Riverside

by Brett Burlison

"A steamy tale and beguiling thriller, with plenty of local color and some provocative twists." - Kirkus Reviews

Two young lovers decide to move in together and open a cafe only to be hindered by their own pasts, drugs, and bad guys from New Orleans. Set in Austin, Texas in the early nineties.

Bobby Patrick, abandoned by his mother as a child and by his alcoholic father during high school, wants a better life for himself and his true love, Katie. 

The couple decides to open a café and chase their dreams under the radiant Austin sunsets. There, the long, hot days of summer inspire their passion—but complications arise when Katie’s former love interest returns, bringing with him a whirlwind of trouble.

As Katie’s dark past reveals itself, Bobby fears it could threaten all they have been striving for. Along with Katie’s best friend, Sara, with whom Bobby has his own secret history, the couple becomes tangled up in a drug deal and falls under close watch by Austin police and New Orleans mobsters. 

Bobby must find a way to protect Katie, help Sara, and help himself to thousands of dollars from the ill-fated deal. If he can’t, his future with Katie could be shattered forever. 

Part romance and part suspense story, Riverside is a tell-your-friends-about-it, good old-fashioned crime novel about a young couple struggling for the American dream, and the lengths to which they will go to protect it.

Genres: Romance

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2016

About the author

writer, lawyer, Texan

Reviews

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riverside is set in Austin Texas. Bobby Patrick and His Girlfriend Katie are lovers they have dropped out of university.
Katie was living with friends but she has agreed to move in with Bobby. She asks him to give up his current job and open a Cafe with her and her former roommate Daniel he agrees. Only they are hindered by their pasts, drugs , and criminals from New Orleans. The story is part romance, part suspense story. River side is a story about fighting for your dream and the lengths you'll go to in order to protect it.

[Donna Jago · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the well throughout charters in this book, I found myself desperately wanting things to go right for Bobby and I was pleased then he put right his wrongs. Even though I new how the story was going to end there was still enough intrigue to keep me turning the page.

[Patricia Moren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good storyline with well developed characters who interacted well. Light hearted in places and very dark in others. Medium paced story which speeded up towards the end and had a very abrupt conclusion

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: 1/5
(I received a free ecopy from the publisher, Barton Creek Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
***Minor spoilers***

Bobby and his girlfriend Katie are caught up in some dirty business in 90's Texas. Paul, who is Bobby and Katie's "friend" is back, and seems to have brought some bad stuff back with him. Paul's girlfriend Sara seems to be affected most by this and asks for Bobby's help but refuses to tell him what's going on. Bobby and Katie plan to get married and are also opening a restaurant with their friend Danny, but their whole plan could fall to shambles if the business with Sara and Paul doesn't get sorted out soon.

I read the synopsis for this book and didn't have any opinion on liking or disliking it yet, so I just decided to go with it. Unfortunately, this book fell very flat for me. It had a boring pace, uninteresting characters, and a romance I couldn't make myself care about. The book was slow all the way through until the last 5-10% or so. I wish I could say that the last 10% or so made up for the rest of the book, but it was just over too quickly for it to redeem the book for me. While it was quite intense for a few moments, the action ended much too quickly.

I couldn't seem to get into the romance whatsoever. I didn't quite understand why Bobby and Katie loved each other. All they seemed to do was have sex and argue a few times. Maybe I just didn't like it because they were introduced right away as characters who were together, and I couldn't read about the build-up of their romance and why they wanted to be together. I also didn't particularly like any of the characters. It wasn't even that they were bad characters, it was just that nothing about them popped out. I didn't find them annoying, but I also didn't find them good. They all seemed a bit too simplistic to be actual people.

Overall, I wasn't too impressed with this one. The pace was too slow, and both the romance and the characters were unrealistic to me. It was interesting for the last little bit, but in my opinion, this didn't make up for the rest of the book. I feel like it had the potential to be an interesting crime novel in the way the characters were linked together, but the writing just didn't do it for me. Regardless, if you're interested in checking this book out, it's available on Netgalley on "read now" here: https://s2.netgalley.com/catalog/book...

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The protagonist was original, likable, and I really felt for him. This is a sexy book. The back cover didn't really indicate that. The love scenes were well done, but not over the top. And the ending had some surprises. Also, being from Austin, i liked how the setting was really part of the story and came alive.

[Schuyler Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot going on in “Riverside,” the debut novel written by Brett Burlison. Some of it is good, and some is just passable. I’ll start by saying that, for a first attempt, Burlison has some talent going for him. But, as many first-time writers do, he lets his story overwhelm him, allowing confusion and scrambled details to sneak into his story.

Bobby Patrick struggles with finding his place, letting booze and weed dictate his search. He works as a landscaper and seems satisfied with grubbing around in the dirt. He comes to realize that his girlfriend, Katie, means everything to him and, in fact, the entire story is about him trying to please her in all aspects of their relationship. She also develops a deep love for him, his passionate lovemaking, and the ease they have being with each other. But, into this sweet and sticky alliance, there soon creeps a sinister understory involving past relationships, drug dealers, and betrayal.

I tired quickly of the need for weed and the long, intense conversations. I was never very fond of the characters, even the good-guy cop who was anything but official and straight. His decision to get Bobby involved in police matters was not smart and, as it turns out, validates why ordinary folks need to stay out of dangerous situations. But I was intrigued enough to keep reading. There was something hypnotic about the way the author could string me along, even though I knew exactly how things were going to shake out.

I think Burlison has a bright future and I’ll be watching his progress. He’ll learn to tighten his prose, concepts, and dialogue. The read is not cerebral and, with a little concentration by the reader, becomes more interesting as the book progresses.

[Stefani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Just awful. The premise had me intrigued, but the author was just all over the place. I live in the Austin area and I wanted see if the author could capture the essence of the early 90s in Austin. At first he did, but then he became redundant. The plot plays out fully, but a lot of the "twists" just did not belong. Too many side stories as well. I suggested this book to my book club for our selection this month. After reading it, I have recommended that we pick another book.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the characters and setting. I especially liked the walks the couple took through parts of Austin. I went to school there and it reminded me of my time there. Some of the scenes were a little racey, but the ending was fast-paced and I really liked the love story aspects. It was also the first time I had read about a lead character who was dyslexic. The author did a good job with his writing and it was very enjoyable to read.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a weekend. I'm from Austin and the author did a good job bringing out the setting. The characters were real and i wanted to shake Bobby half the time. This book is two lovers up against the world and you felt them. A good read all around.

[Kim Pet · Rating 4 out of 5]

First impression? Love the voice and feel of this one. I'm comfortable and feel like I could hang out with this couple. The more I get to know them, the more I realize there are holes and secrets in their relationship that give off a feel of impending strife.

Once the story got moving, it moved quickly, and no one was as they seemed at first. Great suspense, plotting, and scheming in order to save their lives, Bobby and Katie will never be the same again. Excellent debut novel, Burlison has a familiar voice that pulls you in and keeps you locked down for the ride.
* I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel of young people,drugs,and sex. Found it very boring at points but continued hoping the book would somehow redeem itself. Realize our younger population thinks using profanity is cool but only find it distracting when so much is used. Thus so in this novel. Nearing the end some action arrives and some very loose ends are tied up.

[DM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riverside is a pretty good read. I was interested from start to finish and it was quick enough to be a good vacation read. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend and am excited to see if Brett Burlison continues to write.

[Lenny Husen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast read with a super sympathetic main character and charming locale of Austin, Texas in the 1980's. The dialogue, sentences and words are short and simplistic and come across like a Young Adult Novel laced with sex and profanity, yet the people and dreams the author is conveying are complex and believable.
I met the author through my work and promised him I would read his book. I am rounding up on my rating because I am impressed that an attorney could write and publish a novel.
Especially liked that Bobby is dyslexic--this story is a must-read for someone with dyslexia.

Favorite quotes from the book:
"In my life there had been few people I trusted, and none completely. I trusted Katie completely."

"Every inch of my body felt good to be alive; it was at moments like this when I had a fleeting understanding of what youth really was--not freedom, but longing."

"Don't ask why, but if you had to get rid of a lot of weed, I mean multiple plants, and fast, what would you do?"
"Dude, seriously?"
"Uh-huh."
"Fuck..."

I'd like to see a Movie made from this book.

[Vickie Raynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a thriller and wasn’t sure what else. I just skimmed the description. I was asked to read this from NetGalley. It was a little slow starting, building the scenario, but once it got going, I couldn’t put it down. There were so many bad guys in play, it was hard to guess who was pulling the strings. Sure wasn’t who I figured. The ending was so climactic that I forgot to breathe. This book will definitely send your emotions all through the spectrum.

[Joann M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part romance with some mystery mixed it. Mobsters, crime, drugs and a whole lot of country folks.
It was listed as a suspenseful mystery novel but I didn't get that feel at all.
I'll let you be the judge.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[This fish likes to read · Rating 1 out of 5]

As published on my blog This Fish Likes To Readlink: my link text

It promised to be a love story with lot of complications. The pace was not the problem here. It was decently paced, and quite an easy read.

It’s just that I reached 49% into it and realised how dense the plot was. The lead character and his girlfriend claimed to be soul-mates and the chemistry was evidently lacking, except for the few graphic scenes - which intercepted the story and didn’t really manage to add flavour to the plot.

The girlfriend- Katie- I liked that she was smart and feisty. The guy, Bobby although was dull and seemed to be just going with the flow. I didn't like him enough, he being the narrator kept harping the same tune of loving Katie etc. There was nothing more to add, almost into half of the story and still hadn’t learnt much about any of them. The story was emotionally dense.

Some parts were repetitive, the characters half-formed. The first half of the book didn’t manage to hook me enough with the characters or the plot. I didn’t feel involved or convinced of where this was going. Or even if I wanted to be a part of it.

My opinion though seemed unpopular as I checked the Net Galley and Goodreads reviews, both books were quite the favoured books. But I am sticking to my reasons.

Even though I hate to leave a book unfinished, I am getting over it to maintain my sanity and save some time and heartache over reading not so great books.

[Scott Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is part romance, part crime. Sex and drugs are recurrent themes.
Bobby Patrick and Katie, his girlfriend, are lovers, who, having dropped out of university, are living a casual lifestyle in Austin near the University of Texas. When the novel opens Katie is still rooming with her friend Sara and a couple of guys in a three bedroom apartment but often sleeping over at Bobby's place.

Katie agrees to move in with Bobby but pitches him on giving up his landscaping job and setting up a cafe with her and Daniel, one of the guys from her former apartment. After a little reflection Bobby agrees to join them in this venture. But then trouble comes to town in the form of Paul, Sara's on again/ off again boyfriend. Paul is a druggie who is prone to violent mood swings and to violence. He is involved with some shady characters to whom he and Jeff, a drug dealer, owe a lot of money. And Sara is not as innocent as she pretends. She blackmails Bobby into using his savings to bail her out on a DUI and pay the retainer for her lawyer thus jeopardizing his investment in the cafe.

But things are cooking as these characters conspire to steal half a million bucks from the New Orleans drug dealers who have funded Paul and Jeff. Bloodshed ensues but somehow Katie and Bobby emerge sufficiently intact to move to wedded bliss with a baby on the way.

Burlison has promise but he needs to tighten his prose and provide more depth to his plots.

[Kara Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was first posted here: http://karatheredhead.blogspot.com/20...

Riverside started off with a party in the 90s. At first, the novel seemed to just be a romance, with the couple Bobby and Katie. After a few chapters, they were starting to open their own cafe, and I was so worried about how the cafe would go I was completely sideswiped by the suspense and action! The suspense was a slow build and then hit an explosive climax with several twists! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

I rarely read from male point of views, but I found Bobby's character very likable. I loved how Bobby and Katie bantered with each other and often teased each other in a joking but loving manner. I often found myself laughing out loud from their remarks to each other. The other characters all felt very real, even if at times you wanted to hit them with something, Sara especially.

People familiar with Austin and Houston will like the descriptions of the locations and streets, I wasn't familiar with either city, but I still enjoyed it. Brett Burlison is very descriptive, and I look forward to future novels by him.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours, Brett Burlison, and Barton Creek Press for providing me with a book copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Kylie]

This book was kind of slow right until the end. It may have been the thunderstorm raging around me, or the events in the book, but this last 10% or so had my heart racing.


The story is told from Bobby's perspective, which is different in that I'm used to dual POV's or all female narrators. It was an interesting change, but not an unwelcome one.

I had hoped for a little more drama throughout the story, but the ending gave it a nice twist. I would be interested in a prequel, where we learn more about how Katie and Bobby met, and where Sara and Katie started.

I think the characters all kind of floated on the surface. You don't learn much about their pasts, especially the supporting characters. I think giving them some depth could go a long way in boosting this book.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes a little mystery, without intense suspense, and horror.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the early 90s this novel was equal parts love story and crime drama. I have a personal distaste for plotlines that derive from an inability to speak freely so I spent much of this book frustrated with the characters for not just asking and saying what they mean. The pacing was good, but the climax was unsatisfactory because I wasn't inspired by the character's motivations, The author is very adept at setting a scene. I felt like I could feel the heat of the Texas summer and reliving the 90s made me thankful for the invention of cellphones. A good first novel, I'll certainly read his future work.

[Pernette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riverside by Brett Burlison is set in Austin, Texas. Bobby and Katie are a couple living near the campus of the University of Texas. Bobby's uncle works for the Austin Police Department and is his closest relative and friend. As with most universities there are drugs easily available and most of Bobby and Katie's friends are casual users. However, as this book shows there is a dark side to drugs. The criminal intent of others is also part of the story. Greed, power and sex are interwoven through the story line.

[Mrs Doyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good concept but poorly executed. As the author is a lawyer you can tell he put a lot of time into describing the law side of things but the sex scenes were... laughable. Read like they were written by an inexperienced 15 year old boy who thinks all women are constantly parading around saying "Oh baby".

I would have overlooked the bad sex scenes and given this book a better rating if it weren't for the horribly abrupt ending. To spend all of that time building up characters and a story and just let it fizzle it out in the end is lazy.

[Pat Welte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book. I couldn't get past the 5th chapter. I started reading and stopped several times. It seems to be about drugs and sex. The sex scenes are graphic and not very interesting. I didn't care about the characters or what was happening to them. Finally just stopped reading this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

This is Brett Burlison's debut book and he did a good job!

Riverside was a "busy" book lol! I enjoyed it because there was so much going on. It kept my interest up. It had all the elements to be an amazing book, but because I read so much I could tell this was his debut book and that's not a bad thing! I just felt like it started with too much and my poor little brain couldn't keep up.

[Heidi | Paper Safari Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Burlison's debut novel and its pretty good. There were some things that just didn't flow with me but for the most part I thought this was a solid book. The beginning was a bit disjointed but then it started to flow, then it picked up and took off like a rocket. The ending wasn't as strong as I would have liked but it worked. Overall an enjoyable read.

[Kathryn West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free ARC from Netgalley. Bobby and Katie are all loved up and sporadically drugged up. As they plan their future, the mistakes of their friends begin to leach into their happy ever after. I didn't love this but I didn't hate it either. I certainly don't think it deserves some of the scathing reviews or 1* reviews.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a well written story with characters that are very interesting and likable. It's captivating and enjoyable story that will leave you feeling nostalgic

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this. It didn't grip me at all.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

A slow burner and for me no real punch.

Disappointing as I really liked the look of it.

[Diane Ferbrache · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this novel. I love the Austin area and the book is filled with local references. It's clear that the author is very familiar with the area and the culture. BUT -- that's almost the biggest fault with the book. Sometimes it reads like a travel book. There are just too many, too detailed descriptions of the Austin area. It's very distracting from the plot. OR maybe that's the real problem -- the plot is pretty thin and predictable. Although characters are clearly drawn and act in believable ways, I just didn't care about their relationships or what happened to them. It took too long to get to the crisis and there were just too many long descriptive passages and too many long conversations that really had no point. Very disappointing.