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River Rain #4
Making the Match
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes the new book in her River Rain Series, Making the Match.
Decades ago, tennis superstar Tom Pierce and "It Girl" Mika Stowe met at a party.
Mika fell in love. Tom was already in love with his wife. As badly as Tom wanted Mika as a friend, Mika knew it would hurt too much to be attracted to this amazing man and never be able to have him.
They parted ways for what they thought would be forever, only to reconnect just once, when unspeakable tragedy darkens Mika's life.
Years later, the impossible happens.
A time comes when they're both unattached.
But now Tom has made a terrible mistake. A mistake so damaging to the ones he loves, he feels he'll never be redeemed.
Mika has never forgotten how far and how fast she fell when she met him, but Tom's transgression is holding her distant from reaching out.
There are matchmakers in their midst, however.
And when the plot has been unleashed to make that match, Tom and Mika are thrown into an international intrigue that pits them against a Goliath of the sports industry.
Now they face a massive battle at the same time they're navigating friendship, attraction, love, family, grief, redemption, two very different lives lived on two opposite sides of a continent and a box full of kittens.
Decades ago, tennis superstar Tom Pierce and "It Girl" Mika Stowe met at a party.
Mika fell in love. Tom was already in love with his wife. As badly as Tom wanted Mika as a friend, Mika knew it would hurt too much to be attracted to this amazing man and never be able to have him.
They parted ways for what they thought would be forever, only to reconnect just once, when unspeakable tragedy darkens Mika's life.
Years later, the impossible happens.
A time comes when they're both unattached.
But now Tom has made a terrible mistake. A mistake so damaging to the ones he loves, he feels he'll never be redeemed.
Mika has never forgotten how far and how fast she fell when she met him, but Tom's transgression is holding her distant from reaching out.
There are matchmakers in their midst, however.
And when the plot has been unleashed to make that match, Tom and Mika are thrown into an international intrigue that pits them against a Goliath of the sports industry.
Now they face a massive battle at the same time they're navigating friendship, attraction, love, family, grief, redemption, two very different lives lived on two opposite sides of a continent and a box full of kittens.
450 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2022
922 people are currently reading
3552 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Ashley
138 books39.5k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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February 19, 2022Is anyone surprised that Susan Shepherd is the homewrecking whorebag that the heroine's father cheated on her mother?
Too bad Dennis Lowe didn't finish her.
I'm a bitch that holds a grudge, judge me!
Too bad Dennis Lowe didn't finish her.
I'm a bitch that holds a grudge, judge me!
September 20, 2022
This series is not for me. It's preachy along with being like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
The heroine was introduced to us by telling the H that all men hit on her. Okay? Even though she wasn't like that in the rest of the book, I couldn't get that bad taste out of my mouth.
Tom is nothing but a martyr throughout the entire story. Everything is his responsibility and his fault. Everything.
I didn't care about these two. I even skipped the sex scenes.
Chloe still can't keep her nose out of everyone's business, and it's very invasive and annoying.
Imogen was made into a mini-villain, with her HEA with Bowie put in jeopardy.
And I read to escape, so to have flashbacks of Twitter war stories is not my idea of escape into a romance novel.
Sam Cooper was mentioned by Tom, and I thought - hey! Sam Cooper! Remember him? Remember his book? When can we get back to stories like that?
I'll read other series by her to see if this trend continues. I hope not. She's one of my all-time favorite authors.
The heroine was introduced to us by telling the H that all men hit on her. Okay? Even though she wasn't like that in the rest of the book, I couldn't get that bad taste out of my mouth.
Tom is nothing but a martyr throughout the entire story. Everything is his responsibility and his fault. Everything.
I didn't care about these two. I even skipped the sex scenes.
Chloe still can't keep her nose out of everyone's business, and it's very invasive and annoying.
Imogen was made into a mini-villain, with her HEA with Bowie put in jeopardy.
And I read to escape, so to have flashbacks of Twitter war stories is not my idea of escape into a romance novel.
Sam Cooper was mentioned by Tom, and I thought - hey! Sam Cooper! Remember him? Remember his book? When can we get back to stories like that?
I'll read other series by her to see if this trend continues. I hope not. She's one of my all-time favorite authors.
September 20, 2022
Spoiler ahead.
The book is about Mika and Tom.
We met Tom in book 1 of the series, After the Climb. In that book Tom's ex wife, Imogen Swan, is getting her life together after her divorce as we learnt that Tom cheated.
So this book.... is it possible to redeem Tom for him to deserve his HEA? is it possible to explain why he did it and have the reader forgive him?
First of all he did cheat on his wife. We do get some insights into his perspective of the marriage which don't paint the heroine of After the Climb in the same light as her book did.
So Tom basically said that she, the wife, abandoned the marriage, long before, not legally but mentally, including his bed.
She went after her career and he basically jumped when she said, for example she would have a premier and he would abandon his plans to support her, flying from Melbourne to London but she wouldn't think to support him in the same way.
When her career died down she threw herself into the kids until there was nothing left for them as a couple.
He says it not her fault he should have tried harder, communicated better. What he did was wrong.
His ex doesn't know how hard it was for him, it would only hurt her to tell her so leave him be painted the bad guy.
The new guy, Bowie makes his life all about her so he's the guy for her so that's OK.
He self sabotaged the relationship, trying to hurt her when nothing else, except really talking and working through it and he'd never do it again. They did therapy and he has had a voyage of self discovery so he understands not to act like this again.
They had been married 20 years and he slipped up just the once.
Something like that.
So as a reader you may think this is okay or you may not want this in a romance.
I thought it was brave to try to look at why he would cheat, when he was apparently so devoted to her. Whether it works or not?
Also the other woman is Suzie Shepphard from a previous series. who was a bit of a man eater, man stealer, all time classic other woman but KA wants to redeem her so she also is a repentant sinner who has mended her ways and has learnt big life lessons after her mistake with Tom.... rolling eyes...
KA has her usual descriptions, the heroine of this book is into art so I could kind of see her noticing things about his house but Tom hired a designer and being a tennis player/doctor I can't see him being that invested in the deco of her home, to notice the things in the description.
But part of KA seems to be endless descriptions so as a reader we know if the heroine's bangles match her knickers.
There is a whole story line regarding kittens, cute and all, I am an animal lover but is a real macho guy really as invested as Tom> or is this only in a fictional Hero? and is it a necessary requirement to fit the bill that helps the reader get over the fact he cheated on his wife of 20 years?!! He loves kittens he can't possibly be a really bad person.
Getting back to the cheating, so he turned to Suzie as a friend at first, he then talks about, this is a bit contradictory, he talked about his unhappiness but also didn't share stuff because they weren't that... so he basically emotionally cheats then physically cheats.
It was once not an affair, though he has been her friend, discussing..... tennis balls, kittens, but not his kids etc though she seems to know stuff.... bit confused about the line drawn there.
The book is multiple POV, mainly the heroine, some the Hero and a few odd ones from the infamous Corey and the girl, Chloe who thinks she's french cos she lived there for a bit.
It starts with the heroine, Mika meeting Tom. He is married at the time, his wife is unable to attend as she can't travel due to pregnancy. The hostess matches them up for the function as they are both there alone.
They get along, it's clear he's married and wouldn't cheat. He's married so she says she wouldn't go there. This comes up because she tells him as she has to make it clear as every man comes on to her, even the gay ones as they want in her closet.
Why is this conversation going on? He's married end of.
He does think that this is the first woman, he'd like to kiss, no he'd like to know what she tasted like, since he met his wife.
He doesn't cheat with this heroine but gotta be honest, KA is saying he isn't the type to cheat but he's not giving good vibes on this occasion.
The heroine says she can't be friends with him after the function as she is attracted to him so it wouldn't be wise or fair on his mrs, I'm thinking that at a later date he is 'friends' with Suzie so Mika was right.
Some time after the heroine meets a man, she is his world, he is killed in an tragic accident.
When she hears Tom has divorced she thinks give him time then perhaps spark up that friendship but then she learns he cheated so her bubble of Tom and all he is is burst.
Her daughter says '“Pedestal city. By the way, Mom, those pedestals come in one size and the top is only a couple of inches wide. No matter how hard they try, no one can stay balanced up there. Everyone forced on one falls off.”'
Please let's not say its okay to cheat and she is taking advice from an 18 year old.
They both are with others before they get together, they both say the sex was good but there are no intimate details of those encounters.
They both have people they can call or relationships that are going nowhere before they get together. Tom when he meets Mika again is in a 'relationship' with another woman, Paloma, who is a gold-digger, she wants more, he is trying to end it.
I think maybe the reason she had them meet, feel the spark and not act on it is to try to convince the reader that neither will be second best for each other. It's problematic when you paint such devoted couples then want the reader to believe that they are better with the Hero and heroine.
it doesn't shy away from the fact that Tom hurt a lot of people, including damaging his kids in different ways, hints are dropped for Sasha, his youngest, her book is to come.
They have oodles of money so charter a jet or order in from some named delivery food place.
The labels, designer names, in places to eat etc I feel date and limit your audience as outside of that circle of culture, I have no idea what some of these named things were, I'm in the UK.
Overall it was okay.
Lots of secondary characters, I lost track of who was who and how they were related and tbh I wasn't that invested.
Some extremely annoying expressions, rad, the French ones.
I probably wouldn't reread like KA's older books which I've read to death.
I did feel the reader gets lectured a bit on the author's viewpoint,on certain issues, it's quite in your face and it's happened over the last few books. It's one of the things that makes me consider stop reading an author.
The book is about Mika and Tom.
We met Tom in book 1 of the series, After the Climb. In that book Tom's ex wife, Imogen Swan, is getting her life together after her divorce as we learnt that Tom cheated.
So this book.... is it possible to redeem Tom for him to deserve his HEA? is it possible to explain why he did it and have the reader forgive him?
First of all he did cheat on his wife. We do get some insights into his perspective of the marriage which don't paint the heroine of After the Climb in the same light as her book did.
So Tom basically said that she, the wife, abandoned the marriage, long before, not legally but mentally, including his bed.
She went after her career and he basically jumped when she said, for example she would have a premier and he would abandon his plans to support her, flying from Melbourne to London but she wouldn't think to support him in the same way.
When her career died down she threw herself into the kids until there was nothing left for them as a couple.
He says it not her fault he should have tried harder, communicated better. What he did was wrong.
His ex doesn't know how hard it was for him, it would only hurt her to tell her so leave him be painted the bad guy.
The new guy, Bowie makes his life all about her so he's the guy for her so that's OK.
He self sabotaged the relationship, trying to hurt her when nothing else, except really talking and working through it and he'd never do it again. They did therapy and he has had a voyage of self discovery so he understands not to act like this again.
They had been married 20 years and he slipped up just the once.
Something like that.
So as a reader you may think this is okay or you may not want this in a romance.
I thought it was brave to try to look at why he would cheat, when he was apparently so devoted to her. Whether it works or not?
Also the other woman is Suzie Shepphard from a previous series. who was a bit of a man eater, man stealer, all time classic other woman but KA wants to redeem her so she also is a repentant sinner who has mended her ways and has learnt big life lessons after her mistake with Tom.... rolling eyes...
KA has her usual descriptions, the heroine of this book is into art so I could kind of see her noticing things about his house but Tom hired a designer and being a tennis player/doctor I can't see him being that invested in the deco of her home, to notice the things in the description.
But part of KA seems to be endless descriptions so as a reader we know if the heroine's bangles match her knickers.
There is a whole story line regarding kittens, cute and all, I am an animal lover but is a real macho guy really as invested as Tom> or is this only in a fictional Hero? and is it a necessary requirement to fit the bill that helps the reader get over the fact he cheated on his wife of 20 years?!! He loves kittens he can't possibly be a really bad person.
Getting back to the cheating, so he turned to Suzie as a friend at first, he then talks about, this is a bit contradictory, he talked about his unhappiness but also didn't share stuff because they weren't that... so he basically emotionally cheats then physically cheats.
It was once not an affair, though he has been her friend, discussing..... tennis balls, kittens, but not his kids etc though she seems to know stuff.... bit confused about the line drawn there.
The book is multiple POV, mainly the heroine, some the Hero and a few odd ones from the infamous Corey and the girl, Chloe who thinks she's french cos she lived there for a bit.
It starts with the heroine, Mika meeting Tom. He is married at the time, his wife is unable to attend as she can't travel due to pregnancy. The hostess matches them up for the function as they are both there alone.
They get along, it's clear he's married and wouldn't cheat. He's married so she says she wouldn't go there. This comes up because she tells him as she has to make it clear as every man comes on to her, even the gay ones as they want in her closet.
Why is this conversation going on? He's married end of.
He does think that this is the first woman, he'd like to kiss, no he'd like to know what she tasted like, since he met his wife.
He doesn't cheat with this heroine but gotta be honest, KA is saying he isn't the type to cheat but he's not giving good vibes on this occasion.
The heroine says she can't be friends with him after the function as she is attracted to him so it wouldn't be wise or fair on his mrs, I'm thinking that at a later date he is 'friends' with Suzie so Mika was right.
Some time after the heroine meets a man, she is his world, he is killed in an tragic accident.
When she hears Tom has divorced she thinks give him time then perhaps spark up that friendship but then she learns he cheated so her bubble of Tom and all he is is burst.
Her daughter says '“Pedestal city. By the way, Mom, those pedestals come in one size and the top is only a couple of inches wide. No matter how hard they try, no one can stay balanced up there. Everyone forced on one falls off.”'
Please let's not say its okay to cheat and she is taking advice from an 18 year old.
They both are with others before they get together, they both say the sex was good but there are no intimate details of those encounters.
They both have people they can call or relationships that are going nowhere before they get together. Tom when he meets Mika again is in a 'relationship' with another woman, Paloma, who is a gold-digger, she wants more, he is trying to end it.
I think maybe the reason she had them meet, feel the spark and not act on it is to try to convince the reader that neither will be second best for each other. It's problematic when you paint such devoted couples then want the reader to believe that they are better with the Hero and heroine.
it doesn't shy away from the fact that Tom hurt a lot of people, including damaging his kids in different ways, hints are dropped for Sasha, his youngest, her book is to come.
They have oodles of money so charter a jet or order in from some named delivery food place.
The labels, designer names, in places to eat etc I feel date and limit your audience as outside of that circle of culture, I have no idea what some of these named things were, I'm in the UK.
Overall it was okay.
Lots of secondary characters, I lost track of who was who and how they were related and tbh I wasn't that invested.
Some extremely annoying expressions, rad, the French ones.
I probably wouldn't reread like KA's older books which I've read to death.
I did feel the reader gets lectured a bit on the author's viewpoint,on certain issues, it's quite in your face and it's happened over the last few books. It's one of the things that makes me consider stop reading an author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
4.25 stars
After not loving the first two books in this series and knowing how much this one was going to be connected, I was a bit nervous. But I shouldn’t have been. I ended up enjoying this book so much! Tom Pierce is definitely (and maybe a bit surprisingly) the most likable character in this clan.
I loved Tom’s romance with Mika and watching the families come together and heal. Both of then deserved a second chance at romance and love. It was a beautiful thing. I’m excited to see who’s book is next in this series after reading this one!
After not loving the first two books in this series and knowing how much this one was going to be connected, I was a bit nervous. But I shouldn’t have been. I ended up enjoying this book so much! Tom Pierce is definitely (and maybe a bit surprisingly) the most likable character in this clan.
I loved Tom’s romance with Mika and watching the families come together and heal. Both of then deserved a second chance at romance and love. It was a beautiful thing. I’m excited to see who’s book is next in this series after reading this one!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Wesly Paul & Jennifer Mack
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 12h 42m
September 21, 2022
I've got to stop buying Kristen Ashley's books thinking that she will reclaim her old style. The old ones were full of action and interesting characters. The latest ones have too many characters, too many "in" references, and far too much introspection, repetition and soul searching. I don't like many of her main characters. Manipulative people aren't funny and she can't make them so. The books have become incestuous, self indulgent and just plain boring, with pages and pages about interior decoration - not only unnecessary but unintentionally comic in their bad taste. I won't be buying another of her books.
September 22, 2022
DNF @ 30%
Over 100 pages in and nothing about Tom and Mika or their story motivated me as a reader to spend my time trying to find out more about them and how their relationship will unfold. Instead it was becoming harder and harder to ignore some of the common Kristen Ashley tropes that are really not my favorites.
Maybe it gets better later in the book but I have only so many hours in a day I can devote to things I enjoy and I don't want to waste any more on a book that I just really can't seem to get into no matter how much I try.
With no interesting love story/plot/or characters to engage my interest as a reader all I'm left with is a dull story and an unfortunate preoccupation with the many story elements that annoyed or outright concerned me (which are as follows)
1. The Nosy/Busy Body/Matchmaker friends and family Trope
It's normal for people with close relationships to talk about the people in their lives- learning about someone's romantic partner or potential partner, listening and offering advice, being a shoulder to cry on, supporting them when things are strained or dont work out, etc- those are all normal things!
This goes beyond being concerned with a loved one's wellbeing and goes right into invasive and very strange behaviour. Like I understand this is part of the character's personality and is established previously in the series but it still strikes me as strange and
pretty creepy especially in this book.
2. The Insta love/connection trope
This is not my favorite form of romance in any case but here especially it brings nothing positive to the story.
Instead this insta love set up just falls flat- shows all the flaws of this trope and none of the potential it can have when done right. (Compare this story to the author's much better example of insta love/connection in say Heaven and Hell and you can really see how poorly executed this trope was for this story).
3. Epic decade(s) spanning "Second Chance" Romance
Once again really not typically my favorite type of romance (mostly due to the typical and often very gendered tropes that accompany it).
But particularly in this case because it exhibits some of the major flaws that come when Second Chance romance when it is not handled with care or any amount depth.
4. An Unfortunate "Telling instead of Showing" approach to writing
This criticism is particularly concerning the decades long backstory in the book and was something i wouldn't really expect with this author and it didnt do this story any favors.
Nothing that happend previously (family/relationships/trauma/mistakes) seems to have meaning or importance for this story, they aren't handled with a great deal of focus or purpose for either the overarching plot or the characters themselves.
This makes for strange and conflicting underlying messages, shallow uncompelling backstories, and flat characters that are not complex consistent or really in any way interesting.
5. Weird ideas/messages reiterated by characters that don't seem to fit in with the story or have much purpose for the plot
I'm used to somewhat unnecessary asides being part of Kristen Ashley's work. But normally it can be written off/interpreted as a side effect of chararacters who are unusually introspectice/observant/concerned with minute details of the people, places, or things, around them.
But in this case it included asides that really took me out of the story/world of this novel.
Character's in this story seemed to be used to express strange opinions about things- opinions that seem to conflict with who they are meant to be as a person or that hold ideas/principles that are strange to include as part of a romance novel.
It's a very strange thing as a reader to experience bizarre/conflicting/irrelevant opinions being shoved so prominently in your face while reading a romance.
In summary I'm massively disappointed in this book/author, incredibly frustrated by the writing, and perhaps for the first time ever actually annoyed that I bought the cheaper kindle edition of this book since I can't return it to get my money back like I could with a paperback.
I think i may be done with Kristen Ashley's new stuff -at least for a while- and I'll just have to be content with rereading some of the early stuff ...when I feel up to reading her stuff again.
Over 100 pages in and nothing about Tom and Mika or their story motivated me as a reader to spend my time trying to find out more about them and how their relationship will unfold. Instead it was becoming harder and harder to ignore some of the common Kristen Ashley tropes that are really not my favorites.
Maybe it gets better later in the book but I have only so many hours in a day I can devote to things I enjoy and I don't want to waste any more on a book that I just really can't seem to get into no matter how much I try.
With no interesting love story/plot/or characters to engage my interest as a reader all I'm left with is a dull story and an unfortunate preoccupation with the many story elements that annoyed or outright concerned me (which are as follows)
1. The Nosy/Busy Body/Matchmaker friends and family Trope
It's normal for people with close relationships to talk about the people in their lives- learning about someone's romantic partner or potential partner, listening and offering advice, being a shoulder to cry on, supporting them when things are strained or dont work out, etc- those are all normal things!
This goes beyond being concerned with a loved one's wellbeing and goes right into invasive and very strange behaviour. Like I understand this is part of the character's personality and is established previously in the series but it still strikes me as strange and
pretty creepy especially in this book.
2. The Insta love/connection trope
This is not my favorite form of romance in any case but here especially it brings nothing positive to the story.
Instead this insta love set up just falls flat- shows all the flaws of this trope and none of the potential it can have when done right. (Compare this story to the author's much better example of insta love/connection in say Heaven and Hell and you can really see how poorly executed this trope was for this story).
3. Epic decade(s) spanning "Second Chance" Romance
Once again really not typically my favorite type of romance (mostly due to the typical and often very gendered tropes that accompany it).
But particularly in this case because it exhibits some of the major flaws that come when Second Chance romance when it is not handled with care or any amount depth.
4. An Unfortunate "Telling instead of Showing" approach to writing
This criticism is particularly concerning the decades long backstory in the book and was something i wouldn't really expect with this author and it didnt do this story any favors.
Nothing that happend previously (family/relationships/trauma/mistakes) seems to have meaning or importance for this story, they aren't handled with a great deal of focus or purpose for either the overarching plot or the characters themselves.
This makes for strange and conflicting underlying messages, shallow uncompelling backstories, and flat characters that are not complex consistent or really in any way interesting.
5. Weird ideas/messages reiterated by characters that don't seem to fit in with the story or have much purpose for the plot
I'm used to somewhat unnecessary asides being part of Kristen Ashley's work. But normally it can be written off/interpreted as a side effect of chararacters who are unusually introspectice/observant/concerned with minute details of the people, places, or things, around them.
But in this case it included asides that really took me out of the story/world of this novel.
Character's in this story seemed to be used to express strange opinions about things- opinions that seem to conflict with who they are meant to be as a person or that hold ideas/principles that are strange to include as part of a romance novel.
It's a very strange thing as a reader to experience bizarre/conflicting/irrelevant opinions being shoved so prominently in your face while reading a romance.
In summary I'm massively disappointed in this book/author, incredibly frustrated by the writing, and perhaps for the first time ever actually annoyed that I bought the cheaper kindle edition of this book since I can't return it to get my money back like I could with a paperback.
I think i may be done with Kristen Ashley's new stuff -at least for a while- and I'll just have to be content with rereading some of the early stuff ...when I feel up to reading her stuff again.
December 26, 2022
2.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise. The fact that it was a second chance at love for both of them. And the blending of families/friends.
The Not-So-Good: The ending and overall focus on other storylines. It felt so disconnected at times. I feel as though only a small percentage of the story was actually about the couple. The epilogue was even focused mainly on side stories! If you haven't read the other books in the series, I imagine you would really struggle with this one. I also was annoyed with the constant political/advocacy talk in this one, but I do recognize that the rest in this series have the same spin -- so I guess I should've known better. I just like my books to be void of that stuff to be able to truly escape into new worlds...
The Bad: The lack of a connection among the mcs. I usually don't have that issue with KA, but I just didn't feel it here in this book. There were too many references to how they connected years prior on such a deep level and we didn't ever experience that. I didn't even feel like the sexy times were that connected, they felt like scenes for the sake of scenes tbh.
Overall: This was yet another disappointing KA read. I cannot help it! I just keep on seeking out her old magic in these new books! I read so many of my GR friends reviews where they liked this one too, but sadly, I ended up really struggling. I'll probably still read her next books, but I think I'm slowly but surely learning my lesson...
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mika and Tom's story. They meet and instantly connect but Tom is married to another woman and Mika puts a stop to their budding friendship because she knows that they connected on a deep level and friendship wouldn't work. Years later, they reconnect after they have both lost loved ones and have grown children. There is some side drama, some blending of families, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between mostly Mika's POV and focusing on Tom in 3rd person narrative, but some other parts were focused on side characters.
Overall Pace of Story: Meh. This was a little rough (see above).
Instalove:Yes, but not declared.
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Tom. I mostly liked him but his lack of self forgiveness got a little old.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Mika. She was a little better than just alright. I appreciated her self confidence and how she bred that in her daughter.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between mcs
Separation: Not once they get together
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a pretty long epilogue but it was not focused that much on the couple. I would call this a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise. The fact that it was a second chance at love for both of them. And the blending of families/friends.
The Not-So-Good: The ending and overall focus on other storylines. It felt so disconnected at times. I feel as though only a small percentage of the story was actually about the couple. The epilogue was even focused mainly on side stories! If you haven't read the other books in the series, I imagine you would really struggle with this one. I also was annoyed with the constant political/advocacy talk in this one, but I do recognize that the rest in this series have the same spin -- so I guess I should've known better. I just like my books to be void of that stuff to be able to truly escape into new worlds...
The Bad: The lack of a connection among the mcs. I usually don't have that issue with KA, but I just didn't feel it here in this book. There were too many references to how they connected years prior on such a deep level and we didn't ever experience that. I didn't even feel like the sexy times were that connected, they felt like scenes for the sake of scenes tbh.
Overall: This was yet another disappointing KA read. I cannot help it! I just keep on seeking out her old magic in these new books! I read so many of my GR friends reviews where they liked this one too, but sadly, I ended up really struggling. I'll probably still read her next books, but I think I'm slowly but surely learning my lesson...
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mika and Tom's story. They meet and instantly connect but Tom is married to another woman and Mika puts a stop to their budding friendship because she knows that they connected on a deep level and friendship wouldn't work. Years later, they reconnect after they have both lost loved ones and have grown children. There is some side drama, some blending of families, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between mostly Mika's POV and focusing on Tom in 3rd person narrative, but some other parts were focused on side characters.
Overall Pace of Story: Meh. This was a little rough (see above).
Instalove:Yes, but not declared.
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Tom. I mostly liked him but his lack of self forgiveness got a little old.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Mika. She was a little better than just alright. I appreciated her self confidence and how she bred that in her daughter.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between mcs
Separation: Not once they get together
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a pretty long epilogue but it was not focused that much on the couple. I would call this a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
September 12, 2025
I really wanted to like this book primarily because it's really uncommon for romance novels to be about older couples. So I was really hopeful. Unfortunately, it was just ok for me.
This book highlighted the issues I've been having with KAs books the last few years. There is such an astounding (and in my opinion tone deaf) emphasis on materialism and being RICH that I really am not sure anymore who this author is writing books for. Part of the appeal for KAs back catalogue was that you could relate to her characters in some way. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that the bulk of her readers aren't millionaires and while we might not want to read about the same level of strife we go through in our daily lives, having so many characters not have to even think of money at all is alienating - especially in 2022.
Additionally, I have noticed in quite a few of her recent books that the development of many of the peripheral characters is more engaging or interesting than the main characters. Whereas in KAs older catalogue the stories were more focused on the main characters and were story driven about THEIR story, and now it really seems as if she's always setting up the NEXT books rather than focusing on the actual story? It makes the characters' books always feel less substantial when you actually get to read them as it is just being set up for the next few in the series.
Spoilers/ish
I also don't understand referring to characters from previous books without any kind of reference to their HEA. Who cares if a character "met with Sampson Cooper" if there is zero context for how Sampson and Kia's lives are progressing? Instead we got a lot of time with Susie and who cares about her? It circles right back to my first point, who are these books for? Because as a reader, I want to hear about characters that were LIKEABLE, not these insane 'redemptive' contrived situations for people who are not redeemable (Naomi in Free IM LOOKING AT YOU). It's a bit immature of the author. Not everyone is redeemable, and why do they have to be?
The friendship between exes- another WHO is this book for?!? Is this some goal people have that I am not aware of? Do ex husbands and wives want to create a foursome where they all hang out and love being together to the point that if some of them aren't feeling it, it is a failure? WTF. ALSO - The kids aren't even KIDS anymore - why the attempt to make sure they all are friends and want to hang out and get along? This story line was more of a fantasy than the romance itself.
Really, the disappointment stems from the unfulfilled promise of KAs last 6 or so books (maybe more I am too bummed to check). If we didn't know what she could do, maybe the newer books wouldn't be a let down.
This book highlighted the issues I've been having with KAs books the last few years. There is such an astounding (and in my opinion tone deaf) emphasis on materialism and being RICH that I really am not sure anymore who this author is writing books for. Part of the appeal for KAs back catalogue was that you could relate to her characters in some way. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that the bulk of her readers aren't millionaires and while we might not want to read about the same level of strife we go through in our daily lives, having so many characters not have to even think of money at all is alienating - especially in 2022.
Additionally, I have noticed in quite a few of her recent books that the development of many of the peripheral characters is more engaging or interesting than the main characters. Whereas in KAs older catalogue the stories were more focused on the main characters and were story driven about THEIR story, and now it really seems as if she's always setting up the NEXT books rather than focusing on the actual story? It makes the characters' books always feel less substantial when you actually get to read them as it is just being set up for the next few in the series.
Spoilers/ish
I also don't understand referring to characters from previous books without any kind of reference to their HEA. Who cares if a character "met with Sampson Cooper" if there is zero context for how Sampson and Kia's lives are progressing? Instead we got a lot of time with Susie and who cares about her? It circles right back to my first point, who are these books for? Because as a reader, I want to hear about characters that were LIKEABLE, not these insane 'redemptive' contrived situations for people who are not redeemable (Naomi in Free IM LOOKING AT YOU). It's a bit immature of the author. Not everyone is redeemable, and why do they have to be?
The friendship between exes- another WHO is this book for?!? Is this some goal people have that I am not aware of? Do ex husbands and wives want to create a foursome where they all hang out and love being together to the point that if some of them aren't feeling it, it is a failure? WTF. ALSO - The kids aren't even KIDS anymore - why the attempt to make sure they all are friends and want to hang out and get along? This story line was more of a fantasy than the romance itself.
Really, the disappointment stems from the unfulfilled promise of KAs last 6 or so books (maybe more I am too bummed to check). If we didn't know what she could do, maybe the newer books wouldn't be a let down.
September 24, 2022
If you want to know KA’s politics, then read this book. Nuff said.
September 22, 2022
This is the first series of KA that I can not get into. Story was okay. Don't care much for any characters.
It is what it is.
It is what it is.
October 12, 2022
There is something about this story that hit a perfect chord for me, beginning to end, and it has everything to do with the way she brings these characters to life, unapologetically and daringly and true to everything we’ve always known her to stand for. Furthermore, when Kristen Ashley decides to sink her teeth into a redemption story, you know all bets are off and she’ll make you feel a whole lot of things. It’s the story of Tom Pierce, former tennis superstar, and Mika Stowe, artist extraordinaire, who first met at a time when Tom was not available to pursue anything between them. Now, years later, Tom’s actions have not only hurt those closest to him, but also knocked him off the pedestal that Mika has always put him on. So when they are forced to cross paths again, they must not only come to terms with the aftermath of Tom’s transgression, but also with two decades of personal history that they do not share. A moving tale of two people taking a second chance on life and love, and moving forward from the past, together.
October 16, 2022
Okay so this is a tough one. I love KA books. I have been an avid reader of hers for years. I’ve read almost everything she’s ever written (bar I think 2) and really enjoyed most of her books. Strong characters, great sex scenes, lovely escapism.
This one was a big miss for me.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
*EDITED TO CORRECT GWEN TO GEN*
KA took a character that I loved from a previous book, and completely tore her to shreds. She also allows that woman’s children to hold grudges, and malign her character. This is all to allow redemption for a privileged white man to feel better about cheating on his spouse? It doesn’t make any sense to me. KA has, in previous books, taken a pretty hardline against cheating. So this about-face doesn’t fit in!
To save Tom, KA could have written him a redemption arc! Instead, she retconned one of my all-time favourite heroines. Yes, Genny had checked out of her marriage, she was clearly depressed and lonely and feeling horrible. Of course she checked out! Her career was in shambles, her children had left, and she was going through menopause! Instead, KA has rewritten the narrative, that Tom fell out of love with Gen first, that Genny was always a terrible wife (the Imogen Swan show?), and he cheated to actively harm her. WTAF?
Oh and Gen is such a dramatic attention seeker that Chloe (the ultimate dramatic attention seeker) hates her, and Sasha (the ultimate freeloader) can’t confide in her? Oh and also Gen leaves her new husband who she’s been madly in love with most of her life to mope about her ex-husbands new lady?
KA. Who hurt you when you were writing this book? Alternatively, which person hurt you who reminds you of Gen?
Like I said, I’ve read nearly every other KA book and I’ve never before seen this level of character assassination for any other previous KA heroine (even one who may have deserved it! Even Tyra didn’t get this level of hate afterward, and she was a shit-stirrer to the nth degree!).
I liked the female lead in this book, but KA was so busy shitting on Gen to redeem Tom that we missed out on some of her backstory. I think a chapter of her in the past with her lost love would have been really cool. I also feel like her career was only briefly mentioned and could have been fleshed out more.
Tom, out of all the possible ways he could have been written, was the worst possible version here. Entitled, arrogant, dismissive of Sasha, dismissive of the damage he caused to his family, shitting on his ex-wife and justifying his own crappy behaviour. He also points out that in his nearly 20 year marriage, he always felt sidelined, but he never told his ex-wife that. This guy is a super shitty communicator. My least favourite KA hero ever. 0/5 stars for Tom.
All in all, not one I enjoyed. I nearly DNF but pushed through. I’ve never left a bad review for KA before, but this one just bothered me. Not one for me I’m afraid! I don’t know if I’ll continue with the River Rain series after reading it.
This one was a big miss for me.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
*EDITED TO CORRECT GWEN TO GEN*
KA took a character that I loved from a previous book, and completely tore her to shreds. She also allows that woman’s children to hold grudges, and malign her character. This is all to allow redemption for a privileged white man to feel better about cheating on his spouse? It doesn’t make any sense to me. KA has, in previous books, taken a pretty hardline against cheating. So this about-face doesn’t fit in!
To save Tom, KA could have written him a redemption arc! Instead, she retconned one of my all-time favourite heroines. Yes, Genny had checked out of her marriage, she was clearly depressed and lonely and feeling horrible. Of course she checked out! Her career was in shambles, her children had left, and she was going through menopause! Instead, KA has rewritten the narrative, that Tom fell out of love with Gen first, that Genny was always a terrible wife (the Imogen Swan show?), and he cheated to actively harm her. WTAF?
Oh and Gen is such a dramatic attention seeker that Chloe (the ultimate dramatic attention seeker) hates her, and Sasha (the ultimate freeloader) can’t confide in her? Oh and also Gen leaves her new husband who she’s been madly in love with most of her life to mope about her ex-husbands new lady?
KA. Who hurt you when you were writing this book? Alternatively, which person hurt you who reminds you of Gen?
Like I said, I’ve read nearly every other KA book and I’ve never before seen this level of character assassination for any other previous KA heroine (even one who may have deserved it! Even Tyra didn’t get this level of hate afterward, and she was a shit-stirrer to the nth degree!).
I liked the female lead in this book, but KA was so busy shitting on Gen to redeem Tom that we missed out on some of her backstory. I think a chapter of her in the past with her lost love would have been really cool. I also feel like her career was only briefly mentioned and could have been fleshed out more.
Tom, out of all the possible ways he could have been written, was the worst possible version here. Entitled, arrogant, dismissive of Sasha, dismissive of the damage he caused to his family, shitting on his ex-wife and justifying his own crappy behaviour. He also points out that in his nearly 20 year marriage, he always felt sidelined, but he never told his ex-wife that. This guy is a super shitty communicator. My least favourite KA hero ever. 0/5 stars for Tom.
All in all, not one I enjoyed. I nearly DNF but pushed through. I’ve never left a bad review for KA before, but this one just bothered me. Not one for me I’m afraid! I don’t know if I’ll continue with the River Rain series after reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 25, 2022Very confused, just read the blurb on Amazon and Susan Shepherd is NOT the love interest? Then why that whole dramatic scene at the end of Chasing Serenity with Joe Callahan and Rhys? I mean I don’t particularly like Susie, she was a colossal bitch during the Burg series, but she also had that little redemption arc during the last burg book; so I WAS intrigued enough to see how KA would spin it. Also didn’t Chloe say in Chasing Serenity that the person who Tom cheated on his mum with had to have been someone special? SOO why foreshadow Susie and Tom only to introduce another heroine?
And if Tom isn’t going to get with the girl he cheated on his wife with, then why not just introduce a new heroine? I hate that he met Mika (the heroine) whilst he was already married/in love to Genny. And that the heroine has been in love with him this whole time, whilst Tom was irrevocably in love with Genny. Like that’s fucking heartbreaking ugh.
I don’t know anything about Mika, but I already feel a sense of kinship with her, as she has to come after Tom’s big love Genny. I hope Tom’s love for her will be even more than his love for Genny or else I don’t want it.
What I hope for this book:
- That Tom isn’t pining for Genny too much, I hate heroes who are still in love with their ex as it’s so heartbreaking for the heroine.
- That a big chunk of it is dedicated to Tom and Matt repairing their father/son relationship.
- If Susie Sheperd is not the heroine (then I don’t think KA is giving her a redemption arc) and I hope she stays well away from Tom and doesn’t fuck things up for him.
And if Tom isn’t going to get with the girl he cheated on his wife with, then why not just introduce a new heroine? I hate that he met Mika (the heroine) whilst he was already married/in love to Genny. And that the heroine has been in love with him this whole time, whilst Tom was irrevocably in love with Genny. Like that’s fucking heartbreaking ugh.
I don’t know anything about Mika, but I already feel a sense of kinship with her, as she has to come after Tom’s big love Genny. I hope Tom’s love for her will be even more than his love for Genny or else I don’t want it.
What I hope for this book:
- That Tom isn’t pining for Genny too much, I hate heroes who are still in love with their ex as it’s so heartbreaking for the heroine.
- That a big chunk of it is dedicated to Tom and Matt repairing their father/son relationship.
- If Susie Sheperd is not the heroine (then I don’t think KA is giving her a redemption arc) and I hope she stays well away from Tom and doesn’t fuck things up for him.
December 30, 2022
Not a fan of how everyone in this series is practically a billionaire or ultra-famous 🙄
Mika was described as practically God-like; she's rich, famous, good at everything, and the 'coolest chick on the planet' while Tom is the best tennis player in the world. Come on. Couldn't she just be a regular artist? Oh and we can't forget how Cory was the richest person in the entire world and yet all he seemed to do was meddle in his friends' love lives. Besides that, I was just very bored with this one. I kept skipping ahead to see if anything interesting would happen.
KA was clearly trying to set up Hale's story in the end but I honestly couldn't care less. This series just keeps going downhill.
Mika was described as practically God-like; she's rich, famous, good at everything, and the 'coolest chick on the planet' while Tom is the best tennis player in the world. Come on. Couldn't she just be a regular artist? Oh and we can't forget how Cory was the richest person in the entire world and yet all he seemed to do was meddle in his friends' love lives. Besides that, I was just very bored with this one. I kept skipping ahead to see if anything interesting would happen.
KA was clearly trying to set up Hale's story in the end but I honestly couldn't care less. This series just keeps going downhill.
September 21, 2022
This book gave me such conflicting emotions.
Tom's story was always going to be challenging because he was a cheater. I appreciate that the author explored and demonstrated the why of how that came to be. At the same time, there is no excuse, ever, for cheating on your wife. If Tom was so unhappy and Genny was not hearing him, he should have left her, full stop. I hated how he was justifying the cheating, at the same time saying he wasn't doing that, but he was! At the end of the day it's an excuse and that was disgusting to me. I realize that they had to redeem Tom in a sense, in order for he and Mika to have a relationship, but doing it by throwing Genny under the proverbial bus by making her the neglectful self-involved wife as if that could excuse the cheating was, quite frankly, maddening.
I also hate how the author tarnished Genny (and Genny and Duncan's relationship). I understand that this was Tom's book but how the author just glossed over her walking out on Duncan and being gone for days.....no. Not cool. There should have been a conversation between Genny and Duncan, at the least, when she came back but nope, nothing. I really don't understand it. The author spent a whole book making us fall in love with them as a couple and then she has Genny reacting badly and running out on Duncan to what......show how she metaphorically checked out on her marriage to Tom which led to him cheating? What rubbish! Marriage is a two way street and that completely rubbed me the wrong way.
Tom's story was always going to be challenging because he was a cheater. I appreciate that the author explored and demonstrated the why of how that came to be. At the same time, there is no excuse, ever, for cheating on your wife. If Tom was so unhappy and Genny was not hearing him, he should have left her, full stop. I hated how he was justifying the cheating, at the same time saying he wasn't doing that, but he was! At the end of the day it's an excuse and that was disgusting to me. I realize that they had to redeem Tom in a sense, in order for he and Mika to have a relationship, but doing it by throwing Genny under the proverbial bus by making her the neglectful self-involved wife as if that could excuse the cheating was, quite frankly, maddening.
I also hate how the author tarnished Genny (and Genny and Duncan's relationship). I understand that this was Tom's book but how the author just glossed over her walking out on Duncan and being gone for days.....no. Not cool. There should have been a conversation between Genny and Duncan, at the least, when she came back but nope, nothing. I really don't understand it. The author spent a whole book making us fall in love with them as a couple and then she has Genny reacting badly and running out on Duncan to what......show how she metaphorically checked out on her marriage to Tom which led to him cheating? What rubbish! Marriage is a two way street and that completely rubbed me the wrong way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
Well, I hate to say it. But this was not my favorite.
We all know KA likes her words, lots of words but this one just went to that line and jumped so far over it that I skimmed...I skimmed a KA. Nooooo!
Imogen...just no. She got knocked off my pedestal of love in this book. Maybe what happened needed to happen but it needed to happen in the first book. The fact she pulled her stunt now...I was so pissed at her.
Then, we get this beautiful, gut wrenching glimpse into Sasha and a bomb dropped about Matt (which I absolutely loved both of these by the way, I teared up at Sasha's confession) and then find out the next book isn't about one of them. It's going to be Blake's book. Blake. Truthfully, I'm not even sure who Blake is.
Now, honestly, I have been loving this series. I will keep reading it. I can't wait for Sasha, Matt, Gage, and Hale to get their stories. I'm glad Tom got his happy ending, I'm just not so sure I liked the the book that gave it to him.
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We all know KA likes her words, lots of words but this one just went to that line and jumped so far over it that I skimmed...I skimmed a KA. Nooooo!
Imogen...just no. She got knocked off my pedestal of love in this book. Maybe what happened needed to happen but it needed to happen in the first book. The fact she pulled her stunt now...I was so pissed at her.
Then, we get this beautiful, gut wrenching glimpse into Sasha and a bomb dropped about Matt (which I absolutely loved both of these by the way, I teared up at Sasha's confession) and then find out the next book isn't about one of them. It's going to be Blake's book. Blake. Truthfully, I'm not even sure who Blake is.
Now, honestly, I have been loving this series. I will keep reading it. I can't wait for Sasha, Matt, Gage, and Hale to get their stories. I'm glad Tom got his happy ending, I'm just not so sure I liked the the book that gave it to him.
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September 27, 2022
This series has most definitely become KA’s platform to write what she feels most strongly about and that is definitely her right, it’s just not my favorite sort of storytelling, especially since I’m here for the romance.
Worse, I feel like everything I write in this review (and really, don’t write since I’ve deleted a lot out of fear of offending someone, because in this day, everyone is offended by something) will be me using this as a platform for my own agenda and believe me, that is not my way or my intention.
Fuck it, here goes.
KA is walking a fine line with this series. I’m still enjoying myself, mostly, but I just can’t relate to most of it. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous but also let’s give all our money away and prove we are just like you! but BETTER because we have so much to give, when well, you are not. I’m sorry but these characters are celebrities and they are all GORGEOUS. That’s not to say they aren’t good, they just aren’t like me. And they aren’t better people because they have money to give.
I was a little taken aback by the setup for Mika’s loss. That was quite gruesome and well, short.
I was also shocked at Genny’s role in this. Two-fold. Getting the other side of the story from Tom and well, her behavior in general.
Oh. Mika. I know I’m not alone in thinking this is not who Tom was going to end up with. Now that I know the why this is who Tom ended up with I get it, but at first, I was curious about this “new” love interest; that wasn’t really new and that could kind of be a little weird too.
Chloe was Chloe.
I’m glad we got a bit more of Sasha even if the breakthrough had me rolling my eyes. Of course it would be Mika.
MATT! Oh, please, please, please don’t ruin this chance.
Am I the only one who pictured Elsa as Rita Skeeter? I don’t think I picked up on the fact she was young, in her twenties.
Speaking of age, Nora. I'm struggling seeing her as a love interest here. She too reads older to me.
Should Cadence be drinking all the time? Maybe I’m out of it. I’m not saying she wouldn’t be drinking at 18, God knows we probably all did a time or two, but she truly had cocktails with the adults as the norm.
I need Rhys’s story more than I need ANYONE ELSE’S. Especially not BLAKE SHARP’S.! Why is she the next story? Why not the inner circle because we all know she isn’t going to end up with who we think she will.
Szabo, Szabo, Szabo.
There were a lot of cameos in this. A lot. Even if they were just a mention. It’s cool to be in the know.
TOM. I know firsthand how once a cheat always a cheat defines someone, even if it is just someone else’s view of them so I get why Tom felt the way he did and why others looked at him a certain way. End of the day, life is short, we are human and people make mistakes. Some worse than others. I wasn’t sure I cared to get his story but in order for this series to continue and him to be as big a part of it as he is, it needed to be told. I feel like it was done well. It isn’t an easy topic, one, especially romance readers hate, but I feel like this worked.
And last but not least, the kittens stole the show.
I’m probably missing a ton but that’s all I’ve got right now. I didn’t hate it. I don’t get it. But I still love the core romance that KA writes even surrounded with all the glitz and glamor. It’s her story to tell but I’d love if she scaled a bit back on the in your face views even if they are mine and especially if they aren’t. It is not what I am here for.
Oh, how I miss the days when KA’s main agenda was pushing music, food and drinks. Over the top descriptions of décor, clothes and shoes. And of course, just straight up ALPHA men. Thankfully there are always re-reads.
Worse, I feel like everything I write in this review (and really, don’t write since I’ve deleted a lot out of fear of offending someone, because in this day, everyone is offended by something) will be me using this as a platform for my own agenda and believe me, that is not my way or my intention.
Fuck it, here goes.
KA is walking a fine line with this series. I’m still enjoying myself, mostly, but I just can’t relate to most of it. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous but also let’s give all our money away and prove we are just like you! but BETTER because we have so much to give, when well, you are not. I’m sorry but these characters are celebrities and they are all GORGEOUS. That’s not to say they aren’t good, they just aren’t like me. And they aren’t better people because they have money to give.
I was a little taken aback by the setup for Mika’s loss. That was quite gruesome and well, short.
I was also shocked at Genny’s role in this. Two-fold. Getting the other side of the story from Tom and well, her behavior in general.
Oh. Mika. I know I’m not alone in thinking this is not who Tom was going to end up with. Now that I know the why this is who Tom ended up with I get it, but at first, I was curious about this “new” love interest; that wasn’t really new and that could kind of be a little weird too.
Chloe was Chloe.
I’m glad we got a bit more of Sasha even if the breakthrough had me rolling my eyes. Of course it would be Mika.
MATT! Oh, please, please, please don’t ruin this chance.
Am I the only one who pictured Elsa as Rita Skeeter? I don’t think I picked up on the fact she was young, in her twenties.
Speaking of age, Nora. I'm struggling seeing her as a love interest here. She too reads older to me.
Should Cadence be drinking all the time? Maybe I’m out of it. I’m not saying she wouldn’t be drinking at 18, God knows we probably all did a time or two, but she truly had cocktails with the adults as the norm.
I need Rhys’s story more than I need ANYONE ELSE’S. Especially not BLAKE SHARP’S.! Why is she the next story? Why not the inner circle because we all know she isn’t going to end up with who we think she will.
Szabo, Szabo, Szabo.
There were a lot of cameos in this. A lot. Even if they were just a mention. It’s cool to be in the know.
TOM. I know firsthand how once a cheat always a cheat defines someone, even if it is just someone else’s view of them so I get why Tom felt the way he did and why others looked at him a certain way. End of the day, life is short, we are human and people make mistakes. Some worse than others. I wasn’t sure I cared to get his story but in order for this series to continue and him to be as big a part of it as he is, it needed to be told. I feel like it was done well. It isn’t an easy topic, one, especially romance readers hate, but I feel like this worked.
And last but not least, the kittens stole the show.
I’m probably missing a ton but that’s all I’ve got right now. I didn’t hate it. I don’t get it. But I still love the core romance that KA writes even surrounded with all the glitz and glamor. It’s her story to tell but I’d love if she scaled a bit back on the in your face views even if they are mine and especially if they aren’t. It is not what I am here for.
Oh, how I miss the days when KA’s main agenda was pushing music, food and drinks. Over the top descriptions of décor, clothes and shoes. And of course, just straight up ALPHA men. Thankfully there are always re-reads.
September 26, 2022
I loved this! LOVED IT!!!
I have found the rest of the series a bit hit and miss for me though am enjoying it overall but each book makes me more vested in the next. The way KA is bringing those different threads of backstory together is captivating. I'm on the edge of my seat to know who will end up with who. What is Corey up to. What will Vaughn do next?
But I digress. This was Tom's book. And I DID NOT want Tom's book -there were so many other characters we could have but in true KA style, we aren't following just a family or a group of friends. The MCs chosen for each book are a bit of a surprise (I mean Rix? WTF?)
We met Tom in all the previous books. He was Gen's husband who cheated on her. And whilst the family have generally moved past it, I was TERRIFIED for this book. I did NOT want to read it. Because how do you redeem this man? This man who cheated on the love of his life and she was the FMC in the first book of the series so we are predisposed to love her right? Why does he get to have a HEA instead of burning in hell for all eternity?
As this was TPAM BR, I dove in. With considerable trepidation but KA remains one of my favourite all-time autobuy authors so I had to trust she would not let me down (even if a few recent books haven't quite done it for me).
I was full of anxiety for the first few chapters. There was nothing redeeming here but Tom, gah, poor Tom! How to make me feel for a man who cheated on his beloved partner. He could not have been more regretful and self-flagellating (thank goodness) and it was almost physically hurtful to read. We find out the reasons why he did what he did. Not as an excuse, just as a reason. One of the things that was really significant in this book was taking responsibility and owning your actions and consequences and Tom did that in spades. It was both glorious and heart-rending. And when
When he met Mika that first time, nothing happened and that was as it should be. Mika? Well, I liked her but she was full of grief still for her first husband and she was kind of awful to Tom when they reconnected. Uncalled for I thought.
We see more of Gen and Tom's kids - Chloe and Judge are hilarious; there is some heartbreaking time with Sasha (I cannot wait for her book!) and news from Matt (can't wait for that one either) and Cadence, Mika's daughter was a delight in the book.
There were so many hints/red herrings maybe for upcoming plots and relationships it absolutely has me busy guessing.
Overall, this was a very, very solid addition to the river Rain series - I think its actually my favourite so far. don't think it would work well as a stand-alone though so fair warning.
I have found the rest of the series a bit hit and miss for me though am enjoying it overall but each book makes me more vested in the next. The way KA is bringing those different threads of backstory together is captivating. I'm on the edge of my seat to know who will end up with who. What is Corey up to. What will Vaughn do next?
But I digress. This was Tom's book. And I DID NOT want Tom's book -there were so many other characters we could have but in true KA style, we aren't following just a family or a group of friends. The MCs chosen for each book are a bit of a surprise (I mean Rix? WTF?)
We met Tom in all the previous books. He was Gen's husband who cheated on her. And whilst the family have generally moved past it, I was TERRIFIED for this book. I did NOT want to read it. Because how do you redeem this man? This man who cheated on the love of his life and she was the FMC in the first book of the series so we are predisposed to love her right? Why does he get to have a HEA instead of burning in hell for all eternity?
As this was TPAM BR, I dove in. With considerable trepidation but KA remains one of my favourite all-time autobuy authors so I had to trust she would not let me down (even if a few recent books haven't quite done it for me).
I was full of anxiety for the first few chapters. There was nothing redeeming here but Tom, gah, poor Tom! How to make me feel for a man who cheated on his beloved partner. He could not have been more regretful and self-flagellating (thank goodness) and it was almost physically hurtful to read. We find out the reasons why he did what he did. Not as an excuse, just as a reason. One of the things that was really significant in this book was taking responsibility and owning your actions and consequences and Tom did that in spades. It was both glorious and heart-rending. And when
When he met Mika that first time, nothing happened and that was as it should be. Mika? Well, I liked her but she was full of grief still for her first husband and she was kind of awful to Tom when they reconnected. Uncalled for I thought.
We see more of Gen and Tom's kids - Chloe and Judge are hilarious; there is some heartbreaking time with Sasha (I cannot wait for her book!) and news from Matt (can't wait for that one either) and Cadence, Mika's daughter was a delight in the book.
There were so many hints/red herrings maybe for upcoming plots and relationships it absolutely has me busy guessing.
Overall, this was a very, very solid addition to the river Rain series - I think its actually my favourite so far. don't think it would work well as a stand-alone though so fair warning.
March 14, 2023
3.75 Lots of HGTV Stars
* * * 3/4 Spoiler Free-A Quickie
I am a died in the wool KA Fan. I love her Vintage books and will re-read them all the time. They are like comfort food...as I no longer am allowed to have all the usual sugary ones anymore. No Worries, I am actually better, thinner, and have more energy BUT when one wants something that makes them have that feel...Vintage KA is my go to.
This brings me to Making the Match (River Rain #4). It had a bit of the flavor of past KA, enjoyable main characters, sweet thoughts about life, forgiving yourself for past bad acts if you own up to the responsibility, and a second chance Adult, meaning older than 30, romance. Yasssss
We had kittens, references to early groundbreaking Women artists, a storyline matching the Me Too/ Nassar topic, and lots and lots of descriptions of homes, clothes, locations, and people. It all came together for what I was craving, comfort.
February 15, 2022
Per Kristen Ashley's Website:
River Rain will continue with the story of Tom Pierce
Making the Match (River Rain #4)- September 20, 2022
After The Climb (River Rain, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chasing Serenity (River Rain, (# 2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Taking the Leap (River Rain #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Making the Match (River Rain #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 3/4 Spoiler Free-A Quickie
I am a died in the wool KA Fan. I love her Vintage books and will re-read them all the time. They are like comfort food...as I no longer am allowed to have all the usual sugary ones anymore. No Worries, I am actually better, thinner, and have more energy BUT when one wants something that makes them have that feel...Vintage KA is my go to.
This brings me to Making the Match (River Rain #4). It had a bit of the flavor of past KA, enjoyable main characters, sweet thoughts about life, forgiving yourself for past bad acts if you own up to the responsibility, and a second chance Adult, meaning older than 30, romance. Yasssss
We had kittens, references to early groundbreaking Women artists, a storyline matching the Me Too/ Nassar topic, and lots and lots of descriptions of homes, clothes, locations, and people. It all came together for what I was craving, comfort.
February 15, 2022
Per Kristen Ashley's Website:
River Rain will continue with the story of Tom Pierce
Making the Match (River Rain #4)- September 20, 2022
After The Climb (River Rain, #1) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chasing Serenity (River Rain, (# 2) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Taking the Leap (River Rain #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Making the Match (River Rain #4) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
September 25, 2022
LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Kristen Ashley … unfortunately
Unfortunately, Ms. Ashley decided that it would be a good idea to weave political rhetoric into her book during a time when the country is so divided, escaping into a romance book is usually a relaxing time.
This time, though, every couple of chapters you’re reminded of the authors true feelings for half the USA. It’s so incredibly disappointing and jarring to be immersed in the fantasy of blooming love, silly friends and the fiction of an impending HEA, to only be ripped from there and plopped right down in the authors anger at social issues in real life. I thought I turned the news off???
When reading fiction and especially romance, I DO NOT want to be inundated with political issues, I just want to immerse myself in the fantasy of love.
I have bought, read and LOVED every single book that Ms. Ashley has written. And this is the first time I’ve been so disgusted I didn’t want to finish the book. I’ve been an avid supporter and it horrifies me that with the way Ms. Ashley preaches about the solidarity of women, she has a block to the fact that half her readers are probably on the other side of the aisle from her. Please learn to have grace, Ms. Ashley, for those you disagree with. As we have grace with you. It’s one thing to have an opinion and share it with respect. It’s another to use your platform to ridicule those you disagree with.
My original rating was 1 star. And I didn’t want to finish the book. Obviously I changed my rating and finished the book. Again, grace.
Unfortunately, Ms. Ashley decided that it would be a good idea to weave political rhetoric into her book during a time when the country is so divided, escaping into a romance book is usually a relaxing time.
This time, though, every couple of chapters you’re reminded of the authors true feelings for half the USA. It’s so incredibly disappointing and jarring to be immersed in the fantasy of blooming love, silly friends and the fiction of an impending HEA, to only be ripped from there and plopped right down in the authors anger at social issues in real life. I thought I turned the news off???
When reading fiction and especially romance, I DO NOT want to be inundated with political issues, I just want to immerse myself in the fantasy of love.
I have bought, read and LOVED every single book that Ms. Ashley has written. And this is the first time I’ve been so disgusted I didn’t want to finish the book. I’ve been an avid supporter and it horrifies me that with the way Ms. Ashley preaches about the solidarity of women, she has a block to the fact that half her readers are probably on the other side of the aisle from her. Please learn to have grace, Ms. Ashley, for those you disagree with. As we have grace with you. It’s one thing to have an opinion and share it with respect. It’s another to use your platform to ridicule those you disagree with.
My original rating was 1 star. And I didn’t want to finish the book. Obviously I changed my rating and finished the book. Again, grace.
December 23, 2022
3.25 stars
not this book trying to convince me that Toms (H) cheating (in his previous marriage) was “justifiable” by turning his ex (h of book 1) into somewhat of a villain in this one... 🤡 every story has two sides, and we finally get Toms. but im not sure this is the redemption i wanted to get from his character. seems harsh to condemn him forever for one mistake, but it made me feel icky about the romance in this book since idk where i stand on whether i forgive him or not. 😬
Chloes (Toms daughter) being a busy body whos always all up in everybodys business is kinda her defining character in this series. while previously i found it annoying but entertaining, this time it was just straight up creepy and invasive. then theres a reveal about one of Toms sons being bisexual (i think), and wow thats a first in KA universe. especially since hes going to be one of the potential heroes in this series. overall, this was okay, and i didnt care much for the plot either.
(read as an audiobook)
not this book trying to convince me that Toms (H) cheating (in his previous marriage) was “justifiable” by turning his ex (h of book 1) into somewhat of a villain in this one... 🤡 every story has two sides, and we finally get Toms. but im not sure this is the redemption i wanted to get from his character. seems harsh to condemn him forever for one mistake, but it made me feel icky about the romance in this book since idk where i stand on whether i forgive him or not. 😬
Chloes (Toms daughter) being a busy body whos always all up in everybodys business is kinda her defining character in this series. while previously i found it annoying but entertaining, this time it was just straight up creepy and invasive. then theres a reveal about one of Toms sons being bisexual (i think), and wow thats a first in KA universe. especially since hes going to be one of the potential heroes in this series. overall, this was okay, and i didnt care much for the plot either.
(read as an audiobook)
November 12, 2022
TWO POINT FIVE STARS
MAKING THE MATCH
● Tom Pierce (50+) & “It Girl” Mika Stowe (48)
● younger: tennis superstar & older: doctor / multi-media artist
● meet cute: at a party decades ago (at the time Tom was married)
● Tom found a box of 5 kittens and kept them
● second chance at love
MAKING THE MATCH
● Tom Pierce (50+) & “It Girl” Mika Stowe (48)
● younger: tennis superstar & older: doctor / multi-media artist
● meet cute: at a party decades ago (at the time Tom was married)
● Tom found a box of 5 kittens and kept them
● second chance at love
Audiobook source: Audible
Narrator: Wesly Paul & Jennifer Mack
Length: 12H 45M
September 9, 2022
Making the Match is book 4 of the River Rain series by Kristen Ashley (KA). It is a a standalone contemporary romance, told from both points of view with a happy ending.
Tropes:
✔️ couple over 40
✔️ second chances
✔️ single parents
Fans of KA will surely love this story about family, love, redemption and hope.
These are super quick thoughts on this book and in general of KA's stories.
- I saw a couple of reviews that comment on the pace. It begins slow. Yes, this is true. Sort of. Since it's about a couple that have history, the start sets up the stage, but once you get it, you're hooked.
- KA's books always make me think and reflect. I didn't just love the story itself, I loved the afterword and the book club questions.
- I don't cry a lot when reading books, because I purposely choose fun and lighthearted tropes, but KA just does it for me in a way that I love even when the story makes me cry.
- Mika the heroine is a 48YO mother who is facing being an empty nester. My age, the same thing I'm facing, and so it resonated with me very much.
- I loved Tom in all his humanity.
- I loved the loving family forming around Tom and Mika.
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Heroine: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 5
★ I received an ARC of this title via Social Butterfly PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
Tropes:
✔️ couple over 40
✔️ second chances
✔️ single parents
Fans of KA will surely love this story about family, love, redemption and hope.
These are super quick thoughts on this book and in general of KA's stories.
- I saw a couple of reviews that comment on the pace. It begins slow. Yes, this is true. Sort of. Since it's about a couple that have history, the start sets up the stage, but once you get it, you're hooked.
- KA's books always make me think and reflect. I didn't just love the story itself, I loved the afterword and the book club questions.
- I don't cry a lot when reading books, because I purposely choose fun and lighthearted tropes, but KA just does it for me in a way that I love even when the story makes me cry.
- Mika the heroine is a 48YO mother who is facing being an empty nester. My age, the same thing I'm facing, and so it resonated with me very much.
- I loved Tom in all his humanity.
- I loved the loving family forming around Tom and Mika.
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Heroine: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 5
★ I received an ARC of this title via Social Butterfly PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
November 14, 2024
2.75 stars
least favorite of the series so far. it wasn't that there was anything wrong, in particular, but it was too long for the story being told and this led to me not really caring a whole lot about the characters.
there were moments of brilliance—because, hey it's Kristen Ashley and she's the queen of pulling at the heart strings—but the story dragged.
least favorite of the series so far. it wasn't that there was anything wrong, in particular, but it was too long for the story being told and this led to me not really caring a whole lot about the characters.
there were moments of brilliance—because, hey it's Kristen Ashley and she's the queen of pulling at the heart strings—but the story dragged.
September 23, 2022
ridiculous book
The story line doesn’t even make any sense … 10% into the book was enough for me . What s as shame I was looking forward to this book
The story line doesn’t even make any sense … 10% into the book was enough for me . What s as shame I was looking forward to this book
September 24, 2022
This is Tome Pierce book (ex-husband of Imogen “Genny” Swan from “After the climb”). He is living with the guilt of the actions he took that ended his marriage - cheating. “Making the match” explains his actions, and I will say it was understandable (not right but I understand why).
Several years earlier Tom met Mika Stowe, a woman that instantly fascinated him, but being married he would not let this be more. Both Mika and Tom let it be a great meeting and went on to marry and have kids with others.
Toms daughter Chloe doesn’t like her fathers latest fling, and takes action reuniting him with Mika once again. Tom, struggling with the guilt of splitting his family is afraid of letting himself be happy like that again.
”He wanted to explore a relationship with her.
But he shouldn’t.
And he couldn’t.
Because she deserved better.”
But Mika has been waiting to long for this chance again, and is exactly what Tom needs to heal. It also turns out that when Tom finally moves on from what happened with the mother of his children - the whole family heals.
”And then he said, “It’s Dr. Pierce.”
“What?”
He put his hands to her hips.
“It’s Dr. Pierce, baby.”
It started off good and kept my interest, by the time they become a couple, which was pretty quickly, it kind of ended. There was this big case by a former colleague to Tom that felt like it was out there to prolong the story. For me “Meeting the match” was one long epilogue, and I really struggle with all the names and characters Ashley persist with in her books. And it had a bit too much of happy happy and everyone getting a long sooo freaking good and becoming big sisters and brothers after meeting once. Good for you, but this story is not realistic in my opinion.
But if you like a story with that kind of positive, this is for you.
Genny annoyed the f out of me, very happy Chloe was there, or else I would probably have thrown away the book 😬 Chloe carries everyone, she is the best character of them all.
“Meeting the match” introduced two new couple’s that probably will get their own stories, and these I will read.
The best: Mika’s poem about the loss of her husband 💜
- Cheating: H cheated in his marriage
- OW/OM drama: H has a crazy ex fuck-buddy of some sort, that’s portrayed as psycho/narcissistic
- Several POV
- HEA
- Triggers: death of spouse/father (off page), mentioning of sexual assault/rape
”Love is the heart. The heart is a muscle. And muscle has memory that doesn’t die.”
Several years earlier Tom met Mika Stowe, a woman that instantly fascinated him, but being married he would not let this be more. Both Mika and Tom let it be a great meeting and went on to marry and have kids with others.
Toms daughter Chloe doesn’t like her fathers latest fling, and takes action reuniting him with Mika once again. Tom, struggling with the guilt of splitting his family is afraid of letting himself be happy like that again.
”He wanted to explore a relationship with her.
But he shouldn’t.
And he couldn’t.
Because she deserved better.”
But Mika has been waiting to long for this chance again, and is exactly what Tom needs to heal. It also turns out that when Tom finally moves on from what happened with the mother of his children - the whole family heals.
”And then he said, “It’s Dr. Pierce.”
“What?”
He put his hands to her hips.
“It’s Dr. Pierce, baby.”
It started off good and kept my interest, by the time they become a couple, which was pretty quickly, it kind of ended. There was this big case by a former colleague to Tom that felt like it was out there to prolong the story. For me “Meeting the match” was one long epilogue, and I really struggle with all the names and characters Ashley persist with in her books. And it had a bit too much of happy happy and everyone getting a long sooo freaking good and becoming big sisters and brothers after meeting once. Good for you, but this story is not realistic in my opinion.
But if you like a story with that kind of positive, this is for you.
Genny annoyed the f out of me, very happy Chloe was there, or else I would probably have thrown away the book 😬 Chloe carries everyone, she is the best character of them all.
“Meeting the match” introduced two new couple’s that probably will get their own stories, and these I will read.
The best: Mika’s poem about the loss of her husband 💜
- Cheating: H cheated in his marriage
- OW/OM drama: H has a crazy ex fuck-buddy of some sort, that’s portrayed as psycho/narcissistic
- Several POV
- HEA
- Triggers: death of spouse/father (off page), mentioning of sexual assault/rape
”Love is the heart. The heart is a muscle. And muscle has memory that doesn’t die.”
October 7, 2022
This is ....exactly what I expected? It's got a very privileged "lifestyles of the rich and famous" soapy vibe, but way less catty. And if you get that reference, you're old enough to enjoy KA's pop culture references lol.
The series is centered around the combined families of the Holloways and the Pierces, since the first book featured the MMC here Tom's, ex-wife Gen and her first love becoming her last love, Duncan. This addresses the collapse of Gen's marriage with Tom since it's the only thing we really know about him before this story starts - he cheated on her, and she left and that's when, through a series of events, she got back together with Duncan.
Honestly, the messiness of these relationships and navigating a blended family like this is what's interesting because I've read a lot of books that just stick to the CHEATING BAD theme and leave it at that. Now, I don't tolerate cheating between the MCs in any book, but I thought the idea of examining a MMC who has cheated in the past was different. And this is as messy as my description of it just now lol. It's not easy, and there's a lot of hurt feelings involved, but I liked that it acknowledged that these two characters, who are in their 40s and 50s, respectively, didn't live in a vacuum. Their pasts are part of who they are, they've ALL screwed up, some big, some smaller, but understanding the reasons for those mistakes gave the characters some depth and dimension.
I think my main complaint is that there's a huge story involving sexual assaults in sports and the coverup of those SAs, yet it's very peripheral and while it's an important topic, it felt extraneous, at best. Other than jumpstarting the contact between the MCs, it's a B plot at best. I appreciate the desire to explore issues like this, but as in all things, the execution still matters, and here it just falls flat for me. However, that may be because this book started its life as a serial, and pacing in a serial is different and the storyline beats always feel a little repetitive. There's the prerequisite detailed descriptions of decor and focusing on those details sometimes to distraction, but the family/found family scenes are the really good bits, as always.
Anyway, I know what I'm getting with KA and while this is not top tier, it's not bottom of the barrel either. I liked the bits I liked and I'd read the next one.
The series is centered around the combined families of the Holloways and the Pierces, since the first book featured the MMC here Tom's, ex-wife Gen and her first love becoming her last love, Duncan. This addresses the collapse of Gen's marriage with Tom since it's the only thing we really know about him before this story starts - he cheated on her, and she left and that's when, through a series of events, she got back together with Duncan.
Honestly, the messiness of these relationships and navigating a blended family like this is what's interesting because I've read a lot of books that just stick to the CHEATING BAD theme and leave it at that. Now, I don't tolerate cheating between the MCs in any book, but I thought the idea of examining a MMC who has cheated in the past was different. And this is as messy as my description of it just now lol. It's not easy, and there's a lot of hurt feelings involved, but I liked that it acknowledged that these two characters, who are in their 40s and 50s, respectively, didn't live in a vacuum. Their pasts are part of who they are, they've ALL screwed up, some big, some smaller, but understanding the reasons for those mistakes gave the characters some depth and dimension.
I think my main complaint is that there's a huge story involving sexual assaults in sports and the coverup of those SAs, yet it's very peripheral and while it's an important topic, it felt extraneous, at best. Other than jumpstarting the contact between the MCs, it's a B plot at best. I appreciate the desire to explore issues like this, but as in all things, the execution still matters, and here it just falls flat for me. However, that may be because this book started its life as a serial, and pacing in a serial is different and the storyline beats always feel a little repetitive. There's the prerequisite detailed descriptions of decor and focusing on those details sometimes to distraction, but the family/found family scenes are the really good bits, as always.
Anyway, I know what I'm getting with KA and while this is not top tier, it's not bottom of the barrel either. I liked the bits I liked and I'd read the next one.
September 23, 2022
We've all read series where it follows along with a family or a certain group of friends, but this is the first series I have read where an ex gets their happily ever after.
If you have read any of the River Rain Series, you know how Tom is and what he did. I was amongst the skeptics who weren't even sure they wanted to read this book for that reason alone. Only Kristen Ashley could make me second guess my thought process on something like this. Does one mistake in a time of grief and loss mean you are forever going to be that person who did wrong? What Tom did wasn't right, and he never claimed it was. The choices he made were indeed made in a time of grief. Not all grief or loss is when someone dies. It can be for the loss of something that could have been great or in this case a marriage. A marriage that was falling apart long before Tom did what he did. That was just the final nail in the coffin. Keep all of that in mind before you automatically disregard Tom's book.
Since reading book one of this series, I have fallen in love with all the characters. Some were faster than others like Bowie and Chloe where others like Tom and Matt took time. Kristen Ashley has given us this series about a family that is learning what it means to form a new bond after one decision or in this case several imploded everything.
Tom and Mika's story was more than I could have hoped for. All those years ago they met and while there was a connection immediately nothing ever happened. As life tends to do it goes on and now so many years later, they are both in a very new way. When fate or in this case a nosey family member decides to thrust these two back into one another's orbit it is explosive. All those feelings from years ago came rearing back and the only thing to do was go with it or fight the possibility of these two people finding their new happy ending.
Gods I know this is longer than I wanted it to be, but I had so much to say. I hope this series is just getting started and we get so many more stories from Matt, Jamie, Nora, and others. If you have enjoyed the River Rain Series give this book a chance. Don't let your preconceived notions about what is right and wrong ruin this book for you.
If you have read any of the River Rain Series, you know how Tom is and what he did. I was amongst the skeptics who weren't even sure they wanted to read this book for that reason alone. Only Kristen Ashley could make me second guess my thought process on something like this. Does one mistake in a time of grief and loss mean you are forever going to be that person who did wrong? What Tom did wasn't right, and he never claimed it was. The choices he made were indeed made in a time of grief. Not all grief or loss is when someone dies. It can be for the loss of something that could have been great or in this case a marriage. A marriage that was falling apart long before Tom did what he did. That was just the final nail in the coffin. Keep all of that in mind before you automatically disregard Tom's book.
Since reading book one of this series, I have fallen in love with all the characters. Some were faster than others like Bowie and Chloe where others like Tom and Matt took time. Kristen Ashley has given us this series about a family that is learning what it means to form a new bond after one decision or in this case several imploded everything.
Tom and Mika's story was more than I could have hoped for. All those years ago they met and while there was a connection immediately nothing ever happened. As life tends to do it goes on and now so many years later, they are both in a very new way. When fate or in this case a nosey family member decides to thrust these two back into one another's orbit it is explosive. All those feelings from years ago came rearing back and the only thing to do was go with it or fight the possibility of these two people finding their new happy ending.
Gods I know this is longer than I wanted it to be, but I had so much to say. I hope this series is just getting started and we get so many more stories from Matt, Jamie, Nora, and others. If you have enjoyed the River Rain Series give this book a chance. Don't let your preconceived notions about what is right and wrong ruin this book for you.
September 21, 2022
I've written this review several times already but it's so hard to do because there is a lot going on and I don't want to spoil anything....lets try this again.
In this forth book of the RIVER RAIN SERIES we have Tom Pierce a former Tennis Superstar, well I shouldn't say former because he is still in the game only he doesn't compete like he once did and now he is a commentator as well, and we have Mika Stowe whom people refer to as the "It Girl" because she has all of it going on, looks, smarts, depth, talent, and much more. While they are the main couple of this book we have many secondary characters that add a ton to the story line and I am sure many of them will have their own stories at a later date.
Tom and Mika have great chemistry and really click both in and out of the bedroom. I really enjoy the way they put things out there and don't let anything fester, they are grown adults and act as such. Tom's relationship with Mika's daughter, Cadence, was beautiful... she never had a father figure in her life so he was definitely stepping into the role nicely.
Imogen surprised me in this book and not in a good way. Tom's daughter Sasha's finally opening up about things and so is his son Matt, I cannot wait to get their stories as well as Hale's.
This was another great read in the series and it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I personally would recommend reading the series in order because Imogen and Chloe's stories have previously occurred and they play big parts in this one so you may want to know about them before you dive into this book.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Adult Romances, Romances with MC's over 40, Second Chance at Love Romances, or Single Parent Romances I would recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Find out more here ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewMtM
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
In this forth book of the RIVER RAIN SERIES we have Tom Pierce a former Tennis Superstar, well I shouldn't say former because he is still in the game only he doesn't compete like he once did and now he is a commentator as well, and we have Mika Stowe whom people refer to as the "It Girl" because she has all of it going on, looks, smarts, depth, talent, and much more. While they are the main couple of this book we have many secondary characters that add a ton to the story line and I am sure many of them will have their own stories at a later date.
Tom and Mika have great chemistry and really click both in and out of the bedroom. I really enjoy the way they put things out there and don't let anything fester, they are grown adults and act as such. Tom's relationship with Mika's daughter, Cadence, was beautiful... she never had a father figure in her life so he was definitely stepping into the role nicely.
Imogen surprised me in this book and not in a good way. Tom's daughter Sasha's finally opening up about things and so is his son Matt, I cannot wait to get their stories as well as Hale's.
This was another great read in the series and it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I personally would recommend reading the series in order because Imogen and Chloe's stories have previously occurred and they play big parts in this one so you may want to know about them before you dive into this book.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Adult Romances, Romances with MC's over 40, Second Chance at Love Romances, or Single Parent Romances I would recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Find out more here ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewMtM
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with BooksYou can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
November 5, 2022
lacks originality
Storyline has potential but I found this book to have so many political undertones that I was turned off. All are important but when I go to read a KA book, I don’t want it shoved down my throat. I’d watch the 6 o’clock news for that. Absolutely love the older books- feel they were inclusive without pushing an agenda.
Storyline has potential but I found this book to have so many political undertones that I was turned off. All are important but when I go to read a KA book, I don’t want it shoved down my throat. I’d watch the 6 o’clock news for that. Absolutely love the older books- feel they were inclusive without pushing an agenda.
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