The Redemption of River

Sex in Seattle, Book 4

By: Eli Easton

Narrated by: Michael Stellman

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

River Larsen is a world traveler, truth-seeker, and tantric healer. He’s a master of loving all - and no one. Both his past and his spiritual path warn him against attachment. When he falls for his surrogacy client and coffee magnate, Brent McKay, River tells himself it’s a temporary idyll, a beautiful encounter they’ll both enjoy and move on from like mature adults. Only his heart misses that memo.

Brent McKay hasn’t been interested in sex since his wife died two years ago. When he goes to Expanded Horizons sex clinic in Seattle for help, he meets River Larsen, a sex surrogate specializing in reiki massage and tantric sex therapy. Brent never expected to be interested in a man, but River’s light-filled spirit, inner peace, and electric touch bring him back to life. Brent’s loyal heart is ready to commit again. But how can he convince River that love can last forever - if you just have faith?

The Redemption of River features a widower who surprises himself, a gorgeous hippy who thinks he’s a dandelion puff, an age gap, midlife discovery of bisexuality, foodie Seattle, a houseboat, dogs, a trip to Mumbai, and tantric secrets. (You know, the ones that let you have sex for hours. Those secrets.)

The Redemption of River takes place in part at the Expanded Horizons sex clinic and is thus book four of the Sex in Seattle series. It features a brand new couple and can be listened to as a stand-alone.

©2020 Jane Holmes (P)2020 Jane Holmes

Beautiful Story

Michael Stellman was the perfect performer for this book, I felt my eyes glaze and my body relax during the Tantric scenes betwixt River and Brett. Thank you Eli Easton, this book made me wish I had a partner to practice Tantric with! Solid read, I might read again.

Feel Good story

I enjoyed the story of River's journey. I like this series, The Mating of Michael is one of my favorite books, so I was excited to listen to another story of sexual healing. I liked both characters and following how their relationship grew and developed. Narrator did a great job, his voice was perfect for this story. This was a spiritual and heartwarming listening experience.

Holding on; letting go

Eli writes a great book about spirit and its connection to life, body and relationships. Some of the Buddha quotes are from a source I’m unfamiliar with, but maybe some Buddha said them! 😉

River is a syncretic spiritual practitioner with lots of experience and a desire to help others, but he doesn’t belong anywhere. Brent has many material possessions, but is challenged to keep letting go over and over in his personal life. Their polarity mixes well in this story built on yin/yang, push/pull, etc. It portrays beautifully how this dynamic is not limited by gender.

River seems like a critique of naive Eastern thought, always letting go. Often thinking “somebody’s else’s” this or that. I found him a bit puzzling for while. But it makes sense as his spiritual blind spot is from childhood trauma, which is where we almost all have our own issues. Eli does a great job of letting the characters express themselves more than on a thought level. Brent stares at River’s photo too long. River kisses Brent on the cheek without conscious intention. The characters breathe in a way that is more than inner monologue or twisting body parts.

The dialogue they do have sounds like people who have had years of couples counseling—almost too mature. In some ways, it makes the hard conversations more painful because there isn’t the drama to hide behind.

It’s a sweet and meaningful read if not exciting or overly sexy. But that’s not this story, and that’s just fine. Maybe it’s even a little healing. It’s great to see them discover there is wisdom in knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

The narration is good. I wish there had been more variety in the character’s voices, but overall conveyed with feeling and depth.

Recommended.

Great Story

I read the book first, then listened to the audio. This is a great story. It has an older man/younger man dynamic. It has healing and love. It has a lot of love. If you want a great listen with a fabulous narrator, you should pick this up.

Where can I signup?

I want what they’re having! Travel, eastern philosophy, tantric sex? I definitely need to look into someone unblocking my shakras.

A Lovely Hurt/Comfort Tale

I've enjoyed all the novels Eli Easton's Sex in Seattle series. They can be read in any order and are all very different.

The Redemption of River is lovely! The story starts with Brent's hurt/comfort tale, then alternates to River's journey, and comes all the way back around with the pair reconnecting. It is beautifully written.

The audio is nicely performed by Michael Stellman.

blah

the narration was good, but the story was dull.
as sweet as River was he seemed naive.
the only character with life was the kinda creepy old man.
pass on this book.