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Romance in the Park #1
Whitewater Wishes
"Bridget plans to spend her summer working as a white water rafting guide and studying for her beautician' s license exam. She isn' t looking for romance, and she isn' t impressed with nerdy nurse Drew when he steps into her raft. She' s looking for a strongman like the father she failed, but she finds it hard to resist Drew' s passion for life. As a hospital nurse, Drew loves helping people to heal, but after one of his younger patients dies, Drew feels the need to seize the day. So, he faces his fear of open water and goes white water rafting. He' s attracted to Bridget, but meeting his dream girl couldn' t have come at a worse time. His best friend is in trouble and Drew must decide how far he' s willing to go to keep his friend' s secret. When injury capsizes Bridget' s career, they' ll need strength beyond their own to keep their love afloat"--
- GenresChristian Fiction
263 pages, Library Binding
Published December 27, 2023
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 5, 2024
3.5 stars, personally, but good for older teens/NA!
About this book:
“Bridget plans to spend her summer working as a white water rafting guide and studying for her beautician' s license exam. She isn' t looking for romance, and she isn' t impressed with nerdy nurse Drew when he steps into her raft. She' s looking for a strongman like the father she failed, but she finds it hard to resist Drew' s passion for life.
As a hospital nurse, Drew loves helping people to heal, but after one of his younger patients dies, Drew feels the need to seize the day. So, he faces his fear of open water and goes white water rafting. He' s attracted to Bridget, but meeting his dream girl couldn' t have come at a worse time. His best friend is in trouble and Drew must decide how far he' s willing to go to keep his friend' s secret.
When injury capsizes Bridget' s career, they' ll need strength beyond their own to keep their love afloat.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Romance in the Park” series.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, read, & thought about; Prayers; Singing a hymn & a song; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bridget volunteers at VBS; Bridget finds it hard to talk about her faith with her best friend and tries to explain to her that her faith is important especially in regards to a future husband, but her friend says that her mom is Buddhist and her dad is agnostic and “they make it work”; Later, Bridget tries to talk to her friend about God and something she learned recently, not knowing if her friend even believes in God but presses on because both Jesus and her friend are important to her; Drew is worried about talking to his friend about the friend’s serious problem when it was the friend who introduced Drew to God and going to church (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, trying to find a church, services, hymns/songs, youth groups, & VBS; Mentions of Bibles, Bible studies, books of the Bible, & events and people in the Bible; Mentions of God’s creation & being amazed by it; Mentions of sins; A mention of Heaven;
*Note: Bridget’s friend says that a guy is “into God stuff” like her; A guy comments that another guy looks like a ghost who haunts a library (due to his pale skin).
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, four ‘oh my gosh’s, and eight ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling & Sarcasm; Pain, injuries, nearly passing out, a broken bone, a concussion, & short-term memory loss (up to semi-detailed); At their first meeting, Bridget thinks that Drew might be “on something” or high, but it turns out he is not and just sleep deprived; Drew is concerned a friend is falling back into a bad habit & wonders if he should talk to him about it or do a test to see what happens (regarding money and stealing; Drew feels guilty for thinking the worse of his friend and not believing that everything is okay; *Spoilers* ; Bridget feels guilt for not being there when her father went through cancer (she was in high school and focused on everything else besides his diagnosis; *Spoiler* ); *Spoiler* ; Many mentions of gambling & addictions (mostly in the latter half of the book); Mentions of the dangers of water rafting and possibly drowning; Mentions of deaths, how they happened, accidents, a broken bone and surgery, pain, injures, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of cancer & chemotherapy (including when Bridget’s father went through chemo and patients losing their hair); Mentions of heart attacks, surgeries, pain, injuries (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of spouses leaving each other & the concern of it happening; Mentions of gambling, casinos, & an addiction to them; Mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of death eventually coming to everyone (including examples of a virus or a car getting the person); A few mentions of alcohol, drinks, & drinking; A few mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of dead pets; A mention of wars; A mention of money laundering; A mention of night clubs; A mention of eavesdropping; A mention of hunting; A mention of burping; A mention of peeing;
*Note: Drew recalls as a child his new stepfather teasing and scaring him when they were in a canoe together (he can barely swim and was scared); Drew struggles with the feeling of disappointing his stepfather by being himself: Drew’s stepfather has ideas about what men should or should not do (they should provide and protect, but should not cook or cry; Also believes that nursing is women’s work and Drew should have became a doctor instead; Drew had to learn to listen to God’s voice rather than his stepfather’s); Bridget‘s mother left when she was young and her motto growing up about her mother was “you don’t want me, so I don’t want you”; Bridget is worried that she might be like her mom and bail on someone when times get hard (her friend encourages her that she wouldn’t do that) and wonders about her mother as they aren’t in contact; Bridget’s friend starting call her (Bridget’s) dad by his first name after turning eighteen as a joke, but it stuck; Drew breeds mealworms for his pet chameleon (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a baseball team; A few mentions of TV Shows (Star Trek).
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, a not-detailed kiss, and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Touches, Butterflies, Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace; Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; A co-worker flirts with Bridget (harmlessly and she doesn’t say anything because he’s handsome and it’s nice to be complimented by “someone like that”; Later she is bothered by him hanging around her and acting like her boyfriend, especially when Drew is around and trying to touch/be near her); A ‘sexy’ (Bridget calls a client’s new hairstyle “fun and sexy”); Many mentions of boyfriends, dating, dates, interest in someone, & crushes; Mentions of a flirt, flirting, winks, & blushes; Mentions of a cute guy; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of married couples kissing; A mention of an affair in a TV show & the person being caught kissing another; A mention of someone teasing Bridget with a kissy face; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of guys’ muscles; Mentions of butts (such as someone landing or falling on their butts); A mention of breeding & studs.
-Bridget Capo, age 22
-Drew Martin
P.O.V. switches between them
176 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I’m glad that I took a chance on it because it ended up being a pleasant read. I liked both Bridget and Drew, and how this was almost slice-of-life with their lives and how they meet and get to know the other. While, yes, it was a “romance book” it never felt heavy on the romance and they had other interests outside of thinking about the other. They both felt realistic and the progression of their friendship to more felt very natural and had that awkward stage. Speaking of awkward, Drew was so awkward but it was a cute, slightly doofus awkward. A nerd, you could call him—down to his pet chameleon.
This book actually made me—a not-a-water fan—curious about rafting. I still don’t think I would ever do it, but being like Drew and his thoughts on boats, I was proud of him for conquering his fear. I do think that ending is a wee bit rushed, but I did really like that final chapter.
I have to add that I always like seeing good faith content in the books I read, but this one had a really refreshing note because we have some pretty serious and also very important faith moments in this book. It wasn’t just the characters praying and going to church—which is great don’t get me wrong—but this book had more. More faith content and more serious discussions and keeping Christian friends accountable and witnessing to non-Christian friends, which I liked seeing. It makes me curious about the next books in the series even though it looks like those won’t be connected to this book at all.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
About this book:
“Bridget plans to spend her summer working as a white water rafting guide and studying for her beautician' s license exam. She isn' t looking for romance, and she isn' t impressed with nerdy nurse Drew when he steps into her raft. She' s looking for a strongman like the father she failed, but she finds it hard to resist Drew' s passion for life.
As a hospital nurse, Drew loves helping people to heal, but after one of his younger patients dies, Drew feels the need to seize the day. So, he faces his fear of open water and goes white water rafting. He' s attracted to Bridget, but meeting his dream girl couldn' t have come at a worse time. His best friend is in trouble and Drew must decide how far he' s willing to go to keep his friend' s secret.
When injury capsizes Bridget' s career, they' ll need strength beyond their own to keep their love afloat.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Romance in the Park” series.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, read, & thought about; Prayers; Singing a hymn & a song; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bridget volunteers at VBS; Bridget finds it hard to talk about her faith with her best friend and tries to explain to her that her faith is important especially in regards to a future husband, but her friend says that her mom is Buddhist and her dad is agnostic and “they make it work”; Later, Bridget tries to talk to her friend about God and something she learned recently, not knowing if her friend even believes in God but presses on because both Jesus and her friend are important to her; Drew is worried about talking to his friend about the friend’s serious problem when it was the friend who introduced Drew to God and going to church (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, trying to find a church, services, hymns/songs, youth groups, & VBS; Mentions of Bibles, Bible studies, books of the Bible, & events and people in the Bible; Mentions of God’s creation & being amazed by it; Mentions of sins; A mention of Heaven;
*Note: Bridget’s friend says that a guy is “into God stuff” like her; A guy comments that another guy looks like a ghost who haunts a library (due to his pale skin).
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an ‘idiot’, four ‘oh my gosh’s, and eight ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling & Sarcasm; Pain, injuries, nearly passing out, a broken bone, a concussion, & short-term memory loss (up to semi-detailed); At their first meeting, Bridget thinks that Drew might be “on something” or high, but it turns out he is not and just sleep deprived; Drew is concerned a friend is falling back into a bad habit & wonders if he should talk to him about it or do a test to see what happens (regarding money and stealing; Drew feels guilty for thinking the worse of his friend and not believing that everything is okay; *Spoilers* ; Bridget feels guilt for not being there when her father went through cancer (she was in high school and focused on everything else besides his diagnosis; *Spoiler* ); *Spoiler* ; Many mentions of gambling & addictions (mostly in the latter half of the book); Mentions of the dangers of water rafting and possibly drowning; Mentions of deaths, how they happened, accidents, a broken bone and surgery, pain, injures, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of cancer & chemotherapy (including when Bridget’s father went through chemo and patients losing their hair); Mentions of heart attacks, surgeries, pain, injuries (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of spouses leaving each other & the concern of it happening; Mentions of gambling, casinos, & an addiction to them; Mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of death eventually coming to everyone (including examples of a virus or a car getting the person); A few mentions of alcohol, drinks, & drinking; A few mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of dead pets; A mention of wars; A mention of money laundering; A mention of night clubs; A mention of eavesdropping; A mention of hunting; A mention of burping; A mention of peeing;
*Note: Drew recalls as a child his new stepfather teasing and scaring him when they were in a canoe together (he can barely swim and was scared); Drew struggles with the feeling of disappointing his stepfather by being himself: Drew’s stepfather has ideas about what men should or should not do (they should provide and protect, but should not cook or cry; Also believes that nursing is women’s work and Drew should have became a doctor instead; Drew had to learn to listen to God’s voice rather than his stepfather’s); Bridget‘s mother left when she was young and her motto growing up about her mother was “you don’t want me, so I don’t want you”; Bridget is worried that she might be like her mom and bail on someone when times get hard (her friend encourages her that she wouldn’t do that) and wonders about her mother as they aren’t in contact; Bridget’s friend starting call her (Bridget’s) dad by his first name after turning eighteen as a joke, but it stuck; Drew breeds mealworms for his pet chameleon (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a baseball team; A few mentions of TV Shows (Star Trek).
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, a not-detailed kiss, and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Touches, Butterflies, Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace; Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; A co-worker flirts with Bridget (harmlessly and she doesn’t say anything because he’s handsome and it’s nice to be complimented by “someone like that”; Later she is bothered by him hanging around her and acting like her boyfriend, especially when Drew is around and trying to touch/be near her); A ‘sexy’ (Bridget calls a client’s new hairstyle “fun and sexy”); Many mentions of boyfriends, dating, dates, interest in someone, & crushes; Mentions of a flirt, flirting, winks, & blushes; Mentions of a cute guy; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of married couples kissing; A mention of an affair in a TV show & the person being caught kissing another; A mention of someone teasing Bridget with a kissy face; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of guys’ muscles; Mentions of butts (such as someone landing or falling on their butts); A mention of breeding & studs.
-Bridget Capo, age 22
-Drew Martin
P.O.V. switches between them
176 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I’m glad that I took a chance on it because it ended up being a pleasant read. I liked both Bridget and Drew, and how this was almost slice-of-life with their lives and how they meet and get to know the other. While, yes, it was a “romance book” it never felt heavy on the romance and they had other interests outside of thinking about the other. They both felt realistic and the progression of their friendship to more felt very natural and had that awkward stage. Speaking of awkward, Drew was so awkward but it was a cute, slightly doofus awkward. A nerd, you could call him—down to his pet chameleon.
This book actually made me—a not-a-water fan—curious about rafting. I still don’t think I would ever do it, but being like Drew and his thoughts on boats, I was proud of him for conquering his fear. I do think that ending is a wee bit rushed, but I did really like that final chapter.
I have to add that I always like seeing good faith content in the books I read, but this one had a really refreshing note because we have some pretty serious and also very important faith moments in this book. It wasn’t just the characters praying and going to church—which is great don’t get me wrong—but this book had more. More faith content and more serious discussions and keeping Christian friends accountable and witnessing to non-Christian friends, which I liked seeing. It makes me curious about the next books in the series even though it looks like those won’t be connected to this book at all.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
June 20, 2023
There’s so much to enjoy about Whitewater Wishes by Catherine Robles. Let’s start with the well-developed characters: Bridget, a white water rafting guide (note the significance of the word ‘bridge’ in her name), and Drew, a visitor to the area who is reluctant to “take the plunge” and get into the water. Despite their differences, they develop a friendship, and it is easy for the reader to get swept away in their personalities, and relate to their issues. This inspirational novel address the theme of faith beautifully, taking the reader on a journey that is up and down and often times as unpredictable as the rapids that the characters are navigating. Set in Western Pennsylvania in Ohiopyle State Park, the landscape is dazzlingly presented by the author; so if you are not able to get away for a vacation this summer, not to worry – Catherine Robles has a solution for you. Whitewater Wishes will take you away and give you a satisfying, reading adventure…and it will take your heart on a thrilling journey with a wonderfully satisfying resolution.
June 16, 2023
If you love a good Hallmark romance, but don’t love the tired predictability of a formulaic script, you will really enjoy Whitewater Wishes. The author captivates the reader’s attention with beautiful imagery and engaging character development, then artfully wades into the deeper waters of real-life tragedy, trauma, addiction and sorrow… and then gently maneuvers the storyline through a refreshing stream of grace, love, healing, and redemption through relationship with Christ.
If you’ve been looking for the rare, unicorn novel that introduces the topic of faith in a subtle but meaningful way, and that manages to easily draw you into an engaging story without sacrificing eloquent prose or cheaply succumbing to mature content to draw an audience, you have found your book.
“Gray tree trunks supported a canopy of
brilliant green. Lichen spotted slabs of granite poked through the topsoil occasionally like bald spots on the mountain’s scalp.”
If you’ve been looking for the rare, unicorn novel that introduces the topic of faith in a subtle but meaningful way, and that manages to easily draw you into an engaging story without sacrificing eloquent prose or cheaply succumbing to mature content to draw an audience, you have found your book.
“Gray tree trunks supported a canopy of
brilliant green. Lichen spotted slabs of granite poked through the topsoil occasionally like bald spots on the mountain’s scalp.”
June 13, 2023
I enjoyed Katherine Robles "Whitewater Wishes." Robles swept me away on a raft and into a national park, Ohiopyle State Park. While this is billed as a romance, I felt like the story was more of a coming-of-age, friendship into "more" story. There is some romance but the story centers on the development of a relationship as the characters deal with some backstory issues.
I liked the fact that Drew and Bridget had unique careers. The action scenes were well done, and the Park was a nice setting. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Bridget and Drew.
You will cheer at the happily-ever-after.
Robles sets up other characters to take the reader forward into more national parks.
A very sweet relationship story.
I received an advance copy of this story, but all opinions are my own.
I liked the fact that Drew and Bridget had unique careers. The action scenes were well done, and the Park was a nice setting. I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Bridget and Drew.
You will cheer at the happily-ever-after.
Robles sets up other characters to take the reader forward into more national parks.
A very sweet relationship story.
I received an advance copy of this story, but all opinions are my own.
June 16, 2023
Whitewater Wishes is set in Ohiopyle State Park in Western PA, and the descriptions make you wish you were there. When Bridget, a whitewater rafting guide, meets Drew, a man who is afraid of the water, a friendship develops. Throughout the story, they each have personal issues they need to take care of, and both show their strength of character in their relationships with other people. It is easy to root for them to find happiness together. My favorite part of the book (edited a bit to avoid spoilers) is the following: “He didn’t have any guarantees. No one did, really. The only guarantee was Jesus, faithfully walking beside them in life and loving them into eternity.” Ms. Robles takes us into a unique setting through an inspirational journey with well-developed characters you’ll enjoy spending time with.
June 14, 2023
A lovely read for a hot summer’s day. Hairdresser and rafting guide Bridget and Nurse Drew meet white water rafting and most of the book is set out in the wilds. She isn’t looking for romance, and neither is Drew. Drew is caught up with helping a friend and when Bridget is injured she has her own problems to contend with.
The descriptions are wonderful, you can imagine yourself there rafting with them, and the tension just enough to keep the pages turning.
The descriptions are wonderful, you can imagine yourself there rafting with them, and the tension just enough to keep the pages turning.
March 15, 2024
Nice story. I like how the characters trials are highlighted and how they rely on God to get them through. The whitewater rafting brings back memories from when I went rafting over 20 years ago.
September 5, 2024
3.5⭐️ cute story with a good message of faith and salvation…I didn’t kno it was YA but still glad I read it
July 8, 2023
Whitewater Wishes is a delightful story. The characters are engaging, the story enjoyable, and Robles wove deeper truths and themes through the story in a very organic way. The setting was also quite fun! It makes me want to visit Ohiopyle!
If you're looking for a clean, sweet romance, then Whitewater Wishes is for you.
If you're looking for a clean, sweet romance, then Whitewater Wishes is for you.
October 13, 2023
I have never in my life had the desire to go whitewater rafting but if I did I would want Bridget as my guide! I also never thought I would fall in love with a character over a water snake but that’s what happened to me with Drew! Both protagonists of Whitewater Wishes are developed and engaging, and I was soon invested in their story.
I really enjoyed Bridget’s friendly personality and how she put others at ease, easily incorporating people into her circle. People like Drew, a hospital nurse who is daring to brave his fears the day they meet. He’s much more reserved than Bridget’s adventurous spirit and watching them balance each other is both sweet and entertaining. I respected him as a man of integrity early on in the book, and he cements this first impression more than once as the story progresses. The contrast between Drew vs. Bridget when it comes to doing difficult things is poignant, and the character growth around this point – particularly in Bridget – is heartwarming.
Bottom Line: Whitewater Wishes by Katherine Robles is a layered story of two people who begin navigating life’s rapids together as friends who share a mutual attraction, an instant connection, that slowly builds to a sweet romance. I appreciated the ‘real life’ issues that the author weaves into the characters’ lives – bumpy patches that cover everything from coming-of-age hurdles to tougher stuff like trauma, addiction, and life-threatening health issues – and the faith discussions that naturally occur in those circumstances. And in between, readers are treated to cute scenes that keep the mood from getting heavy. A quick but compelling read that will leave you smiling!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
I really enjoyed Bridget’s friendly personality and how she put others at ease, easily incorporating people into her circle. People like Drew, a hospital nurse who is daring to brave his fears the day they meet. He’s much more reserved than Bridget’s adventurous spirit and watching them balance each other is both sweet and entertaining. I respected him as a man of integrity early on in the book, and he cements this first impression more than once as the story progresses. The contrast between Drew vs. Bridget when it comes to doing difficult things is poignant, and the character growth around this point – particularly in Bridget – is heartwarming.
Bottom Line: Whitewater Wishes by Katherine Robles is a layered story of two people who begin navigating life’s rapids together as friends who share a mutual attraction, an instant connection, that slowly builds to a sweet romance. I appreciated the ‘real life’ issues that the author weaves into the characters’ lives – bumpy patches that cover everything from coming-of-age hurdles to tougher stuff like trauma, addiction, and life-threatening health issues – and the faith discussions that naturally occur in those circumstances. And in between, readers are treated to cute scenes that keep the mood from getting heavy. A quick but compelling read that will leave you smiling!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews