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Misty Rivers: A Summer of Secrets. A Summer of Friendships. A Summer That Lived Forever.
At the close of the 1800s, under the sweltering Arkansas sun, twelve-year-old Misty Rivers clings to the land her father built. With her parents gone and the farm’s soil turning brittle, she shoulders more than her years should bear. Determined to preserve her family’s legacy, she takes on the daunting task of managing the farm alone—facing the unforgiving elements, encounters with strangers, and even the occasional threat of a rabid panther. Armed with a shotgun, quick wit, and her loyal hound Roscoe, Misty sets out to protect the only home she’s ever known.
When her estranged Aunt Ginny arrives, the two form a fierce—if unconventional—team. Together, they work the land, rebuild a home, and forge a connection shaped by hardship, humor, and hard-earned trust. Their quiet world is shaken when Gamba—a towering Black man, born free but forced into bondage—escapes a brutal life of exploitation and underground fighting. Guided by the strength of his ancestors and the whispered wisdom of his mother, he carries not only the weight of survival but the quiet dignity of a man who remembers where he comes from. On the Rivers farm, he finds more than shelter—he finds kinship, laughter, and a fragile but persistent sense of belonging.
Together, these unlikely companions forge bonds that challenge the boundaries of family and friendship. As danger closes in and secrets stir from the dust, they discover that survival isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about believing in something a future where love, hope, and resilience grow deeper than fear.
Misty Rivers is a tender, sweeping tale of loss and renewal, of finding light in unexpected places, and of the quiet courage it takes to protect land, legacy, and love—especially when the world would see them vanish.
When her estranged Aunt Ginny arrives, the two form a fierce—if unconventional—team. Together, they work the land, rebuild a home, and forge a connection shaped by hardship, humor, and hard-earned trust. Their quiet world is shaken when Gamba—a towering Black man, born free but forced into bondage—escapes a brutal life of exploitation and underground fighting. Guided by the strength of his ancestors and the whispered wisdom of his mother, he carries not only the weight of survival but the quiet dignity of a man who remembers where he comes from. On the Rivers farm, he finds more than shelter—he finds kinship, laughter, and a fragile but persistent sense of belonging.
Together, these unlikely companions forge bonds that challenge the boundaries of family and friendship. As danger closes in and secrets stir from the dust, they discover that survival isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about believing in something a future where love, hope, and resilience grow deeper than fear.
Misty Rivers is a tender, sweeping tale of loss and renewal, of finding light in unexpected places, and of the quiet courage it takes to protect land, legacy, and love—especially when the world would see them vanish.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2025
33 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 29, 2025
Misty Rivers by Chic Scaparo is a wonderful story about family, loss, and unexpected friendships. Misty is a tough-as-nails little girl doing her best to keep her family’s farm running after tragedy, with her loyal hound always by her side. When an aunt she’s never met arrives, and a mysterious man named Gamba enters her life with an instant connection, Misty’s summer takes turns she could never have imagined.
I loved this book! Set in late 1800s Arkansas, the characters are incredibly well written and deeply likable. Misty’s fearless, funny, and chaotic personality makes her unforgettable. Aunt Ginny is the nurturing, kindhearted presence Misty needs in her lonely world, while Gamba—an enormous but gentle man on the run—brings warmth and mystery to the farm. Even the side characters are as well-rounded as the main cast. The story was instantly immersive and kept me captivated until the very end. I highly recommend picking up this book and settling in—you won’t be able to put it down!
I loved this book! Set in late 1800s Arkansas, the characters are incredibly well written and deeply likable. Misty’s fearless, funny, and chaotic personality makes her unforgettable. Aunt Ginny is the nurturing, kindhearted presence Misty needs in her lonely world, while Gamba—an enormous but gentle man on the run—brings warmth and mystery to the farm. Even the side characters are as well-rounded as the main cast. The story was instantly immersive and kept me captivated until the very end. I highly recommend picking up this book and settling in—you won’t be able to put it down!
January 5, 2026
A new editor is needed!
A good story line, though it could be better!
A little dry; more metaphorical language and improved punctuation would be a plus.
A good story line, though it could be better!
A little dry; more metaphorical language and improved punctuation would be a plus.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews