This is an excellent book that follows the life of a woman who grew up on a horse and rice farm near Charleston, South Carolina. The only daughter of a woman to whom society was important she was expected to adhere to society’s expectations for young women, Eliza would rather ride a horse and run through the forest. The book is narrated by Eliza and she tells the story of her life and her efforts to put some of her land into conservation for future generations. This is a book that I think will be enjoyed by anyone liking fiction, and particularly fiction set in the southern US. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have loved all of Mary Alice Monroe's past books and this one did not disappoint! The storytelling was excellent with beautiful imagery leading me to be hooked from the beginning. The only problem is waiting until the next book comes out.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have read books by this author before, but I have to say this by far is my new favorite. I enjoy dual timeline stories and this one did not disappoint, the story of Eliza, Tripp, and Covey was heartwarming, interesting, and very well written. I enjoyed all the characters, but especially Eliza whose love for Mayfield , the land and all it represented was inspiring. I enjoyed the author’s writing style , it was very descriptive, I felt like I was there. I highly recommend this book, it ended quite abruptly, but in the author’s notes she said a sequel is coming, I look forward to reading it.

I love this author, I have read every book that she has written.. This one did not disappoint. Set in both Charleston and the low country of South Carolina, the reader meets Eliza in the present, who is retelling her story to her granddaughter and grand neice. Jumping back to the period before WWI, we find Eliza as a young feisty woman, who defies the norms in her family and her relationships. The Jim Crow era, the horrors of WWI, and what the role of women in that time period are all explored. The only problem that I had with the book is the sudden ending. Will there be a sequel?

A sprawling affecting saga of family and the land.
Interesting dual timelines--initially I felt more connected to the present day story, but as the historical storyline progressed felt deeply invested in its emotional telling.
The ending felt a bit abrupt, but the revealing Author's Note explained and left me eager for the sequel.

With thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this e-ARC.

I was so excited to see a new Mary Alice Monroe book that I did a happy dance. She's becoming one of my new favorite authors.
This book I really did love. There's nothing like family history and knowing where you come from.
I especially loved it when Savannah took an interest in her grandma's stories and the home she grew up in. I didn't much care for her greedy dad though..selfish man.
Monroe's descriptions made me feel like I was there in the plantation with Eliza and her family.
Eliza's my favorite character of course because her storytelling reminds me of my grandfather's stories.
So I resonated with this story a lot. This will be my favorite book by her.
Your heart will rejoice with Eliza and break with it down through the generations of family.
5 stars from me for an excellent read.
I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Add this book to your “Want to Read” list and buy it as soon as it arrives from the publisher next spring. I read an ARC and throughly enjoyed this book. It’s a wonderful novel in a stellar setting. The protagonist’s life story growing up on a rice and horse farm in South Carolina is engaging. I grew to care deeply about every thrilling personal victory and tragic heartache. Just when I anticipated one plot twist the tale would go to an unexpected but pleasantly surprising new place. The story had great pace and while I’ve grown lukewarm about split time novels this one really sings! All historic details were accurate and made this time period in the Low Country of South Carolina’s coast come alive.
The author, Mary Alice Monroe, tells us in her notes this is a story about conservation and love of land. She certainly delivered on this and so much more! I look forward to the sequel.
#WheretheRiversMerge

A beautiful setting for well-crafted characters. Monroe has created a meaningful story that got all the emotions out of me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe. Oh, how I have missed reading long and beautifully written family sagas! Bravo to Ms. Monroe for this wonderful novel. I wish I could dive right into the second volume right now. There is much to be learned, and much to savor in Where the Rivers Merge; i will be revisiting it.

I always cherish Mary Alice Monroe's stories, and this one was one of my favorites from her. She always writes just heart felt stories, and I had all the heart strings pulled with this one. She has a way of capturing the reader from the minute the story begins to the minute the last sentence comes together. Beautuflly done Mary!

On her 88th birthday family matriarch Eliza goes home to her beloved family home, Mayfield, with her granddaughter and newly discovered great niece. Her greedy son is trying to wrest the company and her property from her and it’s here she’s gone to not so much retreat, but to finally share her stories with these two important woman. A look at a woman’s life, past and present written in Monroe’s indomitable style.