SERIES REVIEW TOUR (Day 1) - RIVERSONG (River Valley #1) by Tess Thompson:

Title: Riversong

Series: River Valley

Series Placement: #1

Author: Tess Thompson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 15, 2013

Published by: Booktrope

Format: Ebook and Paperback

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Series Review Tour (Day 1)-Riversong
Series Review Tour (Day 2)-Riverbend
Series Review Tour ( Day 3)-Riverstar


Book Blurb:

Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read. When her husband commits suicide, he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother's dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start. Lee's resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband's debt as her business blooms.

A surprising mix of romance, humor, friendship, intrigue and gourmet food, Riversong entertains while reminding you of life's greatest gifts.

Reviewers Note: Riversong is book one in the River Valley series and is a Contemporary Romance written by Tess Thompson. I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review through Tasty Book Tours.

3.5 Small Town Stars!
Lovely Little Romance About Starting Over and Second Chances!

The Review:
I had a hard deciding on a rating this one. It was charming and cute with loveable characters and a nice story yet it folded in on itself a bit. I love complicated plot twists and little surprises throughout my reads but I'm not crazy about plots that come together easily in the end with barely any conflict, especially when the characters are tense the whole way through because of the pending outcome. And though this read was sweet and really enjoyable, the conflict itself wasn’t complicated enough for my tastes.

Character/Story...
Lee Tucker has escaped the small town she grew up in, leaving behind bad memories, an alcoholic mother and a desperation to be something more. Years later, after college, business ventures and marriage, she thinks she’s on top of the world. That is until her husband commits suicide and leaves her in a crisis she could never have imagined.

Going back home is always tough but with secrets and lies trailing close behind, how can she start over when her past is ever present.

I enjoyed Lee’s character. She was strong and independent and had a will to survive her circumstances. She was in a terrifying predicament. She’s gone back to the small town she thought she'd never return to and is surrounded by bad memories and a past she’d rather forget. But there, she also finds a whole new life, filled with quirky friends, potential love and opportunity for a successful future.

I loved all the River Valley characters! The whole cast of misfits were well written and you can’t help but love each and everyone of them.

The romance was sweet and I loved Tommy as he works his way into Lee’s life, taking on the responsibilities of her situation. Even with the secrets between then, he’s caring, understanding and the much needed shoulder she needs to lean on. He was protective and trustworthy and just a well rounded hero.

I grew up in a small town so I know the charms it can hold as well as the displeasure and the author did a wonderful job pulling the reader in and making them feel like a part of the community.

My biggest complaints are the plot holes...
I didn't understand why, at no point, did Lee try to contact the authorities. She didn’t know about the business dealing her husband made and she did nothing illegal that would warrant her just giving in and paying that kind of money to anyone. She’d already lost her business and she was selling everything she owned so she really couldn’t lose anything by going to the authorities. She runs back to her hometown, to the house she grew up in, but somehow she’s safe and hidden away? The plot had holes in it that I felt could have been avoided with a bit more thought. Also, why did it never occur to her that Linus might be in trouble? It occurred to me the moment she left town.

The Wrap Up:
With the overabundance of reading material out there, a story has to be well thought out and have something that makes it shine and stand out from the rest. And though this story was really good, it left me questioning too much of the plot. If you’re looking for a sweet, easy read that has a non-complicated story with likable characters, then this is definitely the story for you. And with that being said, I really want to read book two, Riverbend, of this series and see Annie’s story. Her and her son, Alder, were fun and I loved the spirit and joy Alder brought to the canvas. So I'm on to the next...

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