River & Rue: A Brother's Best Friend, Forced Proximity Romance

by L.M. Halloran

Genres: Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn

476 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2026

About the author

When she's not reading or writing, the author enjoys walking barefoot and chasing her spirited daughter. She's a rabid fan of coffee, moongazing, and small dogs that resemble Ewoks. She lives in Portland, OR.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟 | 3🌶️

There’s something so addictive about years of bickering slowly giving way to undeniable attraction.

River and Rue had fantastic chemistry, and their banter, tension, and forced proximity kept me smiling while all that buried yearning finally came to the surface.

Rue completely stole my heart with her quirky nature and the vulnerability underneath it, while River’s patience, tenderness, and quiet devotion made him an absolute standout. I also loved the humor, unforgettable side characters, and little touches of magic woven through their story. It gave the book such a unique atmosphere without taking away from the romance.

This was such a beautiful blend of funny, emotional, steamy, and unexpectedly magical. I loved watching two people carrying their own wounds slowly find understanding, healing, and each other.

A truly special romance that had me laughing, swooning, and completely invested from beginning to end.

~~~~

A sincere thank you to L.M. Halloran and The Author Agency for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"None of us can see in the dark. It doesn’t mean you weren’t reaching for her all along."
The dedication immediately told me how much I would love it. Anyone who’s ever felt like not enough or a mess will understand what I’m saying.
I loved the magic in this book—the one that exists in every one of us. The one that makes us unique.

"The first time I met Ivy’s older brother, I told him to eat a dick. He deserved it."
River and Rue had an interesting meet-cute at his brother’s wedding—trust me, it’s original! They do not get along at all, so when Rue arrives at an artists' retreat and finds out River is already there, let’s just say she was (a lot) less than pleased.

"There was a time when I imagined doing a lot of things to Rue, including making her cry. But not those kinds of tears. Never those. Only the sobbing-my-name, I-can’t-come-again kind."
Their cabins are next to each other, and they’re forced to interact. As time goes by, you realize that what appeared to be hate isn’t that at all. Yes, they’re always bickering and antagonizing each other (and the banter is top-notch!), but that’s only because they want each other. Badly.

"Don’t worry, Princess. I won’t kiss you. Not even if you beg me to. But when you kiss me? All bets are off. This pretty mouth will never forget the shape of mine."
With that, the question turns from “Will they?” to “When will they, and can you make it soon, please?” I was all in with these two. There’s a lot of tension and chemistry, but while that was fun, what really got me was the connection. It goes well beyond physical and becomes something else entirely.
Something magical.

"If we die, my soul will haunt yours for eternity."
"An afterlife with you isn’t the threat you think it is."
Once they let go, there’s no other word for it: it’s beautiful. They’re so different from everyone else, and they complement each other so well that it’s almost as if they were always meant to be in every way. And, well, if you know Katherine, his great-aunt… She’ll probably tell you they were. I believe it with all my heart.
Also, River is hot AF. It was to be expected, but damn!

"You don’t have to be afraid. All that pain you keep locked inside, all your spinning winds and punishing rains—I was made to hold them. To hold you."
I won’t spoil anything, but there’s something in Rue’s past that absolutely gutted me. I was on vacation when I read this, and all I wanted to do was cry. It’s heartbreaking, and the way she deals with loss, grief, and all her emotions is a big part of this book. I loved it and hated it. No, I’m kidding. I could never hate it, or Rue. If anything, I wanted to reach out and hold her.

"River?"
"Yes, little storm?"
"That nickname is off the table. It’s used in way too many fantasy books."
"That’s disappointing. What about tornado? Tempest? Typhoon?"
"I think two nicknames and my actual name are more than enough."
"No way. That’s like asking me to describe your eyes as blue, or your hair as red, when there are dozens of shades in each."
For me, this was a lot about small moments. About the things someone who loves you will do for you. About being truly vulnerable with someone and trusting that person will help you and anchor you through it. A person who isn’t trying to fix you—they’re trying to understand you and love you for you, showing you you’re more than worth loving.

"Do you feel it?"
"Yes," I whisper back. It’s everywhere. Magic.
This book felt like a journey. It’s about knowing yourself and accepting who you are. About dealing with grief, not by letting go but by choosing to believe what you lost will always be with you. I believe that too.
It’s about magic. And clear skies.

[Brittany Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC but these are my honest opinions. This was such a deeply emotional love story filled with summer camp vibes, little bits of magic, and two people whose souls were literally meant for each other. Watching River and Rue slowly find their way to each other was beautiful to witness, but the genuine love and tragedy of Rue’s relationship with her brother is what ended up stealing my heart. I found myself lying in bed in the middle of the night sobbing right along with Rue as she recounted their childhood to River (much to my husband’s horror). The raw pain of what they experienced nearly did me in. This story was beautifully written and while parts were heartbreaking it was still filled with humor, amazing banter and love.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

River did steal Rues pen lol. I loved that this started off as a don’t worry about the brothers best friend because Rue can’t stand him anyway. At least that’s how it started off. Both of them ending up at the same place, only a wall separating them, leads to Rue slowly changing her mind about River the more they encounter one another. This was great seeing Rue flip the switch on herself lol. That loathing turned into something more really fast. And when these two hooked up, it was hot. These two had that spice down to a science lol. I had a really a great time reading this story.

[Theresa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ 3🌶

River and Rue broke me and put me back together in a beautifully magical way. I absolutely appreciated the banter between them, it gave this book so much levity. The tension between the two of them was everything and created a captivating push and pull. Their Chemistry jumps off the page. My heart broke for Rue especially, her life story is painful but she was trying her best. River didnt have it easy either. They both have to break each other's walls down and embrace the missing broken peices of one another. I loved them and never wanted their story to end.

I really love the way L.M. Halloran writes storys. She always delivers a gut-wrenching love story but this one was sprinkled with magic and whimsy. Love every minute of this book.

Thank you to L.M. Halloran and The Author Agency for this ARC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.

[Jamie Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, Ruin 😍 I don’t know why but that nickname just got me.
I love how much they worked to be together. River truly understood her and her pain of losing Teddy. This book was more heavy than I thought it would be, but I really did love it.

[Zee]

Dnf @53%

The writing just isn't working for me. Quite clunky and trying too hard to be poetic. The magical realism isn't done well IMO.

Also, the trope is incorrect. It says Brother's best friend when it should be BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER?!?
Did no one catch that? The author, the editor, beta readers??

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m literally speechless and definitely emotional! I’m not really sure where to start with how incredible this story is. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming and just pure perfection. Definitely 5 plus stars from me! I knew the minute I started the story of River and Rue that not only would it be epic, but that it would obliterate my heart, but in a good way. River is an artist and celebrity of sorts and is oh so delicious. Rue is an author who is quirky, beautiful and has had a tragic past. They know each other but have never been friends, always antagonizing each other, but maybe that was their own special way of flirting? When they find that they are part of a special artists retreat, neither are happy to see the other, but I had an inkling that this was their own special start of something beautiful. This story takes you on a journey of which I never wanted to end. There is a bit magic sprinkled throughout and a bit of supernatural and that is what made it even better as it made a bit of a believer out of me. While there is sadness in this story that literally made me cry, there is also so much happiness as well. River and Rue made me laugh out loud so many times with their witty banter and how they keep each other on their toes. And the chemistry between them is so chart topping hot, I couldn’t feel the lust and love coming off the pages. So yes, I highly recommend reading River and Rue’s story. It’s not just about two people discovering each other, it’s so much more than that and they will forever be in my heart and soul.

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨❤️ Nine Years of Fighting Until They Finally Saw Each Other Clearly ❤️✨
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers

There is something ridiculously addictive about two people spending NINE YEARS bickering, antagonizing each other, and insisting they can't stand one another, only to discover there has been something entirely different simmering underneath all that hostility.

And River and Rue?

Oh, these two had me completely invested. 😂❤️

I went into River & Rue expecting fantastic enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and the delicious complication of falling for your best friend's brother.

I got all of that.

But I wasn't expecting just how emotional, unique, and genuinely magical their story would become.

Rue St. James is an author who arrives at the secluded Pacific Arts Collective needing to finish her book. River Ashburn, her best friend Ivy's older brother and the man she's spent nearly a decade considering the villain in her story, is a famous modern artist trying to rediscover his own creative spark.

And naturally, out of all the cabins at this retreat, these two end up sharing a paper-thin wall.

Because apparently nine years of unresolved tension wasn't enough. 😂

I LOVED their banter.

River and Rue know exactly how to get under each other's skin, and watching all those years of bickering slowly shift into smiles, curiosity, vulnerability, and attraction was so much fun.

But what really made their romance special was realizing that neither of them had ever truly seen the other clearly.

Rue has spent years believing she knows exactly who River Ashburn is.

Famous.

Charming.

Infuriating.

Arrogant.

The villain.

But away from their normal lives, surrounded by the woods and this wonderfully quirky community of artists, Rue finally begins seeing the man underneath everything she's assumed about him.

And River surprised me in the best possible way.

His patience, tenderness, and quiet devotion made him an absolute standout. He doesn't demand the vulnerable pieces of Rue that she's spent years keeping hidden. He gives her the time and safety to reveal them when she's ready.

And when we finally begin understanding exactly what Rue has carried?

My heart. ❤️‍🩹

Rue completely stole mine.

She's quirky, funny, imaginative, determined, and possesses this beautiful sense of wonder, but underneath all that light is a woman who has survived more than most people around her realize.

Her childhood and her relationship with her brother Teddy become such an important part of understanding who she is.

I don't want to say much because those pieces deserve to unfold naturally, but the love, grief, and pain woven through Rue and Teddy's story absolutely broke me.

Suddenly so much about Rue makes sense.

Why she guards certain parts of herself.

Why vulnerability is terrifying.

Why a woman who literally writes happy endings can have such a difficult time believing in one for herself.

And River doesn't try to rewrite her past or heal those wounds for her.

He listens.

He stays.

He sees her.

🥹❤️

River carries his own wounds and grief too, which makes their relationship feel beautifully reciprocal. They're both at PAC because they've become disconnected from something inside themselves, and somewhere between their art, conversations, laughter, grief, and growing feelings, they begin rediscovering those missing pieces.

Not because they fix each other.

Because they finally have someone who understands.

I also loved how creativity becomes part of their intimacy.

Rue communicates through words.

River communicates through art.

They're both trying to create again while simultaneously learning how to communicate the things neither has been particularly good at saying.

And after NINE YEARS of supposedly hating each other, let's just say there was quite a bit of chemistry waiting underneath all those arguments. 😂🔥

The slow burn was SO worth it.

Their attraction is always there, but the emotional connection develops alongside it. Every shared smile, vulnerable conversation, and increasingly questionable definition of “accidental” touching pulls them closer until pretending this is still simple irritation becomes absolutely ridiculous.

And when that tension finally snaps?

Well.

Apparently fury and foreplay were easier to confuse than Rue thought. 😂🌶️

But River & Rue is so much more than the romance.

There is this subtle thread of magic running through the entire story that I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did.

It's not overwhelming or distracting. Instead, it's woven through nature, intuition, animals, weather, memories, connections, and those strange little moments that make you wonder whether some people really are meant to find each other.

It gives River and Rue's story this almost otherworldly soulmate quality.

There's magic in the air at PAC, whether you choose to believe in it or not. ✨

And somehow L.M. Halloran balances all of that emotion with SO much humor.

I laughed.

I swooned.

I got emotional.

I laughed again.

And then suddenly I was right back in my feelings.

The unforgettable group of characters at PAC adds so much personality to the story. This strange little collection of artists slowly becomes its own found family, and I especially loved watching Rue discover another place where she belongs.

And I don't think I'll be forgetting Lenny or Kirk anytime soon. 😂

What stayed with me most, though, is how beautifully this story explores perception.

River and Rue have known each other for nine years.

But knowing someone and truly SEEING them aren't always the same thing.

They've spent years looking at each other through assumptions, old encounters, family connections, and their own emotional defenses.

Forced proximity doesn't simply make them attracted to each other.

It finally makes them stop long enough to look again.

And when they do, the entire story changes.

River was never quite the villain Rue believed him to be.

Rue was never simply the quirky woman River sparred with.

They were two complicated, wounded, creative people who needed enough time and space to finally understand one another.

This book was funny, heartbreaking, steamy, whimsical, emotional, and unexpectedly magical.

It gave me two people rediscovering their creativity.

Two people confronting grief.

Two people slowly letting themselves be known.

A wonderfully weird little found family.

Nine years of buried yearning.

And a love that feels like maybe, just maybe, the universe had been quietly nudging these two toward each other all along. ✨❤️

Rue might make a living writing happy endings, but this time she had to learn she was allowed to have one of her own.

And the man she'd cast as the villain?

Turns out River Ashburn makes one incredible hero. ❤️

Thank you to L.M. Halloran and The Author Agency for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[MJLovestoRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

River & Rue is another remarkable book from the wildly talented L.M. Halloran. An author who never holds back, even when it hurts so good. We get a continuation of sorts with the Ashburn clan from both the Breaking Love and Perfect Song Duet, this time it being River's turn. A talented artist, his need for a break brings him face-to-face with the woman who has drifted in and out of his life, his younger sister's best friend Rue. With flashbacks to when they had brief and somewhat uncomfortable encounters, we get a bit of their unexpected chemistry. But it's when they are together, sharing a wall of a cabin at the Pacific Arts Collective in the woods, does that surprising connection start to take flight.

My emotions were definitely all over the place at times, as Rue is decidedly unsure of both her feelings for River and her exhausting inner fight to keep her secrets to herself. What she has endured, which comes to light very late in the book was hard to fathom. But she's beyond a survivor to me: she's the keeper of dreams. Sure, her life was turned upside down wrt to her Teddy as she took the brunt of her father's wrath over and over again. But she has a childlike quality that I found very endearing. The way animals would gravitate towards her proved she was truly a special kind of soul. Rue's gift of understanding those wounded both physically and in spirit was a marvel to witness and it was truly an honor to be in her presence, if only within the pages of this book.

River has his own brand of magic when it comes to predicting the weather and I appreciated how Halloran sprinkled a bit of the otherworldly throughout this storyline. That maybe all that both he and Rue experience at this creative retreat is the result of each being deemed a bit more special than their fellow artists. Not that any real odd things happened, except perhaps wrt Gil the Pill (lol), but there really was a unique kind of aura that surrounded our couple. Proving River's sister Ivy right when she could sense their joining many years before.

Despite some of the heavy thoughts and revelations later on in the book, I really felt that for most of the story, it gave off a lighter feel. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments (hello, acid trip!) and it was downright adorable to see River and Rue take any misstep and make it less critical. They are both navigating a minefield of emotions with a ton of stops, starts and detours to finally admitting just how much they belong together.

With secondary characters who are both supportive and a bit of a challenge at times, River and Rue found their people when least expected. Providing plenty of comic relief together with some good advice, I'd say that the Pacific Arts Collective was the perfect place for our couple to find what they needed, which was ultimately each other.

Halloran lends her own profession to Rue and I loved all the subtle mentions of book boyfriends and what they might say in certain situations. Even as River may not have understood exactly what Rue would accuse him of, that didn't stop him from charming his way into her life and, of course, in her pants. Once they cross over that line and Rue begins to get over the guilt of being in lust with her best friend's brother, let's just say the passion takes over between her and River something fierce and it only solidifies their delicate bond that much more.

River & Rue is a book that will capture your heart, bruise it a bit, but will have you smiling and laughing just the same. Yes, there are some tough issues that are brought to light but I feel as if Halloran gave each decision the respect it deserved, even when we wished things could have been different. She allows her characters to learn and grow from their mistakes while also giving them the tools to love with everything they have, even when they don't feel like it's something they deserve.

I do hope more is to come that involves the Ashburns and all those who are lucky enough to call them family. Rue has certainly had that privilege and I'm thrilled she will forever know it. With River by her side, the sky's the limit. Even when it might rain.

5 big stars!

And an extra star to Laura Halloran for donating a part of her proceeds to a very worthy cause.

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

River and Rue by L.M. Halloran is an emotional and heartbreaking tale of two soulmates who have
never acknowledged their feelings for each other for many years. When they are forced together at an artistic retreat, the sparks that have been burning in the background suddenly ignite. It is a slow burn romance between the author Rue St James and her best friend’s brother River Ashburn, a famous artist. Although the story covers tragic events and coping with grief, it is full of banter, funny events and lots of sexual tension. There is also a touch of magic with his mystical Granny K helping them and the Ashburn psychic network working well.

River has an older brother, musician Wilder who we met in the author’s A Perfect Song duet and two younger twin sisters Ivy and Olive. Rue is best friends with Ivy and first met River nine years ago when invited to Wilder’s wedding to Eva. They clashed straight away and although she thought he was very handsome, she didn’t like him. Over the following years they have squabbled and antagonised each other much to his family’s amusement. Now Rue is excited at being chosen to attend a retreat only for Ivy to inform her that River was going to be there. She hopes she can avoid him but is confused over why he is there.

They give the impression they aren’t happy to see each other but it turns out there is so much more behind their witty banter and fiery interactions. She is annoyed that they are in next-door cabins especially when the walls are so thin but it leads to lots of interesting events. It turns out that over the years he had looked forward to seeing her every time he came home because he found her funny and smart, even if a little weird.

The changing dynamic between them was realistic and intriguing. I liked how they were both curious because it turns out they don’t really know each other and finally realise they aren’t who they thought they were. Rue had always thought he was the villain, arrogant and annoying but it turns out her assumptions were wrong and he slowly surprises her by being charming, kind and very likeable. We learn she has an empathy for animals and he senses and feels the weather. I loved it when they reminisce about all the things he did to her and the stunts he pulled at his family gatherings.

There was lots of banter and sexual tension between these two but when they start to give into their feelings we find out so m much more about them both. He starts to feel more like himself and events make him realise he has never been honest about his feelings for her. She has trust issues and keeps her guard up but he sees through her vulnerabilities. It was adorable how patient he was and takes his time with her as he tries to persuade her to give him a chance. He is willing to wait but both are worried over Ivy’s reaction if they enter into a relationship. Can he show her she matters and prove he is worthy of her.

They have both experience tragedy when they were younger and have tried to put in the past but neither have faced up to their grief and have carried their pain into adulthood. He also went through a lot to become an artist and it’s taken him years to accept he’s not broken. He kept it all inside and secret from his family. She had a horrific childhood, fought so hard to survive and still carries the scars.

The secondary characters bring fun and humour to the story. The eclectic bunch of artists are all interesting and provide more romance and drama. I laughed at Kirk with his haunted golf cart and hairy feet and Lenny was a sweetie. The Granny K and spooky incidents show they were always meant to be together so can they finally be honest with each other.

I felt sorry for River when he has the light bulb moment of realising he has been yearning and wanting Rue for years. She has been right in front of him for years and he’s never done anything about it. He knows he probably can’t have her due to Ivy and his family. Rue has to decide if he’s worth the risk because she can’t lose her friendship with Ivy and her family as lost it all before. Will he admit he has always loved her and make her believe in a future with him. This is a great story which will take you on a very emotional journey but it is well worth it.

[Jenny Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

LM Halloran made me believe in love and magic, and the power of natural (and supernatural) energy with River & Rue. River Ashburn and Rue St. James are interwoven by way of his sister Ivy and by their coincidental residency at the Pacific Arts Collective (PAC). Rue has a book to finish writing, River has creative power that needs to be restored. Their time in the woods is meant to be rejuvenating and reverently dedicated to their respective works.

Naturally, there’s so much more at play. River and Rue are folded into a community of unforgettable side characters in this book. Their time together is full of humor, lustful hostility, heat and heart.

As a reader, I experienced three defined acts: awareness, awakening, ascension. Rue and River have a love story that gives, as the author describes herself, “soulmate magic”. It’s kinetic — vibrating off the page in a way that is charming and convincing. They are bonded through their connection to Ivy and bound by forces that run soul deep. They confront this all in the woods of the Pacific Northwest in a way that had me giggling and swooning…and running the gamut of second hand grief alongside these two.

The complexity of Rue and River’s relationship is woven through memories spanning nine years, and what is so beautifully tragic is how the author uses their dual perspectives and flashbacks to show how perception can overshadow reality. The proximal, and emotional, awareness these two have for each other is a dance that takes center stage. It is a mix of hilarious and humbling moments, for both of them, as the haze of the past clears the path for something more.

The awakening in this story is powerful. Rue has held in so much trauma from her childhood. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention her deep rooted connection to her brother Teddy, who you will find out, is equally as magical to Rue as Katherine is existentially connected to River. River is patient, achingly so, as Rue unravels for him emotionally and physically. The patience and care surrounding Rue is an unavoidable aura, all thanks to River.

If you are looking for a book boyfriend, that word does not even encompass the being that is River Ashburn.

He skyrocketed to the top of my list.

Fight me.

What Rue and River discover, more powerful than their love story, is an ascension into their own selves that felt full-circle in so many ways. There is a scene wherein Rue accidentally ingests an edible of a higher variety and has a wild night of revelation while River takes it all in. River has his own eye-opening version of this, though not as comically written as Rue’s evening of exploration, but encompassing all the same.

While all this is happening, there is an undercurrent of sexual tension wavelengths that are as vital as air around these two. One of their first intimate scenes is one of THE best written scenes I have ever read — it is a balance of examination and exploration; erotically innocent but explicitly hot. The build up, the slow burn, the patience for the snap has such a delicious payoff.

This is easily a book of the year for me — Rue is complicated and River has been misunderstood. There’s family trauma on both sides that, under the surface, gives them a level of understanding that is powerful. They visit their individual grief together, and their walk together to the other side of it is so exquisite.

And as a complete side note — be prepared to fall in love with a creature named Lenny and a wild man named Kirk…and to all of a sudden want to book a trip to the PNW and exist in its beauty.

Additionally, I snort laughed as much as I teared up — so you are in for a Kirk-powered ride of your life. Hold onto the rails of the golf cart and enjoy the reading journey.

[Melanie Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say this book was magical... I mean it in so many ways, I'm still trying to process all the things it made me feel while reading. I was left speechless and wondering how in the world I was going to fall asleep after finishing this story. Oof.

This is my first read from L.M. Hoalloran and I am addicted.

This book follows our titular characters, River Ashburn and Rue St. James, as they meet up again, unexpectedly, at the Pacific Arts Collective (PAC) to work on their own artwork, where they've been semi-struggling. Rue needs to finish writing her book and River- well, he honestly just needs to find his groove again. They've met before; his sister Ivy is Rue's best friend so they have had years of bickering that led them to this moment.

Rue left me speechless. Her build up and descriptions of her life events that led her to the present day were a wild rollercoaster of emotions. She's quirky in her own right, full of spunk and determined to do her deceased brother, Teddy, proud in everything she does. She's determined. Rue is a survivor and I feel like that is an understatement because I cannot find the exact words to express how I feel about her story. What she went through, the descriptions, the detail, her true inner battle and secrets she's kept to herself, you really understand why she is the way she is.

River, a true tortured artist, is struggling to find his muse again, that spark of inspiration that sets his creative mind on fire again. And even with the bickering, you can feel the flame slowly building with his tenderness and vulnerability he hides under it all. What I enjoyed about his character story is he is famous, he knows it, but he doesn't abuse it. The side characters initially think he abused his famous family's name to get him into the PAC, when it was really by coincidence. He's gone through trauma of his own and needs to heal his soul to find his creativity again.

This story is more than two people discovering each other... this is a rediscovering paired with creative healing, emotional healing and putting ourselves back together. I laughed... I cried (a lot), I felt what they were feeling, I could insert myself as a side character and feel every bit described for me in the pages. There was angst, sadness, a strong yearning that was hidden just beneath the surface and oh so much vunerability even though they were nervous to be vunerable at first.

In the end, we got more than a love story. We're believers in love and in magic.

Lastly, the side characters are perfection. They're not annoying, they don't show up when they're not needed. They're interwoven into the story to pop in just when they're needed. I love that Rue is able to find a true family to be a part of and still keep Teddy's memory alive.

When I say I was on an emotional rollercoaster, I can't even express in words how intense I mean that to be.

There's magic in the air.

Thank you to LM Halloran and The Author Agency for this ARC opportunity. I am hooked and ready for more stories.

TL:DR
⭐️ 5/5
🏠 Forced proximity
💙 Best friend's brother
📸 He's a celebrity
👩‍💻 She's a writer
❤️‍🩹 Emotionally and physically damaged FMC
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
🤓 He wears glasses
💬 Her quips are giggle inducing
🤫 He's pierced 😮‍💨
🎢 Emotional rollercoaster
🌶️ 3/5

[Chanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened upon this author accidentally a few years ago and read a book out of the recommended reading order. I was immediately hooked.
LM Halloran writes captivating stories with angsty, flawed individuals that somehow find their way to one another, be they very similar or polar opposite. Each a half to a whole, or a positive to balance a negative. Her storytelling is never dull and, while her stories have a level of spice, her writing is so intelligent that the spice never overwhelms the plot. (But, the spice is always, always immaculately detailed and served well.)

River & Rue is the same formulaic approach but is somehow quite different from her prior books. The level of humor is what I found to be somewhat new for this story. At eight chapters in, I was laughing to the point of tears. The humor, while simple, is so effective and added a dimension to these characters that I truly appreciate.

The story involves two creative types that have known each other for years, each a little broken, that find themselves unknowingly at an artistic retreat at the same time.
Sharing a duplex style cabin.
With a common bedroom wall.
Able to hear all sorts of things.
Their delightfully antagonistic past and undeniable attraction lead to physical adventures and emotional unmaskings that allow their past loathings to become current loves. The traumas that both have experienced in the past, Rue’s seemingly deeper than River’s, serves as sort of a cleansing that permits them to see each other, their complexities and strengths, more clearly.
There’s also a friendly savior in coyote form.
And magic served by the Ashburn Psychic Network.

I will stop the synopsis at this so as not to give too much of the story away. Read it. It’s a must (as are the other books in the Breaking Love universe).

My criticisms include that my preference would have been for the story to be longer. I would have liked the antagonism to simmer longer, to feel that dichotomic pull between love and loathe a bit longer and more intensely. I would have enjoyed reading more about their past drama with one another that lead to such intense bickering (again, especially on the part of Rue). I would have loved a bit more fleshing out to not only add to this drama, but to make their mutual dislike, as well as their unwanted importance to one another, more understandable. I would have also preferred more present day strife, more miscommunication, just… more… angst, sorrow, fight, and storms, as these are what make the happy endings so much sweeter. While I did cry with humor, I didn’t with hurt, and I feel that with their back stories, especially the portions with Teddy, I should have. A bit more emphasis on destruction and rebuilding, trauma and the battle to heal, could have pushed me over that edge.

A great book from one of my favorite authors, a definite re-read, and a new book to make me wish I had a love like this.

4-4.5⭐️

[J's Spice Cabinet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you L.M. Halloran for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own

River & Rue is a slow-burn, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, best friend's brother- romance. They first meet when Rue accompanies her new best friend, Ivy, to her oldest brother, Wilder's, wedding. Fun surprise, Wilder is the MMC in Halloran's A Perfect Song Duet. I love a good cameo! Rue runs into River, who is Ivy’s other older brother, when she is leaving that evening. As River explains it, he was a dick, and she told him to eat one. What follows is nine years of bickering, gag gifts at Christmas, and sexual tension that neither will acknowledge or admit.

Fast forward to present day and the two find themselves at an exclusive summer retreat for artists. River is a successful artist who is struggling following a breakup and Rue is a writer working on finishing book two in her romantasy series.

I loved the dynamic between River and Rue. Their banter was perfection as they pushed each other's buttons. I found myself laughing several times at their antics and the internal dialogue while they tried to deny their feelings was so much fun. They are both extremely likable characters. A perfect mix of humor, sensitivity, and vulnerability.

River & Rue was a touching and unique story. Behind the sarcasm and quick wit were two people who had experienced loss and suffered on their own. Rue's backstory was especially heartbreaking.

What really set River and Rue apart was the touch of magic that was woven in. We learn that River's grandmother is some kind of psychic who offers messages to her loved ones. Through flashbacks, we learn about the message she shared with River and we gain a better understanding of its meaning and how Rue is involved in the present. River has a connection to the weather and Rue (who is described as chaos and a storm 😘) has a mysterious relationship with animals. It was all done very well adding a bit of wonder to the narrative.

Overall, great story, endearing characters, lots of heart, a perfect amount of humor, and touch of magic.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I thought Wilder Ashburn was my favorite, but that was before I met River Ashburn. This man!! LM... you have written another perfect book boyfriend.

OBSESSED!!

I loved River and Rue’s story so much. Rue is quirky and a little chaotic in the best possible way, while River is quieter, complicated, and carrying plenty of his own baggage. And the YEARNING from this man? So freaking good. Their history stretches back years, and I loved getting those glimpses into the past because it made everything happening between them in the present hit that much harder.

This was a slow burn for the most part, but the tension. THE TENSION. Their chemistry was through the roof, and I loved watching all that built-up attraction, history, and emotion slowly start to unravel. There was just something about the way River cared for Rue that got me. He could be patient and tender with her, but there was still all that intensity simmering underneath.

The side characters were amazing too. I loved Maya and Dan, Kirk was absolutely hilarious, and somehow I even ended up adoring Lenny. The whole Pacific Arts Collective setting and the people there added so much personality to the story.

I was actually annoyed that this past week was so busy because I couldn't eyeball read this one nearly as fast as I wanted to. Had I had the time, I probably would've devoured it within a couple of days because I never wanted to put it down.

River & Rue ended up being such a unique mix of funny, emotional, and incredibly romantic. It made me laugh, hurt my heart, gave me butterflies, and had me completely invested in these two. I loved how different this story felt, but more than anything, I loved that underneath all the magic was a story about two people finally seeing each other, and themselves, more clearly.

And sorry, Wilder... I still love you, but River has officially taken the top Ashburn spot.

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this read with every piece of my heart! It’s beautiful, I was completely torn to shreds, the attraction between these two is wicked hot and absolutely insane, and what the magical element added to this best friend’s brother romance is in-freakin-credible. It’s ignoring the signs, guilt and grief, being so lost your drowning, and so alone your breaking, and it’s worth every single tear to see River and Rue find their home and their safe space in each other.
Swear you feel EVERYTHING with this read and it’s amazing. I love the setting, an elite artist retreat that basically gives comically crazy and slightly unhinged summer camp vibes, the supporting cast of characters run the gamut and are strangely endearing, and River and Rue are layered and deep characters holding in hurt that practically bleeds out of them and chemistry and attraction that legit crackles in the air every time they’re anywhere near each other. Rue has a quirkiness that you absolutely love and her affinity for animals and the if it’s gonna happen to anyone it’s definitely her aura she’s got makes her the girl you’re rooting for by the end of the first page, while River is a little unlikeable through the first few chapters and then, there is and never will be enough River, the man more than wins you over and I happily admit I am obsessed with his kind of strong, steady, and certain brand of love.
As you start to get their backstories, as they sift through memories and slowly open up to each other, I guarantee you’ll feel ripped apart. It gets heavy and it hurts, but what a story, and the way L.M. Halloran uses these back stories to weave magic and fate and destiny into it, so good and really genius. There are definitely light moments, straight up bizarre but hilarious moments, and plenty of spice, and they’re all spaced and paced perfectly with the heavy stuff, making this a truly incredible, one of a kind feeling romance that I am head over heels in love with.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW***

L.M. Halloran not only gave me the emotional, angsty love story that I love—she somehow made me believe in magic too.

River and Rue find themselves at the Pacific Arts Collective, sharing a cabin while both searching for something they’ve lost. Rue has a book she desperately needs to finish, while River needs to rediscover the creativity and passion that once came so naturally to him.

But River and Rue aren’t strangers. They’ve known each other for nine years, and their complicated history is slowly revealed through flashbacks that Halloran weaves into the present so effortlessly. With every glimpse into their past, you begin to understand not only what happened between them, but who they have become because of it.

Rue is quirky, beautiful, complicated, and carrying the weight of a troubled past. River may be famous and come from a famous family, but behind everything the world sees is a man struggling with problems of his own. I loved discovering all the different layers of these two characters—both together and apart.

The journey Halloran takes you on as you uncover who River and Rue truly are is remarkable. She blends humor, sadness, angst, vulnerability, and so much yearning into their story. Then she adds just a sprinkle of magic—and somehow, she even made a believer out of me.

But River & Rue isn’t simply about two people discovering each other. It’s about creativity, healing, the past we carry with us, and finding the pieces of ourselves we thought we’d lost along the way.

Halloran gives us so much more than a love story.

She gives us a story about two people finding their way back to themselves—and maybe, just maybe, finding a little magic along the way.

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magical realism in this book felt like stepping into a world I already knew. The psychics, the premonitions, it reminded me of the stories I grew up with, the same way The House of Spirits always felt like a perfectly normal portrayal of my culture. I loved that.

Rue’s connection with animals is a beautiful part of the story. She doesn’t just love them; she understands them, and they understand her back. River has his own kind of magic — he knows the weather like it’s a language only he can hear. Their gifts clash and cling in a way that makes their love story feel enchanted.

Both carry scars from their past. River’s loneliness, shaped by parents who weren’t there when he needed them most. Rue’s tragic childhood, the loss she can’t outrun, the storm she carries inside. For ten years, her only anchor has been Ivy, River’s sister. So from the very beginning, I felt that River and Rue had something between them — something old, something denied, something waiting.

The PAC brings them close again, and that nearness unravels every wall they built. River sees the truth first, and he practically drags Rue toward it, kicking and screaming, and it’s such a fun, wild, emotional ride.

The story balances chaos with humor, magic with heartbreak. Their conversations about their pasts are tender and painful. Their art makes their feelings feel more colorful, more intense. And the side characters — the PAC crew, the possessed golf cart, Lenny the stray who watches over Rue — all add so much color and charm.

A beautiful, emotional, magical romance that left me smiling, and completely in love with these characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all the hallmarks of a tragedy L.M. Halloran brings together two beloved characters for a spectacular happily ever after in River & Rue for an emotional whopper of a read!

Established artistic celebrity River Ashburn was hitting an emotional rock bottom fast. Crawling inward into himself to shield himself from being hurt, River was at a crossroads in his life. Kind and sensitive River was often the one to swallow his own needs for the collective good of his family and others.

A writer on the brink of discovery Rue St. James escaped from an early life of abuse but in reality the memories of her past bound her with its tethers. Rue's outer facade showed her to be strong yet she battled regularly with succumbing to her wounds from the past. Loyal and tortured Rue was a character that was easy to empathize with.

River and Rue were on the precipice of being star-crossed lovers. With ill timed encounters, chronic miscommunication and massive amounts of emotional baggage this couple had their work cut out for them. Yet with a foundation of mutual physical attraction and an inclination toward compassion this pair conquered their hurdles in finding love together. The sharp and witty dialog between these two was off the charts brimming with feelings and snark. The raw and poignant moments between River and Rue were soul defining and brought a vulnerability that their wry wits often masked exposing and making them more accessible to each other.

A fated theme was intermingled throughout this story giving River and Rue's journey to love a magical feel. A charming secondary cast were instrumental in cheering this couple on.

L.M. Halloran has a knack for presenting serious subject matter while not undermining its message when balancing it with witty repartee. Rich, depth filled portrayals are signature to this author's writing. L.M. Halloran's River & Rue is an edgy and enchanting love story that will resonate with readers.

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While this book can be read as a stand-alone reading the other books in this series would enhance the overall reading experience.*

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐! Wonderful!!!

LM Halloran has done it again! I just loved so many aspects of this book! The little touches of magical realism were a bit unexpected but so charming, I loved it. There were many moments in this one where I straight up snorted out loud (luckily, I mostly read alone 😂), with some serious moments and subjects sprinkled in. When we finally get the full backstory of Rue, I broke down with her. Parts of her past was hinted at multiple times, but getting the full version? 😭 My god, I cried and cried for Teddy (and for Rue, of course).

I love how these two were written as meant to be, soul mates for sure. It might have taken them a long time to get there but when they fully understand? Chef kiss. Rue is a storm, always "too much", but River? He was *made* to see the storm, to feel it, to calm it. I love what Ivy saw when their Auras come together 🌈 The slow transition for these two from "dislike" to lovers is so perfectly written that you don't even realize the situation shifting until it's already apparent, something that I sometimes find lacking in other dislike to lovers or enemies to lovers. And, to be honest, the writing of Teddy's character and the *true* meaning of it all is so subtle that when I finally read the final pieces of it, I almost didn't realize at first. I won't go into specifics because I think it's best going in blind, but wow 🥺 Written in the most adoring, devastating way possible.

Thank you SO much to The Author Agency and LM Halloran for allowing me to read and review!! Hope there will be a book for Ivy.... 👀

[Jen Reads Smut Pen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling of reading a book, and it makes your heart so happy, you laugh, you feel the conflict within themselves, being each other's green flags, BUT still having barriers to cross, wanting to be better versions for themselves and for each other. Resisting each other because of not wanting to disrupt the found family Rue was able to find.
Honestly, this is a re-read for me, the banter, the magic, the laughs, the reliability, the overall love, overcoming trauma together, representation

Some quotes for you to know how fucking hilarious and spicy this is!! Perfect story to spice, makes it organic! The best kind

I also have a strong suspicion Larissa is about to find out what happens when you piss off the Animal Princess. Speaking of, you might want to tell Lenny not to chew her face off.”
“Are we seriously discussing whether or not a possessed golf cart has a vendetta against me?” “Nope. We’re discussing the likelihood of Gilbert having a crush on you. Can’t really blame him. You were squirmin

“Two fingers, Rue. Sink them nice and deep. Tell me what you feel like.” “Warm. Soft. Wet.” “Mmm. Now add another finger. Two, if you can. Pump them. Slowly. Move those beautiful hips and fuck your hand like it’s my nnnn"

@lm.halloran love you so much more because of this!!!


#unhingedshitfor1000please #arcreader #agegapromancetrope #romancebookrecommendation #newbookreleasealert‼️

[Tori stay_gold_stori_books (IG) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really starting to fall more in love with stories that integrate magical realism and enjoyed that it had a bigger role in River and Rue than what was seen in The Perfect Song duet. River is the younger brother of Wilder from The Perfect Song duet and he has grown from graffiti artist to gallery artist in the time between their wedding and the events in River and Rue. You do not need to read The Perfect Song duet before River and Rue.

River and Rue are long time acquaintances who end up at the same retreat for creatives in the PNW. Rue is the best friend of River's younger sister, Ivy and someone who he has worked hard to hold at arm's length over the years. All that effort comes to an halt when they are forced to share a paper thin wall and the undeniable pull between the two is finally set in motion.

L.M. Halloran is one of my go to indie authors and I love the emotion and depth she puts into all her stories. The insights into Rue's backstory were absolutely devastating and I could see why she was so hesitant to fully open herself to River. I am so glad he was there to catch her before she could fall. Her characters always have this undeniable chemistry and as deep as these books go, I also always find myself laughing out loud at the banter and side characters who provide comic relief in her stories. Rue has a bit of a moment in the book that had me in stitches and I'm really hopeful for an extended bonus scene of that chapter! 🤭 🐺

Definitely check out River and Rue is you enjoy the following:
🎨 Magical realism
🖊️ Best Friend's Brother
🎨 Forced Proximity
🖊️ Slow Burn
🎨 Found Family
🖊️ Hurt/Comfort

Thank you to the author and the author agency for the eARC!

Note: Thanks to life, I was only able to finish about 37% of my ARC before release date. I switched over to KU on day of release and am hopeful to contribute to the Trevor Project by purchasing a copy of River and Rue.

[Michelle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

can the ashburn’s just adopt me already?

Omg. I LOVE LOVE LOVE River. 😭❤️

And Rue?! Such a fantastic FMC. I absolutely loved her. Their love story was just so freaking perfect.

One of my favorite parts was how her brother Theo was incorporated into the story. Learning what Rue went through as a child and everything she did trying to protect her brother absolutely broke my heart. It made me cry, but it also made me love her character that much more.

But this book wasn’t all tears because the banter was HILARIOUS. Rue especially had me cracking up. I spent so much of this book either smiling like an idiot or actually laughing out loud.

And at this point, I’m completely obsessed with this entire universe. The Ashburn family, the rockstar family, ALL OF THEM. I don’t just want another book, I want books about everybody.

Seriously, L.M. Halloran, please never stop writing these characters because I am not ready to leave them. Every book somehow keeps getting better and better, and now I’ve reached the newest release and I DON’T HAVE ANOTHER ONE WAITING FOR ME.

I have loved watching all of these characters and families become so intertwined that they genuinely feel like one huge family. And honestly?

Ugh. I want to be part of this family so freaking bad. 😂❤️

I don’t ever want to leave this universe.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The magic never left because it’s you. You’re the magic, Rue, and you always have been."


River & Rue captured my heart from the very beginning—the banter, the deeply buried attraction, and a magical pull neither of them could deny for long. Their story was teased at the end of the Song Duet, and I was eager to see how it would play out.


Halloran has a way of cracking characters wide open, revealing all their broken and scarred pieces before weaving them into something raw and beautiful. But in River & Rue, she also added an element of magic realism that brought these two even closer together.


The Ashburn men have all found their way into my heart—Julian, then Wilder, and now River. His journey and personal struggles, paired with his magnetic pull toward Rue, gave him the perspective and patience to wait for her to open up and share her pain with him. Rue, despite her past, carried such a magical quality—a vibrant sense of humor and connection to nature that made her all the more beautiful.


First came Julian and Rose, then Wilder and Evangeline, and now River and Rue—proving the Ashburn men are undeniably broken, healed, sexy, and loyal to their partners. Another unforgettable read by L.M. Halloran.

[Laura Ratushny · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you loved something so much that it feels impossible to describe - those emotions that can never be captured with words - the vibes that are so immaculate they must be magic? THAT is River & Rue for me.

River Ashburn and Rue St. James are NOT friends. And while they don't like each other, they both love Ivy- River's younger sister and Rue's best friend. Being stuck together at an artist's retreat for the summer is not ideal- but it might be fate.

The back and forth banter at the beginning of this story had me giggling and kicking my feet. The tension and angst were allowed to build slowly until the chemistry between River and Rue is undeniable and when the spark between them finally ignites 🔥🔥🔥. The magically elements woven so perfectly throughout, that you can't help but believe... and want a witchy Granny Katherine too! At its core, this beautiful love story shows two people just looking to be seen and loved for who they are. And by the end I wanted nothing more than to see these two characters find their happily ever after!

I already knew I loved LM Halloran but this story crawled right into my heart and made itself at home. Its romantic, and funny, and angsty, and heartfelt, and swoony in such a perfect balance that it must be magic ✨️

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this copy as an ARC from L.M. Halloran herself.
This opinions are my own. Available September 3rd!


I truly loved this book, I couldn't put it down.

Definitely made me believe in magic in the world and in people. 
This book is full of magical elements in nature with witchy touches. 


Rue is such has such special soul. A writer. 
A modern day Eliza Thornberry or maybe Snow White?
I love the connection she has with animals 🥹
Just wait till you meet Lenny 🤍. 


River a tortured artist. Suffering his own form of heartbreak. 
Can feel the change of the weather (insert goosebumps). 


Long time friends (maybe more like enemies)? end up spending a few months at an invitation only escape for arists of all types. 
They first met 7 years ago by chance but have seen each other frequently over the years at Rivers family gatherings.

Rue is Rivers sister Ivy's best friend and what she thought as off limits. 


I went to through every emotion till the very end. 
This story is truly beautiful and about these characters finding themselves.
With the help of nature, a few woodland creatures and a witch for a grandmother. 


River and Rue broke me and put me back together in the most beautiful way.

I loved getting to touch base with one of my favorite couples in a rockstar romance again only briefly as it's Rivers brother in the Perfect Song duet. 


Truly magical.

[jaimielee_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The way I ADORED absolutely everything about this book. 😍 My introduction to this author was when I read her Breaking Love & Perfect Song duets back in 2025 on my hunt for rockstar romances and every single one of those books got 5⭐️ from me too, so I was SO excited when I got approved for this ARC and got to go back to this universe.

This book managed to be both whimsical; with Rue our FMC who’s a Romantasy author with an affinity to animals and River our MMC, an artist with a connection to the weather; and at other times manages to be so emotionally heavy. I absolutely loved the artist retreat setting and this book had some of the best, quirkiest side characters I’ve read in a long time. I went from laughing out loud over the banter and hilarious situations to crying within the span of only pages. And I personally love a book that makes me feel EVERYTHING.

If you want a book that makes you believe in magic and soulmates and makes you feel ALL. OF. THE. THINGS. then you need to add this one to your TBR! Also HIGHLY recommend reading the duets first so you can meet River’s parents in Breaking Giants and his brother Wilder in First Verse/ Last Chorus. (Also just putting it out in the universe that I hope we get more books with these characters /Ashburn siblings 🙏)

What to expect when reading:

✨ Best Friend’s Brother
💙 Forced Proximity
✨ Soulmate Magic
💙 He Falls First
✨ All the Yearning
💙 Slow Burn 🔥

Favorite quote:

✨”You don’t have to be afraid. All that pain you keep locked inside, all your spinning winds and punishing rains—I was made to hold them. To hold you.”✨

[Randi (randi_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I am so glad that I discovered this author's books and get to ARC read her new books now. I've been loving them and this one is wonderful, too. Based on her last books, I was expecting this to be an angsty and emotional ride. It is emotional, but less angsty than I was expecting. (which is not a bad thing)

River and Rue is connected to the Perfect Song duet books. River is the younger brother of the main male character, Wilder. Rue is his sister's best friend. They met very memorably at his brother's wedding, and he has been a thorn in her side ever since.

I loved their story and connection. It's comedic and full of banter but also has heart and depth. River and Rue have explosive chemistry. The slow burn between them is so good.

I am not a huge fan of magical realism in books, but this one worked so well. Wilder, River and Rue all have some kind of gift and I loved it.

Read this if you like:

Best friend's brother
Forced proximity
Magical realism/Soulmate magic
Slow burn
He falls first
Hurt/comfort

Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[*Nicole* · Rating 5 out of 5]

River and Rue was everything I hoped for, but with magic! I love the Ashburn's and couldn't wait to read this book. River Ashburn is Wilder's younger brother and Rue is their sister Ivy's bestie. I couldn't get enough of these two! With both of them being artists, they unknowingly end up at the same artist's residency and in a forced proximity situation, which allows for their relationship to evolve from straight annoyance with each other (that has had years to grow!) to a point where their true feelings begin to show through. I do wish it had been a bit longer, to show more of their history and more build up from enemies to lovers. It was totally believable, I just would have loved to see more of it. Rue was relatable and I loved the way that River was able to handle her chaos. There was a part in the book that brought tears to my eyes and I wasn't expecting that, but I love a good cry from a good book. I also really enjoyed the bit of whimsy and magic added to this one. This is a slow burn, but the burn is definitely there once it arrives! I loved this one and I would happily continue reading more characters in this story!