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Across the River: A Novel
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 18, 2026
5 stars for this author’s debut novel! Any future books of hers will definitely be on my “want to read” list!
July 14, 2026
I didn’t want to put it down. I read it so quickly. I love that it’s a local author and I recognized all the places she talked about in the book. I heartbreaking and wonderful story all rolled into one. Beautifully written as well. A must read.
July 31, 2026
I absolutely loved Across the River. I know Whitney and I’m super proud of her! I finished it in just three days, and honestly, I would have finished it even sooner if life hadn’t gotten in the way. It was one of those books that completely pulls you in…I found myself reading every spare minute I had.
The story is emotional, beautifully written, and the central mystery kept me guessing until the reveal. The timing of that reveal was perfect, and I loved how the story unfolded afterward.
One of my favorite things was the author’s description of her characters’ “testimony period.” Their lives are messy, complicated, and very real, but throughout the story you see their faith woven in naturally. It’s not preachy or forced. It’s a beautiful reminder that faith often grows through the hardest seasons.
The story is emotional, beautifully written, and the central mystery kept me guessing until the reveal. The timing of that reveal was perfect, and I loved how the story unfolded afterward.
One of my favorite things was the author’s description of her characters’ “testimony period.” Their lives are messy, complicated, and very real, but throughout the story you see their faith woven in naturally. It’s not preachy or forced. It’s a beautiful reminder that faith often grows through the hardest seasons.
August 11, 2026
Across the River by Whitney D. Curtis is one of those stories that starts with heartbreak and slowly turns into something so much more.
It’s filled with grief, family secrets, complicated relationships, and a romance you definitely won’t see coming!
Sloane’s world falls apart when her fiancé, Chris, dies in a tragic car accident, leaving her pregnant and soon to be a single mother to their daughter, Ivy.
Then Chris’s estranged identical twin, Alex, steps in to help with Ivy and Chris’s affairs. Sloane and Alex have never exactly gotten along, but as they navigate grief together, their relationship begins to change.
And then comes the BIG secret!
And just when you think that’s the biggest twist, Ivy’s biological father may not be who everyone thought he was. 😳
I really enjoyed how the story balances romance with family drama and emotional healing.
The dual timelines slowly reveal what happened in the past while showing us how Sloane and Alex deal with the consequences in the present.
There’s heartbreak, tension, forgiveness, secrets, and a slow-burn romance that keeps getting more complicated.
Overall, Across the River is a story about love after loss, messy family secrets, and learning that sometimes family isn’t simply about biology, it’s about who chooses to stay.
If you enjoy emotional romances with twists and plenty of family drama, definitely give this one a try!
It’s filled with grief, family secrets, complicated relationships, and a romance you definitely won’t see coming!
Sloane’s world falls apart when her fiancé, Chris, dies in a tragic car accident, leaving her pregnant and soon to be a single mother to their daughter, Ivy.
Then Chris’s estranged identical twin, Alex, steps in to help with Ivy and Chris’s affairs. Sloane and Alex have never exactly gotten along, but as they navigate grief together, their relationship begins to change.
And then comes the BIG secret!
And just when you think that’s the biggest twist, Ivy’s biological father may not be who everyone thought he was. 😳
I really enjoyed how the story balances romance with family drama and emotional healing.
The dual timelines slowly reveal what happened in the past while showing us how Sloane and Alex deal with the consequences in the present.
There’s heartbreak, tension, forgiveness, secrets, and a slow-burn romance that keeps getting more complicated.
Overall, Across the River is a story about love after loss, messy family secrets, and learning that sometimes family isn’t simply about biology, it’s about who chooses to stay.
If you enjoy emotional romances with twists and plenty of family drama, definitely give this one a try!
August 11, 2026
This book was a heartfelt and enjoyable read. It is a sweet romance that is predictable at times, but that didn’t stop me from being completely sucked into the story. It was one of those books I just couldn’t put down and read it in less than two days. The story is about love, loss, and forgiveness. The writer, whether on purpose or not, showed the many different kinds love a person experiences in their life. There is the romantic love, the unconditional love between parents and their children, the special kind of love grandparents have for their families, the love best friends share, and the love and loyalty between siblings. As a person from semi rural Arkansas, I loved that the southern characters were portrayed as genuine and authentic rather than exaggerated cartoonish southern stereotypes. I liked the authors writing style too. It was just an easy read.
Also, It looks like the author may have been setting up a storyline for two other characters in this book. If so, I hope she gets the chance to write and publish it. I would love to read it too.
Also, It looks like the author may have been setting up a storyline for two other characters in this book. If so, I hope she gets the chance to write and publish it. I would love to read it too.
July 14, 2026
Phenomenal Read
Raised is Eastern Arkansas myself, literally across the river 10 minutes from Memphis to now living in Florida beach side, this novel took me back home… (the cover first drew me in its beautiful) from the landmarks where I have visited and lived, to trips to Nashville.. She made this character driven book seem real and I loved every moment! I smiled, laughed even cried from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down! Whitney brought this story to life in her writing and I absolutely can’t wait for more!
Raised is Eastern Arkansas myself, literally across the river 10 minutes from Memphis to now living in Florida beach side, this novel took me back home… (the cover first drew me in its beautiful) from the landmarks where I have visited and lived, to trips to Nashville.. She made this character driven book seem real and I loved every moment! I smiled, laughed even cried from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down! Whitney brought this story to life in her writing and I absolutely can’t wait for more!
July 11, 2026
BUY. THIS. BOOK.
If you like cozy second chance romances with minimal spice (not zero, but very little) and a little family drama, this is the book. I never wanted to stop reading but also hesitated so it wouldnt end. It gives Abby Jimenez with some Karen Kingsbury vibes. The detail description plays the book like a movie and you feel like you have known these characters forever. This will be a book I will wish that I could read again for the first time. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you like cozy second chance romances with minimal spice (not zero, but very little) and a little family drama, this is the book. I never wanted to stop reading but also hesitated so it wouldnt end. It gives Abby Jimenez with some Karen Kingsbury vibes. The detail description plays the book like a movie and you feel like you have known these characters forever. This will be a book I will wish that I could read again for the first time. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
July 12, 2026
A story you have to read!
This story has it all! Love, heartbreak, forgiveness… I was hooked from the first page. The author does an incredible job with imagery and the small details most people miss. It brought me right back to my own childhood growing up in the Arkansas delta. I could literally picture every location. The fact that this is her first book is amazing. I will be following closely for the next one!
This story has it all! Love, heartbreak, forgiveness… I was hooked from the first page. The author does an incredible job with imagery and the small details most people miss. It brought me right back to my own childhood growing up in the Arkansas delta. I could literally picture every location. The fact that this is her first book is amazing. I will be following closely for the next one!
August 11, 2026
Soooo good!!! Loved this romance. A true page turner for me. Loved the setting of the Memphis area. While some parts of the book seemed predictable or strange, it didn't turn out to be that way in the end as you figure out the whole story by the end of it (don't want to give spoilers but it deals with Alex and Chris and their relationships with Sloane). I loved the motherhood component of this book as well. Such a great first novel from this author! A must read!!
July 12, 2026
an exceptional story!
I truly wish I could delete from my brain and re-read. The characterization was flawless and the story was evoked a range of emotions that made me hate having to put it down when life demanded. 🤪 I crave more from this author!!
I truly wish I could delete from my brain and re-read. The characterization was flawless and the story was evoked a range of emotions that made me hate having to put it down when life demanded. 🤪 I crave more from this author!!
July 15, 2026
Loved it!
It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel. So well written. The characters and dialogue flow seamlessly. Loved every second. I especially enjoyed the setting. It was cool to read about places I’ve been and seen. Keep going Whitney!
It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel. So well written. The characters and dialogue flow seamlessly. Loved every second. I especially enjoyed the setting. It was cool to read about places I’ve been and seen. Keep going Whitney!
July 25, 2026
An amazing story! I enjoyed feeling like I was in the scene with the characters. The author painted a vivid picture throughout the entire book. I found another connection with the book simply because of where it took place! I can’t wait for this author’s next book!
August 4, 2026
I really enjoyed Across the River! Whitney did an amazing job creating characters that felt real and a story that kept me turning the pages. It was emotional, engaging, and one of those books that’s hard to put down.
August 10, 2026
So captivating!
Across the River was such a beautiful read! I was hooked from the very beginning and I had a hard time putting the book down. I enjoyed Whitney’s writing style and I can’t wait to see what else she comes out with!
Across the River was such a beautiful read! I was hooked from the very beginning and I had a hard time putting the book down. I enjoyed Whitney’s writing style and I can’t wait to see what else she comes out with!
July 13, 2026
5 stars!!
Couldn’t stop turning the pages of this wonderfully crafted novel! Whitney is a talented author and I hope she writes more
Couldn’t stop turning the pages of this wonderfully crafted novel! Whitney is a talented author and I hope she writes more
July 18, 2026
Amazing
I could not put this down! Such an amazing book that pulls you in with every turn of the page!
I could not put this down! Such an amazing book that pulls you in with every turn of the page!
July 23, 2026
Peg’s thoughts
I could not put it down once I started it. Knew Whitney was destined for great things in the classroom. So proud of her.
I could not put it down once I started it. Knew Whitney was destined for great things in the classroom. So proud of her.
August 15, 2026
I loved all the characters in this book so much! It was so cool to know all of the places in the story, too. I can’t wait to read more!
August 23, 2026
I loved this novel from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know more and more about what was going to happen with these characters. I can't wait to read Whitney's next novel.
August 10, 2026
Beautifully messy story ❤️
“Life isn’t always black and white. Sometimes it’s made up of complicated, messy shades of gray. And in our case, there’s more gray than anything.”
Life never rarely turns out how we plan. Sloane’s story is the perfect example of what it’s like to live through the ups and downs of life while trying to hold on to your faith and remain hopeful. I have laughed with her, cried with her, felt her love, her heartbreak, and her anger.
Whitney, this is a beautiful story. I cannot wait for your next one.
“Life isn’t always black and white. Sometimes it’s made up of complicated, messy shades of gray. And in our case, there’s more gray than anything.”
Life never rarely turns out how we plan. Sloane’s story is the perfect example of what it’s like to live through the ups and downs of life while trying to hold on to your faith and remain hopeful. I have laughed with her, cried with her, felt her love, her heartbreak, and her anger.
Whitney, this is a beautiful story. I cannot wait for your next one.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews