Thank you for letting me read this book. I enjoyed the characters and the writing style. I was not sure about this book from the description, but I was pleasantly surprised! Thank you for a beautifully written and crafted story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved reading this book but didn’t realize it was part of a two part series with the second book The Rovers End coming out later. Now I can’t wait!!!! Eliza’s story rang true to me as I know that racism and male primogeniture was real well into the 20th century. Since I currently have a home in the slow country and I not only can imagine what she’s talking about but I also live it. WWI and Spanish flu also impacted my family! Thank you Mary Alice for a wonderful tale told in two timelines.

This is a beautifully written book - gorgeous prose and descriptions. The setting often felt like another character and truly fed into my love for the SC low country. The story took me a good bit to really get into, but once I did I was hooked. I was so invested in the different way society treated Eliza and Covey and how their futures developed because of it. The love stories were so easy to relate to. Fair warning: this is book one of at least two. You may possibly want to wait for the second to come out so you can jump right in to both - always my favorite way to read a series.

What a wonderful start to my summer reading!! Mary Alice Monroe's novels are always must-reads, with well developed characters and beautifully written descriptions. I was curious to.see how she'd make the transitions from southern women and beach reads to middle grade realistic fiction, now to historical fiction., and she does so seamlessly. Eliza's story is beautifully told, so much so I am looking forward to rereading it already, taking my time with my pen to annotate and highlight discussion points. Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the pub-day granting of my wish - part 2 cannot come soon enough!

I fell in love with this Southern family saga because of the characters and the beautiful setting. Set in South Carolina's Lowcountry, the author brings us history, generational drama, and heartfelt nostalgia.
Through alternating timelines of 1908 and 1988, we meet Eliza Rivers and learn how she has bucked societal norms throughout her lifetime. We learn so much about Eliza- beginning at Mayfield, her childhood home, and as we follow her into later years where she is trying to preserve her family land and protect it for the next generations.
I really enjoyed this story so far and was delighted to discover that it will be continued into another book.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5
such a tender story about nature, family, and friendship. what started slowly and descriptively, ended up escalating into heartbreak, lessons learned and beauty! didn't know this was a two- part series, but I'll be reading the next.

thanks to net galley for the eARC!

This is the first of a 2 book series. A dual timeline story from the early 1900's through 1988. The story is told by 88 year old Eliza Rivers, CEO of her family business who is ready to step back and enjoy her final days at her low-country South Carolina estate, Mayfield. She recounts her and her family's tumultuous history to a grand-daughter and a grand-daughter of her childhood friend, Covey.
A wonderful multi-generational family saga. Throughly enjoyed this first book of the series and looking forward to the next installment.

Where the Rivers Merge is the story of Eliza told in two voices; Eliza as a young girl growing up in the South Carolina low-country and Eliza at age 88, determined to preserve the future of her beloved home, Mayfield. Young Eliza wants nothing more than to live at her beloved family home, Mayfield with her horses and the plantation setting she grew up in. She idolizes her oldest brother and her father, and loves growing up wild and free. But for young women in the deep south in the early 1900's life is determined by the will of her parents, who have separate vision for how she should actually live her life. Her father recognizes her love of the land, but he is patriarchal and cannot fathom that she would be the best choice to inherit the plantation. Her mother much prefers a more refined life in Charleston, and in her thinking, Eliza should go to a finishing school and life the life of a Charleston grand dame. Life and circumstances shift all around Eliza, and when her beloved brother and fiancé are killed in World War 1, Eliza's world shifts drastically.

We first meet elderly Eliza as she prepares to attend an annual stock-holders meeting for the company she nurtured all of her life. Her son is going behind her back, determined to inherit the river property and the company Eliza has ruled for a very long time. Eliza knows the time has come for her to take action against her son who is determined to sell off her property and her company. She begins sharing her life story with a her granddaughter and a newly discovered long lost great-niece.

I like the format of the story; the back and forth of the past and how it leads to who we become in the future. I am truly looking forward to the next installment in the story!

*Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow, for providing ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own *

What a beautiful story!

This was my first Mary Alice Monroe, but I’d been hearing her for a while. There are no words…I’m completely blown away. I was hooked from the first to the last page, not realizing how much time had passed. I was so immersed in Eliza's story, including the minor characters. The author made it possible for readers to relate to most of the characters. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to all of them next. I adored how the plot switched between the past and present and how the two timelines interacted. I also adored the fact that the story took place in the country, in the South; I love reading stories like that. The setting was one of my favorite components of the narrative; the descriptions were magnificent, and I wished I could escape to Mayfield.

I adored Eliza and admired her determination. However, there were situations when I questioned her decisions and wondered what she was thinking at the time. The friendship between Eliza and Covey was another of my favorite aspects of the story. I loved reading how their friendship developed through the years, and their bond reminded me of me and my best friend who I had known for over 20 years. In addition to Eliza, Heyward, and Hugh, Covey were another of my favorite characters. Every page left me wondering where they would wind up next. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the story and wondering how it would end.

I liked how the author introduced facts about nature and animals at the beginning of each chapter. I have a passion for nature and animals. I felt like I knew so much more than I did before I started reading this book. I wasn’t sure about the ending at first, feeling as it was incomplete, until I found that there would be a second book. I’m eager to see what will happen to Mayfield and how Eliza’s story will end in the next book. Where The Rivers Merge explores family relationships, nature preservation, love, war, racial discrimination, and friendship. There is much more, but I don't want to give it all away. This is a story I believe everyone should read. Highly recommended!

This beautifully written family saga follows an aging CEO reflecting on her life through dual timelines—1988 and her earlier years from childhood through young adulthood. The coastal South Carolina setting comes alive with vivid, magical imagery that completely transported me.

The author perfectly balances the pacing between timelines, creating an authentic multigenerational story that leaves just enough unsaid for readers to contemplate. The historical fiction elements blend seamlessly with the family drama, avoiding easy resolutions in favor of emotional complexity.

My only complaint? The story ends in 1926, and I desperately wanted more chapters to continue following this fascinating family. When a book leaves you craving more time in its world, that's exceptional storytelling.

Perfect for readers who love atmospheric, character-driven historical fiction with beautiful prose.

Eliza is the matriarch of her family and has spent most of her life protecting her family land at Mayfield. At 88, her greedy son has decided she is unfit to oversee her company and extensive land holdings and is trying to convince the Board of Directors to remove her from her position. But Eliza has other plans set in motion to protect her land. She steals away to Mayfield with her granddaughter and grandniece and begins to relate her life story.

Her story begins in 1908 where the Lowcountry of South Carolina is exhibiting a vast amount of change. Eliza is a "wild child" running free and enjoying all of the nature that the River family estate at Mayfield can provide. She continues to tell her story, describing the ups and downs of her life and the importance that the land played.

This is the second book that I have read by Mary Alice Monroe, and this will NOT be the last. I am already eagerly looking forward to the next book in this story to learn more about Eliza's life. Monroe has such a talent to write and create characters that you can become attached to and feel are real. Her books are ones that I would recommend to both my mother and grandmother, as the books have multi-generational appeal. This is a great example of a well-written historical fiction novel.

Thank you to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Mary Alice Monroe for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

In 1988, Eliza Rivers is 88 years old and running her family's corporation. She's also trying to put her family's property, Mayfield, into a land conversation covenant. She ends up telling the story of her life to some of her younger female relatives, and so we go back to her 1910s childhood in South Carolina. We follow Eliza as she navigates living in the post-Civil War Jim Crow-era: she befriends the estate manager's daughter Covey, but over time the reality of racism and sexism comes crashing down on them. When World War I comes to Charleston, things continue to change and evolve.

I didn't dislike this book, and there were parts I enjoyed, but overall, this felt pretty boring and unoriginal to me. I never felt that invested in Eliza's story, even though I appreciated how she pushed against societal conventions and mores. Her naivete about how her and Covey's opportunities are different due to their race and class felt true to how wealthy girls in the South would have thought at that time, and I liked that the book didn't shy away from how Eliza's complete ignorance of how the world worked would eventually cause a wedge between her and Covey. But I just didn't feel that excited about it.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

I believe this is the author’s first historical fiction book, written with a dual timeline. As one of my favorite genres, this story both entertained and educated me, with lyrical descriptions of the South Carolina ACE Basin, and the main protagonist’s (Eliza) sharing memories of her past with her younger family members. It was a little slow at first, but this was basically setting up the background and key characters. Although one could predict some of what was going to happen, the author’s writing kept you captivated with the storyline and the continued development and maturing of Eliza from young child to adult. It was easy to admire Eliza’s spirit and determination, even in light of how her naivety as a child was shattered due to life’s challenges. It was a beautifully written novel, and although the ending was somewhat abrupt and left the reader wanting to know the rest of Eliza’s life story, it was understood from the author’s notes that a sequel is forthcoming.

I am so glad Where The Rivers Merge is a duology cause I was not ready to leave this story or the characters. The story follows Eliza across her lifetime in The Lowcountry of South Carolina on the Mayfield Estate. We learn Eliza's story as the story moves from 1908 forward to the year 1988. Eliza was ahead of her time as far as societal norms and I loved watching her grown into the strong, resilient and independent women. I admired her determination to protect what she loved and pass to the next generation. I am patiently waiting for the second part of the story. 5 stars!

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Loved Mary Alice Monroe’s “ Where the Rivers Merge.”
I’ll read anything MAM writes. Because I just know it’s going to be a stellar read.
Monroe’s writing evokes the charm of the Lowcountry with its timeless traditions, the bond of family, and the beauty of coastal life.
This novel really transported me to a place I’ve never been—South Carolina, during the twentieth-century.
Evocative and excellent writing, multi-faceted characters, and a relaxing summer at the beach— highly recommended!
A lush and scenic story.
A dramatic and sweeping multigenerational family story of unyielding love, lessons learned, profound sacrifices
I can’t out into words the feelings this story brought out of me!
I just loved it!

In “Where the Rivers Meet” by Mary Alice Monroe, we are presented with a captivating and heartbreaking story of Eliza Rivers and her life in the American South. As Eliza recounts her experiences to her granddaughter and great-niece, we embark on a journey through the 1900s and 1988 timelines. This narrative explores the hardships and sacrifices her family faced in the ACE Basin. Eliza’s deep connection to the land and her love for her friends are evident throughout the novel.

This wonderful book has a feel reminiscent of both "The Notebook" and "Driving Miss Daisy." The author's passion for the area and commitment to land preservation are palpable. I was unaware that this was the first book in a series, and upon finishing it, I felt upset that the story had come to an end, as I longed to hear more of Eliza's tales. I will be eagerly (and impatiently) waiting for the sequel next year to continue this amazing story.

I thank NetGalley, Mary Alice Monroe, and William Morrow for providing this advanced ARC copy for my honest review.

First of all, I haven't read a Mary Alice Monroe book that I didn't thoroughly enjoy and recommend to everyone that will listen. This story is one of her best! Eliza's character takes me back to Lovie's character and is just so enjoyable to read. I've seen MAM refer to this as her first historical novel, I don't know that I'd totally agree - her Beach House series was pretty historical to me. However, I do love the dual timeline in this story.

The historical part is set in 1908, with Eliza's childhood being detailed out for us. What a character she is! She lives in Mayfield, the family estate, in the ACE basin in the low country. It's an amazingly crafted, multi-generational story about succession and conservatory. You can see much of MAM herself in Eliza's character in regards to ecology and conservation.

The current day part is set in 1988, when 88 year old Eliza revisits Mayfield with her granddaughter and great-niece, Norah, and teaches them the magic of the estate and why it's important to save the land.

There is to be a second part of this novel and I am anxiously awaiting to finale of this story. Mary Alice Monroe's writing is beautiful, her words create beautiful visions and transports you into the low country. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Where the River Merges by Mary Alice Monroe is a beautiful celebration of land, wildlife and the natural world. Eliza Rivers loves the land and will do anything to keep it safe. When outside influences cause her great grief and turn her life upside down, Eliza does what she must do. She embraces a new love and finds caring elsewhere. While she struggles against her family to keep Mayfield for the future, she discovers much about her granddaughter and the granddaughter of her best friend. She can rely on these young ladies and learns that the ladies have much to offer. The book ends with much more to be explained, rather a cliffhanger. A very nice, nice read with lots of caring, love and perseverance

What a beautiful story! I have enjoyed Mary Alice Monroe’s books over the years, but this one was so amazing. And to discover there is a sequel is just perfect!
The story is told in two timelines; Eliza growing up in the early 1900’s and then on her 88th birthday. The story takes place in the South Carolina Lowcountry, at Eliza’s family home, Mayfield.
Eliza tells her family’s story, which includes so many conflicts of the era. The story is told with the aid of murals that are painted on the walls at her home. The art tells her stories.
Even more than a story of family, it is a story of love; love of nature, of land, of animals. Eliza’s wish is to protect all of this and leave it as her legacy.

I felt the ending wrapped up quickly, and I was a left with many questions. However, reading the author’s notes we find out there is a sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe in return for my honest review.

I love Mary Alice Monroe’s work. Her writing is beautiful, peaceful and lyrical and her love of nature and preserving it for generations to come is always present in her work through her well-developed characters. Her new novel, Where the Rivers Merge is no exception. It tackles important historical topics in the most interesting of ways. However, if I have any criticism regarding her new book is that the ending is left open. Regardless of whether a sequel is expected, I become so invested in her stories that I want a resolution when the book is over. I do not like waiting for the next novel to get those answers; it feels like a marketing technique to get readers to buy/read the next book. I much prefer when she continues the story, by writing a new story with the same characters. But, that is just my opinion, and the reason I deducted one star; others will surely love this writing technique.