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Five years after the death of his wife, Dr. Mitchem Taylor is ready to share his life with someone. Only one thing stands in the way of giving love a second chance--the strictly enforced "no dating" rule. A rule that pierces his heart every time he thinks about his university assistant, Cynthia. When a handsome man shows interest in her, Mitchem must choose between love for his career or love for his beautiful assistant.

Since the day she saw her boss, Mitchem, care for his son’s knee at a little league game, Cynthia Gold has been in love with him. Pining away over a love she can never have forces her to make a drastic change—a new job thousands of miles away. But can she walk away from her life she enjoys and a boy who’s like a son, or keep her heart bound to a man who may never love her.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2015

77 people are currently reading
149 people want to read

About the author

Ciara Knight

120 books804 followers
Ciara Knight is a USA Today bestselling and Maggie Award-winning author of heartwarming romance.

Her popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated for all audiences and enjoyed by over a million readers), is a small-town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community love.

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5 stars
79 (41%)
4 stars
64 (33%)
3 stars
28 (14%)
2 stars
13 (6%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Lillian.
1,085 reviews69 followers
February 10, 2016
Riverbend by Ciara Knight is the prequel to her new series by the same name. Set in a little town an hour or so away from Creekside (see her Sweetwater County series), Cynthia Gold came to Riverbend to make her dreams come true. But four years later, she’s ready to leave with a broken heart. Will the man she loves realize he loves her too or is time for her to leave it all behind?

This short story packs a big punch! Cynthia is a sweet character. She’s kind, loving, loyal, and has always been on the sidelines of Dr. Mitchem Taylor. As his assistant, she does everything she can to make life (personal and professional) easier for him. She’s even come to love his son Andy as her own. Yet she’s nursed her love for him for four years, waiting to see if he would love her in return.

Dr. Mitchem Taylor is a widower, still grieving the loss of his wife four years prior. He’s smart, kind, a bit shy, and without the push of his best friend wouldn’t look at Cynthia as datable. But once the idea is in his head, he knows he doesn’t want anyone else. His big problem is how best to communicate that and keep their jobs as it is against the rules for them to date.

Overall this is a short, clean romance. You could easily read this in one sitting. In just over 60 pages the author packs a lot of emotion. Yes friends, I teared up and cried just a little. If you enjoy the author’s Sweetwater County series or you’re looking for a quick read for you weekend, I highly recommend this one.

Psst….this book is FREE on Amazon for a limited time!
Profile Image for Amber.
627 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2015
This is the first book I have read by the author and was in love with every bit of it. If I had one complaint it would be that it was too short, I wanted MORE!!! LOL Riverbend was sweet and refreshing. My heart really went out to Mitchem and Cynthia they were both pretty much clueless of what the other person felt. Of course Mitchem is still trying to live in the past and is not sure if he's ready to move on but once he realizes things he knows he cant live with out the one that's been standing in front of him this whole time but it just might be too late. Cynthia has been chasing Mitchem for far too long and she cant stand by and wait any longer and is debating whether or not she should just move on. I really loved reading Riverbend and am now excited to read more by Ciara Knight!
716 reviews14 followers
October 10, 2015
I truly enjoyed Cierra Knight’s Sweetwater series and this one is already proving itself to be just as good. It is funny because you knew whom you wanted to get together but the walls that sprung up to stop it were so natural and believable that you were not sure it was going to ever happen. This is what made the story so good because it was not so obvious that you lost interest in the story. Liam was an interesting character and added a lot to the story. Looking forward to reading more stories from Riverbend.
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews41 followers
October 10, 2015
Loved this quick read! It's a very sweet read about a professor, Dr. Mitchum Taylor, who after losing his wife, never really got in to the dating life again. He and his young son seem content with life as it is. Or so he thought. After being pushed by his friends to start dating again he realizes there isn't anyone he's interested in, well, other than his devoted assistant Cynthia. Can he convince her to give himself and his son a shot or has he waited too long??

I recommend this one.
2,285 reviews28 followers
November 19, 2018
I actually read book 1 In all My Wishes first in which I was introduced to Mitchem and Cynthia. So, I had to read Riverbend to find out how they met. They are the cutest couple and Mitchem's son just adds even more to their story. Gotta have angst so throw in a pushy woman. I recommend reading the books in order Riverbend, then In All My Wishes. A fast read that really delivers.
One person found this helpful
Profile Image for Nancy Luebke.
1,466 reviews62 followers
September 15, 2017
I enjoyed this clean, sweet novella Romance. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review. This would make a good case for the absent minded professor saying. Both the hero and the heroine were a little bit like that.This is a nice sweet love story.
5 reviews
April 10, 2018
Feel good

I worked at a university and this happens. Some endings are not as happy as this was. Very relaxing read on a stormy Florida night.
1 review
September 16, 2023
The Riverbend

This is why I love your books, they're so wholesome and holds you're your interest. I suggest this a great! Matter of fact, I suggest everyone read the whole series
Profile Image for Jennifer Craig.
293 reviews
February 18, 2016
Riverbend is the first book in Ciara Knight’s new Riverbend series and is a great starting point. Dr. Mitchum Taylor is rolling along four years after his wife’s passing. His assistant Cynthia is a fixture in both his and his son Andy’s life. Both Mitch and Andy love Cynthia, but will Mitch come to realize that his love for Cynthia is more than that of friendship?

Cynthia came to Riverbend and then fell in love with her boss and then his son. She has been their rock for the past four years, but has finally come to the conclusion that she needs to move on as she has come to believe that Mitch will never see her in a romantic light. Cynthia accepts a job offer across the country and when Mitch is faced with this reality, he finally faces the fact that he really is in love with Cynthia. Can Mitch make her see the truth in time to prevent her leaving?

This is a great quick and clean read. Even though it is so short, Ciara develops the characters to the point where you believe in them (as well as a couple of supporting characters we will see in a future book or two). I can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for My Bookbag by Karen.
348 reviews61 followers
February 16, 2016
This is a lighthearted, feel-good read. Author Ciara Knight delivers a sweet romance novella as an introduction to the Riverbend Series.

The characters are likable and the story is a classic romance. I love that both Mitch and Cynthia compare the development of their relationship to that of Anne and Frederick in Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

I wish that the settings in Riverbend were a little more descriptive. I am sure that In All My Wishes, the next book of the Riverbend Series, will include more detail and draw a better mental picture of the town.

Overall, I find the book to be a likable read. 4 stars
Profile Image for Rosemary.
379 reviews5 followers
September 10, 2016
Disclaimer...I received this ebook for free in exchange for an honest review.This is a love story that proves that even if you are a smart college professor,or someone who has their masters degree, when it comes to admitting that you are in love...you can still do stupid things ! I really enjoy this story for its clean content so you can focus on real love aspect. I like the strong characters who aren't afraid to take chances. This is the first book that I have read from this author,and I'm glad I did.. she is a very talented writer,and I will definitely be buying the next book in this series to continue reading what the future holds for these characters
Profile Image for Michelle Ferrari-Johnson.
1,559 reviews39 followers
August 5, 2016
Absolutely love this story! It has just the right amount of classic and modern love~

First book I have read by Ciara Knight and it won't be my last. So much love, pain and support conveyed in her characters. It will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face.

Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series~
Profile Image for Lori.
1,056 reviews8 followers
August 18, 2016
Wow, what a heartwarming romance. Sometimes the hero of a story is clueless when it comes to situations of the heart. This is definitely the case in this story. It is a good thing that he has many friends that help him see the error of his ways. This story has an extra special happy ending. I am looking forward to reading more about Riverbend.
Profile Image for Kristen.
1,711 reviews47 followers
September 12, 2016
Very cute!!! Loved the charcters (except that hussy Rachel of course. Liam wasn't my fav either but his heart was in the right place for his friend. I didn't like how the author switched between full names and nicknames. But othet than all that really sweet story.

Moral note: Rachel is quite the hussy as mentioned before, sticking her goods in Mitcham's face, and what not.

Profile Image for Christina.
808 reviews34 followers
September 14, 2016
This was a cute little novella. I liked the plot and getting perspectives from both our main characters. Certain characters were introduced that I'm dying to know more about, so finding out there are full length books about them is exciting!
Profile Image for Sm.
437 reviews10 followers
February 20, 2016
cute, short & sweet
some unnecessary lack of communication issues, but, given the novella-length, it didn't have a chance to be annoying
79 reviews
February 22, 2016
Wonderful

Just loved everything about this book. It definitely gave me a taste for more. So, onto Number one then two, etcetera.
Profile Image for Natalie548.
116 reviews
April 9, 2016
Short read, which I generally don't like. Good, but predictable.
Profile Image for Kris Gordon Oliphant.
148 reviews3 followers
May 10, 2016
Such a sweet story

There hasn't been a book by Ciara Knight that I haven't liked and this one didn't disappoint! I. I can't wait to read the next one in the Riverbend series.
72 reviews
August 27, 2016
First book of series, easy nice reading & loved the characters and the town. Would love to live there, alas only in my mind lol.
22 reviews
June 9, 2016
Great little book!

Great little easy read book. Enjoyed it thoroughly. If u love to read but don't have time for a long novel, this is a good choice for u.
Profile Image for K.C. Riley-Gyer.
Author 4 books30 followers
April 19, 2025
For me, this was a multi tissue tear jerker. Being the hopeless romantic I am, I loved this story and its characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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