I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Fantastic read, with warm, richly written characters in a story you don't want ever to end.

Where the Rivers Merge is Mary Alice Monroe at her finest—an immersive, heartfelt story that captures the complicated ties between family, land, and legacy in the American South. This first installment of a two-part saga introduces readers to Eliza Rivers, a fierce and free-spirited woman determined to protect her family’s cherished home, Mayfield, from both natural and human threats across the turbulent 20th century.

The novel moves between two timelines: the present day in 1988, where an 88-year-old Eliza fights to preserve Mayfield against her own son’s ambitions, and the past, beginning in 1908, where young Eliza grows up defying expectations in a changing world. Through these parallel narratives, Monroe shows how family stories and personal choices ripple across generations, just like the rivers that carve the Lowcountry landscape.

Monroe’s writing brings the South Carolina ACE Basin vividly to life—the marshes, forests, wildlife, and even the rice fields feel tangible and real. Her passion for ecology and conservation runs through the story without ever feeling preachy. Instead, it’s woven naturally into Eliza’s character, making her fight to save her land feel deeply personal and resonant.

Eliza herself is the beating heart of the novel. She’s stubborn, imperfect, and unshakably loyal to what she loves. Her journey tackles hard issues: gender roles that try to box her in, racial divides that complicate her friendships, and the constant push-pull between tradition and change. Watching her grow from an adventurous child into a commanding matriarch feels honest and earned.

The story isn’t without its frustrations. Some readers may find the early chapters slow as Monroe lays the groundwork for decades of storytelling. The dual timelines, while rich, sometimes steal momentum from each other. And it’s worth noting: this is only the first half of Eliza’s story. The novel ends with a lot left unresolved, setting the stage for the sequel, The River’s End, in 2026. Readers who prefer complete closure might find the cliffhanger frustrating.

Still, Where the Rivers Merge is a beautifully told, emotional experience that lingers long after the final page. It’s a story about finding strength in your roots, fighting for what matters, and understanding that sometimes the greatest legacy is the land itself. Monroe’s move into historical fiction feels natural—her attention to emotional truth and environmental detail makes this one of her best works yet.

Highly recommended for fans of multigenerational sagas, Southern fiction, and strong female leads who refuse to be forgotten.

My favorite Mary Alice Monroe book by far. However, it is the first of two books. I was not aware of that and am disappointed. I wish I had known as I prefer to read them back to back.

This is the story of Eliza Rivers and her beloved family estate, Mayfield. Told in dual storylines. The 'present day' is in 1988, where eighty-eight year old Eliza is telling her story to a granddaughter and niece. She begins her life story in 1908, when she was eight. This first book takes you until just before The Great Depression. During these first 20ish years, Eliza goes through typically coming of age things, with a lot of racial and gender challenges thrown in.

I loved Eliza's story thus far, though it was all very predictable. However, I look forward to the next book- especially how they weathered The Great Depression.

Jenna Lamia and Cassandra Campbell narrate the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I did really enjoy the story like of Eliza and Covie. I loved that this book challenged social norms of the times. However I felt this book was slow in pace. I just couldn't seem to really get engrossed in the book. I wish there was just something else to draw me in. Over all I would give this book a 3.5 star rating.

4.5 stars
This was my first Mary Alice Monroe read, but it certainly won’t be my last! Especially since Where the Rivers Merge turns out to be part one of a two-part story, something I didn’t realize when I was granted an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for my honest opinion of the work.

I found the characters to be well crafted; I was invested in many of them by novel’s end, and I’m eager to meet up with them again to see their fates. I thought the book moved along quickly, never losing my interest.

One of the reasons I was excited to listen to the book is because Cassandra Campbell is one of the narrators; she voices the elder Eliza. The story switches between Eliza in the early 1900s and Eliza in the late 1900s. I also really appreciated the afterword read by the author on the reasons for her writing the novel and her research into the setting, which was painted vividly throughly the story and was arguably one of the characters in the story.

I’m very eager to read the conclusion of this story. But it is only because this is part one that I won’t be recommending it to my book club.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this absolutely wonderful book.
This book was glorious.
I laughed , I cried, sometimes both at the same time.
I will definitely be recommending to everyone.

This is a lovely book and an enjoyable read. It explores some the difficult concepts of expectation vs desire, racism vs friendship, and the evolving relationships of family. I wish the author’s note had come at the beginning of the book so that her passion for ecology and conservation was forefront; as it was, I found the 1988 storyline unnecessary. On another note, I listened to the audiobook and the narration of Jenna Lamia was absolutely perfect.

An engaging story

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe is a heartfelt novel about love, healing, and second chances. With lyrical writing and a strong sense of place, Monroe draws readers into a moving journey of emotional growth and renewal. The characters feel real and relatable, and the story’s message about the power of love and forgiveness is both uplifting and inspiring. A beautifully told, satisfying read for fans of emotional, character-driven fiction.. I cannot wait to read the second installment of Eliza’s masterful storytelling!

Audiobook

Told between dual timelines, Mary Alice Monroe takes her readers through the life of Eliza Rivers, the matriarch of a vast land in South Carolina. Through her youth, friendships, first love, and heartbreak, Eliza tells stories to the next generation, hoping they fall as in love with her home as she has.

A beautifully told tale transports you back in time. The story of a woman nearing the end reminiscing about her past is not groundbreaking material, but the writing invests you all in the same. As a reader, I could tell what heartbreak was coming and when, but I still wanted to hear about it. The story ends with a to be continued in the second book, which was a little frustrating, but I will look forward to the second part of Eliza's story when it comes out.

This advanced listening copy is courtesy of Netgalley and Harper Audio Adult. All opinions are my own.

A saga that stretches over several decades in South Carolina. The story of Eliza Rivers the daughter of owners of the Estate of Mayfield. The many changes in the world she lives in told in a dual timeline. Touching many topics and events going on during her 88 years. From segregation, WWI, love and loss, friendships and the everlasting love of Mayfield. I missed that fact that this is book one and looking forward to the next book. This would be a wonderful mini-series! The audiobook was excellent, I didn’t realize that Mary Alice Monroe was so multitalented. Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. I truly enjoyed reading and listening to this book. All opinions expressed are solely my own. #WheretheRiversMerge

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook

I really enjoyed this story. The friendship between Eliza, Covey and Tripp are unique to the time frame in which this book was set. I love Eliza's spunky personality in her older years as the story is told in dual time lines. Eliza does not want to fit a certain mold in her younger or older years and the narrators do an amazing job giving the character personality. I did not realize this was book 1 of 2 so I will definitely be looking for book 2.

This was my first read by this author, but I will be looking for more of her books. Her storytelling ability is flawless.

Where do I even start?!? I LOVED this book so much. From the very beginning I was hooked on Eliza's story. It was the perfect historical fiction with a hint of romance and heartbreak. Growing up in the early 1900's Eliza was also a wild child with a free spirit who refused to take on societal norms. she grew up in a pretty affluent family on a huge property in south carolina. her mother always wanted her to be perfect and find herself a good husband but, she had other plans. This book was so detailed I loved getting to see and feel Mayfield with all the good and all the bad.

I loved listening to Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe, and I didn’t want it to end. The audiobook was absolutely beautiful and the narrator brought every emotion to life perfectly. I was completely pulled into Luanne and Dixie’s story. These two strong, complicated women felt so real, and their bond—rooted in love, pain, and healing—was powerful.

Luanne’s quiet strength really stuck with me, and I loved Dixie’s fire and independence. The way their lives intertwined, and how the past shaped their present, had me hooked. And the setting? Classic Mary Alice Monroe—Southern, rich, and almost like another character in the story.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advanced audiobook copy. This story had everything I love: multi-generational connections, strong female leads, and so much heart.

Where the Rivers Merge is a quintessential Southern novel with dual timelines and a fierce yet loveable matriarch at its center. The narrative unfolds with the same gentleness of its backdrop: the vast Southern low country and its slow-rolling hills. More than the setting of the story, the land takes center stage, functioning almost like a character itself. The novel explores the human relationship to land and how the Southern collective identity is indefinitely tied to it. I appreciate the way the story doesn't gloss over the less glamorous parts of the family's past, but attempts to deal with them honestly as past secrets and scandals are brought to light.

I had really hoped to enjoy this book more than I did. While I have an appreciation for the story it told and how the author craftily drew it all together, the unfolding left me a bit underwhelmed. I enjoyed the historical pieces but the first half was a bit of a slog. There just wasn't a lot that grabbed my interest and I found myself at times tuning out and realizing the book was more playing in the background than grabbing my interest. It did perk up in the second half and started to draw me in. I suspect had the first half used the same formula as the second this would have earned an extra star from me.

This is a historical novel set in the South Carolina ACE Basin and features dual timelines that seamlessly shows us all of the magic the lowcountry has to offer. I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the different narrators and thought the narrator did a fabulous job narrating! Waiting patiently for the next installment! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read and enjoyed many of this author’s books, and looked forward to her first historical fiction book. It did not disappoint me at all and the narrators were awesome It was a special treat to have Ms. Monroe as one of the narrators. Thank you to #NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ARC.

Where The Rivers Merge did not disappoint me. The beginning tells a story of 88 year old Eliza deciding to preserve her family land with a conservancy, and her adult son strenuously objecting. He does not want this land to be controlled in this way. She takes her granddaughter Savannah and grand niece Norah to the family home, and tells them the story of her life: her childhood in the early 20th century. It tells a tale of heartbreak from the war, friendships that are tested and history that is hidden. I loved the way Eliza told the story with so much love in her voice even though things happened that were beyond her control. Her acceptance of all people is refreshing. I recommend this one for my friends who love historical fiction and one that is written in a breathtaking way.

Hello Mary Alice Monroe, I am SO glad to meet you! Will you be staying on my Auto-Buy author list after reading this book....why yes I will. Where the Rivers Merge is truly story telling at its finest. At the start of the book I was unsure how I would feel about a book toggling between 1980s's and the early 1900s. But MAM paints a beautiful landscape at Mayfield and a cast of characters that became quick friends. I found myself wanting to curl up on a haint blue ceiling porch and hear all the details of Eliza Rivers past. Eliza born to a family that was unsure of how to handle her "tom boy/ nature lover/ innocent" personality. I quickly grew to love her and how she befriended her servant Covvy. As the two girls matured into their early teens and navigated lifes challenges the early 1900s brought to the South and the world, I yearned to know more and more. This all builds to a crecendo at the end where MAM ties up only a few of those loose strings...so now the reader is left to anxiously await Part 2 to fully understand Eliza's story.
You will laugh, you will cry (not me though) you will feel everything these characters do. I promise you if I was any kind of artist I could literally paint each scene because of the vivid detail Mary Alice Monroe describes.
I loved my time on Mayfield and can't wait to return, just like its owner, Eliza.

Thank you Net Galley, Mary Alice Monrie and William Morrow publishing for allowing me to review this advanced copy of Where the Rivers Merge. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review.

A beautifully written book. I went between the audiobook and ebook fully enjoying both versions. I did not want the story to end the way it did. Now, I am anxiously awaiting book 2. The story is filled with family drama, discrimination in the Deep South, love, loss, nature and nurture.

Thank you #NetGalley, #WilliamMorrow, #HarperAudioAdult, #MaryAliceMonroe, #JennaLamia, CassandraCampbell and #WheretheRiversMerge for the advance copies for my honest review.

What a truly captivating read! I've always adored Mary Alice Monroe's novels, and after a long wait, it was wonderful to dive into her newest work. The journey of Eliza and her cherished Mayfield gripped me from the very first page. This tale weaves together themes of love, family, loyalty, loss, and so much more. Monroe's lyrical prose brings this poignant story to life, leaving a lasting impression that will stay with me for ages. And the exciting news—there’s a sequel on the horizon!
Deeply grateful to Netgalley and the publisher who provided me with the audio ARC to enjoy in exchange for my honest review.