It's All River

by Carla Madeira, Alison Entrekin (Translator)

Brazil’s #1 best-selling literary sensation—an exquisitely seductive novel about a fearless sex worker drawn into a treacherous love triangle.


Lucy is the town’s most deviant and sought-after whore, and proud of it. Lusted after by everyone she meets, there is only one man who has captured her attention—Venâncio, a somber, ever-suffering carpenter with a dark secret. Inconveniently, Venâncio is still married to Dalva, his teenage sweetheart. The couple was once a shining example of matrimony to all their neighbors—until a tragedy left them estranged in their own home. Driven mad by her desire for Venâncio and obsession with Dalva, Lucy makes a decision that forever intertwines their three lives. Masterfully translated by Alison Entrekin, It’s All River is a taut, provocative allegory of desire and forgiveness—and a stunning introduction to one of Brazil’s most daring literary voices.




“Carla Madeira reminds us of Elena Ferrante. . . . [Her] prose is hypnotic.”—La Stampa, Italy


“A breath of fresh air.”—Rascunho, Brazil


“Pure dynamite.”—Elle, Italy

Genres: Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 23, 2026

About the author

Carla Madeira nasceu em Belo Horizonte. Largou o curso de matemática e se formou em jornalismo e publicidade. Foi professora de redação publicitária na Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais e é diretora de criação da agência de comunicação Lápis Raro. Em 2014, lançou seu primeiro romance, “Tudo é rio”, um sucesso editorial, recebido com entusiasmo pelo público e pela crítica.

Reviews

[Clari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc from my local bookstore and this was not what I was expecting based on the synopsis. The story is beautifully written and shockingly tragic. The story is fast paced and explores the background of each character it introduces. The trauma caused by the MMC is unforgivable. He did not deserve a happy ending. The ending also felt rushed.

[Shyanne Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s All River

~FIVE STARS~

I didn’t know what to expect, but this book has exceeded my expectations. There is just so much depth to the characters and plot. I really enjoyed all the different dynamics within the book and how each character had their own story of pain, hardship, obsession, finding oneself, forgiveness and hope through generations. Their own troubles and trauma were brought to light throughout the book and the path to overcoming them. It allows you to see why they are who they are or why they made the choices they did. There’s also both love and scandal and misery and happiness shown within this story as you follow along. The emotions of this book were all consuming. It’s captivating and sad and heart pounding.

I can’t even form the right words to truly describe this book because it was that good. It was masterfully written by the author. I highly recommend this book. Thank you so much to the author Carla Madeira and the publisher for this gifted copy.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book that moved at a fast pace and kept my attention the whole way through. Lucy is a unique character and very empowered by herself. With a love triangle and a lot of lust and seduction, this book takes a look at the power a woman can have and what happens when she feels like she’s losing it. My jaw was on the floor many times as I read. This book will consume you for an entire sitting as you read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lydia Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of It’s All River. I flew through this book. It can be a bit shocking at first, but hang in there as it pays off beautifully in the end.

In summary, “she was a virgin in the matter of love” captures the spirit of the book beautifully and the damage we do to each other and how we can overcome it to reconnect. Highly recommend.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Ann Arey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book charged with raw emotions, anger, jealousy, revenge behavior and all the rippling effects it creates. Great writing and story telling, just a little too spicy on the sensual aspects of the book.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reminds me of My Grandmother’s Erotic Folktales and I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness. There’s both heat and depth as well as memorable characters, primarily female, contained in not a lot of pages.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different approach to finding family in the most unlikely of circumstances. I liked the surprises. It's a bit racy, but we all have our own types of love.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was a huge surprise. It wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be.
The beginning was a little tough because it's very detailed and spicy. Some of the situations in it will definitely evoke a reaction from the reader, whether it's a cringe or shock. (One of the main characters is a self professed 'whore' and proud of it.).
If you can stick through THOSE parts, I promise you, this book is worth it.

There's so much food for thought in this book, that you want to read it fairly slowly and not race through it. Give it time to digest. This is not a light read.
I thought I would "DNF" it when I first started, but am so glad I stayed. The author very skillfully writes emotions and human nature, characters who are exact opposites.

I hated the main character. Despised her. Like I have no other fictional character in a long time.
Yet, by the end of the book, I loved her and wanted more.
When I'd finished the story, I was left with a feeling of hope and the faith that mankind can be redeemed, and still do kind things for one another.

I can see why Carla Madeira is a highly successful author in Brazil. I'll definitely read her future work.
Give this one a try. It won't be for everyone, but I hope if you do try it, that you get as much from it as I did.


(Many thanks to the publisher and author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review)