Shallow River

Shallow River is dark romance with very little distance between its horrors and real life. River McAllister escapes an abusive childhood only to find herself trapped in another cycle of violence with Ryan Fitzgerald. Her first husband is a wealthy law student whose charm gives way to cruelty and control. H.D. Carlton explores domestic violence, childhood abuse, generational trauma, and survival with vivid writing that can be incredibly difficult to read. River’s journey affected me on a personal level. Parts of her upbringing and adult relationship felt painfully familiar which made this a book I had to put down several times before I could continue. River’s eventual opportunity to fight back offers the brutal vigilante justice that dark romance readers may find cathartic after watching her endure so much. The romance with Mako was less convincing to me. He offers River a tenderness she has rarely experienced, but I wanted her future to feel more centered on River herself. The marriage and pregnancy ending particularly disappointed me. After spending so much time watching River reclaim ownership of her life, it was disappointing that her happily ever after was defined as marriage and motherhood. A woman who survives what River does deserves a future defined by whatever happiness she chooses. I did not get the feeling that was marriage, babies, and a white picket fence. Carlton’s writing is visceral and intensely descriptive. She creates scenes that are difficult to shake. That strength also made Shallow River exhausting. I usually enjoy dark romance because the darkness comes with enough fantasy to create some separation from reality. River’s experiences felt too recognizable for me to find that escape here. I can appreciate the skill behind Shallow River without calling it a favorite. Pick this up if you connect with extremely dark romance centered on survival, vigilante justice, and confronting cycles of abuse.

This is the only book I instantly disliked after finishing, but once I sat with it, I actually started to like it more. Don’t ask me why because it makes no sense. 😂 My immediate rating was around a 6, but after thinking about it, I’d give it a 7.5. H.D. Carlton is a pretty good author overall, but this was definitely my least favorite of her books. I normally hate Michelle Sparks’ voice, and this was no exception. There is only one book where I thought she did amazing. Jacob Morgan, however, was chef’s kiss as always.

It was a good book but the way River’s character was portrayed, I found it kind of dumb that she stayed in an abusive relationship for so long. I mean it was a good story but I wouldn’t classify this a dark romance. There was barely any spice. Then when it came down to this “incredibly strong woman” she falls apart over cutting a tomato…that part was just taken from Hunting Adeline, which didn’t make it seem like its own story, just taken from another story. Was hoping for something more original, because I already read that in another book.

I love this author but I was so disappointed with the writing. A lot of typos and improper grammar. The storyline had such potential but H.D really didn't do it justice in this book. Didn't hate it, didn't love it.

Loved!!!