The story opens in 1881 on the steamboat that Irena works on. She wakens her five-year-old daughter, Jaycee telling her they have to get away because someone is trying to kidnap Jaycee. Irena's plan was to reach the showboat next to them because her father worked there. They did make it, but not before Irena was badly injured. The story jumps ahead fifteen years and Jaycee is working on the showboat with her grandfather and their family of entertainers. She has memories of the past, but many unanswered questions remain. Suddenly, her life is threatened and the biggest question is why?

In this well told story readers meet a varied cast of characters and their lives on the river boat are vividly depicted. Jaycee has a complicated past that she doesn't fully understand. One evening, what appears to be yet another kidnapping attempt, she is taken to meet perhaps the one person who can answer her questions and she is warned she might be in danger. Should she believe what she has been told? As the story races towards its conclusion a shocking secret is revealed.

Romance, suspense and danger all come together to create an engrossing story. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Set on Riverboats, In the Shadow of the River, brings a mystery. It starts early from the points of view of 5 year old Jacci and her mother Irena. What unfolds in the early chapters takes the whole of the story to unravel. There are twists and turns and an ending that I am certain I did not see coming.

This is a well written and enthralling tale, ultimately set on a showboat. Jacci is embraced by the actors of the Kingston Floating Palace including her grandfather. Jacci comes to know nothing but this life, However, after a certain politician makes an appearance, questions that Jacci has had for years refuse to be silenced.

The mystery deepens when she finds herself in a perilous situation.

This is a gripping tale that may seem slow at times, but that is an illusion delivered by a master. Jacci and Gabe are a wonderful pair, he has loved her since she came to the boat and she just needed to grow up.

The mystery is subtle and picks up as things unfold. The answers come and some are unexpected. This was a wonderful story. There are faith building moments and moments of personal growth for both Jacci and Gabe that occur organically but not drawn out nor forced.

I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest review.

A long held secret, found family, an intriguing mystery, a lovely romance, and the entertaining glimpse of life on a showboat completely drew me in! Ann Gabhart has been on my radar for a long time. After reading In the Shadow of the River, I am definitely wondering why I didn’t pick up her books sooner! The opening scenes of this book had me completely hooked with the attempted abduction of a small five year old girl. From there, I was intrigued by the mystery, romance, and heartfelt relationships between all the characters on the Kingston Floating Palace.

For five years, Jacci Reed’s mother Irena has done nothing but try to protect her daughter. When Jacci’s identity is discovered and someone attempts to kidnap her, Irena is badly wounded. She seeks help from her actor father known as “Duke” who works on the Kingston Floating Palace and places Jacci in his care while she tries to recover.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is thriving in the showboat vaudeville environment. Her gorgeous looks, beautiful voice, and acting talents have garnered the notice of several including her brother-like friend Gabe. While he wishes she’d see him as more, Gabe continues to be her best friend, but constantly reminds her he’s not her brother. When Jacci’s life is once again threatened, she demands to know the secrets only her grandfather knows. But, will the truth only serve to endanger her more, and those she loves?

I loved the unique setting of a showboat in the early 1900’s with all the vaudeville-like showmanship and entertainment. The friends to more, he-fell-first romance combined with an intriguing mystery and a touch of suspense kept me fully engaged. I loved Gabe and Jacci! Watching their romance bloom was so enjoyable especially when she finally realizes she loves Gabe as more than a brother. The theme of what it means to be family was beautifully done and I thoroughly enjoyed this ragtag group of endearing characters who loved and supported each other throughout the story. I especially loved the crusty, formerly self-centered actor “Duke,” who completely changes to care for Jacci. The mystery aspect was well done and the twist at the end was one I didn’t see coming.

I listened to the audiobook version and loved the narrator! She did an excellent job bringing each character to life, which wasn’t easy with so many different, unique characters. She captured all the emotions and personalities so well.

Highly recommend this well written, clean, inspirational, historical romance! I’m hoping we might see these characters again in another book. I received an advanced complementary copy from the publisher, but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given. 4 1/2 stars raised to 5.

I enjoy books taking place on the river and this one takes place on a showboat described as a floating palace. The book has such wonderful descriptions and sounds so opulent inside.


The thing I enjoy about this author’s books is she writes different historical topics than many authors do which makes for quite an interesting read.
Spending her life since she was five years old on showboats this is all that Jacci Reed knows. When she was very young her mother kept her from the shows but now that she’s older she is an actress on the stage of the showboat. Sadly, her mother passes away when she was very young, and she continues to live on the showboat on the Ohio River with her grandfather and his theater troupe.


I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story and equally I enjoyed the mystery of who was putting Jacci’s life in danger and why. The book kept me entertained and I read it in less than 24 hours I found it very hard to put down.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book .
All opinions expressed are my own.

Love love love this book! So good! Ann H. Gabhart has done it again! In the Shadow of the River will keep you on the edge of your seat. It will also make you smile, cry, laugh, jump, and squeal a bit too! Join jacci and gabe as they float down the river on a steamboat, giving shows at each town along the way. Learn about her past and how it will affect the future gabe so desperately wants to have with her. And see, as you read, how trusting in Jesus is always the answer! Thanks so much for the chance to read this book! Loved it! #NetGalley

I had to DNF this after a very long (t to me) 12% of the read. Much too detailed for the reader and not for the MC--disproportionately so--and it was frankly dark and depressing to read about! I didn't feel invested in the MC, even given all she went/was going through, and finally set it aside.

I may try again later but for now, the book and I were not meant to be.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It did move a little slow for me. The author developed the characters rather nicely with each of the main characters growing in their character and their faith.

The story itself was interesting and the author did keep me guessing on who was behind the attacks and more importantly the why.

Disclaimer: I did receive the book from the publisher via Netgalley but I was under no obligation to provide a review, all opinions expressed are my own.

A wonderful surprise of a book. I so enjoyed the main protagonists in this book, and there was several in this fantastic book. Also if you like mystery, adventure, and a wonderful love story, then this book is for you. It had me guessing until the end. The cast of characters were wonderfully written. To the Grandfather Duke, to Gabe the love interest each had their own voice that right along with this story. I do wish we had more from the love story. So much was put in this book there wasn’t much room, but the book is definitely worth the read and I highly recommend it to all!!

Jacie was born with a secret. This secret altered not only her life but for so many others. She was unsure of her past. She found it confusing to look to the future.

Jacie was known as Princess on the showboat. They became her family. Gabe was just like an older brother. But as she got older she was beginning to feel different. Each one had a talent that made the showboat so successful. It was vaudeville on a ship.

It was an interesting story. I never read anything like this before. They all looked at the showboat as their home.

I received this from Revell to review.

This was an entertaining read, I really enjoyed the setting of this novel being on a Showboat on the Ohio river. Life was quite different when you lived by the rules of the river and not the rules of land. Jacci was raised on the river and that is all she has really known. She still has horrid memories of the night her mother passed and since, her grandfather has raised her on the stage under the name Princess. When threats and guests from a past start staring up trouble, Jacci is bound to uncover the truth of what happened with her mother and who she really is. But the truth may be more dangerous than the life she has led to believe. This was a really well written novel, I loved all the different quirky characters and all of the detail that went into showing life on a Showboat, moving from place to place every few days. Each character was quite unique and the mystery really played out until the end. Thank you to the Revell Blogger Program and the author for the free novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

“Sometimes we have no choice but to play the roles we’re given.”

I have always been fascinated with the history of showboats and steamboats that traveled up and down the rivers, providing one form of entertainment or the other for those in riverside towns. Maybe it was Nancy Drew’s The Haunted Showboat that piqued my interest – who knows. But there aren’t a lot of novels that cover this particular subset of history (I can only think of a couple others, including the Nancy Drew book lol) so my radar zeroes in on the ones that do. Books like Ann H. Gabhart’s latest, In the Shadow of the River.

The theme of family is strong in this novel – the family who gives you life, the family who raises you, and the family you choose. Sometimes, they’re one and the same – but not always. The author has created such vividly-drawn characters in the cast and crew of the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat that travels up and down the Ohio River in the late 1800s. This ragtag group of actors, musicians, and all manner of vaudeville-style performers – as well as the boat crew – really have formed a family since most have been part of the show for many seasons. The bond between the ‘regulars’ is strong and tender, all at the same time, and I loved seeing all the different personalities and even imagined sitting down with them over a cup of Aunt Tildy’s hot cocoa after the show.

The main character of In the Shadow of the River, though, is definitely Jacci, and we first meet her as a scared (but brave) five-year-old whose mother is grievously injured by a man trying to take the little girl from the steamboat where Irena works. When they seek refuge on the neighboring showboat, Jacci is reacquainted with her grandfather who also became one of my favorite players in this drama. I loved the layers to Duke’s character, and it touched my heart to watch him step up for this new role of grandfather. He had spent a lifetime mostly thinking of himself, and now he has this little girl who needs him to put her first. Gabhart pulled off this transformation with such heart and feeling, and I just wanted to reach into the pages and give Duke a big ol’ hug.

While we meet Jacci as a five-year-old and stay there with her for a few chapters, we also get to jump ahead fifteen years and get to know her again as a young adult who has fallen in love with the showboat and its family. Particularly with her friend Gabe who finds it necessary to continue reminding her that he is not her brother. Oh no, the only familial connection he wants with Jacci is as her husband… if, that is, he can ever be sure that she could feel the same about him. Their friendship is another transformation that I loved over the course of this story, and its end result filled my romance-loving heart to the brim!

“… when the scene calls for a kiss, it doesn’t matter who is in the audience.”

The added dash of danger that bookends the story also bolsters the romantic tension, and there are some twists I didn’t see coming. It all works cohesively to make this a riveting story from beginning to end.

Bottom Line: Compelling characters, intriguing history, a sense of adventure, a dose of suspense, and a sweet exploration of what ‘family’ means are all reasons you should pick up In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart. Readers will fall in love with Jacci, Duke, Gabe, Aunt Tildy and so many other characters who call the showboat their home. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpses of life aboard the Kingston Floating Palace – from the parades to the calliope to the different acts, and of course the stories the showboat has to tell. A great choice for fans of the author’s previous books and new-to-her readers who also love Lynn Austin or Jocelyn Green.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I loved reading this interesting book about growing up on a riverboat. With such a beautiful cover and the exciting contents, Gabhart draws you in with the vivid imagery of life on a river. Also the people which make up the life of a traveling Show boat. She expertly transports you into their world and makes you wish you could hop aboard the Kingston Floating Palace. A story about a little girl whose mother dies while keeping her from being kidnapped. She could never understand why the man wanted to take her and who was Lisbeth? A grand father who she never knew existed is now her guardian and life is so different with all the different characters on the river boat. Still there is danger and mystery surrounding her life. If you enjoy historical stories, mysteries and romance, you’re sure to like In the Shadow of the River as much as I did....I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my complete and honest review.

In this historical novel readers are introduced to life aboard a showboat.

As I read through the story, I was struck by the strong relationships between the performers. It looks like it may have been an interesting adventure, but I’m not sure I could last as long on the river as some of the characters in this story!

The author does an excellent job creating a variety of characters to bring interest to the major plot line. Jacci Reed is the heroine of the story – a character with a past we are introduced to within the first few chapters. The story clips along with intrigue and some suspenseful moments as we watch Jacci and her mother flee one steam boat for another. The missing pieces of the introduction will fit together at the end of the novel.

Readers also get to see Jacci all grown up, living aboard the steamship she boarded with her mother fifteen years prior. She’s beautiful and talented – which will bring danger to the stage.

This was a fun read, with a lot of insight and research into a bygone era of entertainment on the river.

I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this story! The setting was unique and I just loved the riverboat life portrayed. The characters were well-done. The ending was a little rushed for me, but I still loved it!

In In The Shadow of the River Ann H Gabhart takes the reader on showboat journey on the Ohio river. What can I say I’m a sucker for a riverboat story which quite frankly there aren’t enough of. Jacci grows up on showboat with her grampus (grandpa) and his theater troupe. And eventually becomes an actress herself. However someone from her past will stop at nothing to finish what they started.


In the Shadow of the River has a little bit of history a whole of mystery and a sweet slow burn romance. I finished this one in 24 hours and while I loved the history and the romance it was the mystery that kept me turning pages. The thought there’s always something in Ann’s writing that keeps me turning pages.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I can honestly say I’ve never read a novel that is set on a riverboat, and now I wish there were more out there to devour! One of my favorite Elvis movies is Frankie and Johnny, where Elvis is a gambler on a riverboat, and is also a performer who is in love with his co-star. In the Shadow of the River gave me all kinds of Frankie and Johnny vibes and I was loving every moment! The setting alone is quite refreshing in and of itself, but then you add the charm of the main characters, and the overall aesthetic, and you’ve got one novel that captures your imagination and your heart.

Jacci is a little girl who is on the run with her mother, playing pretend, and keeping secrets that she often wonders about. When there is a sudden attack Jacci looses the only life she’s ever known, and is thrust into the riverboat show world with her grandfather, Duke. Fast forward fifteen years and Jacci’s origin is still a mystery to her, but when a threatening stranger enters the picture the mystery will be revealed, and Jacci’s truths will finally come to light.

I loved Jacci and her family so much. Her heart is apparent in the scenes when she’s a five-year-old but they shine when she’s a woman. I love how we know bits and pieces of the mystery but we don’t find out the whole story until Jacci herself does, which added that perfect amount of tension. There were a few twists but sadly I had caught on early on, so it wasn’t as much of a surprise as I had hoped, but that still didn’t take away from how much I adored this story.

The character development is perfection, the scenery unmatched, and the writing style flowed as smoothly as the showboat on the Mississippi! This is the first novel I’ve read by Ann H. Gabhart, but this will not be my last. She does a masterful job of painting a vivid literary picture that you can’t help but admire.

I really enjoyed this book on so many levels. It immediately sucked me in from page one and left me guessing throughout. It starts with an action packed punch and brings up to tears in a few chapters. After we are through the wringer we fling forward a few years and fall in the love with the main character again. This story is action packed, faith filled, and a great read.

#BookRevew: IN THE SHADOW OF THE RIVER by Ann H. Gabhart

“I can’t live always afraid of what lies in the shadows.”

This historical fiction took place mostly in the Kingston Floating Palace showboat in the 1800s. It was interesting to read about the lives of those working in the showboat and their reasons for joining the team.

It was thrilling when someone was trying to kidnap the five year old Jacci. Then the book slowed down it’s pace as Irena told us her back story. It was a good bit of storytelling. As the story progressed and new characters were introduced, I began to wonder if Jacci was still in danger. I enjoyed how protective Gabe was to Jacci. Their friendship and growth made their love story sweet. Tense moments, towards the end of the book, made it compelling again.

It was nice when many of the characters talked about prayer and their faith. Jacci had to learn to forgive and accept some hard truths about her life. Her parents' lives were indeed interesting, but it didn’t change the fact that she was well loved and taken care of.

Rating: 3.8 stars
Pub date: 09 May 2023, out now

Thank you Revell and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed reading this book! I didn't realize when I started it that it was a Christian book (not that I mind that genre!) While there was talk of praying and scripture mentioned it was perfectly balanced as historical fiction mixed with mystery and suspense and even romance.

The whole premise of the book was intriguing and takes place on a showboat in the 1800s. Jacci's entire life is based on lies and mystery. When she was five someone tries to kidnap her and from that point on her life is never the same.

This is a story of forgiveness and discovering who you are. Jacci has a wonderful support system not solely by blood, but by choice and circumstance. There were some twists and a slow unraveling of truths. The building of the relationship between Gabe and Jacci was perfect...("I am not your brother!")

I look forward to seeing what else this author has to offer!

4 stars

First of all, isn’t the cover of this book gorgeous? The cover alone made me want to read In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart, but then I read the back cover and knew it was a must read.

The first 100-ish pages of the book take place when Jacci is a child. I’ve got mixed feelings about this because while it does give us Jacci’s history, it also feels like an info dump (mostly coming from Jacci’s mother). Today, authors are told to sprinkle in backstory, but this author just gives many (most) of them right up front. I kind of felt cheated out of discovering all of those pieces of Jacci’s history along with her. Then again, there were things learned from Jacci’s mom that Jacci herself truly discovered.

Although, once past that first 100 pages, the story picks up with lots of differing personalities on the showboat. When someone mentions a special guest, I knew right away there were going to be problems. This book is all about the romance between Jacci and Gabe. There are some tense moments for Jacci and a few possible culprits, but Gabe and Jacci are the true stars of the story.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.