Three Rivers: A Novel

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This is an enticing coming of age story. That begins dark, yet grows into something I was not expecting. Stella has wanted to be an actress for as long as she can remember, and she has done it. She is part of a show and is succeeding in that part of her life. In every other part she is spiraling down a drain. Looking for acceptance and friendship in everyone she comes across. Being used for drugs and in exchange for a "friendship". This destructive behavior leads to a horrifying night, when one of the other castmates overdoses at Stella's home. Althea experiences an unimaginable tragedy. Griffen wholly guards himself against personal relationships because of an unimaginable upbringing. Since "in Pittsburgh there (are) only two, maybe three, degrees of separation between people" Griffen and Althea soon find themselves wrapped in a whirlwind of a major commonality. Three Rivers journeys the self-discoveries for both of these characters in by such satisfying means for the reader by understanding both together and apart. Chemistry and passion knows no bounds between the two as the reader embarks on an incredibly emotional ride. They’re funny, playful, deep, and soulful and since their story is so brilliantly written we feel each of those emotions. Aubrey, Althea and Jenna are three friends who are determined to get through this crazy world with the support from one another. Their bond and relationship is real and relatable. You will want to know these girls and laugh along with their shenanigans. Soul sisters from start to finish, these ladies are exactly the kind of support system Althea and her son need. Tea and Griffin embark on a very steamy and sexy secret relationship that is supposed to only last while he is in town. Their chemistry is smoking hot which translated into a very steamy, sexy read. Griffen has his own set of problems and doesn't commit easily, but he finds himself falling for Althea as fast as she fell for him. These two try to deny the instant connection that they have, the growing love that is between them. Althea not only had one real true love in her life she just might have two. But can she see it and will she see it in time for her to have her HEA with Griffen?

Tea and Griffin’s story progresses as they start to realize they have a real connection. Will they find real love and heal each other? You’ll just have to read to find out. I won’t spoil the mystery of this story for you cause it’s a good one.

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Althea refuses to allow herself to love again. Imprisoned in grief at twenty-four after her husband’s sudden death, she’s convinced her heart died along with him. She spends her days honoring his memory by clinging to the legal career he helped her to build and to the remaining pieces linking her to their life together. Griffin is a famous writer visiting his mother in his hometown and is helping a former mentor. Griffin is a great character. Sexy, possessive, a bit vulnerable and did I say sexy? He and Tea meet and have a very hot, what is supposed to be a one night stand. Tea doesn’t think she’ll see Griffin again, but, surprise! She and Griffin have a surprising connection. When introduced to Althea, she has just suffered the tragic loss of her husband but left with the precious gift of a child. Helping her hold it together are her two best friends, Jenna and Aubrey. They continue to help and support her and encourage Althea to move on with her life. In her attempt to move on, we are introduced to Griffen. A famous author and native of Pittsburgh, who has returned to help his mentor at the local University. One night of passion opens up a new path for Althea that leads her across a river of happiness, love and heartbreak.

However, that’s easier said than done after we find out that Griffin was in fact, Althea’s late husband’s estranged best friend from childhood, and trying to keep their arrangement under the nose of Althea’s mother in law!Not only were the two main characters interesting, I found the witty banter very entertaining. Beyond that, Jenna and Brey who are Althea’s best friends are wonderful supporting characters who apparently will be getting stories of their own which I’ll look forward to reading. The threesome’s bond is admirable. Everyone should have a Jenna and Brey in their life. The readers of The Three Rivers will learn about Dinghy sailing socially and competitively. Also, the readers will learn about the way organic compounds break down, called anaerobic decomposition. The case itself was an enthralling one that will keep the readers on their toes. As usual, didn’t work things out and my heart was in my mouth as to just what outcome this story would have. Well played by the author for keeping it up his sleeve and keeping me guessing. Other than that she was hyper-focused - on him: his impossible aqua blue eyes (seriously, is that even a real eye color?); his broad shoulders; that delicious mouth; the way his slightly shaggy hair grazed his dark brows. Everything about him was hardwired to excite her on every level. Now add in two other male suitors who are interested in the fair Althea as well as some secrets, angst, and a heartbreaking revelation that could turn deadly and you’ve got yourself a story!

I have two Gen Z niblings, and asked them at various points if the language or references that Stella uses are realistic. Even considering her acting-career (and I use ‘career’ loosely – more on that later), she speaks like a millennial. The author weaves an intriguing story set in Pittsburgh, PA. The beauty of this city intensifies the beauty of Althea and Griffen's story. If Pittsburgh weren't already my favorite city in the USA it would have been by the end of the story. The call them the “Three Rivers” but its really two rivers joining together to form the third. One surrendering to the other to become something bigger and much more important. The rivers are not lesser for moving on and joining together, they are broader stronger, and lead to so many more opportunities—as one. As a local girl, I was so taken with the descriptive way Ms Barlow has described the city through out the book. It was wonderful to read all the places I am fimiliar with described through out the book. You need not be from here to "enjoy the scenery", it made the story rich with detail any reader can enjoy. Now turn around and grab the edge of my desk...Well done. Now pull up your skirt for me," he commanded.

Ann: ‘I like really complex locations, places that hit you and strike you. Places that have different communities within them. I grew up in North Devon so I know it quite well and I like that mix of cosiness – we think of Devon as having cream teas and thatched cottages and there is a little bit of that about it but there’s more rugged and left behind than people realise and because it has Ilfracombe, an old-fashioned seaside town, with big hotels and guest houses, they’ve now become hostels for the homeless, places where drifters and transients come and go and I like very much that mix of different people.’ Ann: ‘The new series features Inspector Detective Matthew Venn but I hope it will be more of an ensemble piece so we find out a little bit more about his colleagues, Jen Rafferty, who’s a scouser who has escaped an abusive marriage and moved down to North Devon, and very much local boy Ross May. Three Rivers is a tremendous story about love, loss and the struggles of moving on and the healing of souls. I also want to praise the rich vocabulary; Thank you Chloe I highlighted several words for my English repertoire. Metaphors and analogies were abundant but never used excessively and they were beautiful, they just enhanced the reading experience.

Let me share Griffen and Althea's chemistry is off the charts. The nights they spend together are steamy. But it's not just amazing sex. They really have genuine feelings for each other. They agree to have a good time for the amount of time that Griffen is in town, but what these two don’t realize is that they need each other to help each other heal and get passed the guilt they both have consuming them. This journey will give you loss, acceptance and the power of hope. Not only those, but it will show you how the power of friendship and keep you afloat even when you didn’t know that you were drowning. Only…when feelings grow and an undeniable attraction and connection builds between them, what will they do? Will Althea give love a second chance despite the anguish and despair that she still carries? And will Griffin, a man running from his past, ever find foreclosure and love? I am so glad I read this book. This was provided by a blogger for a review tour and I don’t regret it one bit, even if I am doing this at an insane hour!!! I devoured this book in one day!! It’s that good.Truth be told I started reading the book completely blind. I didn’t even read the blurb and thank God I did, because everything was mystery, everything was just new and I loved unwrapping the present word by word. The story was highly predictable… at 20% I knew the ending and… everything else but, that didn’t bother me one bit, it actually made me get into it more and more to prove my theories… For a first time author, Chloe T. Barlow has done an outstanding job of telling the story of Griffen and Aubrey. She takes us on such a ride that I didn't want it to end. Congratulations on such an amazing debut! I will be eagerly waiting for whats next. He constantly calls her gorgeous... so much so that it became annoying. Just wanted him to stop... she has a name! There's a time to call me gorgeous and a time to call me by my name... this is just a personal pet peeve. :) This may not bother anyone else...