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River
MarlyTo the world, I'm the town sweetheart
A good girl.
I have the perfect life.
But that's all a lie.
Nothing about my life is perfect, I'm not even sure it's mine. Not when I spend every minute pretending for my family.
I just want something for myself.
River Sinclair is everything I've been told I am not allowed, but how am I supposed to deny him when he's the only person who has ever made me feel free.
He sets my whole world on fire but we are on opposite sides of the track and one wrong move will destroy everything we know.
Is love truly worth the risk, or will I just end up with a broken heart and a tragic story to tell?
RiverSweet little Marly Winchester.
The towns sweetheart.
A good girl that never steps out of line, so imagine my surprise when she stumbles onto my track.
I should have stayed away, she is everything I am not and my enemy's little sister.
I shouldn't want her the way I do and yet I find myself crawling back to her night after night.
But stories like ours never have the happy ending, only there's no villains at fault for the way our story will go.
And there are no lengths I will not go to in the name of revenge.
River is a full length, new adult, standalone romance. This book is intended for mature readers.
A good girl.
I have the perfect life.
But that's all a lie.
Nothing about my life is perfect, I'm not even sure it's mine. Not when I spend every minute pretending for my family.
I just want something for myself.
River Sinclair is everything I've been told I am not allowed, but how am I supposed to deny him when he's the only person who has ever made me feel free.
He sets my whole world on fire but we are on opposite sides of the track and one wrong move will destroy everything we know.
Is love truly worth the risk, or will I just end up with a broken heart and a tragic story to tell?
RiverSweet little Marly Winchester.
The towns sweetheart.
A good girl that never steps out of line, so imagine my surprise when she stumbles onto my track.
I should have stayed away, she is everything I am not and my enemy's little sister.
I shouldn't want her the way I do and yet I find myself crawling back to her night after night.
But stories like ours never have the happy ending, only there's no villains at fault for the way our story will go.
And there are no lengths I will not go to in the name of revenge.
River is a full length, new adult, standalone romance. This book is intended for mature readers.
374 pages, Paperback
Published January 9, 2025
412 people are currently reading
2270 people want to read
About the author
Ria Wilde
19 books1,171 followersStories that are dirty, dangerous & deliciously sinful.
Ria Wilde is an international bestselling author of Dark, Steamy & Suspenseful Romance. She currently resides in the UK where getting lost in her books, and plotting the next best way to break some hearts is a daily occurrence.
A lover of all things steamy and sinful, she also has a big soft spot for small town romances & cowboys, but morally gray will forever be her favorite color!
HEA's & Spice, but there's no promise it'll be an easy ride, and be prepared to fall in love with her morally gray men and the sassy queens that steal their hearts.
Instagram: @authorriawilde
Facebook: @riawilderauthor
Tiktok: @.authorriawilde
Ria Wilde is an international bestselling author of Dark, Steamy & Suspenseful Romance. She currently resides in the UK where getting lost in her books, and plotting the next best way to break some hearts is a daily occurrence.
A lover of all things steamy and sinful, she also has a big soft spot for small town romances & cowboys, but morally gray will forever be her favorite color!
HEA's & Spice, but there's no promise it'll be an easy ride, and be prepared to fall in love with her morally gray men and the sassy queens that steal their hearts.
Instagram: @authorriawilde
Facebook: @riawilderauthor
Tiktok: @.authorriawilde
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
January 17, 2025
Yeah River is a piece of shit for that. That actually hurt my heart.
He needed to be on his knees, throwing up and crying for me to forgive him, and he wasn’t. So I can’t forgive him. That was one of the most cruel things I’ve seen an H do. To read about how she clung to his car chasing after him, still having faith in him, while he continues to drive away even seeing her get hurt had me in literal tears 😭
Usually they change their mind, and when it comes time for the climax, the h gets hurt in a way to where he didn’t mean it. But not the case here, river proceeded with his plan KNOWING it would hurt marly, but not caring as long as it made himself feel better. Then knowing her humiliation got posted online was honestly too much. His “grovel” ( if you can call it that) was nowhere near acceptable
He needed to be on his knees, throwing up and crying for me to forgive him, and he wasn’t. So I can’t forgive him. That was one of the most cruel things I’ve seen an H do. To read about how she clung to his car chasing after him, still having faith in him, while he continues to drive away even seeing her get hurt had me in literal tears 😭
Usually they change their mind, and when it comes time for the climax, the h gets hurt in a way to where he didn’t mean it. But not the case here, river proceeded with his plan KNOWING it would hurt marly, but not caring as long as it made himself feel better. Then knowing her humiliation got posted online was honestly too much. His “grovel” ( if you can call it that) was nowhere near acceptable
January 10, 2025
This book gets ALL the stars!! I haven’t given a book full five stars since the beginning of last year.
I really loved this book. Everything about it. The characters were amazing and the writing was so good and the plot made sense all the way through.
I loved River and Marley so much!! They were soo freaking cute together. As much as I loved River I think I loved Marley just a little more. She was so damn sweet and innocent. Seriously she didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She was so sheltered the girl has never even had pizza before!!! River was so good to her. Treated her like the princess he called her, got her to live a little and try new things. And Marley was also so good for him. She got him through the grief of losing his brother without even knowing it.
So when that third act break up came oh man that hurt so bad. I knew it was going to happen, I mean clearly with the plot of him being with her to get back at her family I knew that third act was coming but I didn’t expect it to be like THAT. Oh man my poor sweet Marley, I wanted to hug her so bad when it happened and I wanted to slap River in the face. We love River so much at this point so it was very hard to read the things he said to her and we knew why he did it but still ugh. It was angsty and satisfying. Marley is so sweet I thought she would forgive him right away but thankfully she didn’t. She did make him work for it and while I think he could have groveled a tiny bit more you just couldn’t hate him. You know how much he loves her so it was hard to stay mad.
There is some OW drama in the form of a mean girl that River slept with while he was drunk right after his brother died. It was months and months ago before the book even starts and he regrets it because she’s a total bitch. She comes on to him a few times and he shuts her down each time pretty harshly because he doesn’t stand for anyone disrespecting his girl!!
I wish the epilogue was more further out and not another sex scene though.
Anyway, such a good read!!! I’m definitely reading more from this author and also I need some more of Damien please!!
NO CHEATING
OW DRAMA (above)
LIGHT OM DRAMA
THIRD ACT BREAK UP
VIRGIN FMC/NON MANWHORE
LOSS OF LOVED ONE
HFN/HEA (engaged)
I really loved this book. Everything about it. The characters were amazing and the writing was so good and the plot made sense all the way through.
I loved River and Marley so much!! They were soo freaking cute together. As much as I loved River I think I loved Marley just a little more. She was so damn sweet and innocent. Seriously she didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She was so sheltered the girl has never even had pizza before!!! River was so good to her. Treated her like the princess he called her, got her to live a little and try new things. And Marley was also so good for him. She got him through the grief of losing his brother without even knowing it.
So when that third act break up came oh man that hurt so bad. I knew it was going to happen, I mean clearly with the plot of him being with her to get back at her family I knew that third act was coming but I didn’t expect it to be like THAT. Oh man my poor sweet Marley, I wanted to hug her so bad when it happened and I wanted to slap River in the face. We love River so much at this point so it was very hard to read the things he said to her and we knew why he did it but still ugh. It was angsty and satisfying. Marley is so sweet I thought she would forgive him right away but thankfully she didn’t. She did make him work for it and while I think he could have groveled a tiny bit more you just couldn’t hate him. You know how much he loves her so it was hard to stay mad.
There is some OW drama in the form of a mean girl that River slept with while he was drunk right after his brother died. It was months and months ago before the book even starts and he regrets it because she’s a total bitch. She comes on to him a few times and he shuts her down each time pretty harshly because he doesn’t stand for anyone disrespecting his girl!!
I wish the epilogue was more further out and not another sex scene though.
Anyway, such a good read!!! I’m definitely reading more from this author and also I need some more of Damien please!!
NO CHEATING
OW DRAMA (above)
LIGHT OM DRAMA
THIRD ACT BREAK UP
VIRGIN FMC/NON MANWHORE
LOSS OF LOVED ONE
HFN/HEA (engaged)
January 3, 2025
4.75/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
I was CRAVING a book with bad boy x good girl, forbidden vibes & this absolutely satisfied that. I didn’t ever want to put this book down! River & Marly were everything.
The only reason this isn’t a solid 5 stars for me is simply because of what the MMC did to cause their third act break up. I understand why he did what he did but that didn’t make it any less rough. It was just really hard to come back from 😅 however, I did love his groveling and I’m glad these two got the HEA!
Thank you Ria for the eARC 🥰
- bad boy x good girl, opposite sides of the track
- enemy’s little sister
- track racer
- forbidden
- revenge
- virgin FMC
- broken MMC
- spicy lessons
- touch her & 💀
- “Princess”
- he wears her hear ribbon as his good luck charm 🥹🖤
3/5🌶️
I was CRAVING a book with bad boy x good girl, forbidden vibes & this absolutely satisfied that. I didn’t ever want to put this book down! River & Marly were everything.
The only reason this isn’t a solid 5 stars for me is simply because of what the MMC did to cause their third act break up. I understand why he did what he did but that didn’t make it any less rough. It was just really hard to come back from 😅 however, I did love his groveling and I’m glad these two got the HEA!
Thank you Ria for the eARC 🥰
- bad boy x good girl, opposite sides of the track
- enemy’s little sister
- track racer
- forbidden
- revenge
- virgin FMC
- broken MMC
- spicy lessons
- touch her & 💀
- “Princess”
- he wears her hear ribbon as his good luck charm 🥹🖤
Read
January 19, 2025I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love books with 3rd act breakups because I’m super PETTY ,I just can’t forgive the MMCs🥸.
Anyways I kinda enjoyed the first 70% of the book😁.
Anyways I kinda enjoyed the first 70% of the book😁.
January 17, 2025
2.5⭐️
Fuck this man! I was expecting the big betrayal of Rivers to be gut wrenching and it really was, and then I was thinking but there’s not much time left in the book he doesn’t have much time for the grovel that Marly deserves.
Well that’s because grovel?!? What grovel?! It was non-ex-fucking-istent
He destroyed her, fucking broke her heart and it was filmed and put online but he barely had to do anything to get her back. I don’t know how she took him back and showed her face in that town, he should have been on his knees in public at the very least. Just as she found a backbone with her family she lost it again with River, sigh.
-Dual pov
-h21, H23
-No omd
-Owd- a girl he slept with once, months ago when he was drunk after his brother died tries to cause issues between Marly and River but he shuts her down hard.
-Third act breakup
-HFN
-epilogue 10 months later, they get engaged
Fuck this man! I was expecting the big betrayal of Rivers to be gut wrenching and it really was, and then I was thinking but there’s not much time left in the book he doesn’t have much time for the grovel that Marly deserves.
Well that’s because grovel?!? What grovel?! It was non-ex-fucking-istent
He destroyed her, fucking broke her heart and it was filmed and put online but he barely had to do anything to get her back. I don’t know how she took him back and showed her face in that town, he should have been on his knees in public at the very least. Just as she found a backbone with her family she lost it again with River, sigh.
-Dual pov
-h21, H23
-No omd
-Owd- a girl he slept with once, months ago when he was drunk after his brother died tries to cause issues between Marly and River but he shuts her down hard.
-Third act breakup
-HFN
-epilogue 10 months later, they get engaged
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
I couldn't put this one down!
For my safety squad--this one is completely SAFE from cheating. H's history not really mentioned. Just that a former hookup reappears and starts a TON of drama. He never liked her. She's just a thirsty B. And out h is... you guessed it.... a V 🤦♀️
I wanted a better grovel though. Some people like the grovel, I wanted more. He just didn't seem as sorry to me as he should have been? I wanted tears or SOMETHING else. I wouldn't have forgiven him, but that's just me 🤷♀️ it was so humiliating and over the top. then again I wouldn't forgive 90% of the men who do shitty things in these books. Im just a sucker for a good grovel! overall I really enjoyed it...but i always love Ria's books!!
For my safety squad--this one is completely SAFE from cheating. H's history not really mentioned. Just that a former hookup reappears and starts a TON of drama. He never liked her. She's just a thirsty B. And out h is... you guessed it.... a V 🤦♀️
I wanted a better grovel though. Some people like the grovel, I wanted more. He just didn't seem as sorry to me as he should have been? I wanted tears or SOMETHING else. I wouldn't have forgiven him, but that's just me 🤷♀️ it was so humiliating and over the top. then again I wouldn't forgive 90% of the men who do shitty things in these books. Im just a sucker for a good grovel! overall I really enjoyed it...but i always love Ria's books!!
December 24, 2024
★★★★★. Ria has done it again! Thank you so much for this ARC! Forbidden, bad boy x good girl, secret relationship, Romeo & Juliet vibes with an mmc who is immediately protective and wanting all her laughs? A REAL MAN.
River and Marly were perfection. I absolutely loved each character individually and how Ria developed both separately and together. I would say this was definitely instalust for both sides and you could argue instalove however knowing River’s motives you can argue it’s not. I definitely felt for Marly and River at separate times. But my heart shattered with the third act because I was expecting it yet wasn’t expecting THAT.
Honorable mention for the groveling that lasted and for the strength my girl Marly had! She honestly surprised me and I loved it!
For my safety readers, completely safe. Ria never writes anything you have to concerned about. Has some minimal other woman & man drama but both River and Marly are all in with each other only.
“No one looks at you, comes near you. You’re mine. My f*cking girl,” He growls, “All of you. And if I have to mark every inch of you to show the world, then I will.”
𝘈 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵.
𝘏𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘱.
“𝘋𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯,” 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥.
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?” 𝘐 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬.
“𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩,” 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸, “𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
River and Marly were perfection. I absolutely loved each character individually and how Ria developed both separately and together. I would say this was definitely instalust for both sides and you could argue instalove however knowing River’s motives you can argue it’s not. I definitely felt for Marly and River at separate times. But my heart shattered with the third act because I was expecting it yet wasn’t expecting THAT.
Honorable mention for the groveling that lasted and for the strength my girl Marly had! She honestly surprised me and I loved it!
For my safety readers, completely safe. Ria never writes anything you have to concerned about. Has some minimal other woman & man drama but both River and Marly are all in with each other only.
“No one looks at you, comes near you. You’re mine. My f*cking girl,” He growls, “All of you. And if I have to mark every inch of you to show the world, then I will.”
𝘈 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵.
𝘏𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘱.
“𝘋𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯,” 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥.
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?” 𝘐 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬.
“𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩,” 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸, “𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
January 26, 2025
5 stars!
Review coming soon. Follow @ttreviwesbooks for more
𝑅𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
Reviewed by Selina T.
ೃ⁀➷
First, I want to say a big thank you to Ria Wilde for being so understanding! Life wasn’t kind to me, and I couldn’t read the ARC when I initially received it. Ria’s patience and kindness meant so much to me. Thank you, Ria!
🌿
Now, on to the book! River is the second Ria Wilde book I’ve read, and it quickly became my new comfort read. Just like No Saint (which is a 10/10 read—seriously, you should give it a try), River won me over completely.
Our main male character, ℛ𝒾𝓋ℯ𝓇 , is an absolute sweetheart. From the moment he appeared, I fell in love with him. ℳ𝒶𝓇𝓁𝓎 , the female lead, is so kind and endearing—truly one of the sweetest characters. Both protagonists are dealing with their own traumas, which makes their connection both powerful and heart-wrenching. The revenge he seeks and the freedom she craves make them feel destined for each other, yet so far apart at the same time.
This romance is perfect for a cozy weekend read. (I once read that cold weather makes people enjoy romance books and movies more—so cute!)
I’m giving River 5 stars, hands down.
The story, The story, the spice, everything is 10/10.
It’s available now, so grab your copy and enjoy!
XOXO,T
✩°𓏲⋆⸜ ✮˚
📎Tips & Tropes,
• Check the trigger warnings before reading!
• Bad boy x good girl
• Enemy's sister
• Track Racer MMC
• Touch her & die
- Standalone
Review coming soon. Follow @ttreviwesbooks for more
𝑅𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
Reviewed by Selina T.
ೃ⁀➷
First, I want to say a big thank you to Ria Wilde for being so understanding! Life wasn’t kind to me, and I couldn’t read the ARC when I initially received it. Ria’s patience and kindness meant so much to me. Thank you, Ria!
🌿
Now, on to the book! River is the second Ria Wilde book I’ve read, and it quickly became my new comfort read. Just like No Saint (which is a 10/10 read—seriously, you should give it a try), River won me over completely.
Our main male character, ℛ𝒾𝓋ℯ𝓇 , is an absolute sweetheart. From the moment he appeared, I fell in love with him. ℳ𝒶𝓇𝓁𝓎 , the female lead, is so kind and endearing—truly one of the sweetest characters. Both protagonists are dealing with their own traumas, which makes their connection both powerful and heart-wrenching. The revenge he seeks and the freedom she craves make them feel destined for each other, yet so far apart at the same time.
This romance is perfect for a cozy weekend read. (I once read that cold weather makes people enjoy romance books and movies more—so cute!)
I’m giving River 5 stars, hands down.
The story, The story, the spice, everything is 10/10.
It’s available now, so grab your copy and enjoy!
XOXO,T
✩°𓏲⋆⸜ ✮˚
📎Tips & Tropes,
• Check the trigger warnings before reading!
• Bad boy x good girl
• Enemy's sister
• Track Racer MMC
• Touch her & die
- Standalone
January 20, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ this was way sweeter than i thought it was going to be but i loved it!
January 7, 2025
#Review: *River* - Ria Wilde [18+]
5/5✨
3/5🌶️
I fell in love with this book!! I'm super grateful that I was able to read it in advance and I wanna thank Ria, so, so much for this opportunity🤗.
River has lost his brother in a fire, where he was hurt too. He knew it wasn't an accident, that's why now he was searching to revenge him. Without knowing what he will get himself into, he grabbed the chance to be near his rival's sister.
Marly was the little sister of the man who destroyed River's life. Both will have a big surprise when they'll start to fall for each other. But, will the revenge of his brother let him be happy in the arms of his rival's sister?
These characters and story have completely entranced me. I couldn't get enough of them, almost reading the whole book in one sitting, only two chapters remaining for the next day. The hurt, the love, the revenge part, everything entwined so well I couldn't put it in words! Just WONDERFUL! River and Marly's relationship grew so beautiful, nothing was rushed, everything came natural, loving every bit of their sweet story. They were so different but fit like two pieces of puzzle💕. The forbidden love and being part of rival sides of the town made it even more interesting to follow.
I guess you can tell that I adored this book and I'm truly recommending it for all of you to read (for readers over 18years). If you don't like the covers with male models, please ignore it because this story really deserves a chance!
✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#Revenge
#LoveAtFirstSight
#BoyObsessed
#OppositesAttract
#BadBoyGoodGirl
#RomanticSuspense
#Angst
5/5✨
3/5🌶️
I fell in love with this book!! I'm super grateful that I was able to read it in advance and I wanna thank Ria, so, so much for this opportunity🤗.
River has lost his brother in a fire, where he was hurt too. He knew it wasn't an accident, that's why now he was searching to revenge him. Without knowing what he will get himself into, he grabbed the chance to be near his rival's sister.
Marly was the little sister of the man who destroyed River's life. Both will have a big surprise when they'll start to fall for each other. But, will the revenge of his brother let him be happy in the arms of his rival's sister?
These characters and story have completely entranced me. I couldn't get enough of them, almost reading the whole book in one sitting, only two chapters remaining for the next day. The hurt, the love, the revenge part, everything entwined so well I couldn't put it in words! Just WONDERFUL! River and Marly's relationship grew so beautiful, nothing was rushed, everything came natural, loving every bit of their sweet story. They were so different but fit like two pieces of puzzle💕. The forbidden love and being part of rival sides of the town made it even more interesting to follow.
I guess you can tell that I adored this book and I'm truly recommending it for all of you to read (for readers over 18years). If you don't like the covers with male models, please ignore it because this story really deserves a chance!
✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#Revenge
#LoveAtFirstSight
#BoyObsessed
#OppositesAttract
#BadBoyGoodGirl
#RomanticSuspense
#Angst
January 26, 2025
This was a cute read. I loved the good girl bad boy, forbidden aspect of this book! Ria writes great spice and I enjoyed a lot of this book.
The MMC made some choices that I just couldn’t move on from and it impacted my overall feel for the book. Groveling did not match the offense imo
Loved our FMC Marley- she really came into herself and I loved that for her.
Good girl x Bad boy
Broken MMC
Enemies little sister
FMC escaping family
Calls her princess
3/5⭐️
2.5🌶️
The MMC made some choices that I just couldn’t move on from and it impacted my overall feel for the book. Groveling did not match the offense imo
Loved our FMC Marley- she really came into herself and I loved that for her.
Good girl x Bad boy
Broken MMC
Enemies little sister
FMC escaping family
Calls her princess
3/5⭐️
2.5🌶️
January 15, 2025
Forgiveness was too easy
I just hate that the grovel never matches the crime. Why create such a huge conflict/betrayal if you're not going to have the man actually make up for it.
I just hate that the grovel never matches the crime. Why create such a huge conflict/betrayal if you're not going to have the man actually make up for it.
January 3, 2025
“𝕀 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕝𝕦𝕔𝕜 𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕝 𝕀 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦.”
River by @authorriawilde
Ria always makes you want to be a part of her books, the characters and emotions always pull you in and this book was no different. River was just beautiful, it makes you feel like that girl that can't help but fall for the bad boy even when you shouldn't 👀
River comes across as the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks but he's really just a guy with a lot of anger and no way of getting rid of it. He hides behind his rage so people can't get close to him. Living with the ghost of his past is a constant reminder for River, it's a physical scar that he can't get rid of even if he wanted to. Silenced from telling the truth cripples him everyday but he's got a plan that he has to see through but not everything works out the way he thought it would.
Marley grew up moulded to be proper and prim, the perfect daughter in a gilded cage. She didn't break the rules, never spoke out of turn, toed the like but she didn't want to be that way. She wanted her freedom and away from her controlling parents. Marley didn't know what she wanted out of life long term but she did know that being stuck as the mayor's daughter wasn't a life. She was determined to live a little and when she stumbled upon a race track with a bad boy who looked like sin she knew she was in trouble 😏
“𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤𝕟’𝕥 𝕡𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕒 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕓𝕚𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖?”
River and Marley might be from different tracks but their chemistry for each other keeps them together, the pull they have started out as just a little spark that bloomed into more but not everything is black and white. Secrets don't stay hidden for long and words cut deeper than anything else.. River and Marley started out as strangers but can they survive the aftershocks after everything is said and done? 👀
“ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴏᴋᴀʏ, ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇꜱꜱ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ"
River by @authorriawilde
Ria always makes you want to be a part of her books, the characters and emotions always pull you in and this book was no different. River was just beautiful, it makes you feel like that girl that can't help but fall for the bad boy even when you shouldn't 👀
River comes across as the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks but he's really just a guy with a lot of anger and no way of getting rid of it. He hides behind his rage so people can't get close to him. Living with the ghost of his past is a constant reminder for River, it's a physical scar that he can't get rid of even if he wanted to. Silenced from telling the truth cripples him everyday but he's got a plan that he has to see through but not everything works out the way he thought it would.
Marley grew up moulded to be proper and prim, the perfect daughter in a gilded cage. She didn't break the rules, never spoke out of turn, toed the like but she didn't want to be that way. She wanted her freedom and away from her controlling parents. Marley didn't know what she wanted out of life long term but she did know that being stuck as the mayor's daughter wasn't a life. She was determined to live a little and when she stumbled upon a race track with a bad boy who looked like sin she knew she was in trouble 😏
“𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤𝕟’𝕥 𝕡𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕒 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕓𝕚𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖?”
River and Marley might be from different tracks but their chemistry for each other keeps them together, the pull they have started out as just a little spark that bloomed into more but not everything is black and white. Secrets don't stay hidden for long and words cut deeper than anything else.. River and Marley started out as strangers but can they survive the aftershocks after everything is said and done? 👀
“ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴏᴋᴀʏ, ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇꜱꜱ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ"
January 29, 2025
2.5/5 stars
I'm torn with this book. I really wanted to love this book. After River was introduced in Sebastian's book, I really wanted his story. However, I had a hard time jumping into this book.
Ria has primarily written older and more mature characters. Both River and Marly are younger, which normally wouldn't be an issue, but I had a hard time with their ages. Both were doing stuff that most wouldn't be doing at their ages. IMO, who has their lives that together that young?!?
I also really didn't feel the chemistry between the two. Sure, the lust was there, and the spicy scenes were hot, but I felt like they were just one big ONS. Where was the romance? The swoony moments?
Lastly, I couldn't get over how the 3rd act breakup happened. It was cruel, which makes for some good angst, but the grovel from River was not there. In fact, I wished Marly would move on and forget about him. The grovel is nonexistent, and the BFF that hated River for the entire book is the one to help the man who humiliated Marly. Seriously, what kind of friend and love interest is that?!?
I wasn't a fan, but I'm excited to read Ria's next book. Thank you for the ARC.
I'm torn with this book. I really wanted to love this book. After River was introduced in Sebastian's book, I really wanted his story. However, I had a hard time jumping into this book.
Ria has primarily written older and more mature characters. Both River and Marly are younger, which normally wouldn't be an issue, but I had a hard time with their ages. Both were doing stuff that most wouldn't be doing at their ages. IMO, who has their lives that together that young?!?
I also really didn't feel the chemistry between the two. Sure, the lust was there, and the spicy scenes were hot, but I felt like they were just one big ONS. Where was the romance? The swoony moments?
Lastly, I couldn't get over how the 3rd act breakup happened. It was cruel, which makes for some good angst, but the grovel from River was not there. In fact, I wished Marly would move on and forget about him. The grovel is nonexistent, and the BFF that hated River for the entire book is the one to help the man who humiliated Marly. Seriously, what kind of friend and love interest is that?!?
I wasn't a fan, but I'm excited to read Ria's next book. Thank you for the ARC.
January 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐ For characters & storyline 🌶🌶 Spice
February 25, 2025
〔 3.5 ☆ 〕
this was cute. i loved the vibes and the bad boy x good girl dynamic. i think i would’ve rated this higher if the book was longer bc some things felt rushed and i think river should’ve groveled more. regardless, i still enjoyed this and i recommend.
thank you so much ria wilde for giving me the opportunity to read the arc 🫶🏻
this was cute. i loved the vibes and the bad boy x good girl dynamic. i think i would’ve rated this higher if the book was longer bc some things felt rushed and i think river should’ve groveled more. regardless, i still enjoyed this and i recommend.
thank you so much ria wilde for giving me the opportunity to read the arc 🫶🏻
February 19, 2025
This reminds me of Five Brothers by PD. Like some mild version.
Have no idea which came out first so don't know who inspired who.
Have no idea which came out first so don't know who inspired who.
December 27, 2024
This was tragically amazing. The prologue was absolutely heartbreaking and the epilogue was simply beautiful.
In between the two, it was simply addicting.
River and Marly were just everything together.
Both their stories were tragic. Both struggling with completely different things in their life, but still they're connected by them..unfortunately Marly is in the dark about the truth. The truth of the dark secrets her family hides, which River wants to uncover and reveal to everyone. Get revenge for what was taken from him.
I loved the chemistry between the two and how River shows Marly how to truly live. The racing scenes were definitely my favorite as well as the late night sneaking through the window and trying take out. 🥹
Seriously I just couldn't get enough of River. He was the sweetest and so damn protective, possessive, but also caring....perfect. 🫠
The stories of his mom. 🥺
I absolutely loved how Marly got her revenge at the end. When the truth was revealed it was just simply intense. But she didn't back down and did what was right. So proud of her for that.
I could read more and more of these two and never get bored. I just absolutely loved this book.
Thank you Ria Wilde for the arc. 🫶🏻
In between the two, it was simply addicting.
River and Marly were just everything together.
Both their stories were tragic. Both struggling with completely different things in their life, but still they're connected by them..unfortunately Marly is in the dark about the truth. The truth of the dark secrets her family hides, which River wants to uncover and reveal to everyone. Get revenge for what was taken from him.
I loved the chemistry between the two and how River shows Marly how to truly live. The racing scenes were definitely my favorite as well as the late night sneaking through the window and trying take out. 🥹
Seriously I just couldn't get enough of River. He was the sweetest and so damn protective, possessive, but also caring....perfect. 🫠
The stories of his mom. 🥺
I absolutely loved how Marly got her revenge at the end. When the truth was revealed it was just simply intense. But she didn't back down and did what was right. So proud of her for that.
I could read more and more of these two and never get bored. I just absolutely loved this book.
Thank you Ria Wilde for the arc. 🫶🏻
January 18, 2025
River is a standalone title written by Ria Wilde.
*bad boy x good girl
*Enemies little sister
*Revenge coupling
This book was so good, yet so hard to read! River meets Marly when she sneaks into one of his car races with her best friend. River immediately recognizes who she is due to her father and brother. Marly has no clue who River but is immediately infatuated with him.
From the very beginning River decides he is going to make Marly fall in love with him and then break her heart so that her family knows how bad it feels to have one of their own hurt like he does after losing his brother to their evilness.
No OM drama, but there is a lot of OW drama in the form of a previous hookup of the MMC’s. He allowed the OW to cause drama for the FMC and even touch/kiss him in front of the FMC. Eventually he puts a stop to it, but then the dreaded third act breakup takes place.
Format: KU ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: River (MMC) & Marly (FMC)
*bad boy x good girl
*Enemies little sister
*Revenge coupling
This book was so good, yet so hard to read! River meets Marly when she sneaks into one of his car races with her best friend. River immediately recognizes who she is due to her father and brother. Marly has no clue who River but is immediately infatuated with him.
From the very beginning River decides he is going to make Marly fall in love with him and then break her heart so that her family knows how bad it feels to have one of their own hurt like he does after losing his brother to their evilness.
No OM drama, but there is a lot of OW drama in the form of a previous hookup of the MMC’s. He allowed the OW to cause drama for the FMC and even touch/kiss him in front of the FMC. Eventually he puts a stop to it, but then the dreaded third act breakup takes place.
Format: KU ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: River (MMC) & Marly (FMC)
January 12, 2025
3.5⭐️
Let me just say, this book was AMAZING for the first 30%. I couldn’t put it down. I was slowly folding laundry while reading on my kindle.
I am not really sure what happened but after that I started really struggling. I’m also one of those people that thinks words can’t be taken back easy. And while I do think “actions speak louder than words”, when your words are that mean (even for a good reason) I need WAY more groveling in order to even remotely forgive. River didn’t do enough! That was cryptic but I don’t want to spoil anything.
But I Marly! That girls character development was amazing!! She goes through it but comes out a better person. I was so proud of her.
While this book wasn’t a favorite, I did read it in less than 2 days so it was definitely kept my attention and interest. That’s saying something.
Let me just say, this book was AMAZING for the first 30%. I couldn’t put it down. I was slowly folding laundry while reading on my kindle.
I am not really sure what happened but after that I started really struggling. I’m also one of those people that thinks words can’t be taken back easy. And while I do think “actions speak louder than words”, when your words are that mean (even for a good reason) I need WAY more groveling in order to even remotely forgive. River didn’t do enough! That was cryptic but I don’t want to spoil anything.
But I Marly! That girls character development was amazing!! She goes through it but comes out a better person. I was so proud of her.
While this book wasn’t a favorite, I did read it in less than 2 days so it was definitely kept my attention and interest. That’s saying something.
December 26, 2024
Oh River, baby 🥵
Ria Wilde has done it again with River and Marly. I am obsessed and will never shut up about this book.
River and Marlys relationship is full of chemistry, secrets, banter, and revenge. The storyline is amazing and I could not put this book down once I started and I haven't stopped thinking about it since it ended. The chemistry is electric and spicy. The secrets and revenge had me at the edge of my seat, and the banter was top tier.
This book was written so well. I felt what the characters were feeling. I held my breath when secrets were being exposed. I giggled when the banter started. And I was definitely blushing through the spice.
Ria Wilde has done it again with River and Marly. I am obsessed and will never shut up about this book.
River and Marlys relationship is full of chemistry, secrets, banter, and revenge. The storyline is amazing and I could not put this book down once I started and I haven't stopped thinking about it since it ended. The chemistry is electric and spicy. The secrets and revenge had me at the edge of my seat, and the banter was top tier.
This book was written so well. I felt what the characters were feeling. I held my breath when secrets were being exposed. I giggled when the banter started. And I was definitely blushing through the spice.
January 11, 2025
Ria does it again!!
I couldn’t put this book down! I fell in love with the characters from the beginning! I felt so bad for River cause of what he has been through! Marley is just the sweetest innocent soul who wouldn’t hurt a soul!
Their love story went through so much but I love watching it all unfold!
Such a good opposites attract story!
Ria did amazing!!
5/5✨
I couldn’t put this book down! I fell in love with the characters from the beginning! I felt so bad for River cause of what he has been through! Marley is just the sweetest innocent soul who wouldn’t hurt a soul!
Their love story went through so much but I love watching it all unfold!
Such a good opposites attract story!
Ria did amazing!!
5/5✨
March 18, 2025
I need a quick read to save my sanity during busy season. Not sure if I’m just book starved but this book was actually pretty good. It gave exactly what it needed to. I thought River and Marley had pretty good chemistry and banter! I do wish the climax was a little more juicy and dramatic, it was a little eh but still good!
January 19, 2025
There isn't a single book by Ria Wilde I haven't adored yet and this was definitely no different, I was obsessed, hooked and in love! River and Marly were so freaking epic and beautiful with so many feels! It was the perfect vibe for me!
February 17, 2025
Ria you’ve done it again, absolutely amazing book amazing I could not put it down 🥹💕
April 14, 2025
For those who give this book a 4⭐️ and above. Are yall being hold at the gun point?
May 12, 2025
I couldn't put it down tho the last 20% kinda ruined it like dude was forgiven way too easily
June 4, 2025
FINALLY, a book i genuinely enjoyed now was it the best no… but i was so entertained dark romance always saves me from slumps
December 23, 2024
ARC Copy 💚
This book gave me Kate Crew book vibes and I loved it.
I love a good bad boy x good girl trope and it was done perfectly in this book.
River was so sweet and attentive. His protectiveness made me swoon every time.
Marly was so innocent but not in an annoying way. Overall I really enjoyed this book. Fingers crossed for we get a sequel!!!
This book gave me Kate Crew book vibes and I loved it.
I love a good bad boy x good girl trope and it was done perfectly in this book.
River was so sweet and attentive. His protectiveness made me swoon every time.
Marly was so innocent but not in an annoying way. Overall I really enjoyed this book. Fingers crossed for we get a sequel!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews