What do you think?
Rate this book
The Surprise
August 31, 2014, was the day that marked the mistakes in choices that cost Emily Cromwell the love of her life.
Spencer Huxley and Emily Cromwell ran away and got married after graduation,
but she left him immediately after their wedding, leaving his heart shattered into pieces.
That day, Spencer left Juniper Springs on a one-way track to join the military,
vowing never to return to the small town.
Years later, Spencer is now an accomplished author with millions to his name,
while Emily works as a schoolteacher and a single mom.
When an urgent phone call sets Spencer and Emily’s worlds on a path of collision.
Unbeknownst to Spencer, Emily has been harboring three huge life altering secrets from him...
Scandals and secrets that could send shockwaves throughout the quiet town.
When Emily’s father is found dead, they begin to unravel the many mysteries that have shaped their entire adult lives.
With the help of lawyer and PI Avery Hart, they seek to reveal a truth that will upend everything they thought they knew about their past and each other.
Will the secrets that Emily harbors destroy any hope of a future together?
*The Surprise is Book 4 in the Juniper Springs series and can be read as a standalone.
Spencer Huxley and Emily Cromwell ran away and got married after graduation,
but she left him immediately after their wedding, leaving his heart shattered into pieces.
That day, Spencer left Juniper Springs on a one-way track to join the military,
vowing never to return to the small town.
Years later, Spencer is now an accomplished author with millions to his name,
while Emily works as a schoolteacher and a single mom.
When an urgent phone call sets Spencer and Emily’s worlds on a path of collision.
Unbeknownst to Spencer, Emily has been harboring three huge life altering secrets from him...
Scandals and secrets that could send shockwaves throughout the quiet town.
When Emily’s father is found dead, they begin to unravel the many mysteries that have shaped their entire adult lives.
With the help of lawyer and PI Avery Hart, they seek to reveal a truth that will upend everything they thought they knew about their past and each other.
Will the secrets that Emily harbors destroy any hope of a future together?
*The Surprise is Book 4 in the Juniper Springs series and can be read as a standalone.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2025
440 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 6, 2025
Heartbreaking and heartwarming
Well, I never saw that coming with Emily’s dad! What a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. And poor Avery, working so hard to solve the case. Great to read about the other couples from previous stories.
Well, I never saw that coming with Emily’s dad! What a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. And poor Avery, working so hard to solve the case. Great to read about the other couples from previous stories.
November 14, 2025
Surprise!!
High school sweethearts are cruelly separated but not before they had eloped. Spenser joined the military. Emily became a school teacher and runs her own school. Eleven years later Spencer comes back to town to see his ailing mother. Spencer discovers Emily's father while turkey hunting with his best friend. Was it suicide or murder? Who tries to hang themselves with their hands cuffed behind their back? Why does he have a graze gunshot wound on his arm? Why does it look like someone pulled the chair out from under him? And then to top it off he runs into Emily and a little girl who calls her mommy. A little girl with his eyes who disappears the evening they were all supposed to go out to dinner. Was she kidnapped because of her grandfather? The hunt is on.
Juniper Springs is a great series. Every book is about a different resident with some regulars. Which Juniper Springs wasn't fictional because I'd sure like to live there. Great job. Thank you.
High school sweethearts are cruelly separated but not before they had eloped. Spenser joined the military. Emily became a school teacher and runs her own school. Eleven years later Spencer comes back to town to see his ailing mother. Spencer discovers Emily's father while turkey hunting with his best friend. Was it suicide or murder? Who tries to hang themselves with their hands cuffed behind their back? Why does he have a graze gunshot wound on his arm? Why does it look like someone pulled the chair out from under him? And then to top it off he runs into Emily and a little girl who calls her mommy. A little girl with his eyes who disappears the evening they were all supposed to go out to dinner. Was she kidnapped because of her grandfather? The hunt is on.
Juniper Springs is a great series. Every book is about a different resident with some regulars. Which Juniper Springs wasn't fictional because I'd sure like to live there. Great job. Thank you.
July 5, 2025
So far, I've enjoyed this book the most in this series! The story is very easy to get wrapped up in the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Emily and Spenser brought me to feel sad and happy with what was going on and then add in the mysteries. It's extremely well written. There is plenty of action. It felt like the book flew by because of everything going on and I really enjoy seeing character return, like Avery and Lance. For a small town, a lot goes on. I'm eagerly waiting for more!
July 17, 2025
A crime story, a love story all in one
Gosh, this was such a good book. I wasn't so sure about it when I first started, but boy it got to the point where I could not put it down and I didn't care who wanted to come to my house. I just needed to finish the book stay up late and I'm so glad I did. I promise if you are in AJ Rivers Fan you will love this book.
And if this is the first one that you've written from the Jennifer Springs mystery group I really encourage you to start from the beginning. You won't be disappointed.
Gosh, this was such a good book. I wasn't so sure about it when I first started, but boy it got to the point where I could not put it down and I didn't care who wanted to come to my house. I just needed to finish the book stay up late and I'm so glad I did. I promise if you are in AJ Rivers Fan you will love this book.
And if this is the first one that you've written from the Jennifer Springs mystery group I really encourage you to start from the beginning. You won't be disappointed.
July 11, 2025
Argh. Once again I ask if AJ Rivers is using different writers for these series because the tone is different AND the names of previous characters are completely different. (Book 3’s character was named Mia and she’s now named Kaylee). I want to keep reading your series but I’m more and more disappointed in anything other than the Emma and Dean series….
September 28, 2025
Lovely Story
I really enjoyed this book. The ups and downs were plenty.I love the town of Juniper Springs. It's a place I would love to live. I felt like I knew Emily since I experienced being a single mother too. The love between Emily and Spencer for their daughter and each other was touching. Thank you for writing a book I happily enjoyed.
I really enjoyed this book. The ups and downs were plenty.I love the town of Juniper Springs. It's a place I would love to live. I felt like I knew Emily since I experienced being a single mother too. The love between Emily and Spencer for their daughter and each other was touching. Thank you for writing a book I happily enjoyed.
July 6, 2025
This is a great story about Emily and Spencer and finding out what happened to her dad and about Emily and Spencer getting their lives back after many years and daughter he didn’t know he had with lots of suspense . Thank you.
July 30, 2025
Loving this series
I have read and loved the Emma, Dean and Ava series. This one is different, I love how each book introduces new characters and a story line but we still get to catch up with the others in the town!
I have read and loved the Emma, Dean and Ava series. This one is different, I love how each book introduces new characters and a story line but we still get to catch up with the others in the town!
September 6, 2025
Great book!!!
I loved this book, it was so cool to see the characters from the first 3 books in this one!!!
The one thing I didn't like was the way it didn't pause when you were heading into a different persons account. One paragraph was about one person,
I loved this book, it was so cool to see the characters from the first 3 books in this one!!!
The one thing I didn't like was the way it didn't pause when you were heading into a different persons account. One paragraph was about one person,
June 25, 2025
This story grabbed my attention from the very beginning. It was a great read! It's definitely my favorite of this series so far.
July 7, 2025
The Surprise
I enjoyed reading this latest book in the series. The interesting plot, life-like characters left me hungry for the next book.
I enjoyed reading this latest book in the series. The interesting plot, life-like characters left me hungry for the next book.
July 9, 2025
A Wonderful Departure
This book is a total change from previous River’s books. A compelling love story with a sprinkling of mystery and Spenser. Well done and very enjoyable.
This book is a total change from previous River’s books. A compelling love story with a sprinkling of mystery and Spenser. Well done and very enjoyable.
July 11, 2025
Great read
Well developed characters. Plot took twists and turns until the end which was great. I totally enjoyed reading this book.
Well developed characters. Plot took twists and turns until the end which was great. I totally enjoyed reading this book.
July 18, 2025
Katrina
So adorable, and slick. This book was such a sweet story. Loved it. Started with sadness and ended with joy
So adorable, and slick. This book was such a sweet story. Loved it. Started with sadness and ended with joy
July 29, 2025
Romance bloomed again. I know I said, in last review, that I thought it was enough already , but this time it was different, and mixed with a couple of real surprises, in the mystery. I ❤️ed it!!!!
August 12, 2025
slow start but good finish
I wasn’t sure at first but the story comes along and kept me going looking for more. Emily ended up happy after all
I wasn’t sure at first but the story comes along and kept me going looking for more. Emily ended up happy after all
August 13, 2025
These are kinda cheesy.
August 24, 2025
Keep your deep love forever
A fun story that has intrigue through out it. Sadness at the disappointments that could have been averted. Time & love wins out!
A fun story that has intrigue through out it. Sadness at the disappointments that could have been averted. Time & love wins out!
Read
September 14, 2025I enjoy this series of books.
November 2, 2025
Love this series!
November 17, 2025
Real characters
AJ Rivers is becoming one of my favorite authors. Settings and dialogue are authentic, and don't pull the reader out of the story.
AJ Rivers is becoming one of my favorite authors. Settings and dialogue are authentic, and don't pull the reader out of the story.
December 7, 2025
Another Page Turner from AJ Rivers! An awesome love story with many twists and turns. Love Juniper Springs!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews