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Cultivated #5
River
If you had millions of people look up to you and wanting to be like you, would you tell them how broken you really are?
I'm a beauty and fashion influencer with millions of fans and admirers. Sadly, my love life is catastrophic as the men I attract are either married, addicts, cheating bastards, closeted gay guys, or self-centered billionaires.
Now, I've come to Indonesia, to help my brother, Maximum, who works with orphans. He says I depend too much on material things and that my time here will give me a new perspective on life.
My highlight so far has been meeting Noah Parker, a carefree surfer from Norway who is the exact type of man I usually avoid. He's got no style or connections, and worst of all, he oozes sexual confidence which makes me nervous. He might be the perfect candidate to help me break my negative pattern, but what will happen if he learns how broken I really am?
Contains mature themes.
I'm a beauty and fashion influencer with millions of fans and admirers. Sadly, my love life is catastrophic as the men I attract are either married, addicts, cheating bastards, closeted gay guys, or self-centered billionaires.
Now, I've come to Indonesia, to help my brother, Maximum, who works with orphans. He says I depend too much on material things and that my time here will give me a new perspective on life.
My highlight so far has been meeting Noah Parker, a carefree surfer from Norway who is the exact type of man I usually avoid. He's got no style or connections, and worst of all, he oozes sexual confidence which makes me nervous. He might be the perfect candidate to help me break my negative pattern, but what will happen if he learns how broken I really am?
Contains mature themes.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2020
71 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Elin Peer
71 books856 followersWith a background in life coaching, Elin is easy to talk to and with over thirty-six books under her belt, fans rave about her unique writing style that has subtle elements of coaching mixed into fictional love stories with happy endings.
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at:
Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: elin@elinpeer.com
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at:
Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: elin@elinpeer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 19, 2020
River and Noah's story was quite different to the norm, happily following the beat of it's own drum and providing a delightful HEA. Whilst it features some dark issues, the story didn't drag you down or feel depressing, instead we get a real sense of personal growth for the title character. River very much goes on a journey of understanding herself and facing her issues.
You get to understand and know both characters from the alternating first person point of view writing. Dialogue felt natural, whilst the pace kept the story moving along well, and I liked that it wasn't predictable or trite. We are provided with glimpses of characters from previous books, but this is written in a way that means it can easily be read as a stand alone story. I did feel that this lacked in well developed secondary characters. Noah, in particular, never really talked with another character about either his life or his feelings, which left him feeling a little bit flat and lacking for me. River talked with Maximum, but I felt as though we needed a close friend for her to use as a sounding board, someone to show us River in her every day life.
Elin Peer is an outstanding author, she sets the bar high, so perhaps I'm expecting far too much and judging this a little harshly. I didn't enjoy it as much as other work by the author BUT I enjoyed it a heck of a lot more than many other contemporary romances. It's well written, it's a good story and most certainly not cliched.
You get to understand and know both characters from the alternating first person point of view writing. Dialogue felt natural, whilst the pace kept the story moving along well, and I liked that it wasn't predictable or trite. We are provided with glimpses of characters from previous books, but this is written in a way that means it can easily be read as a stand alone story. I did feel that this lacked in well developed secondary characters. Noah, in particular, never really talked with another character about either his life or his feelings, which left him feeling a little bit flat and lacking for me. River talked with Maximum, but I felt as though we needed a close friend for her to use as a sounding board, someone to show us River in her every day life.
Elin Peer is an outstanding author, she sets the bar high, so perhaps I'm expecting far too much and judging this a little harshly. I didn't enjoy it as much as other work by the author BUT I enjoyed it a heck of a lot more than many other contemporary romances. It's well written, it's a good story and most certainly not cliched.
December 22, 2020
River wasn't one of my favorite characters, she came off too superficial for me, so I wasn't real excited to read this one. I'm surprised by how my feelings change for her. Away from fashion and her you tube stuff in Bali with Maximus, River was fun and almost normal. She really tried to make the lives better for the kids with Maximus and she embraced the easy going life in Bali. Of course running into Noah helped. I liked Noah from the start and was glad that he kept his secret because honestly that would have changed things and not for the better between him and River. I loved that Noah was interested in River that he went at her pace and showed her that sex was more than what she thought, even if things didn't end well for them.
I wished that River would have given Noah time to talk instead of running away. By the time she was ready to talk to him I thought it would be too late. Going to see Noah in person seemed to go a long way versus chatting with him by text. From there they were really able to talk and things were smooth sailing for them. I liked that when River was finally ready to confront her past Noah was there with her and as bad as it was, it could have been so much worse. Now these two are living life happy.
I wished that River would have given Noah time to talk instead of running away. By the time she was ready to talk to him I thought it would be too late. Going to see Noah in person seemed to go a long way versus chatting with him by text. From there they were really able to talk and things were smooth sailing for them. I liked that when River was finally ready to confront her past Noah was there with her and as bad as it was, it could have been so much worse. Now these two are living life happy.
July 10, 2020
River was lived a life of men who dictate who she will be and doesn’t even realize it and she’s accustomed to deep pockets which really is her only criteria but that changes when she meets Noah who is her polar opposite. He doesn’t care about labels, status and wealth. He cares about happiness and living his life the way he wants to, not how someone thinks he should which is refreshing but also scary for River. I loved Noah and wasn’t crazy on River at first but she really was much deeper then she portrayed when she took her mask off. Looking forward to the next one
July 6, 2020
Another great. Elin Peer has done it again. River is a superb character that has you intrigued. Plenty of action to make this one outstanding story. Don’t miss out.
July 12, 2020
River, Cultivated, Book 5, by Elin Peer.
Reeling from a disastrous affair with actor Storm Johnson, one which led to international tabloid headlines and a career freeze, River is persuaded by her foster-brother Maxim to join him in Bali helping out at a poor orphanage.
Like her brother, River is a survivor of Conor O’Brien’s Red Manor cult. But, like all her siblings, she has been traumatized by the experience and finds it hard to build a trusting relationship with men, especially if they’re not wealthy. She’s drawn to monetary wealth because her mother gave O'Brien everything and he threw her out. An adult series of failed relationships with billionaires leave her depressed and scared she’ll never find a loving mate.
Her experience with the Indonesian orphans proves to be just what she needed to get her mind off her troubles. And then she meets Noah, ostensibly a devil-may-care beach bum and surfer. It’s hate at first sight.
And so Elin Peer’s knowledge of the human psyche sucks the reader into a wonderful romance that winds up setting the world--and River--to rights again.
In truth, I found this episode of Cultivated hard to review. It seemed to strike a responsive chord in me that didn’t want to let me do the analysis necessary for a proper review. I just wanted to let the book sit on my mind and revel in its sensuality.
I guess also because right in the prologue Peer sets out the whole premise of the book. It comes as River’s mother explains how she got her name. ”Because water is the most powerful force on earth. It gives lives and takes lives, it streams through nature, and when someone tries to stop it, it breaks through any small crack it can find. You are like that, River. Powerful.”
That’s a premise I live by and it foreshadows the rest of the story. How River overcomes her hesitations in male/female relationships. How she finally faces the fears brought about by her Red Manor traumas. How she and Noah finally find each other. This is a glorious story that stays with the reader long after finishing the book. You’ll have to read it to understand.
Reeling from a disastrous affair with actor Storm Johnson, one which led to international tabloid headlines and a career freeze, River is persuaded by her foster-brother Maxim to join him in Bali helping out at a poor orphanage.
Like her brother, River is a survivor of Conor O’Brien’s Red Manor cult. But, like all her siblings, she has been traumatized by the experience and finds it hard to build a trusting relationship with men, especially if they’re not wealthy. She’s drawn to monetary wealth because her mother gave O'Brien everything and he threw her out. An adult series of failed relationships with billionaires leave her depressed and scared she’ll never find a loving mate.
Her experience with the Indonesian orphans proves to be just what she needed to get her mind off her troubles. And then she meets Noah, ostensibly a devil-may-care beach bum and surfer. It’s hate at first sight.
And so Elin Peer’s knowledge of the human psyche sucks the reader into a wonderful romance that winds up setting the world--and River--to rights again.
In truth, I found this episode of Cultivated hard to review. It seemed to strike a responsive chord in me that didn’t want to let me do the analysis necessary for a proper review. I just wanted to let the book sit on my mind and revel in its sensuality.
I guess also because right in the prologue Peer sets out the whole premise of the book. It comes as River’s mother explains how she got her name. ”Because water is the most powerful force on earth. It gives lives and takes lives, it streams through nature, and when someone tries to stop it, it breaks through any small crack it can find. You are like that, River. Powerful.”
That’s a premise I live by and it foreshadows the rest of the story. How River overcomes her hesitations in male/female relationships. How she finally faces the fears brought about by her Red Manor traumas. How she and Noah finally find each other. This is a glorious story that stays with the reader long after finishing the book. You’ll have to read it to understand.
July 7, 2020
Can trauma from your childhood reflect how you are emotionally and physically as an adult?
River is a survivor of a cult run by a psychopath that ended with the deaths of many people. Trauma to a child is ingrained in their subconscious, and unknowingly, does affect them in their adult life.
River Robertson is in the public spotlight daily and Maximum encourages her to come to Bali with him to help out at an orphanage. River knows that she is broken but not what caused it. She has always been drawn to the wrong type of man. Why? Subconsciously, it is a safety mechanism. Noah is drawn to her and they both have an attraction to each other. Noah makes mistakes and so does River. When someone is trying to figure out why they are emotionally broken, pushing them too fast results in them retreating to the safety of what they know. One mistake by Noah sends River running away from him.
When River is ready to admit that she does love him and seeks him out, Noah is not sure if he should let her into his heart again. She left without a word and has not spoken to him since. Can he trust her this time not to run? River knows that Noah can reject her. Is she ready to accept the loss of Noah, who loved and accepted her as she is? Noah and River navigate the rough waters of learning about each other and trust. Can they trust each other to tell the truth? Their journey needs to be shared with the world. As a survivor of childhood trauma, I relate to River in how that trauma affects you as an adult. Not knowing what the trauma was until much later in life, finally gave me the insight to know why certain things affected me the way they did. Can River, with help, find out what that trauma was and start to heal? You need to read the story.
River is a survivor of a cult run by a psychopath that ended with the deaths of many people. Trauma to a child is ingrained in their subconscious, and unknowingly, does affect them in their adult life.
River Robertson is in the public spotlight daily and Maximum encourages her to come to Bali with him to help out at an orphanage. River knows that she is broken but not what caused it. She has always been drawn to the wrong type of man. Why? Subconsciously, it is a safety mechanism. Noah is drawn to her and they both have an attraction to each other. Noah makes mistakes and so does River. When someone is trying to figure out why they are emotionally broken, pushing them too fast results in them retreating to the safety of what they know. One mistake by Noah sends River running away from him.
When River is ready to admit that she does love him and seeks him out, Noah is not sure if he should let her into his heart again. She left without a word and has not spoken to him since. Can he trust her this time not to run? River knows that Noah can reject her. Is she ready to accept the loss of Noah, who loved and accepted her as she is? Noah and River navigate the rough waters of learning about each other and trust. Can they trust each other to tell the truth? Their journey needs to be shared with the world. As a survivor of childhood trauma, I relate to River in how that trauma affects you as an adult. Not knowing what the trauma was until much later in life, finally gave me the insight to know why certain things affected me the way they did. Can River, with help, find out what that trauma was and start to heal? You need to read the story.
July 7, 2020
With each new release in the cultivated series, I think this is the best so far! But the story of the youngest surviving cult member truly is great. I laughed, I cried, I admired the characters, I couldn't turn the pages faster to read about the travels, the family gatherings, and the courage and healing that was happening. But also the failures and disappointments sustained. Elin does not disappoint though: she believes in therapy, and shows how it works when you are strong enough to hear, sick of your past way, courageous enough to talk to yourself, and bold enough to share with those you have learned are trustworthy. River suffered multiple types of abuse resulting in various natural copings with poor (tongue in cheek, pun intended) outcomes. If you ever worked out some of your own foibles resulting unconsciously from childhood experiences, you'll love this book! Highly recommended!
June 27, 2020
Another amazing installment in the cultivated series. Through out the series we were able to get different perspectives of what it was like for the kids growing up in a cult. Each addition has showed a different and tragically realistic POV. Elin did an amazing job of taking the tragic event that happened in book one to tie all the characters together all while making their individual stories so different. This might be my favorite of the series so far, especially if how quickly I read it is an indication because I completely devoured this one!
July 7, 2020
Another great book in this fabulous series. I have enjoyed all the books prior to this one and this one seemed to hit me on a more emotional level. Seeing the way River and Noah connected and the difficulties she had felt so real. I was so caught up in the story I read it in a day! I love that we constantly see characters from the other books and get a peek into their lives after their stories have been told. I am excited to read Maximum but also sad because I know it's the final book in the series. If you haven't picked up this series yet, I highly recommend it. There is a perfect blend of romance and drama.
June 28, 2020
ELIN Peer has done it again with the story of "River." River has trouble with true, satisfying love until on a trip with Maximum to Bali to work in an orphanage with him. Realizing that nothing in her life has been as fulfilling as their work with the orphans, River let's her guard down and runs in to Noah at a market. This is their story and it is one you won't want to miss! Let Elin mesmerize you with the story of River and Noah. - Reviewed by Monica Lewallen
June 29, 2020
I love this series and each story bringing us deeper into this family and all they have gone through.
River was a story that truly touched my heart. I felt for both River and Noah and what they have been through. I absolutely love how Elin Peer ties in the other family members so that each story feels better connected to the last.
I know this is a story I want to reread to see what little details I missed. Elin Peer is great with characterization and putting in details that are great to discover.
If you are finding this series at River I highly recommend starting at the beginning.
River was a story that truly touched my heart. I felt for both River and Noah and what they have been through. I absolutely love how Elin Peer ties in the other family members so that each story feels better connected to the last.
I know this is a story I want to reread to see what little details I missed. Elin Peer is great with characterization and putting in details that are great to discover.
If you are finding this series at River I highly recommend starting at the beginning.
July 7, 2020
This book almost made me cry of how good Elin Peer writes!
I really love all of her books! Every one! She has a gift I love to get the benefit of!
River is another beautyful example of her great mind, creating a wunderful story you can see yourself in, in some part.
And at the same time, just giving you a nice couple to root on and hope for the best for them, while you read on to see what's gonna happen next, and you can't put it down because it's too good!
I can't wait to read Maximum next, to see if Fleur will let him go with her or not. I think/hope she will!
I really love all of her books! Every one! She has a gift I love to get the benefit of!
River is another beautyful example of her great mind, creating a wunderful story you can see yourself in, in some part.
And at the same time, just giving you a nice couple to root on and hope for the best for them, while you read on to see what's gonna happen next, and you can't put it down because it's too good!
I can't wait to read Maximum next, to see if Fleur will let him go with her or not. I think/hope she will!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2020
Wow! Elin you did it again. I really enjoyed this book. As it reminds me of my marriages. Getting married to leaveing. 20 yrs later invite him back . Just so I could remember why I left in the first place. This is a magical story. It gives uplifting hope that we will find the person we are meant to be with. And enjoy that person's daily company . That's the most important part of being to get a life mate.
Thank you Elin Peer .
Thank you Elin Peer .
June 30, 2020
Another great installment in the Cultivated series! I love how Elin's characters connect with each other and have real life problems to work through. I have also enjoyed being able to keep up with the previous books characters and see how they are doing. I won't give away anything with a synopsis...just read River, you won't be disappointed.
June 21, 2020
This is currently my favorite in the series!
Ms. Peer had me in tears more than once!
What I love so much about this series, is how real to life the stories are. The trials and tribulations.
I was in love with Noah in almost every scene but one! You'll have to read to find out. He was so patient with River! And I love the scene in Bali when he first sees her!!!
Emotional read!
We learn more about Maximum, and are given a brief glimpse at his attempt to win over Fleur! Will he go to South Africa with her?
I can't wait to read Maximum's story, but will be sad to see it end! This is my second series by this author, and she has a life-long fan!
I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Ms. Peer had me in tears more than once!
What I love so much about this series, is how real to life the stories are. The trials and tribulations.
I was in love with Noah in almost every scene but one! You'll have to read to find out. He was so patient with River! And I love the scene in Bali when he first sees her!!!
Emotional read!
We learn more about Maximum, and are given a brief glimpse at his attempt to win over Fleur! Will he go to South Africa with her?
I can't wait to read Maximum's story, but will be sad to see it end! This is my second series by this author, and she has a life-long fan!
I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 7, 2020
Szuper sorozat!
July 4, 2020
All the books in this series are awesome! The series started good and interesting with Charlie and just keep getting better! The real characters with real problems after growing up in the cult. And the people they find to help them or off their trauma, at least the last part of the way.
Ms. Peer just keeps writing better and better stories! Looking forward to Max's book!
Ms. Peer just keeps writing better and better stories! Looking forward to Max's book!
July 10, 2020
Emotionally Reverting
This fifth book in the Cultivated series centers around River. Each of these cult children have been traumatized In different ways. River can never seem to find a relationship worth holding on to. She always seems to pick the wrong guy. On a trip to Bali with her brother Max to help underprivileged children she meets Noah. He is not her type at all. He’s a surfer bum.
Noah sees River at the bazaar and that’s all it takes he’s smitten. But a past that has never been explored comes between them.
Some things are worth fighting for!!
So much depth and emotion that Ms. Peer brings to these stories. I’m sad that there is only one more book left in this series but I know what comes next is going to be amazing.
This fifth book in the Cultivated series centers around River. Each of these cult children have been traumatized In different ways. River can never seem to find a relationship worth holding on to. She always seems to pick the wrong guy. On a trip to Bali with her brother Max to help underprivileged children she meets Noah. He is not her type at all. He’s a surfer bum.
Noah sees River at the bazaar and that’s all it takes he’s smitten. But a past that has never been explored comes between them.
Some things are worth fighting for!!
So much depth and emotion that Ms. Peer brings to these stories. I’m sad that there is only one more book left in this series but I know what comes next is going to be amazing.
August 3, 2020
RATING: 5 ⭐
AGE: Pg-26 (Adult )
SERIES: Cultivated
BOOK: 5
I just Knew that River was more than just a Pretty Face. River is the baby,the youngest, of the adopted Robertson kids from the Red Manor Cult. She comes across as a self absorbed social media type but its all a Mask. River's story is beautiful and heartbreaking but its just like the saying goes " You fall in Love when you least expect it and the heart wants who the heart wants"...I'm truly melting from this romantic telling of destined love and the journey River takes to find herself along the way.
I feel like this book makes the reader have warm soft kind romantic fuzzy wuzzy emotions. Girls Grab a blanket, a glass of wine, and this book....You Won't be disappointed. 🍷📖💗💗💗🏄
MRS.C💋
AGE: Pg-26 (Adult )
SERIES: Cultivated
BOOK: 5
I just Knew that River was more than just a Pretty Face. River is the baby,the youngest, of the adopted Robertson kids from the Red Manor Cult. She comes across as a self absorbed social media type but its all a Mask. River's story is beautiful and heartbreaking but its just like the saying goes " You fall in Love when you least expect it and the heart wants who the heart wants"...I'm truly melting from this romantic telling of destined love and the journey River takes to find herself along the way.
I feel like this book makes the reader have warm soft kind romantic fuzzy wuzzy emotions. Girls Grab a blanket, a glass of wine, and this book....You Won't be disappointed. 🍷📖💗💗💗🏄
MRS.C💋
July 13, 2020
Peer does it again! A book that you can not put down. Her series is so interesting with it involving the children that lived in the cult way back when, but it is written for a particular character in each book of the Cultivated series. The wonderful thing is Peer brings in reminders of the whole family while she’s zoning into one character. Reminders of every characteristics subtlety put in while the book is focused on one character.
You are reminded of the characters and how it pertains to the character at hand. (Like the “OH that’s RIGHT”) moment.
Now on to River. Although I have loved every character in the series, I would say River is my favorite one so far. She is so complex with so much that has happened in her life. So much that she closes up to anyone who tries to get in. She has a list of qualities that she goes by. Must be a billionaire and give her attention by gifts she is given.
How can she be my favorite character? She sounds like a heartless bit$#h. But that how her story begins. She takes a trip with her brother to challenge herself. To volunteer with him at a dilapidated orphanage and to find herself without the men that she has dated in the past. In walks Noah and turns her world upside down. A man who takes care of her without trying to win over anyone but her. She connects with him and makes her feel loved. But then she freaks out and runs away giving him a Dear John letter and my heart broke. We are routing for Noah to make River feel. She was conflicted with what she was use to and what Noah was treating like. Her traumatizing past with living in a cult, her mother killing herself, having a gay boyfriend would do that to someone.
But after a few months River suddenly knew what was right. Noah. She finally finds him and gives her the cold shoulder. Understandable with River breaking his heart. But I was completely inthralled with if they would get back together. River is a very complicated character that is finding her way in the world.
Brava to Peer making it not easy for us to figure out River’s layers of complexity.
You are reminded of the characters and how it pertains to the character at hand. (Like the “OH that’s RIGHT”) moment.
Now on to River. Although I have loved every character in the series, I would say River is my favorite one so far. She is so complex with so much that has happened in her life. So much that she closes up to anyone who tries to get in. She has a list of qualities that she goes by. Must be a billionaire and give her attention by gifts she is given.
How can she be my favorite character? She sounds like a heartless bit$#h. But that how her story begins. She takes a trip with her brother to challenge herself. To volunteer with him at a dilapidated orphanage and to find herself without the men that she has dated in the past. In walks Noah and turns her world upside down. A man who takes care of her without trying to win over anyone but her. She connects with him and makes her feel loved. But then she freaks out and runs away giving him a Dear John letter and my heart broke. We are routing for Noah to make River feel. She was conflicted with what she was use to and what Noah was treating like. Her traumatizing past with living in a cult, her mother killing herself, having a gay boyfriend would do that to someone.
But after a few months River suddenly knew what was right. Noah. She finally finds him and gives her the cold shoulder. Understandable with River breaking his heart. But I was completely inthralled with if they would get back together. River is a very complicated character that is finding her way in the world.
Brava to Peer making it not easy for us to figure out River’s layers of complexity.
July 6, 2020
The author provided an ARC book for my honest opinion of this book. It’s HOT, HOT, and more HOT.
River named by her mother because water is the most powerful force on earth. Staying at the Red Manor, River’s mother is kicked out of the “cult” because of her lack of money, River stays. As River grows, she becomes a fashion blogger, model, and makes videos to put on YouTube. As her brother Maximum states “River is used to dating only billionaires”. Maximum wants to go volunteer in Bali he persuades River to go with him to Bali for a month long trip to help an orphanage, reluctantly River agrees.
While shopping at the local bazaar, Noah Parker believes he has seen a goddess in River. Things get hot and heavy, but River is still afraid of commitment. Telling her therapists to see what else she can do. After a while, Noah and River get together and Noah makes the mistake of going too intimate with River. Afraid and confused, River leaves the island of Bali leaving Noah a note that states: …."I wish you happiness and ask that you don’t contact me. It’s better that way, for both of us".
River cannot forget Noah and vice versa. She finds out where Noah is working at. River and Noah resume their relationship and River asks Noah to go with her to the Regression Therapy session. Once the session is completed, River finds out what is causing her to be afraid of ….(read the book for further information). True love always wins. River and Noah finally get married at Ashford Castle (which really does exist in Ireland).
River named by her mother because water is the most powerful force on earth. Staying at the Red Manor, River’s mother is kicked out of the “cult” because of her lack of money, River stays. As River grows, she becomes a fashion blogger, model, and makes videos to put on YouTube. As her brother Maximum states “River is used to dating only billionaires”. Maximum wants to go volunteer in Bali he persuades River to go with him to Bali for a month long trip to help an orphanage, reluctantly River agrees.
While shopping at the local bazaar, Noah Parker believes he has seen a goddess in River. Things get hot and heavy, but River is still afraid of commitment. Telling her therapists to see what else she can do. After a while, Noah and River get together and Noah makes the mistake of going too intimate with River. Afraid and confused, River leaves the island of Bali leaving Noah a note that states: …."I wish you happiness and ask that you don’t contact me. It’s better that way, for both of us".
River cannot forget Noah and vice versa. She finds out where Noah is working at. River and Noah resume their relationship and River asks Noah to go with her to the Regression Therapy session. Once the session is completed, River finds out what is causing her to be afraid of ….(read the book for further information). True love always wins. River and Noah finally get married at Ashford Castle (which really does exist in Ireland).
July 29, 2020
RIVER - the 5th book in the series Cultivated
I have read all Elin Peer´s books sofar and she is one of my favourite authors. You engage in the characters and follow their path and after reading you have a feeling of being alive - remembering what is true when standing before a question or choice.
This book is about River, a beautiful, talented and well-educated young woman with a background in the same cult as the other characters in Cultivated. She saw her mother humiliated and driven away by the cult leader.
River is a beauty and fashion influencer with millions of followers. She attracts men who are extremely rich and looking for a mate to match their image. River turns them off realizing they have nothing of real value to offer her and she is afraid of committing herself because of childhood traumas with trust.
Her brother Maximum asks her to take a break and go with him to Bali to help orphan children. She likes being there with him and the children and it gives her a perspective of what really matters.
She meets Noah, a Norwegian policeman who is off work surfing the beaches. He is quite the opposite of the men she is used to meet and there is a deep attraction between them.
She is still very afraid to commit and tells him she is going back home leaving him with a broken heart.
She cannot forget him and tries to find out where he is. Without telling him she finds out where he is and goes to see him.
Has he forgotten her? Is he engaged with someone else? Will he accept what
she has to tell him?
I have read all Elin Peer´s books sofar and she is one of my favourite authors. You engage in the characters and follow their path and after reading you have a feeling of being alive - remembering what is true when standing before a question or choice.
This book is about River, a beautiful, talented and well-educated young woman with a background in the same cult as the other characters in Cultivated. She saw her mother humiliated and driven away by the cult leader.
River is a beauty and fashion influencer with millions of followers. She attracts men who are extremely rich and looking for a mate to match their image. River turns them off realizing they have nothing of real value to offer her and she is afraid of committing herself because of childhood traumas with trust.
Her brother Maximum asks her to take a break and go with him to Bali to help orphan children. She likes being there with him and the children and it gives her a perspective of what really matters.
She meets Noah, a Norwegian policeman who is off work surfing the beaches. He is quite the opposite of the men she is used to meet and there is a deep attraction between them.
She is still very afraid to commit and tells him she is going back home leaving him with a broken heart.
She cannot forget him and tries to find out where he is. Without telling him she finds out where he is and goes to see him.
Has he forgotten her? Is he engaged with someone else? Will he accept what
she has to tell him?
July 11, 2020
Dang it. One thing about this author's books is if you don't want real life issues don't read them. Although her Men of the North series is more of a dystopian series it to will reach you in places you don't expect as her Colors Series and all the rest. She finds a way to your heart with her characters and makes them real. If you don't want your heart to be torn apart and rebuilt don't do it. River always stood out to me in the other books of this series, I didn't know just how much until her story was told. To me she seemed so alone and sad, in a different way than her siblings. She wanted so much to be loved and had no idea how to move pass her past and let her walls down. Surrounded by people she didn't trust and some she didn't even like didn't help her deal with her truth or heal. Being hounded for what she represented instead of who she was didn't help matters, especially in her head. She had no idea that taking a challenge from Maximum would change everything. A chance to find herself, stripped down to basics helped her to see things from a new perspective and find out there's more to someone than their portfolio.
This author will take you on River's journey this time and although we know what these 5 have in common, each of their stories is unique. The ties that bind them while the same are so different. They will each touch you in a different way but touch you they will.
This author will take you on River's journey this time and although we know what these 5 have in common, each of their stories is unique. The ties that bind them while the same are so different. They will each touch you in a different way but touch you they will.
July 5, 2020
Wow! I have just finished this book and I can really say this was incredible.
If you have read the Cultivated series or not, this is the 5th book of this series. This is the story of River and Noah. All through the previous stories, River came across as a socialite only interested by fashion, modelling and dating rich men. I can say now that she is full of surprise. She hid her secret and demons so well. Being raised amongst a cult, River carried a very heavy trauma. Noah is the opposite of the men that she normally dates but can he be the one to unravel her issues and build a solid long term relationship with her?
Again, Elin Peer has created a stunning work. I really struggled to put the book down as I really needed to finish it. The story was so exciting and captivating. With River you can feel really overwhelmed by all her emotions that she carries, I really like her sensitiveness but I was really struck by how intelligent she is. The woman is really a bright cookie and not just a beauty façade. Sometimes in the book, she surprised me as she was confident in talking about her feelings. Yet, it took her so much strength to confront her fear of rejection and sexual trauma.
Elin in this book demonstrates how sexuality can be traumatic. Especially, if you are confronted at a very young age in a cult.
If you have read the Cultivated series or not, this is the 5th book of this series. This is the story of River and Noah. All through the previous stories, River came across as a socialite only interested by fashion, modelling and dating rich men. I can say now that she is full of surprise. She hid her secret and demons so well. Being raised amongst a cult, River carried a very heavy trauma. Noah is the opposite of the men that she normally dates but can he be the one to unravel her issues and build a solid long term relationship with her?
Again, Elin Peer has created a stunning work. I really struggled to put the book down as I really needed to finish it. The story was so exciting and captivating. With River you can feel really overwhelmed by all her emotions that she carries, I really like her sensitiveness but I was really struck by how intelligent she is. The woman is really a bright cookie and not just a beauty façade. Sometimes in the book, she surprised me as she was confident in talking about her feelings. Yet, it took her so much strength to confront her fear of rejection and sexual trauma.
Elin in this book demonstrates how sexuality can be traumatic. Especially, if you are confronted at a very young age in a cult.
July 20, 2020
Have you ever tried to hold water in your hand? You can’t, of course; there’s no holding water. And that’s my feeling about the protagonist in this, Elin Peer’s latest in her Cultivated series.
River can’t be held, no one can get over the self-erected barriers. Of course, neither can River get out. She’s ....safely encased.
These books offer insights into the ones who were spiritually damaged by their wretched beginnings in a cult. Isn’t it understandable that if you’ve been hurt while you’re forming, you will retain that form when you’re grown?
River protects herself by building walls around herself, as she did as a child, and as many of us have done. Just this insight alone, brought to us through this entertaining novel, sheds light on those around us, people we love, even ourselves.
I read that water is symbolic of all things spiritual. About the same time, I saw a photo of a huge, roaring waterfall with a rainbow reaching down into it’s cascade of water and foam. That was definitely spiritual. And powerful. And the spiritual in ourselves is a reflection of that power. It’s all-powerful and it’s transcending.
This is the image I’ll always retain from Ms. Peer’s River as she finds the strength within herself to knock down her self imposed barriers and step forth into the freedom to really live and to trust enough to love another person.
River can’t be held, no one can get over the self-erected barriers. Of course, neither can River get out. She’s ....safely encased.
These books offer insights into the ones who were spiritually damaged by their wretched beginnings in a cult. Isn’t it understandable that if you’ve been hurt while you’re forming, you will retain that form when you’re grown?
River protects herself by building walls around herself, as she did as a child, and as many of us have done. Just this insight alone, brought to us through this entertaining novel, sheds light on those around us, people we love, even ourselves.
I read that water is symbolic of all things spiritual. About the same time, I saw a photo of a huge, roaring waterfall with a rainbow reaching down into it’s cascade of water and foam. That was definitely spiritual. And powerful. And the spiritual in ourselves is a reflection of that power. It’s all-powerful and it’s transcending.
This is the image I’ll always retain from Ms. Peer’s River as she finds the strength within herself to knock down her self imposed barriers and step forth into the freedom to really live and to trust enough to love another person.
July 1, 2020
River has decided to take Maximum up on his offer to go to Indonesia but she wants to go for a couple of weeks but he made her promise to stay for a month. Once in Bali and she knew that Maximum worked with the poor but she never imagined any place could have such happy children. She and Maximum jumped right in. But of coarse River had her own ideas and Max had to put a halt on some of her ideas because of the children. She enjoyed the children and their enthusiasm for life. One day they went to the bazaar to get supplies for their little excursion with the children the next day but River saw some things for herself and stopped to check it out and Maximum went on to get the supplies that is when she met Noah the surfer beach bum and she felt something she had not experienced before and it scared her but she still wanted to talk to this man who was silly but fun and when they all met at the beach things became quite interesting for them all. This a wonderful look into the like of a young woman who spent her childhood becoming what the man in charge wanted them to be and her adult life making money and keeping up with her brand on social media until Noah shook up her life. I was given an ARC as a gift from the author without obligations. I am providing an honest review.
July 7, 2020
Once again, Elin Peer has caught me with book # 5 in the "Cultivated" series
This fifth book is about River having a hard time trusting other people.
Maximum takes her to Bali so that she can get away from social media a bit and to help him help orphaned children.
River meets Noah, who is on leave from his job as a police officer in Norway. He has traveled the world with surfboards.
She is a bit reluctant to Noah, as I said, she has difficulty trusting people other than her family, but there is something about him that turns her on and vice versa.
The boyfriends that River has had have always been many millionaires, and Noah initially pretends to be an ordinary man who doesn't have a lot of money despite being a billionaire (he inherited his father, which he never have had a relationship with).
We follow River and Noah in their ups and downs and longing for each other.
The book is definitely a must read, yes the whole series is a must read. Because we read about the other people in the Robertson family.
I look forward to reading about Maximum in the last book when it comes
This fifth book is about River having a hard time trusting other people.
Maximum takes her to Bali so that she can get away from social media a bit and to help him help orphaned children.
River meets Noah, who is on leave from his job as a police officer in Norway. He has traveled the world with surfboards.
She is a bit reluctant to Noah, as I said, she has difficulty trusting people other than her family, but there is something about him that turns her on and vice versa.
The boyfriends that River has had have always been many millionaires, and Noah initially pretends to be an ordinary man who doesn't have a lot of money despite being a billionaire (he inherited his father, which he never have had a relationship with).
We follow River and Noah in their ups and downs and longing for each other.
The book is definitely a must read, yes the whole series is a must read. Because we read about the other people in the Robertson family.
I look forward to reading about Maximum in the last book when it comes
July 10, 2020
Another worthwhile look into the human psyche…
Letting go of old patterns can set you free…but when and how does one learn to let go? Stepping outside of our limiting boundaries takes trust and/or a leap of faith. Both River and Noah travel beyond their comfort zones and find each other but then need to figure out how to stay together. This is a wonderful story that deals with relationship on several levels: family ties, friendship, romance, personal trauma, and unselfish compassion for other people and animals. As always, Elin Peer knows how to expose readers to different qualities of humanity by means of a love story with depth of character.
Yes, there are intimate, adult moments, typical of Elin Peers love stories but they bring to the forefront a reality of life befitting the story rather than a sexual expose.
Noah is any woman’s dream. I loved his candid honesty and patience. River, who had been traumatized as a child, struggles but has her metamorphosis.
River is a well-written, satisfying and an enjoyable read.
Letting go of old patterns can set you free…but when and how does one learn to let go? Stepping outside of our limiting boundaries takes trust and/or a leap of faith. Both River and Noah travel beyond their comfort zones and find each other but then need to figure out how to stay together. This is a wonderful story that deals with relationship on several levels: family ties, friendship, romance, personal trauma, and unselfish compassion for other people and animals. As always, Elin Peer knows how to expose readers to different qualities of humanity by means of a love story with depth of character.
Yes, there are intimate, adult moments, typical of Elin Peers love stories but they bring to the forefront a reality of life befitting the story rather than a sexual expose.
Noah is any woman’s dream. I loved his candid honesty and patience. River, who had been traumatized as a child, struggles but has her metamorphosis.
River is a well-written, satisfying and an enjoyable read.
July 12, 2020
Here's the thing. I wasn't sure how I really felt about River before I started her book. In my mind, I saw two sides to her, and yet she really didn't want to do anything to change them. Firstly, she continued to look at the substance of a man's wallet rather than his character. That's why she's had so many failed relationships. Secondly, she has so many trust issues it's hard for anyone to get close to her. And then I read her story. As I'm sitting here shaking my head, trying to write this review, I keep thinking about when she met Noah and how he wouldn't put up with her nonsense and would call her out on it. He made her take responsibility which didn't always go over so well. Elin Peer always takes part in the human experience with all its failings, hopes, and dreams, and then winds them into a tail that the reader can't put down. This was a wonderful read which really did make me think.
July 9, 2020
As I read Elin Peers books I say this is my favourite so far but......this IS my favourite to date. I love all the characters in these series and feel like part of the family as they usually all appear in each book. I really felt for River after what happened to her and her mum. I honestly thought with her traumatic background , her looks fame and wealth would be her way of not getting close to people by appearing outgoing and and happy to stay single but date wealthy men.
Then she met Noah, a gorgeous lovely, gentle man with apparently no cares in the world, no money and loved to surf. Not Rivers type at all....
You really need to read this story to go through the emotions, feelings and turmoil that River goes through after finding herself attracted to Noah. It’s a love story that anyone could go through and really left an imprint on my heart.
An amazing read!!
Then she met Noah, a gorgeous lovely, gentle man with apparently no cares in the world, no money and loved to surf. Not Rivers type at all....
You really need to read this story to go through the emotions, feelings and turmoil that River goes through after finding herself attracted to Noah. It’s a love story that anyone could go through and really left an imprint on my heart.
An amazing read!!
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