Thanks to Netgalley for my advance copy. Unfortunately life got in the way, and I didn't get this read prior to its release. However, I really enjoyed the fast pace and characters (their development, at least). Haha...some of them were really hard to think I would enjoy their personalities if I actually knew them, but the author certainly brought those traits to life on the page. I feel this book is one best not knowing a lot of the plot, however I would recommend it!

When NYC native, Natalie, said “I do” to her fiancé Doug, I’m not so sure she knew exactly what she was saying “I do” to… first she said “I do” to a new life with her new husband, and wilderness lover, Doug. During a thoughtfully planned out wilderness wedding, two sketchy men show up but Nat has no idea why (😳red flag!! Blaring red flag🚩!!!) the ceremony continues and once they have officially tied the knot, they embark on a wonderfully romantic wilderness get away (well for an outdoorsman maybe) I was screaming at Nat to turn around, demand a Carribean beach getaway but as characters often do what authors tell them…she didn’t listen!
Jenny Milchman was a master at creating a very suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller full of “omg” moments! Thank God as things began to take a turn for the worse Nat had her lovingly prepared and trustworthy new husband with her (ahem… cough cough wink wink).
You know that age old saying “when it rains it pours”???? Well let’s just say for Nat and Doug… it was a not stop deluge of disaster!
Well at least Kurt (an obvious rustic mountain man who knows his way around a wooded disaster) was there to save the day! Oh wait… umm… about Kurt…
Ahhhhh!!! If you want to find out how Nat and Doug’s honeymoon really turns out, you will fly through “Wicked River” furiously and feel a definite shock and awe as you learn who is trustworthy, who is bat sh%# crazy, and who might be behind a very … interesting way to “make friends”!! Seriously… we loved Wicked River and we adore Jenny Milchman!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Jenny will be joining Two Girls and a Book Obsession on August 5th at Clovis Point Vineyard for our “2nd Book and Wine Pairing” author signing event!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It holds its own among the great beach reads, holding the reader's attention throughout. The pacing of the book is fast without feeling rushed - the characters and their motivations are fully flushed out. I appreciated that this book solidly qualifies as a "thriller" but without relying on gore, or worse, any sort of 'triggering violence'. Solid characters, strong world-building and thoughtful writing take this book a step beyond genre fare.

When NYC native, Natalie, said "I do" to her fiancé Doug, I'm not so sure she knew exactly what she was saying "I do" to... first she said "I do" to a new life with her new husband, and wilderness lover, Doug. During a thoughtfully planned out wilderness wedding, two sketchy men show up but Nat has no idea why (😳red flag!! Blaring red flag🚩!!!) the ceremony continues and once they have officially tied the knot, they embark on a wonderfully romantic wilderness get away (well for an outdoorsman maybe) I was screaming at Nat to turn around, demand a Carribean beach getaway but as characters often do what authors tell them...she didn't listen!
Jenny Milchman was a master at creating a very suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller full of "omg" moments! Thank God as things began to take a turn for the worse Nat had her lovingly prepared and trustworthy new husband with her (ahem... cough cough wink wink).
You know that age old saying "when it rains it pours"???? Well let's just say for Nat and Doug... it was a not stop deluge of disaster! 
Well at least Kurt (an obvious rustic mountain man who knows his way around a wooded disaster) was there to save the day! Oh wait... umm... about Kurt...
Ahhhhh!!! If you want to find out how Nat and Doug's honeymoon really turns out, you will fly through "Wicked River" furiously and feel a definite shock and awe as you learn who is trustworthy, who is bat sh%# crazy, and who might be behind a very ... interesting way to "make friends"!! Seriously... we loved Wicked River and we adore Jenny Milchman!

Imagine yourself amongst nature, surviving as our ancestors once did. Initially, I was all about the idea of a camping trip such as this... but upon finishing this read my thoughts definitely have changed! Doug and Natalie are newlyweds who venture out into the Adirondack forest for an adventurous honeymoon.  Little did they know what they would find not only about themselves but what lurks in the woods.

I had a little trouble with this one.. and here is why. First, I understood what the characters meant to each other but had difficulty understanding their purpose. I especially found the inclusion of thirteen-year-old Mia’s character to be unnecessary… well, I suppose necessary to the storyline as written, but this could have been writing differently without her. This secondary story from the very start was very peculiar to me. Boy crazy Mia felt as if she was simply a filler and a completely implausible addition. This could have very well flowed smoother with a pace that would have picked up a bit more without Mia. Every time I came across a chapter from this character’s viewpoint, I found myself rolling my eyes and the story losing its momentum. I won’t divulge further, but if you pick up this title I think you may end up feeling the same.

I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game that was offered from both ends. At the start, I found this at times confusing but appealing at the same time. This quickly changed and the alternative viewpoints between Doug and Natalie's adventure and our villain Kurt's hunt began to fit very well. Kurt added so much to the creep factor and was one of the most interesting parts. Less Kurt, I don't think this story would have had much to offer readers. Jenny does really deliver the suspense with a lot of very good descriptive writing throughout, which really bumped this one up for me. 

A slow burn filled with deceit, suspense, and survival, this story was filled with one-dimensional characters and layered with multiple implausible and far-fetched events. This essentially made it a bit harder to get through. I also feel this could have used some additional editing, and possibly drop off of some unnecessary pages. There were moments that grabbed ahold of my attention and others where it faltered. While this story did not live up to the extent I anticipated, it did not completely hate it.

This book held my attention, and was even engrossing at times, however I found it somewhat simplistic and predictable. The characters were flat and one-dimensional, except for the villain and the niece, who were a bit more fleshed out. I’m not sure I’d call this a “thriller”, but it did have its suspenseful moments. I was never bored with it, but I often felt like rolling my eyes at the cheesiness of the romance and the naiveté of the protagonist.
The husband was seriously, deeply flawed, to the point that he lied numerous times to get his new bride to unknowingly accompany him on a life-threatening trip into the wilderness that involved committing serious crimes. This was their honeymoon, no less! She faced traumatic challenges on this trip, nearly dying, while he continued to lie to her about the true nature of their trip.
In spite of that, after the trip, he was able to convince her to trust him again. I’m old enough not to believe in this naive “he’ll change” scenario. I’ve seen it end in disaster too many times. I disliked the husband from the start and kept hoping he’d get killed so that she would be free to marry someone more worthy. The final chapter was so saccharine sweet, it made me gag. This “happily ever after” ending didn’t ring true.
The author made a good effort, but this book didn’t deliver on the promised suspense, and furthermore, inflicted on me what I viewed as a cringe-worthy romance. I’d wait for a future book from this author and give that a try.

Note: I received an advance copy of the ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of Wicked River by Jenny Milchman in exchange for an honest review. To say this novel is cringe-inducing is an understatement. As each page is turned, the reader becomes more and more involved and terrified. This is the story of Natalie and Doug Larson, newlyweds who will be spending their honeymoon in the Adirondacks on a canoeing and camping trip. Doug had convinced a reluctant Natalie to get back to nature to celebrate their union. It soon becomes clear to Natalie there is another reason why they find themselves on six million acres of wild forests. One night, they come across the murdered corpse of someone Doug knows and fear drives them further into the forest, without food, water and shelter. To make matters worse, they start feeling like they are being watched. Who and why will be the questions that will keep you glued to the page. Will they ever leave the Adirondacks? This is the fourth novel for Jenny Milchman and I look forward to reading more of her work.

In Jenny Milchman's Wicked River, this thriller will take you on a wild non-stop ride on a river, so you'll better hang on tight. For Natalie Abbott, she had just gotten married to her husband Doug Larson. But things aren't what they seem to be for her. It all started with a huge argument with his friends and then things took off from them on a wild start. For their honeymoon, they decided to canoe along the Adirondacks and explored the river. From there, the rapids aren't the only thing that were rocky---tempers are high, when Natalie learns some hidden truths about Doug's past and the hidden stash of coke in the canoe. And that was only the start of their troubles, when a lone stranger used the woods as his private land and kills animals for his prey. When they get lost, they landed in the deep crevasses of the forest and tried to survive, while they fight for their lives with injuries, starving and dehydrated. But when they fought they had died, Kurt Pierson saves their lives with homemade medicines from Mother Nature. But this savior is just an act, when they wants them to stay on his land. While their family is frantic with worry for them, they sent out the police and search and rescue volunteers to look for them. For Natalie and Doug, they would do anything to fight for their lives and escape when given the chance to be safe.

It’s her wedding day and Natalie Abbott can’t wait to say “I Do”. Doug made all the arrangements for the honeymoon. They would leave the next day for a hiking trip in the Adirondacks. It’s not exactly the honeymoon Natalie dreamed about all her life, but Doug is excited about it, so she agrees.

They are on their own, going deep into the woods and putting their survival skills to good use. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they are not alone and danger lurks behind every tree. Their love may not be enough to get them out alive.

This book is aptly named as it is truly a wicked adventure. Hiking and camping is not my idea of a romantic honeymoon or any kind of vacation for that matter. After reading this, I’ll definitely be keeping it off my bucket list.

The characters are vividly portrayed and literally come to life on each page. You can feel their agony, their anger, their betrayal and their fear. The character growth in this story is very well developed, especially in Natalie’s case.

I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride as I tried to figure out what was going on. Natalie and Doug are in danger every step of the way on what should have been a celebration of their marriage. This is a page-turner to say the least. It’s a well-written, captivating read. It’s the first time I’ve read anything by this author but it won’t be my last.

( 3 - 3.5 Stars )

I love the wilderness, I’m drawn to the wide openness of the forest, but as much as I embrace that setting, I can’t help but feel unsettled by the wicked darkness that can fall in the depths of the isolated wild. That’s what drew me to Wicked River by Jenny Milchman.

To say things started off on a high would be an understatement. We’re thrust right into the action immediately, sprung into a chase through the woods. But as quickly as that happens, things are dialed back and we’re taken back to the beginning, or at least the beginning of this story, and begin to build back up.

This was a really weird read for me. I liked the story, but I really didn’t like the characters. I was intrigued by the secrets of the past and the lies people were telling, but the main characters – honeymooners Nat and Doug – just didn’t do it for me. While they certainly had their intense moments, I felt like they never really did anything but make bad decisions and have boring conversations. Then we’d flip back to Nat’s sister Claudia and her daughter Mia, who were unraveling the real secrets in Nat and Doug’s life. That was the part that kept me reading because I was quite interested in seeing what was really going on with them, I just wasn’t all that interested in them.

Towards the end of the book, Nat and Doug finally start having real conversations and things start to really come to a head, but I still felt like they were almost nothing characters. They were immersed in this really interesting and dangerous situation that I was enjoying, but I found that I really didn’t care at all whether they survived or not. At times, I almost felt like I was rooting for them NOT to.

I also felt like things went on a bit too long and around every corner was another part that would take the book in another direction, but not in a good way. About half way through, I reached a point in the story where it seemed like the ending was in sight, only to realize there was still a whole half a book. I couldn’t imagine what would drag this story through an entire next half. It felt like there was a lot of extra attention spent on small moments that didn’t have to happen.

The story held potential and I liked the idea of honeymooners stranded in the middle of nowhere while continuing to encounter strange and dangerous scenarios, and I have to admit that I enjoyed the twists and turns that came to be as the story went on, but it just didn’t feel like it was taken to the level that it could have been. There were these moments of excitement when something new was introduced, a secret revealed, but then it seemed to fall flat and nothing really happened from there. Nat didn’t have a reaction, they were still lost in the woods, and nothing changed or progressed.

Jenny Miilchman's WICKED RIVER is a fast-moving story of manipulation, betrayal, friendships and family values. Jenny Milchman delivers a dramatic fiction story creating characters readers will embrace and remember long after they finish reading her novel. The protagonists are newlyweds with faults and secrets creating new character flaws adding twists and turns and speed bumps on their road of discovering each other. Natalie and Doug begin determining who they are even as they drive north towards six million acres of woods and dark secrets.

The storyline has support characters adding intrigue and mystery causing readers to be suspicious of the role of each new character in the developing mystery. Milchman places her readers on Nat’s shoulder as she ponders the details around Doug’s suspicious reactions to the loss of their compass and finding an injured person on the trail. Doug refuses to cut the trip short. Readers will find themselves holding their breath quickly turning the page to discover what is going to go wrong next. The action builds in intensity as Nat and Doug travel deeper into the woods and seems to be going in circles. Milchman creates an atmosphere of uneasiness as if someone is watching Nat and Doug.

Even as Nat and Doug are moving blindly into the dangerous adventure, Milchman manages to grab the attention of her readers as they follow the actions of those friends who are realizing they have concerns about Nat and Doug’s honeymoon trip. Nat’s niece Mia makes it known she is sure they need to check on what is going on in the woods. The author creates many layers of mystery and intrigue driving her readers to keep pushing to the thrilling ending. Milchman delivers a strong message focusing on life lessons and the importance overlooking people’s mistakes. WICKED RIVER gives readers insight into life adventures, romance, the importance of friendship and family values. Milchman keeps readers in the dark to the very end and then some. Her new book is must read earning a five-star ranking.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

I'm a huge fan of Jenny Milchman's books and so of course, I jump at any chance to read what she writes. I find she can craft one heck of a dark, twisty thriller and this latest one certainly delivers on all accounts - and let me just say, I definitely won't be heading out to the wilderness or on any camping trips any time soon!

One of the things I love about Jenny's books is just how fast she can get your adrenaline pumping. I for one am not really of the outdoorsy, adventure kind of vacation people, and you certainly would never find me taking a honeymoon where I have to do any kind of physical labor - other than lifting a drink to my lips and picking up my next read :) - so right away, I was a bit on edge when Natalie and Doug went off on their honeymoon in the woods.

This book is jam-packed with action. Once Doug and Natalie start off on their adventure, it seems that one mishap after another befalls them, and ever so slowly we start to see how this affects them both individually as well as a couple. We also learn about Kurt, a psychopath who now lives in the woods after his group deserted him. As Doug and Natalie edged closer and closer to Kurt's camp, I found the tension amping up, not knowing what might happen next. And then there's Mia, Natalie's teenage niece, who becomes quite important in realizing that Natalie and Doug are in danger. The chapters that focused on Kurt and Mia added to an already tense book and really got my heart thumping.

This book had me flipping pages at a break-neck speed. Like I already mentioned, I may not be the out-doorsy, adventurous type of person myself, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a book where the characters partake in these activities. All along, I felt as if I were right there with these characters...and there was some anxiety-ridden, paranoia going on while reading this - but all in good fun, let me tell you! This is why I love reading Jenny Milchman's books - she does dark, wicked good suspense in the outdoors and I love it!!!

Newlyweds Natalie and Doug Larson's backcountry honeymoon in the Adirondacks goes wrong when they lose their GPS. They decide to abandon their canoe and find a forested trail back to civilization. But unbeknownst to them, a hermit man watches their trek and is determined to make sure they do not make it out of his booby-trapped hideout alive.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

3.5 stars, actually

Comparisons with James Dickey's "Deliverance" are virtually inevitable: Characters set off for what they expect will be an exciting wilderness experience, meet up with a character or characters who have less than honorable intent and emerge with their lives forever altered. Such is the case in this book, which begins as just-married Natalie and Doug Larson head out by canoe on a honeymoon that will take them through a remote area of New York's six-million-acre Adirondack Forest Preserve.

From that point on, though, there are differences - the first of which is that Natalie witnesses interactions among Doug's friends before the ceremony that make her suspect her new husband may be hiding something (that he's a domineering jerk apparently has escaped her notice thus far). Now, she's more than a bit reluctant to head out for a week with no way to contact any other human being besides Doug - she can't even read a map, for gosh sake.

As they paddle along (she clearly struggling), Doug continues to counter each of Natalie's concerns with his know-it-all attitude. That neither is really up to the challenge becomes clear early on as they encounter the almost overwhelming mental and physical consequences of getting lost (the latter requiring near super-human efforts to overcome). All this takes place quite some time before they encounter the inevitable bad guy. His name is Kurt, and he's a wilderness survivor in hiding who more than anything else craves the company of other humans. He's eager to welcome "guests" with open heart and arms, but he's also taken elaborate steps to ensure that whoever enters his lair will remain ensnared till death do him or her part.

The canoe trip is eventful almost from the git-go, and anticipation builds as chapters shift from the couple's perspective to that of the forest pervert (all with full knowledge that at some point, the twains shall meet up). What was most interesting to me, though, was watching the demeanors of Natalie and Doug shift almost full circle - he becoming less assertive and she more confident (not that it made either of them more likable). Kurt, meanwhile, remains true to his damaged self, but readers do get glimpses of how that damage was inflicted and by whom.

Once Natalie and Doug are in Kurt's clutches, their struggle to escape and his efforts to prevent that from happening begins. This section, too, requires the kind of human effort I seriously doubt has ever happened in real life, but it does keep the story moving along. The final section deals with the outcome, which of course I won't reveal.

I didn't mention that Natalie has a sister, who in turn has an estranged husband and recalcitrant daughter, Mia (the latter of whom makes an introductory appearance at the wedding and again near the end but otherwise is pretty much, as her name suggests, missing in action). That omission was deliberate; I mention her here only because I have to wonder why she's included at all. Her "contribution" to the finish is not only totally implausible, but borderline silly.

All things considered, this is an enjoyable adventure, at least for those (like me) who don't need to fall in love with the characters to like a story. Here's my final thought: Like that other book, this one - with a few tweaks here and there - also would make a pretty exciting movie. If that happens, in fact, I'll be one of the first in line!

Kurt! I mean...wow. How damaged can one person be?

As a novel, this one does what you expect: it leaves you on edge, for the most part.

Nat and Doug put up a tremendous fight that you can't help but respect, and you have to respect Mia's role (even if I would have preferred tondo without it).

Two newlyweds decide to spend their honeymoon camping in the Adirondack Mountains . They get lost and come upon a dead body ! That's when their terror begins ! A chilling and gripping story that you won't soon forget ! Masterfully crafted plot ! Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital copy in exchange for my honest ! ! #Netgalley #SourcebooLandmark #WickedRiver

Books like this are the reason I don't go camping. Read it, and you might not be willing to go either!

Natalie and her brand new husband Doug have decided to spend their honeymoon camping in the forested mountains of the Adirondacks. At least, she tells herself they've decided. Mostly, it seems Doug has decided and she went along with it. Unable to read a map, Natalie's misgivings become even more bothersome when their GPS is lost and then they turn to outright terror when they come across a dead body. Little does she know that their adventure has really just begun. What happened to the dead man they found? Will Natalie and Doug make it out alive? You'll have to read WICKED RIVER to find out!

At first, I didn't think I would enjoy this story. Natalie is wishy-washy and what kind of woman doesn't stand up and say she doesn't want to sleep on the damn ground on her honeymoon? That's the thing though, all of the characters change and grow throughout the story and that had me rapidly turning these pages.

The only real problem I had with this book was with Natalie's 13 year old niece Mia. I think her sections only served to slow down the pacing. Also, many of her actions were just not believable. Everything else about this story rang true to me-the award winning couch sitter and non-camping extraordinaire that I am. Books like these only prove to show me that I'm correct in staying far away from the wilderness. I've read too many horror books for that.

I am so glad I tried something a bit out of my wheelhouse because WICKED RIVER was, (mostly), fast paced and WICKED fun! Recommended to fans of mystery/suspense and thrillers.

*Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*

.The Wicked River is a survivalist thriller with a hint of suspense, like The River Wild crossed with The Hills Have Eyes.
It was well written but a bit long winded and far fetched in my opinion, it has an oppressive atmosphere throughout, speckled with hopelessness but I never really warmed to the characters as Natalie seemed a bit pathetic and Doug had an agenda all his own, plus Mia was very annoying which made me feel that the plot was a little weak and not entirely satisfactory.
It was a decent, solid story but sadly, I never got totally immersed in it.

We meet Nat and Doug who are about to get married in the mountains. Mia, her mother and grandfather are enjoying themselves. Doug's groomsmen, Matt and Brad get into some sort of fight before the ceremony. Natalie and Doug start their honeymoon by canoeing down Gossamer Lake It was an intriguing book. This was my first of Ms. Milchman’s

After reading this book I definitely won’t be planning any camping trips in the woods!
Natalie and Doug are looking forward to spending their honeymoon in the woods, to be at one with nature and be totally alone.
The trip starts off well but things soon start to go wrong.
Alongside this story is that of Kurt who has made his home in the woods but his survival is often at the cost of a passing hiker. He is a very strange man and when he spots Natalie and Doug in his area, he plans to persuade them to stay with him.
This is a gripping read and there’s a real race against time at the end.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.