This has to be one of my favorite books of the series so far. I love them all but there was something about this one that just got to me. I think a lot of it was Blake's transformation since we met her in Taking the Leap has been nothing short of a miracle, and it was so captivating to watch it.

Blake and Diar’s story held my attention from the start to finish, what a great storyline. Loved the banter, flirty times, and boy did they have chemistry.

This was mostly set overseas so we don't see as much of the extended family as the other books, but they are all there when needed.

I hope that you enjoy this story as much as I did. Can’t wait for the next one, love this series!!

A solid addition to Kristen Ashley's romantic River Rain series. In this story we see Blake and Dair go from antagonistic toward each other to being romantically involved. A lovely whirlwind romance starts, but it is not without it's bumps in the road. A lovely read, especially for those who are fond of a Scotsman's Brogue.

This is a wonderful new romance from the pen of a skilled storyteller. The main characters are Blake and Dair who have been on the fringes of each other's lives from childhood. Things got complicated when Blake's mother and Dair's father were involved in a clandestine relationship.

The story starts during the wedding of Blake's sister Alex. Dair gets a front-row seat to Blake's amazing organizational skills as she helps to turn Alex's dream wedding ideas into a beautiful reality. This brings Blake and Dair closer and they start a relationship based on mutual attraction and growing respect.

The couple face some hurdles but overcome those to become stronger as individuals who support each other. It was beautiful to see Blake understand her value as the person she is now as opposed to how she had been in the past. The story is about growth and redefinition of relationships.

Highly recommend 👍🏻

Finding The One
By Kristen Ashley
Book Seven in River Rain series

Let me start by saying I have read several of the authors series and they are each vibrant in their own way. I've not read any of the other books in the series, which I usually don't start a new book so far into an already established series. But although you meet most of the others from previous books, you definitely didn't have the lost feeling you sometimes get when your picking up a book mid series. Maybe it's because Kristen is such a good story teller, or each book is truly focused on the mains. I look forward to reading the other six books.

This is a complicated story of betrayal, loss, coming to terms with what makes us.. well us and accepting that forgiving yourself can be excruciatingly hard.

Alastair "Dair" Wallace is the rugged retired rugby player whose been in Blake Sharps life since childhood. He's got his own demons, but he's in a good place. He's now seeing her in an entirely new light and is determined to show her he sees her, not the past.

Blake doesn't date. After the disaster that went viral on social media she took a long look at herself. She's not prepared for the way Dairy makes her feel. And the complications between them seem insurmountable. Yet maybe she's finally ready to accept she's not the person hey mother tried to mold her into and she deserves to be happy.

Kristen Ashely books at one time were everything to me. While I reread her early books quite frequently I didn’t not enjoy her new stuff, until this book.

Finding the One one was everything I hoped for from KA. Strong female characters, characters development, great fashion, and all the emotions.

This is the first book in this series I have read and I loved it. I read it all in one sitting. This will likely become a comfort book, another of KA’s that I reread frequently.

This is the first story I’ve read in the River Rain series and I loved it. I didn’t feel like I’ve missed out on previous books, and I got a good understanding of the characters. It can quite easily be read as a standalone. The story follows family friends (maybe frenemies is a better word), American/English aristocrat Blake Sharp and Scottish playboy Alasdair ‘Dair’ Wallace who were thrust together all through their childhood. They wasn’t any love lost between them, and Blake particularly wasn’t happy about the family friendship. Now her little sister is getting married Dair has been invited (not by Blake), things aren’t going to plan for Blake, but enter Dair, who does his best to help with all the preparation and organisation. In fact he’s got her back throughout, and Blake starts seeing him in a different light. Lots of family drama, both Blake and Dair come to the realisation that life has changed them both for the better, they’ve just got to believe in that, and trust in themselves. It’s a tough read at times, especially when things go haywire among the families. At times both Dair and Blake start doubting themselves. A really enjoyable and entertaining read, I couldn’t put it down. I loved travelling through the English and Scottish countryside with them. I loved their families and friends so very much (a couple of them not so much), and I laughed with them, and I cried with them. All the emotions. Highly recommend. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Kristen Ashley has this magical way of taking characters you weren’t so sure about before and completely flipping the script. Suddenly you’re rooting for them, aching for them, and totally invested in their journey. That’s exactly what happened with Finding The One. Blake and Dair’s story is layered with history, heartbreak, and the kind of family secrets that keep you flipping pages. Their chemistry is playful and emotional all at once, and I loved watching them grow from childhood enemies into something real and worth fighting for. Classic KA with heart, humor, and just the right amount of angst.

I received Wild Card in return for an honest review from the NetGalley.

I have been reading Kristen Ashley for a long time and have read most of her books and can tell that this one does not disappoint.

A story that was totally Kristen Ashley's style, where you can find a great love story, a hero with a strong personality and a touch of alpha vibes (that are hot, hot, hot) and a fmc that is not meek in any way. Add that he is Scottish and there you have it: totally worth it.

Kristen Ashley cant write a bad story or a bleak one, that's for sure, so head on and read this! She continues to be one of my favorite authors of all time.

This was my first Kristen Ashley, even though she’s hugely popular in the contemporary romance world, and it’s book seven in her River Rain series. When I got the chance to read the ARC, I thought it would be the perfect place to dive in.


The premise is very escapist (i.e. would never happen in my life): Blake Sharp, daughter of an aristocratic English family, reconnects with Dair , the gruff son of wealthy Scottish family friends, at her sister’s wedding. They didn’t get along when they were younger, but sparks fly now that they’ve both grown up. Blake has shed her glamorous “it girl” persona and is finally comfortable in her own skin, while Dair is the quintessential alpha male.

On paper, it ticks the romance boxes—wealthy settings that leave one in no doubt these people are uber-rich, overwhelming attraction between two aesthetically god-like people, steamy moments, and a happily-ever-after on the horizon. But for me, the execution fell flat. The writing style didn’t flow smoothly, the tension felt contrived, and the characters were too one-dimensional to really invest in.

I ended up DNF-ing this one. No shade on the author—I can see why she has such a big following, and I get the appeal of this kind of glossy, surface-level romance for pure escapism. But personally, I prefer more depth and complexity in both characters and relationships.

That said, if you’re after an easy read—say, something to while away an airport layover—this could fit the bill. For me, though, it just wasn’t a match.

My rating: 2 stars

This had a different feel than a lot of the authors other books. I enjoyed the change and the childhood friends to irritants to lovers. The family drama didn’t take away from the relationship.

The River Rain series is one of my favorite series book series.

In this installment, we see how Alasdair Wallace falls in love with Blake Sharp. We get glimpses of how both of these two feel for not only each other but the people who are important in their life.

After a tragic accident, Blake is left to take over her mother’s estate with mixed emotions. Dair helps her through her grief with his own troubles.

I loved the main the way the emotions of this story pull the characters together. It also helps teach both characters to deal with what is going on in their life. That is what I enjoy about this series.

This might be my favorite one yet! I love a good comeback story. Blake was not a nice person but there was so much to unpack to explain her past and how she was shaped. The author did a fantastic job of doing this. I loved her despite not liking her at all in the book, Taking the Leap. And Dair, oh Dair. You got me at the Scottish brogue, but you got me even more with how he took care of and pursued Blake. I totally fell in love with this couple. Even more, and I'll try not to spoil too much, the conflict that happened? It was gut wrenching, but also kind of satisfying. I loved how they came out of the fire stronger. I loved everything about this book!

I will confess, I was a little worried about this release. One: the book prior in this series left me just a little flat, something that has only happened once before with this author. Two: it was Blake’s story, and while we knew she was on the road to redemption, I was worried about a relapse and I didn’t want to take that ride. But as only this author seems to be able to do, I worried for nothing, and fell in love with the characters and story just as they did with each other.

As book 7 of the series, the character and story recaps of the past were well done for anyone who hasn’t read them all - not forced, too short or too long. This release was a good balance of Blake and Dair, the addition of a few new characters, and dashes of external storylines. We have much family that still need their stories told, and I am glad that Dair’s family was wrapped up in the epilogue, along with Ned, so we aren’t adding to that list. But this was about Blake and Dair, and was a refreshing read.

Favorite partial quote from Blake:
“I’m a woman and a former mean girl,” Blake bit off. “I can multitask…“

If you are a dedicated fan of Kristen Ashley, you know you need to do two things right away when starting a book: grab some tissue and strap in for the emotional ride only KA can deliver.

And after completing the book, I was not wrong or disappointed. Thank you Kristen Ashley for another great read.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Finding the one by Kristen Ashley.

The main characters are Blake and Dair. Blake grows and flourish’s throughout the book Dairs love for her and respect for Blake really shines through.

This is in no way the same pace as the Rock Chick series but has its own elements that you grow to love.

Like any other book Kristen Ashley writes it’s always a one click for me. I will be purchasing all versions of this book like always.

A Funny, Emotional Ride I Didn’t Want to End

While I was caught up reading other Kristen Ashley books, this series kept growing—and I’d only managed to read the first instalment before picking up Finding the One. That turned out to be a gift, because I came into this story without any preconceived notions about Blake, who has appeared in earlier books. It meant I got to experience her journey fresh, and I absolutely loved it.

This book had everything I look for in Kristen Ashley’s writing: humour, warmth, emotional depth, and characters who feel so real you can’t help but root for them. Blake’s story was engaging and heartfelt, and the dynamic she builds with Dair made the whole book sparkle.

I have a soft spot for Scotland and its people, so Dair was an absolute treat for me—no-nonsense, steady, and absolutely hilarious. He balanced Blake beautifully, and their relationship unfolded in that quintessential Kristen Ashley way: funny, moving, and deeply satisfying.

Finding the One was a wonderful reminder of why I adore Kristen Ashley’s books so much. It’s entertaining, emotional, and brimming with heart.

Finding the One is classic Kristen Ashley, a soulful, sexy, and emotionally layered. The seventh installment in the River Rain series delivers a slow-burn romance between Blake Sharp, a poised American-English aristocrat, and Alasdair Wallace, a rugged Scottish rugby star with a bruised heart and a wicked sense of humor.

Their childhood rivalry sets the stage for a delicious enemies-to-lovers arc, but Ashley doesn’t stop at chemistry. She dives deep into betrayal, family secrets, and personal growth, crafting characters who feel lived-in and vulnerable. Blake’s journey from heartbreak to healing is especially poignant, and Dair’s protective charm makes him one of Ashley’s most endearing alpha males who even has you thinking "wth" was he thinking.

The dialogue sparkles, the pacing is tight, and the emotional payoff is worth every twist. While a few plot turns felt slightly rushed, the overall arc is satisfying and heartfelt. Bonus points for the pistachio muffins and cameos from past River Rain favorites, Ashley knows how to build a world you want to linger in.

A must-read for fans of second chances, emotional depth, and love that feels earned.

I received this ARC copy from Netgally, in exchange for an honest review.

The River Rain series is my favorite series from this author. It took me a minute to remember who Blake and Dair were, but it all came back to me after a few chapters. Blake did a lot of work on herself since the last book in this series. She is a caretaker from the get go, focusing on everyone else before herself.

Dair...isn't my favorite. My favorite kind of MMC is one who is so besotted over the FMC that he will do anything to hold onto her. I wanted him to burn down the entire world for her and I don't feel like I got that. The third act break up was brutal and I don't think he did enough to win her back.

Chloe might be my favorite FMC this author has ever written and I was delighted for her cameo. I can't wait to see who the leads are in the next book. I'm hoping for Gage or Sully, but we'll see!

This is a lovely romance. I enjoyed it very much. I liked just about everything about it. I enjoyed the main couple and their journey, and the family struggles and dynamics. The only thing that didn't work for me was that the secondary friend characters were often introduced as if the reader should know who they are. I did not realize this was a book within a series-I discovered that by reading the afternoon notes, etc., at the end of the book mentioning the series. I think it's meant to be a standalone within the series but again the mention of all the friend characters was a bit confusing. I spent too much time, trying to remember if they were discussed before in the book, and trying to guess who they were supposed to be in relationship to the main characters.

4.5 stars

This book took me by surprise for a myriad of reasons. When I first discovered that this book was going to have Blake be the FMC, I was unsure whether I would like her or if she was necessary since there were so many other characters still to go that had stories to tell. I, also worried if she would be truly redeemable. Sure, there have been books written since she was first introduced that showed how much she had changed, but was that enough to have a whole story about her? After reading this, in my opinion, I can say yes.

I enjoyed watching Blake not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk. Her insecurities and internal battles were there to be felt and experienced as if they were thoughts that I, myself, had experienced or thought. There were numerous times that I felt all the emotions and got teary-eyed. Blake showed her growth as a person. We don't always see the same thing in the mirror due to the distortion of what others have told us to see or believe. My heart hurt that she didn't know what love was. Not in any facet, despite being surrounded by it.

Dair was something beautiful. There is a reason that book boyfriends hit different. He was sexy and attentive and saw her in a different light. When something makes him think differently for a time, it hurts. However, he realized and apologized. He knew immediately and had to work to fix the damage he had done. Not only his damage, but the years of damage Blake had been carrying around.

Together, these two characters warmed my heart. There were cameos by other characters in this series, but nothing over the top. Seeing more interactions between Alex and Blake was the cherry on top of the series. This book didn't have the drama (kidnappings, bombings, chaos) like other books, and in my opinion, was greatly appreciated. Don't get me wrong, I loved those books, but there were times that I just wanted the quiet of it all and have a book for something more realateable where I didn't have to suspend reality/craziness and could see the emotions and feel the growing pains of people as they realize the antics of the past don't deny them the right to grow into the mature person that they were always destined to be.

While some people will be disappointed because it lacks the craziness of the Rock Chick's or similar seasons, I think there will be others like myself who enjoy the slowed-down world that is River Rain.

I used to be absolutely obsessed with Kristen Ashley’s books, but over the last few years, they just haven’t been grabbing my attention the same way. Finding the One reminded me exactly why I fell in love with her writing in the first place. The story had that signature KA charm—heartfelt moments, engaging drama, and, of course, those strong, swoon-worthy male characters she writes so well. It felt like coming home to an old favorite, and I couldn’t put it down.