River in Light
About
With his violent past, prison record and neck-tattoo… she’s more than unnerved by him but completely distrustful of what he thinks or might do.
Rose Rydell can’t figure out how to even talk to her sister’s best friend, Mateo Alverez. She is home in River’s End with her education and job training done to start working with her mom as a dyslexia specialist and tutor. She avoids the world her dad and sister inhabit as car mechanics. But most especially she avoids Mateo.
Mateo knew only darkness in his childhood and youth. He finally gets a break working at Rydell Rides because his boss, Shane Rydell, gives him the job opportunity, despite his prison record. But Shane also warns Mateo to go nowhere near his daughter, Iris. The problem is, that’s not the daughter that has caught Mateo’s eye. Rose has.
But Rose has no idea how he feels about her. Until one day… he changes everything between them. It shocks her and shifts all that she notices and thinks about him.
He finally has her attention but he has no idea what to do with it. She starts to see things he’s hidden from everyone his entire life. Things that aren’t dark or violent, but talents and interests far beyond what’s ever been noticed before.
But when violence touches River’s End… Mateo is the first suspect. The natural suspect in everyone’s eyes. The exact thing Mateo always expected to happen. As their relationship finally comes out to all of River’s End, they have to find a way to keep Mateo free and their love together…
Praise for this book
"I really loved Mateo and Rose's story. It was well written with great characters and an interesting storyline that had plenty of emotions, chemistry, great interaction between the two main characters and love."
Wow,, just WOW!!! My heart broke so much reading this book! Mateo has been through so much in his life!! He has never felt love or been loved, untill "Rose comes into his life. Mateo goes through Hell, but comes out on top. With the love of Rose by his side, she pushes him to go for his dreams!! There's no limit to what Mateo can do!
I absolutely loved this book!! By far my favorite in the series!!"
"As always, Leanne does not let you down. Mateo and Rose hook up and look for the best in each other. Mateo challenges Rose to loosen up and enjoy life, which is hard for her. With different backgrounds, the book challenges you to read the book all the way through. I don't want to divulge any info, but again I love her books. I have read the entire River set and give this book a five."
"I can't remember how I first found Leanne Davis' books. I started with the first one in the River's End series and I binge read all of them. I read a lot of books. I've read some really great books but the number of books that can really grab me and run my emotions through the gamut is few and far between. 12 of those books are in the River's End series. Leanne Davis has this uncanny ability to make me feel as if I know the characters in her books and I'm right there with them.
In River In Light, we get to know Rose and Mateo.
Rose grew up in the shadow of her sister Iris. Her dad, Shane, is a big, tatted up biker who owns a mechanic business. He has customers that come from far and wide. Iris works with him and Rose has always felt kind of invisible. She is the antithesis of her sister. Long red hair, pale skin and a teacher.
Mateo got a job working with Shane when he got out of prison. Covered in tattos, including one on his neck, he is very reserved but uses his looks to intimidate people so they leave him alone. Mateo grew up with a gangster father and brother and a mean mother, who loved his brother more. Mateo was forced to steal for his father and wound up in prison for a botched robbery where a man was shot.
Rose and Mateo seemingly have nothing in common. Rose is a little scared of Mateo but can't seem to help feeling some connection. Mateo is hot for Rose but knows he could never be with someone like her. Besides, she's the bosses daughter. But sometimes things change.
I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. It can definitely be read as a stand alone but the other books are so great and explain a lot of back story. You definitely should read them."