Book review: RIVER & RUE, by L.M. Halloran

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The magical realism in this book felt like stepping into a world I already knew. The psychics, the premonitions, it reminded me of the stories I grew up with, the same way The House of Spirits always felt like a perfectly normal portrayal of my culture. I loved that.

Rue’s connection with animals is a beautiful part of the story. She doesn’t just love them; she understands them, and they understand her back. River has his own kind of magic — he knows the weather like it’s a language only he can hear. Their gifts clash and cling in a way that makes their love story feel enchanted.

Both carry scars from their past. River’s loneliness, shaped by parents who weren’t there when he needed them most. Rue’s tragic childhood, the loss she can’t outrun, the storm she carries inside. For ten years, her only anchor has been Ivy, River’s sister. So from the very beginning, I felt that River and Rue had something between them — something old, something denied, something waiting.

The PAC brings them close again, and that nearness unravels every wall they built. River sees the truth first, and he practically drags Rue toward it, kicking and screaming, and it’s such a fun, wild, emotional ride.

The story balances chaos with humor, magic with heartbreak. Their conversations about their pasts are tender and painful. Their art makes their feelings feel more colorful, more intense. And the side characters — the PAC crew, the possessed golf cart, Lenny the stray who watches over Rue — all add so much color and charm.

A beautiful, emotional, magical romance that left me smiling, and completely in love with these characters.

Purchase link

https://a.co/d/0foI2wh6

About the author 

When not writing or reading, the author can be found gardening barefoot or chasing her spirited daughter. Some of her favorite things are puzzles, podcasts, and small dogs that resemble Ewoks. Home is Portland, Oregon.

Connect with L.M. Halloran:

https://www.lmhalloran.com/links/

Book review: SCORED, by Aleatha Romig

The Coopers #4

Maeve & Fin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The first three books in this series had me completely hooked, and this installment kept that momentum going.  I’ve loved following Maeve and Fin’s journey—how they fought for their second‑chance romance, how they rebuilt trust, and how they’ve grown into a true power couple. Now living together, each thriving in their own field, they feel solid, mature, and beautifully aligned. Maeve especially shines here. She’s stepping fully into her authority, directing operations for The Coopers with increasing confidence and finesse. Working side‑by‑side with her Aunt Rachel, the team’s CEO, they’ve become a formidable duo.

This book also moves forward several long‑running threads: Maeve’s role within the organization, the lingering tensions with certain family members, and the ongoing investigation that has shadowed her life. One major issue finally gets resolved in a way that gives Maeve clarity and control, allowing her to focus on honoring her father’s biggest dream—bringing home a championship. The behind‑the‑scenes football details are impressively written, full of strategy, coordination, and the sheer effort required to build a winning team. It’s immersive and genuinely fascinating.

There’s also plenty of interpersonal drama—family dynamics, shifting loyalties, and secrets that complicate relationships. The author keeps the tension simmering throughout, especially around one character whose private life becomes a quiet mystery in the background. Also, the amber-colored roses that appeared everywhere had me really spooked!

Where the book didn’t fully land for me was the ending. After all the buildup and suspense, the final reveal arrives in a way that felt less dramatic than I hoped. We learned all about it second hand, from Maeve and Aunt Rachel, after it all happened! The emotional punch I expected didn’t quite hit, and I missed the intensity that had been building through the series. It’s still a solid conclusion to this chapter of Maeve’s journey, just not the explosive finish I was waiting for.

Even so, the writing remains strong, the football world is vividly portrayed, and Maeve and Fin end this book in a place of peace and possibility. It’s a well‑told story with compelling characters—just shy of the dramatic payoff I wanted.

Four stars, because the journey was excellent even if the ending didn’t deliver the full thrill.

Purchase links

https://books2read.com/u/mVpnEr

About the author

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years, they've raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns or her new lighter side, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams! 

 

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