Riverside Park

by Laura Van Wormer

Along the banks of the Hudson River is one of New York’s premier enclaves, Riverside Park, where up-and-comers rub shoulders with those who have already made it.

Once deliriously happy, Amanda and Howard Stewart now teeter on the brink of infidelity—and financial ruin.

Media titan Cassy Cochran’s storybook marriage hides the secret at the core of her existence.

Beautiful, privileged Celia Cavanaugh’s life is spiraling out of control—and she’s taking a naive teenage boy down with her.

Headstrong single mother Rosanne DiSantos struggled for years to better herself…and now realizes she despises the life she worked so hard to achieve.

Proud father Sam Wyatt refuses to see his family destroyed by an act of desperation—and will do anything to preserve their happiness.

The widespread branches of this urban family entwine in a stirring, multifaceted story of love denied, love revealed and love remembered.

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Laura Van Wormer grew up in Darien, Connecticut, graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and has spent most of her adult life working in publishing. She is the author of eleven previous novels. The Kill Fee is the fifth in the Sally Harrington series, although some of the characters - most notably the group at DBS News - are in her earlier novels Riverside Drive, West End, Any Given Moment and Talk.

Laura divides her time between Manhattan and Meriden, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Irma Myers-Donihoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read Riverside Drive and West End it felt nice to come back to these characters. While a very simple story, it reminded me of the “old days” and NYC pre 9/11.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice interwoven story of several families and their struggles in love.

[Cardyn Brooks]

DNF

My appreciation for the Sally Harrington novels may have negatively influenced my expectations for Riverside Park, which is structured more like an old-school romance saga from the 70s or 80s. Other readers have called it a soap opera and they're correct.

Read the Sally Harrinigton titles for a truer idea of how engaging L.V.W.'s writing can be.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh, so lame. i love books set in manhattan, but other than the author throwing in the occasional "They walked up Riverside Drive," you'd never know that's where the characters are. and for a book with an entire subplot about book publishing and editing, there sure were a lot of mistakes!

[Felisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely read like a soap opera, but for some reason I couldn't put it down. There were far too many characters in it, but I eventually caught up. Great vacation read, otherwise I'm not sure I would have liked it as much.

[Jen Reardon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A predictable story that was a little confusing to follow as each chapter switches to a different set of characters all introduced in the first chapter when I have to admit I did not pay enough attention to remember who was who later on.

[Lauren - Find me on Fable! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It was pretty much like a soap opera in a book. I enjoyed it but it wasn't anything spectacular or particularly noteworthy...I literally just finished it and I've already forgotten most of the plot!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too many characters to keep track of. I had to flip to the beginning chapters several times to be reminded who was who. With that said, it was an interesting storyline and kept me entertained all weekend.

[Sheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ever watch a soap opera?? That's what this is, the life of the rich and powerful in a book and all their shallow details of lifestyle. Fun, escapism reading.

[Barb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clearly, you can only luck out so much when you randomly pick books off of the library shelf. More like a soap opera.

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon preorder

[Jknick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read like a soap opera. Mindless read, but enjoyable.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. Love to follow the different characters and how they all interconnect.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars is generous. I can't believe I read and finished this book. A star above stupid....

[Ludmirska]

this is soap opera of a book - beee

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast, easy read about several families in Riverside Park and the secrets they have. Not anything particularly fresh or exciting, but an enjoyable read.

[Cari Cawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow to start, but once you get to know each of the different families, by the middle of the book you can't put it down.

[S Miller]

Used - Very good

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining