Wild River by Laura Pavlov is live!

The second book in the Magnolia Falls series, this is a fun and feisty enemies-to-lovers romance

 

Amazon

Paperbacks available in both covers!

Audio Narrated by: Desiree Ketchum & Aiden Snow

 

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Blurb

Ruby Rose declared me the enemy before I had a chance to defend myself.

I may be an attorney, but this girl had appointed herself judge and jury.

And I’d never minded a good verbal sparring.

There was a comfort in going to battle against the evil queen.

Maybe it was just the recognition of one damaged soul to another.

But the more we fought—the more I craved her.

Until our arguing turned into a bit of a wager.

One I was determined to win.

One time. Sixty seconds. A secret only we would share.

I’d work my magic and she’d declare me the winner.

I’d gloat, she’d sulk—that was my plan.

She was determined to prove me wrong.

But from the minute we crossed the line, there was no turning back.

She was so far under my skin I couldn’t think straight.

Feeling things that I’d never felt before was one thing.

But knowing the clock was ticking was another.

Ruby Rose may have given me more than sixty seconds, but she wasn’t offering forever.

And now my world doesn’t work without her in it.

But how do I convince her to stay, when she already has one foot out the door?

 

 

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Review

4 stars!

The second book in the Magnolia Falls series, this is a fun and feisty enemies-to-lovers romance.

River is one of five best friends living in Magnolia Falls, who will have books in this series. He’s risen above a troubled past and has become a lawyer in his small home town. He is a good guy with a big heart, and it’s while helping his friend and local bar owner, Lionel, that he becomes entangled with Lionel’s daughter, Ruby.

Ruby left Magnolia Falls as soon as she was able, desperate to get away from her toxic family situation with her mother. She loves her father dearly though, so when he suffers a stroke, she rushes home to be by his side. She didn’t expect River to be such a fixture in her father’s life, and immediately goes on the attack, unjustly blaming him for his father’s recent legal woes. Bickering ensues and sparks fly.

Why was I so drawn to a woman who insulted me every time I saw her?

A sexy bet shows the epic chemistry between River and Ruby and, desperate for more, they agree to a no-strings arrangement while Ruby is in town. From here, it’s pretty clear to see where the story is going to go.

“No catching feelings,” I said. “That’s where things get messy.”
He chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that with me. I give you my word. I will not catch feelings. You aggravate me, and you turn me on. You annoy me, and you make me laugh. That’s all this is.”
“Right. I feel the same about you. I hate you as much as I like you. So, obviously, that can’t go anywhere, or we’d end up killing one another.”
“Agreed. So, we have nothing to worry about.”

The connection between these two is electric. They banter and tease, and while acting on their mad passion for each other, they effortlessly fall into a relationship that neither of them thought they wanted… until it becomes impossible to ignore.

This sure as shit isn’t nothing.
I placed a hand on her cheek, waiting for her gaze to meet mine. “I’ve seen you every day over the last couple of weeks. We text when we aren’t together. I’ve woken up with you every day this week. I know you aren’t staying. I know this isn’t going anywhere. But stop fucking saying that it’s nothing. It’s more than I’ve ever had with anyone else, and it’s starting to piss me the fuck off that you keep saying that.”

I enjoyed these two together, and loved watching them spark off each other in all the ways. They quickly find themselves falling in ways they never expected, leading to soul-searching for both of them as they come to terms with their growing emotions, while knowing that they can’t have a future.

This man owned me.
He owned my body, and he owned my heart.
Two things I’d never planned to give away.

There is some drama for these two, but God, it’s handled well! It’s a bit of a kickass ending, and I loved seeing them figure everything out as they fight for their gorgeously swoony happy ending.

“I love you, Ruby. I love you in a way I never knew I was capable of. And I will fight for you, for us, every fucking day.

I love River. He’s real and sweet, and though he initially considers himself not-relationship material, he has the biggest heart, and I loved how much he cared for the people in his life. And the man falls hard and unapologetically, and I loved seeing it! And Ruby is just awesome. While she’s figuring out what’s happening between her and River, she’s also dealing with her demanding, selfish mother and her two, mostly dependent, brothers, and there is some great story progression here. I loved watching her deal with all of that while being there for her loved ones, finding her place, and actively taking steps to take charge of her life. She’s fierce and brave, and I loved her so much!

Laura Pavlov writes the best found family, and I loved catching up with River and his friends. The bond between these boys – and little Beefcake – is so gorgeous to see, constantly teasing yet unquestionably having each other’s backs. The true definition of ‘ride or die’. And Ruby is effortlessly accepted by the boys, and enfolded into the girl group, and I loved all of the fabulous dynamics. In addition to the Magnolia Falls characters, there’s a close tie-in to the Cottonwood Cove series, and we also get to catch up with characters from those books, which is lots of fun.

There’s a fantastic tease for the next book, which will feature River’s hilarious younger brother Kingston, and I cannot wait for that one!

This is a great read, really enjoyable.

4 stars!

 

Magnolia Falls

 

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About Laura

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

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