I really enjoyed this one once I got into it, and I can't wait for the next one! However, it took me a really long time to get there. It was a very slow start. But the history and the story was intriguing and I am glad I stuck with it. The descriptions were beautiful, I felt like I was there with the characters. I felt like I was part of the story. Overall, really well done. If you love historical fiction you probably won't mind the slow start.

Beautiful story of a multigenerational family living in the Carolina Lowcountry- the ACE Basin. Filled with family drama, history and nature. You won't want to be it down. Mary Alice Monroe's first historical novel. Look forward to book 2 of this series.
Congratulations to my lovely friend Mary Alice.

Mary Alice Monroe utterly transported me to the Lowcountry of the early 1900s with this quietly emotional story, book one of a new duology.

In 1988, Eliza is an 88 year old woman running a massive family corporation. Her son is eager to take the lead, while Eliza is worried that the home she fought so hard for over the years will be sold off if he takes over. Over the course of the book, she tells her story to younger family members, beginning in 1908 when she was just 8.

This story feels like sitting down with a grandparent to hear the fascinating stories of their life. Eliza lived on a grand estate, running wild and doing things that young girls of her generation were not supposed to do. Her independence and spirited nature stand out over the stories of the early years of her life, and you can already understand how she became the 88 year old we meet in this story, proud of her heritage and unwilling to let go of the family home.

This is the first of a new duology and takes us through Eliza's 26th year. So much of importance happens in those early years - she spends time both on the rural estate and in a blossoming Charleston, carriages and cars start to replace horses, her friendship with a young Black woman is questioned time and again, she falls in love, and the world goes to war. There are moments where she feels on top of the world and moments that plunge her to the depths of despair. I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next portion of Eliza's life when book two comes out!

Thank you to William Morrow for the gifted copy.

Where the Rivers Merge by @maryalicemonroe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I literally did not want to put this book down. I loved that this book was set somewhat locally and my favorite genre - Historical Fiction. Easily one of my top five books so far this year. It’s the first of a two part series and I’m already looking forward to the second book! This one just released last week, so it’s out and available for you to read.

It’s the little details in the title and throughout the book that really brought me joy - so after you read this I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I received an ARC ebook compliments of @netgalley, @maryalicemonroe, and @williammorrowbooks. All opinions are honest and my own.

#goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof25 #summerreads #bookclub #wheretheriversmerge #charlestonsc #acebasin #netgalley #fivestarreads

I cannot believe this book is a word of fiction. From every page I felt this novel to be true. I was there…I was in this book. From laughter to tears this is a book of so many ways in which society’s norms had it wrong. But with those norms came the changes that brought us to where we are now. We lost many, but gained much. This is a most satisfying book of knowledge, growth and love for not only people, but also of land. Love it, cherish it, but most of all save it and the memories that come with owning it. I voluntarily read and reviewed the eARC of this excellent book from Netgalley, Publisher William Morrow and the extraordinary author, Mary Alice Monroe. This is my personal opinion and I expectantly wait the next book.

Where the Rivers Merge
by: Mary Alice Monroe
William Morrow
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | New Adult
pub date: May 13, 2025

Where the Rivers Merge is Mary Alice Monroe's writing at its finest, with its multigenerational family them and dual timeline narrative. From Eliza's childhood in 1908 in the Lowcountry of South Carolina to her life in 1988, Monroe weaves her life story through her connections to land, nature, and family legacy.

Monroe takes her readers through the years with beautifully lyrical and descriptive prose. It's easy to see how much heart, work, research, and dedication that she put into crafting this epic novel.

I received an advance reader's copy from NetGalley and William Morrow. My review is my own.

#WilliamMorrow #MaryAliceMonroe #WheretheRiversMerge

5 star rating ! Can’t wait until part two! Want to know what happens with the family saga. and what happens to the younger brother.

As someone living in the Charleston area, I can say that Mary Alice Monroe does really well at evoking the environment both in the city and outer ranges too. Where the Rivers Merge was an interesting first book of a duology about a woman named Eliza. In (sort of) present day, 1988 actually, she is an 88 year old woman who is in danger of having her son overthrow her in business to take what he feels is his rightful claim on her estate, Mayfield. After causing a ruckus at her board meeting, she takes off to Mayfield with her granddaughter and another woman related to her childhood best friend in tow. She decides to tell them her history and therefore the history of Mayfield while she's at it.

For me, this book was alright - it picked up a bit at the end so I may read the second book just to have closure, but I was easily able to put it down when I was at the 30-40% range. I don't mind flashbacks, but if you don't enjoy them then this will not be your cup of tea. I will also say that considering this flashes back to 1908, there is frank discussion about racism and leads into a bit of World War I. It's pretty truthful, unfortunately, but is told in a fairly careful way. I was interested in the book based on the author; it definitely trends darker than her other books so if you're looking for a beach read this isn't it. Granted, if you didn't read the description you're probably also not reading my review!

Overall, I'd recommend this for specific readers that I know well. I'd give this somewhere in the 3.25-3.5 range but rounded down. If you're not sure, read some reviews to help you make up your mind on this one. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced reader's copy!

This book is amazing. It seems to be the first in a series and I can't wait for book 2! The story starts in 1908 and continues through 1926 all the while tripping back to 1988 whe Eliza is telling the family history to her granddaughter and great niece. I do not typically like any kind of historical book but I love MAM and read all her books. I highly recommend this one.

Mary Alice Monroe pens her stories so beautifully and her first historical fiction novel is no exception. Telling the story of Eliza throughout her life in two timelines, she creates a descriptive and informative view of life in the South through WWI and onward as social and environmental issues are brought to the forefront of times requiring change. I appreciated the additional blurbs detailing the flora and fauna of the area. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and it's a fantastic way to enjoy this book, storytelling at it's finest.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where the Rivers Merge
By: Mary Alice Monroe
Publisher: William Marrow
Pub Date: 5/14/25
Wow! This was so so good! This is Mary Alice’s first historical fiction and I loved every page. Like all of her books you learn about the environment and nature of the fabulous low county. Her story telling ability always draws you in and before you know the book is over. I can’t wait for book 2! Thanks to William Marrow for the ARC.

Eliza has lived a grand life full of love and loss. She is now 88 years old, and her ungrateful son is trying to oust her from the company she worked hard to build. She is thinking retirement, but on her own terms, not her son's. As she leaves the city to go to her beloved country home, her granddaughter and a grandniece go with her. She decides it is time for someone to hear the family stories and the two women with her are eager to hear the tales. I can't wait to see where this story goes in the next installment.

WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE by Mary Alice Monroe (a prolific writer for adults and children) is a compelling work of historical fiction set primarily in South Carolina during the early part of the twentieth century. Eliza Pinckney Rivers Chalmers Delancey is eighty-eight when the store begins in 1988. She is the matriarch who shares history of the family's land holdings with two of her young female relatives. Eliza's love of the land is obvious as she says: "To lose Mayfield is unthinkable. It cannot happen. Mayfield isn't business; it's personal. I do not own the land, but land owns me. I am merely the caretaker for my generation..." Readers are first transported back to 1908 and Eliza's first meeting with Covey, a young Black girl and the daughter of the estate's manager. Eliza and Covey form a firm bond, even getting educated together at home. A good balance to the often-impetuous Eliza, Covey is practical, a talented artist, and clever; valuing her experience: In the library, Covey's "expression was filled with wonder: 'I like being in here. I feel like I'm in church; you know, it's a holy place. All these words surrounding me just waiting for me to read them. They're like gifts from God.'" Many adventures, including a decisive horse race, involving Eliza's brothers, Heyward and Lesesne, ensue. Monroe also weaves in plenty of commentary about the expectations for young girls and women and about the race restrictions of the time. I saw parallels to other family sagas (e.g., Bradford's A Woman of Substance) and even to Scarlett in Gone with the Wind since Eliza has multiple loves (Hugh, Tripp, James) in her life, but ultimately cares for Mayfield most of all. The audiobook for WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE is narrated by Mary Alice Monroe, Jenna Lamia, and Cassandra Campbell (a personal favorite) and the quality is excellent. Together, they fashion the local accents and changes in age as Eliza recounts the events of her life. I am truly looking forward to a sequel. WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE received well-deserved starred reviews from both Booklist and Library Journal.

This book deserves all of stars. It transported me to the Lowcountry of South Carolina to the Mayfield Plantation, the 4,000-acre estate owned by the Rivers family. The lush green, the singing birds, giant trees with secret hideaways, the refreshing waters. It is the perfect country estate for a child to grow up and spread her wings. Eliza Rivers has always known that she belongs to Mayfield. She has always had a strong connection and duty to protect it no matter what the cost. Eliza is a force to be reckoned with and way beyond her time. This book is told through a dual timeline of eight-year-old Eliza in 1908, and 88-year-old Eliza in 1988. Eliza is also a storyteller who took me into her grasp and told the stories of her past. What helped shape Mayfield as it sits today and why she needs to put the last 1,000 acres into a conservancy and out of her greedy sons' hands.

On her eighty-eighth birthday, Eliza is still striding into her boardroom. She is beginning to feel her age and wants to find someone to help preserve her beloved Mayfield. Her son is not that person. He has literal dollar signs in his eyes and cannot hear anything his mother says. An announcement that Eliza makes stirs up her only child and the board members. One surprise family member made it that day and filled Eliza with hope and love. Eliza decides to head to Mayfield and tell the stories of the past to her granddaughter and to the family member who is the key to the future.

This book delves into so many topics. Race, inheritance, being a woman, alcoholism, you name it this family has seen it. Family is the backbone of this story. Not just your family by blood, but the people you decide to make your family. I am so excited to read the next book in this phenomenal saga. Thank you to Mary Alice Monroe and William Morrow for my gifted copy.

Mary Alice Monroe always makes the natural world an important character in her novels. In her latest book (and first historical story) it is the Lowcountry estate of Mayfield, home to generations of the Rivers family. As the story opens, Eliza, the 88 year old family matriarch and chief officer of the family's successful businesses decides that she cannot entrust all that she holds dear to her only son and takes steps to preserve the estate for future generations. Eliza then leaves Charleston with her granddaughter and a new discovered grandniece for the wildness of Mayfield. Here, a long ago painted dining room mural serves as the backdrop for telling her story of growing up a tom boy, loving the land and spending idyllic summers with her best friend Covey, discovery a first love and then tragedy. Much of this southern history has been told in other novels by other writers, but I was completely pulled into Monroe's tale. We've toured many mansions of the late 19th century and early 20th and have seen several hand painted dining room murals depicting the original owners' families.
So I found Monroe's use of a mural both appropriate and charming. The only downside to WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE is that the story continues in a second novel, not yet published. I am not a very patient reader and want the next volume NOW.

This story is told in dual timelines from the perspective of Eliza Rivers as a young girl in the 1900s and as an old woman trying to preserve her estate and pass it to someone deserving. The land is described beautifully showing Eliza's love for her home and her character really came alive for me... such a strong fmc! I read this a couple days ago and it's still on my mind! I can't wait for the sequel!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emotional, beautifully written, and full of heart—Where the Rivers Merge completely pulled me in.

Set in the South Carolina Lowcountry, this multigenerational story follows Eliza, a strong, unforgettable heroine fighting to protect her home and legacy. The writing is vivid, the setting is stunning, and the family drama kept me hooked from start to finish.
Perfect for fans of sweeping family sagas and powerful women.

This was a great story. It is a story about Eliza Pickney Rivers Chalmers and she actually tells the story. It is a dual timeline. It starts in 1988 with Eliza telling her story to a grandchild and a dear friends great grandchild. That is when the story goes back to 1908 when Eliza was a little girl. It is a beautifully written story about the South. There is segregation back in that time but Eliza meets Covey who is a black girl living on Mayfield which is a rice plantation where Eliza lives. Covey's dad manages Eliza's dad field. They become best friends but when out in public it had to be a secret. As Eliza tells her story the young women learn how much she loves Mayfield and the land it is on. They also learn about how Eliza became such a strong woman. This story is also about land conservation, WWI, love, loss, grief, family. It is definitely worth reading. It did end abruptly but I am sure it will all come together in 2027 when the sequel The River's End comes out. Too bad we have to wait that long.
Thanks to #netgalley, #williammorrow and @maryalicemonroe for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Eliza was a headstrong, independent character, way ahead of her time and notions of how a female should act.  She never cared and that made her a remarkable character as she told her story to her granddaughter, Savannah and her brother's granddaughter, Norah.

I am so excited that this story and the characters will continue in another book.  I liked how the story opened with Eliza turning 88 and then it quickly  went back in time to when Eliza was 8.

This book told a story of family, heartache, sorrow, friendship, loss, war, and a father's belief his property should be inherited by his sons and not his daughter, who gave up going to college and six years of her life to run Mayfield.  I cannot wait to find out the rest of Eliza Rivers Chalmers DeLancey's remarkable life and her beloved Mayfield.  I enjoyed the history that went along with the story too.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

This book captivated me with its beauty. Told in dual timeline and centered around Eliza Pickney Rivers Chalmers in 1908 and 1988, Mary Alice Monroe masterfully tells a sweeping multigenerational family saga, intertwined with a tribute to nature, conservancy, inheritance and succession.

The story opens in 1988 when Eliza is 88 years old, and the question of succession is first and foremost on everyone's mind. Eliza escapes the shareholders' meeting with her granddaughter and great niece for her beloved Mayfield. The 4,000-acre home where she grew up. It is home to South Carolina's ACE Basin where three rivers merge and provide an essential area for nature and wildlife. During their stay, Savannah and Norah learn about the ups and downs of Eliza's life and how important this land is. Themes of love and loss, the Great War, segregation and class, nature, animals, conservancy, mental health, human nature, land ownership, and inheritance are expertly explored. Most importantly, the rights of women and a nod to female trailblazers from the early twentieth century are acknowledged in Eliza's story.

Mary Alice Monroe is an exceptional author who writes with precision and lyrical, immersive prose. The fully fleshed characters felt so real and were imprinted on my heart. I was completely captivated by this book in a way I didn't expect. This book will be on my mind for a long time to come. Fans of Kristin Hannah, Ann Patchett, Charlotte McConaghy, and Delia Owens will adore this book as much as I did. This is must-read fiction at its finest and will undoubtedly be one of the top books for 2025. I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel to this saga, "The Rivers' End."

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, Mary Alice Monroe, and @BookClubGirl for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

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