Some betrayals are like rivers, so deep, so wide, they can't be crossed. But—for those with enough courage—forgiveness, redemption and love may be found on the other side.
On the night her home is consumed by fire, Janine Stoddard finally resolves to leave her abusive husband. While she is reluctant to involve her estranged daughter, she can't resist a chance to see Harmony and baby Lottie in Asheville, North Carolina, before she disappears forever.
Harmony's friend Taylor Martin realizes how much the reunited mother and daughter yearn to stay together, and she sees in Jan a chance to continue her own mother's legacy of helping women in need of a fresh start. She opens her home, even as she's opening her heart to another newcomer, Adam Pryor. But enigmatic Adam has a secret that could destroy Taylor's trust…and cost Jan her hard-won freedom.
My Review
A special thank you to Harlequin MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Emilie Richards has skillfully crafted another winner! NO RIVER TOO WIDE--her latest Goddesses Anonymous series, set in the beautiful Western Carolina mountain area of Asheville, NC.
As a long-time fan of the talented author, Emilie Richards, having read the previous Goddesses, and nearly every book she has ever written – She is definitely at the TOP of her game with her upcoming novel.
A suspense thriller packed with secrets, and domestic violence; one of courage, forgiveness, redemption, and reinvention—a must read book for teens and women of all ages. For those who have suffered from abuse or currently involved in an abusive relationship, and anyone currently dating or involved in any relationship.
Readers will love reuniting with characters from ONE MOUNTAIN AWAY (Somewhere between Luck and Trust), a group of women banning together to reach out to other women in turmoil and despair.
Jan, the forty-five year old mother of Harmony, has been trapped in a nightmare of a marriage for years, doing everything in her power to leave this abusive and unhealthy life. She finally escapes her abusive husband, leaving her home in flames in Topeka, Kansas, while looking over her shoulder. With the help of an organization called Moving On (fictional), an underground highway for abused woman, she is able to quietly reunite with her estranged daughter, Harmony, and grand baby Lottie in Asheville, NC (one of my favorite places).
However, Jan is not safe, having to watch her every move, waiting and watching for THE ABUSER (Rex- Husband), as she is afraid for her life, those she loves, and ones trying to protect her. Rex, the abusive husband and father, has disguised himself as the caring professional business man, community leader, faithful church goer, father and husband, and has owned a successful insurance agency for years. No one except his family knows what a monster he really is. Jan has lived in fear for her life, and her children’s lives, protecting them for years. However, the day the fire starts, and Janine makes her escape, little does Jan know at the time, Rex has disappeared, as well.
As the suspense builds for a complex saga---another mysterious guy Alex, with secrets of his own, is hot on her trail, and becomes entangled (in more ways than one), with her new friend Taylor, the owner of a new health and fitness studio, Evolution.
Richards definitely hits on the raw truths of domestic abuse—a real and difficult subject with over 1.3 million women being assaulted by their partners every year, and 85% of domestic violence victims being women. Domestic abuse is one of the most chronically under reported crimes. Women who have not personally experienced this sometimes find it difficult to understand-- why women stay with men who abuse them.
This powerful novel, explores ways in which women choose the men in their lives, warning signs to watch for in new relationships, and how women can make good choices, and avoid the bad ones.
“As rivers run through many of our lives, not just geographical rivers, but rivers of feeling.” The metaphor of the river and what it represented to Jan definitely reminded me of personal rivers I have crossed, as will other readers.
NO RIVER TOO WIDE, is an ideal book for book clubs, with some thought-provoking discussion questions included at the end of the book.
The book features three different and complex women with men in their lives: Jan, who is escaping a long term abusive marriage. Taylor, who is finally able to think about having a man in her life, and Harmony, who is trying to fall in love with the perfect guy. Taylor, of course from the first Goddesses Anonymous book, has problems trusting and forgiving. Wow, what a challenge she faces in this book!
NO RIVER TOO WIDE is a story of triumph, of a woman moving beyond her terrifying circumstances and is able to regain control of her life—demonstrating, with the help, courage, and support of other women--nothing is impossible. (Highly recommend the entire series)! Hats off to Emilie for dedicating this insightful book to women everywhere who work tirelessly and creatively to help other women who need them.
