TLC Book Tours Book Review: At The River's Edge

About At the River’s Edge
Series: Chesapeake Diaries
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (January 28, 2014)
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: After taking stock of her life, Sophie Enright has decided it’s time for a break. Between a law career that’s become criminally dull and a two-timing boyfriend she’s done with once and for all, Sophie desperately needs some time to think and some space to breathe. The perfect place to do both is easygoing St. Dennis, Maryland, where Sophie can visit with her brother while she figures out her options. Once in St. Dennis, she discovers a shuttered restaurant and makes a bold move that is also a leap of faith. Sophie buys the fixer-upper in order to finally pursue her dream career.

But Sophie’s labor of love becomes a bone of contention for her new neighbor Jason Bowers. The local landscaper has big plans for growing his business—until Sophie scoops up the property he’s got his eye on. And no amount of buyout offers or badgering from him will get her to budge. It’s hardly the start of a beautiful friendship. But when they’re paired up to work on a community project, they agree to put their differences aside, and sparks begin to fly. Then Sophie’s cheating ex suddenly shows up, looking for a second chance—and threatening to make Jason a third wheel just when his hotheaded feelings about Sophie were turning decidedly warmhearted. All Sophie wants is a new life and a true love. But what are the odds of having both?

Review: At The River's Edge is the latest book in The Chesapeake Diaries Series. I absolutely adore these books. If you are a fan of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series, you will love these. Its all about small town goings on with a touch of love to make you go Awwww!

This book is more about new beginnings, as the romance between Sophie and Jason doesn't really blossom until more than halfway into the book, but that doesn't matter. It is fun to watch her life unravel and then start over.

I think what this book does is show how you can make changes when things go wrong and to go for your dreams. Sophie was lucky that she had the opportunity to start over when she caught her boyfriend cheating. I think we've all had an ex that we wish we could run away from.

I loved her passion for opening a restaurant. I'm always a sucker for books with food in them, and Mariah serves up some great recipes in this one. (I plan to make the coconut cake very soon) I only wish more of the book took place after her restaurant opened...I guess we'll see how she's doing in the next book!

As always there's conflict between the hero and the heroine, it wouldn't be a romance without it. Just as the ex has to make an appearance as well, though the conflict isn't really heavy, and I liked it that way. No deal breakers, just an almost childish misunderstanding.

But this is such a wonderful read, and the characters that you've met before in the other books, like Violet and Grace are still there and just as lovable as ever. Oh and if you haven't read this series, there's also a little paranormal activity going on.

I highly recommend this book and all the others in this series.

About Mariah Stewart

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and their dogs amid the rolling hills and Amish farms of southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she gardens, reads, and enjoys country life. . .