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Riverview Inn #1
Wedding at the Riverview Inn
An emotional tale of a magical inn, a wedding gone terribly wrong and a woman searching for a second chance.
Alice has hit rock bottom. Once a Michelin-starred chef, she is now drowning in debt, working the line at a chain restaurant and drinking too much. The last person she ever expected to come knocking with a job offer and a fresh start is her ex-husband, Gabe.
Gabe built The Riverview Inn with his dad and brother. Now, the grand lodge in the Catskill Mountains is nearly ready for the opening event—a society wedding for 500 guests.
The only thing missing is a chef. That’s where Alice comes in.
The deal Gabe offers Alice is too good to pass up: help him get through this wedding and he’ll get her out of debt.
But nothing is simple at The Riverview and soon she’s dealing with a bridezilla, pink swans, a series of mysterious letters and a teenage delinquent. Through it all, one thing is clear—her feelings for Gabe burn as bright as they always have.
When the wedding is over, will Alice walk away for good? Or will The Riverview work its magic on Alice and Gabe?
Alice has hit rock bottom. Once a Michelin-starred chef, she is now drowning in debt, working the line at a chain restaurant and drinking too much. The last person she ever expected to come knocking with a job offer and a fresh start is her ex-husband, Gabe.
Gabe built The Riverview Inn with his dad and brother. Now, the grand lodge in the Catskill Mountains is nearly ready for the opening event—a society wedding for 500 guests.
The only thing missing is a chef. That’s where Alice comes in.
The deal Gabe offers Alice is too good to pass up: help him get through this wedding and he’ll get her out of debt.
But nothing is simple at The Riverview and soon she’s dealing with a bridezilla, pink swans, a series of mysterious letters and a teenage delinquent. Through it all, one thing is clear—her feelings for Gabe burn as bright as they always have.
When the wedding is over, will Alice walk away for good? Or will The Riverview work its magic on Alice and Gabe?
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2020
1226 people are currently reading
1125 people want to read
About the author
Molly O'Keefe
108 books2,135 followersThis author is also published under: M. O'Keefe.
Molly O'Keefe has always known she wanted to be a writer (except when she wanted to be a florist or a chef and the brief period of time when she considered being a cowgirl). And once she got her hands on some romances, she knew exactly what she wanted to write.
She published her first Harlequin romance at age 25 and hasn't looked back. She loves exploring every character's road towards happily ever after.
Originally from a small town outside of Chicago, she went to university in St. Louis where she met and fell in love with the editor of her school newspaper. They followed each other around the world for several years and finally got married and settled down in Toronto, Ontario. They welcomed their son into their family in 2006, and their daughter in 2008. When she's not at the park or cleaning up the toy room, Molly is working hard on her next novel, trying to exercise, stalking Tina Fey on the internet and dreaming of the day she can finish a cup of coffee without interruption.
Molly O'Keefe has always known she wanted to be a writer (except when she wanted to be a florist or a chef and the brief period of time when she considered being a cowgirl). And once she got her hands on some romances, she knew exactly what she wanted to write.
She published her first Harlequin romance at age 25 and hasn't looked back. She loves exploring every character's road towards happily ever after.
Originally from a small town outside of Chicago, she went to university in St. Louis where she met and fell in love with the editor of her school newspaper. They followed each other around the world for several years and finally got married and settled down in Toronto, Ontario. They welcomed their son into their family in 2006, and their daughter in 2008. When she's not at the park or cleaning up the toy room, Molly is working hard on her next novel, trying to exercise, stalking Tina Fey on the internet and dreaming of the day she can finish a cup of coffee without interruption.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
December 7, 2020
I did not expect this book.
Looking at the cover, I prepared myself for a sweet and maybe a little shallow romance, which I kinda needed after some amazing and not so amazing books.
Instead, I was hit with a bag of heavy sand. Right into the heart. Because mamma mia, we got a second chance for a couple that, five years ago, made so many mistakes in their young ignorance, grief and complete inability to communicate their feelings, it was hard to imagine any getting back from that.
And isn't it something a lot of us know all too well? We've never learned the most important things as kids: how to say what hurts if it's not physical.
I mean it's different nowadays, for sure! A lot of people teach themselves and their kids emotional maturity, even though it's a daily struggle for everyone involved. But for those who grew up maybe 10 or 20 years ago (and earlier) it used to be so normal to shut off emotions (or to lock them down to deal or not to deal later) - and this book showed how much damage such behaviour could bring.
It wasn't all too steamy (as steamy as the cover suggests, I guess), but the character development was wonderful as expected from O'Keefe. Damn, this fine lady gives us pretty much the most broken people ever and makes them grow, heal and mature into these perfect for each other couples.
The ending was kind of abrupt and I definitely wanted a little bit more there... So I'll just go and jump into the second book.
Looking at the cover, I prepared myself for a sweet and maybe a little shallow romance, which I kinda needed after some amazing and not so amazing books.
Instead, I was hit with a bag of heavy sand. Right into the heart. Because mamma mia, we got a second chance for a couple that, five years ago, made so many mistakes in their young ignorance, grief and complete inability to communicate their feelings, it was hard to imagine any getting back from that.
And isn't it something a lot of us know all too well? We've never learned the most important things as kids: how to say what hurts if it's not physical.
I mean it's different nowadays, for sure! A lot of people teach themselves and their kids emotional maturity, even though it's a daily struggle for everyone involved. But for those who grew up maybe 10 or 20 years ago (and earlier) it used to be so normal to shut off emotions (or to lock them down to deal or not to deal later) - and this book showed how much damage such behaviour could bring.
It wasn't all too steamy (as steamy as the cover suggests, I guess), but the character development was wonderful as expected from O'Keefe. Damn, this fine lady gives us pretty much the most broken people ever and makes them grow, heal and mature into these perfect for each other couples.
The ending was kind of abrupt and I definitely wanted a little bit more there... So I'll just go and jump into the second book.
June 2, 2022
I know my reading has been terrible this year - I am finding it hard to pick a good book. My reading challenge is so behind. It is the lowest I ever put it at but I am not sure I will even complete it. Anyway, back to the book. It was OK - nothing too exciting. Kept at it and it was a nice, easy read but nothing earth-shattering. That is all I have to say about it really ...
January 5, 2020
I love reunion of a married couple even if they are divorced though I prefer separated.
I didn't like this one.
They split over miscarriages.
It seemed the Hero didn't face up to it, refusing to discuss it.
It felt to me like he didn't want her as he wanted kids, even agreeing after telling her he doesn't want her to a temporary sex only arrangement.
He does run to get her back at around 90% when he realises she is enough.
He had 'mommy issues' which led to him being messed up but I didn't like him much.
The last 10% is him and her sorting things out, too little too late for me.
She had said she loved him but he let her go.
And of course after he decides to make a go of it she tells him she's pregnant again.
I felt it was pretty painful and the inner monologue, a pet peeve of me drives me crazy, is from both of them.
Both date during separation, no intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine. That said the Hero has started to date a farming woman who the heroine has interaction with and the kicker is she has a daughter who is the age their baby, who is in denial about would have been.
Her ex turns up so there is a boot on the other foot for him.
Secondary characters introduced and breadcrumbs dropped for next book.
HEA.
Let's hope the pregnancy goes well and he doesn't change his mind again.
I didn't like this one.
They split over miscarriages.
It seemed the Hero didn't face up to it, refusing to discuss it.
It felt to me like he didn't want her as he wanted kids, even agreeing after telling her he doesn't want her to a temporary sex only arrangement.
He does run to get her back at around 90% when he realises she is enough.
He had 'mommy issues' which led to him being messed up but I didn't like him much.
The last 10% is him and her sorting things out, too little too late for me.
She had said she loved him but he let her go.
And of course after he decides to make a go of it she tells him she's pregnant again.
I felt it was pretty painful and the inner monologue, a pet peeve of me drives me crazy, is from both of them.
Both date during separation, no intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine. That said the Hero has started to date a farming woman who the heroine has interaction with and the kicker is she has a daughter who is the age their baby, who is in denial about would have been.
Her ex turns up so there is a boot on the other foot for him.
Secondary characters introduced and breadcrumbs dropped for next book.
HEA.
Let's hope the pregnancy goes well and he doesn't change his mind again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2020
The title leads you to think this is might be a sweet story... not so much. Second chance story, divorced due to her inability to cope with miscarriages—5 years later she’s still a train wreck and he’s an indifferent asshole, who is now opening their dream business in the Catskill Mountains, obviously without her. She gets her act together, but he doesn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2020
Pleasant, soapy read.
AS the book begins we meet our main couple, Alice and Gabe. They are divorced and have been for several years. Once gets the impression that post divorce they are both somewhat bitter and the that divorce wasn't exactly amicable, but neither was it scorched earth so that they are devout enemies. They just don't interact, but can have regular conversations.
Gabe has opened a resort/Mountain Lodge in the Catskills. We learn that the entire inn -- its concept, design, layout etc. is all something they had planned and dreamed to do together, down to every last detail. But they are divorced and he is the one who is living their dream. But it isn't easy doing it on his own even with the help of his father and brother. He is having trouble getting a talented chef. The good ones don't want to relocate to a new, untested enterprise up in the Catskills. And the ones that will do it are not up to par. And he has a booking for a wedding for a frozen foods heiress. Time is running out.
Alice in the meantime used to be a highly rated chef and had owned her own restaurant. But when we first meet her she is working as a line cook in a chain restaurant in Albany, drinks too much, is in debt because of her failed restaurant, and is clearly super unhappy.
They need each other. Gabe needs Alice's talents and Alice needs a way to get away from her demons. And she needs money.
They strike up a deal. She will be there just long enough to create a menu and cater the wedding and bring his kitchen up to speed until they get a credible replacement for her. She will get a hefty paycheck and a small share in the inn.
They really hadn't dealt with all the problems in their marriage that led to their divorce. And now that they are in proximity again they are catching feelings all over.
I liked the premise and I liked the concept of both Gabe and Alice. Alice is the most interesting of the pair because I found her brand of messiness really engaging. She is hurt, broke, bitter, verging on being an alcoholic and a lot of it comes from a place of real authenticity. Gabe is a little more enigmatic and it makes it hard to really feel sympathetic toward him.
One of the reasons I don't rate this higher is because I don't think the author gives a really clear understanding of what broke the camel's back that led to their divorce. You get a lot of ideas and some reasons but nothing really goes below the surface. So when they inevitably reconcile, it is really hard to trust the HEA. I mean we have to trust it because it is a romance novel, but that is the only reason otherwise it feels too facile. I don;t feel they have any if the hard and dig-in-deep conversations they needed to have to get there and heal. Their ending is almost a Deus Ex Machina ending that fixes everything even though what gets fixed doesn't feel like that is the only thing that is broken.
The book ends with other non-romance related plot threads dangling so you know some parts of the story continue in the next book. His brother will obviously get a romance. And then there is the issue of their mother. She abandoned them when they were kids and throughout this book she is in contact with their father wanting to come see them. He invites her to the inn and as of the end of this book she hadn't shown up yet, but she will.
AS the book begins we meet our main couple, Alice and Gabe. They are divorced and have been for several years. Once gets the impression that post divorce they are both somewhat bitter and the that divorce wasn't exactly amicable, but neither was it scorched earth so that they are devout enemies. They just don't interact, but can have regular conversations.
Gabe has opened a resort/Mountain Lodge in the Catskills. We learn that the entire inn -- its concept, design, layout etc. is all something they had planned and dreamed to do together, down to every last detail. But they are divorced and he is the one who is living their dream. But it isn't easy doing it on his own even with the help of his father and brother. He is having trouble getting a talented chef. The good ones don't want to relocate to a new, untested enterprise up in the Catskills. And the ones that will do it are not up to par. And he has a booking for a wedding for a frozen foods heiress. Time is running out.
Alice in the meantime used to be a highly rated chef and had owned her own restaurant. But when we first meet her she is working as a line cook in a chain restaurant in Albany, drinks too much, is in debt because of her failed restaurant, and is clearly super unhappy.
They need each other. Gabe needs Alice's talents and Alice needs a way to get away from her demons. And she needs money.
They strike up a deal. She will be there just long enough to create a menu and cater the wedding and bring his kitchen up to speed until they get a credible replacement for her. She will get a hefty paycheck and a small share in the inn.
They really hadn't dealt with all the problems in their marriage that led to their divorce. And now that they are in proximity again they are catching feelings all over.
I liked the premise and I liked the concept of both Gabe and Alice. Alice is the most interesting of the pair because I found her brand of messiness really engaging. She is hurt, broke, bitter, verging on being an alcoholic and a lot of it comes from a place of real authenticity. Gabe is a little more enigmatic and it makes it hard to really feel sympathetic toward him.
One of the reasons I don't rate this higher is because I don't think the author gives a really clear understanding of what broke the camel's back that led to their divorce. You get a lot of ideas and some reasons but nothing really goes below the surface. So when they inevitably reconcile, it is really hard to trust the HEA. I mean we have to trust it because it is a romance novel, but that is the only reason otherwise it feels too facile. I don;t feel they have any if the hard and dig-in-deep conversations they needed to have to get there and heal. Their ending is almost a Deus Ex Machina ending that fixes everything even though what gets fixed doesn't feel like that is the only thing that is broken.
The book ends with other non-romance related plot threads dangling so you know some parts of the story continue in the next book. His brother will obviously get a romance. And then there is the issue of their mother. She abandoned them when they were kids and throughout this book she is in contact with their father wanting to come see them. He invites her to the inn and as of the end of this book she hadn't shown up yet, but she will.
January 7, 2020
Molly O'Keefe takes you on a heck of an emotional journey with this book! I was an emotional mess through the whole book. It will tugs on your heartstrings one moment and the next, makes your chest tight with angst. This might be one of the best second chance romances I have read! Gabe and Alice deserve a HEA and the one they get is perfect! I can't wait for the next book in this series!
January 14, 2020
Rated 3.5 Stars
Wedding at the Riverview Inn is a cute, sweet second story that deals with some heavy topics. While I enjoyed it the hero, Gabe annoyed me I got why he acted the way he did but it still got under my skin. However I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Copy provided by author
Wedding at the Riverview Inn is a cute, sweet second story that deals with some heavy topics. While I enjoyed it the hero, Gabe annoyed me I got why he acted the way he did but it still got under my skin. However I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Copy provided by author
July 12, 2022
TW : miscarriage, alcoholism.
I picked this up at 1am cuz i was bored with no internet and i love love divorcees to lovers. It just hits every time BUTT in short this would have been more enjoyable if they both went to therapy or marriage counseling.
I picked this up at 1am cuz i was bored with no internet and i love love divorcees to lovers. It just hits every time BUTT in short this would have been more enjoyable if they both went to therapy or marriage counseling.
January 8, 2020
This is an updated version of a previously published story and it was simply fantastic! Alice and Gabe's second chance story will have you laughing and crying at different stages. Both past and present, theirs is an emotional journey of lost dreams and new found hope and love. It is and certainly a story you don't want to miss.
June 7, 2022
What an emotional book. While working today i was taken on an emotional journey. I was very apprehensive about this book because i was expecting a steamy romance which i don’t really go for. What i got was the story of Gabe and Alice who after splitting up five years earlier still carried lots of emotional baggage which they were unable to communicate to each other at the time. After hitting rock bottom star sheff alice was working at a chain restaurant and drinking two much after her own restaurant went under. Gabe was struggling to get a sheff so went to Alice desperately needing someone for a couple of months to get his dream inn he had built with his dad and brother off the ground. It is clear erly on that the Mitchell family have a lot of emotional damage due to the wife of Patric and mother of the boys walking out on the family 30 years previously they resort to banter and winding each other up in order to not have to face there emotions. What we got was a group of loving characters Who have a lot of struggles. I have a strong feeling that all of the Mitchells are going to go on a similar journey. The growth of Gabe and Alice Throughout the book is amazing and I can’t wait to see The other characters go on their own Jurney. This is going to be an emotional series to read. The character development is amazing. Really enjoyed the audio naration of this book as well.
February 10, 2020
Jeez! It just ends! So many things left up in the air. I would have ranked it higher if not for the ending. But, I really liked the character of Alice. Very strong and courageous. But, what happens??? I guess maybe I just have to read the next book in the series to find out...
April 4, 2020
Currently FREE on Amazon.
[CW: miscarriages, alcoholism]
This was an emotional ride. I haven't read any Molly O'Keefe in a while but I remember that her works are all a sucker punch to the gut and this one is no different.
[CW: miscarriages, alcoholism]
This was an emotional ride. I haven't read any Molly O'Keefe in a while but I remember that her works are all a sucker punch to the gut and this one is no different.
May 24, 2022
3.5/5
Second chance romance in a small-town setting between a divorced couple who are forced together at the inn the hero owns
May 24, 2022
This book is very far from my usual reads (urban fantasy and/or billionaire romance), but I loved it and read it in one sitting, which says how incredible it is.
The writing is spectacular -- there were passages I had to read out loud to my husband, and I (almost) never torment him like that.
The characters overflow with so much want it hurts, and they are deeply damaged, and I couldn't help but root for them.
It's a standalone, but it's part of a loosely connected series focused around the same family. I hope the second one is as good as the first!
The writing is spectacular -- there were passages I had to read out loud to my husband, and I (almost) never torment him like that.
The characters overflow with so much want it hurts, and they are deeply damaged, and I couldn't help but root for them.
It's a standalone, but it's part of a loosely connected series focused around the same family. I hope the second one is as good as the first!
August 21, 2020
Mixed feelings about this second-chance romance between two very messed-up thirty-somethings. Alice, a chef, dreamed with husband Gabe about opening a beautiful inn in the Catskills. But after two late miscarriages, and their very different ways of dealing with their feelings about their losses (Alice is a yeller; Gabe is a "keep all emotions inside and don't talk about your pain"), they end up divorced. Now, years later, Gabe has opened the dream inn, but is in desperate need of a chef he can count on. After Gabe's brother suggests Alice, Gabe reluctantly tracks his ex down. Discovering the restaurant Alice opened in Albany has gone out of business, and Alice herself has been losing herself in alcohol while working in a chain restaurant kitchen, makes Gabe even more wary. And Alice is not at all eager to accept his grudging offer. But plot forces them both to accept having to work together—but only for two months.
While working towards the opening of the inn, and planning an elaborate wedding, Alice gradually comes out of her funk. And Gabe finds himself increasingly drawn to Alice, despite attempting to date a neighboring organic farmer with a young daughter. But while Alice is confronting her losses, Gabe still can't bring himself to do the same...
I loved the beautifully flawed characters here, and O'Keefe's fluid writing. The resolution of the couple's problems came all too abruptly, though, and the kind of undercut the whole "deal with your losses" message.
While working towards the opening of the inn, and planning an elaborate wedding, Alice gradually comes out of her funk. And Gabe finds himself increasingly drawn to Alice, despite attempting to date a neighboring organic farmer with a young daughter. But while Alice is confronting her losses, Gabe still can't bring himself to do the same...
I loved the beautifully flawed characters here, and O'Keefe's fluid writing. The resolution of the couple's problems came all too abruptly, though, and the kind of undercut the whole "deal with your losses" message.
March 6, 2020
DNF
The idea sounds good, but the characters are driving me UP THE F’ING WALL already. I’m only about 50 pages in, and I’ve been ready to throw them both under a bus since their first scene together.
He is a willfully oblivious jackass, and she is a malignant alcoholic determined for everyone to be as unhappy and depressed as she is.
I was hoping it was just their ‘learning phase’ and they would start improving soon, but there’s NO sign of that, and when I caved and went looking for reviews, it sounds like that is the SOP for 90% of the book, and there’s only a mild improvement in the last 10%.
NOT for me.
0320
The idea sounds good, but the characters are driving me UP THE F’ING WALL already. I’m only about 50 pages in, and I’ve been ready to throw them both under a bus since their first scene together.
He is a willfully oblivious jackass, and she is a malignant alcoholic determined for everyone to be as unhappy and depressed as she is.
I was hoping it was just their ‘learning phase’ and they would start improving soon, but there’s NO sign of that, and when I caved and went looking for reviews, it sounds like that is the SOP for 90% of the book, and there’s only a mild improvement in the last 10%.
NOT for me.
0320
April 23, 2022
Major Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
This one dealt with a lot of heavy topics. It was very raw and emotional. It was very heartbreaking and gut wrenching as they not only deal with being reunited but their former marriage as well. It definitely wasn’t a light fluffy read.
The miscarriages had to be the hardest topic in this story. There were so many after effects due to it. But mainly it caused Alice and Gabe’s marriage to fall apart. It was devastating for both of them. They each coped with it in different ways. Despite the fact it happened five years ago, there were still some major sore and scars when they reunited once more. However, I had some issues with their reunion and second chance romance.
For one, I didn’t like Gabe. I understood he was hurting and experienced a lot during and after his marriage that left him very raw and broken, but I felt like he blamed Alice for the miscarriages and for them not having children in their marriage. It felt like since she couldn’t have children he needed to leave because he wanted them. Yes, he did want to go other options like adoption, which Alice wasn’t ready to hear at the time, but I just felt he didn’t get that Alice was healing over the loss so he decided to just wash his hands of her like it was nothing.. Some of the things he did and said were just not cool. His attitude was a turn off. It was hard to see his love for Alice.
Second issue I had was Alice’s constantly drinking and needing it to survive day to day, and it not be called what is was, which was being an alcoholic. Instead it was denied several times. She said she didn’t need help and got none during the duration of the book. It was like she was cured as soon as Gabe came into her life and she magically didn’t need to drink anymore. That so would not be the case. What’s problematic was the fact that Gabe knew she had a drinking problem but never tried to get her help that she needed. He just vowed to fire her and that was it. It just didn’t sit right with me. I would have liked to see her to have gotten help before things escalated between them or that physical at all. I just don’t think she was in the right place to be involved with him again.
When they did get back together it was just on physical. There were no real intimate moments aside from their bodies. It just felt rushed with little development or build up. They were avoiding each other then next thing I knew they were going at it. There were no conversations to show that they were growing closer and closer. They were just knocking boots and that was it.
Then throw in my least favorite trope of the surprise pregnancy just made me very frustrated. It was one of those situations that I didn’t think what was needed. I thought that it was going to lead into a forced marriage like it did the first time around. I didn’t want to see that. It didn’t go that far thank goodness, but it made me feel like this plot line was useless. I just didn’t get it. If that wasn’t bad enough there was no epilogue to reveal whether their baby made it or not. They didn’t show them happy with a baby this time so again it made question what the point of putting the pregnancy in there in the first place.
It was a mediocre romance for me. I wasn’t rooting for it. I didn’t care. There was just nothing exciting or special about it. It was very forgettable. I actually preferred the plot line of building the inn, the letters from the inn, and the character of Max. Those few things were what kept my interest in the story more than the romance or the characters of Alice and Gabe.
TW: miscarriages, death of a child, divorce, abandonment and alcoholism
This one dealt with a lot of heavy topics. It was very raw and emotional. It was very heartbreaking and gut wrenching as they not only deal with being reunited but their former marriage as well. It definitely wasn’t a light fluffy read.
The miscarriages had to be the hardest topic in this story. There were so many after effects due to it. But mainly it caused Alice and Gabe’s marriage to fall apart. It was devastating for both of them. They each coped with it in different ways. Despite the fact it happened five years ago, there were still some major sore and scars when they reunited once more. However, I had some issues with their reunion and second chance romance.
For one, I didn’t like Gabe. I understood he was hurting and experienced a lot during and after his marriage that left him very raw and broken, but I felt like he blamed Alice for the miscarriages and for them not having children in their marriage. It felt like since she couldn’t have children he needed to leave because he wanted them. Yes, he did want to go other options like adoption, which Alice wasn’t ready to hear at the time, but I just felt he didn’t get that Alice was healing over the loss so he decided to just wash his hands of her like it was nothing.. Some of the things he did and said were just not cool. His attitude was a turn off. It was hard to see his love for Alice.
Second issue I had was Alice’s constantly drinking and needing it to survive day to day, and it not be called what is was, which was being an alcoholic. Instead it was denied several times. She said she didn’t need help and got none during the duration of the book. It was like she was cured as soon as Gabe came into her life and she magically didn’t need to drink anymore. That so would not be the case. What’s problematic was the fact that Gabe knew she had a drinking problem but never tried to get her help that she needed. He just vowed to fire her and that was it. It just didn’t sit right with me. I would have liked to see her to have gotten help before things escalated between them or that physical at all. I just don’t think she was in the right place to be involved with him again.
When they did get back together it was just on physical. There were no real intimate moments aside from their bodies. It just felt rushed with little development or build up. They were avoiding each other then next thing I knew they were going at it. There were no conversations to show that they were growing closer and closer. They were just knocking boots and that was it.
Then throw in my least favorite trope of the surprise pregnancy just made me very frustrated. It was one of those situations that I didn’t think what was needed. I thought that it was going to lead into a forced marriage like it did the first time around. I didn’t want to see that. It didn’t go that far thank goodness, but it made me feel like this plot line was useless. I just didn’t get it. If that wasn’t bad enough there was no epilogue to reveal whether their baby made it or not. They didn’t show them happy with a baby this time so again it made question what the point of putting the pregnancy in there in the first place.
It was a mediocre romance for me. I wasn’t rooting for it. I didn’t care. There was just nothing exciting or special about it. It was very forgettable. I actually preferred the plot line of building the inn, the letters from the inn, and the character of Max. Those few things were what kept my interest in the story more than the romance or the characters of Alice and Gabe.
TW: miscarriages, death of a child, divorce, abandonment and alcoholism
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
This is the first book I've read by Molly O'Keefe, and it was gorgeously written. I can't remember the last time my emotions were yanked around so skillfully, and I read the majority of the book in one sitting. The characters were deeply flawed but still immensely relatable, and I was drawn into their lives immediately.
What's holding me back from giving this book the 5 stars that I originally intended to, is I'm not sure I really want Gabe and Alice to be together.
Both clearly had a lot to deal with as individuals before they could attempt to rebuild their shipwreck of a marriage. Alice was by far the more likeable character, even as she struggled with alcoholism and a career slump. She was irascible and standoffish, but her character arc explained why she was that way convincingly. However, she'd done such a poor job of processing her past grief that I was sure she was going to carry those issues into anything she might have in the future.
Gabe was the more...put together of the two, but he was also horribly emotionally stunted, often willingly so, which is a character trait I have a very difficult time excusing. I didn't think he would be able to steer the relationship into new territory without having dealt with all those previous issues, and so it annoyed me when he refused to talk about any of it, outright. It made sense that he was that way once you caught a look at his father and brother, but the fact that not talking was a deliberate decision was a major red flag for me.
Those issues aside, it was a lovely, emotional read with that typical small town feel to it that is so particularly enjoyable in romance. Hints for the next book were thrown about liberally, and I happily took the bait.
3.5 stars for a very promising start to a new series.
What's holding me back from giving this book the 5 stars that I originally intended to, is I'm not sure I really want Gabe and Alice to be together.
Both clearly had a lot to deal with as individuals before they could attempt to rebuild their shipwreck of a marriage. Alice was by far the more likeable character, even as she struggled with alcoholism and a career slump. She was irascible and standoffish, but her character arc explained why she was that way convincingly. However, she'd done such a poor job of processing her past grief that I was sure she was going to carry those issues into anything she might have in the future.
Gabe was the more...put together of the two, but he was also horribly emotionally stunted, often willingly so, which is a character trait I have a very difficult time excusing. I didn't think he would be able to steer the relationship into new territory without having dealt with all those previous issues, and so it annoyed me when he refused to talk about any of it, outright. It made sense that he was that way once you caught a look at his father and brother, but the fact that not talking was a deliberate decision was a major red flag for me.
Those issues aside, it was a lovely, emotional read with that typical small town feel to it that is so particularly enjoyable in romance. Hints for the next book were thrown about liberally, and I happily took the bait.
3.5 stars for a very promising start to a new series.
January 6, 2020
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
Wedding at the Riverview Inn is book 1 in the new series Riverview Inn by Molly O’Keefe. Well written, a standalone with a back story woven throughout that gives you a better understanding of Gabe and his family dynamics.
Alice a Michelin Star chef and Gabe the front person in the restaurant business had it all, married, working together, planning to built and run their own inn and having a family but it all fell apart after they lost their babies, couldn’t find a way to communicate the losses and got divorced.
Now 5 years later, Gabe is in need of a chef for his newly built Riverview Inn’s grand opening which is a society wedding for 500 people. He finds Alice his ex, offers her a fresh start, a job and will help her get out of debt if she helps him with his grand opening of the inn.
So much angst, tensions, past hurts, fulfilling dreams, second chances and finally opening up communications to find their HEA...or will the past keep them apart forever??
Can’t wait for the next book!!
Wedding at the Riverview Inn is book 1 in the new series Riverview Inn by Molly O’Keefe. Well written, a standalone with a back story woven throughout that gives you a better understanding of Gabe and his family dynamics.
Alice a Michelin Star chef and Gabe the front person in the restaurant business had it all, married, working together, planning to built and run their own inn and having a family but it all fell apart after they lost their babies, couldn’t find a way to communicate the losses and got divorced.
Now 5 years later, Gabe is in need of a chef for his newly built Riverview Inn’s grand opening which is a society wedding for 500 people. He finds Alice his ex, offers her a fresh start, a job and will help her get out of debt if she helps him with his grand opening of the inn.
So much angst, tensions, past hurts, fulfilling dreams, second chances and finally opening up communications to find their HEA...or will the past keep them apart forever??
Can’t wait for the next book!!
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June 21, 202006/21/20 currently free in The Gift of Love
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January 3, 2022
leaves you wanting more
I really enjoyed this story, albeit it felt a little fast for me. I think I wanted more details. Overall I really enjoyed it. And I want to know what happened to Cameron?! Did they adopt him?
I need more.
Great writing. I just wanted it to slow down a little bit more.
I really enjoyed this story, albeit it felt a little fast for me. I think I wanted more details. Overall I really enjoyed it. And I want to know what happened to Cameron?! Did they adopt him?
I need more.
Great writing. I just wanted it to slow down a little bit more.
March 19, 2022
This is an easy enough read which is what I’m after at present and as an overall experience it is a pleasant enough read to keep me going until the end. In saying that I found the level of avoidance and poor communication in both main characters really frustrating and rather extreme a lot of the time. Sets the story up for a second one but happy to leave it here.
July 15, 2022
Good start
Gabe is infuriating...but I want to read the next one to catch up on them, Patrick and read Max's story.
Gabe is infuriating...but I want to read the next one to catch up on them, Patrick and read Max's story.
January 8, 2024
Good book that I consumed fast. Review soon at TZQ for TBR challenge.
April 26, 2020
My rating is 3.5 stars.
August 7, 2022
“Al. You are my life. Baby or no. Family or no. Nothing is good without you. My life is empty. My inn is empty. My dream, our dream, is a shell without you. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill your life as you have mine.”TW: alcoholism, parental abandonment, miscarriage (mentions), divorce (mentions), IVF treatments
Second chance is one of my favorite tropes of all time and Wedding at the Riverview Inn featured exes who were divorced! Reunited bc one of them has fulfilled the dream they both had. Plus there's the fact that Alice lost her restaurant and is now an alcoholic. Gabe finally has his inn but is in desperate need of a chef. Both need help and are still dealing with the grief from their marriage and subsequent divorce. This book really had it all.
Or so I thought 🤷
First, this book read very, very white and hetero-normative. Very old-school, traditional ways of thinking. Like a Nicholas Sparks novel; stock photos of white couples on book covers. I mean that was already the vibe I had going in so there might be a bit of bias but it didn't help that there's not a single POC or queer character. + The men in the book talk like they're all about a “man’s role” and how “men shouldn't show any emotions”. Men strong! Men masculine! The men are gruff and the women are rays of sunshine that heal them! Things like that.
Granted, Alice was far from sunshine and rainbows but the dynamic between her and Gabe still gave off that vibe.
Speaking of, I found it difficult to root for their relationship. And in writing this I think I'll have to dock this to 2.5 stars. Alice and Gabe do not seem right for each other. Honestly. For their sake, I wanted them to find happiness but stepping back, I know that if I was a friend in their lives I wouldn't have rooted for them. A majority of this book leaned heavily on the angst. Any moment that could've shown that things were different was either summarized or ruined by one of them pushing the other away. It was too angsty, and not in a good way. Alice and Gabe never stop reminding the reader that they're not meant to be, that they're still too hurt by what happened, that it'll never work out, that they ruined each other. All the while not divulging the details behind their split. Even to the very end, all I know was that it was a combination of Alice's miscarriages, their arguments, Gabe shutting down, a lack of communication, etc. But the funny thing is, they don't actually talk about that. Ever. Not by the end. Ever.
Every good moment they had was almost always ruined by Gabe and his insistence that they not give themselves a second chance. Was Alice an alcoholic in the beginning, lashing out and making no attempt at niceties? Yes. But she obviously worked on herself as the story went on. Gabe, did not. He was just angry all the time. Angry and horny. He wanted Alice but absolutely refused to do anything but have sex with her. He was cold, said the worst things, and continuously rejected Alice. Whether it be her attempts at talking it out or her honest love confession, he stuck to the thought that they'd hurt each other again and cruelly shut her down. I hated that his behavior was chalked up to a "Mitchell men thing" as if that excused everything. Even when he was called out, he never really suffered any consequences. Made no on-page attempts to change and be better.
With just a few pages left of the book, he was violently destroying things in his office bc he couldn't handle the pain of Alice leaving. I think that's scary af! At one point he's wondering why everyone he loves leaves him but I was just in disbelief bc he was the one who pushed Alice away when she tried to tell him that she wanted to give them another shot! Why be all shocked pikachu meme about it???
Now that it's becoming a rant I'm docking it again to 2 stars. Gabe really wasn't it for me. His only two redeeming qualities were: he's hot (supposedly) and is good at sex (supposedly). But again, I found the way he sought Alice out for sex and then brutally rejected her to be both immature and abhorrent. I'm not saying that he had to get back with her (esp if he felt that he wasn't ready) nor that Alice wasn't a willing participant in the sex, but its in the way that he would take the initiative. The way he'd give her hope only to crush her almost immediately afterwards. They didn't hurt each other, he hurt her. She's not a saint but I think she deserves infinitely better than Gabe and his refusal to have any sort of proper conversation. I don't think its wrong to run away sometimes but that push and pull is hurting someone, hurting the people that Gabe is lashing out at. I didn't think it was cool of him to pick (sometimes physical) fights with people bc he just couldn't handle his own emotions. I want to feel sympathy for him, for the hurt he's still feeling from the way his mother left him and their family. And I do, but that doesn't excuse the way he treated everyone.
His nearly-sudden reversal from angry to thinking of Alice as his life and needing to be with her could be clocked to an epiphany from her absence. But after 200+ pages of reading how much he didn't think they should be together and how they were just awful together, I didn't have anything in me to believe that he was all in on their second chance. To be honest, Alice's pregnancy almost made me hate this. With the book nearly over, it seemed like Molly might be going down the “he realizes how wrong he was bc Alice is pregnant and a family is what he's always wanted” route, but she didn't. Thankfully. Nevertheless, Gabe and Alice couldn't save this book for me. At least not enough for me to rate this 3 stars.
Outside of everything Gabe, I don't think I would've been entirely convinced by them wanting to get back together anyways. Again, most of their good moments were summarized like "we've been getting along and working well together". But also, other than trying to avoid each other and thinking about how wrong they were together, the few good thoughts they have about each other can be boiled down to: we had great sex and wow he/she’s still hot. Alice was more aware of her lingering feelings so I can look past the superficial part a bit but Gabe took a lot longer. Other than her being an amazing chef, hostess, and decorator (which you could say all makes her a great employee), what about her has him falling in love with her again? I just couldn't seem to understand what drew them back together outside of the physical aspects. It would've made more sense if they were "still deeply in love but hurting" rather than "possibly still in love and definitely hate the thought of being together again".
I liked the characters outside of Gabe and Alice (Alice, I liked more than Gabe), but not enough to read any of the other books in the series. I could care less about Patrick and Iris. I don't have even a spark of interest for what is happening with Max. I actually don't like series with different generations and this is one that has the kids from the first (+ second) book falling in love later on. I actually don't even see myself picking up another Molly O’Keefe book tbh. Anytime I thought her writing was pretty good, I would remember how she used ‘sex’ to describe both Alice and Gabe's genitalia (+ the air)... Plus, it might be an Asian with immigrant parents thing but the way the Mitchell family talked about their sex life with each other was eh.
I know this is a short book and usually I'd praise a book for being short bc its easier for me to read but I think this would've done better longer. There could've been actual conversations rather than "I know we'll get through whatever comes our way even if we haven't truly talked things out yet" and actual groveling rather than "she deserves groveling" as a thought. If you know it then grovel, man!! I don't want to be promised a grovel, I want to see it! It was a short book but I was still tired of the constant rejection. That's saying something! The least the ending could've done was give me a great groveling scene that would've made all that frustration worth it, but what? Roses, soup, and a few words and suddenly everything is good??
Almost everyone in their lives weren't in support of them getting back together [in the beginning]. The whole point of them being that way was to emphasize the strength of their future reunion, that they were able to rise above the odds and lack of support. That their loved ones were actually wrong and they're clearly meant to be. But it was disappointing. Lacked substance. Lacked chemistry. The angst felt repetitive and lacked the depth it could've had considering the subject matter. This, in turn, led the ending to feel rushed and deeply unsatisfying. I didn't hate this while reading but the more I think back on the story and its characters, the less I like it 🤷
I slept on this after writing it down and still feel the same way so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2020
Alice is a complete mess when the book starts, and Gabe is a force to be reckoned with. Both are hiding from their painful past together, and over their new time together, a wonderful second chance emerges! Loved this book!
January 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Gabe and Alice have had to deal with loss and pain that neither could get past together and that ended their marriage. The love is still there but love isn’t always enough. When Gabe opens his Inn he’s on need of a chef and he reaches out to Alice for help. Can Alice handle being in his presence and bringing up their hurtful past? Will they realize that love can be enough? Or will the pain be too much for Alice to handle? Such a great read and an amazing start to a new series! I received a copy of this book.
June 29, 2020
The pacing was a bit predictable and formulaic, it did not feel specific to the couple. The subject of infertility was tackled in a nuanced way. I still enjoyed it.
August 23, 2023
CW: infertility
Second chance romances can be hit or miss for me, particularly if it’s about a divorced couple. The reason for the dissolution of the marriage matters as much as when that reason is disclosed. I will never understand characters who start spending time together again without first acknowledging what went wrong last time—even if they’re not actively working to make amends, I still need to know the who, what, where, when, and why. Preferably without copious flashbacks. This probably explains why this second chance romance worked pretty well for me.
Alice is basically a snarling wounded cat. She doesn’t hide the fact that she’s not pleased when Gabe shows up five years later to ask for a favor. Gabe doesn’t want to talk about what broke them apart. That’s one of the main issues that led to their demise: his inability to deal with the harder parts of life or provide comfort to his grieving wife. They’re stuck in the same cycle of Alice lashing out and Gabe retreating. If he did not desperately need a chef, there would be no reason for their lives to intersect again but he does and her presence at the inn—the very one they used to dream about owning someday—means they have to learn to get along or at least coexist. This was incredibly heartwrenching. Their trajectory back to each other wasn’t perfect, largely because of two authorial choices, but it was gripping.
So what didn’t work for me? First, the depiction of alcoholism. Alice somehow never needs to go to rehab, an AA group, or even therapy. This did not strike me as believable at all given where she started out. Second, a plot choice related to infertility. Third, in addition to Gabe and Alice’s POVs, we get chapters from Gabe’s father Patrick’s perspective and I didn’t think that added anything to the story. Particularly since there isn’t a resolution about what will happen with his never-actually-divorced wife Iris after 30 years apart. We either needed Iris’s POV too so there could be a romance subplot for them or it needed to be saved for their own book.
Characters: Alice is a 34 year old white chef. She has a cat named Felix. Gabe is a white inn owner in his mid to late 30s. They divorced 5 years ago after 5 years of marriage. This is set in the Hudson River Valley, NY.
Content notes: alcoholism (FMC), pregnancy , infertility and past miscarriages in second trimester, discussion of adoption, past divorce, past intimate partner violence (FMC threw plates at MMC during their last argument before they decided to divorce), physical assault (MMC hits brother), secondary character was shot in the line of duty (past, retired from the police), past abandonment by MMC’s mom, child neglect (15 year old whose mom left and father is alcoholic), juvenile delinquent character (truancy due to child neglect, moves to group home), scar from emergency C-section, vomit, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, ageist joke, virgin joke, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
Second chance romances can be hit or miss for me, particularly if it’s about a divorced couple. The reason for the dissolution of the marriage matters as much as when that reason is disclosed. I will never understand characters who start spending time together again without first acknowledging what went wrong last time—even if they’re not actively working to make amends, I still need to know the who, what, where, when, and why. Preferably without copious flashbacks. This probably explains why this second chance romance worked pretty well for me.
Alice is basically a snarling wounded cat. She doesn’t hide the fact that she’s not pleased when Gabe shows up five years later to ask for a favor. Gabe doesn’t want to talk about what broke them apart. That’s one of the main issues that led to their demise: his inability to deal with the harder parts of life or provide comfort to his grieving wife. They’re stuck in the same cycle of Alice lashing out and Gabe retreating. If he did not desperately need a chef, there would be no reason for their lives to intersect again but he does and her presence at the inn—the very one they used to dream about owning someday—means they have to learn to get along or at least coexist. This was incredibly heartwrenching. Their trajectory back to each other wasn’t perfect, largely because of two authorial choices, but it was gripping.
So what didn’t work for me? First, the depiction of alcoholism. Alice somehow never needs to go to rehab, an AA group, or even therapy. This did not strike me as believable at all given where she started out. Second, a plot choice related to infertility. Third, in addition to Gabe and Alice’s POVs, we get chapters from Gabe’s father Patrick’s perspective and I didn’t think that added anything to the story. Particularly since there isn’t a resolution about what will happen with his never-actually-divorced wife Iris after 30 years apart. We either needed Iris’s POV too so there could be a romance subplot for them or it needed to be saved for their own book.
Characters: Alice is a 34 year old white chef. She has a cat named Felix. Gabe is a white inn owner in his mid to late 30s. They divorced 5 years ago after 5 years of marriage. This is set in the Hudson River Valley, NY.
Content notes: alcoholism (FMC), pregnancy , infertility and past miscarriages in second trimester, discussion of adoption, past divorce, past intimate partner violence (FMC threw plates at MMC during their last argument before they decided to divorce), physical assault (MMC hits brother), secondary character was shot in the line of duty (past, retired from the police), past abandonment by MMC’s mom, child neglect (15 year old whose mom left and father is alcoholic), juvenile delinquent character (truancy due to child neglect, moves to group home), scar from emergency C-section, vomit, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, ageist joke, virgin joke, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
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