Wild River

Magnolia Falls Series, Book 2

By: Laura Pavlov

Narrated by: Desiree Ketchum, Aiden Snow

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Boy Obsessed, Found Family, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.

Ruby Rose declared me the enemy before I had a chance to defend myself.

I may be an attorney, but this girl had appointed herself judge and jury.

And I’d never minded a good verbal sparring.

There was a comfort in going to battle against the evil queen.

Maybe it was just the recognition of one damaged soul to another.

But the more we fought—the more I craved her.

Until our arguing turned into a bit of a wager.

One I was determined to win.

One time. Sixty seconds. A secret only we would share.

I’d work my magic and she’d declare me the winner.

I’d gloat, she’d sulk—that was my plan.

She was determined to prove me wrong.

But from the minute we crossed the line, there was no turning back.

She was so far under my skin I couldn’t think straight.

Feeling things that I’d never felt before was one thing.

But knowing the clock was ticking was another.

Ruby Rose may have given me more than sixty seconds, but she wasn’t offering forever.

And now my world doesn’t work without her in it.

But how do I convince her to stay, when she already has one foot out the door?

©2024 Laura Pavlov (P)2024 Laura Pavlov

Loved River and Queenie

Wild River is the 2nd book in the Magnolia Falls Series but can be read as a stand alone.
This is Ruby and Rivers story, and it didn’t disappoint. Each story just gets better and better, I couldn’t put this one down. And, the audiobook. Yes, it was a chefs kiss. From the beginning we get hit with the sass, push, pull, the banter between these two. Ruby aka Queenie was a fire cracker. A fierce independent woman who didn’t need anyone. She pushed Rivers buttons and he loved it. River was a lawyer who didn’t hold back either. He was a fierce protector. The perfect alpha, with a twist of a cinnamon roll. The sexual tension was on point. They got under each others skin, and are the perfect enemies to lovers. But, of course we get the slight angst as they are in denial, and are possibly setting themselves up for failure. We watch them go on this roller coaster of emotions. She had trust issues, as did he and they didn’t want to settle down. All it took was a contract and 60 seconds. If you know you know. Loved seeing the whole crew back together again, and beefcake. I love him. The brotherly banter was excellent, and the text thread as always is on point. The narration by Aiden Snow and Desiree Ketchum was a hit. They did the characterizations so well and I couldn’t stop listening. Great read and listen. Laura continues to knock this series out the park

Wild River and Sassy Ruby

When Ruby meets River in her dad's hospital room, she's quick to assume all sorts of things. Before he has the chance to say anything, she's declared him an "enemy"and she goes Evil Queen on him. She's used to battling for herself and winning and she's kind of surprised and interested when he fights back. River has no idea what hit him when he meets this hellion (as this is his friend's daughter less). They bicker, they banter until they come to an interesting wager. Sixty seconds was all it took and the raging fire between them can't be denied. But, he doesn't do relationships and she said from day one she'll be leaving Magnolia Falls as soon as her dad is well.

They both know it's temporary . They went in with their eyes open, no one was supposed to catch feelings. Well... good luck with that.

Oh, how I loved going back to Magnolia Falls! River and Ruby are absolute fire together! The banter is top notch. She's feisty, fiercely independent and strong. He's the total alpha mellow. Grumpy, a little arrogant, but soft and gooey on the inside (something he's having a hard time accepting is true).

The Ride or Die boys are all here, watching him fall and helping him get the girl. The girls become the friends Ruby never had and didn't know she needed,

I absolutely loved this one!

Narrated dual style by two favorites - Desiree Ketchum and Aiden Snow. Desireee has been a favorite for a long time and she never disappoints. I love when she gets to play a feisty heroine! Aiden and his unmistakable booming voice is perfect as River. He does grumpy and growly with the right amount of snark and swoon. Wonderful audiobook!

Love this series

I just loved these books can’t wait to listen to the next in the series. I give 2 thumbs up 👍

Found Family

Beefcake and Post-It Notes (IYKYK)! The FMC, Ruby, is smsrt and strong with a lot going on on her personal life. She is doing the best she can to take care of her family.

The MMC, River, falls first and shows her that she can depend on him. There is a good grovel and an ending that has me excited for the next couple.

5 NCF Clause Stars!!

This is the second book in the Magnolia Farms series and I FREAKING LOVED this book!! River and Ruby are perfectly matched for each other! Both are from this small town but only River has made this town his permanent home whereas Ruby has moved and pursued her PhD making something of herself that only certain members of her family are proud of her for.

If you read the first book in this series, which isn’t a requirement to appreciate this book, but it would definitely enhance this story for you, then you know River and his band of brothers are each other’s families no matter what. While River is a now a lawyer in Magnolia Farms, he and his blood brother Kingston had a rough time of it growing up, just like the rest of the guys and Ruby Rose has been a thorn in his side for as long as he can remember. But she’s back to help her father and all bets are off… so to speak!

The animosity these two have towards each other is excellently portrayed with the amazing narration by Aiden Snow and Desiree Ketchum. They embodied not only our H/h, but the entire town and its residents perfectly making this an amazing audiobook listening experience.

Because River and Ruby have this enemies vibe, it’s a short step away from all the sexy heat they could generate if they’d allow themselves to appreciate it and let me tell you, when they FINALLY admit it, things change dramatically for both of them which is both surprising and scary because neither of them have any dreams of finding the one person that totally gets them and, insert corny line, completes them. Along the way to the final culmination of this story, we’re treated to some of the best witty banter, the right amount of angst, unbelievably sizzling chemistry that had me fanning myself and some melt my heart emotional revelations.

This is the perfect addition to this series and a definite must read, listen or both!

Enemies to lovers banter is FIRE!

I loved being back in the world of Magnolia Falls! This found family is everything I love about small-town romance and more.

What I loved about this book:

1. River's broody yet protective and loyal persona;
2. The BANTER and tension between River & Ruby;
3. Ruby's character development;
4. The hilarious text exchanges and appearances of our favorite men of Magnolia Falls;
5. The feeling of yet another comfort read from L Pavlov.

This author writes small-town romance so seamlessly and makes it easy to fall right into the story. The narrators for this book did an amazing job, and I can't wait for what's next in this series!

Well done once again L Pavlov!

60 seconds 🥵🤭

"And I knew in that moment that forever would never be long enough with Ruby. But I’d take what I could get."

•

•

"Ruby Rose had taken all my broken pieces and put me back together without even trying. Just by breathing. Existing."

💭 Thank you to Laura Pavlov & Valentine PR for my ALC.

After growing up in Magnolia Falls and very promptly moving away, Ruby finds herself back to help take care of her dad after he suffered a medical emergency. (Which by the way was kind of hilarious 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️) She is a no nonsense kind of girl and has zero plans to settle down.

River isn't the settling down kind of guy. He knows exactly what it's like to love someone and lose them, he has no interest in falling in love again. But when he makes a "60 second bet" with Ruby, his whole life gets a lot more complicated.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It was funny and witty with a bunch of delicious stolen moments and funny banter. I loved all the self healing Ruby got to do while she was in Magnolia Falls. How she was taking control of her life! River was no different. He has a very traumatic past, and this book truly did him justice.

This series has some of the absolute best found family. I love that they all just took Ruby in under their wings and had no problem telling River to get his crap together.

“Ride or die. Brothers till the end. Loyalty always. Forever my friend,”

Perfect!

Narration was great. Writing and pace were perfect. I loved we got to see more of Romeo and Demi. And the cross over!!! Cannot wait for the next one!

Loved River and Ruby!

Yes, Queenie! Wild River by Laura Pavlov was swoony small-town romance perfection, and I couldn’t get enough of Ruby and River. Their instant tension-filled, undeniable chemistry made my heart go all a flutter and melt at the same time. This is book two in the Magnolia Falls series, and I fall a little bit harder with this town and its characters every time I visit.

Desiree Ketchum and Aiden Snow perform this audiobook in dual narration. These two could not have been more perfect to give life to Ruby and River. Desiree’s melodic voice captured Ruby’s sassy, feisty, and independent demeanor vividly making me empathize and want all the things for her. Aiden’s deep, warm timbre was like a giant embrace that fully conveyed River’s broody, dedicated, and loyal-loving persona. Plus, both narrators brought the heat and the passion between River and Ruby.

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a small-town romance with a fiercely determined psychology doctor, a broody yet caring attorney, a found family, helping out at the family bar, taking care of your dad, peaceful kayak trips, sixty-second oral spice, mentoring kids, BBQ with friends, explosive steamy times, brotherly love, an advice-giving Ride or Die Crew, sticky love notes, and a HEA that will do wild things to your heart. I always look forward to more from Laura Pavlov.

Wild River & His Queenie

Stars: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Friends with Benefits, Found Family, Boy Obsessed

Oh River and Ruby!! This story wasn't at all what I was expecting, these two had me from the jump, their banter, the way they kind of hated each other but also couldn't stay away from each other, it was all SO GOOD. I loved how these two were both slightly grumpy but it was because they were both holding SO MUCH deep inside of themselves. They both are so loyal and give their all to the people that they love. I loved watching the way River loved her. He just showed up for her over and over again. I also loved their nicknames! Wild River and his Queenie!

Also as a side note: FOREVER in love with Beefcake!

I was given an ALC of this book and man oh man, these narrators!! Aiden Snow was actual perfection as River. Like he could read me the phone book and I would thank him. Not to be outdone, Desiree Ketchum was also phenomenal as Ruby. Laura has such a way with her words that I get sucked into these audios and cannot stop until I'm forced to (damn endings).

This series is next level. I'm so invested in this found family. I LOVE them all. Thank you Laura and Valentine PR for the ARC and ALC. It was truly incredible!