Spring Surprises: The River Runs North Series

by Carley Packard

The thing about surprises is you never expect them.

Belle and Kyle Anderson settle into their new life and routines when personal and professional ambitions are impacted by family obligations.

They find themselves parents again unintentionally. Struggling to stay in step with each other they live in fear of loosing touch with their children. The shadows of the mountain still hide the fate of the McKinley Inn and new proprietors.

The River Runs North Series is a four book series set in the largest New England state. Fall in love with Isabelle “Belle” Anderson in the autumn. Meet her family and join them for each season in Maine. Stay with Belle as she faces realistic life challenges impacting family connections and self growth in middle age.

This series has a strong romance undertone exploring established/married love at its best and worst. Come and see what life in Maine can be, if you don’t like the weather just wait a minute it will change. Follow the River North.

204 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Born and raised in Rhode Island Carley moved to Maine as a young adult. Writing for pleasure since a teen, starting with poetry and short stories, she is ready to bring her art to the world.

Now, a married mother of two, she is nestled in the MidCoast of Maine with her husband of 20 years. They continue to proudly date each other while living their life and raising their children.

Romance has always inspired her, and she was influenced by her Nanny's summertime library full of the great Danielle Steel. Her mum's tolerance for hours spent reading during the day and late-night writing sessions fostered the creative mind.

Finding romance in everyday living has been a gift she wanted to share in her stories. Real-life Romance journeys.

Reviews

[George Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spring Surprises continues the River Runs North series with a grounded, midlife-focused exploration of marriage, family, and unexpected change. Rather than relying on heightened melodrama, the novel leans into realistic domestic tension career shifts, parenting challenges, and the quiet fear of emotional drift that can emerge in long-term relationships.

Belle and Kyle’s dynamic is the book’s emotional core. Their struggle to stay connected while navigating renewed parenthood and shifting ambitions offers a mature take on romance that will resonate with readers seeking established-couple narratives rather than first-love tropes. The Maine setting provides a steady, atmospheric backdrop that reinforces the series’ seasonal rhythm and sense of continuity.

This installment is particularly suited to readers who enjoy reflective, character-driven romance that examines growth, compromise, and enduring partnership over time.

[Carley Packard]

This book surprised me how it came to life. Not the story I expected but then they never are to me.
It explores the responsibility of family we all face in our lives. The everyday struggles no matter if we adress them openly or not have a way of burdening us pulling at our identity. Keeping romance alive in these times a challenge worth facing adds a layer to the story of life.
I hope the subtle story of family devotion and established love stays with you long after you turn the last page.