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River Rain #5.5
Sharing the Miracle
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes a new novella in her River Rain Series...Elsa Cohen has everything she ever wanted.A challenging career. A bicoastal lifestyle.And an amazing man—the kind, loving and handsome Hale Wheeler—who adores her and has asked her to be his wife.She isn’t ready for the surprise news she’s received.And she doesn’t know how to tell Hale.Once Hale discovers that his future has taken a drastic turn, a fear he’s never experienced takes hold.He just doesn’t understand why.Family and friends rally around the couple as they adjust to their new reality, and along the way, more surprises hit the River Rain crew as love is tested and life goes on.
140 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2023
352 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Ashley
134 books39.5k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
June 9, 2024
4 stars
I loved getting more of Elsa and Hale. This was so sweet and fun. It's always great to get a continuation of a couple's story you love.
I loved getting more of Elsa and Hale. This was so sweet and fun. It's always great to get a continuation of a couple's story you love.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Stella Bloom & Lance Greenfield
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 3h 18m
Read
December 15, 2023DNF.
I'm not invested enough in these characters to read anymore.
I'm not invested enough in these characters to read anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2024
There are so many couples I wish KA had done this with 🙄
Just a look at the families in this series and the unexpected pregnancy of Elsa and Hale
Just a look at the families in this series and the unexpected pregnancy of Elsa and Hale
April 6, 2024
Another fantastic KAshley book.
This series is SO well done, and in this story, we got so many answers to questions that had been asked in prior books.
This series is SO well done, and in this story, we got so many answers to questions that had been asked in prior books.
January 24, 2024
I love this extra view of wonderful characters but I was a bit miffed with not knowing all of them. So as a standalone it's not great, but as a continuance of the main series I LOVED IT!!
December 12, 2023
This one started out shaky, which was understandable. Elsa was dealing with a lot and scared as to Hale's reaction, once he knew. I did like that Elsa went to the women in her life for advice and the comfort they gave her. It helped as the news came out in a way that she wasn't really prepared for. From there, things were good between the couple, until Hale was clued into a reaction he had. It seemed like once he knew what was going on and explained things to Elsa, they were back to normal. I also thought Tom brought up a good thing when he and Hale talked about what was going on and what Hale's father probably went through too.
The ending was great! Loved seeing everyone together and happy and Elsa and Hale starting this new chapter of their lives.
The ending was great! Loved seeing everyone together and happy and Elsa and Hale starting this new chapter of their lives.
December 31, 2023
"I love you so fucking much, it hurts," he said, his voice low, but fierce.
Quick Thoughts:
- More Hale and Elsa- 100% YES!
-I loved them in Fighting The Pull (read it first) and I love them in this.
-It was perfection. The story I didn't know I needed.
-The way he knew. His reaction. Total swoon.
-But I loved that the author gave us realness, emotion too.
-And there's such a great set up for more. Can't wait!
Quick Thoughts:
- More Hale and Elsa- 100% YES!
-I loved them in Fighting The Pull (read it first) and I love them in this.
-It was perfection. The story I didn't know I needed.
-The way he knew. His reaction. Total swoon.
-But I loved that the author gave us realness, emotion too.
-And there's such a great set up for more. Can't wait!
December 15, 2023
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧
Oh, my heart, I needed this book. At first, I was afraid Hale wasn't going to react the way I hoped, but he was beyond amazing. He is everything Elsa could ever need or what. I love that they both have mentors they can go to when they need help.
That was a truly special part of this short. And we get cameos from old friends!
Sigh. I love Lance and Stella together; they make these audios lovely.
Oh, my heart, I needed this book. At first, I was afraid Hale wasn't going to react the way I hoped, but he was beyond amazing. He is everything Elsa could ever need or what. I love that they both have mentors they can go to when they need help.
That was a truly special part of this short. And we get cameos from old friends!
Sigh. I love Lance and Stella together; they make these audios lovely.
July 14, 2024
3.5 stars
I clearly should have waited to read this novella—while it might be about Elsa and Hale, who I read about in Fighting the Pull, it was really a wrap-up and continuation of a LOT of side character threads. Confession: the only River Rain book I’ve read so far in the series is Elsa and Hale’s. Clearly, I need to get on that! So it’s a 3.5 star review for now, because I thought it was kind of hard to get through without knowing all the details. We’ll see if that changes once I finally crack open the rest of the series…
I clearly should have waited to read this novella—while it might be about Elsa and Hale, who I read about in Fighting the Pull, it was really a wrap-up and continuation of a LOT of side character threads. Confession: the only River Rain book I’ve read so far in the series is Elsa and Hale’s. Clearly, I need to get on that! So it’s a 3.5 star review for now, because I thought it was kind of hard to get through without knowing all the details. We’ll see if that changes once I finally crack open the rest of the series…
December 23, 2023
Ooppsie! I thought this was a Christmas story! Instead it was a story that came out as a Christmas surprise. Oh well, Christmas did at least happen during the stories time line, haha!
Quite a bit packed into this shorty and as always, any mention of Corey just kills me. But yeah, there was a lot going on since it actually included everyone.
Sweet and a nice visit with the wealthy.
Quite a bit packed into this shorty and as always, any mention of Corey just kills me. But yeah, there was a lot going on since it actually included everyone.
Sweet and a nice visit with the wealthy.
February 23, 2024
All loose ends tied up
June 3, 2024
As with all of the books in this series, the best parts are the flashbacks featuring Corey Szabo. Instant tears.
December 23, 2023
*3.5 Stars*
December 19, 2023
I am a KA fan and this was so good and i just more!!!!!
December 13, 2023
we catch up with the life changing events happening in the various families
January 18, 2024
Sharing The Miracle: A River Rain Novella by Kristen Ashley
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Fighting the Pull by Kristen Ashley was one of my favorite books of 2023 and I was so thrilled for a little more of Hale and Elsa who are by far my favorite characters in this series. Based on the title and that it came out during Hanukkah and because Elsa is Jewish, I thought this would be a story of the first mixed holiday they spend. But other than the time of year, this was not a holiday story.
"I love you so fucking much, it hurts," he said, his voice low, but fierce.
We got to catch up with the whole gang while Elsa received unexpected news that would change all of their lives, and she was so afraid to tell Hale. But Hale, despite his background, always surprises me and I love that so much!
Something that really stood out to me in Sharing the Miracle is that I am starting to thaw my feelings towards Corey. The amazing things he did to keep his love and spirit alive makes me wish he was able to get his own book to redeem himself. But I will take a book about Rhys to make up for it 😜.
Sharing the Miracle is not a standalone. It is a true novella that fits perfectly in the River Rain series. This series should be read in order, but it’s most important that you read my favorite, Fighting The Pull first before this one. See the seriers order here.
Rating: 4 stars, 0 heat
Purchase Sharing the Miracle by Kristen Ashley
Note: The audible is free in audible plus and narrated by Lance Greenfield and Stella Bloom who both did a fantastic job. (I listened to the last third).
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February 22, 2025
gerçekten çok slay bi çift. kristen ablam da duramamış novella yazmış onlara o kadar slayler. gage (adı bu muydu) ve sully'nin kitapları çıkmak zorunda artık. yani bu kitapta gördüklerimizden sonra artık normal kitap mı novella mı fark etmez ama bişe çıkmak ZORUNDA
nora ve jamie aż umurumda olan bi çift olsa da onların kitaplarını da merak edirem. ama kesinlikle en çok rhys'ın kitabını merak edirem. seride çıkmış son kitaba geldim artık, bu kitaptan sonraki kitap nora ve jamie hakkında. açıkçası devamı ne zaman çıkacak?? tamamlanmadığını bileydim bu seriye daha geç başlardım..
nora ve jamie aż umurumda olan bi çift olsa da onların kitaplarını da merak edirem. ama kesinlikle en çok rhys'ın kitabını merak edirem. seride çıkmış son kitaba geldim artık, bu kitaptan sonraki kitap nora ve jamie hakkında. açıkçası devamı ne zaman çıkacak?? tamamlanmadığını bileydim bu seriye daha geç başlardım..
December 15, 2023
My heart
I'm not going to lie, this hurt to be back in this world and then have it be over. Granted, I usually feel that way about every book I read from this author. When I first discovered KA, it was when the majority of her books were finished or there was a huge backlog of books to tide me over until a new book was released. Now, I'm at the point where I've done numerous re-reads and the wait feels unbearable. That's a huge compliment of how much I love this author and how masterful she is at creating characters that change the template of who I am.
This book was a love letter to her fans in that she took pity on us as there is a long wait before there is another book in this series since she has several series in the works. She gave a hint of what's going on in all the characters, past and hopefully future, until the next story comes out.
I loved seeing where everyone was at and giving hints about what might happen next. However, as much as I loved that, perhaps, the best thing was showing the impact of a character that might have started out as a villain but is slowly becoming everything. Love is truly a miracle. I'm not ashamed to admit I got a little teary. A Christmas miracle, indeed.
I'm not going to lie, this hurt to be back in this world and then have it be over. Granted, I usually feel that way about every book I read from this author. When I first discovered KA, it was when the majority of her books were finished or there was a huge backlog of books to tide me over until a new book was released. Now, I'm at the point where I've done numerous re-reads and the wait feels unbearable. That's a huge compliment of how much I love this author and how masterful she is at creating characters that change the template of who I am.
This book was a love letter to her fans in that she took pity on us as there is a long wait before there is another book in this series since she has several series in the works. She gave a hint of what's going on in all the characters, past and hopefully future, until the next story comes out.
I loved seeing where everyone was at and giving hints about what might happen next. However, as much as I loved that, perhaps, the best thing was showing the impact of a character that might have started out as a villain but is slowly becoming everything. Love is truly a miracle. I'm not ashamed to admit I got a little teary. A Christmas miracle, indeed.
July 26, 2024
Let pregnant people have their one cup of coffee.
October 26, 2024
A nice little morsel of our favorite dysfunctionally large extended family.
March 23, 2025
4 stars.
I liked this more than the book it’s an addition to.
I liked this more than the book it’s an addition to.
June 2, 2024
This was a great and quick read for updates to most of the characters as well as the main ones to fill things in before the next book in the series comes out in September
September 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this...the author packed so much goodness and love...family and friends, into a novella, I am amazed, as always. Thank you so much KA for this and I can’t wait for the next in the series. I hope that more novellas like this one will come out in the future, just so we can get our hit of the River Rain characters. Beautiful...
December 12, 2023
Needed a quick read on an extended lunch hour, and this promised a bit of conflict over an unexpected pregnancy. It did not deliver, everybody was super happy, how boring. Mostly it was catchup with the folks in the rest of the series.
September 12, 2025
I always enjoy a good pregnancy announcement story, and this one delivered with sweet moments from discovery to birth. I would’ve loved a bit more detail on the pregnancy and birth, but since it’s a short novella, I get the brevity. Quick, heartwarming, and enjoyable read.
December 12, 2023
Overall Grade: A+
Tropes: surprise baby; novella; found family
As a novella form goes, Kristen Ashley’s surprise release, Sharing the Miracle, is a treasure. I adore
Kristen Ashley as an author in how she mixes the unreality of life through the ways she expounds on designer clothing and extravagant living with the reality of life: messy relationships and situations. In this newest story, she returns us to Hale and Elsa, one of the most profound stories in her beloved River Rain series. In this book, Hale and Elsa receive surprise news: a baby. What Kristen Ashley does with the short space of this novella is inspired. She illustrates the profundity of female relationships in discussing and processing female issues, the largesse of a found family for a character who is seemingly alone but not really, and the reality of the emotional daring required of parents. But it was Sharing the Miracle that truly showed me the underlying and decided detail of the River Rain series: Kristen Ashley’s knowledge and capacity for drawing the unevenness of grief. Kristen Ashley’s talent in storytelling is marrying fiction with the realism of life. I realized as I teared up over Hale’s experiences with grief that she captures so beautifully the complications we encounter as we continue to live after the loss of someone we love. It’s the ups and downs of that grief that make it palpable and ever-present. I reflected on the stories thus far in the River Rain series as I was reading Sharing the Miracle, and I recognized this to be true of every character of the series thus far. Life must be lived with or without Corey, and his absence as life goes on lays heavy on the various characters of this series. That Kristen Ashley can capture that reality without heavy-handedness but with a quietude through the development of her narrative is exquisite and impressive and another important reason to dive into her stories.
Can Sharing the Miracle be read alone? Sure, but you’d be missing the gradient of color that is the prism of the River Rain series. If you have yet to jump into this world, don’t wait. Hale and Elsa’s story in Fighting the Pull will always be my favorite story of this series, and this inspired novella is the frosting on the delectable cake of their romance.
Tropes: surprise baby; novella; found family
As a novella form goes, Kristen Ashley’s surprise release, Sharing the Miracle, is a treasure. I adore
Kristen Ashley as an author in how she mixes the unreality of life through the ways she expounds on designer clothing and extravagant living with the reality of life: messy relationships and situations. In this newest story, she returns us to Hale and Elsa, one of the most profound stories in her beloved River Rain series. In this book, Hale and Elsa receive surprise news: a baby. What Kristen Ashley does with the short space of this novella is inspired. She illustrates the profundity of female relationships in discussing and processing female issues, the largesse of a found family for a character who is seemingly alone but not really, and the reality of the emotional daring required of parents. But it was Sharing the Miracle that truly showed me the underlying and decided detail of the River Rain series: Kristen Ashley’s knowledge and capacity for drawing the unevenness of grief. Kristen Ashley’s talent in storytelling is marrying fiction with the realism of life. I realized as I teared up over Hale’s experiences with grief that she captures so beautifully the complications we encounter as we continue to live after the loss of someone we love. It’s the ups and downs of that grief that make it palpable and ever-present. I reflected on the stories thus far in the River Rain series as I was reading Sharing the Miracle, and I recognized this to be true of every character of the series thus far. Life must be lived with or without Corey, and his absence as life goes on lays heavy on the various characters of this series. That Kristen Ashley can capture that reality without heavy-handedness but with a quietude through the development of her narrative is exquisite and impressive and another important reason to dive into her stories.
Can Sharing the Miracle be read alone? Sure, but you’d be missing the gradient of color that is the prism of the River Rain series. If you have yet to jump into this world, don’t wait. Hale and Elsa’s story in Fighting the Pull will always be my favorite story of this series, and this inspired novella is the frosting on the delectable cake of their romance.
September 19, 2025
Kobo+ Contemporary Romance Series Challgenge 2025. Tropes: Novella, Contemporary Romance, Family/Friends, Pregnancy, Love at First Sight.
MC's h. Elsa Cohen, 28, talk show host,( entertainment tonight/Oprah), in love and living with Hale Wheeler, father, David, mother, Inger, divorced, father dating someone, Kristine, Brother, Oskar, divorced, two children and younger sister Emilie (doesn't work, family baby and mooch). Best friends: Carole, Fliss.
H. Hale Wheeler, 30+, billionaire, family: Tom Pierce (Mika, Cadence), Genny (Bowie, Gage, Sully), Sam Wheeler (biological mom), Cory Szabo (natural father, committed suicide (had incurable desease), siblings: Chloe (Judge Oakley), Matt Pierce, Sasha Pierce. Good friends: Jamie Oakley, daughter Dru, special friend Nora.
This book was short and sweet, telling the story of Hale and Elsa's pregnancy and birth of their son Laird, Corey, Thomas Wheeler. Other events, Tom and Mika's surprise wedding organized by Cadence and Nora with help from Jamie Oakley ( in his backyard in New York somewhere). Chloe & Judge are expecting. Rix and A? planning their wedding. Other couples in the future: Sully & Cadence, Gage and Dru or is it the other way around. Jamie and Nora.
MC's h. Elsa Cohen, 28, talk show host,( entertainment tonight/Oprah), in love and living with Hale Wheeler, father, David, mother, Inger, divorced, father dating someone, Kristine, Brother, Oskar, divorced, two children and younger sister Emilie (doesn't work, family baby and mooch). Best friends: Carole, Fliss.
H. Hale Wheeler, 30+, billionaire, family: Tom Pierce (Mika, Cadence), Genny (Bowie, Gage, Sully), Sam Wheeler (biological mom), Cory Szabo (natural father, committed suicide (had incurable desease), siblings: Chloe (Judge Oakley), Matt Pierce, Sasha Pierce. Good friends: Jamie Oakley, daughter Dru, special friend Nora.
This book was short and sweet, telling the story of Hale and Elsa's pregnancy and birth of their son Laird, Corey, Thomas Wheeler. Other events, Tom and Mika's surprise wedding organized by Cadence and Nora with help from Jamie Oakley ( in his backyard in New York somewhere). Chloe & Judge are expecting. Rix and A? planning their wedding. Other couples in the future: Sully & Cadence, Gage and Dru or is it the other way around. Jamie and Nora.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
This author does it for me. Sucks me in. Makes me feel things. And in this series she redeemed characters that I would have never thought could get there.
Hale and Elsa...Elsa...a woman who started out as a journalist who I didn't like or respect. Love her. And together they are perfect. There is so much more to Hale then meets the eye.
Tom...cheating Tom. He may be a cheater but as a dad or in Hale's case father figure he just can't be beat.
Corey...motherf*c*ing Corey. What are the feelings in my gut about this guy? Sadness, empathy, hurt, love. The shock and hate from the first book was something I never thought would change.
Rhys...I really need to know more about this one and know who he will end up with. Like now please Kristen Ashley.
I got a glimpse into the future of some characters. Got all the feels and read straight through to the last page.
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Hale and Elsa...Elsa...a woman who started out as a journalist who I didn't like or respect. Love her. And together they are perfect. There is so much more to Hale then meets the eye.
Tom...cheating Tom. He may be a cheater but as a dad or in Hale's case father figure he just can't be beat.
Corey...motherf*c*ing Corey. What are the feelings in my gut about this guy? Sadness, empathy, hurt, love. The shock and hate from the first book was something I never thought would change.
Rhys...I really need to know more about this one and know who he will end up with. Like now please Kristen Ashley.
I got a glimpse into the future of some characters. Got all the feels and read straight through to the last page.
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December 18, 2023
I adore this series and absolutely love these characters!! Sharing the Miracle is a novella in the River Rain series. You really need to read the other books to understand the significance of a few tiny moments that occur (i.e. white box with note, engraved rings, etc.) and to know who all the characters are and how they are related/friends.
Hale is a wonderful leading man! I've liked him throughout this series and fell more in love with him in his book Fighting the Pull. I was thrilled to get this bonus book that centered around he and Elsa and a happy surprise that alters their life. Elsa loves Hale so much and always knows just what to say or do. This whole group of family and friends are special and I can't wait to see what happens next. Will it be Jamie and Nora's book, or will it be Sully and Dru's book? There are so many great characters left that I'm excited to see who KA will give their HEA next! Kristen Ashley is a favorite and always an automatic purchase for me.
Hale is a wonderful leading man! I've liked him throughout this series and fell more in love with him in his book Fighting the Pull. I was thrilled to get this bonus book that centered around he and Elsa and a happy surprise that alters their life. Elsa loves Hale so much and always knows just what to say or do. This whole group of family and friends are special and I can't wait to see what happens next. Will it be Jamie and Nora's book, or will it be Sully and Dru's book? There are so many great characters left that I'm excited to see who KA will give their HEA next! Kristen Ashley is a favorite and always an automatic purchase for me.
December 14, 2023
I think this is the first time Kristen Ashley has written a novella that actually feels like a novella; quick to read, full of family goodness and love and stunning glimpses into the future of Hale and Elsa, and those around them - like Chloe and Judge, Alex and Rix, Mika and Tom, Nora and Jamie, and surprisingly a few other secondary characters that I’m not sure what to feel as of yet… but I know they’ll grow on me.
I hope Kristen will provide more novellas like this for the River Rain crew in the future. They’re so fun to read and make the wait for the next novel more bearable (well, a little). I loved the epilogue most and just how this story as a whole played out, and I now cannot wait for Embracing the Change to come.
I hope Kristen will provide more novellas like this for the River Rain crew in the future. They’re so fun to read and make the wait for the next novel more bearable (well, a little). I loved the epilogue most and just how this story as a whole played out, and I now cannot wait for Embracing the Change to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews