What do you think?
Liquids: Wrong place. Wrong time. Right person.
The first thing Carly does is proposition him.
Not hint. Not wait around for him to make the first move.
She looks at this huge, grubby guy in the bar and decides, for once in her life, to step spectacularly out of line.
Rig, to his credit, barely blinks.
“You interested?” he rumbles, two dimples denting his cheeks. Then he adds, “You’re curious.”
And she is.
Because people talk.
In hindsight, that’s probably the moment everything starts to go wrong.
Carly just doesn’t know that yet.
Because Rig is supposed to be a distraction. A man with no promises and no future attached.
Instead, he starts fixing things.
Cabinets. Leaky faucets. The general disaster of her apartment.
Then, annoyingly, he starts fixing things she never asked him to touch.
Looking back, Carly will probably realize she fell in love with him in that very first moment, Rig saying next to nothing but so fucking amused, but it takes her a little while to work that out.
Liquids is a gritty, heart-stopping romance about grief, healing, and the unexpected man who changes everything.
A full-length standalone romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger.
"I'm fully obsessed with Liquids!" - Emily Fearful
"Please tell me Liquids is out now or releasing soon—I need this book!" - Vedece Barnes
"Oh my goodness! I am hooked!" - Dana Garland
Not hint. Not wait around for him to make the first move.
She looks at this huge, grubby guy in the bar and decides, for once in her life, to step spectacularly out of line.
Rig, to his credit, barely blinks.
“You interested?” he rumbles, two dimples denting his cheeks. Then he adds, “You’re curious.”
And she is.
Because people talk.
In hindsight, that’s probably the moment everything starts to go wrong.
Carly just doesn’t know that yet.
Because Rig is supposed to be a distraction. A man with no promises and no future attached.
Instead, he starts fixing things.
Cabinets. Leaky faucets. The general disaster of her apartment.
Then, annoyingly, he starts fixing things she never asked him to touch.
Looking back, Carly will probably realize she fell in love with him in that very first moment, Rig saying next to nothing but so fucking amused, but it takes her a little while to work that out.
Liquids is a gritty, heart-stopping romance about grief, healing, and the unexpected man who changes everything.
A full-length standalone romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger.
"I'm fully obsessed with Liquids!" - Emily Fearful
"Please tell me Liquids is out now or releasing soon—I need this book!" - Vedece Barnes
"Oh my goodness! I am hooked!" - Dana Garland
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2026
About the author
Eve M. Riley
8 books198 followersScottish-based author Eve Riley was born in Dunfermline, a small picturesque town in Fife. After graduating with a degree in Mathematics, she worked in advertising agencies for ten years before setting up her own market research company, which she ran successfully for twenty years. She then began working
with technology startups, which spawned the ideas for The Refusal. Over the last eight years she has pursued her childhood dream of writing.
Her romance series The Techboys Series revolves around three men, Janus, Fabian, and Adam, who by chance sit next to each other in their first
computer science lecture at college. Their contrasting personalities result in them helping each other out, and, as they rescue one another from various scrapes, a deep bond develops. The books meet them years later in New York City as they struggle to get their lives on track.
Eve lives in Edinburgh with her husband and has two grown-up children.
Janus and Jo’s story, The Refusal, is the first novel in The Techboys Series, and will be followed by a further seven novels exploring Fabian and Kate’s, Liss’s
and Adam’s unfolding stories.
with technology startups, which spawned the ideas for The Refusal. Over the last eight years she has pursued her childhood dream of writing.
Her romance series The Techboys Series revolves around three men, Janus, Fabian, and Adam, who by chance sit next to each other in their first
computer science lecture at college. Their contrasting personalities result in them helping each other out, and, as they rescue one another from various scrapes, a deep bond develops. The books meet them years later in New York City as they struggle to get their lives on track.
Eve lives in Edinburgh with her husband and has two grown-up children.
Janus and Jo’s story, The Refusal, is the first novel in The Techboys Series, and will be followed by a further seven novels exploring Fabian and Kate’s, Liss’s
and Adam’s unfolding stories.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
September 10, 2026
What a fun and emotional read! Carly and Rig takes us on a journey filled with drama, violence, grief, and plenty of spice. I was surprised by the depth of emotion and feelings packed into these pages. The romance and spice were definitely an added bonus!
Carly is such a down-to-earth woman who has experienced some heartbreaking trauma, which has led her to rely on alcohol. When I discovered the reason behind Carly’s trauma, my heart broke for her. As a new mum, this part really hit me hard.
Then there’s Rig 🔥 — a buff rig worker and unapologetic womaniser with a heart of gold. I absolutely loved his grumpy, blunt personality! He doesn’t sugarcoat anything with Carly, but there’s an undeniable pull between the two of them. They’re perfect for each other, despite both insisting they aren’t looking for anything more.
I’ve also never read a book featuring street fights before, and I loved the extra edge they brought to the story. And a special shoutout to the three old ladies Carly takes care of! The thought of these three old ducks heading along to a fight in Chicago had me absolutely laughing. 😂
Overall, Liquids was an emotional, spicy, and entertaining read with characters I really enjoyed getting to know. ❤️🔥
Carly is such a down-to-earth woman who has experienced some heartbreaking trauma, which has led her to rely on alcohol. When I discovered the reason behind Carly’s trauma, my heart broke for her. As a new mum, this part really hit me hard.
Then there’s Rig 🔥 — a buff rig worker and unapologetic womaniser with a heart of gold. I absolutely loved his grumpy, blunt personality! He doesn’t sugarcoat anything with Carly, but there’s an undeniable pull between the two of them. They’re perfect for each other, despite both insisting they aren’t looking for anything more.
I’ve also never read a book featuring street fights before, and I loved the extra edge they brought to the story. And a special shoutout to the three old ladies Carly takes care of! The thought of these three old ducks heading along to a fight in Chicago had me absolutely laughing. 😂
Overall, Liquids was an emotional, spicy, and entertaining read with characters I really enjoyed getting to know. ❤️🔥
September 9, 2026
Okay… Liquids by Eve Riley. Where do I even begin?
This is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Raw, gritty, dark and so emotionally charged, Liquids pulls you into a world of grief, survival, violence and a romance that is anything but soft around the edges.
Carly is such a heartbreaking character. Her grief feels incredibly heavy and I found myself completely invested in her journey from the very beginning. Then there’s Rig… 👀 Rough, dangerous, complicated and carrying plenty of his own secrets. The chemistry between these two is 🔥🔥🔥 and their dynamic had me hooked.
What I really loved is that this isn’t just a romance. There’s so much depth underneath the darker elements, with themes of loss, healing, survival and finding your way back to yourself when you feel like you’ve completely lost your way.
It’s messy. It’s intense. It’s emotional. It’s dark. And it absolutely does NOT hold your hand. 🖤
If you’re looking for a romance that will make you feel something, with plenty of tension, danger and spice along the way, Liquids needs to be on your TBR.
And honestly? The description of this being a love that “doesn’t rescue you gently” could not be more fitting. 🥀
Happy release, Liquids! 🖤🥃
This is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Raw, gritty, dark and so emotionally charged, Liquids pulls you into a world of grief, survival, violence and a romance that is anything but soft around the edges.
Carly is such a heartbreaking character. Her grief feels incredibly heavy and I found myself completely invested in her journey from the very beginning. Then there’s Rig… 👀 Rough, dangerous, complicated and carrying plenty of his own secrets. The chemistry between these two is 🔥🔥🔥 and their dynamic had me hooked.
What I really loved is that this isn’t just a romance. There’s so much depth underneath the darker elements, with themes of loss, healing, survival and finding your way back to yourself when you feel like you’ve completely lost your way.
It’s messy. It’s intense. It’s emotional. It’s dark. And it absolutely does NOT hold your hand. 🖤
If you’re looking for a romance that will make you feel something, with plenty of tension, danger and spice along the way, Liquids needs to be on your TBR.
And honestly? The description of this being a love that “doesn’t rescue you gently” could not be more fitting. 🥀
Happy release, Liquids! 🖤🥃
August 30, 2026
✨ This is an ARC review! ✨
I want to say a huge thank you to Eve for having me on the ARC team! This was a fun and an emotional read, filled with drama, violence, sassiness, and troublesome elderly ladies!
This is the first book I’ve read where I’ve encountered street fights or a fighting ring, so when I say I was a novice to this, I was! I literally did not know what to expect. I liked reading about the fight rings and the author was so good at creating that tense yet exhilarating atmosphere around them!
Carly is a down to earth character who deals with real life problems, she embodies how we deal with trauma and when we get stuck in a hole we just can’t seem to get out of. Rig took me a while to warm up to, but he did come through in the end, and proved his worth! We have to protect our Carly of course.
The elderly ladies were a hoot and they broke up the far more tenser moments in the book, and Marni’s, Carly’s best friend was such a fun and free spirited character. I can’t wait to see her story continue if the author ever considers continuing in this world!
Thank you again to Eve for having me on the ARC team, I had so much fun reading this!
I want to say a huge thank you to Eve for having me on the ARC team! This was a fun and an emotional read, filled with drama, violence, sassiness, and troublesome elderly ladies!
This is the first book I’ve read where I’ve encountered street fights or a fighting ring, so when I say I was a novice to this, I was! I literally did not know what to expect. I liked reading about the fight rings and the author was so good at creating that tense yet exhilarating atmosphere around them!
Carly is a down to earth character who deals with real life problems, she embodies how we deal with trauma and when we get stuck in a hole we just can’t seem to get out of. Rig took me a while to warm up to, but he did come through in the end, and proved his worth! We have to protect our Carly of course.
The elderly ladies were a hoot and they broke up the far more tenser moments in the book, and Marni’s, Carly’s best friend was such a fun and free spirited character. I can’t wait to see her story continue if the author ever considers continuing in this world!
Thank you again to Eve for having me on the ARC team, I had so much fun reading this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Broken, but still so down to earth — both of the main characters really stayed with me.
This was such a quick, addictive romance, with drama, fear, and so many great moments packed into the story. There was also a strong sense of respect and admiration between the characters, which gave the relationship something more than just the romantic side.
Both characters had their own struggles, and seeing everything they carried while still finding their way towards each other made the story so easy to get invested in.
A fast-paced romance with plenty of emotion, drama and some really memorable moments.
This was such a quick, addictive romance, with drama, fear, and so many great moments packed into the story. There was also a strong sense of respect and admiration between the characters, which gave the relationship something more than just the romantic side.
Both characters had their own struggles, and seeing everything they carried while still finding their way towards each other made the story so easy to get invested in.
A fast-paced romance with plenty of emotion, drama and some really memorable moments.
September 10, 2026
Stunning! Like on every level, just stunning! If you need a contemporary romance that moves you, this is it. Liquids is raw and gritty, it’s layers upon layers of emotions and feelings and metaphors that give all the words and every situation multiple meanings with room to interpret and it gives this read a pull, a draw, and a seductiveness that applies to both the way it satisfies a readers need for heat and romance and the feeling of hope and the way it lifts you up and makes you burn for more out of life. Not your average romance, this is real and it’s honest. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it’s blunt to the point of cruel, but always it’s Rig and Carly in front of each other, stripped bare and occasionally bleeding out, metaphorically of course, and it’s absolutely everything.
All I wanna do is yap about the million reasons why this book is like a dang masterpiece! It is so well mapped out from the title, to the characters, to all the little nuances and word plays you can choose to pick up on or opt not to that it blows me away. You can read this and just get the romance and the heartbreak and the grief of what is a genuinely fantastic love story or you can catch all those deeper meanings and suddenly a wet t-shirt is way more, an oil rig in Alaska is the thing that cleanses your soul, and the title becomes the metaphor for renewal and hope and either way you take this story, it will be absolutely amazing.
I love that Rig is blunt and honest to the point he sounds almost mean and that it’s partly who he is because the man will not sugar coat the truth and partly to protect his heart. I emphasize with Carly and my heart most definitely shattered when she finally shared her truths. But more than anything I am completely taken and all in on the way Carly and Rig aren’t looking for more, are both almost certain they can’t handle more and yet from the second they leave the bar together are already more. It’s Rig’s way of seeing how Carly can light up a room and has more fight in her than anyone would ever guess without her saying a word and the way Carly never demands more and understands that what Rig brings to a relationship isn’t money or just his bedroom prowess, it’s the time he takes to know you and the little things he does to show you he heard every word you’ve ever said and honestly this has got to be one of the more genuine accidentally fell in love stories I’ve ever read and it is also one of the most incredible.
All I wanna do is yap about the million reasons why this book is like a dang masterpiece! It is so well mapped out from the title, to the characters, to all the little nuances and word plays you can choose to pick up on or opt not to that it blows me away. You can read this and just get the romance and the heartbreak and the grief of what is a genuinely fantastic love story or you can catch all those deeper meanings and suddenly a wet t-shirt is way more, an oil rig in Alaska is the thing that cleanses your soul, and the title becomes the metaphor for renewal and hope and either way you take this story, it will be absolutely amazing.
I love that Rig is blunt and honest to the point he sounds almost mean and that it’s partly who he is because the man will not sugar coat the truth and partly to protect his heart. I emphasize with Carly and my heart most definitely shattered when she finally shared her truths. But more than anything I am completely taken and all in on the way Carly and Rig aren’t looking for more, are both almost certain they can’t handle more and yet from the second they leave the bar together are already more. It’s Rig’s way of seeing how Carly can light up a room and has more fight in her than anyone would ever guess without her saying a word and the way Carly never demands more and understands that what Rig brings to a relationship isn’t money or just his bedroom prowess, it’s the time he takes to know you and the little things he does to show you he heard every word you’ve ever said and honestly this has got to be one of the more genuine accidentally fell in love stories I’ve ever read and it is also one of the most incredible.
September 21, 2026
Thank you so much for this ARC copy — and apologies for my lateness to the party, because wow, what a party it turned out to be. Liquids is the exact cocktail of chaos, danger, longing, and healing that hits me right in the chest.
Carly — Carlotta — is a woman who has been chewed up and spat out by life. Toxic love, devastating loss, unemployment, addiction, hopelessness… she’s wandering through her days with nothing left to lose. And that’s exactly why she’s fearless enough to proposition Rig, the town’s rumoured womaniser with a past wrapped in shadows and whispers.
What begins as a one‑night stand quickly morphs into something tender, careful, and quietly life‑altering. Rig doesn’t bulldoze her walls; he eases past them, showing her gentleness she hasn’t felt in years. And part of what makes him such a compelling, real character is his blunt honesty — those hard truths he drops without flinching. He tells it exactly how it is, no sugar‑coating, no softening. And the worst part? A lot of what he says rings painfully true, even when you don’t want to admit it. His honesty becomes a catalyst for Carly’s growth, forcing her to confront the parts of herself she’s been drowning out.
The beginning threw me in a little too fast — I like to be eased into the water, not dropped straight into the deep end — but once the story found its rhythm, I was gone. Illegal fights, violent threats, mafia‑adjacent heavies demanding money… every time Rig stepped into the ring, my heart was pounding. The fight scenes are vivid, brutal, and brilliantly crafted. You feel Carly’s mix of terror, thrill, and… let’s be honest… a little bit of heat.
And then there are the old ladies — Marge, Agnes, and June — absolute icons. Their gossip, their chaos, their tiny rebellions? Utterly delightful. They brought so much charm and levity to the darkness.
But beneath the violence and suspense lies the real heart of the novel: grief, loneliness, and the slow, painful process of learning to accept love again. Carly’s pain is raw and honest. She’s been surviving alone for so long that when Rig shows her care — real care — she doesn’t know how to hold it. Watching her soften, heal, and relearn hope was genuinely moving.
Liquids is gritty, emotional, suspenseful, and unexpectedly tender. A romantic thriller with bite, bruises, blunt truths, and a beating heart.
Carly — Carlotta — is a woman who has been chewed up and spat out by life. Toxic love, devastating loss, unemployment, addiction, hopelessness… she’s wandering through her days with nothing left to lose. And that’s exactly why she’s fearless enough to proposition Rig, the town’s rumoured womaniser with a past wrapped in shadows and whispers.
What begins as a one‑night stand quickly morphs into something tender, careful, and quietly life‑altering. Rig doesn’t bulldoze her walls; he eases past them, showing her gentleness she hasn’t felt in years. And part of what makes him such a compelling, real character is his blunt honesty — those hard truths he drops without flinching. He tells it exactly how it is, no sugar‑coating, no softening. And the worst part? A lot of what he says rings painfully true, even when you don’t want to admit it. His honesty becomes a catalyst for Carly’s growth, forcing her to confront the parts of herself she’s been drowning out.
The beginning threw me in a little too fast — I like to be eased into the water, not dropped straight into the deep end — but once the story found its rhythm, I was gone. Illegal fights, violent threats, mafia‑adjacent heavies demanding money… every time Rig stepped into the ring, my heart was pounding. The fight scenes are vivid, brutal, and brilliantly crafted. You feel Carly’s mix of terror, thrill, and… let’s be honest… a little bit of heat.
And then there are the old ladies — Marge, Agnes, and June — absolute icons. Their gossip, their chaos, their tiny rebellions? Utterly delightful. They brought so much charm and levity to the darkness.
But beneath the violence and suspense lies the real heart of the novel: grief, loneliness, and the slow, painful process of learning to accept love again. Carly’s pain is raw and honest. She’s been surviving alone for so long that when Rig shows her care — real care — she doesn’t know how to hold it. Watching her soften, heal, and relearn hope was genuinely moving.
Liquids is gritty, emotional, suspenseful, and unexpectedly tender. A romantic thriller with bite, bruises, blunt truths, and a beating heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚💔❤️🩹♥️FIVE STAR FRIDAY♥️❤️🩹💔📚
Thank You @evemriley For This Break Your Heart And Heal Your Soul ARC Contemporary Romance With The Coolest Cover On Sale 9/9/26!!!
"What’s your dream?”
“Peace.”
“Why don’t you have that?”
“Not for me, for him.”
“He has peace, babe.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because...he had you. You gave him that.”
Just kill me now! Even typing this example of what Rig brings to Carly's life has the tears falling. Nobody does imperfect characters as perfectly as award winning contemporary romance author, Eve M. Riley.
For the last ten years Carly has punished herself by living a life of devastating grief, guilt and depression. She drowns her sorrow in drink. She lives in a slum apartment with broken cabinets and a moldy shower.
A one night stand with the loner Rig starts a relationship that he can't promise will last and she's too tired to hope is real. But when an underground fight ends with him needing to hide out at her place feelings get in the way of their usual emotional avoidance.
What makes this romance special is its rawness. Carly's fears, sadness and secret hopefulness are so real. Can she really have nice things? Will he stay? Does she deserve him to stay?
Rig has his own weariness. He's a kind giant who works oil rigs and illegal fights to help his Mom and save for a house down by the beach. He's been lied to, used and discarded but he still fixes Carly's cabinets, cleans the shower and buys her painting supplies after finding her hidden art in the closet.
The title is from Rig's reputation of playing with liquids during sex but that is such a small part of their intense lovemaking. I feel it's more about Carly drowning in tears and liquor. Rig bleeding from fighting and the oil rig that often puts his life at risk.
But it's also the paints that slowly drip into Carly's life giving her purpose again. It's Rig's dream of a life by the ocean cleansing away the past. Liquids, like love, can cleanse our souls, just like a great love story.
*PREORDER LIQUIDS TODAY*
Thank You @evemriley For This Break Your Heart And Heal Your Soul ARC Contemporary Romance With The Coolest Cover On Sale 9/9/26!!!
"What’s your dream?”
“Peace.”
“Why don’t you have that?”
“Not for me, for him.”
“He has peace, babe.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because...he had you. You gave him that.”
Just kill me now! Even typing this example of what Rig brings to Carly's life has the tears falling. Nobody does imperfect characters as perfectly as award winning contemporary romance author, Eve M. Riley.
For the last ten years Carly has punished herself by living a life of devastating grief, guilt and depression. She drowns her sorrow in drink. She lives in a slum apartment with broken cabinets and a moldy shower.
A one night stand with the loner Rig starts a relationship that he can't promise will last and she's too tired to hope is real. But when an underground fight ends with him needing to hide out at her place feelings get in the way of their usual emotional avoidance.
What makes this romance special is its rawness. Carly's fears, sadness and secret hopefulness are so real. Can she really have nice things? Will he stay? Does she deserve him to stay?
Rig has his own weariness. He's a kind giant who works oil rigs and illegal fights to help his Mom and save for a house down by the beach. He's been lied to, used and discarded but he still fixes Carly's cabinets, cleans the shower and buys her painting supplies after finding her hidden art in the closet.
The title is from Rig's reputation of playing with liquids during sex but that is such a small part of their intense lovemaking. I feel it's more about Carly drowning in tears and liquor. Rig bleeding from fighting and the oil rig that often puts his life at risk.
But it's also the paints that slowly drip into Carly's life giving her purpose again. It's Rig's dream of a life by the ocean cleansing away the past. Liquids, like love, can cleanse our souls, just like a great love story.
*PREORDER LIQUIDS TODAY*
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September 6, 2026°。°。°。A R C • r e v i e w °。°。°。
I was sent an ARC copy of Liquids by Eve M Riley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. Thank you Eve for sending me this book❤️
One of my favorite quotes:
”I don’t understand why, but the hurt of this conversation recedes, leaving me with the sense that for the first time someone’s been straight with me about who I am and what people say about me.”
Genre: contemporary romance
Started: 30/8 - 26
Finished: 5/9 - 26
[note: please do read the trigger warnings before reading this book]
Summary:
What should you do when you are drowning in debt, grief, guilt and vodka? If you take a page from Carly’s book, you go have a one night stand with a man who’s got a reputation.
So when Rig isn’t the distraction Carly thought she would get, quite the opposite actually - he starts to fix things in more ways than one, she starts to realize that maybe it’s okay to piece yourself together bit by bit.
💌 What I liked:
- The old ladies
- Hard hitting topics
- Handy man Rig
✉️ What I didn’t like:
- People cheating, I’m not about it
✎ Thoughts:
I had pretty much no expectations going into this book. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. And it was an emotional roller coaster🎢
As someone who doesn’t enjoy drinking all too much, or the effects that it has on you, it was pretty hard for me to see Carly struggle. To live a life when you feel like you have to disappear, when you want to disappear, when you want to forget everything at the same time, you want to remember everything. To torture yourself with the memory because of grief and guilt, that just breaks my heart.
We’re all broken in our ways. And I think that the broken pieces of Carly and Rig just fit together and they created something new, something healthier, and something more precious.
I was sent an ARC copy of Liquids by Eve M Riley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. Thank you Eve for sending me this book❤️
One of my favorite quotes:
”I don’t understand why, but the hurt of this conversation recedes, leaving me with the sense that for the first time someone’s been straight with me about who I am and what people say about me.”
Genre: contemporary romance
Started: 30/8 - 26
Finished: 5/9 - 26
[note: please do read the trigger warnings before reading this book]
Summary:
What should you do when you are drowning in debt, grief, guilt and vodka? If you take a page from Carly’s book, you go have a one night stand with a man who’s got a reputation.
So when Rig isn’t the distraction Carly thought she would get, quite the opposite actually - he starts to fix things in more ways than one, she starts to realize that maybe it’s okay to piece yourself together bit by bit.
💌 What I liked:
- The old ladies
- Hard hitting topics
- Handy man Rig
✉️ What I didn’t like:
- People cheating, I’m not about it
✎ Thoughts:
I had pretty much no expectations going into this book. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. And it was an emotional roller coaster🎢
As someone who doesn’t enjoy drinking all too much, or the effects that it has on you, it was pretty hard for me to see Carly struggle. To live a life when you feel like you have to disappear, when you want to disappear, when you want to forget everything at the same time, you want to remember everything. To torture yourself with the memory because of grief and guilt, that just breaks my heart.
We’re all broken in our ways. And I think that the broken pieces of Carly and Rig just fit together and they created something new, something healthier, and something more precious.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Carly nervously sits down across from Rig and wonders if she is making a mistake. All she is looking for is a one-night stand, and the word is that is all Rig offers. Along with the rumor that he likes playing with liquids. Her friend, Marni, dared her to find out what that entailed.
The more she looked at the gorgeous man sitting in front of her, she wondered why he would pick her. But when she began to stand he grabbed her hand and they headed for his truck. The last thing she was expecting was him to see his trailer, turn the truck around and start shooting out tires and pulling out a whip.
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. First off, I want to say if you read The Techboy series, throw out any expectations because this book is so far different from that series.
Rig doesn't do relationships. One night is his limit, but that doesn't keep the women from trying for more. He is only still in town because of a promise he made to his father to help his mom, so between underground fighting and working the rigs months at a time, he is biding his time til he gets his dream house on the beach.
Carly spends her days trying to forget the reason she is stuck in this town and drinking to drown the memories of what brought her back. The most dangerous part of Rig is that he gives her hope. Something she doesn't think she deserves.
This book is action-packed and totally unexpected. Carly's past is heartbreaking and Rig is determined to show her that the past doesn't refine you and everyone deserves to find happiness. This book is full of danger and SMOKING HOT. It has all the feels as you turn the pages. And Marge, June and Agnes will keep you in stitches.
Highly recommend!
The more she looked at the gorgeous man sitting in front of her, she wondered why he would pick her. But when she began to stand he grabbed her hand and they headed for his truck. The last thing she was expecting was him to see his trailer, turn the truck around and start shooting out tires and pulling out a whip.
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. First off, I want to say if you read The Techboy series, throw out any expectations because this book is so far different from that series.
Rig doesn't do relationships. One night is his limit, but that doesn't keep the women from trying for more. He is only still in town because of a promise he made to his father to help his mom, so between underground fighting and working the rigs months at a time, he is biding his time til he gets his dream house on the beach.
Carly spends her days trying to forget the reason she is stuck in this town and drinking to drown the memories of what brought her back. The most dangerous part of Rig is that he gives her hope. Something she doesn't think she deserves.
This book is action-packed and totally unexpected. Carly's past is heartbreaking and Rig is determined to show her that the past doesn't refine you and everyone deserves to find happiness. This book is full of danger and SMOKING HOT. It has all the feels as you turn the pages. And Marge, June and Agnes will keep you in stitches.
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“How do people deal with the pain? I don’t understand how to stop myself trawling through it over and over again.”
Liquids by Eve M Riley was emotional, and deeply layered book. What I loved most was that author has created such an amazing characters. They felt both layered and flawed. The book doesn’t solely depend on characters bond, but author has written their emotions, struggles, and relationship so well. Intimate scenes deepened their connection and their emotional intimacy pulled me in the book.
Carly’s character was emotional and layered. Author has portrayed her struggles, problems, trauma, and emotions so well. What she was feeling kept my interest. When grief, guilt and depression took the shape of her life, Rig entered her life and gave her hope in despair. The person who once lost belief in love and life, found love again. While, Rig’s life was not easy as well, he was carrying more than meets the eye and navigating through his own share of struggles and unsettling emotions yet his kindness is what makes it up for Carly. Just like broken souls recognise each other, Carly and Rig recognised each other and despite carrying their own struggles, and the weight of emotions, they not only understood each other, but helped each other heal in their own unique way. Like painting helped Carly regain her life, while Rig fulfilled his dream and stopped carrying the baggage of the past.
The title of the book is appropriate as it speaks for the characters. Like two distinct liquids, they blended into each other and made each other’s life better with being in it. Also liquid depicted love that eradicates all the darkness, and cleanse hearts and souls with just its gentle stroke like a frantic waves of ocean.
Liquids by Eve M Riley was emotional, and deeply layered book. What I loved most was that author has created such an amazing characters. They felt both layered and flawed. The book doesn’t solely depend on characters bond, but author has written their emotions, struggles, and relationship so well. Intimate scenes deepened their connection and their emotional intimacy pulled me in the book.
Carly’s character was emotional and layered. Author has portrayed her struggles, problems, trauma, and emotions so well. What she was feeling kept my interest. When grief, guilt and depression took the shape of her life, Rig entered her life and gave her hope in despair. The person who once lost belief in love and life, found love again. While, Rig’s life was not easy as well, he was carrying more than meets the eye and navigating through his own share of struggles and unsettling emotions yet his kindness is what makes it up for Carly. Just like broken souls recognise each other, Carly and Rig recognised each other and despite carrying their own struggles, and the weight of emotions, they not only understood each other, but helped each other heal in their own unique way. Like painting helped Carly regain her life, while Rig fulfilled his dream and stopped carrying the baggage of the past.
The title of the book is appropriate as it speaks for the characters. Like two distinct liquids, they blended into each other and made each other’s life better with being in it. Also liquid depicted love that eradicates all the darkness, and cleanse hearts and souls with just its gentle stroke like a frantic waves of ocean.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
⭐3/5
🌶️2/5
📌Check TW
I still don't know how I feel about this one. It wasn't my typical read, and I had a hard time connecting with the characters at first. But then we learned about Carly's past, and my heart absolutely broke for her. I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Knowing why she was struggling with depression, drinking herself into oblivion, and drowning in debt was devastating.
I think Rig was exactly what Carly needed in her life. He truly helped her without ever dismissing or minimizing her trauma. He made her feel valued and reminded her that she deserved better things in life. I loved seeing them build their relationship at their own pace and slowly start dreaming about a happy future together.
That said, I did struggle to connect with Rig because of how often he called her "babe." It felt like a nickname he used for all his conquests, and since their relationship was initially supposed to be a one-night stand and goodbye, it felt a little weird to me that he never really gave Carly another term of endearment.
The elderly ladies, though? Absolutely hilarious! They brought so much life to the story and were the perfect comic relief during some of the heavier moments. Their trip had me laughing, and I honestly could have used even more of them.
Overall, this was a bittersweet, warm read that deals with loss, grief, trauma, and finding your way back to life after everything falls apart. Carly's story was heartbreaking, but seeing her slowly find hope again was beautiful. Definitely check the trigger warnings, though, because what happened to her was truly devastating.
Thank you to Eve for this eARC!
⭐3/5
🌶️2/5
📌Check TW
I still don't know how I feel about this one. It wasn't my typical read, and I had a hard time connecting with the characters at first. But then we learned about Carly's past, and my heart absolutely broke for her. I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Knowing why she was struggling with depression, drinking herself into oblivion, and drowning in debt was devastating.
I think Rig was exactly what Carly needed in her life. He truly helped her without ever dismissing or minimizing her trauma. He made her feel valued and reminded her that she deserved better things in life. I loved seeing them build their relationship at their own pace and slowly start dreaming about a happy future together.
That said, I did struggle to connect with Rig because of how often he called her "babe." It felt like a nickname he used for all his conquests, and since their relationship was initially supposed to be a one-night stand and goodbye, it felt a little weird to me that he never really gave Carly another term of endearment.
The elderly ladies, though? Absolutely hilarious! They brought so much life to the story and were the perfect comic relief during some of the heavier moments. Their trip had me laughing, and I honestly could have used even more of them.
Overall, this was a bittersweet, warm read that deals with loss, grief, trauma, and finding your way back to life after everything falls apart. Carly's story was heartbreaking, but seeing her slowly find hope again was beautiful. Definitely check the trigger warnings, though, because what happened to her was truly devastating.
Thank you to Eve for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Liquids by Eve M. Riley is a contemporary romance that follows Carly and Rig as they come into each other’s lives at a time when both of them are dealing with their own struggles. The story is not just about their romance. It also touches on healing, trust, family, and finding your way back to yourself. There’s also some suspense, secrets, and danger that keep the story interesting.
What I liked most was the relationship between Carly and Rig. Carly felt like a very real character to me, especially because of everything she was going through. I enjoyed watching her slowly become stronger and start finding herself again.
Rig was definitely a favorite for me. He has that tough and protective hero personality, but he also has a softer and caring side. I really liked seeing that side of him with Carly. Their chemistry was one of the highlights of the book, and their romantic moments definitely brought the spice. 🔥
I also enjoyed the found-family aspect of the story. The older ladies brought some fun, warmth, and lighter moments, which balanced out the more emotional parts of the book.
Overall, Liquids was an enjoyable mix of romance, spice, emotional healing, drama, and a little danger. I liked that the story gave the characters room to grow while also keeping the romance at the center.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, small-town vibes, protective heroes, strong chemistry, found family, emotional healing, and a good amount of spice. ❤️🔥
What I liked most was the relationship between Carly and Rig. Carly felt like a very real character to me, especially because of everything she was going through. I enjoyed watching her slowly become stronger and start finding herself again.
Rig was definitely a favorite for me. He has that tough and protective hero personality, but he also has a softer and caring side. I really liked seeing that side of him with Carly. Their chemistry was one of the highlights of the book, and their romantic moments definitely brought the spice. 🔥
I also enjoyed the found-family aspect of the story. The older ladies brought some fun, warmth, and lighter moments, which balanced out the more emotional parts of the book.
Overall, Liquids was an enjoyable mix of romance, spice, emotional healing, drama, and a little danger. I liked that the story gave the characters room to grow while also keeping the romance at the center.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, small-town vibes, protective heroes, strong chemistry, found family, emotional healing, and a good amount of spice. ❤️🔥
September 9, 2026
Liquids by Eve M Riley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my second ARC from Eve, and I was absolutely delighted with this book from beginning to end!
I was pleasantly surprised by a few things
In this one because we get underground fighting and oil rig work. Two things I had never experienced in a romance before, and I LOVED them!
Rob is a protector while also dealing with his own demons. He does his best to help Carly with her own struggles but ultimately her healing is something she has to choose for herself. Carly has a passion for photography, drawing and painting, but her past has hindered her passions. Instead it has led her toward drinking and living in poverty.
I loved both these characters. One thing I especially appreciated was their open communication. It made their relationship so enjoyable to read.
And I HAVE to give a little shoutout to three hilarious side characters! These three older women are people Carly has been hired as an in house nurse a few times a week. They absolutely stole the show for me. They everything and everyone in this small town, and are definitely still wanting to live life to the fullest. I could read a story just based on those three! (Hint hint Eve) lol.
If you love a fast burn, small town romance with spice, underground fighting, oil rigs, hilarious side characters and great communication, this is definitely one for you.
I truly cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. You NEED to read it!
🗓️Liquids releases September 9th!
Thank you to Eve Riley for the ARC’
Thank you to Eve Riley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy
Carly is stuck in pain and depression after a tragedy she never properly grieved and numbs with alcohol to make it through the day. She was a nurse, she was an artist, and now her job is providing home care to a handful of senior women.
Rig is a big and rough guy with a dubious reputation. He doesn’t say much, even when he's not off working on the oil rigs or participating in underground fighting. But somehow these two very different people manage to click, and he helps Carly learn how to live and not just exist in the pain of the past.
I completely adored the merry band of little old ladies who were Carly's homecare clients! They added so much quirk and color and made for some of the most hilarious scenes. I really liked the off-beat BFF and hope this gifted wordsmith will consider dipping her toes in mafia romance since she has the perfect segue into it with Marni.
This one is so good, with tons of emotion, and delicious smexy times. There are aspects to Carly that we can all relate to, and it's impossible not to root for her. And Rig, with his tough exterior, subtle humor, and heart of gold, will be your new favorite book boyfriend. There's nothing this talented storyteller has written that I haven’t loved, but this unparalleled, phenomenal romance will live in your heart long after the last page.
Rig is a big and rough guy with a dubious reputation. He doesn’t say much, even when he's not off working on the oil rigs or participating in underground fighting. But somehow these two very different people manage to click, and he helps Carly learn how to live and not just exist in the pain of the past.
I completely adored the merry band of little old ladies who were Carly's homecare clients! They added so much quirk and color and made for some of the most hilarious scenes. I really liked the off-beat BFF and hope this gifted wordsmith will consider dipping her toes in mafia romance since she has the perfect segue into it with Marni.
This one is so good, with tons of emotion, and delicious smexy times. There are aspects to Carly that we can all relate to, and it's impossible not to root for her. And Rig, with his tough exterior, subtle humor, and heart of gold, will be your new favorite book boyfriend. There's nothing this talented storyteller has written that I haven’t loved, but this unparalleled, phenomenal romance will live in your heart long after the last page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Deep and relatable
Get ready for the rawness of these imperfect characters. They have their flaws. Their trauma. Their struggles.
Carly's story is a journey of overcoming loss, dealing with grief, and finally allowing yourself to be happy again. And it all starts with one very unconventional one night stand.
Rig has a reputation with women. His resistance to commitment is the talk of the town, and that's just fine by him.
Carly doesn't expect anything else. In fact, it's the reason she propositions him in the first place — one fun night; no strings attached. That's all she deserves in her eyes anyways. She's haunted by her past, guilt ridden and trying to cope by drowning herself in alcohol.
But Rig is more than meets the eye. Despite being no stranger to violence, he has a gentle side to him. He takes care of people, putting his own dreams on hold. He admits that, like Carly's first impression of him, he was wrong about her as well, and the deeper he digs, the more he finds himself drawn to her.
Is it enough to make him stay for good?
As this is told exclusively in single POV, readers only get to see Rig through Carly's eyes, which leaves us constantly questioning his actions, and feeling the same dread Carly is going through. Will he stay or will his commitment issues make him run again?
I was at the edge of my seat until the end.
Get ready for the rawness of these imperfect characters. They have their flaws. Their trauma. Their struggles.
Carly's story is a journey of overcoming loss, dealing with grief, and finally allowing yourself to be happy again. And it all starts with one very unconventional one night stand.
Rig has a reputation with women. His resistance to commitment is the talk of the town, and that's just fine by him.
Carly doesn't expect anything else. In fact, it's the reason she propositions him in the first place — one fun night; no strings attached. That's all she deserves in her eyes anyways. She's haunted by her past, guilt ridden and trying to cope by drowning herself in alcohol.
But Rig is more than meets the eye. Despite being no stranger to violence, he has a gentle side to him. He takes care of people, putting his own dreams on hold. He admits that, like Carly's first impression of him, he was wrong about her as well, and the deeper he digs, the more he finds himself drawn to her.
Is it enough to make him stay for good?
As this is told exclusively in single POV, readers only get to see Rig through Carly's eyes, which leaves us constantly questioning his actions, and feeling the same dread Carly is going through. Will he stay or will his commitment issues make him run again?
I was at the edge of my seat until the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wrong place. Wrong time. Right person.
I’m still trying to formulate all my thoughts about Liquids because this book hit me in ways I wasn’t expecting.
Carlotta—Carl to everyone who knows her—and Rig are both dealing with some tough shit. Carl has survived things no one should ever have to endure, and she’s turned to functional alcoholism as a way to cope with the weight of it all. Rig has taken a different route, burying himself in work and keeping women firmly at arm’s length.
Neither of them is looking for anything serious when they decide on a one-night stand. But sometimes the person you meet at exactly the wrong time ends up being the person you need most.
What starts as something uncomplicated quickly becomes anything but. They’re both carrying so much baggage, and watching them struggle with their own demons while trying to figure out what’s happening between them was messy, raw, and incredibly addictive.
This is not a fluffy romance. There’s grit. There’s pain. There are some really difficult subjects and plenty of emotional struggle. But there’s also something so incredibly human about these two characters that I found myself completely absorbed in their story.
I finished this book in one day. I could not put it down.
Well done, Eve. ❤️ Thank you so much for the advanced copy. I loved every minute of it.
I’m still trying to formulate all my thoughts about Liquids because this book hit me in ways I wasn’t expecting.
Carlotta—Carl to everyone who knows her—and Rig are both dealing with some tough shit. Carl has survived things no one should ever have to endure, and she’s turned to functional alcoholism as a way to cope with the weight of it all. Rig has taken a different route, burying himself in work and keeping women firmly at arm’s length.
Neither of them is looking for anything serious when they decide on a one-night stand. But sometimes the person you meet at exactly the wrong time ends up being the person you need most.
What starts as something uncomplicated quickly becomes anything but. They’re both carrying so much baggage, and watching them struggle with their own demons while trying to figure out what’s happening between them was messy, raw, and incredibly addictive.
This is not a fluffy romance. There’s grit. There’s pain. There are some really difficult subjects and plenty of emotional struggle. But there’s also something so incredibly human about these two characters that I found myself completely absorbed in their story.
I finished this book in one day. I could not put it down.
Well done, Eve. ❤️ Thank you so much for the advanced copy. I loved every minute of it.
September 10, 2026
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡⋆˙𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆
my girl carly hates the small town she lives in, hates her life, and hates herself. drowning in grief, she spends her days punishing herself, not allowing herself to experience any happiness or joy, and drinking—because vodka fixes everything. i truly loved her so much and wanted to give her a hug so badly. it broke my heart how much pain she’s in and how she lives in this horrible grief spiral that never stops. it made me so happy to see her wanting to heal and realizing she doesn’t have to live in constant agony
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡⋆˙𝗿𝗶𝗴
i’m gonna be honest, i had conflicting feelings about rig. as i was reading the book, i wasn’t sure if i loved him or if i hated him. by the end of the book, i was leaning towards love (although i did think we moved on from the babe thing a little too quickly). rig was always taking care of carly and showing her she could have more than what she has, and that she didn’t have to continue living the way she was. he saw past what everybody else saw and truly got to know her. i love how he encouraged her to do the things she loved in a way that made her feel safe
───────── ୨ৎ ─────────
thank you so much to eve m riley for the arc!!! i loved with liquids with all my heart and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read it <3
⚠check tw!
my girl carly hates the small town she lives in, hates her life, and hates herself. drowning in grief, she spends her days punishing herself, not allowing herself to experience any happiness or joy, and drinking—because vodka fixes everything. i truly loved her so much and wanted to give her a hug so badly. it broke my heart how much pain she’s in and how she lives in this horrible grief spiral that never stops. it made me so happy to see her wanting to heal and realizing she doesn’t have to live in constant agony
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡⋆˙𝗿𝗶𝗴
i’m gonna be honest, i had conflicting feelings about rig. as i was reading the book, i wasn’t sure if i loved him or if i hated him. by the end of the book, i was leaning towards love (although i did think we moved on from the babe thing a little too quickly). rig was always taking care of carly and showing her she could have more than what she has, and that she didn’t have to continue living the way she was. he saw past what everybody else saw and truly got to know her. i love how he encouraged her to do the things she loved in a way that made her feel safe
───────── ୨ৎ ─────────
thank you so much to eve m riley for the arc!!! i loved with liquids with all my heart and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read it <3
⚠check tw!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc review - LIQUIDS BY EVEMRILEY
4,5 STARS
I went into this book expecting a grumpy rigger and a good time, and instead i got gutted in the best possible way.
Carly is not okay when this book opens. she's drowning in debt, in vodka, in a grief she can't even say out loud yet. and Rig, this huge, filthy, whip-cracking mystery of a man, doesn't try to fix her. he just... shows up. cleans her mold-covered shower. makes her a bacon sandwich. sits with the mess instead of running from it. and somehow that's more romantic than any grand gesture i've read in months.
i wasn't ready for the chapter with the photograph. i had to put my kindle down and just sit there for a minute. eve m. riley does not flinch away from the hard stuff, and i respected that so much, even when it hurt.
but this book isn't just grief with a love story bolted on. it's funny. it's foul-mouthed. it's a man who never once tells you his real name and somehow that becomes the most romantic detail in the whole story.
LIQUIDS is about what it looks like to climb out of a hole one small, stubborn decision at a time. i will be thinking about Carly and Rig for a long time.
Read this if you want your heart broken and then very gently put back together. 🖤
tHANKS FOR THE arc OPPORTUNITY.
4,5 STARS
I went into this book expecting a grumpy rigger and a good time, and instead i got gutted in the best possible way.
Carly is not okay when this book opens. she's drowning in debt, in vodka, in a grief she can't even say out loud yet. and Rig, this huge, filthy, whip-cracking mystery of a man, doesn't try to fix her. he just... shows up. cleans her mold-covered shower. makes her a bacon sandwich. sits with the mess instead of running from it. and somehow that's more romantic than any grand gesture i've read in months.
i wasn't ready for the chapter with the photograph. i had to put my kindle down and just sit there for a minute. eve m. riley does not flinch away from the hard stuff, and i respected that so much, even when it hurt.
but this book isn't just grief with a love story bolted on. it's funny. it's foul-mouthed. it's a man who never once tells you his real name and somehow that becomes the most romantic detail in the whole story.
LIQUIDS is about what it looks like to climb out of a hole one small, stubborn decision at a time. i will be thinking about Carly and Rig for a long time.
Read this if you want your heart broken and then very gently put back together. 🖤
tHANKS FOR THE arc OPPORTUNITY.
September 9, 2026
WOW! First time reading Eve Riley's work and it really has stuck with me!
These pages are full of grief, trauma, hilarious older ladies, heart pounding fear, true sadness, understand, and so so much healing.
Carly is stuck, drowning and does not seem ready to change any of it. Until a big man makes her breakfast and takes a shower in her -nasty- bathroom. Grief really showing in all parts of her space. The first time Carly runs around the block, I knew our girl was a survivor just waiting on someone to unbury her.
Rig's is wishy-washy at first, it seems. But there is something about him that you will love pretty quickly. He is pretty non-judgmental & caring in his own way. I love the way he unburied Carly, He is a fixer, but with her he never had to fix anything just bring issues to the light and let her work it out herself. Him being a grumpy oil field worker and fighter was perfect. The time he had to spend with Carly and the time they spent apart really adds to this relationship.
The way life takes them throughout this story will keep you on your toes. You truly have no idea what is going to happen next. The fights are well written and will have you on the edge of your seat..
These pages are full of grief, trauma, hilarious older ladies, heart pounding fear, true sadness, understand, and so so much healing.
Carly is stuck, drowning and does not seem ready to change any of it. Until a big man makes her breakfast and takes a shower in her -nasty- bathroom. Grief really showing in all parts of her space. The first time Carly runs around the block, I knew our girl was a survivor just waiting on someone to unbury her.
Rig's is wishy-washy at first, it seems. But there is something about him that you will love pretty quickly. He is pretty non-judgmental & caring in his own way. I love the way he unburied Carly, He is a fixer, but with her he never had to fix anything just bring issues to the light and let her work it out herself. Him being a grumpy oil field worker and fighter was perfect. The time he had to spend with Carly and the time they spent apart really adds to this relationship.
The way life takes them throughout this story will keep you on your toes. You truly have no idea what is going to happen next. The fights are well written and will have you on the edge of your seat..
September 17, 2026
Liquids ended up being so much more emotional than I expected. Carly is carrying an incredible amount of grief and trauma, and while some of her choices may be messy, once you really understand what she’s been through, it’s hard not to feel for her.
And then there’s Rig. He’s grumpy, blunt, rough around the edges, and definitely not the sweet-talking romantic type—my kind of man. 😀 Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but apparently nobody told their chemistry that. The tension and spice between these two are definitely there, and it’s burning HOT!!
I also loved the grittier side of the story. The street fighting gave it a dangerous edge that was different from some of the other romances I’ve read over the years.
And Carly’s three older ladies? They are easily some of my favorite side characters. The thought of them heading off to a fight in Chicago absolutely cracked me up.
Liquids is gritty, messy, emotional, funny in places, and definitely spicy. Underneath it all is a story about grief, survival, healing, and two complicated people finding each other when neither of them is exactly okay.
Definitely worth adding to your TBR if you like your romance a little darker and rough around the edges.
And then there’s Rig. He’s grumpy, blunt, rough around the edges, and definitely not the sweet-talking romantic type—my kind of man. 😀 Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but apparently nobody told their chemistry that. The tension and spice between these two are definitely there, and it’s burning HOT!!
I also loved the grittier side of the story. The street fighting gave it a dangerous edge that was different from some of the other romances I’ve read over the years.
And Carly’s three older ladies? They are easily some of my favorite side characters. The thought of them heading off to a fight in Chicago absolutely cracked me up.
Liquids is gritty, messy, emotional, funny in places, and definitely spicy. Underneath it all is a story about grief, survival, healing, and two complicated people finding each other when neither of them is exactly okay.
Definitely worth adding to your TBR if you like your romance a little darker and rough around the edges.
September 18, 2026
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book. 📕 📖
Steamy, romantic, and motivating. This story keeps you on your toes and is a powerful reminder of what courage and resilience can do!
Carla, and others she comes across, has the perception that she is “bottom of the barrel”, someone who has turned to drink rather than facing her problems upfront. Yet, she is presented with many reasons to drag herself back to her original, bright and creative state, and supported by her friends and people she cares about.☀️🌇Carla’s character shows emotional strength and power, especially when opening up to her new “love interest” Rig. The character shows a raw and relatable vulnerability; the reader is given a peak into what’s underneath her tough exterior, gradually seeing what’s under the mask which she has been hiding behind all this time 🎭. This steamy, romantic, intense story is a must read! It is the perfect mix of romance, friendships, and strength. I particularly liked how unique the settings were, I have never read a story of this genre set in illegal fighting grounds 🏟️🌳or rigs out at sea 🌊- these settings really brought this story to life and gave it an edge you may not get from others. I loved reading this, and would really recommend it! 🧡
Steamy, romantic, and motivating. This story keeps you on your toes and is a powerful reminder of what courage and resilience can do!
Carla, and others she comes across, has the perception that she is “bottom of the barrel”, someone who has turned to drink rather than facing her problems upfront. Yet, she is presented with many reasons to drag herself back to her original, bright and creative state, and supported by her friends and people she cares about.☀️🌇Carla’s character shows emotional strength and power, especially when opening up to her new “love interest” Rig. The character shows a raw and relatable vulnerability; the reader is given a peak into what’s underneath her tough exterior, gradually seeing what’s under the mask which she has been hiding behind all this time 🎭. This steamy, romantic, intense story is a must read! It is the perfect mix of romance, friendships, and strength. I particularly liked how unique the settings were, I have never read a story of this genre set in illegal fighting grounds 🏟️🌳or rigs out at sea 🌊- these settings really brought this story to life and gave it an edge you may not get from others. I loved reading this, and would really recommend it! 🧡
Review of advance copy received from Author
Known for her ability to create characters who are perfectly imperfect, author Eve M. Riley does it again with passionate, real and raw characters in her new novel, Liquids.
In this spicy, small town dark romance, each of the main characters carry their own share of secrets. Carly is living in a beat-up, run-down apartment scraping together to make ends meet. Consumed by grief and guilt, she uses alcohol to drown her emotions. Rig is a fighter with a reputation of his own. One night their two worlds collide and thus begins this heart wrenching, emotional, passionate and intense love story.
While the storyline is dark at times, there are supporting characters (loved them!!) that bring the perfect amount of levity and had me laughing out loud.
A story about strength, resilience, healing, second chances, redemption, and found family this is a book that will gnaw at your heart and replenish your soul.
For those that require trigger warnings, this book deals with subject matter that includes alcoholism, abuse, and the loss of a baby.
Thank you to author Eve M. Riley for the gifted copy of this book. It was an emotional read that left a lasting impact.
In this spicy, small town dark romance, each of the main characters carry their own share of secrets. Carly is living in a beat-up, run-down apartment scraping together to make ends meet. Consumed by grief and guilt, she uses alcohol to drown her emotions. Rig is a fighter with a reputation of his own. One night their two worlds collide and thus begins this heart wrenching, emotional, passionate and intense love story.
While the storyline is dark at times, there are supporting characters (loved them!!) that bring the perfect amount of levity and had me laughing out loud.
A story about strength, resilience, healing, second chances, redemption, and found family this is a book that will gnaw at your heart and replenish your soul.
For those that require trigger warnings, this book deals with subject matter that includes alcoholism, abuse, and the loss of a baby.
Thank you to author Eve M. Riley for the gifted copy of this book. It was an emotional read that left a lasting impact.
September 10, 2026
Carly and Rig
I should start by saying a little about these characters but first I just have to say that initially, the first couple of chapters left me uncomfortable; so uneasy to the point where I didn’t know if I could get into this book. But as I continued (because, you know, the commitment thing), I began to realize it was because it touched on a time when I ,too, was kind of wandering through life, with uncertain relationships and dealing with sad baggage. Carly’s story is an emotional one and this love story is rough around the edges. It’s about self discovery, dealing through life’s bad hands and finding someone who sees you and meets you where you are. It does pull at the heart strings - at least it did for me. But it wasn’t all emotional -there is an adorably spirited little bunch of ladies that brings some comedy relief as well! All in all, I grew to love Carly and Rig and was a little sad to see this end.
So, if you’re into the following tropes, you won’t be sorry with this one.
Small town
Emotional scars/ trauma
Fling/ unrequited love
Thank you again Emily for the honor of reading your work in exchange for an honest review.
I should start by saying a little about these characters but first I just have to say that initially, the first couple of chapters left me uncomfortable; so uneasy to the point where I didn’t know if I could get into this book. But as I continued (because, you know, the commitment thing), I began to realize it was because it touched on a time when I ,too, was kind of wandering through life, with uncertain relationships and dealing with sad baggage. Carly’s story is an emotional one and this love story is rough around the edges. It’s about self discovery, dealing through life’s bad hands and finding someone who sees you and meets you where you are. It does pull at the heart strings - at least it did for me. But it wasn’t all emotional -there is an adorably spirited little bunch of ladies that brings some comedy relief as well! All in all, I grew to love Carly and Rig and was a little sad to see this end.
So, if you’re into the following tropes, you won’t be sorry with this one.
Small town
Emotional scars/ trauma
Fling/ unrequited love
Thank you again Emily for the honor of reading your work in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2026
There’s really just something special about an author asking you directly to ARC read for bed. Eve’s boldness, ambition and great storytelling abilities really show through her writing.
When I asked her about the book, she responded with “Raw, sensual, violent, and deeply emotional, Liquids is a gritty romance about grief, survival, and the kind of love that doesn’t rescue you gently—it drags you, bleeding and breathless, back into the world.” And my response was something along the lines of “Sign me up!”
Carly and Rig bring you into their worlds and want to cheer them on the whole time. This book is different than what I would normally read. Not in the sense of what it’s about but more so the delivery. I have no words to explain it but this book felt like a new experience. It took me out of my normal comfortable and at first I honestly didn’t know how I felt about it. Once I finished the book and processed it, I was so glad I did read it.
Overall, I really liked this book. Eve’s writing style is not my normal but that isn’t a bad thing. She pours into her writing and you can tell.
When I asked her about the book, she responded with “Raw, sensual, violent, and deeply emotional, Liquids is a gritty romance about grief, survival, and the kind of love that doesn’t rescue you gently—it drags you, bleeding and breathless, back into the world.” And my response was something along the lines of “Sign me up!”
Carly and Rig bring you into their worlds and want to cheer them on the whole time. This book is different than what I would normally read. Not in the sense of what it’s about but more so the delivery. I have no words to explain it but this book felt like a new experience. It took me out of my normal comfortable and at first I honestly didn’t know how I felt about it. Once I finished the book and processed it, I was so glad I did read it.
Overall, I really liked this book. Eve’s writing style is not my normal but that isn’t a bad thing. She pours into her writing and you can tell.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Carly is living a hardscrabble life in Marion, Illinois, eking out a living as a caretaker to the elderly ladies. One night at her local bar, she approaches Rig out of an abiding curiosity. She’s heard things about certain proclivities he has, and she’s interested. After a one night stand, Rig is back out on his job which keeps him away for weeks at a time. He supplements his income by fighting. After one particularly gruesome fight, Rig and Carly end up together again, and their story begins to unfold from there.
I love this story so much. It’s a gritty romance with a nod to Rocky. Rig becomes so supportive of Carly. At first, I didn’t like Carly, but when you find out the circumstances of her trauma, you can’t help but pull for her to succeed. Even though Rig is not interested in a relationship, he and Carly create a love story. It’s rough, romantic, and uncompromising. I love Carly’s three little old ladies who invite themselves to Rig’s big fight. They are hilarious.
I highly recommend Liquids. Read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss!
I love this story so much. It’s a gritty romance with a nod to Rocky. Rig becomes so supportive of Carly. At first, I didn’t like Carly, but when you find out the circumstances of her trauma, you can’t help but pull for her to succeed. Even though Rig is not interested in a relationship, he and Carly create a love story. It’s rough, romantic, and uncompromising. I love Carly’s three little old ladies who invite themselves to Rig’s big fight. They are hilarious.
I highly recommend Liquids. Read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss!
September 20, 2026
🅼🆈 🆁🅰🆃🅸🅽🅶
4⭐
3🌶️
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
One Night Stand turned?
Will They Wont They
Learning to Love Again
Secrets
Found Family
Small Town
🅼🆈 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
This was my first Eve M Riley book. I adored both our MCs. Carly and Rig were such special characters. Each going through the motions. Carly having gone through a very traumatic thing finds herself stuck back in her little rundown hometown, living in a shitty apartment, drinking to numb the pain. Rigs is a rough man who goes in and out of town to work on oil rigs for weeks at a time, he stays in his little run down trailer between visits to help his mom keep their family farm afloat, and has a reputation with the ladies around town as being a one and done kind of man. They find each other one drunken night at a local watering hole.
This story was unexpected in the best ways. I loved how they pushed each other out of their comfort zones and to start making the changes they needed to achieve their dreams.
Thank You Eve for gifting me an early copy for review.
4⭐
3🌶️
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
One Night Stand turned?
Will They Wont They
Learning to Love Again
Secrets
Found Family
Small Town
🅼🆈 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
This was my first Eve M Riley book. I adored both our MCs. Carly and Rig were such special characters. Each going through the motions. Carly having gone through a very traumatic thing finds herself stuck back in her little rundown hometown, living in a shitty apartment, drinking to numb the pain. Rigs is a rough man who goes in and out of town to work on oil rigs for weeks at a time, he stays in his little run down trailer between visits to help his mom keep their family farm afloat, and has a reputation with the ladies around town as being a one and done kind of man. They find each other one drunken night at a local watering hole.
This story was unexpected in the best ways. I loved how they pushed each other out of their comfort zones and to start making the changes they needed to achieve their dreams.
Thank You Eve for gifting me an early copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was gifted an ARC of this book by the author.
This story follows Carly, a down out of luck woman struggling with drinking and debt. Haunted by her past, she has fallen into a hole of depression and given up everything she previously loved. Carly and her best friend Marni are at their usual bar when Carly is approached by a rugged looking man named Rig. With neither looking for love, Carly invites Rig back to her place, no strings attached. Not is all as it seems and Rig has quite the reputation as Carly will find out…
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a story of growth and learning to love yourself again after past trauma. The three old ladies that Carly cares for are absolute queens and Marni is a bad ass! I found Carly so relatable and the chemistry between the characters was so strong. A quick, really easy and fun read. Definitely recommend! Liquids releases on the 9th of September!
This story follows Carly, a down out of luck woman struggling with drinking and debt. Haunted by her past, she has fallen into a hole of depression and given up everything she previously loved. Carly and her best friend Marni are at their usual bar when Carly is approached by a rugged looking man named Rig. With neither looking for love, Carly invites Rig back to her place, no strings attached. Not is all as it seems and Rig has quite the reputation as Carly will find out…
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a story of growth and learning to love yourself again after past trauma. The three old ladies that Carly cares for are absolute queens and Marni is a bad ass! I found Carly so relatable and the chemistry between the characters was so strong. A quick, really easy and fun read. Definitely recommend! Liquids releases on the 9th of September!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly loved reading this book. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and a beautiful story about dealing with grief and recovering from the worst life can throw at you. We meet Carly and Rig who hook up one night and it starts a chain of events. Rig is not your average mmc - a fighter, a ladies man who doesn’t commit and works away a lot. Yet he’s there for Carly and I adored how he looked after her but supported her. Carly is struggling and drinking too much to deal with her past and her loss. No spoilers but it’s such a great story - so well written and emotional yet some absolutely laugh out loud moments. The older ladies that Carly cares for are tremendous along with her best friend - such life in them and you will laugh at the trip they go on. Funny, bittersweet and full of warmth whilst dealing with loss and grief.
I loved the story and it’s one to add to the bookshelf and re-read
Check your triggers before reading
I loved the story and it’s one to add to the bookshelf and re-read
Check your triggers before reading
Review of advance copy received from Author
Some books you read… and some books completely consume you. 🖤
Liquids had me hooked from the very friggin beginning. Dark, gritty, raw and emotionally intense, this is the kind of story that gets under your skin and refuses to let go.
Carly’s grief absolutely broke me. 💔 Her journey is messy, painful and so incredibly real that I couldn’t help but become completely invested in her. And then there’s Rig… 👀 well helloooo there.
Dangerous. Complicated. Rough around the edges. And hiding secrets of his own. MY FRIGGIN KIND OF MAN!
The chemistry between these two is 🔥🔥🔥, but it’s their dynamic that really had me hooked. There’s tension, darkness and just enough vulnerability to make you desperate to see where things go.
And honestly, what surprised me most was how much depth there is beneath the romance. Liquids explores topics that leave you vunerable but also what it means to find yourself again when you’ve completely lost your way.
This book is dark, messy, intense and emotional… and I was completely friggin loving it.
Liquids had me hooked from the very friggin beginning. Dark, gritty, raw and emotionally intense, this is the kind of story that gets under your skin and refuses to let go.
Carly’s grief absolutely broke me. 💔 Her journey is messy, painful and so incredibly real that I couldn’t help but become completely invested in her. And then there’s Rig… 👀 well helloooo there.
Dangerous. Complicated. Rough around the edges. And hiding secrets of his own. MY FRIGGIN KIND OF MAN!
The chemistry between these two is 🔥🔥🔥, but it’s their dynamic that really had me hooked. There’s tension, darkness and just enough vulnerability to make you desperate to see where things go.
And honestly, what surprised me most was how much depth there is beneath the romance. Liquids explores topics that leave you vunerable but also what it means to find yourself again when you’ve completely lost your way.
This book is dark, messy, intense and emotional… and I was completely friggin loving it.
September 17, 2026
I really enjoyed Liquids! The characters hooked me pretty quickly, and once I got into their story, I definitely wanted to see how everything was going to play out.
I genuinely liked both of the main characters and their dynamic together. The chemistry was there, but I also liked getting to know them individually and watching their relationship develop. There were moments that had me smiling, moments where I was frustrated with them, and plenty of times where I was like okayyy, what are we doing here?!
The story had a good mix of romance, tension, drama, and spice that kept things moving without feeling overdone. I especially liked that there was enough happening outside of the romance to keep me curious about where the story was headed.
It didn’t quite hit that five-star level for me, but it was an easy, entertaining read with characters I actually cared about and a story that kept me turning the pages.
A solid 4 stars from me and the elderly ladies were hilarious!
I genuinely liked both of the main characters and their dynamic together. The chemistry was there, but I also liked getting to know them individually and watching their relationship develop. There were moments that had me smiling, moments where I was frustrated with them, and plenty of times where I was like okayyy, what are we doing here?!
The story had a good mix of romance, tension, drama, and spice that kept things moving without feeling overdone. I especially liked that there was enough happening outside of the romance to keep me curious about where the story was headed.
It didn’t quite hit that five-star level for me, but it was an easy, entertaining read with characters I actually cared about and a story that kept me turning the pages.
A solid 4 stars from me and the elderly ladies were hilarious!
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