What do you think?
Rate this book
Chesapeake Diaries #7
At the River's Edge
After taking stock of her life, Sophie Enright has decided it’s time for a break. Between a law career that’s become criminally dull and a two-timing boyfriend she’s done with once and for all, Sophie desperately needs some time to think and some space to breathe. The perfect place to do both is easygoing St. Dennis, Maryland, where Sophie can visit with her brother while she figures out her options. Once in St. Dennis, she discovers a shuttered restaurant and makes a bold move that is also a leap of faith. Sophie buys the fixer-upper in order to finally pursue her dream career.
But Sophie’s labor of love becomes a bone of contention for her new neighbor Jason Bowers. The local landscaper has big plans for growing his business—until Sophie scoops up the property he’s got his eye on. And no amount of buyout offers or badgering from him will get her to budge. It’s hardly the start of a beautiful friendship. But when they’re paired up to work on a community project, they agree to put their differences aside, and sparks begin to fly. Then Sophie’s cheating ex suddenly shows up, looking for a second chance—and threatening to make Jason a third wheel just when his hotheaded feelings about Sophie were turning decidedly warmhearted. All Sophie wants is a new life and a true love. But what are the odds of having both?
But Sophie’s labor of love becomes a bone of contention for her new neighbor Jason Bowers. The local landscaper has big plans for growing his business—until Sophie scoops up the property he’s got his eye on. And no amount of buyout offers or badgering from him will get her to budge. It’s hardly the start of a beautiful friendship. But when they’re paired up to work on a community project, they agree to put their differences aside, and sparks begin to fly. Then Sophie’s cheating ex suddenly shows up, looking for a second chance—and threatening to make Jason a third wheel just when his hotheaded feelings about Sophie were turning decidedly warmhearted. All Sophie wants is a new life and a true love. But what are the odds of having both?
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2014
317 people are currently reading
1055 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Stewart
88 books1,528 followersMariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)
After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?
After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
November 12, 2020
Number 7 is a lovely series!
March 5, 2020
4.25 stars
At River’s Edge was Sophie and Jason’s story, and the 7th addition to the Chesapeake Diaries series by Mariah Stewart. This series is one of my all-time favorite small town romance book series. I love the small east coast town setting of St. Dennis, Maine, alongside the river, as well as all of the quaint and aptly named retail shops owned by various characters. I love the characters themselves, of various ages and backgrounds, and their family ties and close friendships with one another. I also enjoy the various plots covering not only their romances, but also their lives with imperfect, problematic backgrounds, in addition to their hopes and dreams. These are truly magical, feel-good stories.
At River’s Edge was Sophie and Jason’s story, and the 7th addition to the Chesapeake Diaries series by Mariah Stewart. This series is one of my all-time favorite small town romance book series. I love the small east coast town setting of St. Dennis, Maine, alongside the river, as well as all of the quaint and aptly named retail shops owned by various characters. I love the characters themselves, of various ages and backgrounds, and their family ties and close friendships with one another. I also enjoy the various plots covering not only their romances, but also their lives with imperfect, problematic backgrounds, in addition to their hopes and dreams. These are truly magical, feel-good stories.
January 14, 2014
I don't often give 5 stars to a book. In fact, I'm not a fan of giving stars at all. Since I have to then At River's Edge had to get them all. I found At Rivers Edge to be everything I want in a romance. It made me laugh, it also made me cry. More than once. This story ripped my heart out. I loved the people and the story line. I had fun visiting with everyone once again. I always enjoy Stewart's books but I have to say this one is my favorite. So far!
June 9, 2015
Wonderfully written story taking us back to St. Dennis and all it's wonderful residents. Sophie Enright is in town visiting her brother and grandfather as well as reevaluating her life. When she makes the decision to move there permanently, she finds her life is a crazy, fun whirlwind! Great read that I highly recommend to everyone.
February 24, 2014
Where is the rest of the book? It ended and I had to page back because I couldn't believe that was it. Horribly disappointing. The entire book was a summary of the series before. It ended about where I was curious to see where it would go and interested to learn about the characters and the path they would take. So disappointed in this book.
March 29, 2015
I couldn't put this book down. I loved the people and the town. I am looking forward to reading more of these people. They make small town living sound more perfect every day
February 29, 2024
I love Mariah Stewart's books. They are so interesting and engaging. This story is about a lawyer named Sophie who feels her career has become dull. In addition to that her boyfriend is unfaithful. So she dumps him and goes to visit her brother Jesse who is also a lawyer. She goes there to visit her brother and grandfather, and helps her brother with his law practice. Later, she discovers an old, abandoned restaurant that has been boarded up and fallen into disrepair. She sets out to buy it and open up her own restaurant. Little does she know, the guy she's been becoming friends with and has started having strong feelings for, has his eye on that same property. Jason wants to expand his business. Conflicts arise. But Sophie is determined to fulfill her dream. Things end up working out. She stayed in this charming, quaint little town she's grown to love. I rarely give 5 stars to a book, but this is one of the best romance novels I've ever read.
July 14, 2014
Review: Five stars plus for Mariah Stewart's At the River's Edge where true love is found through faith, compassion, and forgiveness
I am counting my blessings today. One blessing is what I term my reader OCD, an insatiable need to read series in order. When I received At the River's Edge by Mariah Stewart, book seven in her The Chesapeake Diaries series, I knew that I should read books one to six. What I hadn’t counted on was that there were more books from Stewart’s backlist that would elucidate the stories of The Chesapeake Diaries, specifically book two in her Last series, Last Words, which introduces readers to the town of St. Dennis and the characters of Police Chief Gabriel Beck and FBI agent Mia Shields.
Why am I so happy and feeling blessed that I “had” to read additional books? Because they are just so wonderful! I have been having a Mariah Stewart moment here the past two days, and read not just book two in her Last series, but books one and three as well. I “needed” to know more about the Shields family. Really, I did.
Now, I’m not going to say that you have to read any other books to enjoy At the River's Edge, book seven in Stewart’s The Chesapeake Diaries series. You really don’t have to as this is a self-contained novel. But may I strongly encourage you to do so? This is an author and series that you will want keep on your permanent book shelf for years to come. She’s created a true family, characters, and community that you’ll fall in love with too and I know you’ll want to follow their stories as I do. In fact, I’ll be searching out both her Enright Family series and other books that relate to the characters of St. Dennis.
At the River's Edge is the story of Sophie Enright. sister of lawyer Jesse, and Jason Bower, brother-in-law of Brooke. (Brooke and Jason’s story isis told in book four, Hometown Girl.)
Sophie, who is a prosecuting attorney in the Ohio town where she and Jesse grew up, discovers that her long-time boyfriend is cheating on her. Not only is he cheating on her, but he’s one of her colleagues at work and is doing the deed with the “office skank.” To clear her head, she makes the decision to visit Jesse and her grandfather Enright in St. Dennis and takes a week vacation from her job. While there, she discovers a special location that might be the outlet for a longterm dream of hers - a restaurant.
Jason, who moved to St. Dennis after dissolving the Florida landscaping business he and his deceased brother founded, has just purchased part of his dream location, permanently locating his new landscaping business in St. Dennis. But he has his eye on a neglected property next door and is doing everything he can to purchase it to make his dream of a nursery garden retail location a reality.
When Sophie and Jason encounter one another during this week-long visit, sparks begin to fly, but they’re a bit muted as neither one is serious about starting anything from a distance. What happens next? Will either of their dreams come true? Will those sparks be turned into flames and something lasting? Oh, you’ll just have to read At the River's Edge to find out!
I love the way Stewart intertwines all the characters from the previous three books - as well as bringing in other characters like the Enrights (Jesse and Sophie’s half sisters and brothers) whose stories are contained in Stewart’s The Enright Family Collection: Devlin's Light, Moon Dance, and Wonderful You. In addition, there's a special treat as at the end of the book, Stewart shares some of the heirloom St. Dennis recipes she described with such mouth-watering success in At the River's Edge.
For me it’s a bit like Christmas to find an author who can convey the sense of “knowing” that Stewart does in her stories. With each book I read, I felt more and more as though I could plug coordinates into my GPS and set my car south towards the Eastern Shore of Maryland to arrive at St. Dennis.
Yes, I’m ready to “Discover St. Dennis,” grab a coffee at Cuppachino's, a dress or bag at Bling, stroll with a cone from Scoops, grab my favorite other sweet treat at Cupcake, and have breakfast or lunch at Blossoms, while spending my night at The Inn. Stewart has made me, as a reader, feel invested in her stories and her characters in a way that can only be said to be remarkable. So, I highly recommend that you add her books, if they are not already there, to your must-read list. They are just fabulous stories that are filled with true romance, humor, compassion, and life - real honest to goodness daily life.
I’m awarding five stars to Mariah Stewart’s moving, beautiful romance At the River's Edge, that is a lesson in love, trust, true compassion, and faith.
In addition, five stars are awarded to the entire Chesapeake Diaries series that should be added to your permanent must-read list.
Each book in this series is a gem! Make sure to mark your calendars (I’ve marked mine) for 1 July 2014, when book eight On Sunset Beach will be released. I’ve been waiting for Grace’s son Ford’s story for a while and am happy to know that art dealer Carly will be returning to St. Dennis too. (Now, to know more about them, please read the series!)
Fab Fantasy Fiction
http://www.fabfantasyfiction.com/2014...
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley for use in this review.
I am counting my blessings today. One blessing is what I term my reader OCD, an insatiable need to read series in order. When I received At the River's Edge by Mariah Stewart, book seven in her The Chesapeake Diaries series, I knew that I should read books one to six. What I hadn’t counted on was that there were more books from Stewart’s backlist that would elucidate the stories of The Chesapeake Diaries, specifically book two in her Last series, Last Words, which introduces readers to the town of St. Dennis and the characters of Police Chief Gabriel Beck and FBI agent Mia Shields.
Why am I so happy and feeling blessed that I “had” to read additional books? Because they are just so wonderful! I have been having a Mariah Stewart moment here the past two days, and read not just book two in her Last series, but books one and three as well. I “needed” to know more about the Shields family. Really, I did.
Now, I’m not going to say that you have to read any other books to enjoy At the River's Edge, book seven in Stewart’s The Chesapeake Diaries series. You really don’t have to as this is a self-contained novel. But may I strongly encourage you to do so? This is an author and series that you will want keep on your permanent book shelf for years to come. She’s created a true family, characters, and community that you’ll fall in love with too and I know you’ll want to follow their stories as I do. In fact, I’ll be searching out both her Enright Family series and other books that relate to the characters of St. Dennis.
At the River's Edge is the story of Sophie Enright. sister of lawyer Jesse, and Jason Bower, brother-in-law of Brooke. (Brooke and Jason’s story isis told in book four, Hometown Girl.)
Sophie, who is a prosecuting attorney in the Ohio town where she and Jesse grew up, discovers that her long-time boyfriend is cheating on her. Not only is he cheating on her, but he’s one of her colleagues at work and is doing the deed with the “office skank.” To clear her head, she makes the decision to visit Jesse and her grandfather Enright in St. Dennis and takes a week vacation from her job. While there, she discovers a special location that might be the outlet for a longterm dream of hers - a restaurant.
Jason, who moved to St. Dennis after dissolving the Florida landscaping business he and his deceased brother founded, has just purchased part of his dream location, permanently locating his new landscaping business in St. Dennis. But he has his eye on a neglected property next door and is doing everything he can to purchase it to make his dream of a nursery garden retail location a reality.
When Sophie and Jason encounter one another during this week-long visit, sparks begin to fly, but they’re a bit muted as neither one is serious about starting anything from a distance. What happens next? Will either of their dreams come true? Will those sparks be turned into flames and something lasting? Oh, you’ll just have to read At the River's Edge to find out!
I love the way Stewart intertwines all the characters from the previous three books - as well as bringing in other characters like the Enrights (Jesse and Sophie’s half sisters and brothers) whose stories are contained in Stewart’s The Enright Family Collection: Devlin's Light, Moon Dance, and Wonderful You. In addition, there's a special treat as at the end of the book, Stewart shares some of the heirloom St. Dennis recipes she described with such mouth-watering success in At the River's Edge.
For me it’s a bit like Christmas to find an author who can convey the sense of “knowing” that Stewart does in her stories. With each book I read, I felt more and more as though I could plug coordinates into my GPS and set my car south towards the Eastern Shore of Maryland to arrive at St. Dennis.
Yes, I’m ready to “Discover St. Dennis,” grab a coffee at Cuppachino's, a dress or bag at Bling, stroll with a cone from Scoops, grab my favorite other sweet treat at Cupcake, and have breakfast or lunch at Blossoms, while spending my night at The Inn. Stewart has made me, as a reader, feel invested in her stories and her characters in a way that can only be said to be remarkable. So, I highly recommend that you add her books, if they are not already there, to your must-read list. They are just fabulous stories that are filled with true romance, humor, compassion, and life - real honest to goodness daily life.
I’m awarding five stars to Mariah Stewart’s moving, beautiful romance At the River's Edge, that is a lesson in love, trust, true compassion, and faith.
In addition, five stars are awarded to the entire Chesapeake Diaries series that should be added to your permanent must-read list.
Each book in this series is a gem! Make sure to mark your calendars (I’ve marked mine) for 1 July 2014, when book eight On Sunset Beach will be released. I’ve been waiting for Grace’s son Ford’s story for a while and am happy to know that art dealer Carly will be returning to St. Dennis too. (Now, to know more about them, please read the series!)
Fab Fantasy Fiction
http://www.fabfantasyfiction.com/2014...
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley for use in this review.
February 25, 2014
Sophie was living in the big city, was a big city lawyer, and with a boyfriend who worked with her. All was going great until she caught him having sex in the backseat of his BMW in the parking garage at work. What made it worse it was with the office skank lawyer they worked with.
She had no case pending and time on the books so she asked for a week’s vacation to go home to be with the family before the wedding. Her boss knowing what was going on granted it.
Sophie has a lot of soul searching to do. When she gets home she is hit with the fact that her brother Jesse needs help in the office. Especially, since her uncle Mike and Grandpa retired. Yet, Sophie is not sure her heart is in law anymore. She might want a career change, especially after seeing a sweet piece of property on the other side of the lake that had an old restaurant. She starts day dreaming of the possibilities you know her choices.
Now there’s Jason, Brooke’s brother-in-law from her first husband, Eric. He is as sexy as hell and makes Sophie have butterflies in her stomach, not be able to keep her eyes off his ass, and makes her feel feelings she hadn’t felt in a long while, even with Chris. Jason owns the property next to the one she’s dreaming about in fact he’s been trying to buy the property she wants. “Dun, dun, dun, dun…do you hear the doom march playing?” Jason though is a good guy, a guy that knows the meaning of family for he learned the hard way.
At 15, both his parents were in a car accident in which he was injured and his brother Eric took custody of him since he was 18. They started a business together which was growing leaps and bounds and supporting them. Then, Eric joined the military and married Brooke, she has Logan, when the worst occurred. Eric was killed in the line of duty. There was no question he would sell the business give half to Brooke for her and Logan. Then, Brooke asked Jason to stay on and be an uncle to Logan and he did.
To me this was more of a story of a woman who had been done wrong by her man. After thinking about it, figures out that he more than likely had been stepping out on her when she wasn’t paying attention. Jason is her first relationship after Chris and feels like he wouldn’t do her wrong since he’s friends with her brother and grandfather.
See how these to come together makes some errors and then see what happens from there. I just had a hard time getting into this book. I was expecting a romance and kept waiting but it was really not happening for me. Don’t get me wrong there was one and there was HEA it just didn’t move me like some of her other books and characters. It was good but not up to the standards I expected. Provided by netgalley.com. Find us on www.1rad-readerreviews.com
She had no case pending and time on the books so she asked for a week’s vacation to go home to be with the family before the wedding. Her boss knowing what was going on granted it.
Sophie has a lot of soul searching to do. When she gets home she is hit with the fact that her brother Jesse needs help in the office. Especially, since her uncle Mike and Grandpa retired. Yet, Sophie is not sure her heart is in law anymore. She might want a career change, especially after seeing a sweet piece of property on the other side of the lake that had an old restaurant. She starts day dreaming of the possibilities you know her choices.
Now there’s Jason, Brooke’s brother-in-law from her first husband, Eric. He is as sexy as hell and makes Sophie have butterflies in her stomach, not be able to keep her eyes off his ass, and makes her feel feelings she hadn’t felt in a long while, even with Chris. Jason owns the property next to the one she’s dreaming about in fact he’s been trying to buy the property she wants. “Dun, dun, dun, dun…do you hear the doom march playing?” Jason though is a good guy, a guy that knows the meaning of family for he learned the hard way.
At 15, both his parents were in a car accident in which he was injured and his brother Eric took custody of him since he was 18. They started a business together which was growing leaps and bounds and supporting them. Then, Eric joined the military and married Brooke, she has Logan, when the worst occurred. Eric was killed in the line of duty. There was no question he would sell the business give half to Brooke for her and Logan. Then, Brooke asked Jason to stay on and be an uncle to Logan and he did.
To me this was more of a story of a woman who had been done wrong by her man. After thinking about it, figures out that he more than likely had been stepping out on her when she wasn’t paying attention. Jason is her first relationship after Chris and feels like he wouldn’t do her wrong since he’s friends with her brother and grandfather.
See how these to come together makes some errors and then see what happens from there. I just had a hard time getting into this book. I was expecting a romance and kept waiting but it was really not happening for me. Don’t get me wrong there was one and there was HEA it just didn’t move me like some of her other books and characters. It was good but not up to the standards I expected. Provided by netgalley.com. Find us on www.1rad-readerreviews.com
May 7, 2015
Reviewed by Jen
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Book provided by the publisher for review
There is just something about these small town romance series that just draw me in. I think a lot of it is the interconnecting stories; characters featured in past books reappearing in later books and characters introduced in a book and then get their own story a couple books down the road. And of course, there are some themes that weave in and out of the stories. At the River’s Edge is book seven in the series, and it does stand alone. But, with most series, it’s going to be much more satisfying if you’d read previous books.
I want to start by saying that I found the blurb for this book to be a little misleading. Yes, all that is stated in the blurb happens, but it happens in about a quarter of the book. In fact, as I was reading, I kept waiting for it to happen. Now, this isn’t to say I didn’t like the book. I did. I just felt the blurb wasn’t a true representation of the book.
That said, I enjoyed Sophie and Jason and their romance. Sophie is a lawyer with ties to St. Dennis through her grandfather and brother. When a romance fails, she decides to move to St. Dennis to start over. Jason came to St. Dennis during the prior book in the series to be closer to his sister-in-law and nephew after his brother passed away. He decides to stay since his nephew is his only remaining relative and figures this is as good a place to settle as any. Sophie and Jason meet because her brother and his sister-in-law are getting married, but they’re also attracted to each other.
Sophie is a strong woman starting over. She’s gone into law since it was expected of her. But now she’s rethinking the law thing and wants to open her own cafe. Her family doesn’t really support the idea, but it’s her dream and she’s determined to make it a reality. Jason on the other hand, doesn’t have much other than his nephew and a small start up landscaping business. But when he keeps running into Sophie and the sparks start flying, he find himself ready to start thinking of settling down. There are obvious bumps in the road to their happiness, what kind of romance would it be otherwise.
In the end, this is a satisfying addition to the Chesapeake Diaries series. And I’m anxiously awaiting the next book.
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Book provided by the publisher for review
There is just something about these small town romance series that just draw me in. I think a lot of it is the interconnecting stories; characters featured in past books reappearing in later books and characters introduced in a book and then get their own story a couple books down the road. And of course, there are some themes that weave in and out of the stories. At the River’s Edge is book seven in the series, and it does stand alone. But, with most series, it’s going to be much more satisfying if you’d read previous books.
I want to start by saying that I found the blurb for this book to be a little misleading. Yes, all that is stated in the blurb happens, but it happens in about a quarter of the book. In fact, as I was reading, I kept waiting for it to happen. Now, this isn’t to say I didn’t like the book. I did. I just felt the blurb wasn’t a true representation of the book.
That said, I enjoyed Sophie and Jason and their romance. Sophie is a lawyer with ties to St. Dennis through her grandfather and brother. When a romance fails, she decides to move to St. Dennis to start over. Jason came to St. Dennis during the prior book in the series to be closer to his sister-in-law and nephew after his brother passed away. He decides to stay since his nephew is his only remaining relative and figures this is as good a place to settle as any. Sophie and Jason meet because her brother and his sister-in-law are getting married, but they’re also attracted to each other.
Sophie is a strong woman starting over. She’s gone into law since it was expected of her. But now she’s rethinking the law thing and wants to open her own cafe. Her family doesn’t really support the idea, but it’s her dream and she’s determined to make it a reality. Jason on the other hand, doesn’t have much other than his nephew and a small start up landscaping business. But when he keeps running into Sophie and the sparks start flying, he find himself ready to start thinking of settling down. There are obvious bumps in the road to their happiness, what kind of romance would it be otherwise.
In the end, this is a satisfying addition to the Chesapeake Diaries series. And I’m anxiously awaiting the next book.
January 16, 2014
Original review found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
3.5 stars
* I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*
At the River's Edge is the 7th book in the Chesapeake Diaries. Although I did not read the previous books it was easy to follow along as a stand alone. There were many references to different characters that perhaps I would have been more familiar with had I read them but it did not disrupt the flow of the book. If anything it makes me want to go back and read the first six so that I can know all of their stories.
This book is marketed as a romance or contemporary romance but I really think it is story about Sophie figuring out her direction and path in life. Does she join the family law firm like her brother and grandfather want her to or does follow her heart and open a restaurant like she has dreamt of since she was a teenager?
There is romance but it doesn't really pick up until the second half of the book. Sophie has an instant attraction to Jason and I can't say that I blame her. He is good looking, a loving uncle and a respected (although new) member of the St. Dennis community. As luck would have it, the attraction is mutual and the potential for a great relationship starts. Just when things are looking up they have a huge disagreement over property and things seem to end before they really have a chance to begin. Sophie struggles with her feelings and what to do about the man that she isn't sure she wants to let go.
Stewart does such an amazing job of describing the town of St. Dennis that it is almost a character in itself. I could easily visualise the landscape and all the little shops and restaurants and picture myself sitting at a table with all of the locals. I loved the sense of community throughout the book.
I would recommend this book if you are a fan of sleepy romance stories with strong family and community ties. I will be checking out the first 6 books so that I can find out more about the members of the St. Dennis community.
3.5 stars
* I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*
At the River's Edge is the 7th book in the Chesapeake Diaries. Although I did not read the previous books it was easy to follow along as a stand alone. There were many references to different characters that perhaps I would have been more familiar with had I read them but it did not disrupt the flow of the book. If anything it makes me want to go back and read the first six so that I can know all of their stories.
This book is marketed as a romance or contemporary romance but I really think it is story about Sophie figuring out her direction and path in life. Does she join the family law firm like her brother and grandfather want her to or does follow her heart and open a restaurant like she has dreamt of since she was a teenager?
There is romance but it doesn't really pick up until the second half of the book. Sophie has an instant attraction to Jason and I can't say that I blame her. He is good looking, a loving uncle and a respected (although new) member of the St. Dennis community. As luck would have it, the attraction is mutual and the potential for a great relationship starts. Just when things are looking up they have a huge disagreement over property and things seem to end before they really have a chance to begin. Sophie struggles with her feelings and what to do about the man that she isn't sure she wants to let go.
Stewart does such an amazing job of describing the town of St. Dennis that it is almost a character in itself. I could easily visualise the landscape and all the little shops and restaurants and picture myself sitting at a table with all of the locals. I loved the sense of community throughout the book.
I would recommend this book if you are a fan of sleepy romance stories with strong family and community ties. I will be checking out the first 6 books so that I can find out more about the members of the St. Dennis community.
July 29, 2016
I've got to stop reading new books in a series when I haven't read the previous books in that series. I'm just so confused by the number of characters and I can't keep the relationships straight! At the River's Edge is the seventh book in the Chesapeake Diaries series. It's a fun read, but I would've enjoyed the subplots more had I been familiar with all the secondary characters.
The main plot is terrific! Sophie leaves her old life in Ohio, moves south, joins the family law firm, and buys an old restaurant. In the process she meets handsome Jason, a new local landscaper who has become close friends with Sophie's grandfather.
I had fun reading about the challenges of Sophie's and Jason's respective businesses, the small-town friendships they forged, and the community spirit they made themselves part of. Their romance seemed secondary to their positions in the community, but that was okay. I love a good, sweet, hometown story, and the Sophie-Jason romance was icing on the cake.
Because I like an easy read, I enjoyed the positive, predictable plot direction. Sophie and Jason practicing forgiveness and humility (after their selfishness got in the way) brought a tear to my eye. The happy ending... Well... *sigh* ... I love a happy ending.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main plot is terrific! Sophie leaves her old life in Ohio, moves south, joins the family law firm, and buys an old restaurant. In the process she meets handsome Jason, a new local landscaper who has become close friends with Sophie's grandfather.
I had fun reading about the challenges of Sophie's and Jason's respective businesses, the small-town friendships they forged, and the community spirit they made themselves part of. Their romance seemed secondary to their positions in the community, but that was okay. I love a good, sweet, hometown story, and the Sophie-Jason romance was icing on the cake.
Because I like an easy read, I enjoyed the positive, predictable plot direction. Sophie and Jason practicing forgiveness and humility (after their selfishness got in the way) brought a tear to my eye. The happy ending... Well... *sigh* ... I love a happy ending.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2014
4.5 stars!
Sophia returns to St. Dennis to breathe after finding her fiance with another woman. She also is there for her brother's wedding and to help the family law firm as her Grandfather is retired and her brother is going on his honeymoon. While there, she looks at her life and finds out from her "ex" that the law firm she worked at in Calif. was giving a case close to her heart, to the woman sleeping with her ex. Disheartened, she decides to change her life. She meets Jason, a newcomer to town who is a landscaper and who is restoring her late grandmother's garden. Attraction sparks right away between the two, but they dance around each other at first. Looking thru town, Sophie finds and old diner and decides to buy it and also work at the law firm part time.
This is another great story in one of my favorite contemporary series. The romance is sweet and the town and its people make it a great place to visit time and time again.
I was given this ARC by Net Galley for an honest review. Thank you Net Galley!
Sophia returns to St. Dennis to breathe after finding her fiance with another woman. She also is there for her brother's wedding and to help the family law firm as her Grandfather is retired and her brother is going on his honeymoon. While there, she looks at her life and finds out from her "ex" that the law firm she worked at in Calif. was giving a case close to her heart, to the woman sleeping with her ex. Disheartened, she decides to change her life. She meets Jason, a newcomer to town who is a landscaper and who is restoring her late grandmother's garden. Attraction sparks right away between the two, but they dance around each other at first. Looking thru town, Sophie finds and old diner and decides to buy it and also work at the law firm part time.
This is another great story in one of my favorite contemporary series. The romance is sweet and the town and its people make it a great place to visit time and time again.
I was given this ARC by Net Galley for an honest review. Thank you Net Galley!
March 19, 2014
Sophie Enright comes to St. Dennis after finding her significant other cheating with a co-worker from their DA office. She dreams of opening a restaurant and carries through on that dream. Male MC is Jason Bowers, brother-in-law of Brooke Bowers who is marrying Sophie's brother, Jesse, since Eric Bowers died in Iraq. Jason is a landscaper who's moved to St. Dennis to be near his nephew and only family, Logan Bowers, son of Eric and Brooke.
3.5 stars-------Author seems unrealistic in having Brooke both own and operate a new breakfast/lunch restaurant and work 6 hours a day in her brother's law office. She's a lawyer, but hasn't yet passed the MD bar...but really? At restaurant from 4:00 am or so until 1:30 or 2:00 and then 6 hours a day at the law office??? When does she prep, get food in, clean...and sleep?
3.5 stars-------Author seems unrealistic in having Brooke both own and operate a new breakfast/lunch restaurant and work 6 hours a day in her brother's law office. She's a lawyer, but hasn't yet passed the MD bar...but really? At restaurant from 4:00 am or so until 1:30 or 2:00 and then 6 hours a day at the law office??? When does she prep, get food in, clean...and sleep?
December 18, 2015
Hero and heroine both want the same piece of land. She wants the old stone building for a restaurant, he wants it for a shop for his landscaping company. We learn this fairly early in the story, when the heroine's in town visiting her brother and grandfather after catching her boyfriend with someone else. Lots of stuff happens that is your basic ordinary life stuff. Her brother wants her to come join him at the family law firm, but she wants to cook. There's a wedding, a visit with mom, she goes home again to wind up the old job. Just... stuff. It was fairly interesting to read but not exceptionally angsty or conflictish. The moment when she realizes the business next door to her new restaurant has stinky mulch/ fertilizer just over the fence, while he realizes she's bought the property he wanted has drama. It's a nice story.
January 9, 2014
In this story Sophie, is at a cross roads in her career and her personal life. She catches her boyfriend with the office s..t while she really needed help. That pushed her to the town her brother lived in and was going to be getting married in a few weeks. She makes many changes in her life and she decides to work with her brother as well. She also wants to open a restaurant. All of this takes place with her still trying to figure out if she wants to start a new relationship with the man who owns the property next to her restaurant. This makes for an entertaining story and were the town folk get involved as well since it is a small town. A good story and the characters are well thought out and it is easy to get caught up the storyline if you have not read any of the previous books.
May 8, 2014
My Thoughts...
I've been reading this series (The Chesapeake Diaries) for a few years now, but I was a bit disappointed with this book. It just didn't draw me into the story. There are some aspects of the story I hated, they bordered on paranormal, which turns me off to this series. I wonder if some authors even understand what paranormal nonsense includes? This is the last book I will be reading in this series, because of the almost paranormal nonsense.
This book is part of my personal library, and I awarded it 2 'floating down the river's edge' stars.
I've been reading this series (The Chesapeake Diaries) for a few years now, but I was a bit disappointed with this book. It just didn't draw me into the story. There are some aspects of the story I hated, they bordered on paranormal, which turns me off to this series. I wonder if some authors even understand what paranormal nonsense includes? This is the last book I will be reading in this series, because of the almost paranormal nonsense.
This book is part of my personal library, and I awarded it 2 'floating down the river's edge' stars.
November 10, 2017
I haven't posted many reviews within the last year but I had to address this one to juxtapose the high ratings. Mystified.
I've read this author's work before and one of my complaints has been too much mundane detail. But overall, I've liked her work. This was all detail and NO STORY.
I read, and skimmed, to get to the story. Finally, I looked at the page number and realized this was it. Out of 549 pages, roughly 50 pages were devoted to interaction between the couple.
This was ALL background, small town minutiae, and a summation of prior books and relationships.
I've read this author's work before and one of my complaints has been too much mundane detail. But overall, I've liked her work. This was all detail and NO STORY.
I read, and skimmed, to get to the story. Finally, I looked at the page number and realized this was it. Out of 549 pages, roughly 50 pages were devoted to interaction between the couple.
This was ALL background, small town minutiae, and a summation of prior books and relationships.
October 9, 2017
Honestly, I couldn't even finish this one. I'm getting very tired of this series....
Jason Bowers and Sophie Enright has 0% chemistry, and all of their interactions were just SO cringe-worthy and forced. The two have nothing in common at all except a piece of property they both NEED to own for some reason.
Jason Bowers and Sophie Enright has 0% chemistry, and all of their interactions were just SO cringe-worthy and forced. The two have nothing in common at all except a piece of property they both NEED to own for some reason.
October 20, 2025
October 2025: I did a audio re-read of this book and agree with my original review from 2014. Read the review at All About Romance here:
https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
February 5, 2016
Loved all the characters and the bond between the omen of St. Dennis. Here is Sophie finds her grandfather,and connects with him. Seeing the strength these women have,confirms the drive and determination that women really have. This story makes you yearn for life in a small town.
September 8, 2017
I adore Xe Sands as the narrator!
October 29, 2017
After taking stock of her life, Sophie Enright has decided it’s time for a break. Between a law career that’s become criminally dull and a two-timing boyfriend she’s done with once and for all, Sophie desperately needs some time to think and some space to breathe. The perfect place to do both is easygoing St. Dennis, Maryland, where Sophie can visit with her brother while she figures out her options. Once in St. Dennis, she discovers a shuttered restaurant and makes a bold move that is also a leap of faith. Sophie buys the fixer-upper in order to finally pursue her dream career.
But Sophie’s labor of love becomes a bone of contention for her new neighbor Jason Bowers. The local landscaper has big plans for growing his business—until Sophie scoops up the property he’s got his eye on. And no amount of buyout offers or badgering from him will get her to budge. It’s hardly the start of a beautiful friendship. But when they’re paired up to work on a community project, they agree to put their differences aside, and sparks begin to fly. Then Sophie’s cheating ex suddenly shows up, looking for a second chance—and threatening to make Jason a third wheel just when his hotheaded feelings about Sophie were turning decidedly warmhearted. All Sophie wants is a new life and a true love. But what are the odds of having both
But Sophie’s labor of love becomes a bone of contention for her new neighbor Jason Bowers. The local landscaper has big plans for growing his business—until Sophie scoops up the property he’s got his eye on. And no amount of buyout offers or badgering from him will get her to budge. It’s hardly the start of a beautiful friendship. But when they’re paired up to work on a community project, they agree to put their differences aside, and sparks begin to fly. Then Sophie’s cheating ex suddenly shows up, looking for a second chance—and threatening to make Jason a third wheel just when his hotheaded feelings about Sophie were turning decidedly warmhearted. All Sophie wants is a new life and a true love. But what are the odds of having both
March 19, 2017
Another good Chesapeake Diary story. This one is about Sophie Enright. She is a lawyer in Ohio and has come back to St. Dennis when she is betrayed by her boyfriend. She needs to reassess her life. She comes across an old closed restaurant and makes a leap of faith to open up this restaurant and fulfill her dreams of owning and operating her own restaurant. Of course, there is the new man in town, Jason Bowers, landscaper extraordinaire. There's mutual interest there. A good story. I like happy endings.
January 29, 2019
Did not realize this is the 7th book in this series, but still easy to read and follow. Sophie is a top lawyer in Ohio, but due to circumstances in her fast paced life she needs a change. Visiting her brother in the small town he moved to she needs to decide on her dreams, love and where her life will take her. The characters and situations was believable and the characters are easy to relate to. I will definitely read now from the start for the whole series!
January 21, 2021
I read this series, in order, over the past month or so, through the lonely holidays in 'Covid 19 world'. It is a wonderful series-- 12 books each with a lovely romance, some mystery and magic. The characters are great and each story has its own theme, if you will, which made them so interesting as new friends were introduced to others in their small town on the beautiful Chesapeake.
May 29, 2017
I've been enjoying this series of small town life and their inhabitants and trials almost as the series was written. A first for me.
This one too, was a sweet story that helped a young attorney find her real passion in that small town.
And, finding her true love....
This one too, was a sweet story that helped a young attorney find her real passion in that small town.
And, finding her true love....
May 13, 2025
At The River's Edge
Jason and Sophie are sweet with their instant attraction and then the little fight they had was silly but a fun addition for a little angst. 5 Stars. On to the next book.
Jason and Sophie are sweet with their instant attraction and then the little fight they had was silly but a fun addition for a little angst. 5 Stars. On to the next book.
August 9, 2018
A nice continuation of the St Denis stories.
August 12, 2018
Kind of flimsy. More of a story about relationships and family than a romance story. First I read of an apparent series. OK, not great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews