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As Far as The Eye Can See
When Emily's husband dies suddenly, all she can do is focus on is surviving and protecting her young son, Sam. She moves from her New York suburb out to rural Ohio with her Aunt Margaret to start over. She takes a job as a cook for a hay farmer who is a widower, and is struggling with his life after his loss. The two become unlikely friends, helping each other through their grief and tragedy, and finding a way to start a new chapter of love and friendship--together.
- GenresFiction
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2017
400 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 11, 2023
Great characters in a great, well-written story. A wonderful debut!
October 2, 2025
September 2025
🇳🇴🇹 🚫 🇸🇦🇫🇪
Gavin (45), a farmer, who lost his wife and daughter in a car accident.
Emily (30's), an amazing cook and baker, who recently lost her husband. She has a deaf son who's 7.
Both MCs are still grieving. In the first half, they often talk or think about their late spouses. Emily thinks five times about how she and her husband made love. It wasn’t yet a romance, but more like two wounded people healing with the help of friends and family.
Despite their sadness, it’s clear Gavin and Emily are interested in each other. They spend time together and start to grow closer. Affection is shown, and even their friends know their feelings run deep.
The not-a-hero is a beta who five years later, still can't move on and refuses to love again. He wasn’t much of a man even when he was married. His wife was a Colonel in the army, and he simply followed her around during her assignments. She called the shots and handled any women who showed interest in him.
In the second half, I grew tired of the push-pull between the MCs. I soon quit in disgust. It turns out that while Gavin loves Emily, he has sex with someone else. He’s too much of a coward to be in a relationship with the woman he truly wants. Of course, a friend talks to Emily to explain Gavin, so she's sympathetic to his pitiful situation. 😬
At 48%, Gavin thinks, ...if you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with. He arranges to have sex with another woman. He kisses her and imagines it's Emily.
At 70%, Gavin sets up Emily with another man, thinking they had something in common and would hit it off.
At 72%, Emily walks into Gavin's kitchen to see a woman wearing Gavin's shirt, but nothing else. It turns out that Gavin is paying this woman for sex.
Gavin: "You see, unlike you, I do not need nor want someone to have what's left of my heart. I'm not exactly proud of it, but it's better than the alternative."
"Which is what, an actual relationship with a real human being? Emily asked.
"Yes. I'm not good with women. Never have been."
😡 Gavin attends church and believes in God, while having sex with a prostitute. Because of this poor excuse of a man, I'm done with this author.
Add in OTT drama with a crazy woman who’s interested in Gavin and can’t take no for an answer. She becomes psycho, doing things like burning a house down and pointing a gun at Emily. It was all so ridiculous; I'm surprised she didn't boil a bunny (movie reference). I didn’t even reach the part where the truth about Emily’s husband is revealed, which I’m sure is an OTT twist. 🙄
🇳🇴🇹 🚫 🇸🇦🇫🇪
Gavin (45), a farmer, who lost his wife and daughter in a car accident.
Emily (30's), an amazing cook and baker, who recently lost her husband. She has a deaf son who's 7.
Both MCs are still grieving. In the first half, they often talk or think about their late spouses. Emily thinks five times about how she and her husband made love. It wasn’t yet a romance, but more like two wounded people healing with the help of friends and family.
Despite their sadness, it’s clear Gavin and Emily are interested in each other. They spend time together and start to grow closer. Affection is shown, and even their friends know their feelings run deep.
The not-a-hero is a beta who five years later, still can't move on and refuses to love again. He wasn’t much of a man even when he was married. His wife was a Colonel in the army, and he simply followed her around during her assignments. She called the shots and handled any women who showed interest in him.
In the second half, I grew tired of the push-pull between the MCs. I soon quit in disgust. It turns out that while Gavin loves Emily, he has sex with someone else. He’s too much of a coward to be in a relationship with the woman he truly wants. Of course, a friend talks to Emily to explain Gavin, so she's sympathetic to his pitiful situation. 😬
At 48%, Gavin thinks, ...if you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with. He arranges to have sex with another woman. He kisses her and imagines it's Emily.
At 70%, Gavin sets up Emily with another man, thinking they had something in common and would hit it off.
At 72%, Emily walks into Gavin's kitchen to see a woman wearing Gavin's shirt, but nothing else. It turns out that Gavin is paying this woman for sex.
Gavin: "You see, unlike you, I do not need nor want someone to have what's left of my heart. I'm not exactly proud of it, but it's better than the alternative."
"Which is what, an actual relationship with a real human being? Emily asked.
"Yes. I'm not good with women. Never have been."
😡 Gavin attends church and believes in God, while having sex with a prostitute. Because of this poor excuse of a man, I'm done with this author.
Add in OTT drama with a crazy woman who’s interested in Gavin and can’t take no for an answer. She becomes psycho, doing things like burning a house down and pointing a gun at Emily. It was all so ridiculous; I'm surprised she didn't boil a bunny (movie reference). I didn’t even reach the part where the truth about Emily’s husband is revealed, which I’m sure is an OTT twist. 🙄
August 22, 2025
Clarise Rivera's novel As Far as The Eye Can See hoped that it would be the story I needed - old fashioned, character driven, wholesome 'home on the range' type of book with conflicts, of course. It started out that way (the reason I bought the book). Once the interesting characters were introduced and their backstories explained, the story became ridiculous at times, irritating at other times, and drawn out unrealistically. To prove my point, on the last page of the epilogue (spelled EPILOUGUE), Gavin witnesses his friend's happiness and Rivera writes:"It was a peace that Gavin was downright jealous of, but tried to emulate every day he got to spend with Emily and Sam." Really? We're at the end of the book and it's still all about him, his past heartbreak and his inability to be thankful in the moment for love and friendship.
I had hoped this would be a book that I would pass on to a friend, but now I'm just going to donate it to the Salvation Army.
I had hoped this would be a book that I would pass on to a friend, but now I'm just going to donate it to the Salvation Army.
November 11, 2024
Wonderfully written
My first Clarise Rivera novel. I thoroughly enjoyed. Plan to read her again. While with some books you just cannot get that sense of reality, with this I did. I felt good about the ending. Loved all the characters. I don't see most men being quiet that wimpy when it comes to sex, but I loved Emily and her willingness to go for what she wanted and how she lived her kid.
My first Clarise Rivera novel. I thoroughly enjoyed. Plan to read her again. While with some books you just cannot get that sense of reality, with this I did. I felt good about the ending. Loved all the characters. I don't see most men being quiet that wimpy when it comes to sex, but I loved Emily and her willingness to go for what she wanted and how she lived her kid.
October 9, 2017
Wonderful Story!
Clarise Rivera is a new author with lots of talent. This first novel is a gem. I am not a fiction reader as a rule, but this book was excellent. An all-American tale of two people whose lives were turned upside down by tragedy and then recovered as they grew to love each other. Highly recommended.
Clarise Rivera is a new author with lots of talent. This first novel is a gem. I am not a fiction reader as a rule, but this book was excellent. An all-American tale of two people whose lives were turned upside down by tragedy and then recovered as they grew to love each other. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2019
Really great book. Left me wanting to read chapter after chapter to see what was going to happen next. Characters are well developed and I felt emotionally moved by the great morals of Emily and Gavin, and friends. And events that occurred near the ending were unexpected. Didn't see it coming. Suspenseful! Way to go Clarise!
June 1, 2025
Clarice is off to a great start!
This is a wonderful story of lost souls finding strength in one another. I won’t spoil it for anyone.
I will say Ms. Rivera has an excellent career in the offing.
I chose to read this story because it’s similar to my stories. It did not disappoint by any means.
This is a wonderful story of lost souls finding strength in one another. I won’t spoil it for anyone.
I will say Ms. Rivera has an excellent career in the offing.
I chose to read this story because it’s similar to my stories. It did not disappoint by any means.
November 28, 2025
A beautiful story
I loved all the real, raw emotions of these characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a stirring emotional romance. I fell in love with the characters immediately. The small twist was a bit shocking. I rooted for this story all throughout.
Chase love and dreams always.
I loved all the real, raw emotions of these characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a stirring emotional romance. I fell in love with the characters immediately. The small twist was a bit shocking. I rooted for this story all throughout.
Chase love and dreams always.
June 16, 2017
Engaging story
This is an engaging read, with well-defined characters and a plot that keeps surprising you. You can't help but get caught up in the story and feel everything right along with Emily and Gavin.
This is an engaging read, with well-defined characters and a plot that keeps surprising you. You can't help but get caught up in the story and feel everything right along with Emily and Gavin.
October 24, 2024
Great read
Loved, loved this book. Great character development. I am from the area in west Central Ohio that was the setting-added a lot!
I especially connected to the emotions the author made so “real”.
Loved, loved this book. Great character development. I am from the area in west Central Ohio that was the setting-added a lot!
I especially connected to the emotions the author made so “real”.
January 29, 2025
you have to read this one.
This book was wonderful. Made me laugh, made me cry. But it was fantastic. Loved it. It’s the first book that I have read from this author. I think I’ll read the rest. Thank you.
This book was wonderful. Made me laugh, made me cry. But it was fantastic. Loved it. It’s the first book that I have read from this author. I think I’ll read the rest. Thank you.
May 12, 2025
Redemptive
The story of life. Joy, sorrow, relationships and how we are always moving towards something different and hopefully better. The characters are giving and generous in this story and you look forward to hearing about their lives.
The story of life. Joy, sorrow, relationships and how we are always moving towards something different and hopefully better. The characters are giving and generous in this story and you look forward to hearing about their lives.
May 25, 2025
a good read!,
I was so pleased with the real sounding dialogue and the witty back and forth. The characters were authentic and the story truly endearing. This would also make a good movie!
I was so pleased with the real sounding dialogue and the witty back and forth. The characters were authentic and the story truly endearing. This would also make a good movie!
June 3, 2025
Excellent read!
This is the first book I've read by the author, and it quickly grabbed my attention. Excellent cast of characters and a creative story line. I generally limit my books to 300 pages or fewer, but I'm certainly pleased that I made an exception for this fine novel.
This is the first book I've read by the author, and it quickly grabbed my attention. Excellent cast of characters and a creative story line. I generally limit my books to 300 pages or fewer, but I'm certainly pleased that I made an exception for this fine novel.
June 13, 2025
As far as the eye can see
I enjoyed this book a lot. The main characters Emily and Gavin have a strange relationship that at times can't figure out where he is coming from, partly because he won't let his true feelings known.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The main characters Emily and Gavin have a strange relationship that at times can't figure out where he is coming from, partly because he won't let his true feelings known.
June 15, 2025
I don’t know. Emily seemed too perfect. She could cook anything. Balance a budget. Estimate food bills to the penny. Make and sell out goods at a farmers market. Take care of horses. Clean. Bake. Drive a truck. You name it. She did it. That was a bit unrealistic for me.
October 15, 2025
Excellent read
This book captures your attention from the start. So many stories within a story. I hope she continues to write about these characters. I can’t wait till the next one.
This book captures your attention from the start. So many stories within a story. I hope she continues to write about these characters. I can’t wait till the next one.
May 26, 2017
good read. i teared up at two points in the story (no spoilers here). i also enjoyed the mentions of coke and Whataburger.
February 15, 2019
Loved this book, a fabulous story and characters. I was so disappointed to find this is the only book written so far by Clarice. I will be waiting for the next one!
June 22, 2020
Well written book! I felt I could relate to the characters. My favorite is Celia. Looking forward to reading other books by Clarise. Fantastic job on her first novel, it is a must read.
July 28, 2020
Couldn't put it down!!
I loved everything about this book. If you are looking for an amazing love story full of the sad, the fantastic and the honest beauty of life, this is it!
I loved everything about this book. If you are looking for an amazing love story full of the sad, the fantastic and the honest beauty of life, this is it!
October 4, 2024
Great first book!
I loved this book and I'm glad we have two to go. I even found the book Emily liked and it will be my next read.
I loved this book and I'm glad we have two to go. I even found the book Emily liked and it will be my next read.
October 6, 2024
Excellent on grief and starting over.
December 8, 2024
Perfection
in words, story and characters. I loved every word and thought. The characters were intricate and damaged but emerged and blossomed.
in words, story and characters. I loved every word and thought. The characters were intricate and damaged but emerged and blossomed.
January 4, 2025
A great book to have read
February 1, 2025
I enjoyed the book, was surprised to learn a few new things that I didn't know. Looking forwards to the next book by this author. Oh, did I tell you that I really enjoyed this book. More please.
February 11, 2025
WOW
So realistic, so current and a fabulous story. Be proud Clarise Rivera, this book put you on the road to run with the big dogs. Can’t wait for the next one!
So realistic, so current and a fabulous story. Be proud Clarise Rivera, this book put you on the road to run with the big dogs. Can’t wait for the next one!
March 3, 2025
Easy read
A very nice, easy read full of interesting
characters/circumstances/situations.
Worth your time.
1st time author! I’ll follow for her next.
A very nice, easy read full of interesting
characters/circumstances/situations.
Worth your time.
1st time author! I’ll follow for her next.
March 28, 2025
Wonderful book, great story, good characters. Few minor spelling mistakes but they take nothing away from the story. I would read another book from this author!!!
April 3, 2025
Great first novel!
This book is a great story and was hard to put down. I highly recommend it if someone wants a romance story with a twist. author could write a sequel for it.
This book is a great story and was hard to put down. I highly recommend it if someone wants a romance story with a twist. author could write a sequel for it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews