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Three Rivers #1
Passing Through
Nestled in a towering fir forest on British Columbia’s famous Vancouver Island, Three Rivers Campground is calling you to come relax, explore, and maybe even fall in love...
Emily Rivers does not have time for love.
Or dating.
Or even a one night stand.
As the eldest of the Rivers sisters, she’s too focused on keeping her family’s campground running in the wake of a devastating tragedy to even think about romance.
When Kim Jefferies shows up at the local small town bar looking like a lesbian snack on a stick, Emily writes her off as yet another tourist just passing through—no matter how much the butterflies in her stomach try to tell her otherwise.
Only Kim’s plans of ‘passing through’ fade the second she sees Emily Rivers, despite the fact that the whole point of her soul-searching journey was to stop falling for random women in bars who only lead her to heartbreak.
The last thing they’re looking for is a love story, but with the help of some conniving sisters, an interfering bartender, and the magic of the great outdoors, that might be exactly what Kim and Emily are going to get.
Passing Through is part of the Three Rivers series, a trilogy of interconnected sapphic standalones. Grab your tent and get ready for an adventure in this steamy romance from bestselling author Katia Rose.
Emily Rivers does not have time for love.
Or dating.
Or even a one night stand.
As the eldest of the Rivers sisters, she’s too focused on keeping her family’s campground running in the wake of a devastating tragedy to even think about romance.
When Kim Jefferies shows up at the local small town bar looking like a lesbian snack on a stick, Emily writes her off as yet another tourist just passing through—no matter how much the butterflies in her stomach try to tell her otherwise.
Only Kim’s plans of ‘passing through’ fade the second she sees Emily Rivers, despite the fact that the whole point of her soul-searching journey was to stop falling for random women in bars who only lead her to heartbreak.
The last thing they’re looking for is a love story, but with the help of some conniving sisters, an interfering bartender, and the magic of the great outdoors, that might be exactly what Kim and Emily are going to get.
Passing Through is part of the Three Rivers series, a trilogy of interconnected sapphic standalones. Grab your tent and get ready for an adventure in this steamy romance from bestselling author Katia Rose.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published September 24, 2024
534 people are currently reading
1982 people want to read
About the author
Katia Rose
24 books974 followersKatia Rose is not much of a Pina Colada person, but she does like getting caught in the rain. She loves to write romances that make her readers laugh, cry, and swoon (preferably in that order). She’s rarely found without a cup of tea nearby, and she’s more than a little obsessed with tiny plants. Katia is proudly bisexual and has a passion for writing about love in all its forms.
Join the Club Katia community and grab your romance freebies! katiarose.com/club-katia
Join the Club Katia community and grab your romance freebies! katiarose.com/club-katia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
August 6, 2024
**'Venturing in other genre to tell a story can become interesting or dangerous (literally) -- it can have that abstract dynamism feel to it. Everyone knows that writing is hard and so is pleasing readers..'
2.5 stars!
An okay 1st book in this 'Three Rivers' chronicle. Wasn't too keen on their (Emily & Kim) somewhat low energy chemistry or even forced romantic relationship. Do like the sisterly and hometown (village) vibe.
2.5 stars!
An okay 1st book in this 'Three Rivers' chronicle. Wasn't too keen on their (Emily & Kim) somewhat low energy chemistry or even forced romantic relationship. Do like the sisterly and hometown (village) vibe.
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June 28, 2023
🎊IT'S HERE!🎊 Passing Through is officially LIVE! I can't wait for everyone to see this soul-searching tourist and uptight campground manager reluctantly fall in sapphic love. These characters have my heart, and I hope they steal yours too. The Three Rivers crew already means so much to me, and we're only just getting started! I'm already in the depths of plotting out epic love stories for the other two Rivers sisters, but in the meantime, I hope Kim and Emily make you laugh, cry, and swoon as they find their way to their happily ever after. 🧡🏕️
July 5, 2023
Loved it!
Passing Through is my first Katia Rose book and it was a very enjoyable read with characters who are realistic, vibrant and endearing. I really enjoyed the descriptions of Vancouver Island, the little town and the area surrounding the campground. I could easily picture it as a place that I would like to visit. I love the banter, the chemistry en the bond between the sisters. I will definitely put her other books on my to-read list now.
Passing Through is my first Katia Rose book and it was a very enjoyable read with characters who are realistic, vibrant and endearing. I really enjoyed the descriptions of Vancouver Island, the little town and the area surrounding the campground. I could easily picture it as a place that I would like to visit. I love the banter, the chemistry en the bond between the sisters. I will definitely put her other books on my to-read list now.
October 28, 2023
TW//
“…life doesn’t just happen.
Life slams into you like an eighteen-wheeler flying down the highway, and life doesn’t look back to see if you’re all right before it keeps on driving by.”
Passing Through was enjoyable, but unfortunately I didn’t like it as much as Katia Rose’s other queer romances.
At first I loved the setting of the story. It was described in rich detail that made it easy to imagine that I was on Vancouver Island. I also live near places with similair landscapes to Vancouver Island, so this romance felt very homey and familiar.
As I kept reading the story though, I felt that the setting descriptions went slightly overboard and it slowed down the pacing of the story. It was never so bad that I felt like I didn’t want to continue reading, but it was enough that it felt a lot slower than most of Katia’s other books.
I really liked how Katia wrote the struggles that Emily and Kim were going through. They were really hard hitting. I personally really related to Kim’s struggles a lot. I don’t date much, but I get attatched to people really quickly and I feel like my desplays of platonic love are a bit much. I had a friend sort of freak out on me when I became attatched too quickly, so Kim’s feelings of being too much really resonated with me.
That being said though, I found that I struggled to connect with any part of Emily and Kim besides their struggles. It made it hard to get invested in their romance when I wasn’t super drawn to either of them. I’m not sure what it is about them and truthfully it may just be because I’m reading too many romance novels so I’m getting too used to certain character types. Regardless, I felt like there was something missing from both Emily and Kim. Maybe if there was more to them that made me root for them, I would’ve liked this book more.
Surprisingly one of my favorite parts of this book was the resolution to the third act conflict. Many people (myself include) struggle with third act conflicts, but the dramatic way that the conflict was resolved was so perfect in my opinion. It quickly sped up the pace of the story and it added some much needed action to the story.
Passing Through will still appeal to many people, but it’s definitely not one of my favorites of Katia’s books. If you’re interested in forest scenery and hard hitting topics with some spicy romance, then it’s worth giving this book a try.
“…life doesn’t just happen.
Life slams into you like an eighteen-wheeler flying down the highway, and life doesn’t look back to see if you’re all right before it keeps on driving by.”
Passing Through was enjoyable, but unfortunately I didn’t like it as much as Katia Rose’s other queer romances.
At first I loved the setting of the story. It was described in rich detail that made it easy to imagine that I was on Vancouver Island. I also live near places with similair landscapes to Vancouver Island, so this romance felt very homey and familiar.
As I kept reading the story though, I felt that the setting descriptions went slightly overboard and it slowed down the pacing of the story. It was never so bad that I felt like I didn’t want to continue reading, but it was enough that it felt a lot slower than most of Katia’s other books.
I really liked how Katia wrote the struggles that Emily and Kim were going through. They were really hard hitting. I personally really related to Kim’s struggles a lot. I don’t date much, but I get attatched to people really quickly and I feel like my desplays of platonic love are a bit much. I had a friend sort of freak out on me when I became attatched too quickly, so Kim’s feelings of being too much really resonated with me.
That being said though, I found that I struggled to connect with any part of Emily and Kim besides their struggles. It made it hard to get invested in their romance when I wasn’t super drawn to either of them. I’m not sure what it is about them and truthfully it may just be because I’m reading too many romance novels so I’m getting too used to certain character types. Regardless, I felt like there was something missing from both Emily and Kim. Maybe if there was more to them that made me root for them, I would’ve liked this book more.
Surprisingly one of my favorite parts of this book was the resolution to the third act conflict. Many people (myself include) struggle with third act conflicts, but the dramatic way that the conflict was resolved was so perfect in my opinion. It quickly sped up the pace of the story and it added some much needed action to the story.
Passing Through will still appeal to many people, but it’s definitely not one of my favorites of Katia’s books. If you’re interested in forest scenery and hard hitting topics with some spicy romance, then it’s worth giving this book a try.
July 27, 2023
4 -4,5 ⭐️
Slow burn and well written romance.
I liked that the author focused on character depth. She took her time to tell the story and created some well rounded MCs and second characters.
Slow burn and well written romance.
I liked that the author focused on character depth. She took her time to tell the story and created some well rounded MCs and second characters.
June 30, 2023
The first book in a new trilogy from the author set on Vancouver Island in beautiful British Columbia and I was delighted to go back to a Province I love.
If you like hot romance with a beautiful backdrop and characters that pull you into their lives - this is one for you. Emily Rivers has a struggling family business (Three Rivers Campground) to run and no time to find love. Dealing with her siblings and dad is enough! Rolling stone Kim Jefferies stops at River's Bend the nearby town and the two women meet each other at the local bar. Well now you've got to read the book to find out what happens next.
This campground tale has heat, humor, some heavy moments, great descriptions and a supporting cast that enhance the storyline. Rose handles the emotional baggage carried by Kim and Emily with a deft hand and without overwhelming the romance or rushing the pace to a deserved HEA.
I easily recommend this read and look forward to what comes next in Three Rivers.
If you like hot romance with a beautiful backdrop and characters that pull you into their lives - this is one for you. Emily Rivers has a struggling family business (Three Rivers Campground) to run and no time to find love. Dealing with her siblings and dad is enough! Rolling stone Kim Jefferies stops at River's Bend the nearby town and the two women meet each other at the local bar. Well now you've got to read the book to find out what happens next.
This campground tale has heat, humor, some heavy moments, great descriptions and a supporting cast that enhance the storyline. Rose handles the emotional baggage carried by Kim and Emily with a deft hand and without overwhelming the romance or rushing the pace to a deserved HEA.
I easily recommend this read and look forward to what comes next in Three Rivers.
January 8, 2025
This is my first book by Katia Rose, a big name in the sapphic genre, but I was waiting for an adult romance to dive in. This is book one of the Rivers sisters' universe. The setting felt quiet and intimate; I really felt like I was inside the bubble of that small town. Emily is a workaholic who threw herself into her job after her mother's death. The writing was full of sensitivity, and I really liked the relationship between the three sisters. The grief they are going through was really touching.The family dynamic is a central theme of the book, as is the romantic one. Kim is easy to like, rebuilding herself after a bad breakup. She was endearing, and her self-questioning and actions felt realistic.
The narration was good, especially Emily's, which was full of emotion. I look forward to reading Trish’s story.
The narration was good, especially Emily's, which was full of emotion. I look forward to reading Trish’s story.
June 27, 2025
4,25 stars
I enjoyed this romance very much. The stakes weren't that high, and I liked the message, that the flaws in some relationships might be a perk in other ones.
It's about context and participants.
Other than that I quite liked the MCs and the setting. The writing was fine. So overall experience was definitely above average.
I enjoyed this romance very much. The stakes weren't that high, and I liked the message, that the flaws in some relationships might be a perk in other ones.
It's about context and participants.
Other than that I quite liked the MCs and the setting. The writing was fine. So overall experience was definitely above average.
July 31, 2023
Came across it on KU and I am surprised by it. Usually these finds are mediocre at best, and this is actually pretty good.
Lots of character depth and a bit of a slow burn, I also like the setting of the book.
Lots of character depth and a bit of a slow burn, I also like the setting of the book.
June 20, 2023
One of the things I loved the most in this story (aside from the story itself) was the setting on Vancouver Island. I was lucky to visit this place a few years ago and this story brought back many beautiful memories. I remember how beautiful it is there and I mean what better place can you choose for a story that is mostly set on a campground.
For me Katia Rose has definitely created a beautiful and heartwarming story in this unique setting. The characters and their story behind them are just a perfect fit. Which brings me to the MC‘s Emily and Kim. Both stand somehow at a crossroad in their life. Even though you wouldn’t actually think that when it comes to Emily. Or more if you ask her she would tell you she is not. She has her life under control and anyway who would have everything under control if not her.
Kim on the other hand just recently got out of a relationship and got laid off. She is in an insecure place and not only when it comes to her job. Most of all it’s about what her ex told her. Her self-confidence is low when she starts her road-trip on the island. There is one thing she doesn’t want and that is connect with people. But there is something about Emily that draws her in. Like maybe Emily could be the one for whom she is perfect just the way she is. If there only wouldn’t be her huge self-doubts. Words and how someone made you feel can have a huge impact and this is exactly what we get to feel through Kim.
Emily on the other hand is a very controlled person. Since her mother‘s death she is the one who hold things together at the campground. Or at least she thinks it’s all up up her. Her father isn’t much of a help anymore, her sisters are busy with their own life. So she just can’t let herself feel a lot. Especially not grieve. My heart was breaking many times for her and I definitely cried more than once. It was actually very interesting to see for myself how I related to both characters when it came to their experiences. How Emily deals with her feelings for example or how Kim doesn’t believe in her own worth.
I don’t think these two could have met each other at a better time in their life. Both are able to give each other exactly what they need. The question just is will they be able to let each other in and fully realise it’s ok to let go with each other. I think I could go on much longer but that probably would be too much. ☺️ funny that being too much actually plays a huge part in the story or that we often believe we are because someone else said we are. In the end I think what matters is being around your people. Then you will realise that being who you are isn’t as wrong as you maybe once thought. It’s actually more like what someone else didn’t like will be perfect for someone else.
Add some great family dynamics, a dog and you get the perfect story. At least it felt this way for me. I’m also already looking forward to more in this series and hope we get to see more of Emily‘s little sister. She is definitely quite the personality. 😊
I received an ARC of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For me Katia Rose has definitely created a beautiful and heartwarming story in this unique setting. The characters and their story behind them are just a perfect fit. Which brings me to the MC‘s Emily and Kim. Both stand somehow at a crossroad in their life. Even though you wouldn’t actually think that when it comes to Emily. Or more if you ask her she would tell you she is not. She has her life under control and anyway who would have everything under control if not her.
Kim on the other hand just recently got out of a relationship and got laid off. She is in an insecure place and not only when it comes to her job. Most of all it’s about what her ex told her. Her self-confidence is low when she starts her road-trip on the island. There is one thing she doesn’t want and that is connect with people. But there is something about Emily that draws her in. Like maybe Emily could be the one for whom she is perfect just the way she is. If there only wouldn’t be her huge self-doubts. Words and how someone made you feel can have a huge impact and this is exactly what we get to feel through Kim.
Emily on the other hand is a very controlled person. Since her mother‘s death she is the one who hold things together at the campground. Or at least she thinks it’s all up up her. Her father isn’t much of a help anymore, her sisters are busy with their own life. So she just can’t let herself feel a lot. Especially not grieve. My heart was breaking many times for her and I definitely cried more than once. It was actually very interesting to see for myself how I related to both characters when it came to their experiences. How Emily deals with her feelings for example or how Kim doesn’t believe in her own worth.
I don’t think these two could have met each other at a better time in their life. Both are able to give each other exactly what they need. The question just is will they be able to let each other in and fully realise it’s ok to let go with each other. I think I could go on much longer but that probably would be too much. ☺️ funny that being too much actually plays a huge part in the story or that we often believe we are because someone else said we are. In the end I think what matters is being around your people. Then you will realise that being who you are isn’t as wrong as you maybe once thought. It’s actually more like what someone else didn’t like will be perfect for someone else.
Add some great family dynamics, a dog and you get the perfect story. At least it felt this way for me. I’m also already looking forward to more in this series and hope we get to see more of Emily‘s little sister. She is definitely quite the personality. 😊
I received an ARC of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 19, 2025
Lord knows I’m a sucker for slow burn. But could we not have sped things up a bit. 😭
There wasn’t enough of a build up between the two mc’s before they finally kissed, for me. It felt as if it was done without a great deal of chemistry behind it and without a huge amount of meaningful (or at all) dialogue between the pair.
I do still think it was a sweet, very slow story with tender moments. Although that sex scene had me laughing. Hand sanitiser? Really lmao.
It’s a story based on overcoming bereavement, finding love and taking your time.
There wasn’t enough of a build up between the two mc’s before they finally kissed, for me. It felt as if it was done without a great deal of chemistry behind it and without a huge amount of meaningful (or at all) dialogue between the pair.
I do still think it was a sweet, very slow story with tender moments. Although that sex scene had me laughing. Hand sanitiser? Really lmao.
It’s a story based on overcoming bereavement, finding love and taking your time.
August 9, 2023
Once again Katia Rose has delivered an incredible romance! This book is quieter and more contemplative than her NA novels, but I absolutely adore both vibes. I can’t wait to see what happens next at Three Rivers, and honestly I may wanna move there myself!
March 24, 2025
This book has very good writing, like it's an absolute pleasure to read. However, I could only really connect with Emily. It's not that I disliked Kim, I was mostly indifferent. That's why I didn't really feel the chemistry. And for me, it's a big part of enjoying a romance book. I'd still highly recommend it.
August 15, 2023
Katia Rose always manages to write a very sweet sapphic romance that features big topics - Passing Through was no exception. Kim is passing through a tiny little town on Vancouver Island where she meets two sisters - Emily and Trish Rivers. This chance meeting sets off some big life changes for her and I loved following along while she learnt more about herself and what she wanted from life.
Emily was an intriguing character. Losing her mother a few years ago left her in charge of the family's campground and she is feeling the pressure. Grief is such a complex beast and I felt for all of the Rivers tribe and the way the loss of their mother or wife changed everything.
This book is super sweet in its romance, and I loved the slow burn build up. Passing Through is another great book by Katia Rose - I highly recommend a read.
Many thanks to StoryOrigin and Katia Rose for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Emily was an intriguing character. Losing her mother a few years ago left her in charge of the family's campground and she is feeling the pressure. Grief is such a complex beast and I felt for all of the Rivers tribe and the way the loss of their mother or wife changed everything.
This book is super sweet in its romance, and I loved the slow burn build up. Passing Through is another great book by Katia Rose - I highly recommend a read.
Many thanks to StoryOrigin and Katia Rose for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2023
Trigger Warnings: cursing, grief, past death of a parent, bar/alcohol, sex, panic attack
Representation: Lesbian
Passing Through is part of the Three Rivers series, a trilogy of interconnected sapphic standalones. Emily Rivers does not have time for love, or dating, or even a one night stand. As the eldest of the Rivers sisters, she’s too focused on keeping her family’s campground running in the wake of a devastating tragedy to even think about romance.
When Kim Jefferies shows up at the local small town bar looking like a lesbian snack on a stick, Emily writes her off as yet another tourist just passing through—no matter how much the butterflies in her stomach try to tell her otherwise. Only Kim’s plans of ‘passing through’ fade the second she sees Emily Rivers, despite the fact that the whole point of her soul-searching journey was to stop falling for random women in bars who only lead her to heartbreak.
The last thing they’re looking for is a love story, but with the help of some conniving sisters, an interfering bartender, and the magic of the great outdoors, that might be exactly what Kim and Emily are going to get.
This eARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
An awesome Lesbian romance! My only critique is for publishing as a whole, rather than this specific author; I wish more indies were made into audiobooks! A book like this is missing out on such a large audience simply because it not available on audio.
Now that I’ve bored you with my soapbox, I need to tell you how much I loved this story! The writing is witty and full of banter, while the characters are people I’ve met in my life. A sense of family and belonging is a huge, overarching theme for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking to find themselves.
Representation: Lesbian
Passing Through is part of the Three Rivers series, a trilogy of interconnected sapphic standalones. Emily Rivers does not have time for love, or dating, or even a one night stand. As the eldest of the Rivers sisters, she’s too focused on keeping her family’s campground running in the wake of a devastating tragedy to even think about romance.
When Kim Jefferies shows up at the local small town bar looking like a lesbian snack on a stick, Emily writes her off as yet another tourist just passing through—no matter how much the butterflies in her stomach try to tell her otherwise. Only Kim’s plans of ‘passing through’ fade the second she sees Emily Rivers, despite the fact that the whole point of her soul-searching journey was to stop falling for random women in bars who only lead her to heartbreak.
The last thing they’re looking for is a love story, but with the help of some conniving sisters, an interfering bartender, and the magic of the great outdoors, that might be exactly what Kim and Emily are going to get.
This eARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
An awesome Lesbian romance! My only critique is for publishing as a whole, rather than this specific author; I wish more indies were made into audiobooks! A book like this is missing out on such a large audience simply because it not available on audio.
Now that I’ve bored you with my soapbox, I need to tell you how much I loved this story! The writing is witty and full of banter, while the characters are people I’ve met in my life. A sense of family and belonging is a huge, overarching theme for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking to find themselves.
July 26, 2024
If you're into contemporary fiction and hurt/comfort sapphic romance, then this novel will be catnip. I'm honestly not sure why it hasn't won any awards yet.
What it's about: Kim Jefferies is tired of being a serial monogamist. After her last girlfriend dumps her for being "too much", she decides to hit the road in her campervan and sort out her sh!t. Meeting a hot blonde in the a bar is the absolute last thing she needs, so obviously - when said hot blonde offers her a job at her campsite - she says "yes" immediately. Feelings ensue.
What I thought: this is a book about self-acceptance, finding your independence, staying up when the world tears you down, and working through loss and grief. Kim is a devoted companion who has been shamed for that devotion, and Emily is a shell of a person trying to hold things together so that her family can heal. Although the attraction between these two is instantaneous, they'll need a great deal of 'processing' before it can go anywhere.
TL;DR: hurt/comfort at its finest - read it for its bewitching descriptions of Vancouver, fabulous supporting cast, touching romance, and serious exploration of bereavement within families.
Avoid if you want something fluffy and light. Author Katia Rose is a master at comedic timing, but her moodboard for this work was definitely more "melancholy marshmallows" than "cheerful spring chicken".
What it's about: Kim Jefferies is tired of being a serial monogamist. After her last girlfriend dumps her for being "too much", she decides to hit the road in her campervan and sort out her sh!t. Meeting a hot blonde in the a bar is the absolute last thing she needs, so obviously - when said hot blonde offers her a job at her campsite - she says "yes" immediately. Feelings ensue.
What I thought: this is a book about self-acceptance, finding your independence, staying up when the world tears you down, and working through loss and grief. Kim is a devoted companion who has been shamed for that devotion, and Emily is a shell of a person trying to hold things together so that her family can heal. Although the attraction between these two is instantaneous, they'll need a great deal of 'processing' before it can go anywhere.
TL;DR: hurt/comfort at its finest - read it for its bewitching descriptions of Vancouver, fabulous supporting cast, touching romance, and serious exploration of bereavement within families.
Avoid if you want something fluffy and light. Author Katia Rose is a master at comedic timing, but her moodboard for this work was definitely more "melancholy marshmallows" than "cheerful spring chicken".
October 5, 2025
With an upcoming trip to Vancouver Island on my agenda and a lack of anything jumping out at me to read, it was a bit serendipitous that I found this book set on Vancouver Island.
Passing Through takes place at the Three Rivers Campground, which has been run by the Rivers family (that's just a coincidence, actually) for a few generations. Emily Rivers and her two younger sisters are still reeling from the death of their mother. Emily is doing her best to keep the campground afloat. The family needs the upcoming tourist season to go well. Only Emily is getting no support from her father, who disappears on his boat for hours on end and whose promises to help go unfutfilled. But there's a lot of work to be done and Emily needs support.
Kim Jeffries' life is at a crossroads. Shortly after her girlfriend breaks up with her, she loses her job. So she decides to take a sabbatical, a vacation from her life, and work on herself before heading back to Toronto to start something new. She's definitely not looking for a relationship or even a job, but then Emily and her sister walk into the bar where she's eating and, well, all the best laid plans and whatnot...
If you like relatively low-angst romances, this is the book for you. This book is lovely. I don't really know what to say about it because I liked it. But I also recognize that this lacked something, too. It was a little benign if I'm honest. And what I mean by that is that the stakes never felt high enough for this to really stand out. But I also liked it enough to keep reading the series, so there's that.
I listened to the audiobook, so I can’t speak to the quality of the writing. But I can recommend the audiobook.
Passing Through takes place at the Three Rivers Campground, which has been run by the Rivers family (that's just a coincidence, actually) for a few generations. Emily Rivers and her two younger sisters are still reeling from the death of their mother. Emily is doing her best to keep the campground afloat. The family needs the upcoming tourist season to go well. Only Emily is getting no support from her father, who disappears on his boat for hours on end and whose promises to help go unfutfilled. But there's a lot of work to be done and Emily needs support.
Kim Jeffries' life is at a crossroads. Shortly after her girlfriend breaks up with her, she loses her job. So she decides to take a sabbatical, a vacation from her life, and work on herself before heading back to Toronto to start something new. She's definitely not looking for a relationship or even a job, but then Emily and her sister walk into the bar where she's eating and, well, all the best laid plans and whatnot...
If you like relatively low-angst romances, this is the book for you. This book is lovely. I don't really know what to say about it because I liked it. But I also recognize that this lacked something, too. It was a little benign if I'm honest. And what I mean by that is that the stakes never felt high enough for this to really stand out. But I also liked it enough to keep reading the series, so there's that.
I listened to the audiobook, so I can’t speak to the quality of the writing. But I can recommend the audiobook.
July 19, 2023
A copy of the book was provided to Sapphic Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
This book follows Emily who helps run her family campground and works as an interior designer on the off season. While trying to hold everything together at the campsite and bounce back , she meets Kim. Fresh off a break up (and layoff from her job), Kim has resolved to take some time and figure out just what it is she needs/wants out of life. Intent on just passing through on her soul searching journey, her plans are disrupted when she meets Emily at the small-town bar and cant help but be drawn to both her and the campground she calls home.
I feel like this story was the perfect balance of sweet and heart wrenching. I particularly enjoyed the easy banter between the characters, including Emily and her two sisters (and gradually with Kim). I think the relationship between Emily and Kim was perfectly paced and I appreciated how they still maintained their own agency throughout the book. They both had their own unique circumstances and doubts to overcome before they could come together and it made their relationship all the better. The story also did a really good job of addressing how everyone handles grief differently and how hard it can be to ask for help and lean on people even when they're your family. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to fans of romance. Some parts are fairly serious but it does have nice, light moments throughout. It's definitely one of my new favorites by this author!
This book follows Emily who helps run her family campground and works as an interior designer on the off season. While trying to hold everything together at the campsite and bounce back , she meets Kim. Fresh off a break up (and layoff from her job), Kim has resolved to take some time and figure out just what it is she needs/wants out of life. Intent on just passing through on her soul searching journey, her plans are disrupted when she meets Emily at the small-town bar and cant help but be drawn to both her and the campground she calls home.
I feel like this story was the perfect balance of sweet and heart wrenching. I particularly enjoyed the easy banter between the characters, including Emily and her two sisters (and gradually with Kim). I think the relationship between Emily and Kim was perfectly paced and I appreciated how they still maintained their own agency throughout the book. They both had their own unique circumstances and doubts to overcome before they could come together and it made their relationship all the better. The story also did a really good job of addressing how everyone handles grief differently and how hard it can be to ask for help and lean on people even when they're your family. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to fans of romance. Some parts are fairly serious but it does have nice, light moments throughout. It's definitely one of my new favorites by this author!
June 18, 2023
First thank you to author Katia Rose for the ARC. Katia is one of my favorite writers of Sapphic fiction. She is a character driven writer and I am a character driven reader. Having loved all the other books by her I had very high expectations coming into the first installment of this new trilogy and I couldn’t have been more blown away by how much I loved this story.
The characters are so unique and genuine in the smallest of details. Emily’s tendency to clench her hands into fists and speak too loudly when trying to hold back emotion and Kim’s open staring amazement make the characters tangible in beautifully subtle ways.
This book captures self doubt, perfectionism, loss, grief, family, self discovery, and growth against a stunning British Columbia backdrop. The journey the two main characters take is so satisfying and sweet. I genuinely cried to see each of them work through their own walls to get to the people they needed to be for one another.
If you haven’t guessed already I highly recommend this book and frankly any of Katia Rose’s books. You will not be disappointed if you are looking for a feel good romance with depth of character.
The characters are so unique and genuine in the smallest of details. Emily’s tendency to clench her hands into fists and speak too loudly when trying to hold back emotion and Kim’s open staring amazement make the characters tangible in beautifully subtle ways.
This book captures self doubt, perfectionism, loss, grief, family, self discovery, and growth against a stunning British Columbia backdrop. The journey the two main characters take is so satisfying and sweet. I genuinely cried to see each of them work through their own walls to get to the people they needed to be for one another.
If you haven’t guessed already I highly recommend this book and frankly any of Katia Rose’s books. You will not be disappointed if you are looking for a feel good romance with depth of character.
June 8, 2023
thank you to katia rose for this arc!
this book was amazing. i loved the characters, especially the river family. the way it dealt with grief was heartbreaking and real, and seeing them start to heal was so joyful and inspiring.
kim was also a brilliant character. from realising that not everything her exes have said is realistic, and that being alone doesn’t always mean being lonely, and that it’s okay to want someone to come home to.
the relationship felt so well developed, and i was rooting for their happy ending. i enjoyed how it helped them both grow as people, and as a couple.
although she isn’t alive in the book, i enjoyed how you could still feel emily’s mum and her influence. from the reminders of her favourite sayings, flowers, and places, and how she will always live on in her family’s memory.
i highly recommend this book!
this book was amazing. i loved the characters, especially the river family. the way it dealt with grief was heartbreaking and real, and seeing them start to heal was so joyful and inspiring.
kim was also a brilliant character. from realising that not everything her exes have said is realistic, and that being alone doesn’t always mean being lonely, and that it’s okay to want someone to come home to.
the relationship felt so well developed, and i was rooting for their happy ending. i enjoyed how it helped them both grow as people, and as a couple.
although she isn’t alive in the book, i enjoyed how you could still feel emily’s mum and her influence. from the reminders of her favourite sayings, flowers, and places, and how she will always live on in her family’s memory.
i highly recommend this book!
July 1, 2023
This book was an amazing mix of sweetness, spice, and feels! I love how Katia really made me feel for the characters and their little campground. By the end of it, I wished all of the sisters could get their HEA and even their sweet father! His backstory is so bittersweet. I just wanna wrap him up in a bear hug!
My favorite thing about any of Katia's books is the side characters! They are always hilarious and insightful and, in some cases, steal the page, but only so they can bolster the MCs. Again, another awesome book!! I can't wait to read the next one!
Overall rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5
Characters: 5/5
Prose: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My favorite thing about any of Katia's books is the side characters! They are always hilarious and insightful and, in some cases, steal the page, but only so they can bolster the MCs. Again, another awesome book!! I can't wait to read the next one!
Overall rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5
Characters: 5/5
Prose: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 19, 2024
Coming back to write this review after finishing the third book, Chasing Stars. I really did love this series, these characters, and the beautiful setting. Emily's story was a good read and I remember enjoying it. These books all have a good amount of angst, feels, and humor. I liked the spice scenes, too.
Katia's use of imagery in her writing to describe both the picturesque setting of Vancouver Island and the emotional journeys of the characters is absolutely beautiful.
The 3rd book is my favorite, but I absolutely loved The Three Rivers series! I enjoyed getting to know all three Rivers sisters in these books.
Katia's use of imagery in her writing to describe both the picturesque setting of Vancouver Island and the emotional journeys of the characters is absolutely beautiful.
The 3rd book is my favorite, but I absolutely loved The Three Rivers series! I enjoyed getting to know all three Rivers sisters in these books.
February 5, 2025
Normally, I like to wait for a series to be complete before I start reading them. What can I say? I'm a little impatient. However, it was a Katia Rose book, and I knew I wouldn't be disappointed - **spoiler: I wasn't!
Emily and Kim are Wow! You can feel the🔥🔥 between them! The Rivers sisters are awesome (Trish is super cool, and I can't wait to read her story). I really don't want to give away anything, but I will say that if you love a small-town, outdoor adventure type of romance, then this book's for you!
Emily and Kim are Wow! You can feel the🔥🔥 between them! The Rivers sisters are awesome (Trish is super cool, and I can't wait to read her story). I really don't want to give away anything, but I will say that if you love a small-town, outdoor adventure type of romance, then this book's for you!
Read
June 25, 2023An utterly delightful sapphic romance with great atmosphere, an endearing central family and a steamy central relationship that is so heart-warming.
February 20, 2024
I enjoyed the plot but for me, I felt the story dragged on and on.
April 26, 2025
A heartfelt, dual POV, sapphic romance that sees a former Toronto journalist working temporarily at a BC campground and falling for the struggling owner trying to hold everything together after her mother's death. This had great Canadian rep and is sure to appeal to fans of authors like Ashley Herring Blake and was the first book in a new series. I look forward to reading what happens next in the Three Rivers series that was good on audio!
December 23, 2024
4.5, loved the setting, makes me want to go to vancouver island myself
June 23, 2023
WOW!! Katia I absolutely loved it, TY for the ARC read. When you finally find that book that’s so reliable you can’t help but agree with everything they’re going through from throughout their whole journey….that person was Kim for me. I don’t know how you did this Katia but this is the first time I’ve read a book that has had me living through a MCs eyes. (Kim’s).
The way her mind works, her emotional roller coaster of thoughts & doubts within herself from one bad relationship. I get that, I truly do & it was so well written that you can’t but feel & get so invested into the journey, I not only wanted to see how things turned out for Kim & Emily….I need to keep reading & find out before I could put this book down & close that last page (we’ll swipe that last page on my kindle).
This was beautiful journey of Emily & Kim. Emily who is still grieving for her mother & trying to run Three Rivers campsite with her straight up hilarious ‘take no shit’ middle sister Trish who you would love as a sister & Clover her baby sister. Their dad is still grieving for his wife & it falls upon Emily to hold the family together.
I do t want to give too much more away but WOW!! I live this book & highly recommend it. I’ve got my favourite moments in the book below. Sorry I got obsessed with Kim in this book & talked about her a lot only because I could relate to her.
There were so many moments in this book when you felt so much for both of them. I only buy paperback books that I love & would read again, this definitely is one of those books.
“It’s like even when they’re accepting me, it just emphasizes that I’m different, that I’m something that has to be accepted, not something that just…is.”
“Only I’m done chasing dreams. I’m done creating love stories in my head that always crumble to pieces when I realize I’m the only one telling the story, or that I’m several chapters ahead of someone I thought was on the same page. I didn’t come here to do that again. I didn’t come here to go way too far, way too fast and end up getting pushed away and told I’m way too much.”
“You are not too much for me,” she says, her voice blazing with certainty, “and anyone who ever told you you’re too much just wasn’t enough for you. The amount of love you have to give is one of the most beautiful things about you, and I will keep telling you that every single time you doubt it.”
The way her mind works, her emotional roller coaster of thoughts & doubts within herself from one bad relationship. I get that, I truly do & it was so well written that you can’t but feel & get so invested into the journey, I not only wanted to see how things turned out for Kim & Emily….I need to keep reading & find out before I could put this book down & close that last page (we’ll swipe that last page on my kindle).
This was beautiful journey of Emily & Kim. Emily who is still grieving for her mother & trying to run Three Rivers campsite with her straight up hilarious ‘take no shit’ middle sister Trish who you would love as a sister & Clover her baby sister. Their dad is still grieving for his wife & it falls upon Emily to hold the family together.
I do t want to give too much more away but WOW!! I live this book & highly recommend it. I’ve got my favourite moments in the book below. Sorry I got obsessed with Kim in this book & talked about her a lot only because I could relate to her.
There were so many moments in this book when you felt so much for both of them. I only buy paperback books that I love & would read again, this definitely is one of those books.
“It’s like even when they’re accepting me, it just emphasizes that I’m different, that I’m something that has to be accepted, not something that just…is.”
“Only I’m done chasing dreams. I’m done creating love stories in my head that always crumble to pieces when I realize I’m the only one telling the story, or that I’m several chapters ahead of someone I thought was on the same page. I didn’t come here to do that again. I didn’t come here to go way too far, way too fast and end up getting pushed away and told I’m way too much.”
“You are not too much for me,” she says, her voice blazing with certainty, “and anyone who ever told you you’re too much just wasn’t enough for you. The amount of love you have to give is one of the most beautiful things about you, and I will keep telling you that every single time you doubt it.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2023
i've read quite a few of rose's books, and have enjoyed all of them (shout out to my favourite The Devil Wears Tartan) but passing through took me almost an entire month to read.
one thing katia rose nails every time is the exploration of emotions, namely grief in this book. it's so well thought out, touching and relatable and i always find myself impressed.
however, i just couldn't get into this book, like at all. i didn't feel connected to either emily or kim and it seemed like they were a blend of the same character - their pov voices were awfully similar. there was no tension to speak of and while i get that you can instantly be attracted to someone, it all came across as very insta-lovey. these two were ready to ditch their entire lives after literally 2 weeks of knowing of each other's existence.
it was also a bit boring? once the status quo was established, everything seemed repetitive and each event blurred together. maybe rose was trying out something new, since this book felt a lot more serious than any of the others i've read, and for me, it just didn't work.
thanks to the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review
one thing katia rose nails every time is the exploration of emotions, namely grief in this book. it's so well thought out, touching and relatable and i always find myself impressed.
however, i just couldn't get into this book, like at all. i didn't feel connected to either emily or kim and it seemed like they were a blend of the same character - their pov voices were awfully similar. there was no tension to speak of and while i get that you can instantly be attracted to someone, it all came across as very insta-lovey. these two were ready to ditch their entire lives after literally 2 weeks of knowing of each other's existence.
it was also a bit boring? once the status quo was established, everything seemed repetitive and each event blurred together. maybe rose was trying out something new, since this book felt a lot more serious than any of the others i've read, and for me, it just didn't work.
thanks to the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review
July 13, 2023
I loved this book so much! Passing through was nothing like I expected in a good way. Katia did amazing at handling the characters' challenges and struggles which I loved. Kim and Emily are perfect and both deserve the world! I loved every moment with them. It took me a little while to fully connect with their characters but I’m glad I didn’t let that stop me from continuing the book. I feel like Kim and Emily came into each other’s lives at the most unexpected time for each of them but it was perfect. I love that you could instantly feel a connection between them and you just gradually get to see it develop into something deeper and beautiful, it was a connection I think they both needed. Their relationship just felt so right. I honestly wished I could stay in their heads a while longer. Another thing I really loved was the side characters, specifically Trish, she is such a good sister and just overall an amazing person. I really wished we got more scenes of her and Emily. I’m looking forward to Trish’s and Clovers books. I'm excited to see more of them with the Rivers family and their love interests.
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