This book checked off all the boxes for me: Southern fiction, family saga, multigenerational, historic fiction thrown in, and strong relatable main characters. Mary Alice Monroe writes of the beauty and majesty of the South Carolina Low Country. We follow Eliza from 1908 through 1988 as she navigates the trials that women must endure during these years as it pertains to her family legacy. I was left hanging at the end but didn’t realize there will be a second book. I’m looking forward for the conclusion of Eliza’s story.
Thanks to William Morrow publishers and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe brings us into the lowcountry where rivers meander thrun brush and riverbed as it moves to the ocean. The weather is HOT and people live in either shacks or mansions. The story is told in two different timelines with our main character growing up and again in her late 80s. The early years are told by Eliza to her young relatives based on the mural on the dining room wall after an acrimonious meeting with her son and the shareholders.

Eliza grew up at Mayfield, a huge estate that her family had owned for years. She has been able to explore the land and the animals. She had been able to spend a lot of time with the horses. However, societal norms expect her to be properly dressed and learned. Her mother was very hard on her expecting her to conform, when Eliza wanted to be out and about on the farm. Forced into Charlestown and going to school, Eliza lived for the times she was allowed to leave the city and go home. Finding the time with her friends and family outside and riding the horses was her passion. Then World War I happened and her life drastically changed. It is how Eliza handles the change that makes her so strong as a character.

This novel is part one of a two part series. I was genuinely disappointed when the book ended and wanted to know what happened next. Clearly the book showed the disparities of the early 1900s between rich and poor, black and white, male and female. The book also highlighted the land and animals and being a good steward of the land.

I love Mary Alice Monroe and her writing. I love the stories she tells. Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe is a great read!

This book is being published this week - May 13.

I have been an avid reader for years. I prefer Southern based authors who can fluidly place me into the familiar world of my South Carolina Lowcountry through their words. I have always found this through Mary Alice Monroe. She can transport me to the beach, the Spanish moss covered Lowcountry or, in the case of Where The Rivers Merge , into decades of a strong Southern woman who is not without faults and sometimes, without limits.

My mistake for thinking I could pick this book up and continue with my ‘normal’ life. I literally rearranged my marketing and media schedule, as well as my sleep, in order to finish my obsession with Eliza and her life. Mary Alice Monroe’s depictions of the characters had me thinking, laughing and crying. They also had me comparing the centuries as sometimes it is not time that is the thief of things we love, but covetousness.

Where The Rivers Merge clearly brings forward the meaning of ‘you cannot know the present or future until you clearly understand the past’. You are immersed within the dysfunction of family on so many levels. Whether it is due to tradition, prejudice or greed, you are able to see and feel each level of trauma and drama in this multigenerational and multi year piece.

If you have never experienced her writing, I hope you will pick up this great work of historical fiction, even if you are not from the Lowcountry. Be prepared to immerse yourself in a war with the past, a struggle with the present and prayers for the future.

And speaking of prayers, you will need those when you close the last chapter and realize you will be needing the strength of Eliza in waiting for the second book in this two part series. I personally am hoping for a trilogy.

It cannot come too soon…I need rest!

Thrilled to finally have a new novel by Mary Alice Monroe, one of my favorite authors! This one is her first foray into historical fiction and just proves she excels at writing, period. A beautiful portrait painted by words set in the ACE Basin of South Carolina, it follows the life of 88 year old Eliza Rivers as she shares her memories with her granddaughter and grand niece. Filled with heartwarming love, family and friendship, the poetic prose leaves you wanting more and thankfully, there is a 2nd installment coming. I can't wait to read it and I look forward to any other books Mary Alice puts her talents to. My thanks to William Morrow for providing a review copy via NetGalley and Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.

If you’ve ever sat down with a grandparent or elderly relative before and listened to endless stories about the past, or your family history—and actually enjoyed it—then WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE by Mary Alice Monroe is just the novel for you.

We first meet Eliza on the day of her 88th birthday and quickly realize that she’s a very successful, important, and powerful woman. She takes her granddaughter and grandniece to their family estate, and the two young women receive a very thorough family history lesson. Eliza reminisces about her childhood, teenage years, and into young adulthood. We learn all about the sacrifices, obstacles, and hardships that shaped her. Eliza is a remarkable character that I won’t soon forget. Her courage, strength, and determination is truly admirable. I could listen to her stories for hours and hours.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Historical fiction
- South Carolina setting
- Coming-of-age stories
- Young/first love
- Loss and grief
- Female friendship
- Family drama and dynamics
- Sibling rivalry
- Multiple timelines
- War stories
- Emotional reads
- Strong female characters
- Character-driven novels
- Mother/daughter relationships

If you’re a fan of Kristin Hannah or Diane Chamberlain, then I think you’ll enjoy this novel as well. The style of writing felt very similar to both authors. I’ve heard that there’s a sequel in the making of Eliza’s story, and you better believe that I’ll be the first in line to read it. WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE releases on May 13th. 5/5 stars! Highly recommend!

I love a good family saga that spans throughout pivotal times in history and this story did just that.
Matriarch Eliza Rivers has had a long productive life. Now as she is ready to retire, she has a greedy son trying to force her out of the family business and to keep her from taking steps to preserve a large portion of the family land from development.

Set in South Carolina, Eliza has loved her family home called Mayfield. Growing up with 2 brothers and a difficult mother, Eliza thrived and took bold chances. As the story progresses, readers will see her grow and become the strongest one of her family.

Her love for horses began at an early age and this was one of my favorite parts of the story. Eliza and her horse Capitan forged a special relationship early on, much to the chagrin of her mother who wanted Eliza in the house doing girlish activities.

I loved this story, but I felt like it ended too soon. However I have noticed there will be a sequel, so I feel validated in giving it 5 stars because there is more to come!

Many thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for allowing me to read an advanced copy and give my honest review. I loved it and am happy to recommend this to readers.

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe is a compelling and honest glimpse into life in the early 1900s in the South.
Told from the perspective of matriarch Eliza Pinckney Rivers Chalmers DeLancey, the book touches on several themes, including the changing roles of women throughout history and the importance of land conservation. The story switches from Eliza’s childhood and early adulthood to her elderly years. In her youth and even at 88 years old, Eliza is clearly the mistress of her own fate as she navigates sexism and ageism with strength, intelligence, and dignity.
Eliza retells her life story to her granddaughter, Savannah, and grandniece, Norah, as they all seek refuge at Eliza’s beloved family home, Mayfield. As her story unfolds, it is apparent that, although Eliza’s life has been filled with challenges, she has always risen to the occasion and persevered.
However, in her later years, will she lose everything she’s worked so hard to protect? This reader anxiously waits for the second book in the series to find out.

Get out your Lowcountey boil items! An evocative pice of multifeneratuonal fiction that tells the history of Mayfield and it's descendants. What a wonderful piece of Southern plotted fiction.

5 glowing stars! An endearing, fascinating read with rich detailed descriptions of the South, its history and wondrous landscape, and the wildlife within. Set in South Carolina in the heart of the ACE basin, the story is a lowcountry family saga set in two time periods; 1908 and 1988. This tale embraces decades of family drama, the Great war, devastating coastal storms, preservation, love, legacy and sacrifice.. all that encompasses the Rivers family and their grand estate of Mayfield. There’s so much goodness within these pages. From the characters and the differing time periods (present day to the past), to the home itself and the natural beauty of the land it sits on. An emotional story I could really connect with. Loved it and can’t wait for book two! Pub. 5/13/25

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Where the Rivers Merge" by Mary Alice Monroe is a beautifully crafted Southern novel that explores themes of love for the land and the importance of conservation. Through the eyes of Eliza, the narrative unfolds her experiences of profound friendship and portrays her family during some of the most challenging periods in history. The tale emphasizes the significance of family, friendship, and the natural world.

Sitting down to the long awaited adult novel from Mary Alice Monroe was like coming home, comforted by the familiar. Her words solidified why she remains my favorite author. In a surprise twist, she was able to weave her words rich of nature she is so well known for with that of an older main character and historical accounts of South Carolina. What a delight! The dual time line was expertly written, allowing the reader to easily place the moment in time which is usually hard to do. From the very first chapters, I was enthralled with a fight for Mayfield and a curiosity of the childhood friendship with Covey and how that would unfold. The pages turned swiftly, with conscious effort to slow and enjoy the story I had long anticipated. I read the story on my back porch, sharing space with my beloved Carolina Wrens, bull frogs in my pond, and the fragrance of my blooming Jasmine. The fact all of those were highlighted in the book stirred my sense of pride in my small piece of the world that I hold dear. Yes, it was a story and I loved it. Yes, I cannot wait to get a hold of the next story to follow. But when a book can make you shed tears over the love of your own home, that is pretty special. The story will stick with me…

I did a combination of digital and audio for this book. The audiobook was narrated by Jenna Lamia, Cassandra Campbell and Mary Alice Monroe. The narration of the younger and older main character, Eliza, were really good. I loved the countrified accent of the younger version and the more sophisticated voice of the older Eliza. It really brought the story to life.

This historical fiction was a dual timeline of the life of Eliza. It is basically the elderly Eliza telling two female family members the story of her life. All this is going on while her son is trying to get her kicked out of her own company because of her age.

Eliza grows up in the south on an isolated manor. Her best friend is African American at a time when that just could not happen. The story gives insight into that complicated, yet simple relationship. It also deals with gender expectations and family conflict because of it.

I really loved this book and hope the author writes more of this type. Her character development was exceptional and these characters will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks to William Morrow and Harper Audio for the copies. All thoughts are my own.

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book. But by the end of the first chapter I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I almost read the whole book on an airplane flight!

Spanning 2 timeframes, starting with 1988 and through story-telling style, the late 1900's forward. This is the story of a strong woman who defied the societal norms of the day many times over, got put down and got right back up again. Eliza was never a girly-girl, much to her mother's despair. Back then, girls were taught to comport themselves in a certain refined manner, but Eliza wanted to be out wandering the property of her beloved home, Mayfield where she was happiest. Mayfield continues to be her happy place and the home she worked her whole life to preserve so that she and the generations after could enjoy it.

From love to loss, family dysfunctional (and 1 possible sociopath), true friendship and plenty of drama, this book has it all. Captivating, heartbreaking and wonderful. Recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I received this eBook as an advanced reading copy from NetGalley Books/William Morrow in exchange for an honest review, I would like to thank them for this opportunity.
MAM has never disappointed me with any of her books that I've read. And I think I've read them all. This one was no exception.
All of her fictional books are also educational. This one has a little description of environmental things (flora and fauna) coming in the chapter.
Where the Rivers Merge is a little different than her other stories as this one is a historical fiction novel, one of my favorite genres. Eliza tells her story in 1988 to her granddaughter and her great-niece about her friends, her adventures and her loves on her family's rice plantation, Mayfield, starting in 1908. I've read many dual timelines, and they take a minute to get use to but I always find a favorite time period. The descriptions are very vivid, and they took me to the lowcountry of SC. I will be anxiously waiting for the next book.

Where the Rivers Merge transports readers to the evocative landscape of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where Eliza, now 88 years old, shares the rich and complex history of her ancestral home, Mayfield, with her granddaughter and a newly discovered grandniece. The narrative unfolds across two distinct time periods—1908 and 1988—seamlessly weaving together past and present.

In the contemporary storyline, Eliza is determined to protect Mayfield, a 1,000-acre estate that she has kept under her name to preserve its legacy. Facing pressure from her son Arthur, who believes she is too old to manage the family company and seeks to replace her as CEO, Eliza demonstrates her enduring business acumen by calling for a formal vote on her successor—surprising the board and Arthur alike by declaring that her successor will not be chosen based on lineage. Following this bold move, and on the occasion of her 88th birthday, Eliza retreats to Mayfield with her granddaughter and grandniece, intent on passing down the stories and traditions rooted in the land she so dearly loves.

The historical narrative begins in 1908, when young Eliza befriends Covey, the daughter of a Mayfield worker. Despite the rigid racial boundaries of the Jim Crow South, the two girls form a deep, unbreakable bond. Alongside Covey, Eliza grows up with her brothers Heyward and Lesesne, neighbor Hugh, and family friend Tripp, navigating life on the plantation and in Charleston. Eliza’s mother, a product of Charleston’s elite society, brings financial support that enables the restoration of Mayfield after her marriage to Eliza’s father.

By 1918, the tides of war and love reshape Eliza’s world. Her beloved Hugh and brother Heyward enlist in the Marines and head to the front lines of World War I. Both are tragically lost at the Battle of Belleau Wood, and Eliza’s grief is compounded by Covey’s revelation that she is carrying Heyward’s child. Initially in disbelief, Eliza is confronted with the truth through letters between Covey and her brother. In a moment of weakness and desperation, Eliza confides in her emotionally distant mother—an act that leads to a painful rupture with Covey, who rightly feels betrayed. The following day, Covey vanishes, leaving behind the only home she has ever known.

As Eliza’s family fractures—her mother and younger brother returning to Charleston, and her father descending into alcoholism—Mayfield’s fate falls into Eliza’s hands. With unwavering determination, she works tirelessly to restore and sustain the estate, only to have her efforts dismissed when the plantation is handed over to Lesesne, who harbors no affection for it. Feeling unmoored and unrecognized, Eliza accepts a marriage proposal from Tripp, seeking solace and a new beginning in Charleston.

A beautifully crafted novel, Where the Rivers Merge explores the intricate dynamics of Southern plantation life, the enduring weight of familial expectations, and the ever-present undercurrent of racial tensions in the early 20th century. It is a poignant tale of perseverance, identity, and the enduring pull of home. Fans of Karen White, Kristin Hannah, and Beatriz Williams will find much to admire in this compelling and emotionally resonant work from a distinguished author.

This was a fabulous book. I read it in record time and did not want to put it down. Now to wait for the continuation in Part 2 that Mary Alice Monroe is currently writing. It is a delightful story that takes you back in time to a true southern lady’s childhood through her memories. It is very educational through all the research of the ACE Basin ( where three southern rivers meet) and many famous Charleston, SC residents and their lives from the past. Don’t let this one get past you. Well worth the read. Congratulations once again to MAM, You NEVER disappoint!

Where The Rivers Merge took a few chapters to engage me, but then the story flowed well and kept me interested. It did seem unlikely that a child growing up then could be as naive about race relations as Eliza was portrayed, but the friendship between she and Covey was wonderful. I’m sorry they never reconciled.

One other thing was a little confusing to me. When Norah introduced herself at the board meeting, Eliza thought “so the rumor was true” but then in flashback it was clear that she knew there was a love child.

Overall, I would have given 3.5 stars, but am rounding down due to the cliffhanger conclusion. Series are fine, but books should be complete. I’m not interested in serials - especially if not advertised as such.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book started out a bit slow for me, but as the author weaved her story, it became richer and more engaging. I enjoyed her blend of historical fiction and ecology with the focus on strong Southern women that I've found in Monroe's other works. This book is not billed as a series, but the author's note suggested that the matriarch would continue with her story in a second book. I knew the timeline wasn't keeping up with how much was left in the book, but it was a bit surprising for the book to not be more clearly described that way up front. The story was largely unresolved at the end, but it did make me want to continue to the next book.

Loved this, and immediately wanted more! Mary Alice is the ultimate storyteller. Like her previous books the chapter headings give so much insight into the story. I learned so much about native southern plants, animals, and the ACE basin. Plus the story and history of Southern women coming into their own and recognized as not just brides and wives is one to be told. . The main character Eliza was so ahead of her time and certainly blazed the trail for other women to follow. You will be hooked from page 1, This story needs to be shared!

3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this dual timeline story of Eliza Rivers and the grand Mayfield Estate in SC circa early 1900’s and 1988.

Told from Eliza’s POV the book comes to life with all the nature and wildlife featured. I liked that the beginning of each chapter started with some type of facts about local flora and fauna native to SC.

Eliza’s character is a strong voice and a strong woman! Supporting characters are equally as interesting from her parents to her best friend Covey, brothers Heyward and Lesesne, and beaus, Hugh & Tripp and her horse Capitano.

The writing is beautiful and descriptive and covers WWI, Jim Crow South, family drama, love, and loss.
The story didn’t grab me as much as I thought it would, and lagged in the middle. Some loose ends I felt need to be addressed , but it will be a series. I’m interested in reading more. .

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#WhereTheRiversMerge #NetGalley