In summer of 2016, my husband and I joined a group of friends camping along the French River. It was such an amazing experience, and I knew the moment we made the trip in via boat that I wanted to write a story about this beautiful place, and about the invigorating experience of camping with an amazing group of people!
I didn’t start writing Riverside Reverie until 2017, and then I set it aside several times to work on other projects. That happens sometimes with writing: a story will call to you, only to be interrupted by another story.
But in 2024, I knew it was time to go back and finish what I started with Lux and Theo. This book is so much more than a story about two people finding each other and falling in love on the French River. It’s about creating boundaries with toxic family and pushing yourself to grow past the heartache and discomfort, it’s about learning how to fall into something good and beautiful.
I loved writing about this hidden Ontario gem, and as I was writing…it was like I was experiencing that trip all over again! Minus the breaking of my rib, of course. Yes…I broke my rib on this camping trip, and I didn’t do it doing something cool like cliff jumping.
No, I broke my rib by bending over in my tent to put on my socks. I never did end up cliff jumping, because if I could break a rib putting on socks…I shudder to think what damage I could do launching myself off a cliff. Still, I got to live vicariously through our friends and my husband.
Speaking of my husband…is it any wonder Lux paid such attention to Theo during that kayaking scene? **fans self** I think that’s pretty self-explanatory.
I was excited to include a side character with a disability, too. One of Jasmine’s friends that Lux meets on this trip, Rhiannon Barr, has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. If you read my short story in Ignite Your Soul: A Romance Charity Anthology (which is only available for a limited time, I might add, with proceeds going to support the SickKids Foundation), you’ll have met Rhiannon as a child undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Rhiannon’s character was inspired by one of my amazing besties, C, who loves camping and adventuring just as much as Rhiannon does! Like Rhiannon, she doesn’t let her bad pain days slow her down, and she never fails to inspire me. C was the one that really taught me that with chronic pain, you’re in pain whether you’re resting on the couch or camping, you’re just having more fun when you’re camping…so why not do what you love when you can!
Early readers are already asking me if there will be other stories featuring the characters I’ve written about in this book, and I can say that there will be in the future! I, too, didn’t want to step away from these characters, even when it was time to end Lux and Theo’s book, so we’ll be going back to focus on other couples and characters, for sure!
Riverside Reverie is releasing in just 34 days, on August 7th. I am so damn excited for you guys to get this story in your hands! Currently, it’s available for pre-order at the special pre-order price of $2.99 (regularly $5.99 after release). It will not be in KU as I’m releasing wide, but it will be enrolled in Kobo Plus!
๐ท๐๐-๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐: https://books2read.com/riversidereverie
๐ช๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐:
๐ถ City Girl Meets Outdoorsy Hero
๐ถ Camping Vibes (takes place on the French River in Ontario ๐จ๐ฆ)
๐ถ Soulmates
๐ถ Cute Meet-Cute
๐ถ Slow Burn to Sizzling Fall
๐ถ Happily Ever After
๐ถ ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐ช๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ฎ๐ข & ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ด๐ต
๐๐ฎ๐ฑ
Iโve always had a plan: get good grades and steer clear of any trouble. Confident of how my life would play outโฆuntil I wasnโt.
After graduating college, I get a message from my sister that derails everythingโa photo of my long-time boyfriend in her bed.
Betrayed and newly single, I find solace in my best friend who convinces me I need to escape.
I find myself on an unexpected camping trip where a pair of strong arms and smouldering green eyes have me wondering if true love really can exist.
๐๐ก๐๐จ
I thought this was going to be like any other camping trip. Good times with friends, nature, and a little physical exertion. What I didnโt foresee was her. The stunning redhead who sets my body ablaze with flames hotter than the campfire.
Immediately, Iโm drawn to her. I can see in her eyes that she can feel the pull too, but something is holding her back. She is a challenge and one I donโt plan on backing away from.
Can I gain her trust and show her Iโm not like the last guy, or will she flee as soon as we hit the city limits again?
๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ต ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฅ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ด: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/164131594-riverside-reverie