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The Girl in Juniper Springs
"911, what's your emergency?"
Military surgeon Lance Blair is haunted by many demons and nightmares from his past.
Going back home might be the only way he could finally be set free.
While working at the Seattle Hospital of Hope, he receives a call bearing tragic news that shakes his world.
Now on the road to Juniper Springs, back to where his life began,
Lance tackles the responsibilities of running his family’s clinic, while battling the feelings of grief and regret.
On an errand in town, he runs into his high-school sweetheart, Avery Hart.
The one woman he could never forget.
Avery now works as a lawyer at a local law firm and freelances as a private investigator.
Immediately, sparks fly, reigniting a flame they thought had died out long ago.
While revisiting their shared past and the future they could have had,
Lance learns of Avery's suspicions regarding his mother’s death.
As they explore the mysteries surrounding her death and the secrets hidden in Juniper Springs,
they rediscover the spark of true love and confront the different paths life has led them down.
Brought together by tragedy, their lives intertwine through faith,
solving mysteries that will forever change their fate.
Military surgeon Lance Blair is haunted by many demons and nightmares from his past.
Going back home might be the only way he could finally be set free.
While working at the Seattle Hospital of Hope, he receives a call bearing tragic news that shakes his world.
Now on the road to Juniper Springs, back to where his life began,
Lance tackles the responsibilities of running his family’s clinic, while battling the feelings of grief and regret.
On an errand in town, he runs into his high-school sweetheart, Avery Hart.
The one woman he could never forget.
Avery now works as a lawyer at a local law firm and freelances as a private investigator.
Immediately, sparks fly, reigniting a flame they thought had died out long ago.
While revisiting their shared past and the future they could have had,
Lance learns of Avery's suspicions regarding his mother’s death.
As they explore the mysteries surrounding her death and the secrets hidden in Juniper Springs,
they rediscover the spark of true love and confront the different paths life has led them down.
Brought together by tragedy, their lives intertwine through faith,
solving mysteries that will forever change their fate.
- GenresMystery Thriller
268 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2025
2131 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 21, 2025
This was a quick, cozy mystery with a dash of romance and a sprinkle of suspense.
Lance is a former military doctor, turned ER doctor who returns to his hometown in the wake of his mother's death.
Avery Hart is a lawyer who moonlight as a P.I. in her hometown of Juniper Springs.
When Avery finds some things that don't add up at the scene of Lance's mom's wreck, she can't shake the feeling this is more than an accident.
When she runs into Lance, sparks fly and feelings she thought were long gone re-emerge.
The novel weaves just enough mystery and intrigue through the story to keep you reading (or, in my case, listening). Rivers does an amazing job balancing the mystery and romance in this novel with things coming to a head in the last 10% of the novel.
It's a bit of a slow burn up until that point, as you pick up little bread crumbs along the way.
Where my experience shined was with the audiobook. Vanlandingham does an amazing job with her storytelling. She brings the characters to life in real and emotional ways. She puts so much heart into the characters that you can feel their emotions in her voice. Each character has a unique element to it, and she does a great job of making each one distinct. It really made the audiobook shine.
Overall, this was an enjoyable mystery that kept my attention and entertained me from start to finish.
Lance is a former military doctor, turned ER doctor who returns to his hometown in the wake of his mother's death.
Avery Hart is a lawyer who moonlight as a P.I. in her hometown of Juniper Springs.
When Avery finds some things that don't add up at the scene of Lance's mom's wreck, she can't shake the feeling this is more than an accident.
When she runs into Lance, sparks fly and feelings she thought were long gone re-emerge.
The novel weaves just enough mystery and intrigue through the story to keep you reading (or, in my case, listening). Rivers does an amazing job balancing the mystery and romance in this novel with things coming to a head in the last 10% of the novel.
It's a bit of a slow burn up until that point, as you pick up little bread crumbs along the way.
Where my experience shined was with the audiobook. Vanlandingham does an amazing job with her storytelling. She brings the characters to life in real and emotional ways. She puts so much heart into the characters that you can feel their emotions in her voice. Each character has a unique element to it, and she does a great job of making each one distinct. It really made the audiobook shine.
Overall, this was an enjoyable mystery that kept my attention and entertained me from start to finish.
August 8, 2025
Amazing
What a mystery! It was entertaining, & was a thoughtful intense mystery loved every minute & heartbreaking as well. Well written, kept me reading. Love the main characters. So happy they found each other again. Avery is an excellent Private Investigator. Lance a very caring Dr together they make an incredible team.
What a mystery! It was entertaining, & was a thoughtful intense mystery loved every minute & heartbreaking as well. Well written, kept me reading. Love the main characters. So happy they found each other again. Avery is an excellent Private Investigator. Lance a very caring Dr together they make an incredible team.
May 19, 2025
I've been a huge fan of AJ Rivers for years, and I cannot tell you enough how good of a book this one is! This is a brand new series from an incredible author, and I think you're going to love it!
Lance Blair is a Navy veteran and doctor in Seattle when he gets the phone call he dreads - his mother has been killed in a car accident. He goes home to help her small-town clinic and runs into his high school sweetheart, Avery Hart, who is now a lawyer and part-time PI. Lance discovers discrepancies during inventory and tries to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, Avery isn't so sure his mother's accident was actually an accident. Their paths cross over and over in their separate quests for truth until everything goes up in flames.
Lance Blair is a Navy veteran and doctor in Seattle when he gets the phone call he dreads - his mother has been killed in a car accident. He goes home to help her small-town clinic and runs into his high school sweetheart, Avery Hart, who is now a lawyer and part-time PI. Lance discovers discrepancies during inventory and tries to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, Avery isn't so sure his mother's accident was actually an accident. Their paths cross over and over in their separate quests for truth until everything goes up in flames.
July 5, 2025
Excellent book with lots of twists and turns
When I picked this up, I guess I thought it was a psychological thriller. I was pleasantly surprised it was more a romantic suspense which is right up my alley. Lance's mom was killed in a car accident and Avery, lawyer and part time PI comes across the scene realizing there is something amiss here. Great read, plot was excellent and text flowed so nicely. Overall great pick for summer, or any season you want to dig into a book that hooks your interest. Highly recommend this!
When I picked this up, I guess I thought it was a psychological thriller. I was pleasantly surprised it was more a romantic suspense which is right up my alley. Lance's mom was killed in a car accident and Avery, lawyer and part time PI comes across the scene realizing there is something amiss here. Great read, plot was excellent and text flowed so nicely. Overall great pick for summer, or any season you want to dig into a book that hooks your interest. Highly recommend this!
June 20, 2025
Thrilling
There are not enough adjectives to describe how wonderful this book was. I was so captivated with the story and wanting to see what was going to happen that I couldn't put it down. I'm really looking forward to the second book of the series and really hoping we haven't heard the last of Avery and Lance. There's so much more to know about them. I HIGHLY recommend this book/series.
There are not enough adjectives to describe how wonderful this book was. I was so captivated with the story and wanting to see what was going to happen that I couldn't put it down. I'm really looking forward to the second book of the series and really hoping we haven't heard the last of Avery and Lance. There's so much more to know about them. I HIGHLY recommend this book/series.
July 8, 2025
Was it an accident or was it a murder
It appeared to be an accident involving a deer and a vechicle, but could it have been more? And if so, why, what motives would someone have? This story holds your attention, I hated to put the book down. It was just one thing after another, do they all have a connection or not? Great story.
It appeared to be an accident involving a deer and a vechicle, but could it have been more? And if so, why, what motives would someone have? This story holds your attention, I hated to put the book down. It was just one thing after another, do they all have a connection or not? Great story.
July 8, 2025
I won't say this is a bad book, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. It's categorized as a thriller, but what it actually is, is a romantic mystery. Sure, there's a mystery to solve, but the romance is dripping all over everything and as far as a thriller? No. I won't be continuing this series.
November 26, 2025
The Girl in Juniper Springs is the first book in the Juniper Springs Mystery series.
Ex-military surgeon, turned big city doctor, Lance Blair, returns to the small town of Juniper Springs where he grew up, following his mother's death in a car accident, to run his family's clinic. He reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Avery Hart, who now works as a lawyer and private investigator. Together, they look into the secrets surrounding his mother's death, which they suspect was not an accident.
This book is gripping from the first page, with so many twists and turns that it will keep you guessing to the last chapter. It’s well written and compelling, and the rekindling of an old romance is marvellously full of yearning!
I listened to this one on audio, and the narrator, Tiffany Vanlandingham, did a sterling job with the different characters voices and the empathy she showed in her performance.
A few trigger warnings to be aware of - contains mention of death of a parent, death of a friend, war injury, PTSD, car accident, hunting accident, drug addiction, dead deer, fire..
Altogether, I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the next in the series.
Ex-military surgeon, turned big city doctor, Lance Blair, returns to the small town of Juniper Springs where he grew up, following his mother's death in a car accident, to run his family's clinic. He reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Avery Hart, who now works as a lawyer and private investigator. Together, they look into the secrets surrounding his mother's death, which they suspect was not an accident.
This book is gripping from the first page, with so many twists and turns that it will keep you guessing to the last chapter. It’s well written and compelling, and the rekindling of an old romance is marvellously full of yearning!
I listened to this one on audio, and the narrator, Tiffany Vanlandingham, did a sterling job with the different characters voices and the empathy she showed in her performance.
A few trigger warnings to be aware of - contains mention of death of a parent, death of a friend, war injury, PTSD, car accident, hunting accident, drug addiction, dead deer, fire..
Altogether, I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the next in the series.
December 18, 2025
This was a good mystery however I figured out the who-done-it early on. It was no surprise that High School sweethearts Lance and Avery would get back together. It's in the About but you still cheer them on because they seem to be good for each other. I initially thought the genre should have been mystery romance, not thriller, but later on the true definition of thriller kicks in. I do believe romance should be added to the Genre list.
Narration was great. I could feel Tiffany at the edge of her seat as panic set in!
It's Book 1 in the series and as indicated can be read as a stand alone. They didn't leave a cliff hanger but you could see the opening for future professional collaborations as well as developing their relationship.
I deducted one star because the scenario close to the end was a little far fetched. And by a little, I mean a lot. Overall it was enjoyable.
I received this audiobook from the narrator Tiffany Vanlandingham as a member of her Audiobook Review Team in exchange for an honest review. She did a great job.
Narration was great. I could feel Tiffany at the edge of her seat as panic set in!
It's Book 1 in the series and as indicated can be read as a stand alone. They didn't leave a cliff hanger but you could see the opening for future professional collaborations as well as developing their relationship.
I deducted one star because the scenario close to the end was a little far fetched. And by a little, I mean a lot. Overall it was enjoyable.
I received this audiobook from the narrator Tiffany Vanlandingham as a member of her Audiobook Review Team in exchange for an honest review. She did a great job.
June 7, 2025
This is the first book in a new series, one which I hope many more books are added to. I loved it and see the possibility for lots of stories. Avery Hart is a lawyer and PI. She is fearless, quick on her feet and won't back down. The love of her life suddenly comes back to town due to his mother dying in a car accident. Dr. Blair is only in town until his mother's clinic can be resolved and taken care of because of her sudden death. much to his surprise, he realizes he might not want to go back to his life in Seattle. The story was well written and fast paced. The characters were well written and believable. I really enjoyed this story. I am excited to have a new town and cast of characters to get to know. what a great start to kick the series off with.
September 26, 2025
Avery is a Private Investigator and a lawyer. Lance is a Navy veteran and a doctor. When Lance's mother is killed in a car accident, he returns to Juniper Springs to run his mother's clinic. Avery stumbles upon the accident scene. After getting permission from the sheriff, she tries to piece together what happened. The scene does not support the theory that she hit a deer and rolled her car, in Avery's opinion. Avery and Lance were high school sweethearts and still have feelings for each other. They dance around their feelings while Avery investigates the crash.
November 22, 2025
An “accident” that took his mother’s life brings Lance back to Juniper Springs… but nothing about it feels simple.
And the moment he runs into his ex, Avery—a badass lawyer and PI who witnessed the scene—everything shifts.
Clues aren’t lining up. Secrets are surfacing.
And that old spark between them? Still burning. 🔥
This story has mystery, suspense, emotional depth, and a delicious touch of romance.
The audiobook narrators? SO good—they pulled me right in.
If you’re craving a twisty small-town mystery with second-chance tension… this one’s for you! 🎧✨
And the moment he runs into his ex, Avery—a badass lawyer and PI who witnessed the scene—everything shifts.
Clues aren’t lining up. Secrets are surfacing.
And that old spark between them? Still burning. 🔥
This story has mystery, suspense, emotional depth, and a delicious touch of romance.
The audiobook narrators? SO good—they pulled me right in.
If you’re craving a twisty small-town mystery with second-chance tension… this one’s for you! 🎧✨
December 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The story kept my attention the whole way through, and the setting felt so easy to picture. Tiffany Vallandingham did such a great job narrating all the characters— I always knew who was talking without even thinking about it, and that made the whole story even better. I’ve enjoyed several books by this author, and this one sits right up there with my favorites. I’m definitely hoping to find more audiobooks narrated by Tiffany. It was a great listen from start to finish.
August 4, 2025
well, that blew up quickly
A small town lawyer and accredited private investigator, the protagonist works with the local police.
What at first blush looks line a tragic single-vehicle fatality leaves behind some anomalous clues.
The resulting death reunites the main character with her high school sweetheart, as he returns home to bury his estranged mother.
An armed attack, investigational lines of inquiry, and a kidnapping are all in a day’s work.
A small town lawyer and accredited private investigator, the protagonist works with the local police.
What at first blush looks line a tragic single-vehicle fatality leaves behind some anomalous clues.
The resulting death reunites the main character with her high school sweetheart, as he returns home to bury his estranged mother.
An armed attack, investigational lines of inquiry, and a kidnapping are all in a day’s work.
September 30, 2025
Wish I Could Move There
Super story with plenty of mystery, heartbreak, love, friendship, disappointment and loyalty. Going home to bury his mother who was killed in an accident Lance is faced with keeping his mother's clinic up and running. Enter Avery his old high school sweetheart. Avery is a lawyer and PI and doesn't think his mother's death was an accident. Not one to let things go Avery sets things in motion. Great job. Thank you.
Super story with plenty of mystery, heartbreak, love, friendship, disappointment and loyalty. Going home to bury his mother who was killed in an accident Lance is faced with keeping his mother's clinic up and running. Enter Avery his old high school sweetheart. Avery is a lawyer and PI and doesn't think his mother's death was an accident. Not one to let things go Avery sets things in motion. Great job. Thank you.
November 22, 2025
This was a really good mystery with some twists I didn't see coming. The romance between Avery and Lance kept the plot flowing in-between and added a really great element to the entire story.
Tiffany Vanlandingham's narration was brilliant and helped to keep me engaged throughout. The emotions of the characters were portrayed within the narration beautifully and added an extra depth to the listening experience.
Tiffany Vanlandingham's narration was brilliant and helped to keep me engaged throughout. The emotions of the characters were portrayed within the narration beautifully and added an extra depth to the listening experience.
September 23, 2025
Quite possibly the worst book I’ve ever read. Super cheesy, overly predictable, so unrealistic that not even a 10 year old would be entertained. I feel like I’ve read at least one other book by this author that was good so I have no idea how or why this garbage was published. I’m mad at myself for wasting my time finishing it.
October 28, 2025
Big city hospital Dr. returns to small hometown.
Big city hospital Dr. returns to his.small hometown, when his mother dies in a tragic car accident. His mother's clinic has no Dr., so the son has to temporarily take over. Something is just not right about the accident, the clinic, and the drug counts.
Big city hospital Dr. returns to his.small hometown, when his mother dies in a tragic car accident. His mother's clinic has no Dr., so the son has to temporarily take over. Something is just not right about the accident, the clinic, and the drug counts.
June 4, 2025
Edge of your seat mystery with feelings!
Whew! Intense, heartbreaking, heartwarming and had me on the edge of my seat! So happy to have a new place and characters stories to discover.
Whew! Intense, heartbreaking, heartwarming and had me on the edge of my seat! So happy to have a new place and characters stories to discover.
June 11, 2025
Wow what a good book!!
I just loved this book. It was happy and sad, but you were rooting for the 2 main characters through the whole book. This is going to be a delightful series, I can't wait for the next book.
I just loved this book. It was happy and sad, but you were rooting for the 2 main characters through the whole book. This is going to be a delightful series, I can't wait for the next book.
June 16, 2025
Great Story
This is a wonderful story. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too. The characters were terrific and brought you into their lives. It is a crime thriller and an investigation into this crime. Enjoy!
This is a wonderful story. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too. The characters were terrific and brought you into their lives. It is a crime thriller and an investigation into this crime. Enjoy!
June 17, 2025
The Girl in Juniper Springs
I loved this first book. It was a very exciting book .I could not put this bok down . Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I loved this first book. It was a very exciting book .I could not put this bok down . Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
June 25, 2025
minor discrepancies…
I enjoyed the mystery and the romance, but the edit was not thorough;for example, was it his left leg or his right, was it a second degree burn or a third? Little inconsistencies cut into my enjoyment…
I enjoyed the mystery and the romance, but the edit was not thorough;for example, was it his left leg or his right, was it a second degree burn or a third? Little inconsistencies cut into my enjoyment…
June 26, 2025
Left hanging
I would have given this book a better rating if there hadn't been events that seemed to be left in limbo. Such as Avery being run off the road. Where was police follow up or investigation?
I would have given this book a better rating if there hadn't been events that seemed to be left in limbo. Such as Avery being run off the road. Where was police follow up or investigation?
August 10, 2025
Look around you. All is not good
A story that could be in any small town America. The nonsense of daily life, while everyone knows everything about you. Or do they? Stabbing peop!e in the back can be revealing as to why?
A story that could be in any small town America. The nonsense of daily life, while everyone knows everything about you. Or do they? Stabbing peop!e in the back can be revealing as to why?
September 13, 2025
Exceptional!
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. I was enthralled in the characters and story to the very end. Thanks for this great book. I'll be reading the rest of the series with great anticipation!
Sunny Sue
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. I was enthralled in the characters and story to the very end. Thanks for this great book. I'll be reading the rest of the series with great anticipation!
Sunny Sue
September 20, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ I did enjoy this book. Small town, second chance romance, and a twisty death/mystery. Avery and Lance were super cute. I just felt like *something* was missing like I wasn’t fully satisfied. I know this is a series, I did like it enough to eventually continue.
October 2, 2025
Not a series I’m going to continue.
I love the Emma and the Dean series but this one not so much. It just doesn’t have the same thriller vibe that the other two do. This is more a mystery romance.
I love the Emma and the Dean series but this one not so much. It just doesn’t have the same thriller vibe that the other two do. This is more a mystery romance.
November 3, 2025
The Girl in Juniper Springs. By A J Rivers
As they say "it Takes a Village" and that applies to this book. As you read you will explore many solutions to various situations. Keep an open mind and see if you're right.
As they say "it Takes a Village" and that applies to this book. As you read you will explore many solutions to various situations. Keep an open mind and see if you're right.
November 5, 2025
Finding love again
I love the way love will always bring you back together again. The mystery in this book kept me wanting keep reading non-stop.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery and romance.
I love the way love will always bring you back together again. The mystery in this book kept me wanting keep reading non-stop.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery and romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews