shaped or basic anatomy. There are scenes where the characters would need additional limbs to be doing all the things it says they’re doing. There is also the same repetitive cycle of explaining the same thing over and over and over. We got it the first time, why does this conversation keep occurring?
The characters are flat, their expressions are often at odds with the storytelling, the dialogue is juvenile and disjointed.
This author has four books to their profile and they were published way too close together to be reasonable. So it’s either AI or a first draft badly in need of professional editing.
This reads like it was written by AI, there is so much weird prose that is completely unintelligible and some words are used in ways that make exactly zero sense. There are 50 references to his “dark hair” in the first couple chapters and the transition between one thought and the next is non existent. It was unbearably difficult to track what was happening in a scene and whoever wrote it doesn’t know how human bodies are shaped or basic anatomy. There are scenes where the characters would need additional limbs to be doing all the things it says they’re doing. There is also the same repetitive cycle of explaining the same thing over and over and over. We got it the first time, why does this conversation keep occurring?
The characters are flat, their expressions are often at odds with the storytelling, the dialogue is juvenile and disjointed.
This author has four books to their profile and they were published way too close together to be reasonable. So it’s either AI or a first draft badly in need of professional editing.
August 26, 2025
2.5/5 stars
Okay, despite all that was wrong with this book, I flew through it. The ideas and concepts for this story were sooooooo intriguing but poorly executed. I love the feeling of the story and the pictures it painted; a mysterious island separated from the world we know, surrounded by sirens that call themselves protectors but very well may be captors. My attention was held, as I liked the story line but the writing style and lackluster character development just brought down the rating for me. Very 2D. There was so much repetition and so much “looping back” to things that were already acknowledged not once, not twice, but several times. At the same time, there were many things that just didn’t feel flushed out and could have been depicted better in order to make the plot stronger. The romance between Rainey and Jasper was sweet and a selling point for me, but that also seemed tossed together and infantile. Swing, but not quite a miss…more like a foul ball? Either way, for better or worse, I was entertained.
Okay, despite all that was wrong with this book, I flew through it. The ideas and concepts for this story were sooooooo intriguing but poorly executed. I love the feeling of the story and the pictures it painted; a mysterious island separated from the world we know, surrounded by sirens that call themselves protectors but very well may be captors. My attention was held, as I liked the story line but the writing style and lackluster character development just brought down the rating for me. Very 2D. There was so much repetition and so much “looping back” to things that were already acknowledged not once, not twice, but several times. At the same time, there were many things that just didn’t feel flushed out and could have been depicted better in order to make the plot stronger. The romance between Rainey and Jasper was sweet and a selling point for me, but that also seemed tossed together and infantile. Swing, but not quite a miss…more like a foul ball? Either way, for better or worse, I was entertained.
July 7, 2025
Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the Bermuda Triangle? A desolate island filled with a civilization of people who were Washed Up on the shores after getting lost at sea within the Bermuda Triangle. Rainey is working towards owning her own land, given two options to obtain it, she chooses to put in the work instead of falling into a pairing that she does not want. As a scavenger, she scours the beaches searching for trinkets and metal that wash up on the shores for trade to get her closer to obtaining her land. Until one day, she takes a chance and takes in a Washed Up. A man who has been brought to the shore. He is the last piece of the puzzle she needs in order to reach her goal. She must house him for a moon cycle and the land is hers. Things don't go as planned and her heart becomes lost in turmoil.
I loved this book. It was such an interesting, feel good story. I highly recommend this one!
I loved this book. It was such an interesting, feel good story. I highly recommend this one!
February 4, 2025
Heartwarming, and Creative
Amelia Rivers wrote an heartwarming book filled with hope, love, pain, and sorrow. It is one that you would like to complete in one day as your curiosity peaks with each chapter.
Rainey was scavenging when Jasper washed up on an undetectable island. The Sirens protected the island but on moonless nights things could be missed and float ashore.
Rainey needed to shelter a ‘Washed Up’ for one moon cycle to finalize a deal to own land. This was the last item needed as she already met the other requirements. Her intent was changed by the close proximity between her and Jasper. He assists Rainey with many chores to earn his keep. One heartbreaking, selfless act changes the lives of five people. Does love conquer?
The creativity in this book is awe-inspiring and the writing is astonishing. Awesome job Amelia!
Amelia Rivers wrote an heartwarming book filled with hope, love, pain, and sorrow. It is one that you would like to complete in one day as your curiosity peaks with each chapter.
Rainey was scavenging when Jasper washed up on an undetectable island. The Sirens protected the island but on moonless nights things could be missed and float ashore.
Rainey needed to shelter a ‘Washed Up’ for one moon cycle to finalize a deal to own land. This was the last item needed as she already met the other requirements. Her intent was changed by the close proximity between her and Jasper. He assists Rainey with many chores to earn his keep. One heartbreaking, selfless act changes the lives of five people. Does love conquer?
The creativity in this book is awe-inspiring and the writing is astonishing. Awesome job Amelia!
August 9, 2025
A Unique and Magical Read I Couldn’t Put Down
I stumbled across Washed Up by Amelia J. Rivers thanks to BookTok, and I’m so glad I did. This is such an intriguing and original story, blending the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle with the magic of sirens who protect its borders.
At its heart, it’s a warm, heartfelt tale about Rainey, a young woman determined to prove to her mother that she won’t follow in her footsteps as a sea widow. In her quest to earn her own land, she agrees to take in a “Washed Up” man and ends up falling in love.
The island itself is enchanting, drawing in characters from different timelines thanks to the sirens’ magic. This mix of eras, personalities, and fates makes for a truly memorable read.
I’m crossing my fingers that the author writes another standalone set on this magical island. I need to know more about John, Molly, and Owen!
I stumbled across Washed Up by Amelia J. Rivers thanks to BookTok, and I’m so glad I did. This is such an intriguing and original story, blending the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle with the magic of sirens who protect its borders.
At its heart, it’s a warm, heartfelt tale about Rainey, a young woman determined to prove to her mother that she won’t follow in her footsteps as a sea widow. In her quest to earn her own land, she agrees to take in a “Washed Up” man and ends up falling in love.
The island itself is enchanting, drawing in characters from different timelines thanks to the sirens’ magic. This mix of eras, personalities, and fates makes for a truly memorable read.
I’m crossing my fingers that the author writes another standalone set on this magical island. I need to know more about John, Molly, and Owen!
May 2, 2025
The author created a beautiful world that exists outside of our regular time and space. I loved reading about the little island protect by siren, but I loved the main character even more. Rainey is a strong and independent woman who is determined to make her own way in the world. I found myself rooting for her to achieve her goals from the beginning, but I also loved seeing her open up to Jasper, the love interest in the story. And I can't forget about the twist at the end! If you are looking for a quick read with a couple that falls quickly, you should definitely read this story. Once I hit the halfway point, I couldn't put the book down because I was dying to know what happened! One of my favorite reads of 2025!
May 22, 2025
Amelia’s writing is so captivating and beautiful. I read Washed Up and fully tied to this world she built.
Taking place in the Bermuda Triangle? Atlantis? Siren Island? where things and people get washed up from any point in time. This island does not have electricity and pays their respects to the sirens and their gifts.
Rainey is a determined, independent woman fighting a prophecy. In order to buy her own land she must harbor a Washed Up. Jasper from our time washes up and all of the sudden his college exams mean nothing as he prepares to go back next moonless night. But they struggle to fight attraction and if he will face the terrifying sirens.
This book is captivating, imaginative with its time elements. I cannot stress enough how much others should read it.
Taking place in the Bermuda Triangle? Atlantis? Siren Island? where things and people get washed up from any point in time. This island does not have electricity and pays their respects to the sirens and their gifts.
Rainey is a determined, independent woman fighting a prophecy. In order to buy her own land she must harbor a Washed Up. Jasper from our time washes up and all of the sudden his college exams mean nothing as he prepares to go back next moonless night. But they struggle to fight attraction and if he will face the terrifying sirens.
This book is captivating, imaginative with its time elements. I cannot stress enough how much others should read it.
April 6, 2025
Oh my gosh… where to start! I made a tiktok calling all indie authors to fill my April tbr and this was one that popped up.
Washed Up was so cozy and heart warming, Rainey- a spitfire, hardworking, loyal girl wants nothing but to get her land through necessary trades. The last requirement was to harbor a ‘washed up’. Jasper enters chat and their journey and blossoming romance begins. They are just so relatable and lovable as characters and the way their story unfurls is beautiful!
I thought I had the twist figured out but it turned out to be SO MUCH MORE! everything was perfectly laid out and the buildup was phenomenal! Definitely a book I will read again! Grab your tissues friends!
Washed Up was so cozy and heart warming, Rainey- a spitfire, hardworking, loyal girl wants nothing but to get her land through necessary trades. The last requirement was to harbor a ‘washed up’. Jasper enters chat and their journey and blossoming romance begins. They are just so relatable and lovable as characters and the way their story unfurls is beautiful!
I thought I had the twist figured out but it turned out to be SO MUCH MORE! everything was perfectly laid out and the buildup was phenomenal! Definitely a book I will read again! Grab your tissues friends!
May 22, 2025
Washed Up is a novel with a very unique concept. What if the “Bermuda Triangle” was really a Siren blessed and protected region of ocean with a hidden island inside that lives outside of time and modernity? What happens when a man washes up on the island’s shores with a complex tie to the island and a heart that falls hard and fast for an islander?
I enjoyed this so much. The plot and story idea is so specifically unique that it drew me in fast. And it just continued to be such a fun, lovable, and rich read with complex characters and stories as well as so many highlighter moments. Hugely recommend. I loved it from start to finish.
I enjoyed this so much. The plot and story idea is so specifically unique that it drew me in fast. And it just continued to be such a fun, lovable, and rich read with complex characters and stories as well as so many highlighter moments. Hugely recommend. I loved it from start to finish.
May 25, 2025
Right off the bat this read gets a ton of brownie points for its unique plot. Imagine an island separated from the rest of the world by time, think Bermuda Triangle, protected by Sirens. Every so often items and people, referred to as the Washed Up, quite literally, wash up from all different time periods.
Rainey takes in Jasper, a Washed Up, with her own ulterior motives. His ties to the island along with falling for Rainey in the process creates quite the predicament.
This is a very sweet romance with fantasy elements and so many twists and turns that draw you in even more. This unique world and a cast of lovable characters gets an easy 5 stars from me!
Rainey takes in Jasper, a Washed Up, with her own ulterior motives. His ties to the island along with falling for Rainey in the process creates quite the predicament.
This is a very sweet romance with fantasy elements and so many twists and turns that draw you in even more. This unique world and a cast of lovable characters gets an easy 5 stars from me!
June 30, 2025
I didn’t expect Washed Up to wreck me the way it did. Thought I was signing up for a cozy island romance with a sprinkle of magic. Instead, I got a quiet gut-punch wrapped in sea mist and fate, and I devoured every word like I was starving.
Rainey is the kind of FMC I root for: smart-mouthed, emotionally guarded, deeply loyal. She’s stuck on Sirens’ Island, where “Washed Ups” appear torn from time and dropped at the edge of the sea like the ocean’s unfinished stories. She’s trying to earn her land and her freedom. Jasper—this era-confused, emotionally flayed man—screws up everything. Not with chaos, but with honesty. With kindness. With the kind of love that asks nothing and offers everything.
Amelia J. Rivers knows exactly what she’s doing. The writing is soft in the right places, sharp when it needs to be. There’s myth here, but it’s not over-explained. Just hinted, like old magic humming under your skin. The tension between Rainey’s duty and desire is palpable, and the romance? Gorgeously slow and aching.
What I loved most, though, is that this book isn’t about saving the world. It’s about saving yourself from expectation, from fear, from a legacy that says love always ends in ruin.
If you want fluff, look elsewhere. But if you want a story that leaves salt on your skin and softness in your chest—Washed Up is it.
Rainey is the kind of FMC I root for: smart-mouthed, emotionally guarded, deeply loyal. She’s stuck on Sirens’ Island, where “Washed Ups” appear torn from time and dropped at the edge of the sea like the ocean’s unfinished stories. She’s trying to earn her land and her freedom. Jasper—this era-confused, emotionally flayed man—screws up everything. Not with chaos, but with honesty. With kindness. With the kind of love that asks nothing and offers everything.
Amelia J. Rivers knows exactly what she’s doing. The writing is soft in the right places, sharp when it needs to be. There’s myth here, but it’s not over-explained. Just hinted, like old magic humming under your skin. The tension between Rainey’s duty and desire is palpable, and the romance? Gorgeously slow and aching.
What I loved most, though, is that this book isn’t about saving the world. It’s about saving yourself from expectation, from fear, from a legacy that says love always ends in ruin.
If you want fluff, look elsewhere. But if you want a story that leaves salt on your skin and softness in your chest—Washed Up is it.
November 1, 2024
The unique premise of this book immediately drew me in. I loved the concept of the Washed Up and the villagers using their technology and items to their benefit. Rainey is a strong, independent female main character who definitely needs help to achieve her goals. Her relationship with Jasper is so sweet, and I was rooting for the two of them throughout the entire book. The prose is beautiful, and there's a nice twist toward the end that I wasn't at all expecting. I highly recommend it to all romantasy lovers!
August 13, 2025
Thanks to the phenomenal talent of Ms. Amelia J. Rivers, I now have another auto author to read.
This ★★★★★ Five-Star Read, and author masterfully blends romance, myth, and suspense into a story that feels both timeless and urgent. Every sentence is lush with atmosphere, you can almost taste the salt in the air and feel the pull of the tide. The characters are vibrant and complex, their desires and struggles rendered with heart-stopping clarity. This is the kind of book that sweeps you away, holds you captive, and leaves you aching for just one more chapter.
This ★★★★★ Five-Star Read, and author masterfully blends romance, myth, and suspense into a story that feels both timeless and urgent. Every sentence is lush with atmosphere, you can almost taste the salt in the air and feel the pull of the tide. The characters are vibrant and complex, their desires and struggles rendered with heart-stopping clarity. This is the kind of book that sweeps you away, holds you captive, and leaves you aching for just one more chapter.
March 17, 2025
Very sweet but...
I enjoyed this book very much, but I do feel like it could use a little bit more to the plot and maybe the conflict not die out as quick. The characters were wonderful. I think I would have liked a bit more spicy in the love scenes, but other than that a very good book.
I enjoyed this book very much, but I do feel like it could use a little bit more to the plot and maybe the conflict not die out as quick. The characters were wonderful. I think I would have liked a bit more spicy in the love scenes, but other than that a very good book.
August 9, 2025
I could not put this book down! I think I read this through in a just a few days. The FMC is a strong willed independent badass. The love story is so sweet, and the ending was chefs kiss 🤌🏽and the author wrote an epilogue for just a peak into the future of the characters/ island. And it’s beautiful loves this stand alone!
March 6, 2025
Loved the premise
This felt very Gulliver’s Travels (that’s a compliment). Really loved the story. Such a neat idea. I’d love more of the island. Some other washed up’s story perhaps.
This felt very Gulliver’s Travels (that’s a compliment). Really loved the story. Such a neat idea. I’d love more of the island. Some other washed up’s story perhaps.
October 15, 2023
I enjoyed reading a different type of Fantasy other than my usual Fae Fantasy Romance. The time travel/magic system and the sirens being viewed as a deity was most interesting to learn about. The FMC, Rainey, is independent and extremely likable. She will do whatever it takes to earn her land on her own, even doing something that goes against her views. Little did she know that her heart would be getting involved as well and complicates what she thought would be a straight forward task. The adorable interactions and chemistry made the romance between Rainey and Jasper fun to read. So many good twists and turns, some I didn’t even anticipate occurring. If interesting, fantastical world building in an island setting with time travel elements sounds like something up your alley definitely check this book out!
October 4, 2023
A massive thank you to Book Of Matches Media and author Amelia J. Rivers for including me on the tour for Washed Up and sending me an ARC to read. I posted a few weeks ago while I was reading and I'm happy to be bringing you my review today. This book was so different than anything I've ever read, and the uniqueness of the story and the "magic"/time travel system was incredibly interesting. Rainey was a really likeable, brave and admirable character and I really loved getting to know some of the other side characters that lived with her on the island. Jasper was the perfect type of character for a man out of time, and the sacrifices the family had to make for their safety and relationships really touched my heart. The romance was so sweet and something I really enjoyed reading. I'm so glad I read this book and I definitely recommend it to everyone!
November 26, 2024
Such a refreshing different fantasy
I really enjoyed this. It was so nice to read something that wasn't the same old fantasy characters. Much read
I really enjoyed this. It was so nice to read something that wasn't the same old fantasy characters. Much read
April 7, 2025
I literally only read this book because it reminded me of the otome game Olympia Soirée. The story in the game is much much stronger but this was a fun way to relive the concept of living on a magical island where mysterious things wash up from our world.
December 27, 2023
I love the idea and feeling of this story. An island protected and, in a way, held hostage by Sirens. It's beautiful. However, the characters just didn't do it for me, especially the MMC! He didn't have enough depth. I have no idea why he did the things he did or loved the MFC. Very 2D. I feel like the story could have been more filled in but, if you're looking for quick read with some spice, this is the book for you.
Thank you, Amelia Rivers and Storygramtours for this copy. I'm delighted to review it.
Thank you, Amelia Rivers and Storygramtours for this copy. I'm delighted to review it.
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